Chapter 17: Giving You a 39-Meter Head Start

He was a man who seemed shrouded in a chill.
A black cloak, a black top hat, black hair long and curling—at first glance, Qin Xiaofan was reminded of the phantom thief from the movies.
His expression hinted at mockery and madness.
“Name: Lu Ji. Gender: Male. Ability class: C. Danger level: High.”
This was the first time Qin Xiaofan had encountered an ability wielder rated highly dangerous.
He frowned slightly, his vigilance rising.
Just then, Dai Li, the long-haired woman, stepped forward with a smile.
“Chief, your planned route was flawless. We found the statue without much trouble. On the way back, I gave them a brief rundown. Now, let’s have them introduce themselves.”
With that, the four new members began to speak one by one, their voices tinged with nervousness.
“My name is Li Li, D-class ability wielder. My power is singing people into sleep quickly.”
“I’m Xiu Zhen, D-class. I can make plants grow rapidly.”
“I’m Gu Bu, D-class… My ability is… I can eat dirt and digest it…” Gu Ming’s cheeks flushed bright red, clearly embarrassed by his unremarkable power.
Yet Qin Xiaofan thought differently—even envied him a little.
Eat dirt…
What an excellent ability! In times of food scarcity, there was no fear of starving.
With three introductions done, only the man in black remained.
He said nothing, and everyone gazed at him in confusion.
The man in black smiled, his eyes mocking, sweeping over the group and finally landing on Qin Xiaofan.
Abruptly—
He burst into wild laughter.
It was madness incarnate, as if he’d witnessed the world’s most absurd spectacle. Clutching his stomach, he bent double with laughter.
Everyone stared at him in astonishment.
Qin Xiaofan stroked his chin and spoke, “Hey… curly baboon, mind telling us what’s so funny?”
The man straightened, still wearing his mocking smile.
“I’m laughing at you, with your solemn air, really thinking you’re the leader. I’m laughing at them too, for so willingly bowing to you. Isn’t that hilarious?”
“What?”
Qin Xiaofan scratched his forehead, grinning, then asked the others, “Anyone else find this funny?”
Silence.
No one spoke. All lowered their heads, unable to meet Qin Xiaofan’s sharp gaze.
Suddenly, Lu Ji removed his black top hat and, like a graceful gentleman, bowed to the group.
The gesture was baffling.
But in the next instant, someone pointed at his neck in horror, “The shadow cloud tattoo… He’s a member of the Skyshift!”
At these words, terror swept the group.
Looking at Lu Ji’s neck, they saw a black shadow cloud tattoo, previously hidden by his hat.
“Oh, discovered already.”
Lu Ji licked his lips, a manic grin blooming. “Well then, let the show begin.”
Bang!
A thunderous noise.
It sounded like a gunshot, rattling the ears painfully.
But the source was not a pistol—it was his hand!

Lu Ji’s hand formed the shape of a gun, and a bullet shot from his fingertip, striking Qin Xiaofan’s heart with perfect precision!
His smile twisted in madness.
This was Lu Ji’s power—he could fire bullets with his fingers!
Though his ability was a step short of B-class, its lethality and stealth surpassed many in that rank.
With this deadly, concealed talent, he had carried out numerous assassinations for the Skyshift.
He relished the kill—especially when shrouded in farcical and bizarre atmosphere, for then he felt like the protagonist in a film.
A wild, inexplicable laugh.
A gentleman’s bow that confounded.
Deliberately revealing the shadow cloud tattoo, followed by an “Oh, you found me.”
Every action drew all eyes to him.
And then, under their gaze, he fired a dazzling shot, bullet sinking into the heart—a spectacle, truly.
This was the art of killing!
Looking at the stunned Qin Xiaofan nearby, Lu Ji grinned.
At such close range, with the bullet piercing the heart, even if Qin Xiaofan remained standing, Lu Ji saw him as a dead man.
Soon, he would take the throne, becoming the king of a new era!
What a glorious prospect!
Clearly, he had no idea that only Qin Xiaofan knew the formula for the human revival serum…
Not far off, Xiao Yan was returning with his group.
He’d heard the gunshot and sensed something was wrong.
Now, Lu Ji eyed Qin Xiaofan, frowning, “So tenacious… still not falling.”
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
He fired three more shots at Qin Xiaofan’s abdomen.
“Die!”
Lu Ji blew imaginary smoke from his fingers, a confident smile on his lips.
Xiao Yan, horrified, watched as Qin Xiaofan lowered his head, hands clutching his stomach, frozen in shock. The world spun—thunder crashed.
It was over…
Humanity was finished!
Everything was lost!
This was Xiao Yan’s truest thought.
Yet, in the next moment, he heard Qin Xiaofan laugh.
Just like Lu Ji before.
Laughing wildly, as if he’d seen the world’s most ludicrous sight, doubled over, clutching his belly.
For a moment, everyone was stunned.
The strength of that laughter hardly seemed like someone dying.
Lu Ji’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Impossible…
Then he saw Qin Xiaofan slowly straighten, his clothes riddled with holes, but not a trace of blood.
Instantly, terror twisted his face!

Qin Xiaofan let the laughter fade, and spoke, voice quiet but chilling, laden with murderous intent—
“I, Qin Xiaofan!”
“Can’t stand people pretending in front of me!”
“And doing it with such flair! Unforgivable!”
This time, Qin Xiaofan was truly enraged.
He’d never imagined someone would dare shoot at him—almost kill him.
If not for the protection of his nano-vest, he’d be dead already.
Fortunately, that unguarded first shot hit his heart; had it struck his head, it would have been over. The next three shots to the abdomen, Qin Xiaofan could have dodged, but since they weren’t aimed at his head, he didn’t bother.
Now, let the fury begin!
Qin Xiaofan raised the butcher’s knife and charged at the panicked Lu Ji.
Lu Ji gritted his teeth, both hands moving as if wielding twin pistols, firing bullets from his fingertips at the onrushing Qin Xiaofan.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
But this time, not a single bullet found its mark—either dodged, or blocked with the butcher’s knife.
Everyone gasped.
Such reflexes—inhuman!
At last, Qin Xiaofan closed in, and with a single stroke, severed Lu Ji’s hand.
“Aah!”
The scream chilled the scalp.
Now, all Lu Ji’s earlier arrogance and confidence were gone—he sprawled like a dead dog, face pressed into the dirt by Qin Xiaofan.
“Don’t kill me, let me go…”
Lu Ji had slain many, but when death stared him in the face, he discovered he lacked the courage to meet it.
“Let you go?”
Qin Xiaofan smiled.
“Fine, you can leave. I’ll give you a thirty-nine meter head start.”
Hope flickered in Lu Ji’s eyes.
He staggered up, fled toward the distance.
Everyone watched, puzzled by Qin Xiaofan’s generosity.
Yet…
Some rejoiced—the leader’s magnanimity wasn’t a bad thing for them.
Only Xiao Yan silently mourned, closing his eyes, unwilling to witness the coming carnage.
Lu Ji drew further away.
Murderous intent flashed in Qin Xiaofan’s eyes.
Facing everyone, he spoke coldly, “If you wish to kill me, you’d best be ready to die yourself!”
Whoosh—
The forty-meter war blade crashed down.
Under the shocked gaze of all, Lu Ji, thirty-nine meters away, was instantly reduced to a heap of flesh.
Silence reigned.