Chapter 319 319: Chaos.

Words : 1711 Updated : Oct 15th, 2025

Rex didn't respond immediately. Instead, he lowered the window just enough to show the invitation card code, his golden eyes glinting with amusement as he watched the guard's reaction. The guard, clearly accustomed to dealing with the elite, didn't miss a beat. He pulled out a small scanning device and aimed it at the card. {Mini Cleo, it's your turn,} {Leave it to me, Boss!} Mini Cleo's cheerful voice echoed in his mind. The guard frowned as the scanner beeped, its screen flashing with an error message. He tried again, but the result was the same. "I'm sorry, sir, but there seems to be an issue with your invitation. Could you—" Before he could finish, the scanner's screen flickered, and a new message appeared: "Access Granted. Welcome, VIP Guest." The guard blinked, clearly confused but unwilling to question a high-profile attendee. He straightened and gestured for the car to proceed. "My apologies for the delay, sir. Enjoy the gala." Rex gave a small nod, the window sliding back up as the car rolled forward. Once inside, he smirked, "Nice work, Mini Cleo." {Anytime, Boss!} Mini Cleo chirped, her holographic form appearing briefly on the car's dashboard. {But don't forget, you owe me a new set of holographic sunglasses for this.} Rex chuckled. "Deal." As the car pulled up to the mansion's grand entrance, Rex stepped out, his white glowin coat catched the light and drawn the attention of nearby guests. He adjusted his suit, his expression calm but confident as he made his way inside. The gala was in full swing, the air filled with the sound of laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft strains of live music. The room was a sea of elegance, with guests dressed in the finest attire, their conversations a mix of business deals and idle gossip. Rex moved through the crowd with ease, his presence commanding attention even as he remained understated. His golden eyes scanned the room, taking in the faces of the powerful and the corrupt. These were the people who controlled the world, the ones who profited from the suffering of those in the lower districts. As he accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, Rex's lips curled into a sly smile. Rex stood by the massive glass window, swirling his champagne lazily in his glass while gazing down at the neon-lit city below. The skyline flickered with holograms, and the muffled hum of distant music filled the luxurious penthouse. He took a slow sip before speaking. {Mini Cleo, have you finished scanning everyone's faces here?} Mini Cleo chirped in his head, her voice playful yet efficient. {Yes, boss! I got the three most influential people on this planet! Wanna see their pretty mugs?} With a soft beep, three faces flashed onto his HUD. Rex raised an eyebrow. {Alright, hit me. Who are they?} Mini Cleo's voice took on an almost dramatic tone. {First up, the old guy in white, the big deal, supreme leader of the armed forces. He runs this place with an iron fist. Since there's no Tier 5 powerhouse here right now, he's top dog.} The image zoomed in on a stern-looking man with a grizzled beard and sharp eyes, the kind of guy who looked like he hadn't smiled in decades. {Next, we have the lady in black. She was married to the previous Tier 5 powerhouse. Now that he's gone, she's calling the shots, at least until her kid grows up.} A striking woman with piercing emerald eyes and a cold, calculating expression appeared on his display. Even through the screen, Rex could tell she wasn't someone to mess with. {And the third? Lemme guess. The kid?} He exhaled while already suspecting the answer. {Bingo!} Mini Cleo flashed an image of a tiny girl with big, round eyes and an adorably pouty expression. {This little munchkin is technically the third most powerful person here, not because she's a genius or anything, but because the Council of Elders is propping her up like a puppet queen. They plan to pull the strings while she plays tea party.} As Mini Cleo displayed a set of scheming old faces, each more conniving than the last Rex smirked. {Classic. Bunch of old geezers hiding behind a kid. Pathetic.} He took another sip of champagne. That's when Mini Cleo's voice cut in, her tone suddenly urgent. {Uh, boss?} {What?} {Look to your right.} A massive blinking arrow appeared in his HUD, pointing directly beside him. Rex slowly turned his head, only to come face to face with the very same little girl from the picture. She was just standing there, arms crossed, her tiny back resting against the wall, watching him with a deadpan expression. She had probably been there for who knows how long while he rambled about her fate. Rex blinked.... The girl blinked back.... Mini Cleo's voice cracked with amusement. {Congratulations, boss. You just talked sh*t about the third most powerful person on this planet right in front of her.