The reassurance gained from having power allowed Bai Yi, who was exhausted, to fall into a deep sleep for the first time since the onset of the apocalypse. However, he was abruptly roused by a sharp pain in his chest. Instinctively, he reached for his right side but found nothing there.
Caught in a wave of panic, Bai Yi began to sweat profusely. "Where's the knife?" After a few moments of searching frantically, he realized with horror that the skull-cutting knife he had placed beside him was missing.
"Don't move!" The sudden command made Bai Yi tense as he looked into the darkness before him. The faint light of the moon illuminated the room just enough for him to make out a figure standing four or five meters away. Urgently, he called out, "Please, calm down! I'm alive!"
However, the other person clearly had no intention of easing the situation, their tone icy as they questioned, "Where is the other person with you? Where are they?"
Bai Yi was bewildered. "Other person? No, it's just me here," he replied, uncertainty creeping into his voice.
The woman in the darkness did not seem convinced. "Don't bother trying to justify yourself. I know everything you two did yesterday! You are nothing but unscrupulous individuals..."
Bai Yi was completely at a loss, trying to understand what was happening. Realizing that the voice belonged to a woman provided him with a slight sense of relief, but without a weapon at his disposal, he opted to be truthful: "I believe you have mistaken me for someone else. I genuinely don't know who you are referring to. I am alone here!"
Just then, a bright light suddenly illuminated the area, causing Bai Yi to shield his eyes until he could adjust. "Don't move, or you'll regret it!" The person's words were laced with distrust and anger.
Feeling a sense of injustice, Bai Yi chastised himself for his earlier arrogance. He had just acquired his new abilities and had let his guard down, failing to realize that someone had sneaked in and taken his weapon. This was a significant lapse in judgment during such precarious times.
However, with the light now on, Bai Yi could discern the intruder's identity, and he was taken aback by her appearance. A cold metallic gleam reflected from the sharp tip of a bow aimed directly at him.
Bai Yi was genuinely alarmed, never expecting to be confronted with a bow and arrow.
Standing opposite him was a tall woman clad in pink athletic wear, her hood concealing her hair, and a black mask obscuring her face.
The bow was drawn to its full extension, its steel arrow exuding a menacing aura that left no doubt regarding its potential lethality. It was evident that she was also a student from his school, but how did she possess a bow and arrow?
Observing her skilled bow hold, Bai Yi had no reason to doubt her proficiency. His gaze shifted to the backpack and skull-cutting knife he had prepared earlier, now lying at her feet.
With the assistance of the light, the woman caught sight of Bai Yi. A flicker of hostility crossed her features. "Raise your hands and kneel! Do not attempt to resist, or you will see just how lethal my arrow can be."
"You!" Bai Yi glared, ready to argue, but as she tightened her grip on the bowstring, he conceded. He raised his hands and squatted on the ground; kneeling, however, was out of the question. He would rather face dire consequences than humiliate himself in that manner.
She scrutinized him intently. "You really must have the wrong person! I am not the one you seek!"
The woman, bow still raised, locked her gaze onto Bai Yi like a predator eyeing its prey. "Did you arrive at this building with anyone else yesterday?"
Bai Yi paused, then nodded sincerely. "Yes, I was with two others, but..."
"Indeed, it was you who committed that heartless act yesterday! I regret that I couldn't save Aihan..." She interrupted, tears glistening in her eyes and sorrow evident in her voice, providing no room for him to explain.
"But you will not evade justice today. I cannot fathom your foolishness in daring to confront this alone! Your life will serve as retribution for Aihan's demise!" With that declaration, she further drew back the bowstring.
Bai Yi, though confused, responded urgently, "Wait! If you're seeking revenge, wouldn't it be more prudent to wait for the other two to return?"
Realizing he needed to diffuse the tension, Bai Yi could not afford for her to reject his words outright.
Momentarily stunned, the woman exclaimed, "How could I return after leaving here? Don't think you can deceive me!"
Bai Yi countered, "They will return at dawn; otherwise, I wouldn't remain here! We have arranged to meet here to secure the entire dormitory! I swear..."
