Elevator

It had been three full days since the assessment commenced. Case remained near the starting line, doing nothing but eating what he had and quietly observing the unfolding trials around him.

Because of his weird actions, the only one observing him at this point was none other than Velez.

Funnily enough, Velez continued to observe his whole being keenly as if that was the only job she had to do.

If she were ever gone, three people would replace her before she comes back and continue observing Case.

However, Velez was bound to be disappointed upon finding out that Case still hadn't found a solution.

Even if Case had managed to pique her interest simply by lazing around, it wouldn't mean anything unless he could reach the top floor of the building.

"I still can't figure it out."

Case lay down on his blanket as he stared at the ceiling, not fully seeing the building's top floor.

Unless he had flight abilities or something that could help him climb up, Case believed that moving through the obstacles would be the only way.

But that way is harsh and impossible to achieve for him just yet.

That's why he needed to be smart.

Unless he figured out an alternate route to the top, Case understood that he'd have no choice but to tackle the obstacles Velez had prepared.

"Something to climb up… Huh. Should I just buy a ladder? Hahaha…"

As he mouthed the words aloud, Case blinked in a peculiar way, as if surprised by his own thoughts.

Then, a flicker of amusement danced in his eyes.

And just like that, the pieces aligned.

A realization struck him.

"Oh…"

After those three days of observation, Case had found the missing piece.

His lips slowly raised upward as a hysterical laugh emerged from his mouth.

"Ahahaha! I'm so freaking dumb. Why didn't I think of that much sooner?"

Case slowly rose from his blanket, leaving his belongings behind as he knew they'd only slow him down if things took a turn.

Case moved slowly toward the far corner of the building, coming to a stop just beside the abandoned receptionist desk.

Once he arrived at his destination, Case looked at the elevator.

"This is my ticket up,"

It wasn't long before the elevator reached his floor, announcing its arrival with a soft, almost inaudible ding that could barely be heard by everyone.

Its doors opened, revealing two observers looking towards Case with suspicious eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

Case didn't answer.

Instead, he lunged forward, his hand landing sharply against an observer's neck.

The precision of the strike rendered one of the observers unconscious in a heartbeat.

"Wha—"

Before the second observer could react, Case made his move.

Driving a swift kick into the man's abdomen, then following up with a precise strike to the neck, Case made the other man unconscious enough, just like before.

'Now, only one left—'

Case immediately went to look behind him, focusing his gaze on Velez.

Surprisingly enough, Velez wasn't charging in his direction.

She was merely staring, and her lips formed a smile.

Case felt a slight shiver run through him as their eyes met.

'Scary woman...'

When Velez didn't stop him, Case wasted no time as he immediately removed the two unconscious observers from the elevator.

Once he did, Case clicked the highest floor button as the elevator began to close.

As it closed, Case continued to keep a close watch on Velez, trying to gauge if she would ever pull a last-second action.

But until the elevator had closed, Velez didn't bother him.

He was gone on the starting floor and slowly made his way up.

…

The numbers on the elevator screen continued to rise, and though Case wore a calm expression, he was full of unease within.

Even though the way up had been going smoothly, Case knew everything would go to absolute trash if the conclusion he managed to get was false.

It could compromise his life and even the lives of his family.

But he had to appear confident on the outside.

If he weren't confident in the plan he formed, Case would then start second-guessing himself.

Second-guessing in Outer is tantamount to leading to bad decisions.

That's why he firmly believed it until the last second.

Finally reaching the upper floor, the door of the elevator slid open.

It revealed dozens of observers, pointing their weapons at his head.

At the center of the gathered crowd stood Velez, her face unreadable and deadpan, different from what she was showing earlier.

Both her and Case's eyes met.

"Just what the hell are you doing?" Velez spoke out with an even tone.

That voice, both commanding and cold, sent a ripple of tension through Case.

But the choice of giving up has already slipped through his hands.

He'll have to push this no matter what.

He replied, his voice sounding stiff initially, "I'm just doing what I've come here for. I'm here to pass the assessment."

Whispers then started to erupt.

"This guy has gone nuts!"

"The elevator is off limits! You must go through the obstacles to make it to the top, not use some elevator!"

"Ma'am Velez, just give me a word. We'll immediately take this guy down. He hurt two other observers on the ground floor. He must be punished,"

Case was beginning to be annoyed by the whispers that the anger he was barely containing was slipping into his face.

'Hey, hey! You guys are all humans! Support me for goodness's sake! It hurts being betrayed by fellow countrymen just because she's good-looking!'

Case had an annoyed smile while she awaited Velez's judgment.

It didn't take long before she continued.

"Let's say you are doing this for the assessment. Can you tell me how you concluded that on your side? Let us hear it,"

'She's trying to tell what I've observed for the past three days to come up with this answer?'

He stepped out of the elevator, mind turning over fragments of thought until something finally clicked.

A subtle smile crept onto his face

He might be wrong, heck, he was still doubting about the actions he made, but he had already made it.

All that remained was to believe in it himself and deliver it with confidence, lest everyone just undermine it.

Thus, he started his words with a mocking remark.

"Those obstacles you wanted to try everyone to pass through… its bullcrap. No one, at this moment, would be able to pass those unless they received proper training to do so. For me, I was the former."

He paused, "It's completely impossible and bullshit."