Apocalypse Architect: A Tower Defense LitRPG

Chapter 95: You Must Help Me

“Forget it,” Jax interrupted immediately. “If it’s a secret, keep it to yourself.”

Raven chuckled. “What’s this? Not even a little curious?”

“Curiosity gets people killed. I don’t want to be dragged into your mess.”

“Hahaha! You’re actually quite funny,” Raven laughed.

She reached out and flipped the switch for the main overhead lights. The sudden illumination flooded the room.

For the first time, Jax got a clear look at her. At some point, she had washed away the makeup, revealing her true face. She was undeniably stunning—a natural beauty that blended bewitching charm with a trace of innocent softness.

“I’m actually a member of the Awakened Guild,” she said softly, watching Jax as he finished pulling his clothes back on.

Jax froze. “What did you say? You’re with the Guild? But you just said the people hunting you are the Guild. What the hell did you do to make your own people turn on you?”

It didn’t add up. Jax wasn’t an insider, but the public perception of the Awakened Guild was generally positive.

“Heh. The Guild?” Raven’s lip curled. “You think too highly of them. Those people are vampires. They expect you to offer up every ounce of your ability for their benefit.”

Jax scratched his head. “That doesn’t sound right. The rumors I’ve heard are completely different.”

“That’s because you’ve never been on the inside,” Raven said, her expression darkening. “I wish I had never joined.”

A flicker of desolation and helplessness crossed her face. She sat down in front of Jax and propped her chin in her hands, staring up at him. “I don’t even know where I can go now.”

Jax frowned. “Uh… why do you keep staring at me like that? Look, I have nothing to do with this. Also, you almost got me killed last time. I haven’t even settled that score with you yet.”

Raven sat up straight. “What do you mean? I almost killed you? Please, that was Butch! And didn’t you kill him? How did you even survive that, anyway? We saw you surrounded by Rodent-Maw Creepers.”

She eyed him suspiciously.

Jax had no intention of explaining himself. They were chance acquaintances at best, and he certainly didn’t trust her.

“Cough, let’s drop the past,” Jax deflected. “What’s your plan? How do you intend to escape?”

Raven sighed, her head drooping until it rested against Jax’s shoulder. “I’m homeless. There’s nowhere safe for me.”

Jax gently pushed her head away. “Oh. I was just asking out of politeness. Anyway, I have things to do. I’m leaving.”

He turned to go.

“Hmph! You’re just going to leave me?” Raven snapped. “Like it or not, we’re grasshoppers tied to the same rope now!”

“Whoa, hold on,” Jax raised his hands. “Who is tied to whom? I’m just a lowly employee here. Don’t drag me into your delusions.”

“Tch! Look at you, so scared,” she scoffed. “Fine. I do have a place to go, but it’s far, and I can’t leave yet. I need to assimilate this serum first.”

She reached into her shirt and pulled out a small vial containing a gray liquid.

“You’re really going to use that?” Jax asked.

Raven nodded, her gaze fixed on the vial. “Tell me, have you ever met a Dual Awakened?”

“Dual…?”

“Exactly. During the heavy rains a few days ago, I underwent a second Awakening. A mental-type ability.”

As she spoke, she gently tossed the vial into the air. Her eyes flashed with a crimson light.

The vial didn’t fall. It hovered in mid-air.

Jax’s eyes widened. “I didn’t think I’d actually meet a Dual Awakened in person…”

“You think it’s a gift? You’re wrong,” Raven said bitterly. “Dual Awakened are targets. Unless you have absolute strength, you’re just prey. You don’t understand the danger.”

She turned her gaze back to him. “Help me. Just find me a place to lay low for a bit.”

“Sister, please,” Jax backed away. “You are a walking disaster zone. Helping you is literally asking for death.”

“Hmph! You’re here for a reason, aren’t you?” Raven grabbed Jax by the collar, pulling him down until their faces were less than two centimeters apart. “Believe it or not, I’ll expose you right now. You must help me.”

Jax could smell the faint fragrance of her skin. “Cough! How am I supposed to help? You probably can’t even leave this floor.”

“It doesn’t matter. I have a plan,” she whispered. “Finish whatever business you have, then come back for me.”

Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the corridor outside. Jax reacted, lunging to switch off the lights.

“Hide!”

Before he could even finish, a familiar voice drifted through the door.

“Honestly, that Jax! He’s a grown man, yet he disappears without a word! We can’t even get a full table for mahjong. So annoying!”

A meeker voice replied, “Let’s just find him quickly. Sister Hazel said she found the VIP he was looking for. We need to tell him immediately. Come on, let’s check up ahead.”

Jax’s heart skipped a beat.

“Holy shit,” Jax whispered. “They found her?”

He moved to the door, but Raven grabbed his arm. “What’s wrong? You’re looking for someone?”

Jax looked at her, then nodded. “Yes. Someone very important.”

“Girlfriend? Fiancée?”

“No,” Jax shook his head. “My lifesaver.”

“A woman?”

“Uh… yes.”

Raven stared at him, then grinned. “Haha! I didn’t expect you to be the loyal, righteous type. Looks like I picked the right person to ask for help. Don’t worry—if you help me, I owe you one. Just say the word.”

Jax glanced at her. “You help me? Forget it. Just pray for your own safety and figure out how to get out of here. I’m gone. I’ll come back for you once I’ve handled this.”

Jax opened the door and stepped out, almost colliding with the makeup artist and the fussy man in the hallway.

They froze, staring at Jax emerging from a darkened guest room.

“Whoa, Jax! We’ve been looking everywhere for you, and you were hiding in here?” The fussy man leaned in. “Hey, you haven’t been snagged by some rich sugar mommy, have you? How is your luck so good?”

Jax coughed awkwardly. “Drop it. Just a friend. Let’s go.”

He pulled the door shut and turned to the makeup artist. “You said Hazel is looking for me? What’s the news?”

The makeup artist nodded. “Right, right! Sister Hazel said the person named Tang… Tang…”

“Elena!”

“Yes, that’s her! Sister Hazel said Miss Tang is in danger. She wants you to go to this room immediately to pick something up. Oh, and she said to prepare as many Credits as you can.”

Jax felt a chill. He snatched the key card from the man’s hand.

“Thanks! I’m going now. I’ll play mahjong with you guys another day!”

He glanced at the number on the card.

Room 508.

Without a second thought, Jax sprinted toward the elevator.

Inside Room 508, the lights were on. On the coffee table sat a VIP card for the Auction House.

Jax immediately understood.

Since he had been barred from the backstage area on the ninth floor, the only way to reach her was to enter as a VIP bidder.

Hazel asking him to bring money and giving him this card meant she was providing him the access he needed.

Jax didn’t hesitate. He stripped off his staff uniform. Clutching the VIP card, he rushed back to the elevator.

He hit the button for the ninth floor. As the doors slid open, Jax found himself face-to-face with a squad of security guards.