The Genius System-Chapter 86: Recruitment

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The car sped through the darkness, as silent as a predator on the hunt. The engine barely purred, and inside, the atmosphere was just as hushed, but far more electric. Through the tinted windows, the shimmering lights of Macro formed a living mosaic, a city that never slept, always teeming with life.

But here, in the luxurious interior of the vehicle, a subtle tension settled between two sharp minds.

Lassen observed his guest with undisguised amusement. He still didn’t know her name, but that didn’t matter. What counted was that look. A look where caution, determination, and that hint of pride that only those who believe they have the upper hand possess, intertwined.

She maintained a composed, calculated posture, but he could tell she weighed each of her words with surgical precision. She wasn’t the type to let emotions betray her thoughts.

He liked that.

It meant she fully understood the gravity of her situation.

A silence stretched between them, interrupted only by the faint hum of the road beneath the wheels. Then, finally, she took a breath and straightened slightly.

"Alright." Her voice was calm, measured, but firm. "You’re not going to kill me right away. If that were the plan, I wouldn’t be sitting here, and you wouldn’t be wasting your time with small talk."

Lassen raised an eyebrow, amused by her direct analysis.

"Correct." He stretched his lips into a relaxed smile. "I don’t like wasting time… unless it’s fun."

She didn’t respond immediately, but he noticed a tiny movement at the corner of her mouth, as if she had almost smiled before stopping herself.

"Then let’s get to the point." She stared at him without blinking "I hacked the base because I wanted to know what was happening underground. I’ve known for years that something was here, but recently, everything changed."

She crossed her arms and sank slightly into her seat, her voice lowering, becoming more measured.

"The military presence doubled, vehicles came one after another, and there were far too many suspicious comings and goings for it to be a simple reorganization. I wanted to see what was going on."

Lassen tapped his armrest, thoughtful.

"So, you already knew about the existence of this base?" he asked with a falsely surprised look. "I must admit, I’m almost flattered. That means the government is doing a good job if it took you years to find a way to take a peek."

She shrugged, keeping her impassive expression.

"Flattered or not, I got there in the end. I just didn’t expect it to be you who caught me. At least… not so quickly."

Lassen smirked.

"If you had had a little more time, do you think you would’ve made it inside?"

A spark of defiance flickered in the young woman’s eyes.

"I don’t think. I know."

Adrian, who had remained silent in the front, rolled his eyes while keeping his attention on the road.

"We’ve got a real arrogant one here…" he muttered, though not quietly enough for Lassen to miss it.

Lassen chuckled softly before continuing, this time more seriously.

"You did something risky, very risky. And yet, I don’t sense any fear in you."

She held his gaze for a moment, then leaned back against the seat, arms still crossed.

"Because I always have a plan. Every risk I take, I calculate. And, until proven otherwise, I’m still alive."

Lassen nodded, thoughtful.

"Alright, then tell me… what was your plan if you had managed to get in without getting caught?"

A slight silence settled. She didn’t answer immediately, carefully weighing her words.

"Observe. Gather information. Understand what you’re hiding here."

Lassen rested his chin on his hand, intrigued.

"And then?"

A sly smile appeared on the hacker’s lips.

"That depends on what I would have found."

Lassen’s gaze brightened slightly.

"And now that you know I’m involved, have your priorities changed?"

She stared at him for a long moment before answering in a lower tone:

"That depends… on what you’re going to do with me."

Lassen burst into laughter, a light laugh that, in some way, carried a hint of excitement.

"Ah, finally, a touch of suspense. You’re not making this easy for me—I like that."

Adrian, however, sighed.

"If we could avoid the guessing games while I’m driving, that would be great."

Lassen ignored his remark and refocused on the woman.

"You have talent, no doubt. A remarkable determination. I could easily make you disappear, but that would be a regrettable loss, wouldn’t it?"

She didn’t reply, merely watching him, waiting for him to continue.

"So here’s my offer," Lassen continued, leaning back into his seat. "You work for me."

The silence fell like a lead weight inside the car.

The hacker blinked, surprised, but quickly recovered.

"Work for you? Just like that?"

Lassen smiled.

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"Of course not. Nothing is just like that with me. You proved you could shake a security system that few dare to challenge. I need someone like you. Someone who understands the game before it even begins."

She remained silent for a few seconds before asking, skeptical:

"And if I refuse?"

Lassen pretended to think.

"Well… you’ve already broken several laws and hacked a secret military base. If I let you go, I have a feeling Macro won’t be very welcoming to you."

She clenched her jaw slightly, understanding the implication.

"So it’s either work for you or disappear?"

Lassen shrugged.

"Let’s say I’m offering you an opportunity. It’s up to you whether you accept it… or not."

She sighed, running a hand through her hair.

"And what exactly do you expect from me?"

Lassen tapped his armrest, satisfied.

"I’ll tell you once we arrive. But don’t worry, it’ll be much more interesting than sneaking into surveillance systems in the middle of the night."

A shiver ran down the hacker’s spine.

She knew she had just entered a game far bigger than herself.

And she no longer had a choice.