I've heard of underground fighting in Southeast Asia, but I didn't expect to encounter it here.
Hearing Wrench talk about the tragic fate of the fighters sent shivers down my spine.
Once selected to fight in the underground black markets in places like Thailand, you're pretty much facing death.
You lose your freedom forever, becoming a mere tool, a money-making machine.
The people sent to these fights are all tough characters, real martial artists, and killers.
They receive professional combat and killing training, and even have personal nutritionists. I wouldn't necessarily stand a chance.
Even if I won a few fights by luck, what then?
Given my current half-dead state, I'd just end up being a punching bag.
"Little Bottle, don't worry too much. Just boost your performance, and everything will be fine. Don't dream of an escape here in the KK camp.
Everyone here is not as simple as they seem. They all have secrets, including me," Wrench said, looking serious and not just trying to scare me.
Even he didn't dare talk about escaping, which showed how terrifying the camp was.
"Brother, I won't pry into your secrets. I just want to know one thing: can I completely trust you?"
I looked into his deep, resolute eyes, seriously asking him.
This was my way of testing him.
If he showed any hesitation, I would immediately abandon the idea of considering him a brother.
I couldn't put my life in the hands of someone who might betray me at any moment.
I never wanted to experience being stabbed in the back again.
To escape, I needed insiders and informants.
It might sound ridiculous, but that's the reality.
Unity is strength, and this is true everywhere.
If I could win Wrench over, my escape plan would have a better chance.
However, I couldn't reveal my escape plan to him yet. I had to take it one step at a time.
Wrench looked at me quietly, his gaze deep and unreadable, but there was no sign of greed or malice.
There was also a fleeting, indescribable emotion in his eyes.
"It's late. Go back to the dorm and rest," he said, looking away and heading down the slope.
In the moonlight, his solitary figure stretched long and thin.
It seemed like he swallowed many untold stories when he turned away.
"Brother, do you like the spicy strips from Hunan?" I called softly to his back.
"Love them. Remember to come to the studio ten minutes early tomorrow. Good night."
His shoulders twitched slightly before he walked away with his AK.
"I knew I could trust you. This time, I won't be wrong," I thought, grinning as I jumped down the slope and ran back to the dorm.
Although he didn't directly answer my question, his actions spoke louder than words.
Otherwise, I wouldn't have asked about the spicy strips as another test.
Confirming his trustworthiness made me feel better, reigniting my hope of escape.
When I returned to the dorm, the woman was still cursing like a mad dog, endlessly ranting.
Bayi was awake and looking for me.
"Brother, where did you go?" he asked when he saw me.
"I just went to the back," I pretended to pull up my pants, glancing at the spitting woman.
"You heartless bastard! You saw me being assaulted and didn't help! Why don't you just die?" she screamed.
I almost couldn't hold back, really wanting to kick her away.
"Brother, this idiot was dragged out by the patrol again and got messed with. Now she's going crazy and biting people," Bayi explained.
No wonder I didn't see the patrol earlier.
"You useless piece of crap! You're so big and strong, but you just let me get bullied!" she screamed.
"Shut up, or I'll kill you," Bayi said, not as patient as me.
He slapped her hard, knocking her to the ground.
Whoever brought her here must have been quite the liar. Unbelievable.
How could someone be so brainless? She might not even survive ten days!
"You bastard! I'll fight you!" she cried, clawing at Bayi's face.
"You're dead meat," Bayi said, tossing her out and slamming the door shut.
Out of sight, out of mind.
"Good riddance. That shrew was driving us crazy," the others cheered. Clearly, they'd had enough of her.
Outside, she pounded on the door, spewing all kinds of insults.
Then came the sound of her being dragged away by the patrol again.
And then, silence.
No one sympathized with her. It was as if she had never been there.
Though I felt some pity for her, I also despised her behavior. She was too foolish to recognize the harsh reality and her precarious situation.
All I could do was sigh deeply.
The night passed without further incident.
In the morning, I quickly washed my face and headed to the studio ten minutes early.
Wrench had told me to come early, which definitely had a deeper meaning.
Or maybe it was another test from him.
When I arrived, he gave me a slight smile and placed eggs, bread, and water on the table.
Seeing his sweat-drenched face, I guessed he had just finished exercising.
He was up even earlier than me.
"Thanks, Brother!" I gobbled down the food, almost in tears.
"Don't thank me. Just remember to help if I ever need you," he said, looking out the window.
He was hiding something.
"Brother, you can count on me. I won't refuse," I promised, patting my chest.
"Alright. Get to work. I need to train those idiots," he said, picking up the trash and leaving the studio.
No wonder the patrol feared him—he trained them.
But what could he need my help with?
I was curious. As Liu Eleven's trusted aide and head of security for Zone A in the KK camp, even he had his difficulties?
It seemed like everyone's relationships here were more complicated than they appeared.
To escape, I needed more than physical strength and intelligence. I needed a solid plan.
And a few trustworthy brothers.
Going solo would lead to certain death.
Soon, the supervisor and all the workers came in.
Seeing me already deep in thought at my workstation, the supervisor praised my good attitude and enthusiasm.
After everyone finished their enthusiastic but crazy slogans, he assigned me a difficult scam task.