My Tribrid System: More than a Monster

Chapter 135

Van was immediately sent into a coughing fit at the question he had just overheard Elysa pose to Bryce.

She had asked it so casually, as if they were discussing a minor technical inconvenience rather than a weapon of mass destruction.

’A nuclear bomb? What the hell are they planning to do with something that lethal?’

”....”

A heavy, brief silence ensued on the other end of the feed, as if Bryce were carefully weighing his next words.

The delay only served to spike Van’s anxiety regarding the man’s true intentions.

Finally, Bryce’s deep voice crackled through the audio.

”Why do you suddenly care? It isn’t as if you are performing this service out of the goodness of your heart; you are being compensated with a massive sum of credits for your expertise. You have never interrogated me before as long as your payment was processed, so why start now?”

Elysa paused for a moment, appearing to consider her response.

”Perhaps because I’m actually worried for once? You have never commissioned me to construct something this inherently dangerous.

For five years, we have collaborated, and each time, I have delivered sophisticated technology to you.

You cannot deny the facts; I am a crucial gear in your industrial machine. Without my designs, you wouldn’t occupy your current position of power.

Yes, I utilize the minds of talented Aspirants over the years to supplement the work, but still; it isn’t easy playing the role of a fake, nurturing instructor to these young fools.”

”....”

”Yes, I have never questioned your motives before, but for some reason, I feel uneasy about this specific trajectory.

Why a nuclear device this time around? Honestly, don’t misunderstand me—I don’t actually give a damn about the ethics of your plans. I simply need to be aware of the stakes.”

’How can she say it like it’s just another Tuesday morning? We are talking about a nuclear weapon here and she claims she doesn’t care?’ Van felt as though his head were about to explode.

His mind was racing, struggling to keep pace with the cold-blooded conversation.

A faint sigh echoed from the computer speakers before Bryce replied.

”Fine, then. Before I divulge anything further; first, hand the technology over to me.”

A few seconds of silence followed, punctuated by the distinct sound of a heavy object shuffling across a table.

It was clearly the exchange of the finished device.

”There. It’s yours. Now, I want my answer,” Elysa demanded.

Bryce let out a soft, chilling chuckle.

”You truly wish to know? Well, here is the truth. I intend to level a city.”

”Cough, cough...” Van choked, reaching frantically for a glass of water on his desk and downing it in a state of pure shock.

Back in the lab, Elysa merely lifted an eyebrow. ”Why? What did the city ever do to offend you?”

Bryce simply shook his head, his amusement evident. ”It is less about what the city did to me and more about what the city will provide for me once the deed is done.”

”Hm? I don’t follow.”

”I’ve realized something over the years. Those arrogant ’Big Four’ families will always overshadow me. They will always eclipse my professional accomplishments—especially that damn Blue family. And do you know why that is?” Bryce asked.

”Why?” Elysa responded.

Bryce’s lips curved into a dark smile before he answered.

”Because they are perceived as gods. They are hailed as the saviors of humanity and the ultimate protectors of this puny world. So, what better way to gain ultimate global recognition than to be hailed as a savior yourself?”

”And you expect to accomplish that goal with this bomb? How?” Elysa asked, her confusion apparent.

”...”

”Oh, Elysa. Even though you are quite the tech genius, you are still a naive fool, much like the kid you mentioned who helped you construct this. No offense intended, of course.”

Hearing that condescending remark, Van’s brow furrowed in the dim light of his monitors.

’Offense fucking taken, asshole,’ he spat internally.

Unknown to him, back in the lab, Elysa simply shrugged.

She remained unbothered by the insult so long as her curiosity was satisfied.

”Anyway; after I level the city, it will surely be in total shambles, correct?” Bryce asked, his voice dripping with cold calculation.

”Correct,” Elysa replied smoothly.

”Good. That is precisely when I make my grand entrance. If I pour my immense wealth into rebuilding the infrastructure and bringing the survivors back to their feet, what do you imagine they will feel toward me?”

”Gratitude. They will indeed perceive you as their ultimate benefactor,” Elysa replied, her voice tinged with a newfound awe.

”Exactly. My reputation would spread like wildfire, and I could effectively have that entire city under my thumb. People will perish, yes—perhaps thousands—but that is merely a drop in the ocean.

Their deaths won’t be meaningless; they will serve as the foundation upon which I build a stronger throne in this wretched world. Soon enough, I will be viewed as a peer to the Big Four.”

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Elysa smacked her palms together in genuine amazement at the sheer audacity of the scheme.

”Wow. What a masterful plan you have set in motion. In this world, humans die anyway, so what better favor can you offer them than allowing them to perish ahead of schedule? At least they will be spared the agony of falling to the Aberrants.”

”Right?” Bryce let out a booming chuckle that instantly spiraled into a full-blown, maniacal laughter.

Before long, Elysa joined in the chilling chorus.

Listening to their shared mirth, Van’s stomach twisted in a knot of disgust and a crushing weight of guilt.

’Fuck. I actually helped assemble a weapon? I’m an accomplice in this sick plan? I—I will be responsible for the deaths of thousands?’

Van’s hands clenched his lap so tightly his knuckles turned white.

His teeth ground together as the sound of their laughter looped in his ears.

Graphic images of a city in ruins, people crying out in pain, and lives snuffed out in an instant flashed through his mind, making his nausea intensify.

”Wh—what would Ray actually do in this situation?” he muttered to himself.

The duo on the recording were now finalizing the payment for the device.

Van stood frozen for a few heartbeats before exhaling a sharp, ragged breath and rising to his feet.

”Ray would fight. He wouldn’t back down or let such evil prevail; he would bring them both down. But what can I do against them? They are far more powerful than I am. I don’t even possess a combat ability... No, wait. I can do this,” he whispered.

Before he could hesitate, he heard the two exchanging their final goodbyes.

’Shoot! He’s leaving? I—I need to stop him immediately!’

”Yes, I have to.” Van decided with firm resolve.

He snatched a metallic sphere from his workbench and darted out of the room.

As he ran, his fingers blurred over the interface of his wristwatch.

Back in the tech lab, a frantic, high-pitched beeping suddenly pierced through the silence.

”Good thing I added this feature,” he muttered with a shaky, determined smile.

The beeping in the meeting room grew louder and more rapid until—

BOOOM—!