Cronus' system: Against the gods

WOLF-FANG HUNTER GUILD

Magnus's lips curved into a triumphant grin as his gaze settled on the bold, glowing letters atop the gleaming skyscraper.

The building towered over the cityscape, a masterpiece of steel and glass, its reflective surface catching the afternoon sunlight, casting fractured beams across the street below. Each panel seemed to pulse with energy, as if alive, just like his racing heart.

"Wolf-Fang Hunter Guild," he whispered under his breath, savoring the weight of the name. It was more than a guild, it was a symbol of power, prestige, and cutting-edge tech. For Magnus, it was the future he had long dreamed of, now within reach.

Excitement bubbled in his chest, barely contained as he took slow, deliberate steps toward the entrance. In his hand, the sleek recommendation card gleamed faintly under the light.

He tightened his grip on it, feeling its smooth surface press against his palm. Brenda's promise echoed in his mind, her voice fiery yet reassuring. Ever since that moment, he hadn't been able to think of anything else.

"Heck, just the building alone reeks of high-tech..." Magnus muttered, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. The thought of all the advanced gear, the state-of-the-art weaponry, and the tech he'd soon get his hands on sent a thrill through him.

But it wasn't just the promise of technology that had his heart racing—it was her. As he held the card, unbidden memories of their date from the previous night surfaced, vivid and warm.

Brenda's fierce, hot-blooded nature was unlike anyone he had ever met. There was something magnetic about her, something that drew him in and made him want to impress her at every turn.

"Extraordinary," he mused, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. She wasn't the kind of woman to give her heart lightly, and yet, there had been something in her eyes, a spark that suggested she saw something special in him.

His smile faltered slightly as another thought intruded, one that carried a mix of annoyance and amusement: Rex. Magnus had planned to hand Rex a recommendation card of his own so they could join the guild together.

Brenda had vouched for him too, insisting Rex had the talent to make it. But, of course, tracking down Rex was easier said than done.

"He's one heck of a guy," Magnus muttered, shaking his head. He'd tried calling, but the line had been dead. He had no clue where Rex lived, and knowing Rex, he could be anywhere, probably caught up in some wild adventure, as usual.

Still, that didn't dampen Magnus's spirits. Today was about him, about stepping into a world he had long admired from afar.

He squared his shoulders, took a deep breath, and strode confidently toward the entrance. The glass doors slid open with a soft hiss, revealing a sleek lobby bathed in cool, blue light. Every surface gleamed, every line was sharp—this was a place where only the best of the best belonged.

"First time?" A voice pulled him from his awe.

Magnus turned to see a receptionist sitting behind a sleek, curved desk. She wore the guild's signature crimson uniform, her eyes sharp yet inviting.

"Yeah," Magnus replied, lifting the recommendation card with a sheepish grin. "Got this from... a friend."

The receptionist raised an eyebrow, scanning the card with a faintly hummed device. Her expression shifted, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before she returned to her professional demeanor.

"From the young mistress?" The receptionist couldn't believe her eyes. He looked at the shabby-dressed Magnus and then looked at the card again "Who....who are you to the mistress?!"

"A… a friend," Magnus stammered, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. "Well, technically more than a friend, but not quite...uh, you know what? Let's just stick with friend."

The receptionist's brow remained raised, skepticism plastered on her face as she gave Magnus a once-over. His mismatched outfit—a plain shirt, worn boots, and pants that had clearly seen better days. It didn't exactly scream young mistress's acquaintance. More like guy who got lost on his way to the nearest soup kitchen.

She leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice. "Friend, huh? You sure you didn't just, you know, borrow this card from someone important?"

Magnus's grin widened nervously. "Borrow? Ha! No, no, no! I mean, Brenda....uh, the young mistress personally handed it to me. Said I had what it takes to join this place."

The receptionist blinked, processing his words, before muttering under her breath, "Must've been feeling real generous that day."

The receptionist sighed, motioning toward a nearby corridor. "Take the elevator to the 15th floor. Tech department. Someone will meet you there." She scanned him one last time, as if still unsure whether he belonged in such a high-end establishment, before returning to her console.

Magnus offered her a quick nod, thankful for the direction. He stepped into the elevator, and as it ascended, he couldn't help but take in the futuristic surroundings. The walls gleamed with polished metal, and faint lines of blue light pulsed gently, as though the entire structure was alive, breathing in sync with the city's heartbeat.

Ding. The doors slid open, revealing the tech department.

Magnus stepped out into a massive workspace buzzing with activity. Rows of desks were lined with holographic monitors, their displays filled with lines of code, schematics, and data streams.

The air hummed with the sound of machines working in perfect sync. Sparks flew from a nearby table where a technician wielding a precision laser was fusing cybernetic components.

Magnus saw a man talking to another one in hushed voices. There seemed to be bad blood between them but for a newbie, he knew better than to interfere.

Suddenly, one of the men started approaching him. Magnus looked behind the man, only to discover that the person he had been talking to was gone. "A hologram perhaps....."

