Jax nodded, satisfied.
"Good. Since we’re on the same page, there is actually a small matter I need assistance with."
Director Kaine’s interest piqued instantly. "Please, elaborate."
Jax didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he cast a meaningful glance at Sawyer. The heir of the Helios Syndicate caught the signal instantly.
The request was sensitive. If Jax voiced it himself, it might expose a vulnerability or give Kaine undue leverage. He didn't know enough about the inner workings of the Helios Syndicate or Kaine’s faction to risk showing his hand.
By deferring to Sawyer, Jax was making a power move. He was positioning Sawyer as his spokesperson—his "Face." This would allow Jax to remain the mysterious, dominant figure while simultaneously boosting Sawyer’s status. It signaled to Kaine: If you want to get to the Architect, you go through the Syndicate.
Sawyer cleared her throat, stepping into the role effortlessly. "Gentlemen, it’s a trivial matter, really. But as you know, I rarely visit Redrock Bastion; I’ve grown accustomed to life out here. However, my brother Jax needs to arrange entry for someone into the Bastion. Permanent residency would be even better."
Kaine frowned thoughtfully, his eyes flicking to Jax. " Is there an issue with their background? Someone with... complications? Enemies?"
Sawyer stood up abruptly, cutting off that line of questioning. She offered Kaine a knowing smile. "Ahem! Manager Kaine, the walls have ears. Why don’t you join me in the study? I’ve recently acquired some rare artifacts and I’d value your expert appraisal."
Kaine understood the code immediately—a private negotiation, likely involving a sweetener. He nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! Lead the way, Young Master Sawyer."
The two men exited, leaving the room silent.
Jax sat back, nursing his tea, his gaze drifting lazily to Dr. Aris across the table.
Dr. Aris looked like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole. Just this morning, he had looked down his nose at Jax, treating him like a common scavenger. Now, the tables had turned so violently that he was struggling to process the whiplash.
After a long, suffocating silence, Aris finally managed to speak, his voice strained.
"Ahem... Architect Jax. I must ask... under whom did you study? Your design philosophy is unlike anything I’ve seen in the circle. Why haven't we heard of you before?"
Jax smiled faintly, swirling the tea in his cup. "I don’t care much for the academic circles. I just picked it up to kill time."
Dr. Aris felt a distinct urge to cough up blood.
I spent decades studying structural dynamics and energy matrices, he screamed internally. And you claim this god-tier engineering is just a hobby? Can you stop pretending for one second?
Forcing a dry, hollow laugh, Dr. Aris tried again. "Hah... Brother Jax is truly gifted. You realize, of course, that your modifications could revolutionize the power systems of every Defense Tower currently in operation?"
Jax paused, genuinely surprised. Revolutionize?
He hadn't considered the wider implications. To him, interpreting the blueprints was second nature, but only because the System translated the complex runic data into something his brain could process. Without the System, those blueprints would be indecipherable gibberish.
However, the persona of a genius "Tower Architect" was the perfect cover for the mysterious origins of his personal fortress.
"It's a small improvement," Jax said with false modesty. "But let’s be clear—I won't be handing over this technology for free."
A specific term flashed in his mind. Intellectual Property.
He needed to be careful. He couldn't just ask, "Hey, how do patents work?" That would reveal his ignorance. He needed to probe.
"By the way," Jax asked casually, "have you not patented the core components of your current Defense Towers?"
Aris shook his head with a bitter smile. "How could we? The technology we use... it's all licensed. The patents are held tightly by the Defense Tower R&D Headquarters. We mere branch engineers don't have the capacity to file for original patents."
Jax nodded slowly. "I see. Well, perhaps that will change in the future."
He took a sip of tea, masking his internal dialogue as he pinged the interface in his mind.
System, my blueprints are obviously advanced. Does this mean the core components for Tier 2 Defense Towers are significantly different from Tier 1?
[Affirmative, User. Higher-tier Defense Tower blueprints utilize advanced arcane geometry and distinct manufacturing methods for their core components.]
