[Nightmare is online.]

The systems notification came through just as Xiao Yi handed in his third assassination mission. Truthfully, he was thinking of getting off the game but as soon as he saw the notification he propped up in his chair.

‘It’s him.’

He remembered his last message from the other mentioning that he’d be busy for a few days but he’d like to fight again next time and his hand twitched. Just as he was thinking of what to send to the other, he received a message.

[Nightmare]: You’re on?

[Sleepy]: En.

Xiao Yi looked at his reply and wanted to bat his head against the table. Is this how you make friends, a single affirmative answer?

Fuck.

He was too used to just using affirmative tones or small replies, even if he’d gotten better at using sentences in the weeks after meeting Nightmare it didn’t change his habits.

His fingers swiftly danced across the keys.

[Sleepy]: You’re done working?

[Nightmare]: Not done but I have some free time. A new dungeon was released in the last patch, have you done it yet?

A new dungeon?

Xiao Yi didn’t pay attention to game updates but he recalled the maps and dungeons he tested for V before release, there were a few options for being released on the main maps without increasing the level cap but he didn’t know what direction his CEO friend would go.

Also, he's in the middle of a divorce and decided to release a dungeon with no marketing?

‘Maybe I should check on his mind.’

[Sleepy]: No, I didn’t check patch notes.

[Nightmare]: Sounds good.

[Nightmare has invited you to a party]

[Sleepy has joined the party]

Although he didn’t get to fight against this new assassin friend of his… Dungeon running brings friendships, right?

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

[Nightmare]: Do you have anyone you want to invite?

Xiao Yi laughed and wanted to type that his only friends on this account were him and V, who never got on, but decided against it.

[Sleepy]: No, do you?

It was at this moment that Xiao Yi’s phone began to ring. He glanced over to see Captain Lee’s ID displayed proudly and raised his brow.

If it were anyone else he may have ignored it but Lee wasn't the type to call for a friendly chat. The extent of their messages is only about Xiao Qiu, and he’d never called his phone personally.

Xiao Yi picked it up and placed it on speaker as he read Nightmare’s message.

[Nightmare]: I don’t... Want to try it with just us?

The line on the other side of the phone was quiet for a minute and Xiao Yi assumed Lee was waiting for him to say something. “Yeah?”

Lee’s shaky voice replied. “Stay calm… We were attacked. Your brother's not in great condition. I sent a private plane for you, I’m sending you the information.”

Xiao Yi, in fact, did not stay calm. His heart felt like it fell from his chest to the floor. A second later, his chair rolled halfway across the apartment from how fast he got up and was about to leave the apartment when he realized he probably needed his ID, first. He backtracked to his room and grabbed his wallet and one of V’s car keys from the hook by the door.

“What happened?”

Lee seemed to contemplate for a moment and there were hushed voices in the background but Xiao Yi couldn’t hear the other side very well. He finally replied. “Let’s talk about it when you get here.”

Xiao Yi stared at the elevator door, wishing it would open faster, and nearly began cursing at Lee. He gritted his teeth and asked. “How is he?”

This time, the other side of the phone went silent and Xiao Yi realized he was likely on speakerphone. He asked again, his voice so icy it could freeze another in they’re place. “I. Said. How. Is. He?”

“Little Yi, it’s better if we talk about it when you get here.”

“Put him on the phone.”

“We… can’t.”

Xiao Yi began cursing. “Fuck you, what do you mean you can’t? Give me a straight fucking answer and stop talking in circles.”

Lee reached out his arm, a hospital bracelet circling his wrist. He waved off the nurse who’d been holding the phone and his arm holding the phone shook slightly. “He hasn’t woken up.”

Xiao Yi clicked the set of keys a few times and looked around until he found a black Hyundai staring at him. Somewhat relieved that he didn’t grab a key to a sports car, he got in and started the engine.

He was suddenly happy that Chen Qiang’s family forced him to learn how to drive.

Hasn’t woken up… Xiao Yi made it to the airstrip within ten minutes, the entire time on the phone with Lee without speaking as he ran through his thoughts.

As long as Xiao Qiu wasn’t dead yet, he could handle anything.

Suddenly, as he approached the airport a thought ran through his mind. “Our parents?”

Lee seemed taken aback but still replied. “Xiao Qiu took them off everything years ago, they’re not an emergency contact and can’t make decisions on his behalf.”

“Who can?”

“You.”

The two exchanged a few more words and hung up the phone. As soon as the phone disconnected, Lee dropped it on his lap and leaned back in the hospital bed as he glanced around the room.

Five men were in the room and only he was awake. He glanced at the nurse and smiled mildly. “Thank you for letting me call instead.”

She placed the phone on the table beside him and smiled politely as she fixed the blankets. “Does he live far?”

“Hmm… That kid fled from home so he’s a few hours away.”

Meanwhile, Xiao Yi called V. He didn’t wait for the other party to say anything. “Xiao Qiu’s in the hospital, find out what happened, and send a team to guard the hospital.”