The first real Test

The tension in the air was suffocating.

Xu Lian crouched behind an abandoned car, her breath slow and controlled despite the rapid beating of her heart. The once-bustling city street was now a graveyard of deserted vehicles and shattered glass. Streetlights flickered erratically, casting eerie shadows across the crumbling buildings.

But the silence was a lie.

They weren't alone.

Guo Chen signaled from the rooftop across the street. Five hostiles. Armed. Moving in pairs.

Lian's grip tightened around the handle of her knife.

They had planned this supply run carefully, but an unexpected roadblock had forced them into dangerous territory an area controlled by one of the emerging gangs that thrived on chaos. They weren't just scavengers; they were predators, preying on the weak, stockpiling weapons, and establishing early dominance before the world completely fell apart.

Yu Xian, positioned behind a dumpster nearby, caught her gaze and gave a sharp nod. "We need to move before they find us." His voice was barely above a whisper, but his military-trained control was unshakable.

Jiao, crouched beside her, clenched his jaw. "We could try to slip around them."

"No time," Chen's voice crackled through their earpieces. "They're spreading out. If we don't move now, we'll be surrounded."

Lian's pulse thrummed with adrenaline. They needed these supplies, but more than that they needed to make it out alive.

Waiting wasn't an option.

---

The Ambush Begins

A rusted metal can clattered somewhere in the distance, bouncing against the pavement.

It was enough.

One of the gang members turned toward the sound, his gun half-raised in suspicion.

Lian exhaled. Now.

Like shadows, they moved.

Chen struck first. He dropped from the rooftop like a predator, his knife slicing into the first target before the man even registered his presence. The gang member choked on his own blood, his rifle slipping from his grasp as he crumpled to the ground.

Lian darted forward, swift and silent. Her blade found its mark between the ribs of a second enemy, his eyes widening in shock as he slumped over. Two down.

Yu Xian, efficient as always, engaged another. A sharp twist of his arm disarmed the man, and before he could scream, Xian's grip tightened around his throat, cutting off any sound. A few seconds later, the body dropped.

Jiao moved in on the fourth, but his opponent was faster than expected.

The gang member twisted at the last second, raising his gun—

Bang!

The shot rang out, deafening in the quiet night.

Jiao staggered back with a sharp gasp, his hand flying to his arm where blood was already seeping through his jacket.

Rage flared in Lian's chest. She spun toward the shooter, knife still slick with blood. He barely had time to react before she lunged, slamming into him with enough force to send him sprawling. The gun skittered across the ground.

He reached for his belt probably another weapon but Lian didn't give him the chance. Her knife arced downward, burying itself into his chest.

Another shot rang out.

Chen's bullet struck the last enemy in the head.

The street fell silent again.

But the damage had been done.

---

The Cost of Survival

Lian's hands were already pressing against Jiao's wound before she even thought. His face was pale, but he was still conscious, breathing through gritted teeth.

"Through and through," Yu Xian muttered, inspecting the wound quickly. "The bullet didn't get lodged. He'll live."

Jiao forced a weak grin. "Damn. Hurts like hell, though."

Lian exhaled slowly. It could have been worse. A few inches higher, and—

She forced the thought away.

Chen scanned the area, already on high alert. "We can't stay here."

"No," Lian agreed, glancing around at the fallen bodies. "More of them could be nearby."

Yu Xian took a step back and surveyed the scene. "We should strip their gear. Take the weapons and anything useful."

Lian nodded and moved quickly. The gang members had been carrying guns nothing high-tech, but still valuable. She collected ammunition, knives, and even a couple of radios.

Chen pulled a bloodstained map from one of the bodies. He frowned, scanning it before flipping it open. "This isn't just random scrawling. They've marked locations."

Lian peered over his shoulder. Several buildings were circled, including a warehouse near the docks.

"They must be stockpiling supplies there," Yu Xian murmured.

Jiao winced as he shifted. "So…what? We storm the place?"

Chen didn't answer immediately. His gaze was sharp, calculating. "Not yet. But if they've got a real base set up, they're going to be a problem."

Lian exhaled. The world hadn't even fallen completely yet, and already people were staking claims, fighting for control.

They had planned to stay under the radar, but reality was catching up with them.

Survival wasn't just about avoiding the dead.

The living were just as dangerous.

---

A Dangerous Decision

As they moved away from the scene, Lian noticed the way Yu Xian kept glancing at her. Finally, she sighed. "What is it?"

He hesitated, then said, "How did you know?"

Lian blinked. "Know what?"

"That something was wrong. That these guys were dangerous before they even spotted us." His eyes were sharp, searching. "You and Chen both… it's like you've already lived through this."

Lian's breath caught.

She glanced at Chen, who met her gaze for only a second before looking away.

They couldn't tell him. Not yet.

So she smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Just instincts."

Yu Xian studied her a moment longer, then nodded. "Then I hope those instincts keep us alive."

Lian exhaled. Me too.

They disappeared into the night, the weight of the battle settling heavily on their shoulders.

This had been their first real test.

And it wouldn't be the last.

---