"No..."
I quickly shook my head.
Nah, that couldn't be true.
It was way too painful, way too dreadful to be just a dream. The lingering phantom aches in my muscles, the echo of those giggling stars—no way my brain could fabricate that kind of horror.
I must have fainted after that giant star hit me... or maybe after the massage? Or... wait, did I pass out even before that?
I groaned, rubbing my temples.
Urgh, that psycho snake's 'training' must have scrambled my brain too.
Just then, a timid but worried voice piped up from my right:
"U-um... a-are you alright?"
I turned—oh. Luna. Sweet, innocent Luna, her eyes wide with concern.
"Yeah, thanks for worrying," I said, mustering a weak smile. "You're really kind, you know that?"
Then I deliberately shifted my expression into one of exaggerated annoyance.
"—Unlike someone who throws people into death trials without a warning!"
And as expected - a sudden chill crawled up my spine.
I slowly turned my head.
