"Don't think I'm afraid!" Susan gritted her teeth, coldness flashing in her eyes.
Hedy sneered.
She used to be a top assassin, threats and intimidation were second nature. The more she encountered them, the better she handled them.
With someone like Susan, how could she possibly feel afraid now?
She asked calmly, "Why are you doing this? What did I ever do to make you hate me so much? Why are you so determined to drive me away?"
Susan's eyes filled with hatred. She glared at Hedy and said in a low voice, "You really don't get it? You drag us down, again and again. You affect our scores, again and again. If you don't leave, we'll all be destroyed because of you!"
Since joining the recruit company, Susan had always ranked among the top. But recently, during a comprehensive assessment, she didn't even make it into the top five.
"If it weren't for you, our class's average score wouldn't be so low. If you weren't here, we could've won the competition and earned extra points! If you want to mess around, fine but don't drag me down with you! I won't tolerate it!"
Susan couldn't suppress her anger. She pointed at Hedy and threatened, "I'll give you one last chance, leave within seven days. Or I'll expose that thing for everyone to see!"
"So that's what this is about."
Hedy suddenly understood.
If someone stood in Susan's way, she would stop at nothing to eliminate them.
That's how people like her survived.
Although Hedy didn't see Susan as a true "strong" opponent, she didn't think Susan was necessarily wrong to live that way either.
"Susan, I understand your reasons. Let's consider everything before this settled. But now, I'll give you one last chance. If you haven't returned what you took from me within seven days, I won't let it go."
Her tone was calm, but her presence was imposing. Her eyes were sharp as blades as she told Susan plainly, "I don't tolerate people who get in my way."
Susan's expression changed drastically.
The woman standing in front of her was nothing like the weak, gullible Hedy she remembered.
Hedy didn't want to waste another word. She opened the door and stepped outside.
The corridor was pitch-black, with flickering shadows cast on the walls.
Hedy frowned and asked sharply, "Who's eavesdropping out here?"
A head popped out from around the corner. Someone waved at her, it was Chloe.
Hedy walked over. Chloe quickly grabbed her, pulled her downstairs, and led her to a quiet path behind the building.
Once they were alone, Chloe whispered, "You told me you were forced to desert last time... was it Susan? What did she take from you?"
"This has nothing to do with you. Don't get yourself into trouble because you're curious."
Hedy didn't like people who hid and eavesdropped.
Chloe noticed her disapproval and quickly defended herself. "I-I stayed because I was worried about you! Hmph! You act like I'm just being nosy."
Hedy didn't respond and walked on in silence.
Embarrassed, Chloe caught up and declared, "Starting tomorrow, I'll give you special physical training. I'll call you in the morning, and you better get up right away, no sleeping in!"
Hedy still didn't say a word.
So Chloe just kept rambling about all kinds of training tips as they walked.
Normally, everyone gathered at 6 a.m. to begin training.
But Chloe planned to start Hedy's special training earlier, so before bed, she set an alarm for 4:30 a.m.
When the alarm finally rang, the sky was still dim.
Chloe rubbed her eyes, yawned, and made her way to Hedy's bed, only to find it neatly made, completely empty.
She's not here?! She didn't run away again, did she?!
Panicking, Chloe didn't even bother changing out of her pajamas. She rushed outside and searched every corner.
No sign of Hedy in the washroom, the storage room, or the study room.
Where the heck did she go?!
Her commotion woke up the others. As soon as they heard Hedy was missing, everyone jumped out of bed and scrambled to search.
When they finally found her, the entire class stood there in stunned silence.
It wasn't even five yet barely dawn and Hedy was already on the training field, running lap after lap.
Some people could barely make it to regular training on time. And yet, she had changed so drastically, so suddenly?
Everyone whispered and gossiped, but Hedy was completely unfazed.
The cool, damp morning air felt refreshing against her skin. She had her own rhythm, her own plan. She didn't need anyone's help.
Rebuilding the body's strength takes time but Hedy was determined to return to her peak, the level she had once reached as a top-tier assassin.
And once she did, she would uncover the truth… and take revenge on the person who killed her.
After a few more laps, she noticed more people arriving on the field.
Chloe, Susan, and several other classmates had changed and joined in for "special training."
They ran in silence, each trying to outdo the other but none of them realized they were being watched.
"That Hedy must've been dragged out by the others in her class," the Captain said, standing at a distance beside Arthur.
The two were old comrades. Since Arthur had come to work with the recruits, he was temporarily living on-site.
They were out for their own morning exercises and were surprised to find someone already on the field before them.
The Captain led Arthur closer and pointed to a running figure. "Look at that girl, her name's Susan. A real standout. Top marks across the board. Compared to Hedy? It's like night and day. If you're looking to recruit top soldiers, keep your eye on girls like Susan. She's the one you want."
But Arthur's gaze didn't leave Hedy.
Hedy, sensing someone watching her, turned her head and saw Arthur approaching. Her heart gave a small jolt.
When the Captain and others arrived, several squad members rushed to greet them. Only Hedy continued running, silent and focused.
Half a lap later, she heard footsteps behind her.
In a flash, a tall figure passed by her with smooth, effortless speed, blocking her view.
Hedy frowned.
Push harder. Surpass the past.
But just a few moments later, he overtook her again just as easily.
Gritting her teeth, Hedy pushed ahead and passed him again.
But it didn't last. She quickly ran out of breath, unable to maintain the pace.
"You're too ambitious."
Arthur's low voice brushed past her ear.
Hedy shot him a sharp glare.
This time, he didn't pass her again, he just ran beside her. She was nearly out of breath, but he moved as effortlessly as if he'd just begun.