Assassination

Far away, atop a distant hill, Athena sat perched on the hood of a jeep, peering intently through a massive high-powered telescope—its barrel as large as a cannon—focused on the X Legion below. She chewed thoughtfully on a piece of bread as her gaze fell upon a tender embrace, stirring a cascade of memories within her. Musing aloud, she said, "That bastard certainly has a remarkable charm with the ladies, flaunting such a seductive girlfriend." Yet Athena failed to recognize the man as Xiao Feng, for the intelligence she had described him as a rebellious youth with long hair—far from the appearance he now bore. Instead, she indulged quietly in this unfolding romance, oblivious to the fact that the very man in her sights was indeed Xiao Feng.

Time flowed silently, and the sun slowly sank beneath the horizon.

It is this rising and setting of the sun that carries away day after day of human life. Though each day may be fleeting, their accumulation is how a lifetime passes—whether in the comfort before the Great Purge or the desperate struggle for survival after. Time does not pause for any cause or person.

Athena lifted her gaze toward the west, where a blood-red twilight stained the sky like fresh wounds, perplexed that she had yet to glimpse the target she was sworn to find—none of the Xiao Fengs from her dossiers appeared.

Minutes slipped by until night finally descended. Freed from the smog of countless factories after the Great Purge, the starry sky shone with crystalline clarity, brilliant and vast.

Growing restless, Athena's patience finally frayed. She hoisted the Black Angel sniper rifle from the jeep's rear seat. Clad in her palm-colored combat uniform, she meticulously gathered her weapons and set off, creeping cautiously toward the X camp.

A near Level Nine psychic herself, Athena was intent on infiltrating Xiao Feng's military base.

Yet her urgency to find him had waned, her mind lingering on the warmth of that afternoon's embrace. Slipping silently behind one building, she concealed herself in the shadows. From her backpack, she withdrew a peculiar pair of glasses that could peer through walls, and she trained them toward the room within.

The spectacles were extraordinary; even through solid barriers, they revealed the vivid scene inside. Athena was stunned. The scene was blazing with passion.

Kaili wore only a black, seductive bra, straddling Xiao Feng as her body moved rhythmically. Her beautiful face bore an utterly intoxicating expression, her breathy moans echoing through the chamber.

At first sight, Athena froze, transfixed by Kaili lost in the throes of love—the slender waist, the ample curves, the golden hair, and eyes once clear as the sky now deeply closed. A blush spread across Athena's cheeks as her mind momentarily short-circuited.

Within the room, Xiao Feng, nearing his peak, suddenly furrowed his brow as if sensing something amiss beneath Kaili.

His nose, unusually sensitive to foreign scents, twitched. Quietly he warned, "Kaili, stay just like this. Someone is spying on us from outside the room."

Kaili, eyes closed, opened them briefly, then resumed as if nothing had happened. Unaware whether their voyeur was male or female, she silently thanked fate she had kept her bra on—otherwise everything would have been laid bare.

Still beneath Kaili, Xiao Feng activated his comms, calling Rush—without video, knowing the heated scene might distract him.

"Rush, there's a powerful presence watching us from behind my room."

"Understood. I'm on my way."

Athena, outside the room, sensed something unusual. Sharp and alert, she prepared to leave, intending to scour inside the room with her special glasses to confirm Xiao Feng's presence.

But as she turned, an involuntary scream escaped her lips—startling Xiao Feng, who immediately frowned. He realized their watcher was a female psychic of considerable strength.

Taking advantage of Athena's momentary panic, Xiao Feng pushed Kaili aside, quickly dressed, and warned, "Stay inside. Don't come out."

Kaili hurried to don her clothes, an ominous premonition stirring within her that a fierce battle would unfold that night.

The source of Athena's scream was revealed as she spun around—a colossal white wolf with blazing, blood-red eyes stood before her.

That white wolf was Baibai, the Wolf King, who had become the guardian spirit of the X camp. Though ordinary detection devices failed to spot intruders, any unfamiliar scent did not escape Baibai's notice.

Just as Athena prepared to leave, Baibai appeared behind her, its imposing presence and fierce gaze startling the young woman.

Panicked, Athena raised the Black Angel rifle and aimed at Baibai.

Seeing the sniper rifle identical to Xiao Feng's, Baibai's fury intensified. It lowered its body, ready to pounce, convinced this woman had stolen Xiao Feng's weapon—a grave offense on its territory.

Growling low, Baibai fixed its glare on Athena. Knowing the beast's power, Athena understood a normal handgun was useless and chose instead to wield the Black Angel.

Just then, Xiao Feng leapt out of the window. Seeing Athena aiming at Baibai, he gasped and shouted, "Stop!"

Athena glanced back briefly but fired at Baibai nonetheless.

The rifle's muzzle flashed, and the wolf instinctively ducked—only a spark skittered across its forehead. The Black Angel, despite its lethal force, could not penetrate Baibai's B-class beast hide.

Shocked, Athena muttered, "Damn, what kind of beast is this?"

Xiao Feng, now beside Athena, grasped her wrist firmly. In her other hand, a pistol suddenly appeared, pressing coldly against his temple.

"Let go, or I'll shoot you," she warned fiercely.

The gunfire had drawn nearby mercenaries. Rush and Tugu emerged from the crowd, their eyes fixed on Athena.

"Athena!" they exclaimed in surprise.

Athena turned, a faint smile playing at her lips. "Didn't expect you two to know me."

Rush pointed sharply. "Release Xiao Feng, or we won't hold back."

"Hmph. You know who I am, yet still show such disrespect? You want me to let him go?" Athena's gaze shifted to Xiao Feng, her gun unwavering. "So you are Xiao Feng?"

"Yes, I am."

"Strange... I thought you had long hair. Why the short cut now?" Realizing the man before her was indeed Xiao Feng, Athena gripped him tighter with her modified oversized pistol.

Xiao Feng chuckled lightly. "I just cut it. I don't think I owe the temple an explanation."

Athena's expression hardened. "It seems you still underestimate our might. To be frank, I came here to kill you."

Her words triggered mercenaries to raise their weapons toward her. Tugu's chest armor deflected the shots, revealing a dozen small missiles beneath. "Release Xiao Feng, or I'll turn you into mince."

Unfazed, Xiao Feng met Athena's eyes unblinkingly—a gaze so compelling few her age could hold it. Even Athena found herself shaken by the raw magnetism in his dark eyes.

With a cold sneer, Xiao Feng said, "A girl really shouldn't be playing with guns. Count to three. If you don't lower your weapon, don't blame me for being ruthless."