NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 6
Chapter 6: Sea Without Light – Part 6
Kui Xin maintained her composure and quickly responded, “I’m a penniless person with debts of 300 thousand. Do you think I have anything valuable on me?”
The two robbers were speechless.
“In this shabby district like An Ning Street, how could you possibly find any wealthy targets? Listen to my advice, robbing in such areas will not bring any money. But if you were to rob someone wealthy, then it would be different! Opening a business after three years with one profitable sale!” Kui Xin earnestly explained.
The robber hesitated, “But there’s surveillance everywhere in the upper-class neighborhoods…”
Another robber warned his partner, “This person is tricking us! Don’t fall for it!”
“Then why would I deceive you?” Kui Xin threw away her umbrella and stretched out her empty hands. “I have nothing to offer, living in a leaky house. What benefits could robbing me provide?”
“Just a moment!” The robber on the right noticed something shiny around Kui Xin’s wrist under the streetlights and said, “What on your wrist? Could it be valuable?”
“Oh, you want this? Here.” Kui Xin extended her hand towards him.
The robber on the right stayed still while the other could not resist moving forward.
As the robber approached, Kui Xin swiftly pulled back her fist and struck the side of the robber’s head.
A sickening crack echoed as the man’s temple shattered, his face twisting in agony as he collapsed to the ground.
Kui Xin stared at her own hands in disbelief.
She was initially planning to knock them unconscious and run away. However, she realized that something about her body had changed drastically. She used to get injured when fighting thugs; now, her strike was so powerful it broke bone like paper.
The remaining robber shouted in anger, wielding his knife to stab Kui Xin. In an almost reflexive motion, Kui Xin dodged, barely avoiding the strike.
To her, the move slowed to a crawl, allowing her body to react before her mind did, snatching the attacker’s knife from their grip.
With precision, she countered, stabbing the blade directly through the robber’s ribcage into his heart.
Kui Xin immediately released the blade and took a step back to avoid the splattered blood.
All actions happened instantaneously, within mere seconds. Her body moved autonomously, almost as though she lost control over herself… killing another.
Blank-faced and confused, Kui Xin stood amid the pouring rain, soaked from head to toe. Two corpses lay lifelessly on the wet ground.
Kui Xin crouched to check their breaths, but both were dead, blood pooling beneath them.
“What just happened?” She gasped, her heart pounding.
The game system’s panel appeared.
“You’ve unlocked the Innate Talent 【Combat Instinct】.”
【Combat Instinct】: Wild beasts possess the instinct to hunt. This ability, honed through rigorous training, can be perfectly executed. It is the ingrained muscle memory formed by countless grueling practices, developed into automatic neural reflexes. You continue to act on instinct even in extreme states like fatigue or confusion.
Kui Xin gasped audibly.
This talent wasn’t hers but rather that of the body she inhabited. As a key member of the Resistance Army, she should have been capable with smart mind, sharp instincts, and excellent combat skills.
Such battle acumen was deeply etched as subconscious impulse in her, manifesting into extreme reactions under threat.
At this moment came a clatter from the alley’s end.
The hoodie-clad boy arrived again, his eyes filled with fear, staring at the bodies on the ground. He dropped his metal baton, visibly shaken.
“Good Samaritan,” Kui Xin wiped the rainwater from her face, forcing a stiff smile, “Could you call the police? I’m innocent, you heard them—intending to rob.”
“No problem…” The boy fumbled with trembling hands, clumsily trying several times to dial the number.
The call connected. A sweet voice greeted, “Hello, this is the city’s security hotline. How may we assist you?”
“Robbery, here…” The boy looked helplessly at Kui Xin, “Where exactly is this?”
“Hang Gang Bay Area, An Ning Street, near the middle.” Kui Xin replied.
The boy resumed, “We also need to call an ambulance…”
“There’s no need—they’re already dead.” Kui Xin interjected.
His expression turned more scared. Stuttering, he asked, “You… did this?”
“I acted in self-defense,” Kui Xin avoided looking at the bodies, “Can you prove these guys were armed? It appears there’s no CCTV here, and you’re the only witness.”
The boy nodded without hesitation, “Sure, if necessary.”
