8 I Can Only Rely on You (2/2)

After walking for a long while, Riko finally stopped in her footsteps. She pointed to a tall building in front and said, “We’re here.”

Shi Xiaobai looked over and realized this building was shorter than the other buildings. However, the compound’s boundary was clearly wider. A middle-aged man dressed in a suit stood by the entrance.

“Are they here?” Riko asked the middle-aged man as she arrived at the entrance.

“They are already here. Only you and this young sir remain.” The middle-aged man responded.

Riko nodded, and took the lead to walk through the gate. Shi Xiaobai followed closely behind. After passing through the gate, he heard the middle-aged man whisper to him, “Take care.”

Shi Xiaobai was surprised as he said with a smile, “Years ago, someone told This King to take care 1, but he ended up being unable to slim down for three years. Uncle, don’t raise any unwanted flags.”

After saying that, Shi Xiaobai ignored the stunned middle-aged man and walked into the building.

Upon entering, Shi Xiaobai’s eyes were immediately attracted by a smooth and bright metallic wall. He looked up and saw huge frames lined up across the wall. There was a high-spirited face imprinted in each frame.

“These are the Rookie Kings of [Gaia] over the years.” Riko said in front of him.

“Rookie…King?” Shi Xiaobai followed half a step behind her.

“[Gaia] recruits rookies every year. After a period of training, a competition between all rookies is held. The strongest is given the title of Rookie King. The Rookie King’s photo frame is then displayed in this Rookie Museum.” Riko explained patiently.

“The strongest person amongst the rookies. A king-like figure!” Shi Xiaobai’s eyes lit up as he said with excitement, “The title of Rookie King is tailored for me, Shi Xiaobai! The first step in This King’s journey shall be you—Rookie King!”

Riko was at a loss whether to cry or to laugh, but suddenly her eyes darted around, having come up with an idea. She immediately said slyly, “Boy, I also believe that the title of Rookie King belongs to you. Work hard for I think highly of you!”

Shi Xiaobai gave her a cold stare. “Don’t do that. It’s sickening.. Ouch!”

Riko grunted while her fist was raised. She continued walking deeper into the building as Shi Xiaobai rubbed his forehead. As he slowly kept up behind her, he grumbled.

After a short moment of walking, they arrived at a metallic door that was slightly ajar. Riko stopped and took a deep breath.

“By the way, I think I haven’t told you the purpose of coming here today?” Riko suddenly said.

“So that’s it. There is a purpose behind coming here today.” Shi Xiaobai was enlightened as he raised his hands immediately in a defensive stance. He snapped, “Girl, you have finally revealed the true colors of yourself being an evil witch?”

In a rare instance, Riko did not roll her eyes but said with a sigh, “Today, I brought you here to partake in a Rookie Evaluation Test in name, but it’s actually a trap a few bitches had laid for me. Xiaobai, I’m sorry for implicating you in this trouble, but I…can only rely on you.”

Shi Xiaobai was surprised, and just as he wanted to say something, he saw Riko push the metallic door open. She had walked in.

Following that, a shrill voice immediately erupted from inside, clearly entering Shi Xiaobai’s ears.

“Oh, the weakest ‘Pontus’ in history and the trash rookie she has brought has finally arrived!”

1. Take care (保重) can be literally translated to ‘conserve your weight’