Before my consciousness fully faded, I managed to grasp my knife and drive it into my leg, the cold steel slicing through flesh to keep me awake.
"Ngggh!" The searing pain erupted through my leg, a fiery jolt that made me clench my teeth and fight through the agony.
"Oh..." the woman observed with a mix of surprise and intrigue. "You're using a knife to stave off unconsciousness. Quite the tactical move. But are you sure that's a smart idea?"
It wasn't. I was acutely aware of that. By stabbing my leg, I had sacrificed my speed and mobility, but without that desperate measure, I'd have been finished.
I rotated the knife in my hand, preparing for the next move, and dropped into a fighting stance.
"What's that going to do?" she sneered, her eyes narrowing.
"How about you find out?" I retorted.
