Chương 123: Chapter 128: System Authority

"Chief, what a pleasure to see you here. What do we owe this visit for? Are you perhaps here to give us our stipend? Or the promised equipment?" Cole's performance was admirable despite him trembling like a leaf as the giant alien's aura washed over everyone. Bikrmorr turned toward him, his heavy scowl deepening as he regarded the man. If he noticed any difference in the people after the use of the potions, he didn't show it. Hell, he probably never even met them all. Or maybe, for him, all humans looked the same.

What was the term for that condition? Never mind…

"You will receive what we deem fit when you prove your worth. Now be silent. Human Elias." He turned his gaze to me, trying to pressure me with his aura. It would work if I didn't have mine manifested just inside of me. As it was, I felt nothing.

"Just yesterday you signed a contract with me. I conceded on many of your requests, allowing you to manage your people. Why is it then that a rumor came to my attention, a rumor talking about freeing all these…" He gestured vaguely with his giant rocky hand.

"Labourers." He said the word with a particular kind of disgust, something that didn't go unnoticed by the crowd. Now, how to best play my part.

"Ah, you see, Brick, it's not a rumor at all. It's what I planned to do from the start." I put on my most annoying smile, slightly relaxing my posture as I used a hand to support my head on the table I was sitting at. His eyes narrowed as his aura intensified. Now it had me as the epicenter, but it spilled outward, pushing my companions and others to move away from me. I remained alone, sitting in the center of the room as everyone else got pushed to the side. Good.

This could already be considered an attack, but I needed a little bit more.

"A fool. You think yourself so great as to go against the Lugan Company alone? With your meager power? Are you even aware of the contract you signed? There is no way out for them, and after this stunt I will make sure there is no way out for you either. You have my word on that." He was livid. The more he talked, the more he worked himself up. I could understand him, really.

An upstart civilization, a week into the tutorial, trying to mess with a millennia-old company that probably owned more slaves than humans existed. No, not slaves. Labourers.

"You know, Chief, I heard those same words so many times before. Companies, politicians, celebrities. All of them so sure about their own superiority. They always forgot about the details. Your contract is foolproof, yes, but only when signed outside the bounds of the Tutorial…" I let my words linger. The Chief's jaw grew tighter.

"I don't know what compels you to treat us like this. Racism, speciesism, or whatever other name you want to give it. But using a standard contract instead of accounting for the circumstances was a dumb move, one you wouldn't have made if you hadn't underestimated us by a great margin. Tell me, Brick, what passes through your head when you see us? Disgust? Or even less? Maybe you think us inconsequential, but let me tell you something.

I don't know anything about your race, but we humans were at the top of the food chain, and it happened without magic. Now… it's just a matter of time before we get back there again."

"Shut your trap, you insect. I come from the ancient races. You know nothing of what you speak. And you just gave me grounds to charge you with insubordination. Guards! Detain him. Your true punishment will come in due time, but for now I will settle for seeing you in chains." The crowd grew restless at the Chief's words, but as I had explained to them, they shouldn't interfere. And while some clearly wanted to jump on the three bastards approaching me, none did. I let them get closer, my smile never faltering.

Then, as they approached my manifested aura, they tried to push inside. Their strength was absurd, impressive even, for them to manage to push into it with just their physical bodies. But without using skills or attacks, they only managed a step before I condensed my aura and stopped them again.

"Do not resist, human," said Iljud.

"You'll only worsen your position." His words lacked any sympathy. They were more tired than anything, like dealing with me was a chore he could do without.

"Actually, that's the other way around. Stop now, Iljud, before you worsen your punishment." The guards looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

"Do you hear it? The silence?" Everyone now looked at me as if I were mad. I chuckled. I couldn't help it.

"When your Chief proclaimed me guilty of insubordination, did the System say anything about it? About some kind of transgression? No? Maybe because I actually didn't do anything wrong. There is nothing in the contract that prevents me from speaking my mind. Actually, there was. It was Article 71, Section N of the code of conduct, something we removed together, Chief. Remember?" The guards were visibly confused now, looking back at Bikrmorr for guidance. The Chief, though, was just as confused as they were.

