In a vast underground hall shrouded in darkness, a grand chandelier hung from the high ceiling, its dim light casting eerie shadows over the massive circular table at the center. Three figures sat around it, tension thick in the air.
Suddenly, the man at the head of the table slammed his palm down, making the whole surface tremble. He glared at the other two with visible frustration.
"Why aren't you understanding? She's dangerous! You're playing with fire!"
Across from him, a middle-aged woman leaned back in her chair, her expression indifferent.
"What can she possibly do? She's just one person."
Beside her, a man with a jagged scar across his face sneered, hatred gleaming in his eyes.
"Yeah, she's just a girl. We can kill her. Why are you so scared?"
The boss stared at them, his voice laced with disbelief.
"You don't understand… I saw her slaughter our enemies like they were nothing—like cutting cabbage. We're no match for her."
The scarred man gave a twisted grin.
"Well, too late. I already sent people to kill her. They're going to blow up her house. That bitch scarred my face—I'll make sure she dies screaming."
The woman chuckled, fanning herself lazily.
"Good. She should die."
The boss's face went pale. His hands trembled as he turned toward the scarred man, his voice barely above a whisper.
"A-Are you joking? Please tell me you're joking..."
The scarred man frowned, slightly unsettled by his reaction.
"Why are you so scared? It's not like she can fight thousands of people."
The boss glared at him, his voice rising with fury.
"I didn't approve this! How dare you act on your own?!"
He stormed over, grabbing the scarred man's collar.
"You've doomed us all!"
Suddenly, the boss's phone began to ring. He shoved the man away and glanced at the screen. The color drained from his face.
With a trembling hand, he answered.
"H-Hello? Tan Xia? Why are you calling me at this time?"
From the phone came a soft, almost sweet voice—but to the boss, it was anything but comforting.
"Oh, boss... It seems you all really don't want to live, huh?"
He cast a panicked glance at the scarred man and stammered,
"L-Look, Tan Xia, we—"
She cut him off coldly.
"I don't want your excuses, boss. Your people? They're already at my feet. Your time starts now… and so does the death game."
The call ended with a sharp beep.
Before he could process what she meant, the phone rang again. He answered instantly.
A man's voice came through, tense and urgent.
"Boss! Be careful! Our men just spotted a shadow entering from the mansion roof!"
The boss gasped.
"Quick! Get inside the mansion and protect us! Now!"
"Yes, boss!"
The scarred man glared at the boss, brushing dust off his suit with irritation.
"Boss, are you fucking stupid? She's become a threat to all of us. It's better she dies! Why the hell are you defending her?"
The boss turned sharply—and without warning—punched him square in the face.
The man crashed to the floor with a groan.
"Aghhh!"
"You bastard!" the boss shouted, his voice trembling with rage. "I'm not protecting her—I'm protecting us!"
The woman stood, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Boss, don't think we won't cut ties with you. If we do, your gang will drop to third-rate overnight!"
Just as the boss opened his mouth to reply, a faint sound echoed above them.
All three heads snapped upward.
The boss's face drained of color.
From the grand chandelier above, a figure sat casually, legs crossed, one hand resting on the crystal frame.
The woman pointed, her voice sharp with disbelief and outrage.
"You—girl! How dare you enter this place?! How did you even get in?!"
Perched like a shadow of death, the girl wore sleek black combat gear. Futuristic glasses gleamed across her eyes, and at her waist hung an array of metal needle cases, glinting ominously in the low light.
Tan Xia smirked.
"Oh, I've got guts, lady. As for how I got in..." She flicked a needle between her fingers. "Let's just say your roof was a little too weak. One good kick, and here I am."
The woman stared at Tan Xia in disbelief, her voice laced with mockery.
"Don't spout nonsense, girl. The entire mansion is bulletproof!"
Tan Xia glanced at her lazily, unconcerned.
"Believe whatever helps you sleep at night."
In the blink of an eye, she leapt down from the chandelier, landing effortlessly on the floor like a wraith.
The scarred man reacted immediately, drawing his pistol.
Tan Xia sighed and shook her head. With a flick of her wrist, she hurled a needle toward him.
"AGHHHHH!"
The gun clattered to the floor as his hand went limp, paralyzed.
"You bitch!" he screamed, clutching his useless arm. "What did you do to my hand?! I'll kill you!"
He charged at her, fist raised—but as he neared, his breath caught in his throat. His knees buckled, and he collapsed hard onto the floor, motionless.
The boss and the woman froze, their faces drained of color. Sweat began to bead on their foreheads.
Tan Xia placed a finger on her chin, as if pondering.
"Oops. Forgot to mention—the needle was poisoned."
The woman snapped out of her daze with a snarl, yanking out her gun and aiming it straight at Tan Xia.
Tan Xia watched her with cold indifference, then suddenly lunged forward. Bullets whizzed past her, missing by mere inches.
As the final bullet clicked empty, Tan Xia stopped inches in front of the woman—and with a swift motion, slashed her stomach open with a hidden knife.
The woman gasped, eyes wide in agony.
But then—BANG!
A shot rang out.
Tan Xia staggered, eyes falling to her chest. A bullet had pierced her heart.
Slowly, she turned her head.
The boss stood there, gun still smoking, a victorious grin spreading across his face.
"I... I did it..." he whispered, starting to laugh—until his legs gave out beneath him. He dropped to his knees, his face twisting in horror.
"H-How...?"
Tan Xia gave him a bloody smile.
"Heh... I was careless. But even if I die, my enemies die with me."
The boss's eyes widened. He turned his head—and saw it.
A single needle embedded in his back.
Tan Xia's voice came again, soft and mocking.
"Good news, boss. That needle? Laced with one of the most terrifying poisons in existence. You're going to die... very painfully."
And with that, she let her body fall. Her eyes closed. The hall fell into silence.
Only the boss's gasps remained, growing weaker as the poison began its slow, merciless work.