Bai Yi elaborated on the circumstances at the cafeteria, weaving a narrative that included both truths and fabrications, portraying himself as a mere follower tasked with guarding supplies.
Though his account was riddled with inconsistencies, the woman, caught up in her emotions and her unsettling experiences from the previous day, found herself believing his account, which was composed of 70% truth and 30% lies. Nevertheless, she couldn't help but respond disparagingly, "In that case, I can kill you now, and then deal with them when they arrive tomorrow."
Bai Yi hesitated, "That... wouldn't they look for me if I'm not there when day breaks?"
At this, the woman's expression hardened. "You are deceiving me. If you were truly their companion, they would surely come looking for you if you did not appear."
Bai Yi forced a smile, "Why would you still believe such claims? If we were truly friends, would they leave me to fend for myself in a place teeming with danger? To them, I am merely expendable. People like us don't usually associate with those who possess special abilities!"
After voicing this, Bai Yi felt a twinge of apprehension as doubts flickered in his mind.
Xia He paused to reflect and then asked, "You genuinely had nothing to do with what transpired yesterday?"
Bai Yi smiled wearily, "I do not know what you're referring to! You saw clearly that I was not with those individuals at all; we separated the moment we entered the dormitory."
Xia He furrowed her brow, and upon realizing that Bai Yi appeared truthful, she sighed lightly, her tension easing slightly. It was evident that taking a life was not an easy decision for her. "In that case, we will wait until dawn to see if they return. Do not even think about fleeing; I trust you are not quicker than my arrow!"
Bai Yi, feeling the weight of the circumstance, nodded quickly, "Of course, I'm not planning to leave. I'll remain right here." Yet, in his mind, he was frantically calculating how to navigate this precarious situation.
He knew that the fabrications he spoke were filled with glaring inconsistencies. Even if the woman waited until dawn, he was confident that the two individuals would not return, thus exposing him as a liar.
Bai Yi, who had appeared particularly compliant, was mentally strategizing. His speed had reached its peak, allowing him to consider a sudden attack against the woman should the opportunity arise.
However, he realized that without his weapon and in close proximity, he faced uncertainty in overcoming her.
Ultimately, obtaining his weapon back would be a priority.
As he considered these options, Bai Yi took stock of the woman still poised with her arrow directed at him. It became apparent that she was alone in this dormitory and exhibited signs of vulnerability, especially in comparison to the more protected individuals he had encountered.
As he continued to observe her, an unexpected sound erupted in the room, startling both of them. Bai Yi paused, while Xia He's face flushed beneath her mask as she internally chastised herself for the loud growl of her stomach.
Seizing the moment, Bai Yi offered a friendly smile, "Are you hungry? I have plenty of food in my backpack, feel free to help yourself!"
Xia He shot him a sharp look. "Enough with the nonsense. You are my prisoner now, and all your belongings are spoils of war!"
Bai Yi was tempted to voice his frustration at her shamelessness. These were items he had painstakingly collected, yet he merely grinned and replied, "Of course, they belong to me, so please help yourself!"
Though a hint of embarrassment flickered across Xia He's features, the reality of her hunger, compounded by her lack of water for two days, left her with little choice when she heard about the food.
After deliberating, and observing Bai Yi's emaciated frame, she surmised, "He doesn't seem capable of much." She gradually lowered her bow and arrow, still keeping a wary eye on him as she bent down to reach for the backpack at his feet.
"Now!" Bai Yi's eyes sparkled with determination. The instant she set down her bow and began to unzip her backpack, he sprung into action, darting swiftly toward his goal. In a matter of moments, he crossed the four-meter distance, lunging straight for the knife situated beside the backpack.
"Buzz!" The sound of a swift movement cut through the air as Xia He's voice followed, "I knew you would take advantage of this!"
"Oh no!" Realizing the imminent threat from above, Bai Yi quickly retracted his hand. Yet, he was taken aback by the speed of Xia He's response; even with his quickened pace, he could not evade her actions.