Chapter 2354: Failed Contingencies
Chapter 2354: Failed Contingencies
As Sam studied the black skeletons, the outside world is very much in silent chaos.
The elders who understood the complexity and the possible threat of the black skeletons, immediately pushed the news to the Deans of the respective academies. Of course, even if they didn't, since everyone worth their salt is already watching the live broadcast of the competition also understood what is happening in there.
They might not have the same insight as these elders. They don't know the energy density, transformation parameters and such.
But their experienced eye did catch the fact that these black skeletons are way too strong compared to the other skeletons. They also identified the killing pattern of these black skeletons. They didn't have the accurate stats, but they did keep track of the kills of the students and they understood what is happening.
They are also not stupid enough to not known what will be the end result.
So, everyone is panicking and are sending secret messages to Olaf, asking him to see if the pocket dimension is still safe.
Olaf is also feeling a bit of pressure.
He called one of the elders in charge of monitoring and asked.
"What are energy levels of the pocket dimension like? Are they suitable for forceful transference?"
The elder pursed his lips. That reaction was enough to make Olaf understand the answer even without any words.
"I was given a guarantee that it wouldn't be a problem to pull out the second grade students, no matter what happens inside the pocket dimension if an emergency situation arises.
From the looks of it, those black skeletons are clearly capable of creating such an emergency. Now, you are saying.... No, you are not even saying anything. You better have a good explanation for this."
"Sir, we... when we tested the pocket dimension, we used the death row candidates and beasts to push the pocket dimension to its limits.
No matter what kind of scenario we created, the creatures only reached violet level. However, what we never anticipated is the creatures no matter humans or beasts, always tried to resist the creatures. However, this time... the guy named Sam, he created conditions to increase the number as well as the level of the creatures.
The environment is already very complimentary for their growth. But this guy optimized it. We never even dreamed of such a scenario happening. So, we are not prepared for this."
"Are you not ashamed to say this? You already experienced difficulties in emergency transference before. Even with your shoddy testing. Shouldn't you have prepared for more? Why am I giving you guys so many resources for your research if you brains are so muddled with cob webs?
You are no good for battles, you don't operate in front lines, when academies are attacked, you will even escape in the name of preserving legacy and now, the one thing that you should be doing, you are failing.
Inside that pocket dimension, we trapped the star kids of all the academies in the academy realm.
More than half of them already ended up dead, and the half of the remaining are seriously injured before they quit.
Whoever is left is inside is the cream of the crop. They are talents being groomed for the next year's tournament. With all the loss suffered by these academies in the solo combat, do you think they will be willing to let go of these as well?"
"I am sorry, sir. We will think of a way."
The elder turned around before Olaf could speak and left.
He is way too nervous. The pocket dimension is so new that they didn't even put a name for it. Olaf and the other deans, took the coincidence of this dimension appearing right before the tournament, way too seriously.
They decided to make it as the team competition grounds.
After testing it repeatedly, they knew that the threat level varies depending on the people that went in.
With a lot of research and resources, they managed to figure out a way. They tapped into the pocket dimensions, core and constructed a formation that allowed them to do a live surveillance of it. They spent way too much, particularly when they are in a crisis created by Hub and Sam.
Since they don't know what the threat level could be and what kind of crisis this could lead to, they even decided to add a contingency plan. A spatial transference feature that could be used in emergencies.
Apart from the escape through the token and giving up, they added a backdoor space gate.
It helps them pull out a candidate forcefully. However, they also noticed some resistance to that process.
Depending on the threat level, this resistance increases. At violet level, they already faced a lot of resistance. They almost failed to bring back the people from inside. However, now... the black level completely blocked them out.
When Black skeleton appeared, everyone of the elders from every academy went into slight panic state. They didn't want to lose their candidates and kept on sending the messages.
With the way things are going, it would only be a matter of few minutes before they start withdrawing their candidates. However, without the backdoor mechanism, they wouldn't be able to bring them outside.
He just prayed to Thor that no one would submit their withdrawal.
However, maybe to throw cold water at his prayers, at that exact moment, something else happened inside.
A Snake skeleton stopped rampaging and the color of its energy started changing. The fourth black creature. By now, most of the people witnessed the black skeletons and understood the
threat.
There are only a couple of hours left for the twenty-four hour time limit. So, they solidified their hearts and tried to stay inside the pocket dimension, while they avoided the black
skeletons.
But the fourth creature, indicated that there could be a fifth, a sixth and seventh one.
Of course, not all of them have the means to be completely away from these creatures.
One of the Hephaestus academy students was not fast enough and was stuck between a swarm of skeletons covering three sides, and a black skeleton on one side.
The skeleton hit him too badly that he couldn't even take the token out and escape. He is semi-conscious, because of the killing intent of the black skeleton ravaging his head.
The elder of the Hephaestus academy immediately ran out of the booth he was sitting in and yelled out loud.
"We give up. That is the last student from our academy. We are not willing to lose him."
Olaf who was already feeling like he sat on a seat of nails, clenched his palms against the armrest. He crushed them in an instant as he got up. He walked towards the dark room held by the elders in charge of observation.
"The Hephaestus academy has appealed for a withdrawal. Their candidate is in the hands of that giant black skeleton. For some reason it is toying with him, instead of killing him. He
won't last more than a minute.
And that is what I am giving you.
In a minute, he should be out of there. If not, then I will make you all dearly pay the compensation for costing the Hephaestus academy, their prodigy."
He left without waiting for their reply.
Olaf went back to his seat. Sat there with his back straight and addressed the elders.
"We have a problem with the emergency backdoor we prepared. We do not know if we can retrieve your participants, even if you withdraw from the competition. We also do not know what will happen in the pocket dimension in the next few days.
I am going to face whatever consequences you impose up on me in case we are unable to bring
your students back.
So, I implore you that you do not act recklessly."
That is it. That is all he said.
Olaf gave a sweeping glance to the people around him and they all just stood or sat there in
silence. They didn't raise any objections, they didn't throw any tantrums. They just looked at him calmly. However, a million thoughts ran through their heads as they watched the live footage of what is happening inside the pocket dimension.
As the time passed, more and more creatures went to become the black skeletons. When the number reached ten, the Elders suddenly realized something else. One of them ran
out and flew towards Olaf in panic.
"Sir...som..something happened."
Olaf looked at him with the same cold gaze. He didn't even show a tinge of emotion or
concern on his face.
The Elder is soaked in sweat. He couldn't bring himself to speak. The fear is consuming him. However, he knew that he has to speak up now.
"The withdrawal mechanism has failed completely. Now, even the candidates cannot withdraw even using their tokens. They are stuck there. Unless the conditions of the pocket
dimension are met, they will not be able to come out."
Dead silence.