In the vast mountainous region, where the land rose and fell like waves, three tiny figures could be seen from above — one standing, two lying motionless in dark pools of blood.
Zhang Wei walked over to the wolf's body.
Its eyes were still open, cloudy now, but the fierceness from earlier had completely faded.
The wound on its neck was deep and clean, blood still dripping slowly onto the grass.
He crouched down, his sword resting across his knees, and reached out with his left hand.
Fingers brushed the torn flesh, feeling the faint warmth still lingering there..
The blood was thick, sticky and hot between his fingertips.
"So that's how deep it went…"
His voice was calm, almost curious, like a craftsman checking his work.
For a moment, he simply stared at his hand — at the bright red staining his skin — before wiping it on the grass.
Then he stood, glancing once more at the fallen beast before turning away.
The sun had risen higher, its light breaking through the morning mist. The air smelled of wet earth and iron.
He walked slowly at first, every muscle in his body still tight from the fight.
His side ached where the claws had grazed him, but it wasn't deep enough to slow him down.
A safe place… I should rest for a bit.
Moving through the grassland, he scanned the surroundings. Eventually, he found a small area where two large boulders leaned together, creating a natural shelter.
The ground inside was dry, and the shadows hid him from view.
Perfect.
He settled there, leaning his back against the stone. Closing his eyes for a moment, he let his breathing steady, listening to the distant hum of insects and the rustle of leaves in the wind.
Every heartbeat reminded him he was still alive.
After some time, he pushed himself up again. He couldn't stay here too long. The day was just beginning, and his mission wasn't done.
Walking back toward the forest edge, his senses stayed sharp. His ears caught the sound of branches snapping — but not from the wind.
It was faint at first… then clearer.
Clang!
A metallic ring echoed through the trees.
Hmm?
Zhang Wei froze. That wasn't the sound of an animal.
Another clash followed, then a sharp, human yell.
It was coming from somewhere ahead, just beyond the tree line.
His grip on the sword tightened. He stared into the lines of trees, hoping to see from here, but there was nothing.
"Should I go there?"
Hesitating for a while, he finally decided to take a peek. Just a peek, and then decide whether to help.
Then—
He began moving toward the sound, his steps silent and quick.
Up ahead, Zhang Wei slowed his pace.
Three men stood in a half-circle, their clothes torn, their faces shadowed by grime and stubble. A sword dangled from one man's hand, another rested his bow lazily against his shoulder, and the last spun a dagger between his fingers.
In the middle, a girl hid beside a tree, a small arrow in her hands, pointing towards the closest man — the one with the dagger. Her face was smudged with dirt and her eyes were sharp. A bulging pouch at her hip held roots and fruits; one of them glowed slightly, looking magical.
"Come on, sweety," the tallest said with a smile he thought was attractive, not knowing his face could scare children to tears. "Be sensible and just return the treasure you stole from us. Be a good little thief, and we'll let you off without trouble. Promise." He took a casual step closer.
"Yeah, you stole it!" the archer echoed, shifting his position, trying to get a clear angle. "We worked damn hard for that! Give it back!"
They originally thought she was unarmed and an easy target — who knew she was hiding a small bow? Though small, the sharp tip of the arrow made them wary.
"You wouldn't want us getting really pissed, would ya?" sneered the archer, his eyes like yellowed pebbles. "That little toy ain't gonna stop all three of us."
"They're not yours!" she shouted fiercely, though her voice cracked. Her arms trembled slightly, which made them nervous. Who knew if her hands slipped? If they got seriously injured on this mountain, it would be over for them — the smell of blood would attract beasts, and without medication, even a small injury could be fatal.
"Get away from me, you bunch of bandits! Do you really think I'm that stupid? You better get rolling before I put this arrow in your eyes!"
She made a fierce face, then faintly let go of the string, the arrow grazing the air and scaring the tallest guy into backing away.
Flinching back, their faces flushed with anger. They, as adults, were scared of a little girl? If this got out, where would they put their faces?
The trio exchanged a look, cruelty flashing in their eyes. Just one glance made them understand what to do.
