[Objective Complete: Hack enemy terminals and eliminate targets via remote system breach (20/20)]

With music playing softly and the accelerator pressed down, Felix casually breached the enemy’s systems, triggering the detonations on the stolen terminals of those who had ambushed the envoys.

At that moment, his Engineer subclass advancement task was finally complete.

The title [Apprentice Engineer] upgraded to [Engineer Trainee]. Felix immediately leveled it up to the maximum, Level 15, gaining 15 free attribute points along with +3 Intelligence and +1 Dexterity.

He also spent his experience points to learn two new skills: [Hacking] and [Intelligent Development]. After raising both to their maximum levels, he looked over his status screen—his free attribute pool now totaled 115 points. Time to redistribute a few, perhaps.

The [Intelligent Development] skill, in particular, was extremely useful. The drones he used so far ran on simple command modules, but with this ability, he could upgrade them into autonomous, reasoning machines—even capable of speech once he implemented a language module.

His current stat spread was:

Strength 49 | Dexterity 71 | Endurance 58 | Intelligence 118 | Spirit 67 | Charisma 60 | Luck 1

After some thought, Felix evenly distributed his 115 points among his main stats. His combat style had already stabilized—something between a high-MP battle caster and a field technician. To fully enjoy fighting with enchanted weapons later, none of the attributes could be neglected.

Updated stats:

Strength 72 | Dexterity 94 | Endurance 81 | Intelligence 141 | Spirit 90 | Charisma 60 | Luck 1

Taking a deep breath, Felix felt an exhilarating lightness wash over him. The sense of control, of wielding power precisely, was intoxicating.

—

“Felix,” Lin Yühsia spoke from the passenger seat beside him, “why did you refuse the Grand Tutor’s offer to study at the Tianshi Bureau?”

Felix glanced at her, then at the rear-view mirror—Ch’en Hui-chieh was asleep in the back seat. “Even though I’ve settled temporarily in Yan,” he replied, “I have no plans to stay long-term.”

“You saw how the He brothers acted toward their own servants, didn’t you?”

Lin Yühsia recalled what she’d heard days ago: upon waking, one of the He family’s young masters had executed the guards who accompanied him—right in front of the Grand Tutor—all because they had failed to protect him during the ambush.

Felix understood the notion of a vassal’s life bound to his master’s honor, but to kill subordinates so brazenly before a state official… that took a reckless kind of arrogance.

“Kou-wu City has long been under noble control,” Felix said evenly. “And in Yan, they’re far from the only ones like that.”

“It’s fortunate this mess was caused by their own people,” he continued. “Otherwise, if they’d kept harassing you two, I might not have been able to hold back.”

“I would’ve liked to see what you look like when angered for a lady’s sake,” Lin Yühsia said with a teasing smile, covering her mouth lightly. “But alas, I missed the chance.”

Then, with a graceful shift in tone, she added, “Still, you’re now officially recognized as a guest instructor of the Tianshi Bureau, aren’t you? Probably thanks to all those doctoral titles you carry.”

“I’ve no time to teach,” Felix sighed. “A deal’s a deal—favors are separate. The Grand Tutor’s regard for me is a good thing, but it also means I’ve caught the eyes of the upper circle.”

“There are pros and cons,” Lin Yühsia said seriously. “For you, and for Tomorrow’s Development, it’s likely a net benefit. Adventurers under that banner are subject to heavy scrutiny here in Yan. Governor Wei’s authority barely extends beyond Lungmen. In such circumstances, gaining official goodwill is a blessing.”

Felix nodded quietly. Lin Yühsia truly lived up to her reputation as the daughter of the Rat King—quick to grasp the web of interests at play.

And sure enough, the players could already see their Faction Relationship: Yan Empire → from Indifferent to Friendly, sparking a wave of excitement and discussion across the network.

Having someone like Lin Yühsia who could keep pace with him made Felix feel he might actually manage his organization with a lighter hand.

“What’s wrong? You’re looking at me like that—don’t tell me you’ve fallen for me?” Lin Yühsia said playfully, her eyes sparkling.

“I was thinking of inviting you to join Tomorrow’s Development,” Felix replied with a smirk, “but I’m afraid your father would kill me first.”

“Oh, is that all?” she laughed. “I can talk to him. He’s not retiring anytime soon anyway—I might as well build some experience in the meantime.”

“I have a feeling,” Felix said with a wry smile, “that if you stay too long, I won’t be able to let you go.”

He meant it sincerely. If Loughshinny ever resigned, he’d probably cry—finding another deputy that perfect would be nearly impossible.

