A wiry man with a fierce face swaggered into the room.

Sasha immediately locked her gaze on the man, analyzing the placement of the weapons on his body and assessing his physical condition. On the surface, however, she maintained the appearance of a normal little girl, displaying an expression of terror and fear.

Her small, pink hands tightly clutched the hem of her dress, and her watery eyes brimmed with tears as though she might burst into crying at any moment.

Acting.

In her previous life, Sasha had taken on numerous roles during her missions, including impersonating women. With skillful makeup, props, expressions, voice mimicry, and acting training, she had convincingly played everything from an aloof campus beauty to a sharp businesswoman or an ordinary office worker. All of it was for assassination—by any means necessary.

Though she'd never played the role of a little girl before, she'd seen enough to replicate the demeanor convincingly.

“Wow, such a delicate little doll we have here!” The man’s lecherous grin twisted his features, making him look even more grotesque.

Shen Yiyue shivered at the sound of his voice, feeling an icy chill pierce her entire body. It was as though she'd fallen into a frozen abyss. She feared her innocence—and perhaps her life—would be lost today.

But soon, she noticed something strange. The man’s predatory gaze wasn’t directed at her—it was fixed on the little girl, Sasha!

“Control yourself, Xu Qiang!” came another man’s voice from the neighboring room. “It’s been just a few days since the apocalypse, and you’ve already harmed how many people? If this were before, you’d have rotted in jail by now!”

Xu Qiang ignored the comment, his vile eyes glued to Sasha. It had been a long time since he’d seen such a beautiful little girl. Her delicate dress and white knee-high socks accentuated her petite figure, leaving only her fair, snow-like neck exposed.

Her silvery-white hair fell gracefully, with a strand drooping by her ear. Her slightly chubby face carried a healthy flush, and her small, furrowed brows combined with her clear, innocent eyes gave her a helpless, pitiful look.

Xu Qiang felt an inner flame ignite, ready to burst forth.

Shen Yiyue glanced at Xu Qiang’s distorted face, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes. She seemed hesitant, as if debating something.

Ding! Newbie quest triggered (1/3): Kill Xu Qiang.
Quest reward: +1 free attribute point, 50 points.

A familiar mechanical voice echoed in Sasha’s mind.

Although she couldn’t figure out if she was trapped in some kind of game, the promise of an attribute point was tempting. A sharp gleam flashed in Sasha’s eyes.

Xu Qiang was clearly a second-rate thug—loose muscles, sloppy movements, full of openings. He was just an ordinary person.

However, Sasha didn’t attack immediately. Instead, she waited patiently for Xu Qiang to approach, planning to strike at the perfect moment.

“Little girl, what’s your name?” Xu Qiang leered. “Come here and let Uncle check you over.”

He laughed wickedly, striding toward Sasha with impunity. In his eyes, the two were nothing more than lambs to be slaughtered.

Just as he was about to close the distance, Shen Yiyue suddenly stood up with surprising determination, stepping between Sasha and Xu Qiang.

“She’s just a child!” Shen Yiyue shouted angrily, her voice trembling with fear and desperation, like a cornered wildcat issuing a futile warning.

Her frail body stood in front of Sasha, one arm outstretched to block Xu Qiang. Sasha glanced at her profile and read hesitation, fear, panic—and a hint of resolve.

This puzzled Sasha.

She had no personal connection to Shen Yiyue, so why was this girl suddenly so brave? The man’s target wasn’t even her. Based on her earlier behavior, Sasha had expected her to cower in the corner, trembling in fear.

Xu Qiang’s twisted smile froze. He hadn’t expected Shen Yiyue to resist.

He stormed forward and slapped her across the face.

The loud crack echoed as Shen Yiyue was thrown to the ground. Her cheek swelled instantly, and a trickle of blood appeared at the corner of her mouth, evidence of the force behind Xu Qiang’s strike.

Though dazed by the blow, Shen Yiyue struggled to get up, her limbs scrambling weakly.

Xu Qiang stomped on her abdomen without mercy, causing her to curl up in agony.

“Who do you think you are, talking back to me?” Xu Qiang sneered, raining kicks down on her as she lay defenseless. Her school uniform was now smeared with dirt and marked with footprints.

“Trying to protect that little brat? You’re pathetic!” he mocked.

Shen Yiyue could only groan in pain, completely unable to resist.

Sasha observed coldly, her gaze devoid of emotion.

After a few more kicks, Xu Qiang seemed to tire and turned back toward Sasha. His vile grin returned as he slowly approached her.

The moment he turned, Sasha’s frightened expression reappeared. She took small, hesitant steps backward, her little shoes tapping nervously on the ground, like a terrified creature cornered by a predator.

“U-Uncle, please don’t come any closer!” Sasha whimpered, her voice trembling with fear.

To Xu Qiang, her words were like a trumpet signaling his victory. He lunged at her with a wicked laugh.

At this moment, Xu Qiang’s guard was completely down. He saw Sasha as nothing more than prey, already at his mercy.

But just as his hands reached for her, Sasha’s fearful expression vanished. Her eyes turned icy, staring at him like he was already dead.

Xu Qiang felt a chill run down his spine.

Sasha launched a swift kick to his groin.

A sickening crunch echoed, and an excruciating pain surged through Xu Qiang’s body, leaving him doubled over. His mouth opened to scream, but before he could, Sasha stuffed a cloth into it, silencing him completely.

With precise movements, Sasha leapt and spun in the air. A utility knife slid out from her sleeve, catching the orange glow of the setting sun. The blade’s reflection flashed in Xu Qiang’s terrified eyes—the call of death.

With a single fluid motion, Sasha slashed his throat. Blood spurted like a fountain, staining her pristine dress and white socks red.

Xu Qiang’s eyes widened in disbelief.

He couldn’t accept it—he had been defeated by a mere child.

Sasha didn’t flinch as blood splattered her face. Calmly, she caught Xu Qiang’s collapsing body to prevent any noise that might alert his accomplices.

Even with her enhanced strength, the weight of a grown man was considerable, but she managed to lower him silently.

The neighboring room remained unaware. Even Shen Yiyue, still lying on the ground, didn’t realize Xu Qiang was already dead.

“Xu Qiang! What the hell are you doing over there?” shouted a voice from the other room. “Don’t tell me you’ve already started!”