Kui Xin breathed a sigh of relief, picking up the black umbrella and approaching the boy as she shook off the raindrops.
The boy backed away in fear.
Kui Xin sighed inwardly, “Stay with me under the umbrella. I don’t want another witness to get involved. My name is Kui Xin. I’m a student at Black Sea Academy.”
“Liu Liang,” the boy relaxed noticing her student status, “Also attending Black Sea Academy. Which department are you in?”
“I focus on Criminal Investigation.” Kui Xin answered.
“That explains your skill.” Liu Liang mumbled.
“Thank you tonight.” Kui Xin leaned the umbrella slightly towards him.
“Not a problem, helping others… even if you don’t need my help much. My parents’ convenience store is nearby. When I heard what happened I came rushing over with a bat. Might have to give a statement later. I’ll go check on my parents first.”
Kui Xin slowly nodded, watching as he plunged into the rainy street, disappearing at the next corner.
She pondered as she activated her bracelet, searching for the keyword “Lei Feng.”
No matches found…
In this world, there were no stories of Lei Feng doing good deeds, nor were there references to the spirit of Lei Feng.
“So it’s as I suspected. I guessed correctly.” Kui Xin thought to herself.
Liu Liang was a newbie player from the First World, who was probably new here, unfamiliar with the technology. He didn’t remember the exact location and mistakenly identified the place.
Given she hadn’t been here long, he wouldn’t recognize Lei Feng or Lei Feng’s story. It’s indeed rare and exciting when players encounter countrymen from their home worlds.
But one of the six warnings given to players was, “Never reveal your player identity to anyone.”
Absolutely no exceptions!
After careful consideration, she decided she wouldn’t reveal her status to either the natives or to fellow players. She considered it all an elaborate acting scenario she’d play through.
Kui Xin waited under the umbrella as Liu Liang, soaking wet, dashed over.
She looked at him questioningly, expecting him to make an excuse to leave. After all, being thrown right into a dangerous case upon arrival was not a wise choice.
“The rain is crazy tonight, guess it won’t stop anytime soon.” Liu Liang said, holding another umbrella he took from the store, “I talked to my dad, and now we’re waiting for the help to arrive.”
Five minutes passed and a hover-police car descended above them, a voice blaring through its speakers, “Drop the weapon and put your hands behind your head.”
Kui Xin and Liu Liang complied as they descended and two security officers stepped out with drawn firearms.
“I am Kui Xin, a trainee security officer from the seventh squad of the Investigation Bureau.” she quickly stated. “On my way home, I encountered a robbery. In self-defense, I counterattack the robbers.”
One female security officer focused on her and ordered, “Augus, scan her.”
“Audited,” the AI responded. “Face match confirmed. Welcome, intern officer Kui Xin.”
He then continued, “Liu Liang, citizen level four, student of Mechanical Engineering at the Black Sea Academy, criminal record includes robbery and theft.”
“Song Yuan, citizen level five, unemployed, criminal record for theft and vandalism, deceased.”
“Miao Gaoyang, citizen level five, homeless, records of robbery, theft, and criminal damage, deceased and not worth reviving.”
Both security officers holstered their weapons, nodding at Kui Xin. “According to protocol, a detailed report must be made. Please follow us back for investigation.”
“No problem,” Kui Xin glanced at Liu Liang, “He witnessed this.”
“Okay, no need to worry,” the female officer patted Kui Xin shoulder. “Once the statement is complete, you’re free again.”
Kui Xin sensed some inconsistencies. While she was an intern officer, and those killed were criminals too, the casual demeanor of her colleagues puzzled her. This seemed trivial—nothing serious. If she was involved, it wouldn’t matter, no legal consequences or any repercussions. Was this expected?
Kui Xin sat in the rear passenger seat, Liu Liang beside her, as the hover-car sped toward the Investigation Building.
Liu Liang’s gaze was complex. “You’ve got connections. Had I known earlier, I wouldn’t have worried.”
“It’s nothing, just an intern burdened with debt.” Kui Xin leaned back against the seat, exhausted. “Just finished work, yet I’m rushing straight back…”
Author’s Note:
Kui Xin: My body acted before I could.