“Flatterer.” Lin Yühsia chuckled. “As for the Rice Noodle Dragon, she’ll never join Tomorrow’s Development. Her duties with the Guard Bureau won’t allow it.”

“Care to bet on that?”

She raised an eyebrow. “A bet?”

“Ch’en Hui-chieh will join Tomorrow’s Development one day,” Felix said confidently. “Loser grants the winner one reasonable request. Deal?”

He smiled knowingly—after all, he’d seen the story before.

Lin Yühsia snorted softly. “Fine. But we’ll set a time limit. If she joins when she’s old and retired, that doesn’t count.”

“Ten years,” he said.

“Ten years it is.”

Their eyes met, amusement flashing between them—and with that, the two fell into lighter, more casual conversation as the road stretched on ahead.

By the time they returned to Lungmen, it was already March.

The moment Ch’en Hui-chieh landed, she went straight to report to Governor Wei. Lin Yühsia waved goodbye and stepped off the vehicle, disappearing into a black business van parked along the street—surrounded, as usual, by members of the Rat King’s faction.

Having completed yet another official mission, Felix decided he’d earned some proper rest.

When he returned home, he was greeted by two familiar faces—Mostima, whom he hadn’t seen in a while, and “Sticky Superwoman”, Fiammetta.

Apparently, the new codename came courtesy of the notaries at the Tribunal, who had recently been binge-watching old Columbian hero movies. Fiammetta was livid about it, ranting endlessly about the “overly dramatic” name, while Felix could only twitch his lips, fighting back laughter.

Exhausted, he eventually staggered into his bedroom, where he surrendered himself to Mostima’s massage—a moment of long-missed comfort.

But somehow, as time passed… fewer and fewer clothes remained.

And before he even realized it, Lemuen—who had been quietly reading a book in the corner—was now sitting on the edge of the bed, her expression frozen in bewilderment.

“…?”

“Mostima! You’re using your Arts irresponsibly again!” Lemuen scolded, frowning at the key and lock glowing faintly in Mostima’s hands.

Fiammetta, who was technically Mostima’s guardian, wasn’t much of one in practice. By the time “Sticky Superwoman” reacted to anything, Mostima was usually long gone.

“Hello, Lemuen~” Mostima cooed playfully.

Lemuen peeked over her book, catching sight of Felix’s startled face and his bare back. Her cheeks flushed instantly as she hid behind the pages.

“Y-you two… in broad daylight…?”

“What are you imagining, Lemuen? We’re just doing a massage~” Mostima’s voice lilted with laughter.

“Then why,” Lemuen said sharply, “did you bring me onto Felix’s bed!?”

“Ah~ it just felt like something was missing,” Mostima replied with a teasing smile. “Besides, you could learn a few massage techniques while you’re here, no?”

Oddly enough, that did make some sense. Lemuen sighed.

After all, they’d all seen how hard Felix worked lately—always carrying a thermos filled with wolfberries, sleeping early, running every morning, and even using the men’s skincare products Loughshinny had recommended. Though he was well past twenty, he still looked no older than eighteen.

Last time in Columbia’s Trimount region, he’d almost been scouted by a talent agent—and recently in Shangshu, a rather peculiar lung had also tried to cast him for a film.

As Lemuen pondered this, her gaze drifted to Mostima, whose chest was now pressed firmly against Felix’s bare back, rubbing ever so slightly.

Her teeth clenched.

This… this is a massage?!

Was she really not just a bystander in their… play?

“Lemuen, what are you spacing out for?”

“Huh?”

Lemuen suddenly realized her outer clothes had somehow vanished, leaving only her undergarments. She squeaked, face turning crimson, and scrambled to cover herself.

“Mostima! I’m really going to get mad this time!”

“Felix~” Mostima whispered against his ear, her breath warm, “why don’t you help her cool off a little?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Yaaa~!”

—

Moments later, Mostima knelt on the cushion, apologizing profusely. Lemuen sat stiffly on the sofa, pretending to read her book while fuming in silence, refusing to look at her. Fiammetta, utterly lost, blinked between them.

“What happened here?” she asked blankly.

“Something very entertaining~” Mostima hummed.

“It was not entertaining. At all!” Lemuen snapped, her face still flushed. Thinking back to what had just happened, she couldn’t help but groan internally.

Lemuel… when did your big sister become like this? Have I really fallen so far? Am I truly this shameless? Ugh… Lemuel…

—

Sensing her mood, Felix gently changed the subject. “How’s Lemuel doing lately?”

“She’s been wandering around near Lungmen these past few days,” Lemuen replied softly. “She and Texas just finished their third courier job. They’re both on a short vacation now.”

