Xueji noticed the young man’s hesitation and spoke up, “What’s wrong? Think I’m too arrogant? What kind of youth isn’t arrogant?”
“Huh? How did you know I was—” His expression shifted from shock to fear. Could her ability be mind-reading or something?
Xueji covered her mouth with a mischievous grin. “Heh, don’t overthink it. My ability is combat-based.”
Relieved, the young man let out a breath—but then froze. If it’s not mind-reading, did she just deduce my thoughts from observation alone?
As Xueji turned to leave, she patted his shoulder and dropped a piece of advice. “Buddy, when you’re overthinking, try not to wear it all over your face. Otherwise, some scheming woman’s gonna play you like a fiddle.”
The young man’s chest tightened. Shaking his head, he hurried after her. “Kid, don’t go sticking your nose in grown-up business. First, prove you can actually use these guns, then you can take them.”
“Oho~ Someone’s triggered?” Xueji teased.
“Kids shouldn’t meddle in adult matters!”
“Triggered~ Triggered~ Hehehe~”
The young man’s fists clenched. Hard.
“Anyway, how do I prove it?”
Xueji’s abrupt subject change forced him to swallow his retort. Sighing, he gestured outside. “There are targets out back. Show me your aim.”
Soon, a silver-haired loli in full tactical gear became the center of attention at the small shooting range, drawing stares from passing soldiers.
“Hey, little miss, put the gun down—it’s dangerous.”
“Whose kid is this? Want big bro to teach you Peacekeeper Elite? Guaranteed chicken dinner.”
“You got this, girl! Don’t listen to them—missing the target’s totally fine.”
“Just hitting the target counts as a win! Go for it!”
The range buzzed with lighthearted jeers.
Xueji ignored them, focusing solely on the target forty meters away. The world around her faded—the chatter, the wind brushing her cheeks, even the strands of her hair swaying. All that remained was the flow of the air.
Twin auras, one pure white, the other pitch black, coiled around her before being drawn into the guns. Each hand channeled one energy, balancing them in a yin-yang harmony.
The receptionist’s eyes widened. She’s actually wielding both guns at once?!
As an analyst in the field of spiritual resurgence, he knew a person’s spiritual energy was like a fingerprint—unique and tied to their soul.
Dual energies in one body? First time seeing that. He made a mental note to report this. Better monitor her mental state. Wouldn’t want her developing a split personality.
The bizarre spectacle silenced the onlookers. Veterans recognized the legendary pistols, murmurs spreading until all eyes locked onto the enigmatic weapons.
Bang! Bang!
Two shots rang out, spiritual bullets streaking through the air—one black, one white—a dazzling sight.
Naturally, Xueji, who’d never handled guns before, missed spectacularly. The distant target stood untouched, a lone crow perching atop it like a mocking punchline.
The range fell into awkward silence. The pistols’ mythic status clashed violently with Xueji’s abysmal aim.
The crowd teetered between laughter and restraint, lips pressed tight, faces twitching—the very picture of “trying not to lose it.”
Xueji’s cheeks burned. Without a word, she holstered the guns and marched off. The moment she was out of earshot, the range erupted in glee.
Even as she walked away, the laughter chased her. She broke into a sprint—only for the noise to cut off abruptly. Confused, she slowed—until a bald-tailed crow flew past, its bare butt sending her into giggles.
Back at the range, the target Xueji had seemingly missed suddenly split in half. The crow, now missing its tail feathers, flapped away in panic. The witnesses could only mutter in awe:
“Terrifying…”
After much dawdling, Xueji finally set off into the forest. The rough trail had been cleared enough for vehicles, so she’d hoped to take a military dirt bike—until the supervisor asked for her license.
Spoiler: She didn’t have one.
Instead, she got a rugged mountain bike.
Gone was the image of a badass biker tearing through the wilderness. Now, she looked like a weekend cyclist on a nature trip.
‘This is bullshit!’
Her mission was reconnaissance, but with the direwolves already wiped out, she pedaled aimlessly.
The path showed signs of cleanup—toppled trees and wolf carcasses removed, though shrubs now claimed the open spaces.
Recalling the pack’s last stand, Xueji frowned. Even after her attack, they’d refused to retreat. Something in these woods scared them more than death.
According to the autopsy reports, the alpha Niezhi beast wasn’t the threat. Though it had emerged from the forest, its initial danger level couldn’t have cowed the wolves so thoroughly.
Plus, the abnormal amounts of black ooze found in its body didn’t match typical demonic beasts.
Too little intel. Guess I’ll rely on luck.
Just as boredom set in, bestial roars and human shouts echoed ahead.
Following the noise, Xueji found a group of students surrounded by direwolves.
Five injured, one boy barely conscious—a girl frantically trying to treat them all. The remaining fighters were being overwhelmed, their line buckling under the wolves’ assault. Only one, a physical-enhancement adept, held the pack at bay—barely.
And that adept was Xueji’s friend, Zhao Cheng.
Swinging a wolf the size of a sedan, he hurled it back—but for every beast he repelled, another’s fangs found his flesh. By the time Xueji arrived, he’d lost too much blood, swaying on his feet.
As dizziness from blood loss staggered him, the wolves lunged—jaws wide, claws out—ready to devour the students whole.
Then—BANG!
A black bullet streaked past Zhao Cheng, curving unnaturally to slam into a wolf’s skull. The beast dropped dead.
More gunfire followed.
This was Black & White’s debut.
And Xueji intended to test their limits.