Chapter 7

It's hard to imagine that inside this dilapidated building, there would be an office decorated to rival a five-star business building, truly a case of "rotten on the outside, golden on the inside."

Water Brother leaned back in his large, comfortable leather executive chair, his feet crossed and resting on the desk. Despite his protruding beer belly, the solid muscles that seemed to strain against his suit and the tattoo on his cheek all indicated his past as a formidable figure on the streets.

Holding a cigar as thick as a cannon barrel, Water Brother didn't take a single puff for a long time. He half-closed his eyes, seemingly reading the few pages of documents on his lap, but he never turned the page.

"Knock, knock, knock," the sound of knocking came, and then the door was pushed open. Curly Hair brought in Wang Ge, who looked full of energy and not at all like someone who had been injured.

"Water Brother, I've brought Big Wang here," Curly Hair reported respectfully, and Wang Ge also called out to Water Brother.

The underground boxing ring has four managers, known as the "Four Great Protectors," and Water Brother is one of them.

Don't be fooled by their current appearance as business elites; in fact, they were once renowned killers on the streets.

But like the golden-collar workers in large enterprises, they also rose to their positions of management through their abilities and "achievements."

Water Brother slowly lifted his eyelids and stared at Wang Ge, "You're the training partner Big Wang?"

At this, Water Brother couldn't help but chuckle. He's still a kid, yet his name is so domineering.

"Water Brother, I am Big Wang," Wang Ge replied calmly, without any signs of anxiety.

After all, he had already killed the person, and if they wanted him dead, begging on his knees would be useless.

Since they called him here to meet, there must be some room for negotiation. If there's room for negotiation, why be anxious?

Curly Hair couldn't help but glance at Wang Ge. Seeing his calm demeanor, he was both speechless and impressed. Wang Ge had always been calmer and more composed than other kids, and even though he couldn't beat Curly Hair in a fight, Curly Hair always listened to him when it mattered.

Water Brother furrowed his brow slightly. Wang Ge's reaction surprised him, but he didn't bother to play mind games with a small fry like him. He said in a deep voice, "Big Dog Bear was a B-level boxer who signed a contract with the boxing ring. Do you know how much loss you've caused the boxing ring by killing him?"

Wang Ge remained silent.

Water Brother didn't expect an answer from Wang Ge. Even he found it hard to estimate the loss, but it was definitely a large number.

So Water Brother continued, "According to the rules of the boxing ring, you must pay with your life, and your family must also pay the breach of contract fee to the boxing ring. Understand?"

Wang Ge clenched his teeth and nodded silently.

"But, Curly Hair has pleaded for you, so I can consider giving you a second chance," Water Brother glanced at Curly Hair with an appreciative look, "You should thank having such a good brother, or you would already be dead!"

There was no need for more words between brothers. Wang Ge and Curly Hair exchanged a glance, and everything was understood. There was no need for thanks; this was something to be remembered in the heart.

Wang Ge took a deep breath and asked Water Brother, "What is the second chance, Water Brother?"

"This is Big Dog Bear's contract," Water Brother picked up the few pages of documents on his lap and casually tossed them on the desk, saying indifferently, "Big Dog Bear signed a thirty-match indenture contract with the boxing ring. He still has twelve matches left. Since Big Dog Bear is dead, you will have to continue for him."

"..." Wang Ge's heart sank. He instantly understood why Big Dog Bear drank so much and was so temperamental, and why Curly Hair always looked so heavy-hearted after he woke up.

A thirty-match indenture contract!

This needs to be understood in two parts: thirty matches mean the boxer must win a total of thirty matches.

An indenture contract means the contract must be fulfilled to the end unless the boxer dies. If the boxer dies, it's a waste, and the boxing ring won't pay any compensation.

The hard conditions of the major contract are two: first, the boxer must win a total of thirty matches. Even if you fight a hundred matches, if you only win one, you still have to continue.

Second, after every ten victories, the boxer will be forced to upgrade. Big Dog Bear started in C-level matches and won eighteen consecutive matches. If he won two more, he would have to fight in A-level matches!

Big Dog Bear was an eighth-level life, and maintaining a winning streak in B-level matches, which have an eighth-level life limit, was manageable. However, if he moved to A-level matches, which have a tenth-level life limit, he could be killed at any time on the ring.

That's why Big Dog Bear, who was just two matches away from upgrading to A-level, felt such immense pressure, drowning his sorrows in alcohol. He looked like a tough guy when he killed others, but in reality, the more he killed, the more he feared death.

"Alright, I accept," Wang Ge knew there was no way out, so he accepted without hesitation. He had been in the underground boxing ring for five years and had always maintained his moral底线.

But now he couldn't break his own底线, because he knew that if he didn't choose this path, the result would be death.

He could die, but he didn't want to drag his sister and his best friend, Curly Hair, into it.

"Hehe, Curly Hair didn't misjudge you," Water Brother shook his head and laughed, "But you didn't understand, little brother. I meant both of you!"

