He isn't fast enough, unfortunately, and ends up eating a generous faceful of smoke as the box goes spinning in Lon'qu's direction. And while Serpico was already whipping to his feet as he flung the case at Lon'qu, hand reaching for his short sword to defend himself, it's a good thing the smoke takes down Lon'qu -- because he's in no shape to fight back, either.

The short sword rattles unsteadily against his scabbard as he draws it, and Serpico can barely maintain his grip on it as he faces Lon'qu; he very nearly drops it when a sharp pain rips through his stomach, sending him stumbling back until he lands on his ass.

"-- I told you it wasn't meant to be opened."

Though he manages to wheeze out that droll remark, Serpico regrets it tremendously, because just talking is enough to make his abdomen hurt horribly. Like he's being branded. It's a burning hot pain, searing deep, deep into him.

He weakly maintains his grip on the sword even as he doubles over, but his voice is muffled by ragged breaths as he mumbles, "I didn't know ..."