There is a famous saying from a Chinese strategist that I learned in the human world: "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle."
To be successful in this battle of revenge, I first need to know about the opponent, as I don't know them at all. All I have seen are memories, and a mere fragment of memory doesn't reveal the whole truth. In Arnold's memory, there is very little information. I don't even know what intentions they have in mind. I am alone here; I didn't bring anyone with me. It's not like I was with someone when I came here; I'm all alone from the start and even now. Have I even made any friends? All I seem to have done is make enemies. The assassin sent to me was probably from the Dawn Guild.
After my fighting experience till now, I have this insight: if you fear losing, you'll lose even before you start. So, I should cast aside fear and prepare for all situations.
I was in Aaron's room as my room was being used as a storage room. His room was neat and cleaned without a speck of dust. Alone in the solitude of Aaron's room, I found solace amidst the orderly arrangement of his belongings. The meticulous cleanliness of the space offered a semblance of sanctuary amidst the chaos of my thoughts. Yet, even in this sanctuary, the tendrils of apprehension coiled tightly around my heart, threatening to suffocate me in their grip. I turned my attention to the books lining the shelves, seeking refuge in their pages from the storm raging within. I noticed some books on the racks, so I thought of passing the time. The book's title was "He Who Arises from Hell." The title piqued my curiosity, and I started reading it.
The title of the book, "He Who Arises from Hell," beckoned to me like a siren's song, its tantalizing promise of forbidden knowledge stirring a tempest of curiosity within me. With trembling hands, I reached out to grasp its weathered spine, pulling it closer to me as though drawn by an invisible force. As I began to peruse its contents, each word seemed to leap off the page, weaving a tapestry of intrigue and mystery before my eyes.
"Every victory has a loser,
Every loser has a high rise,
Every high rise has a fall.
Every fall has a hell,
Every hell has a king,
Every king has his reign,
Every reign has its end,
Every end has a beginning,
And every beginning,
another tale to spin."
These were the first words written in that book. When I turned to the next page, it was written about a non-human race, the 'yakshini.'
'When the moon rises in the sky and the clock strikes twelve, she comes to your door. You can only meet her on a blue moon night. She has long black hair touching the ground, a beautiful face like a nymph, with mesmerizing orange eyes. It's a warning not to look into her eyes; the moment you do, you become her prey. She invariably has her feet turned backward. She has the power of shape-shifting; she can turn into any person, from old to young. On the night of the blue moon, she searches for her prey. But if you encounter one, immediately go inside the house. Don't open the door, no matter who calls you. She will play tricks to make you open the door; she will show different types of illusions, but don't be fooled. It's all her trick to get invited because she can't enter others' houses without an invitation. Don't be fooled by her sweet words. She has sharp tusks on both sides of her mouth. she can recognize her prey because as soon as you see her eyes, you grow horns on your head. After that, no matter what you do, you can't save yourself from her. She will seduce and kill you, eating all your organs. Don't fall for her. She only looks for those who are drenched in greed, lust, desperation, and need. She can fulfill your desires and make you her slave. Slowly, she will drain your energy, leaving you a lifeless corpse. She uses your life force to maintain her beauty. They live for too long, and they cherish their beauty.'
"What kind of books is Aaron reading? It looks like some fictional books. I agree, there are some non-human races around us. I've never heard of such races before. Do they have these kinds of races too? It's giving me goosebumps with each line I read."
With bated breath, I turned to the next page, only to be confronted by an unsettling revelation. The words that greeted me spoke of a realm beyond the realm of mortals, inhabited by beings of unearthly beauty and unfathomable cruelty. The description of the yakshini sent shivers down my spine, its sinister allure casting a shadow over my thoughts. It simply said, "Hello, reader." I was shocked to see this, and the book fell from my hands. I lifted it again, checking if what I was seeing was true.
With a trembling hand, I reached out to touch the words, half expecting them to fade away like wisps of smoke. But they remained, a stark reminder of the strange and otherworldly forces that lurked in the shadows.
As I pondered the implications of the author's message, a knock echoed through the room, jolting me back to reality with a start. The sound reverberated through the silence like a thunderclap, sending ripples of uncertainty coursing through my veins.
The words the author wrote made my heart start beating fast upon hearing the possibility of her being around me. As I read her description more and more, I felt a shiver run down my spine like I never had before. Though my mind remained calm, my human body quivered with fear. Perhaps it's an instinct to protect itself from danger, warning me to stay away from her. I don't know her at all, and if I were to get involved with her without knowing her weaknesses, I might get in trouble.
As I contemplated the possibility of encountering this otherworldly being, I was reminded of an old proverb: "Better to be safe than sorry." Indeed, venturing into the unknown without knowledge of her weaknesses would be akin to sailing into a storm without a compass – a reckless gamble with dire consequences.
"What? Is she really around here?" I had this doubt in my mind.
"There's nothing to fear, but she can be your family member, relative, friend, or even among your servants. Yakshinis are tree spirits; some are good, but some are bad. The evil ones are not attached to their trees; they move around to search for their prey. Mostly, their prey are men because they are easy targets." As I pondered the implications of this newfound knowledge, a sense of unease crept over me like a creeping vine, winding its tendrils around my consciousness. The realization that I may be in the presence of such a creature filled me with a primal sense of dread, urging me to tread carefully in the darkness that surrounded me.
"If she is really around here, then I have to be careful."
I heard a knock on the door. After reading this book, I had so many thoughts. Were these books real? I should not open the door. What if it attacks me or makes me its prey and sucks all my memories? The knocking on the door continued. I hesitated to open it.
"Open the door," someone said. The air hung heavy with anticipation as the ominous knock reverberated through the stillness of the room, shattering the tranquility like a bolt of lightning in the dead of night. My heart leaped into my throat, pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs as adrenaline surged through my veins.
The knock on the door shattered the silence like a thunderclap, jolting me back to reality with a start. My pulse quickened at the sound, a tumult of conflicting emotions swirling within me. Should I heed the call of the unknown, or retreat into the safety of solitude? With each passing moment, the weight of my decision hung heavy upon me, a burden too heavy to bear alone. But I thought, what if she is changing her voice to trick me so that she can come inside? The knocking continued, and I was filled with various mixed thoughts and emotions. I was confused about whether I should open it or not. Then I thought, even if she is a yakshini, I don't think she can come inside unless I invite her, right? With this thought in mind, I went to open the door.
I opened the door because of the loud noise and my curiosity.