Strongest Maniac: Born in an Asylum

The loud crash made the arcade owner leap to his feet, his first thought a gas tank explosion.

When he saw that his precious arcade machine had been destroyed, a fire of rage ignited within him.

What the hell are you doing? That's how I make a living! You dare to break my baby without my permission? I swear I'll fight you to the death!

But money, the root of all evil, also has a very sweet smell.

"Bosses, perhaps there was a problem with the machine. Let me set up another one for you."

Swallowing his pride for the promise of profit, the owner humbled himself, diligently starting up another game console. He respectfully invited the three bosses to move. Making money wasn't easy, and opportunities to meet such big spenders were rare. If he couldn't even provide good service, he deserved to be poor for the rest of his life.

The eleventh round began.

Don't let Richie Bao's age fool you; at just seven years old, he was the heir to Seaside City's wealthiest family, and he knew when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.

He wasn't as agitated as before.

He pressed the buttons slowly.

"Wow! You're so good!"

"Oh no, I'm about to die!"

"Why can't I even hit you?"

"You're too strong."

Richie Bao moved his character around the screen, walking back and forth, but he didn't throw a single punch or kick. Don't ask why; just assume he didn't dare.

After all, he was still just a child.

K.O.

"Walter, I've avenged you," Leo said, letting go of the controls and turning to Walter.

Walter clapped his hands. "Great! That was amazing!"

For some reason, Richie Bao found that all the fun had drained away. It wasn't supposed to be like this. He had never lost a game before. He glanced at the machine with the hole punched through it and thought, Whatever. It's nothing. A loss is just a loss.

An unknown amount of time later, a group of men in black suits stormed into the arcade. When they saw Richie Bao, they all rushed over.

"Young Master, we finally found you!"

They had been terrified when they learned the young master had disappeared from school. They had mobilized all their resources to search for him but had come up empty. It wasn't until a transaction appeared on the young master's bank card that they were able to track him down. Heaven had not forsaken them; they had finally found him.

Richie Bao saw his bodyguards and stood up, looking bored.

"So soon? I wasn't done playing yet."

He had planned to go shopping after playing games, but he hadn't escaped his family's search after all.

The arcade owner saw the men in black and hid behind the counter, too scared to speak.

They're big shots, all right. Otherwise, how could they be so extravagant?

Outside, the sky was gradually darkening.

"Where are you guys going? I'll give you a ride back," Richie Bao said, standing in front of a long, black luxury car. Though he was young, his mind was much more mature than his peers. These two were his saviors, and they had played games with him. That made them his friends. It was only natural to give his friends a ride home.

"We're going home," Leo said.

"Okay," Walter nodded.

Their one-word exchanges were grammatically correct, but they gave off a very strange vibe.

The bodyguard standing next to the young master saw the ID tags hanging around their necks and was instantly on alert. These two are mental patients. Their speech and behavior confirmed it.

The young master is hanging out with mental patients. This is terrifying.

"Then we'll have to trouble you."

They might be mental patients, but they still knew how to thank people.

At the entrance of Green Mountain Asylum.

Leo and Walter stood at the gate, waving at Richie Bao.

"Goodbye."

Richie Bao leaned out of the car window, waving happily. "Goodbye! I'll come find you to play again when I have time!"

"You're welcome anytime," Leo said.

Soon, the long luxury car drove away, gradually disappearing from their sight.

Leo and Walter looked at each other.

"He said goodbye to us. He wants to be our friend," Walter said happily.

"He's a good person," Leo said.

Smiles spread across their faces, and they said in unison, "So happy!"

The two orderlies watching them were a bit dumbfounded. What just happened?

That kid's identity was clearly not simple. A long, black luxury car meant he was definitely from a wealthy family. But why was he hanging out with mental patients and even giving them a ride home? They couldn't figure it out even if they wracked their brains. They longed to befriend a rich person but never had the chance. Now, even mental patients had rich friends. It was a huge blow to them.

At the hospital.

Lee Fortune was in despair. He had taken the security guards to search for the two patients, asking many people, but no one had seen them. He didn't know what to do.

He sighed. There was no way around it. He couldn't hide it any longer. If he didn't find them tonight, the situation would become terrible.

He took out his phone and called Director Hess.

Ring... ring!

The call connected.

"Brother Hess, what are you up to?" he asked, his voice filled with shame, his posture lowered. He even called him "brother."

"Mmm!"

"I have to tell you something, but first, promise me you won't get excited."

"Mmm!"

"Well, it's like this. Something happened at the hospital today, and those two patients ran off. You know I'm not the irresponsible type. I led a search party for a long time but couldn't find them. I have no choice now but to hope that my dear colleague Hess, my brother Hess, can help me look for them. I admit this is my mistake, but I truly didn't want this to happen."

Lee Fortune was helpless. Where did they go? We've turned the whole neighborhood upside down and still can't find them. How can they be so fast?

Green Mountain Asylum.

Hess was on the phone. Leo and Walter had returned and were now gathered with the other patients, watching the news. They were engrossed, occasionally whispering to each other and pointing at the TV.

He had quietly stepped outside, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"How could you do this? I entrusted my patients to you because I trusted you. And now you've lost them! Do you know how serious the consequences are? They are mental patients! Their words and actions are uncontrollable! If they endanger someone's life, I'm telling you, your chances of becoming Director are over!"

"Don't 'colleague' or 'brother' me. The moment you blocked me, we became strangers."

"What? You're unblocking me now? Let me tell you, it's too late. None of that matters now. Just find them and bring them back. I can tell you right now, their condition has been getting worse lately. They're very aggressive towards strangers. If something happens, you will definitely be held responsible."

"Don't apologize to me. Blocking me is your right. How could I interfere with your rights? You're not sleeping tonight. You're going to find them."

"A GPS tracker in the ID tag? Are you overthinking things? How could I have something like that? My Green Mountain Asylum has no income. I'm doing a good deed, providing for them for free. Where would I get the money for GPS trackers?"

"You're not sleeping tonight. You're going to find them."

"Hanging up!"

Director Hess let out a cold laugh. You want to mess with me? Block me? Steal my digital gift cards? We'll see who's laughing now.

Then, he went back inside, walked up behind the two of them, patted their shoulders, and leaned down to ask, "Is the TV good?"

Leo and Walter nodded in unison.

"Very good."

At the hospital.

Lee Fortune stared at his phone, on the verge of tears.

What is this?

Looks like I won't be sleeping tonight. I have to go find them.

Please, just show up. I've endured for so long and finally have a chance to become Director. You can't do this to me. Have some compassion! I was the one who saved your life last time, with my own two hands!