Li Xuan gripped the steering wheel tightly as his SUV sped through the ruined streets, the engine roaring while the tires scraped against broken asphalt and scattered debris.
Buildings on both sides stood half-collapsed, their shadows stretching across the road like silent watchers.
Even without turning back, he could feel the cold, suffocating presence of the ghost chasing behind him, pressing against his senses like an invisible weight that refused to fade.
The air itself seemed heavier, as if danger was clinging to every breath he took.
For a brief moment, his thoughts shifted to Long Aotian.
If he left him behind, the man might still find a way to survive.
After all, anyone who made it this far in the apocalypse wasn't simple.
But at the same time, Li Xuan understood something clearly—people like that didn't forget.
If Long Aotian lived, he might remember this moment and hold a grudge for being abandoned.
And in a world like this, grudges weren't small matters.
They turned into knives in the dark, threats that waited for the right moment.
Threats that struck when you least expected them.
Still, Li Xuan didn't decide immediately.
His mind remained calm, calculating every possible outcome.
Another thought surfaced—he could use this chance to test him.
A Sequencer wasn't someone ordinary, and Long Aotian might still be hiding something.
His ability, his temperament, his way of thinking… all of it mattered.
Every small detail could decide life or death in the future.
If the man showed gratitude after being saved, Li Xuan wouldn't mind keeping him around as an ally.
But if he showed greed or hostility, then there was no reason to keep such a risk alive.
After all, a space-related ability or item was too valuable.
No one would ever think they had enough of it.
With that thought, Li Xuan slightly eased his foot on the accelerator.
The SUV slowed just enough to make a difference, but not enough to seem obvious.
The engine tone lowered slightly, blending with the distant echoes of destruction around them.
Behind him, rapid footsteps grew closer.
Within seconds, Long Aotian appeared in the rearview mirror, running at full speed.
His movements were fast, far beyond a normal person, but even then, there was strain in his posture.
Li Xuan lowered the window slightly and shouted, "Get in!"
At the same time, he pushed open the passenger door.
Long Aotian didn't hesitate.
His instincts told him this was his only chance.
He leapt forward, grabbing the door frame and pulling himself inside before slamming it shut.
"Haah… haah…"
His breathing was heavy, uneven.
His chest rose and fell rapidly as he tried to recover.
Even for a Sequencer, sprinting at full speed under pressure drained a lot of energy.
As soon as he entered, he turned his head back instinctively.
The ghost girl was still there.
Roughly thirty meters behind them.
Her figure moved unnaturally fast, silent yet terrifying.
"Drive faster!" Long Aotian shouted, urgency clear in his voice.
"It's catching up!"
Li Xuan didn't reply.
He simply pressed harder on the accelerator.
The SUV surged forward, the engine growling as it pushed through the uneven terrain.
The road ahead was far from smooth—cracks, debris, abandoned vehicles.
But Li Xuan navigated it with practiced precision.
He had already memorized the safer paths earlier.
Choosing routes with fewer obstacles, adjusting speed when needed.
Accelerating whenever the path allowed.
Slowly, the distance between them and the ghost increased.
Long Aotian finally let out a breath.
"…We're getting away," he muttered.
His tone relaxed slightly.
His body leaned back against the seat.
The tension in his muscles began to fade.
And then—his gaze shifted.
To the back seat.
Food supplies. Fuel containers. Bottled water. Tools. Essentials.
Everything was neatly arranged.
A flicker of greed appeared in his eyes.
He had searched for days and found nothing suitable.
Luxury cars, vans, trucks—they were either useless here or too large.
He had stored some in his space for emergencies.
But none were as practical as this SUV.
This vehicle… was perfect.
His eyes lingered longer.
His breathing steadied.
His thoughts changed.
"In this world… everyone survives for themselves," he thought.
A faint, crooked smile slowly formed on his lips.
Since this man had saved him… he could repay him in his own way.
A quick end. No suffering.
As for the supplies—he would take everything.