} Rex cleared his throat, lowering his champagne glass. The little girl narrowed her eyes. "...Yo," he said casually. The girl kept staring. Then, slowly, her lips curled into the tiniest smirk. {This night just got interesting...} Rex thought while sweating like a pig. "Who are you, mister?" The little girl asked while tilting her head as her big, round eyes locked onto Rex. Rex let out a slow exhale. {Damn, those eyes could burn through steel.} "Oh? Me?" He waved a hand dismissively. "Just another rich guy in this shity oversized room, that's all." He took a sip of his champagne while deliberately avoiding eye contact. The little girl frowned. "What does shity mean, mister?" Mini Cleo snickered in his head. {Congratulations, boss! You just corrupted a pure, innocent soul!} Suddenly, a pair of glowing holographic devil horns popped up on Rex's HUD, Mini Cleo's little way of messing with him. {Oh, shut it.} Rex cleared his throat. "Ehem. It's just an expression from where I'm from. Everyone says it." Mini Cleo gave him a deadpan stare. {Wow... how lame.} The little girl giggled while covering her mouth with her tiny hands. "Mister, I've spent years in the educational capsule.... I know that's a bad word." Rex sighed. "Fine, you got me. It's a bad word. But let's keep it a secret, yeah?" He put a finger to his lips. She giggled again. "Hmm... maybe. But only if you do something for me." Rex groaned internally. {Great. Now I'm being blackmailed by a little girl. How far have I fallen...? At least Carlos isn't here to see this.} {Oh, don't worry, boss! I'm watching everything!} {YOU. SHUT. IT.} Resigned, Rex crouched down to her level. "Fine, you win. What do you want?" The girl's smile faded. She took a deep breath, then looked him straight in the eyes. "I know you're not supposed to be here, mister." Rex's grip on his champagne glass tightened. His eye twitched slightly. {Smart kid...} "But that's why... you're the only one I can ask this." Her voice trembled slightly. "Please... protect me." Rex narrowed his eyes. There it was... fear. Genuine, raw fear. He leaned in, lowering his voice. "Alright, two things. One, how do you know I'm not supposed to be here? Two, what do you need protection from?" The girl parted her lips to answer but then... {BOSS! INCOMING LASER STRIKE!} Before the words even registered, Rex's coat exploded into motion. The seemingly harmless white fabric shifted, transforming into sleek, metallic wings. The feathers folded inward like a shield. A searing red laser tore through the reinforced glass behind him, striking directly against his wings. Sparks erupted as the blast dissipated against the nanotech, but the impact still sent a heavy vibration up his spine. "KYAAAA!" "What was that?!" "Someone call the guards!" "LET ME OUT! I'M TOO IMPORTANT TO DIE HERE!" Panic detonated through the party. Socialites in expensive suits and flowing gowns screamed as more laser beams rained into the room. The crowd stampeded toward the exits, pushing and shoving, desperate to escape. More beams zeroed in on Rex who remained perfectly still. His wings absorbed each blast like a sponge drinking in water. Not a single shot touched the girl. He exhaled slowly. Then, he smirked. "Well... now you've got my attention." The room was chaos. Tables overturned, glass shattered, and the once-elegant gala had devolved into a scene of panic. Rex stood tall amidst the turmoil, his wings glowing brighter as they absorbed the relentless barrage of laser fire. The little girl clung to his leg, her tiny hands trembling but her eyes wide with a mix of fear and awe. "Stay close," Rex said, his voice calm but firm. He didn't wait for her response. With a flick of his wrist, his wings expanded, creating a protective barrier around them. The lasers continued to rain down, but Rex's nanotech wings held strong, deflecting each blast with ease. {Boss, I'm tracking the source of the attacks,} Mini Cleo's voice chimed in his head. {They're coming from the rooftops across the street. Three snipers, heavily armed.} Rex's golden eyes narrowed. "Got it. Keep an eye on the girl. I'll handle this." He turned to the little girl, crouching down to her level. "Listen carefully. I need you to stay right here, behind my wings. No matter what happens, don't move. Understand?" She nodded, her small face pale but determined. "I-I understand." Rex gave her a reassuring smile. "Good girl. I'll be back before you know it." With that, he straightened, his wings folding back into their sleek, metallic form. The lasers were still coming, but Rex moved with precision, weaving through the chaos like a shadow. His wings flared, deflecting another blast as he made his way toward the nearest window. "Time to crash their party," he muttered, his smirk returning. {Boss, you're not seriously thinking of—}

Chapter 319 319: Chaos.

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