Perfect, Jax thought, his pulse quickening. Does this mean I can eventually manufacture my own Defense Towers without relying on the System's instant-construction menu?
[The User is free to explore manual construction methods based on the provided blueprints.]
Jax suppressed a grin. This was a game-changer.
Currently, expanding his fortress was a grind. He was bottlenecked by specific mission rewards and the slow trickle of resources from the Extraction Well. But if he could learn to physically manufacture the towers using raw materials and local labor... his growth potential would be limitless.
The future was looking bright.
Just then, the heavy oak doors of the study swung open. Sawyer and Director Kaine emerged, laughter booming between them.
Sawyer walked straight to Jax, beaming. "Brother, it's done! You head to Redrock Bastion tomorrow afternoon. Manager Kaine has agreed to handle all the paperwork personally."
Jax felt a wave of relief but kept his expression cool. He nodded at Kaine. "Much obliged, Manager Kaine."
"Don't mention it!" Kaine waved his hand dismissively, clearly happy with whatever 'appraisal' had taken place in the study. "It’s fate that brought us together! Now... since we’re all in good spirits, perhaps you could spare a moment to diagnose the critical issues with the Penetrator Ballista?"
"No problem," Jax stood up, brushing off his coat. "I have time. Let's go now."
A short while later, Jax sat in the back of Director Kaine’s luxury Mercedes as it pulled up to the Defense Tower R&D Center.
This arrival was starkly different from his last visit.
At the main gate, the security team snapped to attention, saluting the General Manager’s vehicle. The Security Captain stood rigid, eyes forward.
But as the car slowed, the Captain’s eyes drifted to the back seat. When he recognized the passenger, his jaw practically unhinged.
What the hell? The Captain’s mind raced. That kid? The one I kicked out? Why is he riding with the General Manager?
"Driver, stop," Jax said calmly. "I need a word with the Captain."
The driver braked instantly. Kaine looked confused but didn't intervene.
The window rolled down with a smooth electric hum. Jax leaned out, resting his arm on the door, and smiled at the pale-faced officer.
"Didn't expect to see me again so soon, did you?"
The Captain blinked, trying to regain his composure. "You... how did you get in here? You... you conned your way in, didn't you?"
Jax shrugged, turning his head back toward the interior of the car. "Manager Kaine, look at this. Your people still think I'm a fraud. Maybe I should just head back to the wasteland."
Kaine’s face went red with fury. He couldn't afford to lose Jax now—not when his promotion depended on fixing the towers. He leaned across Jax and roared out the window.
"Are you blind?! This is Architect Jax! Wipe your damn dog eyes clean and show some respect!"
"No, no, it's fine," Jax interrupted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "He's just a creature of habit. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, right? Besides, he's a Captain. I'm just a nobody. I can't afford to offend such a big shot."
Kaine’s eye twitched. He knew exactly what Jax was doing. Jax was the VIP now, and he was demanding a sacrifice.
Kaine glared at the trembling Captain. "You're suspended. Three months without pay. Go home and reflect on your stupidity! Hand your badge to your deputy immediately. And if I hear one more complaint about your attitude, I’ll strip you of your rank and toss you out the gate myself!"
Then, Kaine’s face instantly shifted into an ingratiating smile as he turned back to Jax. "Brother Jax, is this satisfactory?"
Jax leaned back into the plush leather seat. "It's barely acceptable. But fine, let's go. We're burning daylight."
The window rolled up, and the car glided through the gates, leaving the Security Captain standing in the dust, stunned and unpaid.
As the taillights disappeared around the corner, the Captain slapped himself across the face, the sound echoing in the quiet courtyard.
"Why the hell did I open my mouth? I really am a cheap wretch!"
Inside the compound, Jax didn't stop there. As they moved through the facility, he repeated the script. The soldier captain, the rude clerks—anyone who had sneered at him earlier was systematically pointed out to Kaine.
Jax didn't care about making enemies. In this world, power was the only currency that mattered. And when it came to revenge, Jax didn't believe in waiting. He served it hot, fast, and publicly.
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