The Resolve to Be Killed

The residual shockwaves of the explosion were completely blocked by Ning Xuan's barrier formed by concentration.

Ning Yu could clearly see the barrier becoming increasingly thin under the impact of the explosion, with more and more obvious ripples.

She was even prepared to use the 【Blood Mirror】 (Blood Mirror) to reflect the explosion, but Ning Xuan's barrier held firm without being breached.

"What's going on here?"

Ning Yu frowned, familiar with this self-destruct tactic, but the man had clearly shown a desire to live. However, it was as if he had been suddenly controlled and triggered the self-destruct mechanism.

If he truly wanted to die, he could have self-destructed at the very moment Ning Yu pierced his chest with her blade.

"Someone must have tampered with him beforehand."

Ning Xuan's expression was also grave. Just moments ago, the man was about to reveal who else was coming to capture Ning Yu, but it seemed something triggered a mechanism, forcing him into the self-destruct sequence.

Ning Yu roughly guessed at this possibility.

"Is this the price of cybernetic enhancement?"

She casually asked, knowing that while cybernetic enhancement could grant powers akin to supernatural awakenings, the mechanical and programmatic nature also made it vulnerable to manipulation.

"It's usually difficult to do something like this, as it requires high-level permissions."

Ning Xuan summoned the glowing white probe again, incinerating the man's remains into ashes.

During the process, Ning Yu noticed cybernetic devices integrated with the man's flesh, replacing most of his internal organs.

These devices seemed to have replaced the man's major organs, and were particularly difficult to melt, while his limbs and head remained unchanged.

She was curious about how the cybernetics replaced the functions of the organs, providing nutrition and energy.

However, Ning Xuan's high-temperature probe quickly turned the cybernetic organs into black liquid.

"Sister, we should leave here as soon as possible."

"I suspect his final explosion might have sent out a signal, and those coming after you might track you through it."

The small inn had been blown open with a large hole. Ning Xuan stepped out first through the hole, looking up at the sky.

The early autumn sunlight fell on her silver bangs, casting shadows beneath her forehead.

Ning Yu followed closely behind, stepping out as well.

They had originally planned to rest here for the night, but now it seemed this place was no longer safe.

However, their gains were substantial—they had earned a good amount of points and weapon experience, and eliminated a troublesome squad.

"If I'm not mistaken, those coming next will be even more troublesome. It's likely the one who sent him self-destructed to avoid revealing their identity."

Ning Yu made a reasonable deduction.

"But it's strange. I don't think it was necessary, unless the one coming to capture you doesn't want anyone else to know who captured you."

Ning Xuan followed Ning Yu's logic, considering the reasons behind such a preemptive move.

The two sisters cleaned up the battle traces as they went, leaving some that couldn't be cleaned up behind. Their goal was to avoid revealing their true combat capabilities.

"It's simple, as you said, they're coming to kill me."

Ning Yu shrugged nonchalantly.

"If someone wants to kill, they should be prepared to be killed."

"I agree with that."

Ning Xuan nodded.

"Let's go, we'll head to the other side of the city."

Ning Yu activated the map on her wristwatch, displaying City A. They were currently at the wetland park, only a few dozen kilometers away from the Ark Base.

She didn't want the battle to affect Shen Yiyue, so she wanted to draw the battlefield as far away as possible.

On the watch's map, the dots representing Shen Yiyue and Shen Qianqian were still in their old positions, with no significant change in altitude, indicating they were still in the apartment.

Seeing this, Ning Yu slightly relaxed.

The two had reached the entrance of the runway. The soldiers' bodies were incinerated by Ning Xuan's high-temperature probe, along with their uniforms, turning into ashes that were then poured into the wetland mud.

Only after finishing this did Ning Xuan walk over to Ning Yu, looking at the map on her wristwatch.

"Sister, you really care about her, don't you?"

Ning Yu closed the watch, silently glancing at Ning Xuan, saying nothing.

......

Shen Qianqian was in the living room, flipping through a comic as usual, but for some reason, she couldn't focus.

With Ning Yu gone and her own sister out, she was left alone in the empty apartment, feeling lonely.

"Knock knock knock."

Hearing the familiar knocking sound, she quickly threw aside the comic she wasn't really reading and ran to the door.

Opening it, she saw Shen Yiyue.

Her face showed no expression, her hair still wet, and her clothes clearly soaked from the rain. She had Ning Yu's gift, the weapon case, strapped to her back, and a grappling hook device on her arm.

"Sister, where did you go? I was a bit scared being home alone."

Seeing her sister drenched, Shen Qianqian grabbed some tissues and hurried to wipe her down.

Ever since Ning Yu disappeared this morning, she felt like her sister had changed, and even she herself felt more melancholic.

Normally, she would tease her sister at a time like this, but she just couldn't muster the mood.

Shen Yiyue suddenly smiled, taking the tissues from her sister and gently wiping her wet bangs.

"Sister will have to go out a few more times recently. Can you watch over the house for me, Qianqian?"

Shen Qianqian hesitated. She wanted to whine and ask her sister to stay home more, but seeing her sister's expression, she somehow found herself agreeing.

"Okay."

She obediently nodded, then added,

"Sister, go take a shower quickly, don't catch a cold."

She pointed to the bathroom, indicating Shen Yiyue should hurry.

Shen Yiyue removed her equipment, gently tousled her sister's hair, and headed to the bathroom.

As she took out her change of clothes, she noticed Shen Qianqian sitting back on the sofa, staring at her.

"What is it?"

She looked at her sister, who seemed lost in thought.

"Sister... will Ning Yu sister come back tomorrow?"

Shen Qianqian's voice was hesitant, knowing it might sound silly to ask so soon after Ning Yu left.

"Why, are you already missing your Ning Yu sister?"

Shen Yiyue leaned forward, placing her hands on the sofa, teasing her sister with a playful look.

"No... I just feel like ever since Ning Yu sister left, sister's been in a bad mood."

Shen Qianqian fiddled with her nails, mumbling softly.

"How could that be?"

"Ning Yu sister will be back in a few days, she told me beforehand~"

Shen Yiyue assured her sister, holding up her clothes and turning toward the bathroom.

"And I'll have her make your favorite red-cooked pork."