The Talentless Sovereign

Chapter Five: An Untrustworthy Ally

Jett spent the next three days laying low and solving daily missions from his system, gathering item rewards. He’d already set his plan to take over the C&G company in motion.

Although he was missing a rather vital point to all this, he felt like the system would never give him an impossible task. He was currently at his computer in the office rummaging through the pile of works.

“For the love of the heavens,” he muttered as he finished the second to the last pile. Most of his works were creative writing and having to write out poems, ads and actual stories was way more strenuous.

He wondered why they were giving him so much work, he didn't have the mind of an analyst, so why were they piling so much of this work to him. “Come to think of it,” he muttered under his breath. “When I came back, I actually heard whispers of the company’s sales dwindling by a bit.”

He stood up from his desk and picked up all his files from the system. He headed to Jane’s office and dropped them on her table. “Oh, you are done with this at last?” she began, but Jett turned around and began walking away.

“Hey, wait for my review!” she yelled.

He gave her a cold stare and she shrunk back. He still needed to remind Jane’s ego that he didn't care about her position. He dashed upstairs and found his way to the office of the Assistant Manager.

He pushed open the door. “Hey Hansel.”

The man stiffened when he saw Jett. “Good morning sir!” he said.

Jett smiled. “You don't need to greet me with such pleasantries. I want to look through the system using your computers. Is there a way for me to trace the company's sales?” he asked.

Hansel frowned. “Yes. Of course.”

“How?” he demanded.

“I…” Hansel shook. “I have no clue.” he whispered.

Jett sighed. This guy was worse than scum. He would have taken over the damn company if he was a bit competent. “Find someone who can.”

Hansel began to scramble towards the phone when a knock landed on his door and someone pushed it open. “Hansel?” Eider Mane, the company's most powerful talent user, walked in.

“Madam Eider!” Hansel stiffened.

Jett stood beside Hansel and held his head low. “What are you doing with the floor worker?” she asked. “It isn't a good sight to be seen with someone who embezzled company funds.”

Hansel smiled uneasily and Jett gave him a secretive stare to get himself together. “I was just trying to monitor his work myself.”

Eider stood for a while then smiled. “Alright. The Manager wants to see you.”

Hansel nodded and stepped out. Jett wanted to follow him but Eider stopped him. “You and I need to talk!”

Jett scoffed. However a message flashed in his face from the system.

|||Mission Matrix|||

[Emergency Mission: Earn Eider Mane’s support!]

[Mission Reward: +1 Progression Stat, x1 Bleeding Eye Potion]

[Mission Failure: -5 reputation. -50% chance to pass weekly goal]

Jett frowned. This was the first time he would receive an emergency mission. In fact apart from the Weekly Goal, that was a ticking time bomb, this was the only other mission with two rewards.

The risk of failure was steep too. What he did now would affect his chances of passing the weekly goal.

“Jett, is it?” Eider began the moment Hansel left.

“Yes ma’am.” Jett replied.

“So how did you do it?” she asked.

“Do what ma’am?” he asked.

“Survive the Junkyard.” she replied.

“Oh, I only managed to bribe the gate guardians and they let me stay. I believe that is tacitly legal.” he replied.

Eider Mane chuckled. “Is that how you also managed to defeat a D-Class reaper in close combat?” she demanded. Her voice carried an edge that seemed to affect Jett mentally. That was one of the powers of an Instigator.

“I did what ma’am?” Jett said, shaking off the effect of her abilities. Unlike most people, his mind was always kept lucid due to the system.

“Oh? You managed to resist an instigator’s strike too? I think we can cut the crap and you can come clean now. You have abilities now don't you?” she asked.

Jett breathed. He couldn't decide if he should tell her the truth or not and to what extent he could tell her. Everyone in the higher position was vermin. He didn't like any of them, and Eider Mane had been complicit when they threw him to his death.

“The hospital records prove differently.” he decided to prod at the edge one more time.

“I am guessing you are lying because you feel you can't trust me. A factual notion. You cannot. However, lying like this only makes you look pathetic, because we both know I have you in a chokehold. Sooner or later I will find out what you really are and trust me, you don't want me as an enemy.”

Jett smiled. “I will tell you my goal then,” he said simply. He wanted to remain ambiguous about his abilities. “I want to take over this company before this week runs out!”

Eider Mane regarded him for a while. “Why?” she asked.

Jett sat down on the table sighing. “You were there when they dragged me in right? You sentenced me to death. Well I didn't die. So now, all I want is vengeance and power!”

“And what vengeance will you achieve by flipping the hierarchy?” she asked.

“A friend of mine lied to me and I heard he has been transferred. I want to find him and I want to kill him!” He was talking about Zach.

Eider Mane stood for a while. “And if I stand against you?’” she asked, her eyes offering a subtle golden glow.

“I will cut you down!” he said simply.

Eider Mane chuckled. “Count me in as your untrustworthy ally!” she said.

Jett smiled. “First, I would like to know about the company's sales then? I want to see how we make money.”

Eider Mane led him to Hansel's computer and with a few clicks, multiple stock items and sale arrows popped up. The company made their sales mostly from creative writing.

“Wait what?” Jett muttered under his breath. “That can't be possible.”

Eider Mane glanced at him. “What can't?”

“My works are sold at auctions in District Two. They are responsible for sixty percent of the company's profit.” he said.

Eider Mane chuckled. “Ah Old Holmes has been ripping you off.”

“This is funny to you?” he asked her. “My whole life, I have spent below all of you and I am the single most important person on the floor, and yet you promoted the person who killed me to a new company. Yet you find my pain funny?”

Eider gave him a direct gaze. “We all have our pain. I have nothing to do with your life, I only represent the company in legal battles, most of which I lose due to lack of standing. So please, don't push your pain on me. I deal with enough of mine!”

Jett shook his head. “Well. Tomorrow, this company will change ownership. I hope you are ready!” he said. “Because you have a lot to do! I will need your help to sue this goddamn company for all its penny’s worth!”

Eider smiled. “I don't work for you, but in this instance, let me hear what you have to say!”