Overall, this Absolute Existential Contract was already incredibly strict and absolute. However, there were still some loopholes that could be exploited in negotiations or contract manipulations, especially outside Article 3: Rights and Obligations.
Lloyd the Void, was that even its real name?
Evan understood that Article 3: Rights and Obligations was clearly the most negotiable part of the contract. It defined the very core of the power dynamic between him and Lloyd. But what about the other articles? Was there room to play with meanings or interpretations?
He clutched the slip of paper containing the contract, his gaze serious.
Even if my Indonesian grade is only 50, I have to act professionally and take this seriously if I want to protect my freedom and my rights!
The first flaw lay within Article 2: Purpose of the Agreement.
It resided in the phrase "absolute, irrevocable, and unalterable." While the contract was labeled as absolute, there was still a possibility that this absoluteness only applied within the boundaries of the "laws of existence and void." If an entity existed beyond these laws, they might possess the ability to alter or nullify the contract without requiring the consent of either party.
Then there was the word "ensures" in "ensures that no party may engage in deception." The wording did not explicitly state any immediate consequences should either party attempt manipulation. This left an opening where one party could still try to deceive the other first, only facing the repercussions afterward.
Considering that Lloyd the Void was a higher-dimensional existence, that possibility was far from impossible.
There is also a loophole in Article 4: Terms and Limitations of the Contract.
"Any modification to the contract may only be made with the mutual agreement of both parties and must be acknowledged by Right Hand and Left Hand."
The loophole lies in the ambiguity of how Right Hand and Left Hand must "acknowledge" contract modifications. If one party could manipulate Right Hand or Left Hand's understanding of these changes, then concealed alterations might be possible.
"Bound by the laws of existence and void."
If there exists a higher existential law beyond these two, there may be a way to bypass or challenge the contract using power or principles from an external source. After all, no matter how powerful Lloyd is, he is still beneath Right Hand and Left Hand.
...Or is he?
I was merely speculating based on my own understanding.
Article 5: Sanctions and Consequences
"Punishment shall be delivered by Right Hand and Left Hand in accordance with the laws of existential balance."
There is no guarantee that the punishment imposed will always be fair or balanced. If one party manages to influence or deceive Right Hand and Left Hand, the severity of the punishment could be either lighter or harsher than it should be.
But I just thought of something. I could use the laws of balance to argue that Lloyd has gained more benefits from this contract, allowing me to demand additional compensation.
"No party may evade consequences without paying an equivalent price."
The phrase "equivalent price" is not clearly defined. If this concept of "a price of equal value" can be interpreted subjectively, then there is room for exploitation.
Especially if I, as a mortal, violate the stipulated terms and conditions, there is a possibility that Lloyd could demand compensation that is reasonable from his perspective as a higher existence while the compensation imposed on me, as a mere mortal, could be something utterly unreasonable for me.
Article 6: Contract Termination
"If either party ceases to exist before the contract is fulfilled, this agreement shall persist in the form determined by Right Hand and Left Hand."
There was no explanation as to whether existence could be restored or what would happen if both parties were to be completely annihilated.
This could be a major loophole in the negotiation one that could be exploited if either party manipulated their own existence to evade certain consequences.
Especially when my counterpart was a "concept" itself. Born from the Void, and destined to return to the Void.
Does that make sense? No! It doesn't make any sense at all!
Article 7: Contract Witnessing and Validation
"Who bear witness to this covenant."
Are Right Hand and Left Hand truly impartial, or do they possess the freedom to act independently in interpreting the contract?
If either Right Hand or Left Hand harbors a hidden agenda, they could witness the contract yet still intervene at a later time.
It would be best to confirm this later and ask whether they are genuinely uninvolved behind the scenes or manipulating both of us.
If the situation worsens, my only option would be to die in this forsaken void.
This contract is riddled with loopholes despite the word "Absolute" in its title.
Right Hand and Left Hand are mere witnesses; it is almost certain that they would not trifle with beings they could annihilate at will.
In fact, I could exploit the interpretation gap in Article 5 to demand greater benefits.
Or perhaps, I could find a way to "erase my existence" temporarily using Article 6, then return under more favorable conditions?
Oh, this plan could work if I become strong enough.
I'll think about this scenario later.
Evan frowned, rubbing his eyes before reviewing the contract once more.
Meanwhile, at the farthest reaches of this dimensionless space, Lloyd the Void waited patiently.
Its "smile" remained stretched wide across unseen fractures in reality.
On another note. I have found yet another possible exploitation.
