Benjamin was startled with a short painful gasp, but he soon allowed himself to breathe it down, and mellow out. He had [Enhanced Body] Level 2 and [Martial Arts] Level 3. He would aptly deal with this intruder, maybe in a way that would limit their walking capabilities for the foreseeable future.“Impressive,” said the man. “Not many people can keep themselves from screaming, or at least, flinching, when they find a ghost in their office.”Benjamin allowed his mind to race comfortably. A System User? he thought. But that should be impossible. He purchased the [System Map], for this exact type of scenario. Or was it not working properly?“I don’t believe in ghosts” replied Benjamin.“As I can see,” said the man, spreading his arms.“PAYTON?” asked Benjamin.“This individual is not a System User if that was what you were wondering, Master Benjamin.”“But what about fear, Mr Benjamin Black? You don’t believe in fear as well?” asked the man. He spoke in an eloquent, American English, th
"The only thing you should know, that I want you to know, is that I am Mr Kirkland’s direct supervisor when it comes to Star Alliance. As Thomas is to you” explained the Visitor.“So it’s true,” said Benjamin.“You had your suspicions? May I ask from where?” Benjamin refrained from speaking. If he mentioned that Nicole was the person who gave Kirkland away, listening to all those phone calls, he feared what the Alliance might do to her to tie up loose ends. And she was about to start working for him.“It’s obvious. He was rich, and a douchebag. The criteria doesn’t seem to extend beyond that” replied Benjamin.“An interesting conclusion, Mr Benjamin.” Started the Visitor.“If you’re Kirkland’s supervisor, that doesn’t still explain what you’re doing in my office.” snapped Benjamin. The eyes of the visitor watched him closely.“You are quite aware, Mr Benjamin, that Mr Kirkland has suffered a terrible accident.”Benjamin did his best to play along. “Yes-“ But he stopped. There was some
"He denied, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the existence of the alliance altogether, talking less, of his affiliation with them. Of course, I was also unceremoniously escorted out of the ward” said the Visitor.Benjamin wondered the best way to assert his demeanour. Silent, but observant? Or naive, and eager to help? He went with the latter.“Amnesia?” he suggested to the Visitor.“Perhaps. Very convenient if so. But no matter. That is what I am here to find out. Essentially, did you tamper with Mr. Kirkland’s affiliation with the Alliance?” The Visitor had closed the book at the last syllable, holding it below his waist at the side.Benjamin put on his best-offended face.“How the hell am I supposed to ‘cause’ Amnesia?!” asked Benjamin, provoked. “What? I hit him so hard over the head?”“I wonder,” said the Visitor quietly.Benjamin took a deep gracious breath, ready to flail this man on the ground.“How about we apply a little bit of logic and reasoning to your accusation? Ju
“You don’t know what you’re doing. Are you aware of what will happen If I leave this office without finishing first?” asked the Visitor calmly.“I thought you’d never ask. I am actually curious. On the other hand, I want to ask you. Are you aware of what will happen to you if you continue standing in my office after I have ordered you out?”Benjamin approached the man. “I allowed the first disrespect, O sir, when you stepped into my office without invitation. I will not allow a second.” He warned.The Visitor peered inquisitively into Benjamin’s eyes. “Interesting. How very interesting Mr Benjamin” he started. Benjamin moved his hand to show him the corridor.“Why, yes, of course.” Continued the Visitor, moving to return the book to its original location on the shelf. Placing it back neatly, he turned away from the shelf and headed for the exit. Just outside the office, he paused, and spun around to take one last look at Benjamin. “Permit me to say one last thing, Mr Benjamin. Did
“Lisa, are you telling me, that no one has been through here since my conversation on the 7th floor?” Lisa shook her head.“Not even a ghost, Master Benjamin.”“But — But that’s not possible” muttered Benjamin.“I didn’t want to bring this up, but—“ started Johnny. “Are you sure you’re alright, Boss?”“What?!”“I mean, you’re the only one who saw this mysterious person, aren’t you?” asked Johnny.Lisa stepped in here. “Master Zeppeli! I do not believe Mr. Benjamin would take something like that so lightly! He sounded very upset over the phone.” she defended.“I sounded upset?” Benjamin asked himself.“All I’m saying is, it’s a pretty wild story in the first place. Someone hiding in your office? That means they would have to pass by Lisa. And TWICE. Not to mention me, that didn’t even hear anything as much as an elevator beep besides when you left with Ms Amber, and when you came back in.” reasoned Johnny.Benjamin looked at his hands, wondering about something, something drastic, but
Benjamin was sure of it. The cards were a system of their own, if not powered by another system. He took out his black card, flipping both sides rampantly, to discover something he hadn’t noticed before. But the card was still as plain as usual, only bearing his name engraved at the back.“Payton” Benjamin summoned.“That information is still classified, Sir” returned Payton. Benjamin tucked the card back into one of his coat pockets. There would be time to face the Alliance. But now--“It seems quite a few things have begun to pile up,” he remarked to himself. The problem of Dominion points. The problem of Domination. He had to begin laying his plans immediately.“Let’s do this first,” he said aloud to nobody in particular and dialled up a contact in his phone. A second after the contact picked up, Benjamin activated the [Mimic] skill.“Yes, it’s me,” he said. There was an imperceptible tinny voice over the line. A concerned voice.“Yes, that’s correct. Yes, that too,” said Benjamin.
"You think I don’t want to conquer a school that made me go through hell as its student? I was once a pauper, and I’m well on my way to the top. Do you really think there would be no consequences and aftermath for everyone that crossed me?”“So it’s revenge” gritted Michael.“Call it what you like, I don’t give a fuck. But the main gist of the matter is that we, the three of us here, have to find a way to bring Worchester University, under Ivy Corporations.” He turned to Michael. “For power’s sake.”“Ivy Corporations?” repeated Michael.“Didn’t you see the sign? Oh, I forgot. Amber’s yet to get on that. Let me just send a quick email” started Benjamin, opening his laptop, and fiddling with the Email interface.“You’re delusional” scoffed Michael.“You don’t believe that” chuckled Benjamin, looking out from his screen. JMONEY, on the other hand, was still fiddling with his goatee.“How would that even work? You just waltz in there and propose to buy them off?” mused JMONEY.“Nope,” sai
“And this violence, thing? How does that help them?” entered JMONEY. Benjamin sighed. These guys just couldn’t see the full picture. “Once I take over, Worchester, they’ll get their reward. Yeah, I like to fuck with Michael, but I’m not just doing this on a whim, you know. Worchester is still my alumni. I plan to make it the best university in the World. And the Ivy Leagues will have their accoladed in delivering that.”“Then, how about a good ol’ fashioned donation? Maybe even refurbish the entire department? Maybe the entire Engineering faculty? Hell, with the amount you’ve been swinging around, the board may decide to build a new auditorium in your honour alone.” suggested JMONEY.“That’s not good enough!” Benjamin said, past the point of polite conversation. What was with these objections? thought Benjamin. Even JMONEY/ All they had to do was just listen. If they would just listen, it would become such a foolproof plan.Michael grunted. “Not surprising” he muttered. JMONEY stared