The downpour had yet to cease.
Not far away, puddles shattered by the raindrops refracted the neon lights into dazzling glimmers.
"Ha... ha... ugh..."
She woke up from unconsciousness for the third time, gasping violently for air.
Blood was caught in her throat, causing her to cough repeatedly before she could finally catch her breath.
The roaring sound of rain intermingled with the ringing in her ears, giving her the momentary illusion of being surrounded on all sides.
But it was just an illusion.
Struggling, she propped herself up and began to rise.
Her long black hair, soaked from the rain, clung to her spine, which was covered only by a white tank top.
The blood, diluted by sweat and rain, spread across her tight-fitting tank top, staining it a pale red, while the swollen, purplish wound on her back festered, clearly infected and on the verge of inflammation.
The chip at the back of her neck kept reminding her that her body was in a critical state.
