My Tribrid System: More than a Monster

Chapter 134

Ray and Kai separated, each heading toward their respective Aspect classes.

On the way, Ray found himself replaying the images of those armored guards surrounding the faction leader.

’Hm. I wonder how powerful they actually are. If they are elite meta-humans, it implies they are both formidable and highly trusted to be guarding a man of his stature.’

With a dismissive shrug, he reached the weapons hall.

The session proceeded as usual, filled with occasional spars and tactical advice from the Captain.

Minutes stretched into hours, and before long, the Aspect class concluded.

It was time for their gear training, and Ray began dragging himself toward the practice grounds.

However, as he walked, he noticed his heart thumping with a rhythmic intensity that was far from normal.

’Huh? What is this?’ he mused inwardly, a deep frown creasing his forehead.

Reaching the edge of the field, he spotted the other Aspirants gathered on the grass.

Kai was already there, standing in his usual spot.

Normally, Van would be right beside the blonde youth, but today, the space was conspicuously empty.

That was completely unlike the tech-obsessed boy.

Something was wrong; Ray could feel it in his gut.

The sensation only intensified the moment his left eye began twitching uncontrollably.

He froze where he stood, his pulse racing at an excruciating rate.

’The last time my eye spasmed like this was right before the Aberrants attacked Wall Rose. What is happening? Is Van okay? Where the hell is he?’

****

Meanwhile, the very person Ray was worrying about had been occupied since right after breakfast.

Van had been summoned by Elysa to finalize their project, as today marked the official arrival of the faction leader.

Without a second thought, he had hurried to the lab, and they had worked tirelessly throughout the entire homeroom period.

They had completed the engine days ago; currently, their focus was entirely on the primary power source.

As he worked, a nagging doubt regarding the actual structure of the device began to plague Van’s mind.

’She hasn’t even shown me the blueprints for what we’ve spent so much time on. Neither has she bothered to let me see the chassis of the machine. So, what exactly are we building so earnestly? Why do I feel so uneasy about this?’ he wondered.

Van had always relied on his instincts, and he was prepared to do so again today.

While Elysa’s attention was momentarily diverted, he began swiftly assembling a piece of miniature tech using his ability.

Within moments, a tiny mechanical spider was scurrying across the table.

Linking it to his watch, he silently directed the drone under the workbench, where it remained hidden.

Just as he finished, Elysa turned back around.

They were finally done.

”Wow! Incredible work, Van. You truly are a monster when it comes to engineering,” Elysa praised him with a radiant smile, even going so far as to pat him affectionately on the head.

Van forced a smile in return.

”Well, I just did my best.” He paused for a heartbeat before adding,

”Do you need any help assembling the final body parts? I have plenty of spare time.”

Elysa shook her head vehemently, her smile never wavering.

”Oh, no. Don’t worry about that. I can handle the assembly alone. You should get back to your training. Even though your mind is sharp, you still need to maintain your physical strength.”

Van stared at her, a flicker of suspicion dancing in his eyes for a fleeting second.

But he quickly masked it with another smile.

”Alright, ma’am. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

”Sure, dear,” Elysa nodded.

With that, Van grabbed his backpack and exited the hall.

The woman waited for several minutes, and once she was certain she could no longer hear his receding footsteps, the warmth vanished from her face.

”Bleh... I feel like throwing up from having to maintain that facade,” she muttered, wrinkling her nose in pure frustration.

After taking a few calming breaths, she regained her composure.

”I need to hurry; he could be here at any moment.” She immediately got to work, moving with the efficiency of a storm as she arranged the components.

It took another two hours before she finally secured the contraption into the main body of the machine.

A genuine, triumphant smile appeared on her lips. ”Finally, it is finished.”

Just then, the distant sound of a commotion drifted in from outside.

”Oh. And right on time, too.”

****

Meanwhile, Van had already reached his private workshop and was currently logged into his terminal, which was now remotely connected to the mechanical spider hidden back in the tech lab.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t had much time to set up a complex rig, so he had simply configured the spider to act as a live audio transmitter.

He had missed the woman’s earlier solitary mutterings, but he was just in time to hear her whisper,

”Right on time.”

’It seems the guest has arrived.’

His fingers danced across the keyboard as he began a rapid search.

Within minutes, he managed to pull up a dossier on the individual visiting the Corps today.

”Bryce Jackson. CEO of Jackson Tech Ltd. Thirty years old. Controls dozens of powerful meta-humans under his payroll.

Beyond his technological reach, he commands a formidable private force to protect himself and his interests—each guard estimated to be at least Grade 5 or higher.”

Van paused for a beat as a cold wave of dread began to wash over him.

That was when a deep, authoritative voice crackled through the live audio feedback.

”Long time no see, Elysa. Is my commission ready?” Bryce asked, clearly interested only in getting straight down to business.

”Of course. You should know to trust me by now,” Elysa replied.

Van could almost picture her wearing that practiced, warm smile.

He remained perfectly still, listening to the conversation like a spy in a dark basement.

”Lovely. If you say it’s prepared, I believe you,” Bryce responded.

A brief, heavy pause ensued before he added,

”The kid that helped you—where is he? Does he have any inkling of the real purpose behind this contraption?”

Several seconds of tense silence followed before Elysa finally answered.

”Of course not. I didn’t even let him lay eyes on the main chassis or the actual core of the project. I know he is incredibly intelligent and would have deciphered everything the moment he saw those two components, so I kept them hidden. You can rest assured; you won’t have to eliminate him, as he truly knows nothing.”

Van felt like he was about to choke.

His heart thudded painfully against his ribs at the words being exchanged.

’Eliminate me? What exactly have we been working on in secret that they are so desperate to hide?’

”Good. Does anyone else know that I am here?” Bryce asked sternly.

”Actually, some of the Captains are aware, but the General has been kept in the dark. You can just frame this as one of those routine welfare checkups as usual.”

’As usual? Does that mean they’ve been operating together for a long time?’

”Fine. So, where is it?” Bryce asked, his voice dripping with impatience.

”It’s right here, but I have a single question before I hand it over,” Elysa replied calmly.

”Which is?”

Van leaned in closer to his speakers, holding his breath as he waited to hear her final inquiry.

”What exactly do you need a mini nuclear bomb for?”