"Actually, it should be me asking for reparation and punishment after you unprovokedly assaulted me. The three of you and the Chief who gave the order are bound for some heavy fines…" The four aliens in question had focused expressions as they read something only they could see. Apparently, the System hadn't remained silent for them, proving me correct.

"Impossible! This shouldn't be happening! I am protected against claims made by anyone of your station! How did you do this!" the Chief screamed at me. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"I'm well aware. But here in the Tutorial there is nobody to act as a middleman, is there? No. The System acts directly when called upon, and as a tutorialist I am granted some special treatment. You should read the fine print when you sign a contract, Brick. But if just this surprises you, you're in for a good show." I raised an arm over my head.

"Everyone, go!" I brought my arm down as if starting a race, signaling all the bearers of the slave contract to begin reading the fliers we prepared. Nearly thirty voices rose around the room, a mismatched choir of panicked, anxious, and trembling tones. It was the best symphony I had ever heard.

"I formally invoke the Xenobiological Assessment under Clause 7B. 3b, Subsection 2. In accordance with the aforementioned clause, I hereby declare a material change in species classification,""Shut them up!" I heard the Chief shout in the middle of the chant. Some guards ran around beating people, rendering some unconscious. A couple of women screamed as they were pushed to the floor. Others faltered under the Chief's aura pressing down on them. But I needed just one.

Just one person to finish reading it, and many managed.

"… requesting mandatory assessment, reassignment to the appropriate divisional authority and suspension of all prior contractual obligations pending review." After the short chorus finished, there was a moment of confusion as some people screamed while others waited for something to happen. It took only a moment for everyone to start staring at their own interface, reading messages I couldn't see, but soon after a slew of messages appeared for me too.

──────────────────────── [SYSTEM NOTICE] PERSONNEL IDENTIFIED: CONTRACT #HC-98421 SPECIES STATUS: HUMAN → HUMAN (SUBSIDIARY CLASSIFIED) ASSIGNMENT: TERRAN DEVELOPMENT & ACQUISITION DIVISION REASON: Xenobiological reassessment required; compliance with Clause 7B. 3b, Subsection 2. Corporate support obligations not provided during tutorial phase (Clause 4D. 1 violation) EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY: Parent corporate authority suspended during tutorial operations; administrative authority transferred to Director MC-001 [SYSTEM ALERT] ALL PERSONNEL SUBJECT TO CONTRACT #HC-98421 STATUS UPDATE: Reassignment confirmed SUBSIDIARY OVERSIGHT: TERRAN DIVISION, HUMAN ASSET OPTIMIZATION RESTRICTION: External corporate interference prohibited per Clause 6C. 2, corporate control prohibited during tutorial assessment ──────────────────────── But there was more, much more.

──────────────────────── DIVISION STATUS: TERRAN DEVELOPMENT & ACQUISITION DIVISION TEMPORARY CUSTODY OF PERSONNEL ESTABLISHED JUSTIFICATION: Corporate failure to fulfill tutorial-phase obligations (Clause 4D. 1) combined with tutorial operational restriction (Clause 6C. 2) ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL: Director MC-001 RESTRICTIONS: Parent corporation prohibited from direct personnel oversight; enforcement attempts will trigger Clause 12D.

4, Asset Protection Violation [SYSTEM ALERT] ALL PARENT CORPORATE INTERACTIONS WITH PERSONNEL ARE MONITORED VIOLATIONS: Any attempted directive or interference flagged under Clause 12D. 4 NOTE: Personnel remain under full division protection; custodial authority remains with Director MC-001 ──────────────────────── [SYSTEM NOTICE] CORPORATE BREACH DETECTED: Clause 4D.

