I Want to Die, But I Am Immortal
Chapter 41: Perfect Loop

Chapter 41: Perfect Loop

Adam looked at Sophia’s sleeping form one last time. Not a word was spoken. A slow stand from the bed was followed by a silent exit from the room.

The door was quietly closed and locked from the outside. A move to Anastasia’s room was next. Her door was also locked.

Walking towards the stairs the mind was a whirlwind of calculations. I have their skills and a gun now, Adam thought. But I am still not in a position to neutralize all three of them without any losses. Not yet. The greatest weapon had to be used. The most powerful advantage was the ability to return by death.

This loop would be used. As many as it took would be used to find the perfect path. A path was needed where victory could be achieved without any casualties. A path where Sophia’s family would be safe.

The top of the stairs was reached. Just before descending the soft thump from downstairs was heard. Sophia’s mother. In this loop she was dead again. A pang of guilt shot through the chest but it was pushed down. She could not be saved yet. The larger plan required focus.

The stairs were not descended. Instead a crouched position was taken on the landing just as before. The small wall provided concealment. The wait began.

The events of the loop started to unfold just as they had in the previous one. The frantic pounding from Anastasia’s room began. It was soon joined by Sophia’s own desperate cries. The noise created the perfect distraction.

One of the assassins was heard running out the back door to check the perimeter. And then the remaining two were heard rushing up the stairs.

But this time there was preparation. The silenced pistol was in hand. The cold metal was a comforting weight. The skills of a professional assassin were ingrained in the very being.

How to aim was now known. How to control breathing was now known. How to make every shot count was now known.

They were seen coming up the stairs. Two dark figures moved with a deadly purpose. There was no waiting for them to reach the landing. The moment the second assassin’s head cleared the top step a shot was fired.

The silenced pistol made a soft spitting sound. The bullet crossed the short distance in an instant. It struck the second assassin directly in the head. A collapse without a sound followed. The body tumbled back down the stairs.

The lead assassin was just a few steps ahead. The soft thud of his partner’s body hitting the steps was heard. A spin was executed his own pistol raised. But a second shot was already being fired.

The second shot was just as precise. It was just as deadly. It struck the lead assassin in the center of the chest. He too went down. The body slumped against the wall of the staircase.

Two down. One to go.

The house fell silent. The only sound was the continued pounding from the locked doors upstairs. It was known the third assassin would be coming back soon. The hiding spot on the stairs was left. A new position was taken up. A crouch behind a small shelf in the main hallway was the new spot. The wait resumed.

The back door was heard opening and closing. The soft cautious footsteps of the third assassin entering the house were heard. The man stopped. He was likely surprised by the silence. He was surprised by the absence of his partners. A low questioning sound was heard. There was no reply.

It was known the man would be on high alert now. He would be moving slowly cautiously checking every corner. Perfect stillness was maintained. Breathing was slow and even. The man was heard beginning to move up the stairs. His footsteps were so quiet they were almost inaudible.

And then the pounding on Anastasia’s door stopped. It was known what that meant. The third assassin had reached the top of the stairs. He had likely opened Anastasia’s door. He would see his two dead partners on the landing. He would know that his target was still in the house waiting for him.

Preparation was made. It was known the man would be coming for him. A trap would be expected.

The man appeared at the top of the stairs. His pistol was raised. His head was on a swivel. A look down the long corridor was taken. His eyes scanned the shadows. An expectation was that Adam was hiding at the far end of the hall. A turn in that direction was made. His attention was completely focused on the wrong part of the house.

It was the opening that had been waited for.

A stand was taken from behind the shelf. The pistol was raised. A shot was fired. The shot was perfect. It struck the third assassin in the back of the head. The man collapsed to the floor. His body joined his two fallen comrades.

It was over. All three of them had been killed.

A stand was taken. A look at the three bodies scattered throughout the house was made. A sense of grim satisfaction washed over the mind. Victory had been achieved. But the work was not done yet. There was one last thing to do.

The pistol was raised to the head. "Now for the final piece," was whispered. The trigger was pulled.

The world dissolved into darkness.

The familiar blue window appeared.

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[Congratulations! Host has successfully eliminated the third assassin.]

[Achievement Unlocked: Suicide]

[Host is being sent to the most recent respawn point.]

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Eyes snapped open. The location was back in Sophia’s bed. And just as expected a new system window was hovering in the air.

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[Reward Selection: Assassin #3]

[> Skill Set]

[> Stat Points]

[> Equipment]

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Not a second was wasted. "Stat Points" was selected.

The moment the selection was made a new surge of power was felt. A wave of energy settled deep in the bones. A new window appeared confirming the choice.

[Host’s stats have been increased by 20 points.]

The window was dismissed. A look to the side was taken. The silenced pistol and the combat knife were tucked into the waistband of the pants. The equipment was now a permanent part of the respawn. No longer was he just a boy with a strange ability. He was an arsenal.

A look was taken over at Sophia. She was still "sleeping" on the floor. A long slow breath was let out. "I won’t let anything happen to you," was said. The voice was a soft unwavering promise. "After all in this world I have no one left but you."

A stand was taken. A walk to the door was made. A quiet slip out of the room was executed. The door was closed behind him.

It was not known that Sophia was awake. It was not known that she had heard every word. It was not known that at that very moment she was lying on the floor.

Her face was buried in her blanket. Her cheeks were burning a deep crimson red.

Her heart was pounding in her chest a frantic happy rhythm. Does he really feel that way about me? she thought. A wave of pure unadulterated joy washed over her. Does Adam... love me?