Chapter 90: A Promotion?

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In the High-Precision District, at the Emerald Café, soft electronic jazz music flowed gently as flying cars zipped past outside the window. In a private room, beside a floating coffee table, several elderly men sat on a circle of vintage leather sofas. Though simply dressed, their scholarly aura, honed by the passage of time, commanded deep respect.

One balding, portly elder spoke with displeasure, “Frank, if you have something to say, just say it over the communicator. Why drag us all here for this?”

Another elder chimed in, “Felix, do you really need to ask? Frank just finished his research report early and can’t resist showing off.”

Mentioning this made Director Felix even more irate.

Over ten days ago, a physical examination report on the Vortex Division’s extraordinary abilities caused a stir within the research department. The subject of the report—an officer named Nathan Lee from the Vortex Division—quickly became the prize target for competing research teams.

Though Frank outwardly claimed disinterest, he secretly leveraged his family’s influence and successfully recruited Nathan Lee into his team. Felix had heard it was thanks to Nathan’s help that Frank’s team was the first to complete the report, which left Felix feeling quite resentful.

He snorted coldly, “Frank, using the Vortex Division researcher’s cheating methods to finish your report is hardly a real skill.”

“My team doesn’t need Vortex Division researchers to submit accurate reports,” Felix emphasized the word “cheating” with particular weight.

Frank’s expression darkened. Such words were harsh, and to a researcher, “cheating” was a naked insult.

Felix pressed on without mercy: “You used your authority as director to pull a forbidden artifact from the containment station and rewarded that Vortex Division researcher with its residual pheromones.”

“You even claimed that this low-level forbidden artifact, which our team thoroughly analyzed years ago, might have undiscovered hidden traits needing further verification… Ridiculous. Frank, I have no problem with you rewarding that kid, but isn’t it disrespectful to our team’s findings to say such things?”

Research directors did not have the authority to directly “gift” forbidden artifacts, as these belonged to the organization, but each team could use a controlled amount of pheromones for study.

Frank’s excuse for rewarding Nathan pheromones was to continue research on the artifact, an open secret among insiders.

This was a privilege of the research director—an implicit benefit within the department, though not openly acknowledged.

Frank’s face turned grim. “Felix, last time you also rewarded your team members with pheromones under the same pretext, claiming my team might have missed an artifact’s traits and that your team needed to verify them again.”

“May I ask, what did you find? Did I ever bring that up?” Frank retorted.

Felix, stung, had no comeback and could only gulp down his coffee.

Sensing the tension, other directors began to mediate.

“Felix, everyone’s done this. Frank isn’t targeting you.”

“Frank, if you’re going to reward members again, maybe use a different excuse so other directors don’t misunderstand.”

“Exactly. If something hidden really turns up, Felix’s team might lose their bonuses.”

Felix frowned. “There can’t be any hidden traits. If you keep saying that, you’re questioning our team’s competence!”

The other directors fell silent.

Frank said, “Now I’m actually hoping that kid finds something new, so you can face some consequences.”

Felix’s brow shot up, ready to retort, but then Frank’s communicator buzzed.

Frank answered, hearing the excited voice of Jiang Lei: “Director, young Lee has discovered a hidden trait in the ‘Thorn of Agony’!”

Frank was stunned.

A hidden trait… could the “Thorn of Agony” really have a hidden trait?

He had only wanted an excuse to reward Nathan pheromones; he hadn’t expected any real breakthrough.

His earlier quarrel with Felix had been a mere retort, but now Nathan had truly uncovered a hidden trait. As Jiang Lei’s detailed report poured in, a smile involuntarily spread across Frank’s face, deepening the wrinkles etched by years.

“…It’s fine, the banquet won’t be canceled.”

“As for the holiday, that stays too. I’ll personally verify the findings in the lab.”

Frank hung up and cleared his throat before addressing Felix softly, “Felix, I was planning to invite you to tonight’s celebration banquet…”

“I’m not going. Whoever wants to go, go!” Felix snapped.

“Don’t be so quick. I haven’t finished. If you hear this news, I doubt you’ll have the heart to attend anyway.”

Felix frowned, an ominous feeling stirring within.

“I’m sorry to tell you, ‘Thorn of Agony’ truly has a hidden trait. Nathan, using your so-called ‘cheating’ method, found the trait your team overlooked… Get ready to face punishment, Felix!”

“That’s impossible! What nonsense are you spouting?” Felix’s face twisted.

He instinctively rebutted, “It’s just a low-level forbidden artifact. How could it have hidden traits?”

Though he said this, deep down he was already shaken.

He called the Vortex Division cheating precisely because he knew how powerful their talents were in research.

Could the Vortex Division’s conclusions be wrong?

Looking at Frank’s face, almost blooming with a triumphant grin, Felix knew Frank was convinced of the findings’ accuracy.

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The other research directors exchanged glances at the scene.

Frank had merely given his team member some pheromones as a reward, yet by sheer luck, they discovered a hidden trait in the forbidden artifact. The Vortex Division’s talents truly were astonishing.

It was a pity such an excellent researcher hadn’t joined their own teams, truly a boon for that old fox Frank.

Curious about the artifact’s hidden trait, they pressed Frank, but he remained tight-lipped, only saying:

“Everyone, our team is holding a celebration banquet tonight. If you’re willing to grace us with your presence, you’re most welcome.”

In high spirits, Frank ignored Felix’s sour expression and rose to leave the café.

“Looks like it’s time to promote that kid from ‘intern’ status,” he mused.

Just as he stepped out, his communicator buzzed again.

On the other end was a junior family member. Frank usually kept family affairs separate and avoided letting the family meddle in research team matters.

Still, the family had secured Nathan Lee for him—a precious talent—so today, in a good mood, Frank was unusually lenient when the junior asked to attend the banquet.

While Frank’s face brightened, Nathan’s mood was far from good.

After informing Jiang Lei of his discovery, Nathan left the control bureau alone.

The irrational imbalance caused by his beastly core unsettled him fiercely. He felt an unbearable urge to roar out loud, a burning heat inside craving release—almost a compulsion to kill to vent his stifled emotions.

To control this frenzy, Nathan chose not to ride any vehicle but ran all the way back to his apartment.

Once home, he immediately took a cold shower, trying to wash away the burning heat, but his inner turmoil remained.

He went to the fridge, grabbed several bottles of strong liquor, bit off the caps with his teeth, and gulped down the alcohol.

One bottle after another, until empty bottles littered the floor.

He didn’t use his extraordinary physical abilities to speed alcohol metabolism but let the drunkenness gradually engulf his consciousness.

Finally, he collapsed heavily onto his bed, drifting into a deep sleep, surrounded by the strong scent of alcohol.

(End of chapter)

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