"Poisonous!" I immediately felt something was wrong, and retreated, covering my mouth and nose.
But under these circumstances, my body went limp, and I fell to one knee, propping myself up with my short sword. "Poison!"
I felt a burning sensation all over my body, and was unable to exert any strength. My gaze swept around, then I turned and walked towards the edge of the forest.
After only a few steps, I saw a figure appear before me.
The person looked very thin, almost skin and bones.
Standing in front of me, I even felt that this guy was somewhat malnourished.
"What number are you?" I asked, looking up.
"Number Two," the person in front of me said. "I'm not particularly good at direct combat, but for traps and such, I have a little talent..."
"Number Two, right..." I simply sat on the ground. "What does this poison do? How long do I have to live?"
"This poison will only make your body go limp, rendering you unable to attack me. The effect lasts for about five hours. As for how long you can live..." Number Two glanced at me, "It depends on when I kill you!"
"Since I'm going to die anyway, can I ask some questions?" I asked Number Two, smiling.
"Of course," Number Two seemed very confident in himself and sat down in front of me.
I took out a piece of venison from my pocket and put it in my mouth. "Why do you want to kill me?"
"It's Father's order!" Number Two looked at the venison in my hand, clearly a little greedy.
"Why do you have to obey orders?" I looked at Number Two and handed him the half-eaten venison.
Number Two looked at me warily, hesitated for a moment, then took it. "Poison doesn't affect me... As for obeying orders, he is our benefactor..."
"Is he a benefactor or an enemy?" I looked at Number Two. "If nothing unexpected happens, you used to have a normal life, and now you've become like this, you must have gone through a lot of things..."
Number Two was silent for a moment. "I was just a homeless person before. The life I have now is entirely because of Father..."
I knew, of course, that the Father he was referring to was Weixi.
"Have you ever thought if this is the life you want?" At this question, Number Two fell completely silent, holding the venison, eating it slowly without much enthusiasm.
I didn't speak either, took out another piece of venison and slowly chewed it in my mouth.
The surroundings became quiet, and apart from the chirping of insects, no other sounds could be heard.
After Number Two finished the venison, he looked at me. "You've met Number Three and Number Five. How are they?"
"Number Three is with me, and I don't know where Number Five is now..." I said with a smile.
I couldn't tell this guy that I had beaten up Number Five, in case he became hostile towards me again.
"Number Three is too naive..." Number Two looked at me and said slowly.
"Whether one is naive or not has no clear division, but at least he knows who is good to him and who is not..." I said.
"Can I ask you a question?" Number Two hesitated for a moment, then asked.
"I'm almost dead, you can ask me anything..." I said with a smile.
"Can I know why Father wants to kill you?" Number Two asked.
"Actually, his initial goal was to take me back. Later, when he was desperate, he sent you all to kill me," I said with a smile. "As for the reason for taking me back, it's because I have something he needs..."
"What is it?" Number Two asked.
"Something that will make you achieve your goals!" I said slowly. "I don't know what that guy has done to you, or what restrictions he has on you, but I can be sure of one thing: in a place like this, you are free and safe!"
"At least you don't have to suffer the inhumane torture you did before," I looked at Number Two. "If there is anything that restrains you, I can also find a way to help you get rid of it!"
Number Two hesitated for a moment, then extended his hand and rolled up his sleeve.
At this moment, I saw a small black dot on his arm.
This black dot looked as if it had been forcefully injected into him.
The surrounding blood vessels already showed signs of blackening.
"What is this?" I asked.
"Within two months, if Father doesn't inject us with the antidote, our bodies will be consumed by this thing, and we will die!" Number Two said.
"What exactly did you go through before?" I asked.
Number Two smiled, it seemed to be a very painful memory, he shook his head and said nothing.
"I'm almost dead, and you're about to complete your mission. Aren't you willing to tell me this small matter?" I asked with a sincere smile. "To let me die with regret, aren't you too cruel?"