It was simply the other man's bad luck.
While Long Aotian was lost in his thoughts, Li Xuan had already noticed everything.
The lingering gaze. The subtle shift in expression.
The faint smile that didn't belong in such a moment.
Li Xuan didn't turn his head.
But his eyes grew colder.
"Ungrateful…"
"And dangerous."
"This kind of person…"
"…can't be left alive."
His grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
But his face remained calm.
Without revealing anything, Li Xuan reached for a bottle of water.
He handed it over. "Drink. You look exhausted."
Long Aotian glanced at him briefly, then took it.
"Thanks."
He didn't suspect anything.
He opened the bottle and began drinking.
His guard completely lowered.
At that moment, they were less than seven hundred meters from the town exit.
Time was limited.
Li Xuan glanced at the rearview mirror again.
No sign of the ghost.
"Delayed…" he thought.
That meant one thing.
This was the best chance.
Li Xuan pressed the accelerator harder.
The SUV surged forward suddenly.
The speed increased rapidly.
Then—without warning—
He slammed the brakes.
The tires screeched loudly against the road.
The vehicle jolted violently forward.
Li Xuan was ready.
His body remained steady.
But Long Aotian—
Was completely unprepared.
His body lurched forward.
The water bottle slipped from his hand.
"Don't you know how to drive, bastard—"
he shouted angrily.
But before he could finish—
Something felt wrong.
A sudden, sharp pain spread through him.
His voice stopped.
His body froze.
He didn't even realize when Li Xuan had already acted.
In that split second, Li Xuan moved decisively.
Striking before Long Aotian could react.
The movement was fast and controlled.
Without hesitation.
Long Aotian's expression shifted from anger to confusion.
Then to disbelief.
He tried to speak.
To question.
But no sound came out.
His thoughts turned chaotic.
Why?
There was no time to think.
He wanted to use his ability.
To retaliate.
But his body wasn't responding properly.
He was too slow.
Li Xuan didn't give him any chance.
He followed through with swift, controlled actions.
Every move was precise.
Leaving no room for recovery.
Within moments, Long Aotian's strength faded rapidly.
His vision blurred.
The world around him dimmed.
The last thing he saw was Li Xuan's cold expression.
Then—darkness.
Li Xuan remained focused.
He didn't stop immediately.
He continued until he was certain.
There was no threat left.
Only after several moments did he pause.
He checked carefully.
No movement.
No response.
Only silence.
Li Xuan let out a slow breath.
But even then, he didn't lower his guard.
He watched for a while longer.
Confirming there was absolutely no danger.
After that, he placed his hand on the chest.
And activated his talent.
A warm sensation spread through his body.
It was calm and soothing.
Completely different from before.
The feeling lasted around fifteen seconds.
Then it faded.
Li Xuan opened his eyes slowly.
"I got it…" he murmured.
He didn't know the exact ability yet.
But the result confirmed everything.
Without wasting time, he pushed the body down below the seat.
Keeping it out of sight.
The glass wasn't one-way.
He didn't want attention.
As for the stains inside the vehicle, he didn't care.
He could explain it later if needed.
Nearly three minutes had passed.
He didn't know if the ghost was still chasing them.
So he pressed the accelerator again.
The SUV sped forward.
Soon, the town exit came into view.
Many survivors had already gathered there.
Some were preparing to leave.
Others stood anxiously, waiting.
The convoy had already started moving.
Its formation stretching forward.
A few people stepped into the road.
Trying to stop passing vehicles.
"What happened inside?" one shouted.
"Did you see anyone?" another called out.
Li Xuan didn't respond.
He simply honked loudly.
And drove straight past them at full speed.
Ignoring their voices completely.
He didn't have time for them.
And he didn't intend to explain anything.
The SUV rushed forward.
Crossing the exit and leaving the town behind.
Behind him, everything faded into the distance.
The ruined streets. The ghost. The past.
Ahead—
Only uncertainty remained.