Chapter 36: Private Resident’s Group Chat

Since the communication lines are dead, the only way to establish communication with someone is through the system—

And just like with telecommunications, where you need an individual’s number to privately get in touch with them, with the system as well, you also need to have the target’s designated ID or alias.

But what has just happened was most shocking, as everyone in the penthouse received the exact same invites from the same person called Orcula, which means....

"He knows all our identities ?"

Sage murmured, staring at the invite in his own system. Since the building, ’The Grand’, was mentioned, this group seems to be created for all those currently present inside the building. How was it possible to target every individual’s ID present in the building and send them all an invite?

"This person is an awakened.... The unique kind."

Hazel said what everyone was thinking. Damon realized that apart from him, there was also another unique group awakened in the building, and this person’s blatant display of their ability means that they are powerful, as they are not concerned about showing off this way.

Seeing this was a group created for the surviving residents of this building; they must be a resident as well, and maybe they are trying to coordinate with everyone else who’s a survivor in the building, which was a commendable effort since there was safety in numbers, and this group would also save them the hassle of finding out who’s in what apartment, who needs saving, which places are dangerous, as well as the current count of survivors.

The calculated advantages to risks in joining the group were positively disproportionate; so after some discussions, everyone joined at once.

It was like a normal chat channel, only this time it consisted only of surviving residents in the building. It was surprising to find that there were still so many survivors in the building. The updated count puts the total number of surviving residents at twenty-nine, and of those, there might be those who have younger ones under their charge not added to the group.

Many were calling for help, while others were just curious about the general state of the building. Unlike most other residences, where the residents were very familiar and fond of one another, this building was different.

Maybe it was because it housed the rich; most of the residents kept to themselves and didn’t interact much, so everyone in the group was basically strangers. Only the building caretaker was recognized by some, and as Damon soon found out, he was the one who had created the group and sent out the invites— he was Orcula.

There were some celebrity names appearing, as well as some others with some strangely familiar aliases and obnoxious personalities were starting to flood the commentary—

[Private Group Chat (The Grand Residents)

Emily71: "I think your idea is best, Orcula. Those who can fight should assemble together and do the sweep. It’s much better and safer, and it will get the building cleared out in no time"

PatrickVan: "@Emily71, That’s right, Emily. I suggest everyone comes together then do the hunts. Since origin crystal finds are very random, I suggest the accumulated crystals from these hunts and every crystal we get henceforth be given to orcula for proper use for the collective good."

AutumnLilly: "Is that really the most efficient way?. I think everyone that comes out to clear the building should just keep what they get. After all, luck itself is a skill."

GraceDonovan: "@Orcula hurry and reach the twentieth floor; I will reward you."

AlmightyBrad: "Hmm.... I was wondering what you guys were on about in this group. I e be starting the clear of the building with my boys. Join if you like, but know that this building is under my control."

JacksonCade: "That’s the boss for you. Come and join us when we reach your floor if you want in."

jasonCade: "Haha. These rich pompous assholes, you think any of them can actually do shit. I think they just want to reap where they didn’t sow, sitting on their asses while we do all the work. Boss Brad is the new boss of this building, building manager, or Orcual or whatever; you better behave."

Orcula: "Please, the purpose I created this group is for mutual cooperation, and so that all of us should get to help one another. There is no need to be so aggressive."

AutumnLilly: "I don’t really care about any of this. I will go with whoever will ot be demanding some equal distributive use of acquired crystals."

AlmightyBrad: "@Orcula, you are an awakened, right?. Join me, and lets do great things. No need to pander to the needs of the weak"

PatrickVan: "I implore us all not to lose our humanity in all this; we need to work together, come together, and share together. There is safety in numbers, after all."]

The group chat consistently had this same trend, with some voices in particular, as always, being more vocal. Just like the plans Damon was having with his group, the other residents of the building had similar thoughts and plans, and that includes Brad, whose personality was oozing off the chats, as well as the twins.

Their plan remained the same, and that was to descend lower when they were ready. For the other residents in the building, they lived on lower floors, so the trajectory for clearing the building would be one of descent. That means Damon and his group could simply make their way down at their own pace and, if they think it necessary, team up with other residents.

The chat group was a positive addition, as regular current information regarding the state of almost all floors was being shared in real time; that was the most positive aspect of the group, irrespective of the disturbing call to a communal sharing system by some of the residents who were probably doing this for their own personal reasons. Either because they want to take advantage of others, are too scared to risk the danger themselves, or genuinely want to share—which was hard to believe.

As the group waited in the living room, Brad and one of the twins appeared, appraising the twins with a condescending gaze as they snickered, heading for the exit.

"Time to hunt. Hehehe"

Brad uttered with a disturbing grin to Damon before disappearing through the door. It was clear what they were going to do, and Sage couldn’t contain his concern as he said to the group—

"Wait, if we just leave them, won’t they steal all the hunt ?"