To Henryk's surprise, the hunters had truly gone to sleep. Henryk now watched as all the adventurers except Kael and Brina snored loudly. His gaze focused on the sleeping Markus. He could sneak up on the hunters, steal Markus's daggers, and slit their throats while they slept.
Those were the thoughts running through Henryk's mind. He might never have a better opportunity. This might be his only chance to escape.
The young man looked at his hand, which he had clenched into a fist.
[Can I do this?] he thought. [These people would throw me and the others to the monsters here without hesitation if it increased their chances of survival. THEY DESERVED TO DIE!]
"But..." Henryk's fist opened again. He felt his tense body relax. "They're still people. This world may be more open to killing, but can I adapt? Murder is still murder. It doesn't matter if you murder out of hatred or to protect someone. Murder is still fucking murder... I'm such a coward."
Unlike many isekai heroes, Henryk couldn't become a ruthless, cold, mad killer who murders someone because someone looks at him askance, or someone insults his stupid harem girlfriend. Henryk wasn't like that. He couldn't get used to killing overnight and pretend everything was fine.
When he attacked Count Korin, he was blinded by revenge like a mindless animal. He didn't think about the consequences of his actions. Admittedly, he still wants to kill the Count because, at this moment, he's the man he hates most in the world. If he ever stands before the Count, would I kill him? He had no idea. It was difficult to give a clear answer.
Of course, an alternative path could be to seize the opportunity and simply escape. The plan seemed simple and wouldn't dent his conscience, but...
[Can I trust the others?] He thought, looking at the other slaves sleeping beside him. [I can't even fully trust Someryn. After all, to him, I'm just a kid he met in a cell. We're not the best of friends. The other slaves will surely wake up when I try to get up to kill the hunters or simply escape. Any one of them could wake them up to gain their favor, get better treatment, or something.]
Henryk sighed tiredly. No matter what he did, none of his plans for freedom had a 100% chance of success. Should he risk it? Maybe he could try to convince the other slaves to help him kill the hunters while they slept? No. It's still risky.
[Any one of them could turn out to be a traitor later. Even if everyone helps me kill the hunters silently, it still doesn't solve all the problems.] Henryk analyzed in his mind, looking at the spot where the mana crystal had previously stood. [It doesn't matter if you're human, elf, demi-human, or demonkin... Every species is greedy. This demonkin seems to be the strongest of the slaves. He can force the rest to keep working once we get rid of the hunters. Not to mention that I don't remember the way back.]
"You're thinking too much about all this, Hen." Someryn's voice suddenly spoke up, clearly aware that Henryk was thinking hard. "There's simply nothing you can do right now without unnecessary risk. You won't think of anything right now, Hen, so try to get some rest now."
"I don't know what's more annoying: that you're so calm when I'm going crazy trying to find a way to escape, or... Wait. What did you just call me?"
"Hen. I think it suits you; nicknames are quite important between friends, don't you think?"
"*Sigh* Never mind. Do you think it's that easy to stop thinking about escape?"
"Of course not." Someryn shook his head. "I spent most of my life in that dungeon. I'd love nothing more than to stand in the middle of a field without chains to hold me. But one day I realized that nothing could undo what Korin did to me. Not a day goes by when I don't want to wrap my hands around his throat. It completely destroyed me. Be glad you only had to spend a few weeks there."
"Someryn..." Henryk looked at him sympathetically.
"It's okay, Henryk... It's okay," Someryn said with a weak, forced smile. "I know you're thinking about revenge and that you think that flame will never die... Oh, and maybe you're right... Hatred still burns within me."
Silence fell. Henryk looked at Someryn, but no longer with sympathy. He immediately understood that he didn't want that. Besides, his foolish sympathy wouldn't change anything.
"Let me give you the best advice you could ever hear," Someryn said, lying down on the hard ground. "Go to sleep. As a slave, you must learn now that in the world of dreams you can find hope and believe that tomorrow will be a better day... Goodnight, Hen."
"Goodnight, Someryn." Henryk replied, leaning his head against the cave wall. He began to close his eyes. Although he knew he wouldn't fall asleep easily, he decided to try.