The group followed the old man, who led the way at an unhurried pace.
"Young man, do you know why I agreed to let you in?"
Qi Wu thought for a moment. "Because I'm strong enough?"
The old man's steps faltered.
Then he continued walking.
"Because I'm bored," he said.
Qi Wu blinked in surprise.
The old man did not turn around. His voice drifted back from ahead.
"It's been forty years. Every day, I watch those monsters, record data, and write reports. Occasionally, a few fools who don't know their own limits come in to challenge them, but they get knocked flat in two or three moves. Not much fun."
He paused.
"But you're different."
He glanced back at Qi Wu, a hint of amusement in his clouded eyes.
"You make me think... this might be interesting."
Qi Wu blinked.
Then he smiled.
"Grandpa, you're making me blush~"
"Enough wisecracks." The old man turned back and kept walking. "There's another reason I let you in."
"What reason?"
"I need data."
The old man pushed open a heavy metal door and led the three into an even darker corridor.
"Most of the inmates here have committed heinous crimes. The only reason we haven't killed them is that their abilities have research value."
"Those monsters have been locked up for too long. Their abilities, their condition, the changes they've undergone-we need someone to 'stimulate' them to get up-to-date data."
He looked back at Qi Wu.
"Your fights with them would be the best possible 'stimulus.'"
Qi Wu nodded thoughtfully.
"So I'm here to work for you?"
"You could say that." The corners of the old man's mouth lifted slightly. "Of course, you can choose not to fight. I'll take you out right now."
Qi Wu smiled.
"Old man, that reverse psychology