Reincarnated With An SSS-Rank Talent In An Apocalyptic World Chapter 96: Becoming Texas Golden Child

— The Velvet Reserve, Uptown Dallas —

The VIP lounge was quiet—too quiet. The lights were dim, casting a soft golden glow over everything. Thick curtains covered the windows, shutting out the world outside. There were only a few people here, each minding their own business in private booths.

I sank into one of the leather couches, surprised by how soft it was. A glass table sat in front of , already stocked with bottled water, scented towels, and a small tray of snacks.

Sniff!

I inhaled deeply, greedily taking in the scent of vanilla and sothing expensive I couldn’t na. It was much better than the stench of antiseptics and drugs in that hospital.

Johnson placed the file on their side of the table before gently sliding it over to , but I didn’t take it—nor did I attempt to reach for it.

"Jake, take a look at that for ," I said to Jake, who was seated beside .

He glanced at in surprise. I would even say he was more surprised than the agents. But that surprise soon shifted to excitent as he quickly snatched the contract and began flipping through the pages greedily while I focused my attention on the agents.

"Do you know why I chose the Texas Limitless Agency over others?" I asked in a calm tone as I picked up a bottle of water and flipped the cap open.

Once again, the two exchanged glances before returning their gaze to and shaking their heads. I had seen this happen so many tis, it was becoming annoying.

But I guess this is what happens when two people work together for too long.

"Freedom... freedom to do as I please," I said before gulping down the entire content of the water bottle without pause.

Only when I finished did I realize Jake and the agents were staring at like I was a monster.

"Are you still thirsty?" Agent Ray asked as he tried to slide his bottle of water over to my side—only to get his hand slapped hard by Johnson.

Rolling my eyes, I shifted my attention to Jake and asked,

"So?"

It took him a mont to recover before he looked at the contract in his hands and shifted his attention back to .

"Errm, it’s really good," Jake said and snapped the contract shut.

"You gain 3,000 contribution points just for accepting, a $1 million dollar monthly salary, and a five-bedroom duplex in Westlake Hills. With a few other minor incentives—but these are the major things," he explained, leaving genuinely surprised.

I thought I would need to negotiate, but these offers were slightly above my expectations. Especially the 3,000 contribution points, which I needed to graduate from the academy.

"The governnt wants to make you its newest rising star. As such, you must outshine Dayvon Smith and beco the first man to graduate from the state academy," Johnson’s voice stole my attention and I couldn’t help but glance in his direction.

"Sign the contract, and you’ll be on the news twenty minutes from now," Ray added while checking the ti on his wristwatch.

For a mont, I had forgotten about the political war between governnt-owned Limitless and independent Limitless. Who would have thought I would be a tool used to overshadow the very man I wanted to defeat?

This was amazing—but not enough.

"Your offers are amazing, but I need one more tiny addition to it." I placed my elbows on the table and leaned forward.

The two frowned, exchanging glances before returning their gaze to .

’Again with the fucking glances. Are you two gay?’ I cursed inwardly, but maintained a calm exterior.

"Go on..." Ray said in a skeptical tone, but I didn’t care.

"I wish to be notified whenever a rift appears in Texas, and I want to have the right to join the raids on every single one of them!"

Buzz!

The contract fell from Jake’s hand while Ray and Johnson jerked back with bewildered looks. I understood their reaction, because most Limitless are usually looking for ways to get exempted from raids—yet here I was, asking to be given the rights to join any.

My reason for this was simple: rifts had grades which determined the quality of the realm behind it. The rift we used to enter Nightfall Dominion was of the lowest grade, and that’s why we ended up in a dying world.

Higher grade rifts ant greater danger, which is why they are restricted to higher-rated Limitless.

"Are you sure you’re okay?" Johnson asked while trying to reach for my face with the back of his palm, like a mother checking the temperature of a child suffering from a fever.

This ti Ray was the one who slapped his hand away, so I shifted my attention to him.

"Can you get it done?" I asked, but Ray offered an apologetic smile and shook his head.

"There are so things that need to be discussed with the higher-ups," he explained. "But I’m certain we can do that for low-grade rifts. I think there should be a rift in Cedar Hill right now. The raid will be happening in an hour or so."

From his thoughtful expression, I knew he was trying to show his sincerity. Even though I was slightly disappointed I couldn’t get a quick response to my demands, I didn’t mind settling for getting information about lower-graded rifts.

"Good. I’ll be joining the raid then," I said, and the room fell dead silent.

Their eyes were on as I pulled the contract over to my side of the table, flipped it open, and scanned through it for a minute or two. There was no pen attached to it, but Johnson had one hanging from his breast pocket, so I reached over and pulled it out, signing the contract without any further hesitation.

Once that was over, I slid the contract back to the duo before raising my head to et their gaze.

"The higher-ups can decide on what decision to make based on my performance," I said as I rose to my feet.

I left the table and walked over to the exit, only stopping when I realized no one had moved.

"You said there’s only an hour before the raid. It’s about a thirty-minute drive from here. We don’t have much ti," I said with a hint of annoyance in my tone.

The agents exchanged glances again before looking at the contract I just signed and finally returning their attention to .

"You just regained consciousness today after six months in a coma," Ray argued. "Are you sure you’re fit to join a raid?"

Johnson and Jake nodded in agreent with his logic.

Bam!

In an instant, I reached the table, slapping it into the air and everyone jerked back. They watched the table spin a few tis before I caught it—holding it up in the air with one hand—and still catching the contract before it could hit the ground.

"My second talent makes much stronger and more resilient than you think," I said, and everyone nodded chanically at my words.

I lowered the table and turned to the agents.

"I get stronger with each battle I fight," I said, and they all exchanged glances—but I didn’t stop there.

"I’m not trying to be a poster boy with no real capabilities. I plan to beco the strongest Limitless of my generation—and I plan to prove it with my achievents. This is your chance to beco a part of that journey. So why hold back?"