Too close

Reyan was hiding on the right side of the main door, gripping a makeshift weapon crafted from a broom and a knife. This time, there was only one entrance to the room—the main door. He was completely serious about killing him this time.

After a while, the sound of footsteps echoed from the stairs, slowly approaching Reyan's room.

"Alright, motherf—, come on already…"

Faceless was getting closer. Reyan's guess had been right—this time, he had brought a gun. As Faceless reached the door, he aimed his gun inside. But Reyan wasn't standing in plain sight; he was hidden to the side. He could see Faceless's shadow.

"Come on... step inside…"

As Faceless slowly entered the room, Reyan struck with his weapon—but missed. Faceless dodged his attack with ease.

"Hah! I knew you'd dodge that. That's why…"

Reyan slashed a rope tied near the door. A heavy, wet blanket fell directly onto Faceless, covering him completely.

BANG!

Faceless fired, but Reyan had already moved aside, narrowly avoiding the shot. Seeing an opportunity, Reyan quickly stabbed through the hole the bullet had made in the blanket. His attack was so powerful that not only did the blanket tear, but three of Faceless's fingers were severed. The gun dropped to the floor, along with Reyan's broken weapon—the knife and broom splitting apart.

Without hesitating, Reyan delivered a powerful kick to Faceless's chest, sending him crashing onto the balcony. Wasting no time, Reyan grabbed the fallen gun and fired.

BANG!

But Faceless flung the blanket into the air, and the bullet ripped through it instead.

Silence.

The blanket slowly drifted down, acting as a temporary barrier between them.

Reyan smirked. "So, my plan worked… I soaked the blanket in water to make it heavier, then tied it to the balcony's clothesline. The moment you stepped in, I cut the rope."

As the blanket settled on the floor, both of them locked eyes. Reyan, standing inside the room, holding the gun. Faceless, in rough shape—his right hand missing three fingers, dark blood dripping from them. A fresh bullet wound on his right shoulder, also oozing that same black liquid.

"Finally… I finally managed to deal some serious damage."

Without hesitation, Reyan fired again.

BANG!

But Faceless dodged and dashed to the left.

"Damn it, I missed…"

Reyan rushed outside, stopping near the door and glancing to his right. Faceless stood about 30 meters away.

"Should I take the shot? No... It's too dark, and I might miss again. Maybe that's what he wants."

"I'm not wasting a bullet, you hear me?"

Reyan began advancing slowly. "I have the advantage—I've got the gun, and he's unarmed…"

Then, he noticed something in Faceless's hand.

"Huh? What is that? What's he holding…?"

Faceless smirked.

Reyan smirked back. Doesn't matter what it is. He can't beat me this time.

He moved closer, step by step.

Faceless remained completely still, as if waiting for Reyan to approach.

Reyan stopped. The distance between them was now about 10 meters.

"Alright… This is the perfect range. I can aim carefully and not miss this time."

Calming himself, he slowly pulled the trigger.

BANG!

But Faceless dodged again.

"Huh? Where'd he go?"

It was as if he had vanished into the darkness.

"Did I hit him? Was my aim on point?"

Reyan cautiously moved forward, his face showing nothing but cold determination. Then, he noticed something—a single drop of black liquid dripping from above.

Instinctively, he looked up.

Faceless was clinging to the wall.

Without thinking, Reyan fired.

BANG!

Faceless dodged once more and dropped down, charging straight at Reyan.

BANG!

This time, the bullet hit—right in Faceless's chest.

But he didn't stop. He passed by Reyan at close range.

Reyan sidestepped, barely avoiding him.

A sound. Something falling.

Reyan spun around instantly.

Faceless was within range.

"Go die, you bastard—"

Reyan pulled the trigger.

Nothing happened.

Or rather, there was no gun in his hand.

A sharp pain exploded in his right wrist.

His focus shifted.

His hand felt… empty.

"Huh…? My hand…?"

Then, he screamed.

"AAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"

Dropping to his knees, Reyan clutched his right arm.

His hand—his entire hand—was gone.

Blood gushed from his wrist like a river, splattering the ground. His severed hand lay lifelessly on the floor… still clutching the gun.

Reyan gasped in agony.

Faceless turned toward him.

Something gleamed in his hand.

"A knife…? Wait… That's my kitchen knife… The one I tied to the broom…! When did he…?"

Faceless stepped closer.

"You motherf— I know you can hear me. Listen well… Next time, I will kill you. And I'll enjoy it just as much as you are right now…"

Faceless lifted the knife to Reyan's throat.

And with a single slash—

Blood sprayed like a fountain.

Reyan's neck fell limp.

RESET.

Reyan was back in his room. His hand instinctively went to his throat.

"That was… way too close…"

This was his 21st loop.