Apocalypse Architect: A Tower Defense LitRPG

Chapter 84: The Apology

Sawyer wasn’t about to let his own guests poach talent right from under his nose.

He had caught the subtle implication in Jax’s earlier deflection—that Jax viewed himself merely as an independent contractor, a simple Awakened with no heavy strings attached. Sawyer needed to change that dynamic, and fast.

“Ahem! Jax,” Sawyer interrupted, stepping between Jax and Director Kaine. “Joining the Helios Syndicate’s Design Department is a massive commitment. You don’t need to rush into corporate slavery. Actually… I’ve had a different idea for a while now.”

Sawyer reached into his tailored suit pocket, pulled out a heavy, ornate brass key, and pressed it into Jax’s hand.

“Jax, your performance recently has been nothing short of a revelation. And, well, I’ve grown quite fond of you as a person.” Sawyer paused, realizing how that sounded, and hastily added, “Ahem! Not in that way! Don’t misunderstand!”

Jax stared at the man, a dark line virtually appearing on his forehead. Please, stop explaining. You’re making it worse. With the R&D heads watching? How am I supposed to maintain my reputation as a cold-blooded survivor?

Sawyer ignored the awkwardness, gripping Jax’s shoulder with intense gravity. “This thought has been weighing on me. Jax, there’s no time like the present. Why don’t we become sworn blood brothers? From this day forth, if I eat meat, you won’t be left drinking soup. As long as I have wealth and glory, I will never let you suffer!”

The room went silent.

Director Kaine and Dr. Aris stood frozen, jaws practically hitting the floor.

What the hell? Kaine thought. Sworn brothers? Is this a triad drama?

He’s actually pulling the blood-oath card just to keep this kid out of Headquarters? Aris marveled. That is desperation.

Jax, however, let out a microscopic sigh of relief. Oh, thank god. He just wants a political alliance. I thought he was actually hitting on me.

Seeing Jax’s shoulders relax, Sawyer pressed his advantage. “Jax, what do you say?”

“Uh…” Jax scratched the back of his head, feigning humility. “Brother Sawyer, let’s put a pin in that. Look at me. I’m just a refugee from the slums. I’m not worthy of being the brother of a Helios Syndicate executive. It would tarnish your image.”

“Nonsense!” Sawyer boomed, his eyes shimmering with orchestrated emotion. “Who cares about status? As long as I’m breathing, anyone who dares gossip about my brother gets buried!”

The performance was Oscar-worthy. If Jax didn’t know better, he might have been moved to tears.

But Jax knew exactly what this was. It was a golden handcuff. Sawyer was terrified that if Jax went to the main branch, he’d lose his leverage. He wanted to lock Jax down with an archaic oath of loyalty.

Jax had no intention of accepting. Sworn brotherhoods in this world usually came with the line: “We do not seek to be born on the same day, but we seek to die on the same day.”

Yeah, no thanks, Jax thought. I have a System. I have a shot at immortality. I’m not signing a suicide pact with a guy whose life expectancy drops every time his brother wakes up with a hangover.

The Helios Syndicate was a snake pit. Tying himself to Sawyer meant tying himself to Sawyer’s enemies. If the family erupted into civil war, Jax would be nothing more than a sacrificial pawn on Sawyer’s chessboard.

“Brother Sawyer,” Jax said, his smile polite but firm. “You honor me too much. Truly. But I’m not ready for that kind of weight. Let’s keep things simple for now.”

Sawyer’s face fell, genuine disappointment cracking his mask.

Director Kaine and Dr. Aris exchanged a look. A flicker of satisfaction passed between them.

“Haha!” Kaine laughed, stepping forward. “A wise man knows when to yield! Young man, you’re smarter than you look. You’ll be glad you dodged that bullet.”

Dr. Aris, though still stinging from the earlier humiliation, couldn’t deny the brilliance he’d seen in the blueprints. This kid wasn’t just a mechanic; he understood energy matrix theory better than most tenured professors.

