Chapter 42: Killing

“This is what you call ‘too long a story’?”

Su Ning really couldn’t understand. What were these siblings doing—courting death or testing her limits? Why was it so hard to let each other leave alive? It was like giving them a face and getting none in return.

Ma Shangting didn’t care what Su Ning said; she just cowered behind her brother and muttered, “Anyway, I’ve said everything. We know this much. Just let us go.”

After all this time, Su Ning had seen clearly: no matter what, these siblings wouldn’t tell the truth. Even if they did, she wouldn’t believe it.

She turned to Qiao Duoduo, but before she could speak, Duoduo seemed to understand, giving Su Ning a small smile. In their private chat, she wrote: “Kill. I’ll always support you.”

For a moment, Su Ning’s heart roiled like a storm. After a brief silence, she looked at the setting sun, then slowly lowered her gaze to Ma Shangting, a faint smile playing on her lips.

“Afraid you won’t be leaving.”

Ma Shangfei was stunned. He lifted his head, staring at Su Ning in disbelief.

“Su Ning, what are you saying? We can’t leave? Do you mean we stay here forever?”

The more he spoke, the more panicked he became. He quickly glanced at Huoyang, as if looking for a last straw to cling to.

But Huoyang knew Su Ning’s plan. Since his wife hadn’t stopped her, either they had agreed beforehand or Su Ning had already made up her mind. In this world, human life was cheap. Just as he had nearly been killed before without action, the outcome now would be no different.

Ma Shangfei’s fear exploded. “Huoyang, you’re not going to just watch me die, are you?”

“Would you just watch your sister die?”

Huoyang looked Ma Shangfei in the eye. At that moment, Ma Shangfei’s last hope snapped. How could he just watch his sister die? Was he even human if he did?

“Shangting…”

“Your sister will seek revenge. She must. You can’t control her, and I will never let my wife or friends live in endless danger. So your sister… must die.”

Huoyang said this, staring Ma Shangfei down.

Meeting Huoyang’s gaze, Ma Shangfei realized clearly: it was over. Back during the spider incident, Huoyang had already decided. Out of gratitude, he had restrained himself. Now, with Shangting repeatedly causing trouble, disaster had come again. If she wasn’t killed… how could she not be? If it were him, he would do the same.

With that thought, Ma Shangfei let out a roar and launched into battle.

Qiao Duoduo stepped back and aimed an arrow at Ma Shangting’s chest. Without equipment or sufficient base points, Ma Shangting’s HP was still under 300. Duoduo’s critical hit instantly drained more than half of it.

Ma Shangfei tried to save his sister. As he turned, Huoyang spotted his opening and struck—blood spattered.

One of Ma Shangfei’s legs was severed by Huoyang. Though unwilling to accept death, he knew escape was impossible. He launched a ranged spell at Su Ning.

At that moment, Su Ning’s curse from the previous full moon drained the last bit of Ma Shangting’s blood. Ma Shangting died instantly.

Su Ning did not dodge the attack and lost a quarter of her health.

She stepped forward, looking at Ma Shangfei, who was staring at his sister’s corpse.

“See? She’s dead.”

Those six words cut deeply into Ma Shangfei’s heart, like a knife twisting inside.

Seconds later, Ma Shangfei also died.

“Let’s go home,” Qiao Duoduo said, taking Su Ning’s hand and slowly pulling her away from the corpses. Su Ning finally realized it was over—she had killed. Two lives.

“Sorry… I didn’t get the secret. You came for nothing.”

Su Ning’s voice was cold and stiff, making Qiao Duoduo worry.

The three of them rode their bicycles back to the city in silence. At the entrance of the restaurant, Duoduo still worried about leaving Su Ning alone, but Huoyang held her hand, signaling her not to follow.

The two entered the restaurant and went to a private room. Huoyang finally spoke:

“She had no intent to kill before, and she isn’t ruthless. Yet now she’s killed two siblings. Clearly, she can’t overcome the barrier in her own heart.”

“Then shouldn’t we…”

“Everything has a first time. She has to overcome it herself.”

Meanwhile, Su Ning returned home, stiff and tense. She immediately stripped and stepped into the shower.

Standing under the water, she felt dirty. She had killed. Two lives. Should she be executed herself?

Why had she added Ma Shangting as a friend? She had sensed something was off. She knew this little girl would bring trouble, yet she still accepted her friend request and agreed to save her. She knew perfectly well what kind of person Ma Shangting was, but still… she had walked step by step onto the path of killing.

Su Ning let the water wash over her, trying to calm herself.

After some time:

“Beep. System notification: Friend message.”

Su Ning dried herself, put on pajamas, and left the bathroom.

Luo Nanchuan: “Custom short-sleeve.”
Su Ning: “Have you killed anyone?”

Luo Nanchuan was confused. Why was the store owner suddenly asking questions about killing during a custom order?

Luo Nanchuan: “Yes, I have.”

He answered truthfully, not caring why Su Ning asked.

Su Ning: “What did it feel like the first time?”
Luo Nanchuan: “Nothing. It was a mission. They had to die.”
Su Ning: “But I killed… it didn’t seem necessary.”

Luo Nanchuan realized: the owner was troubled after killing, seeking reassurance before continuing the custom order.

Luo Nanchuan: “Not necessary? They weren’t going to kill you.”
Su Ning: “Maybe they wanted to, but I acted first.”
Luo Nanchuan: “Then why panic? You just lacked skill.”
Su Ning: “I insisted on killing her.”

Luo Nanchuan noted the young owner was clearly angry.

Luo Nanchuan: “Why insist?”
Su Ning: “She tricked me into saving her, broke her promise, and resented me. I was afraid, so I killed her.”

Luo Nanchuan couldn’t understand the fuss. Not killing—wasn’t revenge normal?

Luo Nanchuan: “That’s normal.”
Su Ning: “But I killed.”

Luo Nanchuan scratched his head, exasperated.

Luo Nanchuan: “People look out for themselves. You can’t defend against danger forever.”
Su Ning: “So killing was right?”

Su Ning’s mindset was hard to change. Luo Nanchuan didn’t waste time debating; he just wanted to calm the troublesome owner.

Luo Nanchuan: “This is a doomsday game. No law, no morality. If you don’t kill her, she’ll think about killing you later. Better to end it now than face endless trouble.”

He added after thinking:

Luo Nanchuan: “If you still don’t understand, sleep on it. Think tomorrow. They’re still meant to die. I’ll come for your custom order in the morning. Good night.”