Apocalypse Architect: A Tower Defense LitRPG

Chapter 94:Encountering Raven

Jax ignored the fop’s indignant whining and strode toward the corner,leaving the others to head for the eighth-floor lounge.

As he walked,his eyes scanned the surroundings,taking in every detail.The eighth floor was essentially a service level for the VIP suites on the ninth,its corridors lined with luxurious private rooms that screamed exclusivity.

Suddenly,he stopped.

Fresh blood spattered the carpet ahead.Jax lowered his head,eyes narrowing.The crimson droplets hadn’t oxidized yet;they were bright,wet,and glistening.Someone had been bleeding here very recently.

His gaze traced the trail.It led directly to the door of the room right beside him—Room 808.

“Someone died in there?”Jax muttered,glancing up at the gold-plated room number.”Room 808…that’s a high-roller suite.”

Cautiously,he placed a hand on the handle and applied gentle downward pressure.He expected it to be locked,intending only to test the mechanism,but the latch clicked silently.The door swung inward.

“Seriously?Unlocked?”

The moment the seal broke,the metallic tang of iron assaulted his senses.It was thick,cloying,and unmistakable.

Jax didn’t step in immediately.He peered through the crack,using the spill of light from the corridor to illuminate the gloom.The room inside was pitch black,stripped of all power,but the hallway light revealed enough:bodies.Everywhere.They lay in grotesque heaps,limbs tangled in the shadows.

Jax stiffened.What the hell happened here?

Just inside the door,a man lay propped against the wall.A dagger was buried hilt-deep in his stomach,his hands still wrapped feebly around the handle.

Fuck this.I need to leave.Now.

A chill crawled down Jax’s spine.He had nerves of steel,but walking into a fresh massacre wasn’t on his agenda for the night.He hadn’t even had dinner yet.

He gripped the handle to pull the door shut when a weak,gurgling sound stopped him.

“Save…save me…”

Jax froze.His heart hammered against his ribs as he looked down.The man with the dagger in his gut was staring right at him,a blood-slicked hand reaching out,trembling as it pointed at Jax’s face.

“Help…me…”

Help him?Jax didn’t even know who he was.

“Uh…I’ll call the cops for you,”Jax whispered,backing away.”You just…rest in peace.Or,you know,just rest.”

He turned to bolt,but a glint of metal in the dying man’s pocket caught his eye.It was a familiar token—the same insignia Vance carried.

The Awaken Guild.

Jax sucked in a cold breath.All these corpses…they’re all Awaken?

He turned back to the gap in the door,his curiosity warring with his survival instinct.”You’re an Awaken?”

The man nodded weakly,hope flickering in his glazing eyes.

“What are you guys doing here?”

The man shook his head,lips sealed.

“Fine.Keep your secrets,”Jax said,stepping back.”I’m out.”

Seeing his only lifeline retreating,the man’s desperation surged.He stretched his hand further,fingers clawing at the air.”Brother…wait…this matter…knowing about it does you no good…”

Jax scoffed softly.”So,let me get this straight.I’m already involved because I saw you.If I save you,are you just going to silence me later to keep this secret?”

The man opened his mouth to protest,but the sound of heavy,hurried footsteps echoed from the far end of the corridor.

Shit.Company.

Jax checked his watch,then looked back at the dying man.His mind raced.He’s seen my face.If he survives and tells the Guild I was here but didn’t help,I’m dead.If I help him,I’m implicated.

There was only one loose end here.

Jax slipped through the crack,entering the room.

The dying man’s eyes lit up with tears of gratitude.He mistook Jax’s return for mercy.”Brother…thank you!You’re a good man…I…I have Cores in my pocket…just pull the knife out…I can heal the rest…”

Jax knelt beside him,his expression unreadable in the shadows.”Let go of the handle first.I can’t get a grip.”

Trusting him completely,the man released the dagger,his breathing ragged.

Jax gripped the hilt.But instead of pulling it out,he drove it in—hard.He twisted the blade,severing the last thread of life.

“You—”The man’s eyes bulged in betrayal.

“Sorry,”Jax whispered,his voice devoid of warmth.”I’m just a heartless machine.”

The man’s head lolled to the side.Dead.

“He mentioned Cores,”Jax muttered,wasting no time on sentiment.He rifled through the dead man’s bloody pockets.

“Jackpot.Tier 2 Cores.”He pocketed the glowing crystals,a grim smile touching his lips.”At least the trip wasn’t a total waste.”

He slipped back into the corridor,closed the door softly,and sprinted back the way he came.

Minutes later,the footsteps behind him grew louder.Jax ducked into an empty guest room,pressing his back against the door,heart racing.He held his breath,listening.

