Chapter 151: D-10: The Calm Before the Storm

Neville adjusted his glasses and plastered on what he privately called his ’Professional Technical Assistant Smile’.

[What’s with that constipated expression, host? You look like you swallowed a lemon whole. (´;ω;`)] Shelly’s voice echoed in his mind.

’Shut up.’ Neville rebuked, maintaining his smile outwardly.

[Rude! And here I thought we were partners in crime. ╮(╯▽╰)╭]

’Like I’ll need someone who blindsided someone as soon as I wake up!’

Right, his morning had started badly. Catastrophically, even. The memory of this morning still burned fresh in his mind.

He had barely finished his first cup of coffee when Shelly appeared in his peripheral vision with an incomprehensible holographic display appearing between them.

[NEW SIDE QUEST!

Current Favorability: 12%

Side Quest: Save Your Target!

Time: D-10

Target: Grayson Maxwell

Reward: ???

Penalty: DEATH]

He almost choked on his drink, but he managed to swallow it. His hands trembled so badly that he had spilled half the contents of the cup.

"What," he had managed to croak out, "the actual hell, Shelly?"

Neville had hissed under his breath as he tried to cool down the scalded part in the running water.

[Oh, it appeared already?] Shelly said, obviously trying to casually explain this new quest. [These quests can pop up anytime. Aren’t you used to it already?]

"You know that’s not what I’m talking about," Neville said as he turned the temperature of the running water to the coldest setting.

[Uh... hmmm, it’s similar to Time Attack Mode! ٩(◕‿◕)۶] Shelly explained consciously maintaining a certain distance from Neville in case he grabbed her mid-air again. [Either you solve the problem first, or the problem finds you, and you have to solve it right there and then! Exciting, isn’t it?]

"Exciting? EXCITING?" He said, almost growling angrily at her. "The penalty is DEATH, Shelly! My actual, literal death!"

[Well, yes. That’s generally what death means, host. (￣ω￣)]

Neville really wanted to strangle her right now if not for his scalding hand. The worst part wasn’t even the death penalty—though that certainly topped his list of concerns. The side quest had appeared out of nowhere after days of silence.

Also, what was he supposed to save Grayson from? What could endanger a literal former general, the strongest man alive in this world?

The system was definitely rigged.

"Time Attack—" Neville had to physically restrain himself from throwing anything near him towards Shelly. "You couldn’t have warned me about this feature earlier?"

[I didn’t know either. This is a first for me, too. o(╥﹏╥)o]

Neville could only sigh and figure it out because of his useless guide.

"Hope?"

Neville snapped back to the present, his smile automatically brightening as he turned to face the speaker.

Bryan Stewart stood next to him, his own smile firmly in place. Although there was a knowing glint in his eyes that suggested he had noticed Neville’s momentary distraction.

"Chief," Neville greeted, inclining his head slightly. "The venue preparations are complete. All refreshments have been arranged according to the specifications, and security has confirmed the perimeter is secure."

Bryan’s smile didn’t waver.

"Efficient as always." He paused, tilting his head in that slightly unsettling way of his. "You seem... distracted today. Is there something troubling you?"

"Not at all." The lie slipped out smoothly. "I’m simply nervous and rechecking everything to ensure that everything runs without incident. This collaboration meeting is important for the company’s future, after all."

"Indeed, it is." Bryan’s gaze lingered for a moment longer before he moved to another person entering the assembly hall. "Carry on, then. I’ll inform Mr. Maxwell that the reception team is ready."

Neville watched him go, maintaining his composure until Bryan disappeared around a corner. Only then did he allow his shoulders to sag slightly.

[Nice save, host! Your acting skills are improving. (◕‿◕✿)]

’I wish it didn’t,’ Neville thought depressingly.

[People are arriving! Time to put on your customer service face! ✧◝(⁰▿⁰)◜✧]

Neville straightened immediately, his expression smoothing into a professional one as the first wave of guests began filtering into the hall.

The Project Aegis Collaboration Meeting—specifically, the in-depth talk of the Black Ocean Project portion—was drawing some of the most influential figures to attend this collaboration meeting. Some even came from other planets and attended just for today’s agenda.

And Neville, as the winner of the recent internal competition, had been assigned the honor of receiving them.