The man was tall, broad-shouldered, with wild silver hair and cybernetic implants running down one side of his face. His right eye gleamed faintly, a mechanical iris that whirred slightly as it focused on Magnus.

"Magnus, right?" the man asked gruffly, folding his arms across his chest.

"That's me," Magnus replied confidently, despite the nerves creeping up his spine.

"I'm Jax, head of this department." Jax's tone was brusque, no nonsense. He gave Magnus a quick once-over, noting the worn clothes and the eager spark in his eyes. "Brenda's recommendation, huh? That's rare. She doesn't usually vouch for people."

Magnus shrugged. "What can I say? Guess she saw something in me."

Jax snorted, clearly unimpressed. "Talk is cheap. Around here, skill speaks louder. You ready to prove you're not just another idiot with big dreams?"

Magnus grinned, the challenge igniting his competitive spirit. "Bring it on."

Jax turned, gesturing for Magnus to follow him deeper into the department. They passed rows of high-tech equipment, from 3D circuit printers to neural interface prototypes. Magnus's eyes gleamed as he mentally cataloged everything he saw.

They stopped in front of a workbench cluttered with half-assembled devices, spare components, and diagnostic tools. Jax tapped on a nearby console, and a holographic interface sprang to life, displaying a complex network of security protocols and firewalls.

"Alright, hotshot," Jax said, crossing his arms. "Your first test is simple: break through this firewall. It's designed to simulate a standard corporate security system, nothing too fancy. If you're half as good as Brenda says, you should be able to crack it in under five minutes."

Magnus leaned forward, his fingers already itching to get started. He quickly assessed the holographic display, noting the multi-layered encryption and the decoy traps embedded within the code. To the untrained eye, it might have looked like an impenetrable fortress, but to Magnus, it was a puzzle waiting to be solved.

"Five minutes?" he repeated with a smirk. "I'll do it in three."

Jax raised an eyebrow but said nothing, curious to see if the kid could back up his bravado.

Magnus cracked his knuckles and got to work. His fingers moved with practiced ease over the console, launching a series of scripts designed to probe the firewall for weaknesses. The first layer of encryption fell within seconds, but Magnus barely paused to acknowledge the small victory. He knew better than to celebrate too early.

As he delved deeper, he encountered the decoy traps—programs designed to lock him out or trigger an alert if tripped. He bypassed them with precision, weaving through the code like a seasoned hunter navigating a maze.

"Two minutes," Jax noted aloud, his tone neutral but watchful.

Magnus didn't respond. His focus was absolute, his mind working faster than his fingers as he anticipated the final layer of defense. It was a dynamic algorithm, one that changed its structure every few seconds to prevent standard cracking methods. But Magnus had dealt with similar systems before. He deployed a custom-built script that adapted in real-time, matching the firewall's changes and exploiting a hidden vulnerability.

With a final keystroke, the firewall collapsed, and the holographic interface flashed green, signaling success.

"Time?" Magnus asked, leaning back with a satisfied grin.

Jax glanced at the timer. "Two minutes, forty-five seconds."

Magnus gave a mock bow. "Told you I'd do it in three." Find your next read on empiren/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Jax didn't smile, but there was a glint of approval in his cybernetic eye. "Not bad, kid. Not bad at all." He tapped a few commands into the console, resetting the system. "Alright, let's see how you handle something a bit more hands-on."

He led Magnus to another section of the department, where several technicians were working on drones and other automated devices. Jax picked up a small, spider-like drone from a nearby table and handed it to Magnus.

"This unit's control chip is fried," Jax explained. "Your job is to replace it and reprogram the drone to follow a simple patrol pattern. Think you can manage that?"

Magnus examined the drone, noting the intricate design and the burnt-out chip nestled within its core. He pulled a replacement chip from his bag, he always carried a few spares, just in case, and got to work.

The next few minutes passed in focused silence as Magnus carefully swapped out the damaged component and connected the drone to a nearby console. He uploaded a basic patrol algorithm, tweaking the parameters to optimize its pathfinding capabilities.

Once he was done, he placed the drone on the floor and activated it. The tiny machine whirred to life, its legs moving with mechanical precision as it began its programmed patrol.

Jax watched closely, nodding in approval as the drone completed its circuit without a hitch. "Looks like you've got some real skill," he admitted. "Most rookies would've taken twice as long and still messed it up."

Magnus grinned, his earlier nerves now replaced by confidence. "So, do I get the job?"

Jax gave him a long, considering look before finally nodding. "Yeah, you're in. Welcome to the Wolf-Fang Hunter Guild, tech division."

Magnus's grin widened as he extended a hand. Jax clasped it firmly, sealing the deal. "You'll report directly to me," Jax added. "We've got a lot of work ahead, and I don't have time to babysit. Think you can keep up?"

"Keep up?" Magnus repeated, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I'll do more than that...I'll leave everyone else in the dust."