“Indeed,” Aris chimed in, eager to pivot. “You made the right choice. Join the Helios Syndicate Design Department, and you’ll have resources you can’t imagine. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to elevate your status permanently.”

Sawyer’s face turned a shade of beet red. He looked ready to explode, but the hierarchy kept him silent. He couldn’t openly defy a Director from HQ.

But then, Jax threw a curveball.

“Director Kaine, Dr. Aris,” Jax said, his voice confused. “What are you talking about? When did I say I wanted to join the Design Department?”

Kaine’s laughter died in his throat. “Excuse me? You just refused Sawyer. That means…”

“It means I like things the way they are,” Jax interrupted smoothly. “I’m happy with my current status. Being friends with Sawyer is enough for me. As for the Design Department? Sorry. I have no intention of becoming a nine-to-five corporate drone.”

Sawyer’s heart did a magnificent somersault—plummeting into the abyss before rocketing back into the stratosphere.

He refused them.

Sawyer looked at Jax, seeing the calm reassurance in his eyes. He’s not defecting. He’s staying independent… but he’s staying with me.

Sawyer let out a long, shuddering breath, his grin returning with a vengeance.

“Hah! See, Director Kaine? I told you! Jax is a man of independent spirit. He doesn’t care about your office politics!”

Sawyer didn’t give them a chance to recover. He waved his hand toward the door. “Well, look at the time. It’s late, and my doctor says I need my beauty sleep. I won’t keep you.”

He was issuing a direct eviction notice.

Director Kaine’s expression soured. His poaching attempt had failed spectacularly. But as a representative of the main branch, he had to maintain decorum.

“Ahem. Very well,” Kaine said stiffly, adjusting his cuffs. “If Brother Jax isn’t interested, we won’t force it. But the offer stands. If you ever change your mind, my door is open.”

“Don’t worry about him,” Sawyer interjected, physically steering them toward the exit. “As his friend, I’ll make sure he’s well taken care of.”

Dr. Aris, however, dug his heels in. He looked at Jax, his face a mixture of embarrassment and desperation.

“Wait,” Aris stammered. “Actually… there’s one more thing. This morning… you said my blueprints had fatal flaws. I… I need to know. Where exactly did I go wrong? Could you please enlighten me?”

Jax looked at the arrogant engineer, now humbled and begging, and let out a short, cold chuckle.

“Oh, that?” Jax waved a hand dismissively. “Forget it. I was just talking trash because I was annoyed. What do I know about high-level engineering? I just got lucky with my own designs. Sorry to waste your time.”

Aris turned pale.

If Jax had said this twelve hours ago, Aris would have sneered and walked away. But after watching his Penetrator Ballista fail exactly as predicted—and seeing Jax’s genius energy conversion schematics—Aris knew better.

This wasn’t luck. This kid saw things Aris couldn’t.

Aris swallowed his pride. It tasted like ash, but he forced it down.

“Brother Jax,” Aris said, bowing his head low. “Please. I apologize for my behavior this morning. I was blind. I failed to recognize Mount Tai standing right in front of me. I offended you, and for that, I am truly sorry.”

Jax watched him for a moment. He had pushed the man enough. If he pushed any harder, Aris might snap or give up, and Jax needed this connection to get to the Eldest Scion.

“Ahem,” Jax said, his tone softening just a fraction. “Just kidding. I’m no master, but I do know a thing or two about structural instability.”

Hope flared in Aris’s eyes. “Really? That’s—that’s wonderful! Please, teach me!”

Director Kaine also leaned in, sensing a breakthrough.

Jax held up a hand, stopping them. A calculated smile played on his lips.

“I can tell you how to fix your tower,” Jax said slowly. “But…”

Aris and Kaine weren’t idiots. They heard the “but” loud and clear.

“Brother Jax, speak freely!” Kaine said instantly. “Name your price. If it’s within our power, it’s yours.”