The first person Xiao Ran chose to meet was not Renard, whom he wanted to turn into a follower, but the participant who had been imprisoned ever since Luo destroyed and recovered his unit.
It was an isolated cell specially prepared to hold that participant. Its thick walls meant that even Xiao Ran would be unable to escape if locked inside. Numerous soldiers guarded it around the clock every day, while Mithril mercenaries from Danner's Son operated no fewer than two Variable Fighters outside. This cut off every possibility of the participant escaping from within.
Xiao Ran had imprisoned the man rather than killing him because he believed this participant was a rather capable talent as well. He possessed impressive technical skills and could acquire units like Guren Gishin. If Xiao Ran had not intervened in this mission, the participant would surely have become its ultimate victor. His potential could not be underestimated.
If this participant had been lucky enough to receive sufficient time to develop, Xiao Ran believed he would eventually rise rapidly through the Super Zone as a technical-type participant. Yet he had happened to encounter a high-level participant from the Real Zone like Xiao Ran, who blocked his path.
Xiao Ran did not go to meet the participant alone. He brought El-Elf with him. Without knowing the other man's true capabilities, meeting him alone carried too many uncertainties. For the sake of caution, El-Elf's presence was absolutely necessary.
When Xiao Ran entered the cell and saw the participant, he found a clean and orderly room with no real shortage of living supplies or daily entertainment. Other than restricting the participant's freedom, Xiao Ran had not treated him too harshly.
The participant was also clean and neatly dressed when Xiao Ran entered. He was sitting on the bed