After a long while, the proctor, fiddling with his pen, let out a chuckle, lazily lifting his eyelids to ask, “Are you planning to live here?”

Chapter 5 Gift┃For you, no need to thank me.

Brian Baker sat hunched on the sofa, his long legs stretched out, one hand idly playing with his earring.

Hearing James Carter's words, he lifted his eyelids, his cold gaze sweeping over the other’s face before dropping back down.

No explanation, no reflection, no response.

That attitude was clearly the most troublesome kind of rebel.

……

As soon as 154 entered their boss’s office, he felt suffocated, as if he’d walked into the discipline office.

“You wanted to see me?”

With a candidate present, 154 looked even more serious, his speech now formal and respectful.

“Second violation—what’s the punishment?” James Carter slowly twirled the pen in his hand, looking at him. “It’s been a while since I’ve been here, I can’t quite remember.”

154 kept a blank face and was silent for two seconds before saying, “Solitary confinement.”

James Carter: “……”

Brian Baker’s fingers paused for a moment, and he finally looked up.

His expression was still cold, and apart from a lazy drowsiness, no emotion could be seen. But 154 just felt he was full of mockery.

Maybe it was in his genes.

Or maybe their boss just attracted that kind of look.

James Carter: “Is there nothing else besides solitary?”

154 opened his mouth.

Something in the room beeped.

Brian Baker’s gaze shifted, landing on James Carter’s wrist. Something there flashed briefly, and the sound came from it.

154 said, “See? Additional punishment is against the rules.”

James Carter lowered his eyes, absentmindedly straightening his cuff, and the flashing light quickly dimmed.

When he looked up again, his gaze met Brian Baker’s.

“A solitary room with just a table and chairs is a bit boring.” He looked at Brian Baker, but spoke to 154.

154 nodded. “True.”

“How about you go in with him? At least there’s a scene.”

154: “……”

Who’s being punished here?

James Carter laughed. “Just kidding, don’t take it seriously.”

154 was used to this kind of unpredictable nonsense. He quickly let out a sigh of relief and said, “Then… should I send him downstairs again, let him sleep for another three hours, and send him back after he’s caught up on rest?”

“What is this, a hotel by the hour?”

154 fell silent.

He waited, eyes on his nose, nose on his mouth, for a while. Not hearing any new orders, he sneaked a glance.

On the sofa, Brian Baker was looking out the window, either daydreaming or something else, with a look that said, “Do whatever you want, if you manage to break me, I lose.” His attitude was extremely improper, cold and arrogant.

As for their boss, James Carter…

He loosely clasped his hands, his gaze falling on Brian Baker’s pale profile.

154 felt that, toward this extremely difficult candidate, their boss seemed to have developed a bit of curiosity, but for some reason, he also seemed to be in a bad mood.

“Boss?” 154 reminded softly.

After another moment, James Carter finally looked away and suggested to 154, “Go trick another candidate into breaking the rules and lock them up together.”

154: “……”

What kind of nonsense is that?

His wrist beeped again.

It was probably the same as before—a signal and a warning. 154 clenched his jaw, but James Carter didn’t seem to care much.

“Not locking him up, just sending him away?”

Beep.

James Carter clicked his tongue.

He thought for a moment, then asked 154, “Has the last used solitary room been cleaned?”

154 glanced at Brian Baker, looking very confused. “Is there anything that needs cleaning?? The rope’s been put away, and I threw out the ‘fuck you’ paper ball.”

Hearing “paper ball,” Brian Baker’s fingers paused for a second on his earring, but he still looked out the window, face cold, pretending to be deaf and mute.

James Carter said, “The other room.”

154: “Oh, not yet. I was going to, but there have been too many violations lately, so 922 and I haven’t gotten around to it.”

“Then let this frequent…” James Carter paused, looking at Brian Baker, “How should I address you?”

Brian Baker snorted coldly.

“Let Mr. Snort here go clean it.”

Brian Baker: “……”

Sensing a crime about to happen in the office, 154 hurriedly responded and quickly escorted the dangerous element downstairs, face tense.

……

Downstairs in the storage room.

922 and 154 were picking out tools, while the candidate actually being punished leaned against the door with his arms crossed, face gloomy.

“Don’t sulk. If you really fought, you definitely wouldn’t win against him,” 922 said.

Maybe it was that flashy “解” character, but 922’s attitude toward Brian Baker had changed a bit, and he didn’t sound as official as before.

Brian Baker didn’t respond, but judging by his expression, he clearly didn’t take it seriously.

“You think number 001 is just for show?” 922 said. “The first time I met the boss… which time was it? Next to some field army base, I can’t remember. Anyway, a whole street! The entire street, the ground was covered in blood, and he was carrying a shoulder-fired rocket launcher just like this—”

“Go find your bucket,” 154 interrupted him, face taut.

“Oh.”

922 reminisced for a moment, then, under 154’s glare, straightened up and said to Brian Baker, “You go ahead, I’ll bring the bucket over in a bit.”