After graduating from college, you moved into the villa your parents left you.

The house sits in the suburbs, with a lawn, a swimming pool, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Everything about it is perfect—except that it’s too big. You don’t dare live there alone.

After hesitating for a long time, you posted an ad on a rental website.

“Detached suburban villa. Plenty of rooms, good lighting. Short-term or long-term rental available. Easygoing landlord. Only requirement: good lifestyle habits, no bad vices.”

A message arrived soon after.

“Is co-renting okay? There’s more than one person.”

You paused, then replied, “How many?”

“Five recently retired soldiers. Quiet, won’t cause trouble. We just need a place to stay.”

You looked around the empty villa and murmured, “More people… might actually be better.”

You replied, “That’s fine. When would you like to see the place?”

⸻

On the day of the viewing, you opened the door to find five men standing outside.

Some were tall—absurdly so. Some were unnervingly quiet. One hid his face beneath a camouflage net. The most striking was the man in the skull mask, leaning casually against the doorway. Ghost.

Keegan stood beside him, already scanning the house. König nearly filled the doorway, standing straight but pausing when your eyes met. Krueger had his hands in his pockets, indifferent. Nikto stood at the back, calm and distant.

“Um… please come in,” you said, stepping aside.

They entered one by one, footsteps echoing through the spacious living room.

“There are plenty of rooms,” you said. “Everyone can have their own.”

“Better than we expected,” Ghost said.

“Quiet,” Keegan added.

“And safe,” Krueger noted, glancing at the locks.

König cleared his throat. “If we get too loud, we’ll be careful.”

Nikto considered briefly, then nodded. “We think this will work.”

You smiled. “Alright.”

You didn’t know it yet, but this simple decision was about to make your life far livelier than before.