March 18, 2025 — 08:35 AM
Location: Archery Club Room, Longwan University -> East Exit Corridor
—
The air outside the room felt cooler somehow — thinner, like the building was exhaling the weight of too many bodies, too much blood dried into the walls.
I stood at the front, loaded for war. Gauntlet primed. Inventory screen dimmed but ready. SMG holstered. Buckshot shells resting like brass teeth at my hips.
Shen Yifei stood beside me, not behind, not trailing — but beside. Spear slung across her back, compact SMG now locked inside the system's blue flicker. She gave a single nod, sharp and certain.
"I'll cover your left."
Simple words, but I knew I could trust her.
Mu Qinglan had raised her arm as well, eyes tracking me in silence. But when I looked at her — really looked — and tilted my chin toward Zhou Xue, she lowered it without protest.
"Stick close to Zhou Xue and Liang Mei. If it gets bad, I want them breathing."
"Got it," she said.
