Roommates

Author Note: 'Trouble' was a missing chapter that I skipped uploading by accident. It should be preceding the Contract chapter.

This wasn't Yang Lin's first time entering an underground facility, so the entire structure wasn't as captivating to his senses. As for the first time, he was too occupied with relentless worry to appreciate the intricacies of architecture or the wonders of how a building of such grandeur could be established. Eventually, Yang Lin signed up for the 180 sessions contract, meaning he would spend at least a month underground.

"We have training grounds and living quarters for combatants at your level, young master Xi. However, make sure to not get emotionally attached, the only relationship between fighters here is spilled blood and lost souls." By his side, Mr.Gray chuckled and said, "Your first fight will take three days for the arrangement. Until then, let me bring you to the living quarters, you can visit the training grounds tomorrow morning and familiarize yourself with the weapons, arenas, and the miscellaneous stuff."

"Okay," Yang Lin nodded. Usually, he wouldn't take a cold stance against strangers. However, he had already determined that Mr.Gray was a wretched villain, at least in his books, so he would not stand on ceremony with such a character. Some people deserve his kindness, and some deserve more ruthless treatment. In this world of survival, indiscriminate kindness is a major weakness, he ought to strive for being decisive at all times.

The living quarters consisted of a bundle of floors. Apparently, there were plenty of levels other than the 250 dedicated towards combat. Then again, Yang Lin thought that much should at least be a given. After all, hundreds of fighters are stationed in this company, and who knows how many flocks their way in on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.

"Woha…" Yang Lin expressed his surprise once they arrived at the designated floor. Even though it was the hallway, it was strikingly dashing. A spotless red carpet stretched from the elevator all the way to the hallway's corners, stretching across golden tiles flanked by glistening walls of embroidered decorations. On top of it all, Yang Lin felt the suppressing field of a powerful array, this in itself was an unexpected bonus for him.

"Fancy, isn't it?" Mr.Gray chuckled. No matter how aloof and cold the young man had acted, no one can maintain their cold shell once they experience such a sharp contrast in their way of living. Matter of fact, the living conditions provided by the company are so top-notch that many combatants willingly stay to compete. Although death is frequent within these fights, was death any less frequent outside these walls?

Of course, some people just didn't like feeling restrained, Yang Lin being a prime example.

Yang Lin lightly nodded, he wouldn't deny that matter. Mr.Gray said, "In here, you'll be living in pairs with a senior fighter who will give you the ins and outs of our battle stage. Once you're accustomed to the trend, you may request a private living quarter as long you've seen your first contract through. Other than that, you will have three meals during the day that are optional for you to attend, in case you feel like mingling with others of your realm and age."

Mr.Gray said, just as he and Yang Lin arrived in front of a door with the number tag '47'.

Knock! Knock!

"..."

"..."

Click!

Shortly after the unlocking of the door, Yang Lin watched as the door's knob slowly swirled about. A light, a feminine groan was heard, it sounded very lazy and reluctant. "Alise," a soft voice drifted about from the room, it continued, "I told you, stop bothering my nap time…"

As the door opened, Yang Lin choked. With a flaring red face, he abruptly turned around, likewise did Mr.Gray. The woman wasn't faring any better, as she was dressed in a plain, loose nightgown that did little of concealing her supple features.

With a slam, the door was closed shut. It was like the clap of thunder, followed by a frustrated, embarrassing cry.

"Mister Gray!"

Behind the door, the woman's round peak heaved along with her heavy breath. Her white, thigh reach gown had wrinkles all over, pierced through by her pink buds and tightly wrapped breasts. She was undoubtedly a beauty. Her blue, hazy eyes were glistening with frustration, she forgot she was receiving a junior as a roommate on this day.

An awkward cough came from behind the door, it was Mr.Gray. He said, "If my memory didn't fail me, you were notified about this arrangement, young mistress."

As Mr.Gray's voice penetrated the door, the woman felt even greater shame. Last night she had drank too much with her friend Alise, it just outright slipped her mind.

"Furthermore…"

"Enough! I know! I should have checked who was knocking through the miniature CC system!" The woman cried out, her heart beating rapidly. It was Yang Lin who was the most flabbergasted of the bunch. His understanding of a blood-bathed battleground had crumbled apart just like that.

This was one image he would struggle to shake off his mind for the days to come. Alas, the impact was too profound, and his expression had finally betrayed his cold persona.