Into The Portal: Monster Invasion

Chapter 8: Scammed!

Miles left the stronghold through the large dimensional device and appeared at the Public Transportation Center on Earth.

Rich people can own a human-size dimensional device that could take them to the Portal World from their homes. But the poor had to take the one from the PTC. Ever since Miles started to live on his own, he was poverty-stricken.

After leaving his family with only Coin and clothes he was wearing, he found himself lost in the enormous city.

The Unity was created after humanity had no choice but to gather under one banner. Initially, three parties made up the governing force that now ruled the Earth, but only two remained after the Cross Empire betrayed the Unity. As the only power on Earth, borders no longer carried meanings, especially after lands had been swarmed by mindless walking dead.

What caused humans to lose their sanity and kill their kind for the brain was a virus that originated in Portal World. It infected dead bodies and resurrected them to kill anything alive. Anything bitten would turn into mindless zombies as well. Even after humans cleared out monsters, billions of dead armies walked on the Earths surface.

The habitable lands, composed of 44 cities, had been surrounded by giant walls that Mama Hill helped create for the safety of humanity. Out of those 44 cities, the Capital had been considered to be the most expensive city. Miles has to live here with an almost empty pocket and without a choice. He then found a real estate agency and searched for an apartment to live in.

When Miles left the family house, he knew that his living standards would drop. When the real estate agent showed him the apartments he could afford, he understood the cruel reality. He had only 15.000 UD in his account that he had saved with his allowances. He worked in a few little jobs when he was small, but their wage was nothing to speak of. After a long day visit, he decided to rent one of the apartments in a shady neighborhood.

Miles didn't think it would be a problem since he trusted his guts and abilities. He was already 16 years old and was about to make a living by going to the Portal World soon. He had confidence that he would make more money there.

7 Days Ago, The day Miles entered Portal World.

After the day he had signed the contract, the Landlord appeared in his living room with a couple showing them the apartment early in the morning.

Miles woke up by the Landlord's shouts and laughter. He was muddled by their unexpected arrival.

"What do you think you are doing in my apartment?" He asked as calmly as he could be.

"I am showing the apartment to the soon-to-be tenants, of course. What else can I be doing at this time of the day with two guests at my house?" The Landlord answered with a snicker under his thick mustache.

"I rented this apartment for half a year just yesterday, and paid for the month. I have all the rights in this apartment. I kindly ask you to leave."

There was a bursting sensation of anger building up in Miles. He kept himself cooled while confronting the Landlord. He was about to go mental but kept himself steady.

"Hoh, what do you mean for a half year? Your contract expired six in the morning, but out of my goodwill, I let you stay. Now since you woke up, leave my house immediately."

The Landlord brought out a digital copy of the contract Miles had signed when he rented the apartment. On it, 'today' was written, as the lease end date.

Miles couldn't believe this and grabbed the Landlord's arm to check his wristwatch. He looked at the date, his signature, and the price. He paid 12.000 UD for the whole month because it was one of the cheapest in the city. He thought it was because of the neighborhood, but it turned out to be all a sham.

Miles held onto the arm tighter and tighter, until he heard a squeak from the landlord. It never occurred to him to be swindled like this.

"Get out! GET OUT! NOW!" He shouted angrily.

He burst into anger at this sudden turn of events.

He clenched his hands into fists before he could further lose control and hurt anyone. He was afraid, at the same time, for he might do something he does not wish to.

"Just you wait! I will have the police kick you out." The Landlord said, leaving the apartment with the guests behind him.

Miles sat on the sofa and grabbed his head.

"What are we going to do?" Coin's voice woke him from his stupor.

"Have you checked the UniNet? Is there a regulation protecting us?" Miles asked softly.

"I have. The contract we signed was sort of a carbon paper. When we sign the electronic documents, your signature has been copied from the original contract into a fake one. Because you didn't instruct me to, I haven't connected into their system, otherwise, we could have prevented this from happening." Coin said apologetically.

"It is not your fault. Don't worry. Can we go to the law for the scamming?" Miles asked again.

"No. There are thousands of trials going on with the same cases either from their Landlords or Tenants. Even if we apply to the court, it would take ages to get judgment. While at it, the Landlord, as the contract owner, would have the rights over the apartment." Coin briefed him.

"I see. I already paid 12.000 UD for the rent, and all I have is 4.000 UD in my bank account. I was planning to work a little longer to earn some money before buying an Orb Weapon, but it doesn't seem possible now. I have to enter Portal World at once." Miles pondered out loud.

"It is too dangerous to enter without a set of Orb Weapons and Armor. On top of that, you are- you don't have any superpowers. I suggest you reconsider your decision." Coin warned.

"Coin, we promised to see through our dreams. Even with everything we are lacking, we will support each other. And if we can't, we will die trying it. What are you afraid of now?" Miles was serene at that moment. His rage and his fears were nowhere to be found.

"But what if you- what if something happens to you?" Coin asked.

"Nothing will happen to me! I promise. I will find a way for you to gain more self-awareness and a way to awaken my powers. We will stay strong to those who want to erase us. Or we will die trying it! We will be free. Since freedom comes with power, we will be stronger." Miles assured his companion of every doubt.

____________

Present. Inside the train.

Miles inhaled deeply to let his anger fully disappear, and touched at the same time when he thought of some memories.

Because the Landlord has the police to evict him, he left for the Portal World and stayed there since.

It was worth the trouble. He finally got the money he needed and even more to get his retribution.

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