Huang Ya stood frozen in shock.

It was really Yu Li!!! What was she doing here??

Oh right, she said she came looking for me.

Wait no! How did Yu Li know I lived here?!

Countless thoughts raced through Huang Ya's mind in those few seconds.

But the current situation didn't allow for questions. She hesitantly glanced at the men sprawled on the ground: "This..."

Noticing her gaze, Yu Li turned to look and casually explained: "Oh these guys? Don't worry, they're not dead. Just sustained some injuries that'll never fully heal."

"...Injuries that'll never fully heal..."

That definitely sounded painful.

Wait, that wasn't what she meant to ask.

Huang Ya hesitated before speaking: "Are you...hurt?"

The question was completely unnecessary - the woman stood spotless without even a speck of dust on her, clearly unharmed.

One of the wounded men clutching his injuries saw Huang Ya and initially thought rescue had arrived, until he heard that question and nearly fainted from anger.

Damn! Was this bitch blind? Who was injured here was obvious!!

Gritting his teeth, he rasped:

"Huang Ya! Call the police! Now!"

God damn it, they'd encountered a monster! Was this woman even human?

For the first time, he questioned reality.

Just minutes earlier, they'd been about to remove their clothes.

Suddenly, the door behind them slammed shut with a "bang".

From that moment, this place became hell.

The instant the door locked, tendrils of black mist began spreading from behind the beautiful woman.

She smiled gently at them and spoke softly:

"Good. Now that we're alone, let me give you your...interest."

Before they could react, surrounding metal pipes levitated and shot toward their lower bodies at terrifying speed.

Fuck! No human could do this!

The searing pain paled against their overwhelming fear. The man groaned in agony, trying to crawl away.

But his body froze the next second.

Light footsteps approached from behind as the woman gently stepped on his head, looking down with a smile: "Leaving so soon?"

She chuckled softly, "Since you can't control your lower halves, you won't be needing them anymore."

Her gentle tone sent chills down their spines. Faced with certain death, they immediately begged for mercy:

"Wait!! We were wrong! Sis! We'll never do it again!"

"Y-yeah, please spare us this once...we're begging you!"

"We swear! We'll become good people!"

Yu Li ignored their pleas, casually surveying the area: "You picked a good spot. No cameras, few people...so..."

She tilted her head with a smile:

"Even if I killed you, no one would notice."

The man's pupils contracted in terror.

Fortunately, Huang Ya appeared at that moment.

Seeing Huang Ya hesitate, he instinctively commanded: "Huang Ya! Hurry up and—"

"BAM—"

Before he could finish, a kick sent him crashing into the wall, cracking it like spiderwebs. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his eyes bulged wide.

Yu Li calmly withdrew her foot: "I was speaking to her. You don't get to interrupt."

Huang Ya's eyelid twitched.

Dear god, she must still be in a game instance, right?

Since when could people kick grown men through walls in real life?!

...

When Hao Lan arrived near the factory and spotted Huang Ya, he almost called out—until he saw the familiar figure beside her.

He swallowed his words.

Holy shit...it really was Yu Li.

Noticing Hao Lan's approach, Huang Ya quickly waved: "Hao Lan!"

Yu Li also turned with a smile: "We meet again."

Her gaze studied the two "kids" before her.

Yes, kids.

The previous game instance had age restrictions, making everyone appear in their early twenties. Since Yu Li was actually that age, she looked unchanged.

But Huang Ya and Hao Lan's appearances surprised her. According to records, they should be about her age.

Yet their petite frames and youthful faces made them look barely legal.

Combined with their living conditions...was this from malnutrition?

Yu Li rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

Meanwhile, Hao Lan was studying her too.

Why was Yu Li here?

After Huang Ya briefed him, Hao Lan peeked at the scene inside and winced in sympathy.

He knew. That had to hurt.

He whispered to Huang Ya: "What does she want?"

Huang Ya shook her head: "Not sure. She said she came looking for us."

But the woman hadn't explained why.

Hao Lan hissed: "You think she didn't get enough killing in the instance and came for more?"

Huang Ya: "..." That would be bad.

Noticing their whispering and the cake in Huang Ya's hands, Yu Li raised an eyebrow: "Someone's birthday today?"

Huang Ya pointed: "His 21st."

Hao Lan protested: "Hey, the '21' wasn't necessary!"

He'd forever be 18.

Yu Li nodded: "Heading home to celebrate?"

Checking the time, Huang Ya said: "Yeah, we'd normally be eating dinner by now."

Now? Yu Li checked her watch—barely 5pm.

"So early?"

Huang Ya pressed her lips together.

Hao Lan answered for her: "Lights use too much electricity at night. Candles make eating difficult."

Yu Li paused, then smiled: "Since I delayed your dinner, let me treat you tonight."

Huang Ya frantically waved her hands: "No no, that's not necessary!"

Yu Li continued: "Consider it an apology. I also want to discuss something. If outside won't work, we can go to your place."

Her tone remained gentle but brooked no refusal.

Huang Ya and Hao Lan exchanged glances.

Their place...was even less suitable. That shack couldn't even accommodate guests.

In the end, they followed Yu Li.

On the way, Huang Ya noticed Yu Li was alone: "Um...just you today?"

She'd assumed Bo Jingmo would come too.

As if reading their thoughts, Yu Li turned from the window:

"Bo Jingmo went abroad."

Huang Ya nodded, clutching the cake nervously. After exchanging more glances with Hao Lan, she finally spoke:

"Yu Li, maybe just tell us what this is about directly."

They felt like prisoners awaiting sentencing.

After a quiet moment, Yu Li suddenly asked: "Would you like to join my team?"

Both froze.

Wait, seriously??

"You're...not joking?"

Huang Ya couldn't imagine why—she'd done nothing remarkable in the last instance.

With a light laugh, Yu Li explained:

"Not a joke at all."

"Your skills intrigued me."

Her gaze settled on Huang Ya as her eyes curved slightly.

"Especially yours, Huang Ya."