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Chapter 1 The Universal Toolbox

Daniel Jones had a secret, one he never spilled to anyone.

He had this ring on his hand that looked like a tattoo. Most folks thought it was just some ink or a scar, but only Daniel knew it was actually a "universal toolbox."

He snagged this thing when he was fifteen.

Daniel didn't figure out what it did until he was 18. He got zapped while fixing a light at home, and bam, the "universal toolbox" kicked into gear.

This universal toolbox was the real deal. It was a handheld gadget with a microcomputer, a detection and analysis module, and a manufacturing processor.

This thing could do it all. It could analyze and tweak most standard gear from a distance, including weapons and armor.

The best part? The manufacturing module. It could take recycled junk and quickly print out small 3D objects and whip up all sorts of materials, from engineering plastics to metals, rare alloys, and even explosives.

This meant he could fix and mod most standard gear on the spot and reuse recycled stuff.

Daniel had a hunch this thing was alien tech.

'Cause, with Earth's tech, there was no way to make something like this.

The "universal toolbox" was like a high-precision 3D printer with recycling and breakdown powers, a piece of super black tech. But compared to Earth's gadgets, Daniel's "universal toolbox" was portable and could work anywhere, almost like some alien super tech.

As a vet school grad from an ag college, Daniel quickly became a mechanic thanks to this thing.

With such a magical item, Daniel could've given his parents a good life.

But then his parents got seriously sick, and they didn't have time to wait for him to slowly make bank.

So, after tagging along with Edward Jones to Afrilon, he got into arms dealing on the side.

Why take such a big risk? Simple. Fast cash.

Daniel went to Sudania, made friends with some mining bosses, and used his tool to make guns to sell to them. Slowly, he built a rep and made connections with some tribes in Sudania.

This was how he managed to cover his parents' medical bills, which were in the millions, and pay off the family's debts in just three years.

He was always super careful. Whether he was out collecting materials or meeting clients, he always rocked a headscarf and sunglasses. But in the end, he couldn't hide it from Edward, who saw him every day.

The universal toolbox was something that could never be exposed. Afrilon had a rough environment, but no street cameras, and no one cared about what he was up to.

Since he was already in the game, he had to find every way possible to make money.

This world belongs to the rich. With money, you can do whatever you want. Fancy cars, mansions, women, all within reach.

Daniel was terrified of being broke!

The experience of begging relatives for money and being looked down on when his parents were sick was something he never wanted to go through again!

Make money, make enough money, make enough to be set for life!

Looking at Edward's aging profile, Daniel stayed quiet for a long time before finally saying, "Edward, man, I got no choice. There’s stuff I don’t wanna do, but I’m backed into a corner.

I can’t bail now, got some business to wrap up."

Edward glanced at Daniel, sighed, and said, "Don’t feel so down!

If you get a chance, you should bounce and head home. Ain’t that a life too?"

Edward hesitated for a sec and then added, "Stay away from those mining folks. How many good people can you find among them, especially those gangsters? They’re all bad news."

Daniel nodded seriously and said, "Don’t worry, Edward, I get it."

Edward looked at Daniel’s dark face and shook his head, saying, "As long as you get it. If things go south, get back home quick.

I’ve been a site leader for years. Haven’t made much dough, but I’ve learned a lot.

Take my advice, with your skills, you can definitely land a job back home."

Daniel didn’t say much, just nodded to keep Edward off his back.

Right now, he couldn’t leave because he’d been introduced to some folks from a tribe in southern Sudania, and they’d already paid a deposit.

If he didn’t deliver, he could run, but his buddies left behind might get screwed. And if things blew up, what he was doing here could get exposed, and he’d still end up in jail back home.

Seeing things had come to this point, Edward didn’t push him anymore.

He nodded and said, "I know I can’t change your mind. When I leave, you won’t have anyone to watch your back here, so take care of yourself."

Hearing this, Daniel grinned and said, "What are you talking about? I’m a grown man; I won’t starve.

You go back without worry. In a couple of years, I’ll definitely head back too. Frederick Jones is a stubborn guy; I’ll have to go back and push him to find a partner while he’s still in college."

The convo lightened up. Edward talked about his dreams for the future, and before long, they’d crossed most of Nairovia and arrived near an apartment complex.

Most folks who came to Nairovia for work lived here. It was the hottest time of the year, and there wasn’t a soul in sight; everyone was in their dorms playing cards or sleeping.

After parking the car at the entrance of the apartment, Edward got out and said to Daniel, "I know you got stuff to do. Go ahead, and if anyone asks, I’ll cover for you."

Daniel nodded gratefully, got out of the car, and hopped into a semi-new pickup truck parked nearby. He then drove to the northern part of Nairovia, where he’d rented a villa and set up his workshop.

In fact, he’d made quite a bit of money, way more than the $15,000 monthly salary, but he couldn’t bear to leave Edward and the mutual support of his fellow countrymen, nor the perks of his labor dispatch status.

Now that Edward was heading back home, Daniel had to start fending for himself officially!

Driving into a villa area mostly inhabited by locals, Daniel parked his car in the yard of his rented house. He then rushed inside, cranked up the AC, and ran to a big tree in the yard. It’d take at least ten to twenty minutes before the house was cool enough to chill in.

Just as he was about to grab some water, his phone rang.

Seeing it was his business phone with an unfamiliar number, Daniel frowned and hit the answer button.

"Hello."

As soon as Daniel spoke, a muffled voice on the other end said, "Are you 'Jackal'?"

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