I was losing my strength rapidly. The grip strength of my enemy was superior to anyone I had faced in my past life. This was not a good sign.
"You should have accepted my offer when you had the chance, man." - The man spoke as he tightened his grip on my neck. The air escaped from my lungs like a deflating balloon. I knew I couldn't endure much longer, but there was nothing I could do.
I was about to pass out. My vision was starting to blur. Everything I had done up to that point would be in vain. Before my eyes closed completely in the darkness of my mind, I could see a figure approaching us.
The presence attacked, with a sword in hand, delivered a blow to the hand that was holding me. A clean cut that severed the hand from the rest of the body. The sensation of air returning to my lungs was something I didn't expect to be so pleasurable. I took a brief moment to massage my neck.
I could already see normally, and I recognized the person who had saved me. It was Arabella, one of the officers from the Fangs of Stein. She was a tall woman, with dark skin, short and voluminous hair, and turquoise eyes that made anyone looking at her seem to be contemplating the universe.
Without saying a single word, she positioned herself between me and the masked man. She was ready to fight. The man began to laugh while holding the part of his arm that had lost the hand. He laughed uncontrollably as if relishing the moment.
"Damn, it seems like this night only gets better!" The man said as he continued to laugh. He seemed to be enjoying the moment. While he laughed uncontrollably, something strange began to happen.
The hand that Arabella had cut was still moving as if it wanted to return to its original place. Stealthily, the hand used its fingers to gain momentum and tried to attach itself to the neck of my savior. With a kick, I pushed her hand away. It was at that moment that I felt a faint trace of energy use. Everything was very strange, but there was no time to think about it at the moment.
"Is that hand moving to attack me?" The indignation in Arabella's voice was evident. Understandably so, considering that apparently, she wasn't able to sense and see the energy around her.
Seizing the officer's momentary distraction, the masked man advances, holding the broadsword with just his remaining hand. The strength he possessed was superhuman.
"Arabella, watch out!" - I shouted as soon as I saw him moving, trying to position myself in front of the assailant.
I advanced in his direction with Arabella accompanying me. We would have to capitalize on the numerical advantage. I retrieved the dagger I had left on the ground and took the tip of the poisoned arrow. Even if cuts didn't work on him, poison could be an option.