Chapter 2: The Universal Toolbox

Joga had a secret—a secret that should have allowed him to live a comfortable life. 

He possessed a ring that looked like a tattoo. Most people thought it was just a mark from his youthful recklessness, but only Joga knew the truth: it was something called the "Universal Toolbox." 

He found this object when he was fifteen years old, after diving into a river to save a girl from his village. He discovered it at the bottom of the river, slipped it onto the index finger of his left hand, and it immediately embedded itself under his skin. The situation at the time was chaotic, and he quickly forgot about it. 

After getting home, he was scolded by his mother, then praised by the village, the school, and even the county committee. He received 2,000 yuan, but it wasn't enough to lift his parents' spirits. 

It wasn't until he was 18, while fixing a light at home and getting accidentally shocked by electricity, that everything changed. 

The Universal Toolbox was indeed universal. It was a handheld device that included a microcomputer, a detection and analysis module, and a manufacturing and processing unit. 

This device had a wide range of applications, from analyzing and adjusting the functions of most standard equipment remotely, to repairing and modifying weapons and armor. 

The most important feature was its manufacturing module, which could recycle materials and recombine them to quickly print small, three-dimensional objects, synthesizing various materials from engineering plastics, metals, rare alloys, and even gunpowder. 

This allowed for on-site repairs and modifications to most standard equipment and the reuse of recycled devices. 

Joga guessed that this device might have belonged to humans from another dimension, perhaps essential equipment for interplanetary colonization. 

In simple terms, it was essentially a highly precise 3D printer with a microcomputer that had the ability to recycle and decompose materials. 

Joga, a veterinary student who graduated from an agricultural college, quickly became a mechanic thanks to this device. 

With such a miraculous tool in hand, Joga could have lived a low-key life, even getting rich was not out of the question. 

But his family was too poor, and his parents' illnesses gave him no time or opportunity. 

He couldn't bear the thought of taking his parents home to die in agony in their old house, even if keeping them in the hospital was just a waste of money. He felt that if he could reduce even the slightest bit of their pain, it was worth it. 

So Joga came to SD and started dealing with local mining bosses, using his device to make some guns to sell to them. Later, he expanded his operations and made connections with some of the tribes in SD. 

This was the real reason he was able to pay for his parents' medical bills, clear his family's debts, and more, all in just three years. 

He was always very cautious, fully covering himself when going out to gather materials or meet clients, wearing headscarves and sunglasses. Yet, he couldn't hide everything from his uncle Qing, who saw him every day. 

Going home—Joga had certainly thought about it, but what could he do there? 

All his money was gone, even the old house had been sold. He had no place to return to. 

No matter what, the Universal Toolbox must remain a secret. The environment in Africa was terrible, but there were no surveillance cameras on every corner, and no one cared what he was doing. 

Since he was already in it, he decided to stay until he earned enough money—enough to buy a house for both himself and his younger brother, so that the men of the Joga family wouldn't be looked down upon. 

Joga was truly terrified of being poor! 

The saying, "A penny can topple a hero," was no joke. He never wanted to experience the humiliation of begging for money from one relative after another just to pull his brother through school. 

Making money—enough money to secure a life of comfort—that was his goal! 

Looking at Uncle Qing's weathered face, Joga remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "Uncle Qing, I don't have a choice. There are things I don't want to do, but I'm forced into them. I can't leave just yet; I still have some business to take care of." 

Uncle Qing glanced at Joga, sighed, and said, "It's all fate, don't think you're the only one suffering. If you get the chance, make sure to get out of here and go back home. No matter where you are, you can still live a good life." 

After hesitating for a moment, Uncle Qing added, "Stop hanging around those mining bosses. There aren't many good people in that crowd, especially the foreigners—they're all heartless." 

Joga nodded earnestly, "Don't worry, Uncle Qing, I know what I'm doing." 

Seeing Joga's dark face, Uncle Qing shook his head and said, "As long as you understand. If you sense that something's wrong, get back to the country right away. I've learned a lot over the years working as a foreman, even if I didn't make much money. With your skills, you'll have a good future back home." 

Joga didn't say much, just nodded perfunctorily. 

Right now, he really couldn't leave. Through an introduction, he had connected with a tribe in the south, and they had already paid a deposit. If he didn't deliver, he could run, but the compatriots he left behind might suffer. If things escalated, the activities he had been involved in here might be exposed, and he'd face jail time back home. 

With the conversation ending on this note, Uncle Qing didn't press the issue further. 

He nodded and said, "You've always been strong-willed. I know I can't persuade you. Once I leave, you'll have to look out for yourself." 

Joga smiled and said, "What are you talking about? I'm a grown man; I can take care of myself. You go ahead and head back. In a few years, I'll definitely go home too. My little brother, Qiao Liang, is a stubborn one. I'll need to go back and make sure he finds a girlfriend before he graduates." 

The topic change lightened the mood, and before long, they had crossed most of Kamu, arriving near an apartment complex. 

Most of the workers who came to Kamu lived here. It was the hottest time of the day, and the area was deserted, with everyone staying in their dorms, either playing cards or sleeping. 

After parking the car in front of the complex, Uncle Qing got out and said to Joga, "I know you've got business to take care of. Go ahead, and if anyone asks, I'll cover for you." 

Joga nodded gratefully, got out of the car, and jumped into a half-new pickup truck parked nearby. He sped off toward the northern part of Kamu, where he had rented a villa and set up his workshop. 

In fact, he had made quite a bit of money, far more than the 15,000 yuan monthly salary he earned. But he couldn't bear to leave Uncle Qing, who always had his back, nor the perks that came with being a contracted laborer. 

Now that Uncle Qing was going back to China, Joga had to start fending for himself. 

He drove into a mostly local villa area, parked in the yard of his rented house, and quickly ran inside to turn on the air conditioner. Then, he dashed back outside and took cover under a large tree in the yard. It would take a good ten or twenty minutes before the house cooled down enough to enter. 

Just as he was about to get a drink of water, his phone rang... 

Seeing it was a business call, Joga looked at the unfamiliar number and frowned before answering. 

"Hello?" 

As soon as Joga spoke, a muffled voice on the other end asked, "Are you the 'Jackal'?"