Chapter 2364: New Deal

Even before Drik could finish his words, the team has already started running towards the space gate.

The ones that are close to the space gate, who are supposed to monitor it, were the first one to use it and leave. Everyone rushed as if the space will be closed at any given moment. Drik who was stunned by the scene was actually one of the last few to get into it.

By the time he entered the space gate, the barriers broke down and the black skeletons started running rampant. Some of the team members fell prey to them and were killed instantly.

In that panicked state, they weren't even able to put up much of a fight.

In the valley where the other end of the space gate was located, Drik's team members all appeared one by one. They are all contemplating if they should leave the place or stay there. Some even contemplated destroying the space gate to ensure the black skeletons wouldn't come from it.

Of course, they cannot do it openly.

Even in that panicked state, they didn't forget that they are being watched by the elders and deans outside.

They cannot sacrifice their futures for the sake of this momentary impulse. One must appreciate their optimism though. They are still so firm on their belief that they have a future past this pocket dimension.

When Drik finally arrived, everyone looked at him in askance.

They are expecting him to have an explanation as well as a plan on what to do next. Drik felt frustrated. However, he knew his priorities. He immediately closed the space gate after five minutes buffer period.

"No, some people are still there. The team in charge of monitoring the second captured skeleton didn't make it."

One of the students said out loud. But their voice was meek and unsure. As if he is reluctant to point it out. Drik pursed lips and just showed his decision through his actions. He decisively shut the space gate down.

Everyone stayed silent without saying anything.

With a quick count they knew that they are ten people down. Their hide out is gone, their captured skeletons are gone, the formation team is not confident about their research results. They are technically back to square one.

As if that is not enough, even before they could voice out their concerns and opinions, shit stirred up once again.

They all turned to a particular direction. One of the cliffs started trembling a bit. All of a sudden, a hole appeared through which a ton of rubble showered into the valley followed by a snake skeleton that rushed out.

A black snake skeleton to be precise.

It rushed towards the team, with particular focus on Drik. As the snake rushed towards them, the team didn't have an intentions of looking at Drik for instructions. Instead, they all dispersed to different directions.

None of them wanted to be anywhere near Drik.

They didn't want to die as collateral damage in the battle between Drik and the skeleton. As for fighting together... its merely a joke at this point.

They spread away. Some people moved in small groups based on their prior affiliations, some people tried to escape alone.

No matter where they went, most of them only had a single destination in mind. It is a completely different question whether they will be able to make it to that said destination.

Drik who was being chased by the skeleton, exited the valley and used all his strength to escape. He didn't want to fight with a black skeleton head-on. He knew it is a losing battle. After some great struggle, he managed to get out of its grasp. He found a spot with no skeletons in sight and collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.

He couldn't believe how things have changed in the past few moments. Less than half an hour ago, he was still a little optimistic despite repeated dead ends he encountered, but all of a sudden, he is on his knees.

He thought of his odds to escape this place and felt despair creeping up his heart. He couldn't even imagine how he can survive here for a few more hours, much less find a way out.

Then a thought popped in his head. More like a name.

Sam.

No matter how he looked at it, Sam is the only way out for him. With the earlier fall out, he did hesitate a bit. However, he knew there is no other way. He gritted his teeth and swallowed his pride. He found the tracking device he had on him.

The tracking device that lets him know the location of the scout team in charge of monitoring Sam's team.

He started travelling in that direction.

It took him about an hour to reach the destination as he had to avoid the numerous skeletons he encountered. He almost had to go head to head with some of those skeletons and barely managed to escape without injuring himself.

When he reached, the scene in front of him, shocked him to the core.

At the edge of the dead forest, around thirty people gathered. All of them former members of Drik's team, including the scouting team. They are all looking at Sam's team who stood in front of them with their hands crossed.

Sam's team had a wide range of expressions.

Crow is excited, Rashma is bored, Hari amused, while Hari's party is mostly satisfied. Sam on the other hand, had no expression on his face.

His gaze turned to Drik as soon as he arrived there. Drik's former team looked at him as well. He expected them to avoid his gaze in shame, but to his surprise, some of them immediately

ran to him.

"Come fast. You need to talk to him. That guy is out of his mind." That's the gist of the gibberish they spouted.

Drik who just felt abandoned by his team a short while ago suddenly felt stumped and confused. He didn't expect them to be so thick-skinned. But when he heard Sam's demands, The understood why.

"You need them to sign a soul contract stating that they have to pay one-third of everything they earn, gain or inherit in the next five decades. That is on top of the one-third of their current assets? Am I hearing you right?" Drik asked Sam.

"Yes."

"Are you sure? You didn't mean to say five years?"

"I am sure. Five decades. That is as low as I can go."

"Low? Where did you start?"

"Five centuries."

Drik became speechless for a second.

"What is this clause then? In case you are not available, the holders of your tokens with your special spiritual signature are eligible to be beneficiaries of these contracts?"

"Yes."

"Who are these people?"

"I am not telling. The tokens are the only identifiers."

"Can't you..."

"No."

"Listen to..." "No."

"Just hear me out dammit.."

"No can do. I am not budging. Take it or leave it."

Drik slammed the contract on the ground and said.

"Do you even understand how ridiculous you sound? You are just taking advantage of

everyone's dire needs."

"I know."

"You will make everyone an archenemy after this."

Sam pointed him to the contract where Drik saw another clause.

"Any attempts at retaliation against Sam and any of his associates and token holders or even Sam's friends, friendly acquaintances is banned for eternity. Not only one has to abide by this, they also have to inform Sam or his associates if they possess or gain any knowledge of any possible malice directed at Sam and his associates for the rest of their lives."

Drik didn't even know what to say for that.

"You are serious." He muttered.

"This is the last and final offer that you get. If you don't take it, I will ensure that you will not

come out of this pocket dimension by riding my coattails.

We are now luring a black skeleton. By the time we are done with it and move on to the next

one, you have the time to decide on this contract.

Once the window passes, you are on your own."

Sam walked back into the formation, while the rest of the team did what they are supposed to. Of course, not before leaving a sneer behind for the newcomers.

For some reason, they are not longer so dissatisfied with the price they had to pay. They lost a lot, but it is a lot less compared to what the rest of them are going to lose. Five decades... within that time frame a lot of them will graduate and leave the academy realm. They will be out there in battlefield of gods where they will gain their actual riches and glory. Sam is basically laying claim on all their future achievements with this.

It is too cruel, but soon of the candidates couldn't take the pressure anymore and signed the contract. If there is a first, then there is a second and a third.

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