1, Tutorial support failure CONSEQUENCE: Division #TDAD-001 temporarily autonomous; corporate authority suspended ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL: Director MC-001 granted full operational authority SYSTEM INTERVENTION: Enabled to prevent unauthorized corporate enforcement (Clause 6C. 2, tutorial phase restriction) EFFECT: Personnel under division custody legally insulated from parent megacorp [SYSTEM ALERT] PARENT CORPORATE INTERFERENCE DETECTED ACTION: Assault on personnel confirmed; systemic violation recorded IMPACT: Arbitration procedures initiated; personnel remain protected under temporary autonomous status ──────────────────────── [SYSTEM NOTICE] DIVISION #TDAD-001 STATUS CHANGE: Autonomous operational entity TRIGGER: Corporate breach plus violation attempts (Clauses 4D. 1 and 12D. 4); tutorial phase restriction (Clause 6C. 2) ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL: Director MC-001 granted full authority LEGAL EFFECT: Temporary independence from parent corporation; personnel remain under division custody [SYSTEM ALERT] CORPORATE INTERFERENCE DETECTED STATUS: Unauthorized contact or directive prohibited ACTION: Division flagged for systemic arbitration; all personnel remain protected under autonomous custody ──────────────────────── Now it was time to close this little theatre. I looked around.

The faces of the people were incredulous as they read the messages. More than anyone, the guards were grimacing, some staring at their interface in shock. They probably got hit with heavy fines or demotions. I didn't really care. Honestly, they could all burn in hell for how much their well-being interested me. Now, to put the last nail in the coffin. Or the cherry on the cake. Both, maybe, depending on the perspective. I rose to my feet and adjusted my tie. I didn't have a tie, but old habits die hard.

I was enjoying this too much, but it wasn't every day that someone screwed over an alien megacorp. I could enjoy the moment. There was nothing those bastards could do unless they wanted to get erased by the System, and we honestly weren't worth that risk for them. With all the still-conscious humans and aliens in the room looking at me, I spoke.

"Under Clause 14A. 2, System Supremacy is hereby invoked. Corporate authority is in material violation of Clauses 4D. 1 and 12D. 4. I formally petition System Arbitration, declare divisional autonomy under Clause 6C. 2, and request recognition as an independent System-governed entity." ──────────────────────── [SYSTEM NOTICE] REQUEST RECEIVED: Invocation of Clause 14A. 2, System Supremacy EVALUATION IN PROGRESS VERIFICATION: Corporate breach confirmed (Clauses 4D. 1 and 12D. 4); tutorial-phase restriction applicable (Clause 6C. 2) STATUS: Petition valid ACTION: Authorization granted; restructuring of entity classification initiated ──────────────────────── [SYSTEM NOTICE] ENTITY #TDAD-001, TERRAN DEVELOPMENT & ACQUISITION DIVISION STATUS UPDATE: SYSTEM-RECOGNIZED HUMAN GUILD DESIGNATION: FIRST EARTH GUILD TRIGGER: Corporate violation (Clause 12D. 4), tutorial phase protection (Clause 6C. 2), and System Supremacy (Clause 14A. 2) EFFECTIVE AUTHORITY: Director MC-001 confirmed as Guild Master LEGAL IMPLICATIONS: All personnel formerly under Lugan Corporation contract are now recognized as System Guild members; corporate claims nullified (Clause 65K. 5) INTERVENTION: System protection active; unauthorized corporate enforcement prohibited [SYSTEM ALERT] GUILD IDENTITY ESTABLISHED: FIRST EARTH GUILD MEMBERSHIP: All personnel formerly classified under HC-98421 / Terran Division STATUS: SYSTEM GUILD AUTONOMOUS COMPLIANCE: All System regulations now govern internal operations; external corporate directives invalid [SYSTEM NOTICE] SYSTEM CONFIRMATION: Legal and operational authority of Director MC-001 over all guild members recognized CONSEQUENCE: Parent megacorp permanently restricted from personnel access; arbitration protocol active in case of future violations ──────────────────────── Congratulations!

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