After leaving the introduction agency, night had already fallen. Bai Jin and Yang Yu followed Slarrat into a carriage, and under the cover of darkness, they arrived at a secluded corner of the city.
Getting out of the carriage, the starry sky twinkled above them. A surrounding wall enclosed the city, and nearby stood an iron gate—the entrance to the Silver Orchid Trading Company’s research facility.
The facility resembled a massive mansion, with two brightly lit floors, situated in the middle of an open, grassy field.
Yang Yu had initially thought they’d be taken to some remote, castle-like secret lab, but they hadn’t even left the city gates.
Earlier, Yang Yu had wondered how they would return to the city to complete the mission. Now, looking around, he realized the research facility wasn’t far from the mission handoff point.
The entire facility was surrounded by iron fences, and the grassy field was empty, with no cover. Patrols moved back and forth, and it seemed that any attempt to escape would be detected immediately by the bright lights atop the research facility, leaving no place to hide.
How were they supposed to escape from this research facility?
Yang Yu had discussed the escape route with Terra. Based on the aerial view of the facility provided by Terra, the best escape route was along the city wall. There was a pond inside the facility that was seldom patrolled, making it the ideal escape route.
“Isn’t it a bit different from what you imagined?” Slarrat said smugly.
“Ah, it feels more like a prison than a research facility,” Yang Yu joked.
“People often say that.” Slarrat greeted the guards on duty and signaled Yang Yu and Bai Jin to follow him. “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it soon. Once our new drug is complete, this place will no longer feel like a prison.”
And you won’t be needed anymore.
Slarrat didn’t say this last part, but Yang Yu was aware of the harsh realities. In such secret facilities, non-organizational members were often eliminated once they were no longer useful to prevent any leaks.
Yang Yu looked around at the patrolling guards and pointed at them. “Is our job just to wander around like them for the money?”
“It’s not that simple. I’ll take you to meet your superior; just follow her orders.”
With a slight smile, Slarrat led Yang Yu into the research facility.
First floor of the facility.
The expansive hall was filled with dozens of workstations, each manned by a herbologist in a white lab coat, using various instruments to concoct different potions. Carts continuously brought in materials and took away finished products in a seamless flow, bustling with activity, a testament to capitalist efficiency.
As Yang Yu looked around, a voluptuous red-haired woman swayed her hips as she approached. Her mature charm and sultry voice were unmistakable.
“So, these are the new recruits? What a charming young man.”
The red-haired woman gave Yang Yu a flirtatious look, and he immediately felt a physical reaction.
It wasn’t a strange physiological response; Yang Yu didn’t want this to happen.
Damn, this woman used charm as soon as we met. There was no information about her in the intel Terra provided. The Giant Umbrella Trading Company really is small, a huge pit; their intelligence department must be incompetent!
Seeing the charm status on his status bar, Yang Yu clicked his tongue internally.
“Hello, I am the instructor here, Asuna.” She said, approaching Yang Yu and gently stroking his cheek with her slender fingers, her eyes like a predator eyeing its prey. “We have many rules here, the most important being no spies. If we catch any spies, we deal with them without mercy.”
“Understood, Lady Asuna…” Yang Yu’s mouth moved on its own.
Asuna chuckled and turned her gaze to Bai Jin. Bai Jin seemed to be in the same state as Yang Yu, looking at Asuna with hearts in her eyes and a foolish grin on her face.
“Lady Asuna, you’re so beautiful today. I will follow you forever, even if it costs me my life.”
Perhaps Bai Jin’s smile was too creepy, as Asuna glanced at her and then back at Yang Yu’s more pleasant face.
“You must obey my orders completely. Now, tell me, who sent you here!”
Her magnetic voice felt like a sugar-coated bullet piercing Yang Yu’s heart, making it seem like she was his entire world.
He would even be willing to become a sycophant for her.
“The truth is… the truth is… no one sent us here! We were drawn by Lady Asuna’s beauty and came here!”
“The truth is, we…”
Bai Jin’s eyes sparkled, thinking this was her chance to shine. She opened her mouth to speak, but Yang Yu’s louder voice drowned her out.
“No, I was wrong. What I said was flawed and offensive to Lady Asuna. In fact, we were born to serve Lady Asuna. From the moment I was born, I yearned to meet Lady Asuna and offer everything to her.” Yang Yu extended his hands, gripping Asuna’s tightly. “Lady Asuna, I won’t say more. Will you marry me? Only by being my wife can I serve you better!”
Slap—
Bai Jin slapped their hands apart.
“Get lost!” Bai Jin’s roar echoed in the hall. “Don’t think you can touch Lady Asuna with your filthy hands just because you have some strength. Do you think Lady Asuna is someone anyone can touch? Her beauty is unique, and I won’t allow anyone to monopolize her!”
“Exactly because Lady Asuna is unique that I want to possess her and offer everything to her. Accepting her entirely is my everything!”
“What nonsense are you spouting? How could you bear to possess such beauty?” Bai Jin was almost hysterical. “If you really want to possess her, I’ll curse you! I’ll curse you with everything I have! Haha, imagine being cooked in a pot with lizards, toads, and venomous snakes. I’ll make you into a potion to nourish Lady Asuna’s beauty.”
Asuna shivered, goosebumps rising.
Yang Yu pulled out his staff. “Oh, really? Bring it on! Do you think you can beat me?”
Bai Jin raised her staff. “Ahahaha, don’t be so sure. I know all your weaknesses from working with you for so long!”
The atmosphere became tense, the air thick with the smell of gunpowder, ready to explode at any moment.
“Ahem—no fighting inside the research facility. That’s an order.” Asuna cleared her throat. “You both have the opportunity to serve me. Follow that soldier to your rooms. I’ve prepared your clothes. The soldier will teach you all the rules here. Following the rules perfectly is the best way to serve me. That is my order.”
“Understood, Lady Asuna!”
At Asuna’s command, Yang Yu and Bai Jin immediately ceased their quarrel, respectfully bowed to her, and reluctantly followed the soldier.