WebNovels

Chapter 3 - Chapter 3: The Countdown Accelerates

[System Alert: Time Until Betrayal — 46:12:57]

[Task Progress – Genesis Path: Part 1: 1% Complete]

[Next Objective: Secure VossTech prototype and protect intellectual rights]

Reward: Evolution Trait Unlock – "Cognitive Acceleration"

The following morning, Jason Yue stood in the heart of Lab Zero, the rented industrial warehouse where Dr. Akio Voss had restarted his work. The lab was barely operational—wires sprawled like vines across the floors, half-assembled machines sparked in protest, and the scent of ozone and metal filled the air.

Dr. Voss was already at work, eyes gleaming with manic brilliance as he adjusted the magnetic stabilizers inside a silver sphere humming with unstable energy. The fusion core—the future of power.

"This could melt the floor," Voss muttered. "Or implode and tear a hole through the city block."

Jason raised a brow. "Remind me why I gave you money again?"

Voss grinned. "Because you're insane and smarter than you look. And because you saw the data."

He wasn't wrong. Jason had used his Memory Dive skill again during the night, this time pulling a memory of a version of himself negotiating a billion-credit licensing deal for the same technology—three years after today's date.

And it all started here.

But memory alone wasn't enough. Jason had learned from his past lives that having the advantage wasn't the same as keeping it.

[System Task Unlocked: Protect Invention – Risk of Intellectual Theft High]

Threat Sources Identified:

Corporate Espionage from NovaGrid VenturesInternal Saboteur Risk: 17%Legal Breach Probability: 12%

Jason knew the vultures would come the moment they caught a scent of success.

Time to move first.

The Licensing Trap

Jason stepped outside Lab Zero and contacted a trusted name from his past—a young legal prodigy named Vivian Zhang.

Back in his previous timeline, she had fought to save his father's company in court until the very end. She'd been silenced by bribes and blackmail—but not before Jason remembered her unwavering loyalty.

"Jason Yue?" she asked through the holo-call. "I didn't expect to hear from you."

"You've always wanted to burn the big fish alive," he said. "I have a fusion project. It's going to change the world. But first, I need ironclad ownership contracts and layered IP protection that'll make corporate predators choke."

She paused, then smiled slowly. "Send me everything. And when can I meet Dr. Voss?"

By midday, Vivian had arrived at Lab Zero, armed with four legal AIs, three iron-bound briefcases, and a glare that could melt steel.

She and Voss didn't get along instantly—he tried to flirt by comparing her eyes to polarized magnetic fields—but they settled when Jason got between them.

"Ownership is currently 50/50," Jason explained, "but I want a failsafe clause. If anything happens to either of us, the other takes full control. And we each need encoded access to the lab and backups."

Vivian nodded. "Done. I'll also set up three shadow patents filed through shell companies to throw off corporate espionage trails."

✅ [Task Completed: Protect Intellectual Rights]

Reward: Evolution Trait Unlocked – Cognitive Acceleration (Lv. 1)

Description: Enhances strategic decision-making under pressure.

Bonus: +15% Reaction Speed | +10% Focus Retention | +5% Passive Threat Awareness

Jason blinked as the world seemed to slow slightly. The hum of machines clarified. Vivian's voice became crisper. His mind moved faster—more deliberate.

He hadn't just become smarter.

He'd become sharper.

Meanwhile, In a Boardroom Built on Lies

Across the city, in Yue Conglomerate's executive chamber, Nathan Yue sat with CFO Lin and a circle of silver-haired Board Members.

"You said Jason was busy vacationing," muttered Director Fen. "But we're hearing whispers. Legal filings. Financial reactivity in Sector 9 Holdings. And Lab Zero just became a protected facility under Yue Group's legacy patent network."

Lin looked uncomfortable. "Jason's… moving faster than expected."

Nathan's jaw tightened. "He's interfering. Fine. It's time to move up the betrayal."

He activated a private screen.

"Bring Elena into the call."

Seconds later, the seductive voice of Elena Morrow filled the room. Jason's ex-fiancée. The one who, in the previous timeline, had sold his location to assassins during his exile.

"Yes, love?" she purred.

"He's slipping the noose. We need the signature trap now."

"Leave that to me," she said sweetly. "He still believes I care."

The Message That Shouldn't Have Come

Back at Lab Zero, Jason's wristband blinked. Message from: Elena

"Jason… I heard you're back. I'm sorry. About everything. I know I made mistakes, but it was never what you think. Can we talk? Just once? Please."

Jason stared at the message.

Before, he would've melted.

Before, he would've gone running.

But he wasn't that Jason anymore.

He activated Memory Dive again. Cooldown overridden by system compensation from Cognitive Acceleration.

This time, he dove into a dark memory.

He was hiding in a frozen wasteland. Elena's voice begged him to trust her. When he came out of cover, a sniper's round pierced his shoulder. Her laughter echoed over the comms. "Gotcha, babe."

Jason emerged, his fists clenched.

[System Prompt: Would you like to set a counter-trap?]

[Yes] – Initiates deception tree

[No] – Decline and proceed normally

He pressed Yes.

The Counter-Trap Begins

Jason crafted a reply:

"Elena. I'm tired of running. Let's meet. Same café where we planned our engagement."

He knew she'd take the bait.

But this time, Jason would arrive early. With a TraceCode GhostLink, a system-generated surveillance implant that would capture every digital signal in a 200-meter radius.

If Elena brought mercs or transmitters, he'd know.

If she lied, he'd catch her in real-time.

✅ [Trap Set – Await Outcome in 6 hours]

Bonus Reward Pending: [Truth Fragment: Elena]

A New Ally from the Ashes

As Jason returned to the penthouse, Vivian followed closely.

"You've changed," she said suddenly. "The Jason Yue I remember was brilliant… but too trusting. Soft."

Jason poured himself tea. "He died."

Vivian hesitated. "Good. Then let me help you kill the ones who buried him."

Jason smiled faintly. "Welcome aboard."

Suddenly, the System chimed again.

[Incoming Timeline Event – Critical Anomaly Detected]

"Project HelixCore" — AI threat from alternate Jason (Timeline #024)

Counter-Measures Required: High

Impact Level: Catastrophic

Jason frowned.

Another version of him… from another timeline… had built something called HelixCore?

Before he could ask more, the System forced a visual memory into his mind.

A burning city. Sky choked with AI-controlled drones. And at the center of it all—a man who looked just like Jason Yue, surrounded by machines. Laughing.

Jason's heart stopped.

This wasn't about earning money anymore.

This was about saving every version of himself from destruction.

And it all started… with the next step.

More Chapters