Apocalypse Architect: A Tower Defense LitRPG

Chapter 145: Assassination Operation

Over the next two days, the transformation of The Sprawl continued at a breakneck pace.

Jax had nearly depleted his stockpile of Energy Shards, infusing them into the mortar of the newly reinforced walls. The city was now a maze of defensive choke points.

“It’s done,” Sawyer announced, walking into the office with a final inspection report. “We finished a day ahead of schedule. The walls are solid.”

“The masons are efficient,” Jax nodded, pleased. “Now for Phase Two.”

Sawyer hesitated. “Are we really doing this? Blowing the walls wide open?”

“Yes,” Jax said firmly. “Opening the gates isn’t enough. The swarm will just bottle-neck. We need to demolish the perimeter entirely to flood the zone. We need to turn the city into a river, guiding the current straight toward Redrock Bastion.”

Sawyer sighed, looking at Jax with a mix of fear and admiration. “You have guts, brother. That’s a dangerous game.”

“High risk, high reward,” Jax smirked. “Get the explosives. Bury them at the structural weak points I marked. And keep it quiet—if the other families find out we’re blowing up their walls, they’ll riot.”

“Understood.”

Sawyer left to supervise the demolition preparations. He drove toward the deployment site, his mind racing with the enormity of what they were about to do.

Halfway there, he spotted a sleek black sedan parked in an alley.

“That car…” Sawyer frowned, slowing down. “That’s a Redrock license plate. Central District.”

Hope flared in his chest. Did the family finally send help?

He parked his car and approached on foot. But as the door of the sedan opened, his hope turned to ice.

A man stepped out, flanked by elite Awakened bodyguards. He wore an immaculate suit and a sneer of absolute arrogance.

Slade.

Sawyer froze, shrinking back into the shadows. Why is he here?

He watched as Slade’s bodyguards dragged a group of prisoners into the alley. At the front was Director Qin, looking battered and furious.

“What is the meaning of this?” Qin shouted, struggling against his captors.

Slade smiled, walking up to the old man. “Director Qin. Long time no see. I thought you’d be dead by now.”

“You bastard!” Qin spat. “Get out of my city!”

Slade’s smile vanished. He nodded to a bodyguard, who backhanded Qin across the face. The blow was brutal, knocking teeth loose.

“Watch your tone, old man,” Slade hissed. “We gave you a job: die quietly. But instead, you’re fighting back. You’re ruining the harvest.”

“We know your plan!” Qin wheezed, spitting blood. “You want us to weaken the swarm so you can swoop in and take the Cores! We won’t be your cannon fodder!”

“You don’t have a choice,” Slade laughed. “But you’re right about one thing—someone is helping you. Where is Jax?”

Qin glared at him silently.

Suddenly, another of Slade’s men ran up, dragging a wounded comrade.

“Young Master!” the man reported, panting. “We found Jax! But he has two powerful female Awakened with him. They cut down our scout team.”

Slade’s face twisted in rage. “Useless! A dozen of you against two women? Kill him! Send everyone! I want his head!”

Sawyer, hiding behind a dumpster, felt his blood run cold.

They’re here to assassinate Jax.

He scrambled back to his car, his hands shaking as he fumbled with the keys. I have to warn him. If Jax dies, the city falls.

At the villa, the mood was grim.

Two dead assassins lay on the floor of Jax’s office. Elena stood over them, her face pale but determined.

“They’re Redrock agents,” she said, wiping blood from her knife. “Tier 2 Awakened. They’re here to stop the plan.”

Raven cleaned her blade, looking out the window. “There will be more. We need to move.”

Jax stood up, his expression hardening.

“They want to stop us?” Jax said coldly. “Fine. We speed up the timeline. We trigger the demolition now.”

“Now?” Elena asked. “But the evacuation isn’t complete!”

“We don’t have a choice,” Jax said. “Pack your gear. We’re leaving.”

He led the women toward the back exit. Just as they slipped into the garden, headlights swept across the front gate.

A convoy of black SUVs screeched to a halt. Dozens of men in tactical gear poured out, surrounding the villa.

“Perimeter secure!” a voice shouted. “No survivors! Kill them all!”