Who Is She, Exactly

Brother Zhang stared at the little lolita in astonishment, unable to detect even a hint of panic.

As if performing a magic trick, she conjured a Tang Sword emanating a Crimson Blade Light out of thin air, gripping it firmly.

Such a petite body should struggle to wield such a heavy blade, he thought.

But she showed no signs of strain!

He had a gut feeling that this little lolita before him was not someone to be trifled with.

She exuded an aura of danger, a familiar bloodlust he knew all too well.

This pretty little doll-like lolita had likely killed before, and probably quite a few times.

He toyed with the dagger he had just pulled out of Lin Hao, still dripping with blood.

His expression grew serious.

In one swift motion, his muscles bulging, he lunged forward.

He attempted a quick probing kick.

But Ning Yu's rapidly descending blade forced him to retreat.

So fast! So close!

Brother Zhang leaped back in shock, the Crimson Blade Light slicing a gash in his pants.

Though he had barely dodged it, he felt a chilling breeze where his pant leg had been cut.

He shuddered to think what would have happened if that blade had connected.

His kick had been a feint, meant to bait Ning Yu into striking so he could close the distance.

To minimize the disadvantage of his attack range.

But he had failed spectacularly, far beyond his expectations.

Damn it, he cursed inwardly.

He was a seasoned veteran from a mercenary company. Even if he was getting on in years, how could he be outmatched by a little girl?

Ning Yu also furrowed her brow:

Her physical abilities were still lacking. That last strike should have cut him, but only reached his pant leg.

However, there wouldn't be a next time.

She slowly shifted her grip on the Tang Sword from one hand to two, closing her eyes.

Taking a quick, deep breath, she exhaled and snapped her eyes open!

In the next instant, she twisted the sword hilt and charged forward at a speed that defied the human eye, transforming into a crimson shadow.

Brother Zhang's pupils constricted: She was even faster than before!

Had she not been using her full strength in that previous strike?

"Swoosh!"

The Tang Sword cleaved through the air at breakneck speed, letting out a death-heralding cry.

Brother Zhang, terrified out of his wits, hurriedly swung his combat knife in an attempt to parry the blow.

A clear "clang" rang out.

It was the sound of half a combat knife hitting the floor, producing a crisp metallic ring.

His eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

This combat knife had been a parting gift from his boss when he left the company, and it had cost a pretty penny to forge.

Yet it had been cleanly severed by this crimson Tang Sword! What kind of blade was this?!

And who on earth was this little lolita in Western dress?!

As Brother Zhang's mind raced, he hastily retreated.

But this time, Ning Yu was faster!

After destroying his weapon with her first strike, she forcefully kicked off the nearby sofa.

Twisting her body in the opposite direction, she spun and delivered a second, devastating blow!

The movement was fluid, executed in the blink of an eye.

Brother Zhang was certain he had dodged.

Yet somehow, he found his vision tilting backward.

Then he fell to the ground, able only to stare straight up at the ceiling.

Vaguely, he seemed to see the lower half of his body still standing there.

A fountain of blood erupted, even spattering onto his face.

Bathed in the crimson light, Ning Yu stood like the Grim Reaper, her expression impassive, sword in hand.

She simply watched in silence.

Brother Zhang's vision went dark as he lost consciousness for the final time.

This sword was far sharper than Ning Yu had imagined.

With her strength, she shouldn't have been able to cleave through the body of a full-grown man.

Yet when the blade met Brother Zhang's body, his muscles, organs, and bones seemed to melt like ice and snow.

It had cut through with virtually no resistance!

Lin Hao, lying on the ground, finally opened his tightly shut eyes as the blood splattered onto him.

He thought Ning Yu had met her demise.

His eyes snapped open, only to witness a scene that left him utterly shocked!

He even closed his eyes and opened them again to make sure he wasn't dreaming:

The tall, muscular ex-mercenary Brother Zhang now stood as only half a body. The other half lay on the ground.

He had been cleanly bisected by Ning Yu.

The sheer impact of the scene before him nearly stopped his thought processes.

How... was this possible?

Just what kind of terrifying little lolita had he picked up??

Ning Yu's wrist moved slightly, expertly twisting the sword hilt before releasing her grip.

The Crimson War Blade, freshly coated in blood, began to spin rapidly in place in mid-air.

This was her habitual blood-shaking motion, typically used to quickly fling blood off the blade and keep it clean.

She quickly grasped the hilt again, but a puzzled expression crossed her face.

Not a single drop of blood had been flung off.

The blood that had coated the blade moments ago had completely vanished without a trace.

The entire Crimson War Blade now seemed to have deepened slightly in color.

It flickered subtly within a very narrow color range, almost imperceptible unless one looked closely.

This sword seemed a bit strange?

Ning Yu felt waves of heat flowing from the hilt into her body.

It made her whole body feel feverish, as if every part of her had become excited.

She faintly heard countless voices screaming in her ears:

"More... more... MORE!!!"

Ning Yu instantly understood that the sword was craving more blood.

It was truly sinister.

This Crimson War Blade likely held many more secrets beyond the system's brief description.

From Lin Hao's perspective, Ning Yu's eyes had taken on a faint dark red hue, replacing their original calm amber color.

It was a wonderfully grotesque, yet beautifully wicked sight.

Everything had happened so quickly.

The three underlings in the kitchen had barely heard the commotion and rushed out to see what was happening.

But before their eyes, their boss lay "halved" on the ground, already breathing his last.

They felt a chill run down their spines.

What kind of monster was this little lolita with her back to them, who had so easily dispatched their boss?

But even though they were afraid, they had nowhere to retreat.

Two of them grabbed weapons, shouting as they rushed forward to fight to the death.

"Avenge the boss!!"

"I'll fight you to the death!!"

The remaining one, however, retreated with trembling legs and a terrified expression.

Ning Yu gently released her grip, allowing the Crimson War Blade to vanish into thin air, stored in her system space.

Having tested the sword, there was no need for chivalry in the upcoming fight.

She turned around, elegantly raising her hand, revealing her snow-white arm from beneath the sleeve of her Western dress.

A silver wrist crossbow materialized out of thin air!

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Two quick arrows embedded themselves in the foreheads of the two thugs, efficient and merciless.

They immediately collapsed to the ground, dead on the spot.

The frightened one who had been trembling had slowly backed up to a bedroom door.

Seeing his companions' swift demise, he fell on his backside in terror.

A faint smell of urine wafted from the room; the man had wet himself in fear.

Ning Yu was in no hurry. She walked forward, nudging the bodies of the two dead thugs with her foot.

Her small hand exerted a bit of force as she pulled out the arrows she had just fired.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling screech rang out!

A rotting hand shot out from the bedroom, violently dragging the terrified man inside!

"Ah!!! No... urgh..."

The sickening sound of tearing flesh immediately echoed from the bedroom.

Blood began to seep out from under the door, forming a steadily growing puddle.