Her expression softened as she spoke of her sister. “I think Lemuel really likes this kind of work.”

“Is that so?” Felix said with a faint smile.

“Where will you go next?” she asked.

“Nowhere, for a while.”

Felix leaned back, thoughtful. His Engineer rank had advanced enough that he could now design programs to automate production—drones and robots capable of running an uninterrupted industrial line. It would save enormous time.

Moreover, the engineers from Victoria—the ones experienced in building landships—had finally arrived. The team sent to Rim Billiton had also returned with valuable blueprints.

Another long stretch of hammering, welding, and building awaited.

By late spring, Felix was already preparing to travel to Kjerag in May or June. His ally—the man with a bird perched on his shoulder—had sent an invitation through a courier while Felix was still away on business. The letter announced that Kjerag’s railway line would begin trial operations in June, and he warmly invited Felix and his companions to visit, both for leisure and to discuss future cooperation.

After a brief morning of rest and preparation, Felix headed to the company.

—

Across from Tomorrow’s Development, on the rooftop of the Lungmen Guard Department, Ch’en Hui-chieh was being fussed over by Aunt Fumizuki, who paced around her like a hawk—occasionally glancing at her face, her posture, even her hands.

“Ch’en, you’ve lost weight since your trip,”

Fumizuki said with concern.

“Not that much, really…”

Ch’en sighed inwardly, feeling both helpless and touched by the older woman’s direct kindness.

Fumizuki smiled knowingly.

“So? How was your trip? Anything happen between you and young Felix?”

From across the table, Wei Yenwu quietly sipped his tea—but his ears perked up ever so slightly.

Ch’en felt her face flush. She wanted to protest, to shout that nothing happened between her and Felix—but the words refused to come out.

It wasn’t because she had feelings for him, but because she’d noticed something: Lin Yühsia seemed to look at Felix differently. And there she was, sitting between them like an outsider while they spoke in careful tones and subtle hints.

“Ah, so something did happen then!”

Fumizuki teased, grinning broadly.

Wei Yenwu’s sharp eyes glinted like blades as he glanced toward the towering Tomorrow’s Development building across the street.

“Nothing happened,”

Ch’en forced herself to say, trying to sound calm despite her embarrassment.

“I’m not that interested in him. If anything, it’s Lin Yühsia—she wanted Felix to meet the Rat King.”

“What?”

Wei Yenwu straightened up in his chair, all traces of leisure gone.

“She actually said that?”

Ch’en hesitated. She hadn’t caught every detail—half-asleep at the time—but she was sure she’d heard those words.

She nodded slowly.

Wei Yenwu rubbed his beard thoughtfully.

“That girl, Lin Yühsia… she’s bold. This might be her way of extending an olive branch to Felix. After all, Tomorrow’s Development could use a few… gray-area connections.”

“I see,”

Ch’en nodded in understanding. That explanation did make sense.

Wei Yenwu’s gaze softened but remained complicated. He couldn’t help thinking that his niece spent all her energy on Guard Bureau duties. Lin Yühsia, though about the same age, was far more composed—and far shrewder.

He was about to say something more, but Fumizuki gave him a pointed look. The words died in his throat.

“…Go rest for now,”

Wei finally said, leaning back in his chair.

“You’ll resume Guard Bureau work tomorrow.”

“Understood.”

Ch’en saluted and left the room, leaving behind a quiet tension between Wei and Fumizuki.

—

Fumizuki sighed softly.

“Ch’en…”

Wei Yenwu shook his head.

“Let Felix and Lin meet. That girl may see something in him—something others overlook. And for Lungmen, that could be a good thing.”

Fumizuki frowned slightly.

“I didn’t expect this latest council meeting to be chaired by the Grand Tutor himself. Those families from Kou-wu City are getting far too bold.”

“Hmph,” Wei scoffed.

“They’re just clinging to the glory of their ancestors, waving old banners like shields.”

“And the He family?”

Fumizuki asked quietly.

“I’ll handle them,”

Wei said, his tone decisive.

Fumizuki exhaled.

“Still, I didn’t expect Felix to catch the Grand Tutor’s eye—or that he’d be registered under the Tianshi Bureau.”

“Few can enter,”

she continued in admiration.

“Anyone who does is among the best of the best. For Felix to be accepted as an instructor—that’s truly remarkable.”

Wei Yenwu’s lips curved upward—then straightened again.

“It’s also a form of protection,”

he murmured.

“The Grand Tutor knows what he’s doing. He won’t steal one of my people.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep