The game’s opening phase was highly random—resources scattered unpredictably. Some houses brimmed with weapons; others held none.

Lucky players snagged guns instantly. The unlucky? They scavenged bare-handed for ages. Spot an armed hunter closing in? Real trouble.

Clearly, Wu De fell into the unlucky camp this round.

A teammate in danger meant Jiang Xuehan moved. First, intel: “Wu De, how many have you cornered?”

“Two. One with a pistol, one with a shotgun.”

Shotgun—slang for scattergun—devastating up close, useless beyond. Perfect for tight indoor fights. Pistols? Weak at any range. Only a last-resort starter weapon.

Jiang Xuehan processed it while advancing. “Where are they? Where are *you*?”

“First floor. They spotted me upstairs—seem ready to climb. I’m hiding in the second-floor bathroom. Not making a sound.”

Bad. If they reached the stairs, Wu De—weaponless—would be trapped and dead in seconds.

She was moving, but time was tight. He’d likely be gone before she arrived.

Most would abandon him or charge recklessly—only to fall two-on-one.

Not Jiang Xuehan. Elite instinct. Tactical genius.

Split-second decision. “Stop hiding! Get out. Run, jump, stomp—make noise!”

Wu De turned, baffled. “Huh? Xiao Han, serious? That’s just telling them where I am!”

She shoved his big head back with a small hand. “No questions. Do it.”

Annoyed being ordered by a girl? Slightly. But he wasn’t here just to play. He obeyed—leaping, stomping, raising a racket upstairs.

Soon, hopeful: “Xiao Han! They’re not coming up! Still moving downstairs… hesitant!”

*Good.* Hesitation was the goal. They knew someone was upstairs—bold, noisy. Never guessing the truth: unarmed, pure bluff. No doubt huddled below, debating a cautious assault.

That hesitation bought Jiang Xuehan time.

Silent as shadow, she slipped inside. Aimed. Pulled the trigger.

The 12mm round, sparked by the external hammer, roared like hellfire toward the shotgunner’s head. Shredded the flimsy Level 1 helmet. Blood pooled. One corpse.

The other enemy reacted fast—pistol raised, firing back.

Useless. Against a shotgun, a pistol was a helpless infant. One clean headshot. He collapsed, bitter defeat etched on his face.

Enemies down. Wu De descended, scavenged gear, eyes wide with awe. “Xiao Han… amazing! That empty fort strategy—on the spot!”

“Meh. Average. Move. More enemies nearby. Scavenge fast.”

Under Jiang Xuehan’s sharp command and god-tier aim, they cleared P City’s remnants, hopped into a jeep, and sped toward the safe zone.

The safe zone—a core mechanic of *Last Escape*—refreshed periodically as a shrinking white circle on the map. Stray outside? The encroaching storm dealt relentless damage until death.

Circle shrank each refresh. Final zone: barely ten square meters. Lethal currents forced survivors into a brutal last stand. One victor remained.

Without this? Players could hide forever in a bathroom. Matches would drag for days.

Wu De drove leisurely, glancing at her. “Xiao Han… how long *have* you played? Don’t say ‘newbie’—I won’t believe it.”

“Hmm… many hours. Internet cafe when free,” she replied vaguely.

“Don’t your parents mind?”

A faint pang flickered in her heart. Face unchanged. “I’ve always been well-behaved. They don’t restrict me.”

“Figures. Few girls play shooters. Even fewer this skilled.”

“Heh, average— Wait! Someone! Stop the car—*now*!”

Wu De slammed brakes, jumped out, scanning wildly. “Where? I see nothing!”

She didn’t answer. Raised her rifle. *Tap. Tap.* Lowered it calmly. “Dead.”

“Huh?”

“Already gone. Stop zoning out. Drive.”

“O-Okay…”

Half a minute later—stop, jump, burst of fire, back in. “They’re dead. Why stare? *Drive.*”

“R-Right…”

After the third time, Wu De cracked. “Xiao Han—how?! Enemies tiny as ants, miles away—you spot them instantly?!”

“Eagle eyes,” Jiang Xuehan said, as if obvious.

Wu De’s face paled. Swerved hard. “*Eagle eyes?!* Did I hear right? Only legendary players achieve that!”

Eagles see sharpest in nature. Soaring high, missing nothing below. Tests confirm: on clear days, they spot a moving goat in thick grass from ten thousand meters.

Humans can’t match that. But some possess uncanny sharpness—catching the faintest flicker. Called “eagle eyes.”

Wu De stared at the petite girl beside him. Shock vibrated deep.

Minutes passed before he spoke, voice thick. “Xiao Han… you’re our team’s captain and commander now. We follow *you*.”

“Should’ve happened sooner. With your skill level? How’d you win? I’m counting on that tournament prize.”

Her casual words left Wu De so flustered he nearly spat blood.