Reboot: Mechanic

Being reprimanded harshly by Theobold, Felix could only remain still and allowed himself to be scolded. 

But even still, Felix refused to let the culprit live peacefully which made him wear an eyepatch from now on.

It was an eye that he lost, and even if there were mechanical eyeballs available as replacements, the eyeballs weren't that advanced with Gearits City's current technological progress. 

They were no different than a temporary solution that gave him a little bit of vision and nothing more. 

Not to mention, his pride and wounded heart would never allow him to forgive what Shi Tian had done to him once he realized the culprit was him through Theobold's analysis. 

"Enough of your nonsense and return to your camp." Theobold waved his hands and snorted coldly. 

"If you weren't a loyal soldier of mine, then I wouldn't have you just whipped. Instead, I'll turn you into one of those traitors." He then shouted, dismissing Felix. 

Felix could only gnash his teeth angrily as he grudgingly exited the tent, knowing that he would only bring more punishment to himself if he had stayed. 

'Since you won't do it because of the circumstances, then allow me to do the deed.' Felix's eyes glinted in a fierce light as he vowed vengeance. 

He knew Theobold was in a difficult situation right now, unable to publicly make a move, especially when Vanessa had revealed her identity to be from the Ariston Family. So he would have to be the one to do it and take all the blame if it ever failed. 

While Felix was planning on scheming for his revenge, back at the Iron Sentinel, Shi Tian was busy crafting things by the desk. 

His expression was solemn, seemingly focused on the items that he was crafting.

Vanessa was curious as to why Shi Tian was working by the desk the moment they returned to the Iron Sentinel. She was confused as to why he didn't use this opportunity to take some ample rest. 

They were traveling for quite some time and experienced quite the ordeal scenario despite not having achieved much. 

"Why are you crafting them?" Vanessa grabbed one of the parts and asked. 

She recognized this to be a small compartment of the Claymore Mine, but at the same time, Shi Tian's near-completed item didn't look like a Claymore Mine either.

"I'm making a new modification of a Claymore Mine." Shi Tian explained, his eyes remained fixated on the electric circuit. 

"People have gotten used to the new modified Claymore Mine, so the trap wouldn't be as effective as in the past. Hence, I'll need to recreate a new one to fend off attackers." 

"Fend off attackers?" Vanessa knitted her brows, seemingly stunned by his reasonings. "Who will attack us here, Nathan? Are you just bored and wanting to find something to do?"

As Vanessa asked such questions, Mary subsequently stopped her surveillance temporarily to eavesdrop on their conversation. She was equally curious as to why Shi Tian seemed to be in a rush to craft new traps.

"We should be careful in these few days." Shi Tian warned them. "Since Theobold already knew our deeds, or more specifically, my actions against his soldiers. Then, needless to say, those soldiers will harbor nefarious intentions." 

"All thanks to you." Vanessa rolled her eyes, seemingly blaming him.

Though it was quite evident that Vanessa didn't care much about it. 

With the information they had back then, what Shi Tian did was considered a good option, not optimum, but wasn't terrible either.

Why?

Who knows if those enemies were truly trying to harm them?

There was no guarantee, and with their sneaky actions, it was better to be safe than sorry.

"Are you suspecting that Theobold might send his soldier for revenge?" Mary asked in concern, in contrast to Vanessa, who only knew how to play the blame game.

Shi Tian chuckled in response as he shook his head. "No, Theobold isn't that impulsive to throw away the facade now that we are playing nice." 

"Then why are you worried?" Vanessa raised an eyebrow and interrupted. "Aren't you just being paranoid now? Do they still dare to attack you when I have revealed my identity already?"

"Theobold may be a commander, but a commander is still human nevertheless. He can command his soldiers, but the soldiers are human as well. Do you think they will just stay put when they realize the culprit of their plight is right next to them?" Shi Tian looked at Vanessa with an exhausted expression.

"Also, your identity might be special in public and no one would dare to suffer the repercussions of harming you. But what if they do it discreetly? Don't forget, you were ambushed once, so it's clear your identity isn't full of protection." He then reminded, telling her to not be so conceited. 

After hearing that, Vanessa started walking back and forth, seemingly agreeing with Shi Tian's worry. 

"But even still, why would they risk offending Theobold by attacking us?" Vanessa couldn't comprehend the soldiers' action for wanting to attack them despite knowing the consequences. 

"Vanessa, if someone shot one of your eyeballs away, would you be pleased and happy to be so close to that culprit?" Shi Tian suddenly asked. 

It was at this moment that Vanessa finally realized why Shi Tian was so concerned about their situation. 

She gasped in horror and looked at Shi Tian with a disbelief expression. "You are the one that did it, so why would he target us?" 

"Anger could fuel one person to do things that they will never consider. And since you're interacting with us, that essentially made you one of the targets." Shi Tian explained, albeit vaguely. 

Although he didn't know how to explain to them directly, Shi Tian had checked on the reputation earlier while he was conversing with Theobold. 

He wanted to check whether Theobold's value had dropped more negatively or not. And during that time, Shi Tian noticed a person called Felix was having a negative value of 98, a clear evidence of Felix wanting him dead. 

'I don't know who Felix is, but he should be the one that I shot his right eye away.' Shi Tian exclaimed inwardly.