Chapter 85: I’m Back

Jax nodded, a satisfied glint in his eyes.

“Done,” he said, setting his teacup down with a sharp clink. “Since you’re so eager to learn, I can help you. But fair warning: my consultation fee isn’t cheap. I have a… specific request.”

Director Kaine leaned forward, smelling blood in the water. “Please, enlighten us. The Helios Syndicate is known for its generosity.”

Jax didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at Sawyer.

It was a subtle cue, but Sawyer picked up on it instantly. Jax was protecting himself. His request—infiltrating Redrock Bastion to extract a civilian—was sensitive. If Jax voiced it directly, he would be handing Kaine leverage, exposing his emotional “Achilles’ heel.”

By deferring to Sawyer, Jax was positioning the younger scion as his agent, his voice. It reinforced their alliance and kept Kaine from thinking he could bypass Sawyer to get to Jax.

Sawyer cleared his throat, stepping into the role of the power broker.

“Gentlemen, it’s a minor personal matter,” Sawyer said smoothly, waving a hand. “As you know, I prefer the quiet life out here in the Villa District. I rarely venture into the city. However, Brother Jax needs to get someone into Redrock Bastion. Safely. And perhaps… acquire some official status for them.”

Kaine frowned, his corporate mind racing. “Identity issues? Is this person a fugitive? Do they have enemies?”

Sawyer stood up, buttoning his jacket. “Ahem! Director Kaine, the walls have ears. Why don’t you join me in my study? I recently acquired a few pre-war antiques that could use an expert’s eye. I’d value your appraisal.”

It was the oldest code in the book: Let’s go cut a deal in private.

Kaine stood immediately. “Of course. I’d be delighted to appraise your… treasures. Lead the way, Young Master.”

As the heavy oak doors of the study closed behind them, the living room fell silent.

Jax sat back, sipping his tea, his gaze drifting lazily to Dr. Aris.

The Chief Engineer looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole. Only hours ago, he had been a god looking down on a mortal. Now, he was a student waiting for the teacher’s ruler to crack his knuckles. The power dynamic had flipped so violently it gave him whiplash.

Aris fidgeted, unable to bear the silence.

“Ahem. Brother Jax,” Aris ventured, his voice tight. “I must ask… where did you study energy matrix theory? Who was your Master? I’ve been in this circle for thirty years, yet I’ve never heard your name.”

Jax chuckled softly. “I don’t like studying. I just picked it up to kill time.”

Aris froze. He felt a phantom urge to vomit blood.

To kill time?!

He had spent decades grinding through academies, kissing up to mentors, and burning the midnight oil to reach his position. And this kid claimed he mastered advanced structural dynamics because he was bored?

“Hah… haha,” Aris forced a laugh that sounded like dry leaves crunching. “You… you truly are gifted, Brother Jax. You realize, of course, that your design could revolutionize the power systems of every Defense Tower in the region?”

Jax paused. He hadn’t actually considered the wider implications. To him, the blueprints were just System items.

But as he looked at Aris’s desperate face, a realization hit him. The identity of a “Genius Architect” was the perfect cover. It explained where his towers came from without revealing the System.

“Just a little trick,” Jax said nonchalantly. “But don’t get excited. I won’t let you use my tech for free.”

A word flashed in his mind: Patents.

But he couldn’t ask Aris directly. The old fox would lie to protect the Syndicate’s monopoly. Jax needed to be subtle.

“By the way,” Jax asked, feigning disinterest. “Your Penetrator Ballista… did you patent the core components?”

Aris shook his head bitterly. “How could I? The components rely on licensed tech from the Defense Tower R&D Headquarters. I don’t have the rights. All the real IP belongs to the central database.”

Jax smiled behind his cup. “I see. Well, never say never.”

While maintaining his poker face, Jax fired a thought at his internal interface.

System. My blueprints are obviously superior. Do the Tier 2 Defense Tower blueprints use different core components than the Tier 1s?

[System Notification]

affirmative. High-Tier Defense Tower Blueprints utilize advanced manufacturing methods and unique core components distinct from lower tiers.

System, does this mean if I learn the principles, I can design my own towers? Without buying them from the System Store?

[System Notification]

Correct. The User is encouraged to explore independent architectural development.

Jax’s heart hammered against his ribs.

This was a game-changer. Currently, he was throttled by the System’s currency and material costs. He was dependent on drops and missions. But if he could reverse-engineer the principles… if he could build towers using raw materials from the wasteland… his growth potential was limitless.

The future is bright, Jax thought, suppressing a grin.

Just then, the study door opened. Sawyer and Kaine walked out, the tension gone, replaced by the hearty laughter of men who had just concluded a profitable transaction.

Sawyer walked up to Jax, beaming. “Brother, it’s done. We leave for Redrock Bastion tomorrow afternoon. Director Kaine has agreed to facilitate everything.”

Jax nodded, relief washing over him. “Thank you, Director Kaine.”

Kaine waved a hand magnanimously. “Think nothing of it! We are practically family now. Now… about that consultation? When can you take a look at our faulty tower?”

Jax stood up, setting his cup down. “No time like the present. Let’s go.”

Thirty minutes later, a convoy of luxury vehicles pulled up to the heavily fortified gate of the Defense Tower R&D Center.

This time, the reception was very different.

The security team snapped to attention, saluting the lead Mercedes. The Captain, the same man who had sneered at Jax earlier, stood rigid, trying to look professional for the General Manager.

But as the tinted window rolled down, the Captain’s eyes bulged.

Sitting in the back seat, next to the Director, was the “beggar” he had turned away.

“What the…” the Captain muttered. “How is that kid in the VIP car?”

“Driver, stop,” Jax said.

The car braked smoothly. Kaine looked confused but didn’t object.

Jax leaned out the window, locking eyes with the Captain. A slow, predatory smile spread across his face.

“We meet again,” Jax said. “Surprised?”

The Captain blinked, his brain short-circuiting. “You… how did you get in? Are you scamming the Director?”

Jax shrugged, turning to Kaine. “See, Director? Your staff has trust issues. Maybe I should just go home. I don’t want to cause trouble.”

Kaine’s face turned a violent shade of purple. He needed Jax. His career depended on fixing that tower before the competition.

“You idiot!” Kaine roared, leaning across Jax to scream at the guard. “Open your damn eyes! This is Architect Jax, a distinguished guest! Are you trying to ruin me?”

The Captain flinched as if struck. “Director, I—”

“Save it!” Kaine barked. “You’re demoted. Three months without pay. Hand your badge to your deputy immediately. If I hear one more word, you’ll be scrubbing latrines in the refugee sector!”

Then, Kaine turned to Jax, his face instantly transforming into a mask of fawning politeness. “Brother Jax, is this punishment sufficient?”

Jax looked at the Captain, whose face was pale with shock and fear.

“It’ll do,” Jax said coolly. “Let’s move. Time is money.”

The window rolled up, and the Mercedes glided through the gates, leaving the devastated Captain standing in the exhaust fumes.

Petty? Maybe, Jax thought as he watched the man slap himself in the rearview mirror.

But in the apocalypse, you didn’t turn the other cheek. You broke the hand that slapped you.

Inside the facility, Jax repeated the script. The soldier captain who had mocked him? Humiliated. The technicians who had rolled their eyes? Silenced.

Jax didn’t care about making enemies. He cared about sending a message.

If you bite me, I take the whole arm.