Chapter 62: Chapter 62: System’s Junk Dealer
Jason returned to the patio and found Ethan finishing his intense shadowboxing routine. Drenched in sweat, Ethan walked straight toward the large, custom-built swimming pool and plunged in, starting a smooth, rhythmic lap.
Jason walked calmly to the edge of the pool. As Ethan floated on his back near the edge, Jason began his report. He detailed everything: the extreme security of the superior homes, the presence of the Congressman and the movie star, the aggressive nature of the high-tier security team, and the confrontation with the two-meter black leader. Jason, very carefully and politely, warned his boss.
"Boss, those men are a problem. They are not local security; they are highly trained private military contractors. They were openly carrying assault rifles. I strongly advise that we do not cross into the superior zone. I am certain those types would have no problem shooting first and asking questions later. They are extremely aggressive."
Ethan was floating, staring up at the bright sky. "I see..." he said, his voice measured. "I didn’t realize this place was such a monumental piece of shit. We’ll have to be careful. I don’t need any more people hunting us down."
Jason reassured him. "I will be very careful not to cause any unnecessary problems, Boss." Then, Jason moved on to a logistical issue. "What should we do with the weapons we took from the guards? They must be registered, and if we use them, they could trace us easily."
Ethan nodded slightly in the water. "System," he mentally requested. "Do you have a buy-back or trade-in system for weapons? I need to get rid of this stolen junk."
[Affirmative, Champion. We can buy them back. Current price: 2.5 LUX Points per pistol,] the System replied instantly.
Ethan’s eyes snapped open in the water. He was furious. "What?! A 9mm pistol is worth 25 Points in your shop, and you want to buy it from me for 2.5?!"
[Your weapon is worth little because it is traceable,] the System explained calmly. "The weapon I sell has a special coating on the grip and trigger that prevents fingerprints from sticking. Even if the police got your weapon, they couldn’t link it to you. It even has an option to disappear instantly by recalling it to the shop. I won’t give you a refund, but the weapon will vanish from this world forever."
[If that isn’t worth 25 Points, I don’t know what is,] the System continued, its voice dripping with condescension. "Furthermore, your gun is junk. I’m being generous giving you 2.5 instead of charging you to dispose of your problems."
Ethan sighed, splashing a little water in frustration. "You have a point. Fine. How do I sell them?"
A shimmering, oval-shaped blue hole materialized in the air directly next to the pool, glowing softly like a dimensional portal.
The System urged him: [Just put them in.]
Ethan panicked, eyes wide. "Idiot! Why are you showing that to Jason?! That’s my secret—your existence!"
The System cackled, a dry, robotic sound. [Are you an idiot? Only you can see it. I think all that exercising fried your brain, Champion. See? That’s why they talk about bodybuilders.]
Ethan didn’t respond to the System’s insult. He simply looked at Jason and said, "I’ll take care of making them disappear. Using them would be too risky." He offered Jason a reassuring smile. "I’ll get you a specialized one soon." Jason simply nodded, accepting the decision; he was Ethan’s subordinate now, and his boss held the final authority.
Jason then asked, "Boss, if you permit me, I’d like to prepare breakfast for both of us."
Ethan was grateful. "Thank you, Jason. I appreciate it. I promise I’ll hire a cook soon so you don’t have to take on extra duties."
"It’s a pleasure, Boss. It’s no trouble at all," Jason replied with a small smile and headed toward the kitchen.
Ethan stayed in the pool for a little while longer, finishing his laps and cooling down. When he was done, he climbed out of the water. While Jason was busy in the kitchen, Ethan walked over to the car, which was parked near the entrance. He reached into the trunk and pulled out the large duffel bag where they had hastily stuffed all the stolen items the previous night: the pistols, the contract, the tasers, the lamps, the radios—everything they had taken from the construction zone security guards.
He stood briefly by the car, the invisible blue portal shimmering only to him, ready to offload his "junk" and gain his meager LUX Points.
Ethan hesitated for a moment. He slightly regretted the price, and, like many men, he had always wanted to own a gun. But he quickly reasoned that he wasn’t willing to trade his freedom for such a small thing. With a sigh, he tossed the four pistols into the glowing blue portal.
A message immediately flashed in his vision:
[4 x 9mm Pistols sold. Reward: 10 LUX Points]
He still had several magazines full of ammunition left over. He asked the System if those were also worth points.
[Yes, Champion. They are also worth ten times less than the buying price,] the System confirmed. [That makes them 0.01 LUX Points per round.]
Ethan quickly calculated. "So, you sell 10 bullets for 1 LUX Point?"
[You’re good at math, hehe] the System quipped.
Ethan then asked, "Do your bullets have anything special, like the anti-fingerprint coating on the gun?"
[Of course,] the System replied with a proud, synthetic tone. "Those bullets come with a special casing. Upon impact, they deform in a unique way, making ballistic analysis practically impossible. They are ideal for assassinations."
Ethan smirked, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. Thanks for the heads-up."
[It’s my pleasure,] the System said, a final, taunting line. "Bring all your trash. As your reliable Industrial Waste Collector Assistant, I’m here to help you, and I’ll even give you money for it."
Ethan dumped all the remaining radios, tasers, flashlights, and ammunition into the glowing portal, watching the LUX Points slowly tick up.