Cheng Shuili slipped the dagger from her waist, her gaze icy as it settled on the unconscious Li Erqiang. She rummaged through her cart, pulling out a coil of rope.
Her past life's knot-tying lessons came rushing back—a dead knot that tightened with struggle. She bound his hands behind his back, looping the rope swiftly and yanking it snug. Not satisfied, she grabbed more rope, wrapping his ankles tight. Her fingers brushed something odd mid-bind.
Hidden goods? She lifted his pant leg, revealing a dagger, its blade glinting with a sinister chill.
[Ordinary Dagger (Current Status: Poisoned, soaked in poison for 12 hours, status ends in 8 hours): An ordinary dagger. A tool is just a tool; how it's used depends on its owner.]
Poisoned, with 36 hours left. Cheng Shuili's lips curled. Sorry, pal. I struck first.
She gripped the poisoned blade, then grabbed a mineral water bottle. A quick sip for herself, then she splashed a stream onto Li Erqiang's face. His brows twitched, furrowing tight. After a moment, he grimaced, eyes cracking open to meet her calm stare.
"Hiss, you… you filthy bitch, you dared to ambush me! I'll kill you!" The muscles under his eyes spasmed, his snarl baring raw malice.
He jerked, reaching for his ankle, only to freeze. Hands and legs bound, he was helpless—a fish on her cutting board. His body shook as the truth sank in.
Cheng Shuili watched, amused. His stillness and the cold sweat beading on his forehead spoke volumes. She raised a brow. "Go on, why'd you stop talking?"
"Little sister, you misunderstood." Li Erqiang forced a smile. "I was talking about a woman I met before. I approached her with good intentions to trade, but she attacked me when I turned around!"
"Luckily, I was blessed and survived to meet you. I was cursing her just now—it's all a misunderstanding. You're kind and beautiful, little sister, and you only tied me up because you were scared I'd hurt you, right?"
"Don't worry, I'm really a good guy. Untie me, don't hurt me, and I'll give you the fragments, okay?"
His voice dripped with manipulation, banking on her caution being mere paranoia. Banking on a young woman lacking the stomach to kill. His "sincere" eyes bored into her, hunting for a flicker of doubt. But Cheng Shuili's gaze held only a faint, mocking smile—and a spark of something unsettling, like excitement.
Li Erqiang shivered, his bravado faltering.
She tilted her head. "But didn't you say I was the first living person you met? All lies, no point in talking."
The poisoned dagger flashed. No heavy blow—just a shallow nick on his cheek, blood welling. The poison was in. His fate was his own making. The moment he laced that blade with venom, he'd rolled the dice on his life. Reap what you sow.
Cheng Shuili's stare was glacial.
Shock widened Li Erqiang's eyes. He didn't recognize his own dagger, assuming her mercy meant cowardice. Relief flooded him, a grin tugging his lips—until the cut stung. Pain erupted, a wildfire spreading from the wound. Eyes, mouth, every nerve screamed.
He knew this torment. Not long ago, he'd watched a girl writhe under the same poison, dying in agony. Now it was his turn.
Thrashing in torment, he twisted his head at a grotesque angle, snapping his neck with a sickening crack.
[Hit and killed player Li Erqiang, obtained 75% of player Li Erqiang's supplies.]
[First player kill, achieved achievement Cold-Blooded Killer: As expected of you, calm survivor! Even your own kind aren't spared.]
No title, just the achievement. Cheng Shuili watched as a chunk of the pickup's supplies dissolved into mist, vanishing. The losses seemed random. Li Erqiang's body and truck followed, leaving the highway pristine save for a scatter of loot.
She studied the poisoned dagger, then tucked it into her cart's compartment. A tool, nothing more.
Now, the best part: harvest time.
Li Erqiang's three fragments brought her total to nine—still a long haul to 25. The rest of the haul was solid: Master Kong Instant Noodles x5, 500ml Mineral Water x7, Portable Tent x1, Double-Layer Insulated Sleeping Bag x1, Thermal Insulation Material x5, Rubber x3, Nails x10.
Seventy-five percent of his stash, and not a bad take. The double-layer sleeping bag was the real prize. Weather was mild now, but a brutal freeze could make it a lifesaver. The instant noodles? A treat for those days when she craved comfort food.
Whistling, she packed her spoils and fired up the cart. The day's mileage wasn't done, and this morning's drama was a mood-killer. Shaking her head, she twisted the handle, mind already on the trading market. Time to ditch dead weight, like that portable tent.
It screamed "bicycle player" or "pickup camper." Her cart, bless its evolved heart, had a full compartment and a sofa. A tent? She'd have to be nuts.
The trading channel buzzed with its usual chaos. She aimed to swap the tent for vehicle upgrade materials. The further she progressed, the hungrier upgrades would get. Her [Legendary] upgrade core was too precious to burn now—save the good stuff for when it counted.
Decision made, she broadcasted: "Portable tent for iron blocks, nails, heat insulation materials, thermal insulation materials, plastic, rubber, etc. Bring your price, if it's fair, I'll start the trade."
[Star Dog]: Whoa, the boss is here.
[Oil Cat Bingbing]: Crow Boss, I'll offer ten iron blocks, twenty nails, and one thermal insulation material for it!
Cheng Shuili grinned. Let the bidding begin.