Oh, trying to mooch.
Cheng Shuili's lips curled into a sneer. Other people's sob stories? Not her problem. She wasn't here to play apocalypse saint, handing out freebies. Not that she was heartless. If Glory's crew showed some real sincerity, she'd consider sharing for the greater good. But expecting a handout? Get lost.
She ignored the message, twisting the cart's handle and humming a jaunty tune as the highway stretched ahead. Today was a goldmine. That dusty radio, a dead weight for days, finally pulled its weight. Her knack for stumbling into BUGs didn't fail her either—talk about cosmic timing.
Start with a killer talent, live a worry-free life.
A frown creased her brow. The regional channel never mentioned "talents," not once. No sign of elemental talent players either. Even if folks hid their skills, wouldn't water-summoners be peddling H2O by now? A nagging suspicion bloomed.
What if… my BUG talent is a glitch itself?
She shook her head, banishing the thought. No use chasing ghosts. Her talent was her secret, locked tight forever. Just keep surviving.
A soft smile warmed her face, eyes crinkling, radiating calm. Too bad the world loved to throw buzzkills her way. A mile down the road, an electric tricycle blocked the path, parked dead center like a barricade. A woman crouched beside it, fiddling with a tire.
She perked up at the cart's rumble, gripping the tricycle and flashing eager eyes at Cheng Shuili. "You're just in time! Hi! Do you know how to fix vehicles? My tricycle won't move, can you take a look?"
Cheng Shuili's instinct screamed drive on, but the woman darted toward her, blocking the cart's path with purpose.
"Um, I'm Lin Mo. Please help me check it? I haven't finished my mileage today, and who knows what the system's punishment is if I don't make it. Please, help me!"
Cheng Shuili's gaze sharpened, scanning Lin Mo's pleading smile. It looked genuine, but something felt… off.
"I don't know how to fix vehicles," she said coolly, her hand slipping to the dagger at her waist.
Lin Mo didn't blink, closing the gap with two quick steps, voice desperate. "Please, just take a look! I'm out of options. This damn place is empty, and you're the first person I've seen…"
Cheng Shuili eased the cart to a stop, but stayed put, engine idling for a quick getaway. Her eyes locked on Lin Mo, and a slow, dangerous smile spread.
If someone was begging for a grave, she'd dig it.
"What's wrong with your vehicle?"
Lin Mo's face lit up, pointing at the tricycle. "Not sure if it's the battery—it just stopped working. Can you check the wiring?"
Wiring, while poking a tire? Cheng Shuili's smirk twitched. Did scammers skip the scriptwriting phase?
She nodded, still seated. "Step back a couple paces, I'll get out and look."
Lin Mo froze, then complied, retreating.
Cheng Shuili hopped out leisurely, left hand hovering near her dagger. She approached the tricycle, feigning inspection while her peripheral vision tracked Lin Mo's every twitch.
Lin Mo's eyes glinted, her hand creeping behind her back.
"Your vehicle…" Cheng Shuili drawled, stretching the pause, then snapped her gaze up. "You parked it here on purpose, didn't you?"
Lin Mo's mask cracked. She whipped out a machete, snarling, "Smart, but too late!"
The blade arced toward Cheng Shuili, but she was ready, sidestepping with ease. In a flash, her dagger was out, slashing at Lin Mo's gut. Lin Mo, caught off guard by the speed, twisted away, but the dagger tore her shirt.
"You!"
Furious, she swung again, refusing to back down.
Cheng Shuili's smirk turned icy. Playtime was over.
Her agility stat was elite, leagues above the average player. Lin Mo's attacks were child's play, moving in slow motion to her honed senses. She dodged effortlessly, then slammed a kick into Lin Mo's knee.
Lin Mo collapsed with a grunt, the machete skittering across the asphalt.
"With skills like that, you thought you could rob me?" Cheng Shuili pinned the machete under her boot, pressing her dagger to Lin Mo's throat. "So, how many others have you hit?"
Lin Mo's face drained of color, but she hissed, "Kill me, and the system won't give you much loot!"
Cheng Shuili arched a brow. "Oh? Sounds like you've got experience."
Lin Mo, brazen, pressed on. "I know plenty more. Kill me now, and you'll lose out!"
"And loot! Kill me, and you'll only get a fraction—maybe a tiny bit. But spare me, and I'll hand over all my loot! Just leave me my vehicle and let me go."
Her confidence was palpable. She'd run this con before: win, kill; lose, grovel, baiting foes with promises of riches. Loot was life here—greed always won. No one refused.
Lin Mo smirked inwardly. Pride bred carelessness, and she was a predator, waiting for that fatal slip.
But she forgot—she was human, too. Success had made her cocky. Her smug tone was a red flag. Who bargains with a blade at their neck, fearless, not begging, but dealing like they're in charge?
Either they've got a hidden ace—those don't live.
Or they're a future threat—those don't live either.
Cheng Shuili's mind was set. She shook her head, a cruel smile flickering. "You tried to kill me. Why would I let you walk?"
"I beat you, so I kill you. If you'd beaten me, I'd accept my fate. Right or wrong? I don't care. Got something to say? Tell it to the grim reaper."
Lin Mo's eyes bulged, mouth opening to plead, but Cheng Shuili was done. The dagger moved.
Lin Mo's gaze froze, forever wide.
[Hit and killed player Lin Mo, obtained 25% of player Lin Mo's supplies.]
[Players killed today: 2.]
[Surpassed historical limit, achieved achievement Got the Hang of It: No first-time jitters, only second-time skill! Survived two battles and still standing, lucky survivor!]
Cheng Shuili stood, wiping her dagger. Another day, another lesson in survival. No mercy, no freeloaders.