“Grab her!Don’t let her escape!”A gruff voice shouted from the hallway.

The chaotic clatter of boots mixed with the sharp,rapid click of high heels.The rhythm was frantic—someone was running for her life.

High heels?Is that Raven?

Before he could process the thought,the door behind him was shoved open with terrifying force.

A figure blurred into the room,and the door slammed shut instantly.

“Close one,”a female voice panted.”Hope they didn’t see me.”

In the pitch darkness of the unlit room,Jax felt a soft,feminine form press against his chest.The scent of perfume mixed with sweat filled his nose.

“Ahem,”Jax whispered,trying to sound casual.”Raven,I presume?”

He underestimated the reflexes of a cornered predator.

Shing!

A cold wind swept past him as the figure leaped back.In the blink of an eye,steel pressed against his throat.

“Who are you?”Her voice was ice-cold,the blade digging into his skin.

Jax threw his hands up in surrender.”Whoa,easy!It’s me,Jax!We’ve met!”

A beam of light cut through the dark.Raven held a Flashlight in one hand,her katana in the other.The beam blinded him for a second before settling on his face.

“It really is you,”she said,lowering the light but not the sword.”What are you doing here?”Her eyes narrowed as she took in his attire.”And when did you become a waiter?”

“Look,beauty,”Jax said,eyeing the razor-sharp edge at his jugular.”We can catch up,but can you move the sword first?It’s bad for my complexion.”

Raven didn’t budge.She stepped closer,the blade chill against his neck,a dangerous smile playing on her lips.”Give me one reason why I shouldn’t slice your head off right now.”

Jax forced a bitter laugh.”Point taken.But seriously,put it away.How did you end up here?”

Raven studied him for a second longer,then sheathed the katana with a fluid motion.”The auction.But how did you know I was here?”

Jax pointed toward the ceiling.”I’m working as the auctioneer’s assistant.I saw you from the stage.You bought the Wither Serum,right?”

“Yeah.Sharp eyes,”she admitted,leaning against the wall.”If I knew you were here,I wouldn’t have gone to such trouble…”

Thud.Thud.Thud.

Heavy boots stopped right outside their door.

“Dammit!Lost her again!”a man roared.”Useless trash,the lot of you!Split up and check every room!”

Raven’s eyes went wide.She instantly pressed herself against the wall next to the door,hand gripping the hilt of her blade,muscles coiled to strike the moment the door opened.

Jax grabbed her wrist,shaking his head.He put a finger to his lips and pointed at the wardrobe in the corner.

Hide,he mouthed.I’ll handle this.

Raven hesitated for a fraction of a second,then nodded and vanished silently into the closet.

Jax immediately began stripping.Jacket,shirt,pants—off they went,tossed haphazardly onto the floor.

Seconds later,the door handle turned.The door was kicked open violently.

“Hey!”Jax screamed,clutching his chest and covering his boxers like a scandalized maiden.

Three men in dark suits barged in,weapons drawn.They paused,staring at the half-naked waiter standing by the bed.

“What the hell?Who are you people?!”Jax yelled,his voice cracking with feigned outrage.He grabbed the room telephone,brandishing it like a weapon.”I’m calling management!You can’t just barge into a VIP suite!Do you know who I serve?”

The lead pursuer lowered his weapon slightly,scanning the room.”You alone in here?”

“Am I alone?Look around!I was about to change!”Jax snarled,puffing out his chest.”And who are you to interrogate me?I want names!”

The men exchanged glances.The room was clearly empty save for the indignant staff member.

“Let’s go,”the leader grunted.They backed out without another word.

Jax didn’t move.He stood there,shivering slightly in his underwear,until he heard their footsteps fade completely down the hall.He crept to the door,pressed his ear against the wood,and waited another full minute.Finally,he locked the deadbolt.

“Coast is clear,”he exhaled,sitting on the bed to pull his pants back on.”You can come out now.”

The wardrobe door creaked open.Raven stepped out,her gaze landing on Jax’s semi-nude state.Her cheeks flushed a distinct shade of crimson.

“What…what exactly are you doing?”she asked,averting her eyes.

“Saving your life,”Jax said,buttoning his shirt with calm efficiency.”If I hadn’t played the indignant guest fresh out of the shower,they would have torn this room apart.”

Raven looked at him,the embarrassment fading into genuine appreciation.”I…Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it,”Jax said,smoothing his collar.”So,why the hit squad?Is this about the Wither Serum?”

Raven’s expression darkened.She nodded.”Yes.Those men are from the Awaken Guild.They found out who I am.”