"Liar!" the dagger-man spat, gazing at her openly. He lunged sideways, feinting, and jerked back as she almost loosed the arrow. "Whoa there, feisty! Careful, or you'll make me mad... and I get real handsy when I'm mad."
His gaze crawled over her, lingering on her chest and hips beneath the rough tunic.
"Boss... forget just the loot. Look at her. Proper little peach, ain't she? Bet she's tight as a drum. Be a shame not to... break her in before we take what's ours."
The leader chuckled, a low, nasty sound. "Mmm, you're right, Jin. Dirty, but pretty. Real pretty. Soft skin under all that dirt, I reckon." He licked his cracked lips. "Give us the bag, beautiful girl. Do it quick, and maybe we just take turns having fun with you instead of cutting you up first."
The archer grinned, revealing blackened teeth. "Yeah, we'll be gentle... we are a group of gentlemen. Or don't... and we'll get close anyway. Take the bag and everything else."
He made a crude thrusting motion with his hips, saying it with a proud face as if it was an honor.
Which earned her glare of disgust.
"Beast!"
The dagger-man stepped closer, well within lunging distance now. "Look at her shake. Like a rabbit. I love it."
He reached out, not for the bag, but to trail a filthy finger down her trembling arm. "Gonna scream pretty for us?"
The leader's grin turned lewd and his cruel voice rang out in the forest in broad daylight, without fear of the law.
"Scream all you want, Our soon to be dumpster. No knights in shining armor out here. Just the trees, the dirt... and us. We own you now."
Although she had a bow, they already had a plan to take her down.
Thinking of the fresh flesh they might taste soon, he couldn't help but lick his lips. He was already hungry; with no woman his whole life, he felt deserving of the title 'starving ghost'.
The girl backed down and trembled as if in fear.
From the shadows, Zhang Wei's eyes turned cold. Gripping his sword, he slowly moved closer.
At first glance, anyone could tell the trio were villains with no morals in their life. So what was there to say?
Just kill!
Suddenly—
Just when he was almost within attacking distance...
One of the trio screamed.
"Arg!!"
Looking towards the sound, it was the guy with the dagger. He was reaching for his bloody foot, caught in something like a bear trap piercing his bones.
As he lowered his arms, an arrow pierced the air and hit his eye.
Swoosh!
Puff!
Red liquid gushed out. His screams startled his companions.
"There's a trap! Cunning little *****!" the tallest guy with the sword cursed, then charged forward, blocking another arrow with his blade.
He grinned and slashed downward.
Missed!
He looked in shock. There was no girl behind the tree, only a patch of cut grass.
How?! She was clearly here! I saw her with my own eyes?
There was no way he was that blind. He couldn't have missed her leaving.
!!!
As it turned out, he might actually be worse than blind, because his target was already several meters away.
"Heh! You can't escape."
He gave chase, leaving only the archer in place.
The archer quickly tried to catch up, just coming back to his senses. Looking at his dead companion on the ground, he swore to use Jin's dagger and remaining food for himself after this.
Don't worry, Jin, I'll use your dagger and food so you can rest in peace.
Suddenly.
Tap.
"Who!?"
Hearing slight footsteps behind him, he backed away instinctively and aimed his arrow.
This time he was ready.
A flash of cold light suddenly appeared.
Clang!
In an instant, a sword was unsheathed and cut through his arms to his neck.
"No!"
His disgusting yellowed eyes widened in fear and disbelief as he tried to cover his neck, to stop the blood.
Unfortunately, his arms were cut off before they could reach his throat.
Puff!
Arms flew, landing on the ground as he knelt down.
"W-ar... you..." His voice was hoarse and hard to understand.
He first saw boots stepping on the grass, then a sword stained with his blood. Then a cold face.
Then blackness reclaimed him.
My sneak attack skills really aren't good, Zhang Wei thought, remembering how he and the wolf from before had reacted. I need to be better at sneak attack.
Attacking an unaware opponent is not shameful. Even if it was, he didn't care — if you don't do it, others will do it to you.
In the real world, who will fight you fair and square?