Three days passed.
Demon Heavy didn't send anyone else.
The shop went back to normal.
Old Joe went out scavenging every day. Sometimes came back with weird parts.
The woman—she named herself "Zero"—started helping around the shop. Cleaned. Sometimes cooked.
Her hands were mechanical, but the food was surprisingly good.
Every day, Xiao Qi showed up with her doll. Either wanted it fixed, or just watched Jax work.
Jax didn't talk much.
But she liked being around him anyway.
---
That night, Old Joe came back early.
Soon as he walked in, he tossed something to Jax.
"Catch."
Jax caught it.
Palm-sized metal plate. Covered in dense patterns.
**[Vision Stone]**
**[Type]:** Special Item
**[Description]:** A medium for connecting to the Vision. Allows entry into the virtual space of the Dark World.
Jax looked up.
"What's this?"
Old Joe dropped into a chair.
"Vision Stone. You've been in The Underbelly this long and never seen one?"
Jax shook his head.
Old Joe took a swig.
"This dump's got its own network. Called the Vision. Slap that thing on, and your mind goes in."
He pointed at the plate.
"Everything's in there. Sell parts. Trade info. Hire muscle. Safer than the streets."
Jax stared at the stone.
**[Ding! New function unlocked: Vision Connection. Use Vision Stone to enter.** **]**
He didn't hesitate.
Grabbed it.
Closed his eyes.
---
Dizziness for a second. Then Jax opened his eyes.
He was standing in a huge plaza.
Crowded with figures—no, not all human. Some had beast heads. Some were on fire. Some just floated in the air.
A giant eyeball hung overhead. Pale light. Watching everything.
**[Ding! Welcome to the Vision. Current location: Bottom Layer District 7 Plaza.** **]**
**[Ding! First entry detected. System has generated identity information for you.** **]**
Jax looked down at his hands.
Translucent.
He raised his wrist. An eye-shaped rune was there.
**[Jax]**
**[Race]:** Human
**[Identity]:** Bottom Layer Mechanic
**[Funds]:** 0 New Coins
**[Threat Level]:** Low
---
**[Regional Channel]**
**[Blood Doll]:** Anyone seen my mom? She disappeared again!
**[Ironhead]:** @Blood Doll Someone spotted her in District 13 yesterday.
**[Black Knight]:** Buying Grade-A Healing Potion. Name your price.
**[Longhair]:** Anyone know that mechanic in District 7? The one who fixes dolls? Is he any good?
Jax stopped on that last one.
Tapped it.
**[Longhair]:** A friend of mine went to District 7 a few days ago. Got her doll fixed. Said that mechanic's skills are legit. I got something I need repaired too.
**[Blood Doll]:** @Longhair You talking about that shop? Bone-saw Old Joe's place?
**[Longhair]:** Yeah! That one!
**[Ironhead]:** I know Old Joe. Old-school mechanic. His apprentice seems solid too.
**[Blood Doll]:** The apprentice? The quiet one?
**[Longhair]:** Yeah! That's him!
Jax stayed quiet.
So people in the Vision were talking about him.
He kept scrolling.
---
**[Trade Channel]**
**[For Sale]:** Used Hunter blade. 90% condition. Best offer.
**[Wanted]:** Type-7 Power Core. Paying top price.
**[Hiring]:** Need mechanic for lab equipment repair. Reward: 500 New Coins.
Jax's eyes stopped on that last one.
**[Hiring Location]:** District 3. Demon Heavy Industries Experimental Base. Contact: Mechanic Demon.
Mechanic Demon.
Him again.
Jax opened the message.
Short. Just said they needed an experienced mechanic. Good pay.
Jax knew better. Trap.
He closed it.
---
He explored a bit more. Got the feel of the place.
Regional channel was free. Anyone could talk.
Trade channel cost a little to post.
Some channels were locked. Needed higher access.
He was about to log off when the rune on his wrist lit up.
**[Private Message: Longhair has sent you a message.** **]**
Jax opened it.
**[Longhair]:** Hey. You the mechanic from District 7?
Jax paused two seconds. Replied:
**[Yeah.** **]**
**[Longhair]:** Nice! I got something needs fixing. When can I come by?
Jax thought.
**[Tomorrow night. Shop.** **]**
**[Longhair]:** Deal! See you then!
Message ended.
Jax logged out.
Opened his eyes. Old Joe was staring at him.
"How was it?"
Jax nodded.
"Useful."
Old Joe grinned.
"Course it is. I was surfing the Vision when you were still walking around on two legs up top."
Jax ignored him.
Looked at the workbench. Thought about the message.
Tomorrow night.
New customer.
---
**[Chapter Twelve · End]**
**[Ding! New function unlocked: Vision Connection. Basic EXP +100.** **]**
**[Ding! Quest triggered: New Customer. Objective: Meet Longhair and complete repair job. Rewards: New Coins +50, Mechanical Repair EXP +50.** **]**