The entrance to the control panel was gear-shaped, designed to match the serrated edges of the golden leaves. Only when they fit perfectly together could the leaves be inserted.
Eleanor and Robin finally noticed that each golden leaf had a unique edge, each designed to correspond with a specific entrance.
Robin ran his fingers along the control panel, giving it a thorough inspection before finally nodding at Eleanor.
Following the instructions, Eleanor took out a golden leaf, aligning it with the entrance on the control panel.
As soon as she inserted it, the gears began to rotate, and a digital voice echoed throughout the room.
"Identity confirmed. Inviter ID—Group 2, Number 7. Player's new codename—Cross."
After the digital voice had spoken, the control panel ejected the golden leaf. On the front side of the leaf, the word 'Cross' was engraved, alongside a small number—2-7.
This meant that whoever had invited her to Area Opaca had the ID number 2-7, and had given her a codename that signified her affiliation with them.
Eleanor was puzzled. Why would the people behind Area Opaca need to use numbers? Could it be that there was more than one person behind Area Opaca, and that they used these numbers to invite the players they wanted? But what was the reason behind this?
As Eleanor pondered this, Robin also inserted his golden leaf into the control panel. Very quickly, the digital voice echoed once more.
"Identity confirmed. Inviter ID—Group 1, Number 4. Player's new codename—Dunce."
Robin fell silent for a moment before retrieving the ejected golden leaf. His eyes slowly moved from the word 'Dunce' engraved on his leaf to Eleanor's.
"Why is your codename 'Cross', and mine is 'Dunce'?"
"Probably because your inviter thinks you're a bit... well..."
Eleanor was not very good at delivering insults, so she let her words trail off, hinting at her meaning without saying it explicitly.
"Damn it!"
Enraged, Robin chucked the leaf aside and started scanning the room for cameras.
"Whoever invited me, Group 1, Number 4, come out! I'll knock your teeth out!"
The two men in black sitting in front of a large screen, upon seeing this, exchanged a glance before laughing quietly.
"Mr. Quartus, your choice of player and the codename you gave him are quite fitting."
Hidden behind a mask, Mr. Quartus was about to respond when he saw a man from Group 2, Number 9, suddenly stand up.
Robin's question was directed at Eleanor. He hoped she would think it through as this was no child's play. However, Eleanor didn't hesitate, promptly placing her golden leaf onto the control panel and pressing the 'Confirm' button.
"No matter how difficult it gets, I have to stay here until I find him."
Her determination rubbed off on Robin, who also placed his golden leaf on the panel and pressed 'Confirm'.
Once both of them had confirmed their choices, the digital voice echoed once more:
"Player from Group 2, Number 7, 'Cross', has confirmed."
"Player from Group 1, Number 4, 'Dunce', has confirmed."
Eleanor carefully glanced at Robin. His face was pale with anger, his fists clenched.
"From now on, in addition to helping you find him, I'm going to find the inviter from Group 1, Number 4!"
He wanted to rip off the 'Dunce' label and stick it onto the inviter from Group 1, Number 4!
Eleanor looked back at the control panel, keeping her silence. Mainly, she didn't want to fan the flames.
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