Wang Ge's heart sank. Could it be...

"Both you and Curly Hair will have to win twelve matches according to the standards of this thirty-match indenture contract," Water Brother pointed at Curly Hair with his cigar, "Curly Hair is currently on a small B-level contract. Starting now, he will switch to a major contract, starting from B-level. After ten victories, he will move to A-level, and then two more victories to finish."

"As for you—" Water Brother pointed at Wang Ge and sneered, "Like Curly Hair, a major contract. After ten victories, you will upgrade, and two more victories will pay off your debt! If you're in good shape, go get a life level test first. I'll tell you which level to start from once the results are in."

"Alright!" Curly Hair seemed to have expected this result and accepted it calmly.

"No way!" Wang Ge was first surprised, then shouted loudly, "One person's actions, one person's responsibility! Water Brother, this is all because of me. I killed Big Dog Bear, and it has nothing to do with Curly Hair!"

Curly Hair is an eighth-level life, and fighting in A-level matches would be extremely dangerous. As a brother, Curly Hair had already shown great loyalty.

Wang Ge was willing to fight for a chance to live, even if it was a slim one.

"What nonsense!" Curly Hair grabbed Wang Ge's collar and lowered his voice to a furious growl, "Do you not consider me a brother?"

"You have guts and responsibility!" Water Brother's mocking eyes glanced at Wang Ge, "If you want to take it all on yourself, then start from the beginning. Thirty victories, not a single one less!"

"He's talking nonsense—" Curly Hair hurried to defend Wang Ge, but Wang Ge interrupted him loudly, "Alright! Thank you, Water Brother!"

"You—" Curly Hair's face turned red with anger, and he panted heavily, staring at Wang Ge. Wang Ge had already dragged him out of Water Brother's office.

"Listen, since Water Brother asked me to get a life level test, it's likely I won't start from C-level like Big Dog Bear," Wang Ge looked at Curly Hair's angry face and forced a smile, "You know my life level, I'll probably start from D-level, and the chances of survival are still high. Think about it, when have I ever done something that put me at a disadvantage?"

"Besides, my sister got accepted into Sky University, hehe, I also want to earn more money before the start of the semester. You won't take away my chance to make money, right?"

"… Let's see the test results first!" Curly Hair shook off Wang Ge's hand and said irritably, "Would I take your chance? It's better to have a chance to earn money!"

He knew that if Wang Ge started from D-level, his chances of survival were still considerable, but the last ten B-level matches would be impossible.

Curly Hair was thinking of letting Wang Ge fight in D-level and C-level matches, and when it came to B-level, he would plead with Water Brother to let him take over. Water Brother valued him, so he could accept some conditions…

Although Curly Hair's words were harsh, Wang Ge felt a warm current in his heart. He knew Curly Hair was a true friend who would do anything for him.

A true friend is enough in life, let alone one who would risk his life for you?

The underground boxing ring, like the medical room, must have a "life level testing room." The competition level of underground boxers is determined by life level tests, and the life levels of underground boxers are not fixed. Both new and old boxers come here regularly for tests, which are much more professional than the "routine checks" for training partners.

Wang Ge followed Curly Hair into the testing room. It was his first time entering, but he was not unfamiliar with the testing equipment. He had tested in junior high school, but his results were terrible, placing him at the bottom of his class.

"Even kindergarten kids, the stronger ones, can reach a second-level life. You, a junior high school student, are also a second-level life? Forget it, I don't think you need to go to high school. You won't get into college anyway, so why waste the Federation's resources? Your parents' money doesn't grow on trees, does it?"

The mocking tone and expression of his junior high school teacher were still vivid in Wang Ge's mind.

Involuntarily, Wang Ge clenched his fists, the nails digging into the soft flesh of his palms, causing a burning pain. Years had passed, but the humiliation he felt from his teacher and classmates had not diminished. For the young Wang Ge, it was a nightmare.

At the time, Wang Ge said nothing. He wanted to prove himself through action. Although his body was weak, he trained hard.

He had planned to go to college and then show his junior high school teacher his acceptance letter, proving that he had not wasted the Federation's resources or his parents' hard-earned money.

But before that day came, his parents passed away when he was just starting high school. Wang Ge had no choice but to give up his studies.

His sister, Wang Fei, was a gifted student. Although she was still in elementary school, she had already shown her talent. So Wang Ge decided to give up his studies and work hard to support his sister's life and education.

He no longer had the chance to prove himself to his teacher and classmates. He had to find a job to earn money, but the Federal Code strictly prohibited any enterprise or individual from employing minors, and his life level did not meet the employment standards of regular companies.

In desperation, Wang Ge had to enter the underground boxing ring through Curly Hair's connections to work as a training partner.

When he first entered, he was also looked down upon, and people said he wouldn't last a day with his life level. But he gritted his teeth and persevered, and five years had passed...

Seeing Wang Ge staring at the testing equipment in silence, Curly Hair, who knew him well, sighed silently and gently pushed him, "Let's start."