Shadow Author

The reason both Elijah and Oscar were unable to challenge 993 was that 993 had never owned the room in the first place.

This also explained why Oscar was able to challenge 993 without immediately being denied access because of the suspension.

If 993 had challenged Oscar and Oscar didn't show up then Oscar wouldn't be able to challenge 993 back. However, Elijah would be able to challenge 993. But because the notification said that Oscar was still the owner their challenges were voided.

The only logical explanation was that there was a loophole only 993 knew about. With this loophole, he can enter other people's training rooms without permission and use them.

Elijah had no idea if 993 knew about it or how he found it out but there was a way to do so.

This was a huge problem, if the other students found out how to do it then they could enter the training room as well and mess everything up.

With a huge threat in front of him, Elijah asked the system to call 993.

The call rang a couple of times, Elijah was worried 993 might ignore him but eventually, he answered the call.

.

My arm was going numb due to the constant buzzing of notifications but I ignored them to the best of my ability. I had to keep my focus and not get distracted.

Time continued to pass while I sat in a meditative state with my eyes closed, breathing every minute.

But as I was expecting sometime later a different vibration shook my arm.

[Incoming call from 1.]

[Accept or Deny?]

I was still in the middle of finishing an exercise so I waited the last eighteen seconds before accepting the call.

"Accept."

I slowly opened my eyes, all around the room I could see the faces of people who were ranked from the single to double digits.

It was quite the scenery and slightly nerve-racking but I made sure to hold my cool since I had the advantage.

"Hello, Elijah."

"… 993."

"Ah, you can call me Lucas, it's my name after all."

"…"

"Why are you calling? You're interrupting me."

"You know why, I want to know how you did it!"

"Did what?"

"Got in someone's room without challenging them!"

"Oh, that."

"Yeah, no one should be able to do it without the permission of the owner or becoming the owner."

"See, that's where you are wrong. I'm surprised you haven't figured it out already. I thought you were pretty bright but it seems I might be mistaken."

"What did you just say?"

"500,000 credits."

"What?"

"You want to know how I did it. I'll tell you… for 500,000 credits."

"Are you insane? That's-"

"Would you like me to tell everyone about it? I'm sure you've at least figured out that your scheme will fail if any and everyone can enter the rooms."

"…"

"Not answering? Maybe I'll sell the way to get into rooms? I wonder if I can make more than 500,000 credits?"

"Just what are you getting at?"

"I've clearly explained it 500,000 credits right now or I'll tell everyone, you have sixty seconds."

Closing my eyes I went ahead to do one last exercise while I waited for the response.

Only five seconds passed before Elijah gave in, proving his desperation.

"Okay, fine!"

"So we have a deal?"

"Yes, so tell me how you get it?"

"So quick! Let's form a contract first, we don't want someone getting scammed, do we?"

"You!"

[I Lucas, ranked 993 will explain to Elijah how people get into training rooms without the permission of the owner and swear to never tell anyone else. In return Elijah will give Lucas 550,000 credits and allow Lucas to use any training room.]

[Accept or deny?]

I immediately tapped, accepted and waited.

"This is too much!"

"Okay, okay, you're right I'll get rid of the part that lets me use training rooms."

"Are you sure you want to do this?"

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"Do you really think you will be able to get away with this?"

"Are you threatening me?"

"…"

"You know what? You're right! Let me fix it and I hope you don't mind the… additional costs."

[ I Lucas, ranked 993 will explain to Elijah how people get into training rooms without the permission of the owner and swear to never tell anyone else. In return, Elijah will give Lucas 550,000 credits. Elijah will also be unable to harm Lucas for the next week. If either party breaks their side of the contract a fee of 250,000 credits will be deducted and a two-week suspension.]

[Accept or deny?]

Once again I tapped on accept.

"Look Elijah this is my final offer, accept it or by the end of the day, not even your training room will be safe."

No response came but the dinging sound of the contract being accepted confirmed his answer.

"Now tell me!"

"Okay, it's simple, contrary to popular belief training rooms can't be limited to one person. Do you understand the definition of owner? It's the person who rules over the room but just because there is an owner doesn't mean there can't be members."

"Explain."

"You see, the reason I was able to enter the 83rd room without Oscar's permission was that I had no intention of using the room.

"So what does that mean?"

"Do I have to spell it out? Owners can manage IF someone can use the room but they can't manage WHO enters the room."

"But these are individual rooms, if anyone can freely enter doesn't that go against the very meaning of the rooms?"

"Again, you misunderstand the meaning of individual. Only one individual can USE the room but it never says anything about entering the room to have a look around."

"That's still not logical!"

"I know right? But that's the way it is, if you don't believe me enter the room. Oscar hasn't permitted you but so long as you don't plan on using it to train you are free to do what you want."

Elijah seemed skeptical but he eventually took a step forward and opened the door. He saw me sitting on the floor and let out a sign before walking in.

Ending the call I stood up to greet him.

"See, easy."

"But!"

"But what?"

"Why is it that whenever someone tries to enter the room when someone is using it they get electrocuted?"

"Didn't you just answer your own question? Someone was USING it. Right now the owner isn't using it so we are free to do as we please."

"Then how do we stop people from getting inside?"

"You can't. However, once the owner starts training the electricity will come back and shock everyone inside until they leave."

"So… there's nothing to worry about."

"Ha, you are not completely clueless! That's correct although anyone can enter the rooms they can't do anything in them so it's pointless and they won't grow stronger so your scheme is fine."

"Then, you scammed me!"

"Me? Scam you? No, we have a binding contract that you agreed to. Anything that happens after is on you."

"I swear I'll-"

"You can't touch me for the next week. By the way, I'll take my credits now. That is unless you want to get suspended and miss out on the dungeon."

"Tsk!"

Another buzz shook my arm.

"A pleasure doing business. I hope to do it again!"

With that, I gave a deep bow and walked past all the other high-rankers.

I didn't dare to look any of them in the eyes. Although I made sure Elijah couldn't harm me there was nothing stopping someone else from coming after me.

I pulled open the doors and left the training room to head back to the dorms, it was a long first day.