The following day seemed almost like a dream to me. I was back in my crappy old apartment and I was in the world deadliest game. The chances of being silently assassinated or blown up Hollywood style seemed high. There I was lying on the bed enjoying an afternoon nap, and it's probably the first one I had in years, due to the fact I never stopped working, and times I weren't I was always finding some ways to improve myself. 12:01 p.m. I looked at the clock that stood at a 46 degree angle at my desk. Breaker was watching anime, and he didn't even seem to notice my existence until I tapped on his shoulder. Then just like every normal day he said:

"Oh."

All of a sudden a doorbell rang, and I pretended not to notice. Probably some delivery guy, and I decided to let Breaker handle it. Minutes passed and I heard foot tapping outside. How stupid I was to rely on Breaker. He became so buried in anime that he sometimes forget to eat. The continuous foot tapping soon became a melody or doorbell rings, and that was enough to drive me away from sleep. I got up and quickly dressed myself in my black pants, socks and shirt, as always. I walked up to the door hazily, then looked through the keyhole. I usually do this, not because I am paranoid, but it's better to know then to be surprised. Through the keyhole I could see a glimpse of tuxedo. Bodyguards, not one but many. But bodyguards for who? I was paranoid of a sudden, and I rushed to my cabinet and got my gun and pointed it at the door. At the same time Breaker looked in my direction:

"What's going on?"

"Nothing really. Just finish your episode." he wore a queasy look for a moment, then his face remained glued to the screen again.

"Who is it?" I called out.

"We need you to open the door." One of the guards reply through the keyhole I could tell shifted too and pulled out something.

"Tell me who you are and put down whatever weapons you have." I said again. This time it was responded with much movement as of a sudden the tuxedo men were turning their necks around looking for a hidden camera, but the truth was there isn't.

"If you don't open the doors, or we will knock it down."

"You have no right to do so, unless you work with the government. Then I want to see a search permit, then again there is nothing worthy or have your interest."

They seemed hesitant, but a moment later they responded with a series of vicious pounding.

"Last chance! Open up the door or we will..."

I heard another person whispering something and the tuxedo man stopped pounding.

"Lady Charlotte Aquitaine Marina Acott wishes to see to Ling Qi." announced one of the other guards. He pronounced my last name wrong like everyone else. That had me puzzled, what was the daughter of the wealthiest man coming to my crappy apartment, that was even smaller then her washroom? And the bigger question is why is she meeting me? I was desperate for answers, I put my gun away and put on my regular clothes all within 30seconds. When I was ready I opened the door. Massive giant of a man standing at least seven feet tall wearing a black tuxedo walked in. he wore dark shades covering his eyes. But that not what confused me, because I didn't see Charlotte in sight at all. It must be a trap, but I didn't dare move, I just stood there. I stared at the man and he stared back. His expression was plain, and mine remained neutral, but almost tipping into the hostile zone. I don't' know how long passed but another figure came from behind him. It was small, delicate and beautiful as ever, Charlotte. At that moment even Breaker turned around, and when his eyes landed on Charlotte, his eye looked like they could fall out.

"It's ok Braun. Wait outside this room with the others." She said with a small voice.

"But we don't know if it's safe to leave you here with those..."

"Please, leave us be. I have an important matter to discuss with him."

"Yes, my lady. We will be just outside the door."

"That might inconvenience for everyone else in this building." I noted.

Braun shoot me a dirty look and said:

"That doesn't matter, we were given order to protect..."

"Braun stay outside this building please."

"But, my lady..."

"That wasn't a request that was an order. Now leave us please." She made it clear in her voice that she was serious.

"Yes ma'am!" he saluted and closed the door.

"Stop calling me ma'am! It makes me feel old!" Too late they already left. She turned around and faced us there was a dazzling smile on her face. Before I could speak a single word, Breaker beat me by light speed:

"Is this a dream?"

"No." I replied.

"Ling, hit me."

"Ok." I raised my hand and all of a sudden Breaker recoiled back.

"Never mind. If this isn't a dream, then... am I in heaven?"

I smacked him in the face as hard as I could without hurting myself. Which kind of knocked the air out of him. He lay on the ground, like a deflated balloon.

"Does that usually happen?" She asked.

"Not really. Since no Bishoujou like you never knocked on my door."

"Bishoujou?"

"It's the Japanese word for cute girl." Her face went beat red.

"Just forget about what I said." I turned around kinda of embarrassed.

"My Megami!" Breaker got up and made a dive for Charlotte. My bad on the part where I underestimated his vitality. I couldn't let him touch Charlotte feeling all defensive and stuff, I grabbed Breaker back collar, and pulled him away, but it was like restraining a hungry wolf who hasn't eaten in weeks.

"Sorry about this accident. This is my roommate, Breaker. He usually doesn't behave like this."

"What does mei-gami mean?" she asked shyly.

"It means goddess, I think." I learned most of my Japanese from Breaker. Once in a while he forgot how to speak English, and would start babbling out Japanese.

Her face was red as a lamp low. But she manage to turn it off, when I stopped looking in her direction.

"So what's so important you will have to come to a place such as mine?"

"It's actually not so bad. I am planning on staying with you."

What the hell? That was the first thing that came to my mind. Her answer only left me a million more why?

"Why?" that was all the words I could manage right now.

"Because, earlier you told me freedom is not meant to be caged. So I came outside. See? I am out of my birdcage!"

"Well you just flew into a smaller one."

"I plan on traveling with you."

"What do you mean?"

"The relics they are all scattered around the world, judging from your living conditions, I bet you can't even afford to buy one-one way ticket around the globe."

"I can buy my own tickets."

"Trust me you will need my help if you want to win. I can pay for all your expanses, and I can do much more than that."

I don't feel like being bossed around by a spoiled girl. Not today, nor any day.

"What is it you got other than money?"

There was a moment of awkward silence.

"I seemed to be wrong. I am leaving."

I made up my mind that moment, regardless of being bossed around a lot, I was facing an economic crisis, and money was desperately needed.

She turned around and began to walk away.

"Wait. I take that back."

She stopped. Good I made her hesitate, as long I could convince her... the foundation of victory will be laid down.

"What is it still you got to say?" Charlotte said, her voice not so sweet now.

"I want your help... no I need your help."

"Well then do even know the general location of your clue then?"

"I haven't taken time to review it yet."

"What! All the other competitor has already set off to for the clues."

"Do you know about the current condition of the other competitors?"

"No. it's just...they seem to be in hurry to leave the feast yesterday."

So the rest were already one step ahead of me currently. Being at disadvantage is something I always had. And I am quite use to it, because when they think there 1 step ahead l of me, I am going to be 2 steps ahead of them.

"We better take a look at the clues first."