Iris appeared beside him with a slight smile. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"Ready for the show?"

"Always." Neville glanced at her. "Any word on the absentees?"

Iris’s expression flickered—so briefly that anyone else would have missed it. "Still no sign of Goelet. The logistics are in an uproar."

Ethan Goelet. It’s been a while since he heard his name.

Neville’s carefully maintained composure threatened to crack. He forced himself to look indifferent, redirecting his attention to the growing crowd.

"That’s... concerning." He commented.

"Concerning is an understatement." Iris’s voice dropped even lower. "The man vanishes without a trace right before a major meeting? That’s all people are talking about right now."

As soon as Iris left, Neville could finally see those people. There was a cluster of employees near the eastern entrance, their faces drawn with worry; some of them were even openly crying.

Ethan’s fan club, no doubt.

The man had cultivated quite the following during his time at Maxwell Corporation, all gentle smiles and helpful suggestions and perfectly timed acts of kindness.

Neville wanted to laugh because he knew exactly why Ethan Goelet had disappeared. The file Neville had compiled had been delivered to the appropriate authorities by Grayson mere days ago.

Ethan Goelet wasn’t just a scientist who liked developing unusual and illegal drugs. His compiled evidence was also pointing to the possibility that the person responsible for the tragic fate of the original Neville in the original timeline was most likely him.

The thought made his skin crawl.

Before he could continue to drown in the feeling of escaping death, a familiar voice was heard beside his ear.

"Are you nervous?"

Liam appeared beside him with a teasing grin spreading across his face. His mood was in polar opposites to Ethan’s fan club, far behind him.

"Do I look like I am?" Neville countered, arching one eyebrow.

"You look like you’re contemplating while simultaneously calculating the optimal escape route from this building." Liam’s grin widened. "Don’t be embarrassed, that’s normal."

Lisa appeared behind him, her expression far more sympathetic. "It’s just recently that this place has been used, and it’s being used again. There were even more people than before. They even invited us this time."

Neville smiled mysteriously, deliberately keeping his response vague. "It is."

"What’s with the creepy smile?" Lisa hugged her arms, a visible shudder running through her. "Can’t you just say it normally?"

"Where would be the fun in that?"

Liam snorted. "He’s got you there."

Their banter was cut short by the change in the atmosphere.

Neville felt it before he saw it. The conversations dimmed down, and the attention was redirected toward the main entrance. When he turned in the direction of their gazes, he already knew who had come.

The members of the board were arriving.

They entered like peacocks parading through a garden, each one more ostentatiously dressed than the last.

Director Cox led the procession, his stern face set in an expression of perpetual disapproval, expensive fabric draping his frame in a way that screamed old money.

Behind him came Director Hannel and Deputy Director Lu Mingye, engaged in a hushed conversation that ceased the moment they crossed the threshold.

Director Anderson followed, his strategic planning mind no doubt already calculating every angle of the upcoming meeting.

Deputy Director Park Min-Hae walked beside him, her expression carefully neutral. She was really a master of political fence-sitting, leaning toward whoever would most benefit her department at any given moment. Based on her current position, it seemed that it was a tie.

Director Williams brought up the rear of the first wave, his eyes already scanning the room with a cold expression. He knew that he was already calculating everything in terms of profit and loss.

Neville greeted each of them with appropriate deference, his smile never wavering, his words carefully measured. Offending any of them would be career suicide.

But unfortunately, he didn’t particularly care about his career right now. He had bigger problems.

More arrivals trickled in over the next half hour.

Chief Christian Leonid from R&D was already checking his light brain for messages.

Chief Minerva Sanchez from Purchasing nodded at Neville with what might have been approval.

Sarah bounced over during a brief lull; her bubbly energy was a stark contrast to the serious atmosphere.

"How are you holding up?" she asked in a whisper.

"Still standing."

"That’s the spirit!" She squeezed his arm briefly. "Bryan’s been running interference with the more... difficult board members. You should have clear sailing until the main event starts."

Neville felt a flicker of genuine gratitude. "Tell him I said thanks."

The sudden hush that fell over the assembly hall stopped Sarah from talking. Neville turned his head, and his heart annoyingly fluttered again.

Grayson entered the room.

He looked like he came out of the magazine, extremely charming and dazzling.