a world that hunts the strong

The night was too quiet.

Shen Ying Jie stood alone on the rooftop, the cold wind brushing against her black sleeves.

The blood moon still hung in the sky like an unblinking eye.

Watching.

Waiting.

Testing her.

She exhaled slowly.

“…I said I’ll make my own story, huh.”

The words she spoke earlier echoed in her head.

At that time, it sounded brave.

Cool.

Like the main character of a novel.

But now that she was really standing in this strange world…

It felt heavier.

More real.

“This isn’t fiction anymore…”

If she made one mistake, she wouldn’t wake up.

There would be no second life again.

Only death.

Her fingers tightened around the dagger at her waist.

Cold metal.

Solid.

Real.

“…Then I just won’t mess up.”

She began moving across the rooftops carefully.

Every step was light.

Every breath controlled.

Even without trying, her body remembered how to move silently.

It was scary how natural it felt.

Like this body had killed before.

Many times.

When she landed behind an abandoned building, she finally stopped to think.

“Okay… first problem.”

She counted on her fingers.

“I don’t know where I am.”

“Don’t know who wants me dead.”

“Don’t know who this body originally belonged to.”

She paused.

“…And I’m broke.”

She checked her pockets.

One dagger.

One small pouch.

Three copper coins.

“That’s not even enough for snacks back in my world…”

She sighed.

“So much for cool assassin life.”

Her stomach suddenly growled.

“…Great.”

Even assassins get hungry.

Lantern lights flickered in the distance.

A marketplace.

Even at night, a few stalls were still open.

Carefully, she pulled the hood over her head and walked into town.

People passed by wearing old-style robes and armor.

Vendors shouted.

Horses clopped on stone roads.

Everything looked like a historical drama.

Ying Jie stared around like a tourist.

“…This is crazy…”

If her classmates could see her now, they’d faint.

But she quickly lowered her head.

Blending in was safer.

While passing a food stall, the smell of steamed buns hit her nose.

Her stomach growled louder.

The old lady selling them noticed.

“Miss, want one? Fresh and hot.”

Ying Jie awkwardly smiled.

“How much…?”

“Two copper.”

“…!”

Her eyes sparkled.

Affordable!

She quickly handed the coins and grabbed the bun.

Warm.

Soft.

Simple.

But at that moment, it tasted like heaven.

She almost cried.

“…I miss food from Earth already.”

While eating, she quietly listened to the people talking nearby.

Information first.

That’s what smart characters do.

“Did you hear? The Crimson Shadow escaped again.”

“Seriously? The royal guards couldn’t catch her?”

“They say she killed three officials last week!”

“She’s a monster…”

Ying Jie froze mid-bite.

Crimson Shadow?

Her heart skipped.

“…That’s me, isn’t it?”

So this body already had a reputation.

And not a good one.

Monster.

Assassin.

Wanted criminal.

“…Wow. I reincarnated into a villain.”

She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

Before she could think more—

CLANG.

Armor sounds.

Heavy footsteps.

Guards.

“Royal patrol! Everyone show your face clearly!”

The entire street tensed.

Ying Jie quickly lowered her head.

Don’t look suspicious. Don’t look suspicious.

A guard walked closer.

Then stopped.

Right in front of her.

“You. Raise your head.”

Her heart slammed against her chest.

Calm. Calm. Calm.

She slowly looked up.

The guard stared at her face.

Too long.

Way too long.

Then his eyes widened.

“Wait… that scar—”

Scar?

Before she could react—

“IT’S HER! CRIMSON SHADOW!”

Oh come on—

“SERIOUSLY?!”

She threw the bun and ran.

“STOP!”

“DON’T LET HER ESCAPE!”

Why does this keep happening every time she eats?!

She dashed into an alley.

Footsteps chased behind her.

Closer.

Faster.

“Tch—!”

She kicked off the wall and flipped onto a roof.

The guards tried to follow but crashed into boxes.

For some reason, a laugh escaped her lips.

Not scared.

Not panicked.

But excited.

“…This is kinda insane.”

Wind rushed past her as she jumped across rooftops.

Her heart beat wildly.

But instead of fear…

It felt alive.

Like this was where she belonged.

“Guess running is my talent now!”

An arrow flew past her cheek.

Okay maybe still dangerous.

She quickly slid down the other side of a building and hid inside a dark warehouse.

Silence.

No footsteps.

No voices.

She leaned against the wall, breathing hard.

“…Safe.”

After a few seconds, she started laughing softly.

“I just got chased by soldiers on my first day.”

“What kind of main character life is this…”

She looked at her hands.

No shaking.

Only steady strength.

Her reflection in a broken mirror looked different again.

Not the old shy girl.

But someone sharper.

Someone tougher.

Maybe…

Maybe this world didn’t bring her here by accident.

Maybe—

This was her second chance to become someone strong.

Not someone who just reads stories.

But someone who creates them.

Her eyes hardened with determination.

“Alright then.”

“If the whole world wants to hunt me…”

She tied her hair tighter.

“I’ll become someone they can never catch.”

Not prey.

But predator.

From tonight onward—

Shen Ying Jie would stop running blindly.

She would learn this world.

Train.

Grow stronger.

And find out who the Crimson Shadow really was.

Because this time—

She wasn’t just surviving.

She was writing her own legend.

And legends…

Were written in blood and moonlight.

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