Evan meticulously examined the contract, his eyes scanning each word with sharp precision, searching for any loopholes he could use to his advantage.
Article 2: Purpose of the Agreement
"This contract ensures that no party may engage in deception, manipulation, or alteration of its terms and meanings."
At first glance, this sentence seemed fair, but it had a fundamental issue: what was the exact definition of "deception" and "manipulation" in an existential context?
If these terms were not explicitly defined, their interpretation could be left open-ended whether by Lloyd or even by Right Hand and Left Hand. That was an obvious risk not for Lloyd, but for me.
If there ever came a situation where I used a 200 IQ moment or wordplay to gain an advantage, it could be labeled as manipulation. But things became far less fair if Lloyd, for example, withheld critical details without technically lying that wouldn't count as deception under a loose definition.
Perhaps I could employ a negotiation tactic here: I would demand an explicit definition of what constituted deception and manipulation, along with a clause ensuring that neither party could withhold information once the contract was signed.
Article 4: Terms and Limitations of the Contract
"This contract is bound by the laws of existence and void, meaning any violation of the agreement will result in unavoidable existential consequences."
This clause sounded absolute at first, yet it failed to specify what those consequences would be.
Did it mean complete annihilation? Possibly, but my counterpart was The Void.
Were there negotiable penalties before my existence or Lloyd's was put at stake?
Did Right Hand and Left Hand have absolute discretion in determining the punishment, or were there limits imposed upon them? This needed to be questioned.
If the punishment was left unchecked, I could be subjected to disproportionate consequences for a minor violation. If Lloyd was an entity more accustomed to existential laws like these, then it might be possible for it to breach the contract in ways that couldn't be fully penalized due to the vague nature of its consequences.
If I were to negotiate anything in this section, I would have to ask for clarity on the acceptable consequences for each party and ensure that the punishment remained proportional to the violation.
Article 5: Sanctions and Consequences
"Should either party violate the agreement, punishment shall be delivered by Right Hand and Left Hand in accordance with the laws of existential balance."
This was another weak point that could benefit Lloyd.
What exactly is "existential balance" in this context?
Does existential balance lean more toward the void or toward existence?
If I were to violate the contract, would the punishment be harsher on me simply because I'm a lower being in the existential hierarchy?
F— I'm cooked... No, I'm baked right now.
If "existential balance" favors the void (since this contract is with The Void), then my punishment will likely be far more severe than Lloyd's. He could manipulate the circumstances so that any violation on his part wouldn't disrupt the "existential balance" enough to warrant meaningful punishment.
I need to ensure that the definition of "existential balance" is clarified in absolute terms. Additionally, the punishments for both parties must be fair and proportionate, regardless of their existential nature.
As the highest arbiters in the creation of this contract, Right Hand and Left Hand will likely have a bias. I can't guarantee that "they" will favor Lloyd, but considering that I'm a nobody, it's a real possibility.
I should tread carefully. I'm not a Roman, yet I'm confronting true Romans in their own arena. I must make sure that the "judges" won't automatically side with the victim (or perpetrator) under different circumstances.
Evan shifted his gaze to the next clause.
Article 6: Contract Termination
"If either party ceases to exist before the contract is fulfilled, this agreement shall persist in the form determined by Right Hand and Left Hand."
This was the biggest trap hidden within the contract.
If I died before fulfilling the agreement, the contract would still remain in effect but in an undefined form, entirely dictated by Right Hand and Left Hand.
If I lost my existence whether through death or something else would the contract still bind my very essence?
And if Lloyd "died," would the contract transfer its obligations to another entity, one even less trustworthy? Could my soul be enslaved in another form upon his demise?
What was missing was a specific determination of how the contract would conclude if either of us ceased to be. Maybe I could add a clause stating that if one party ceased to exist, the contract would be automatically nullified without condition.
But that would be a double-edged sword. If I ever did something Lloyd disliked, he could simply kill me to have the contract annulled unconditionally.
Honestly, if I ever come to the conclusion that killing The Heaven is impossible if it's already too late and he has grown too strong then as an Existential myself, I might be able to kill The Void to nullify the contract.
A win-win solution, if I think about it. But Lloyd would never take that risk and would surely reject it outright.
Now I see where the loophole in this contract lies. If I can negotiate with Lloyd, then at the very least, I won't be trapped in Lloyd's existential game.
This contract is, without a doubt, 70% a trap. It's a complete web of Exploitation Potential, Ambiguity, Hidden Risks, and even Eternal Entanglements.
Evan pressed his temple with his index finger and thumb. He opened his eyes, then fixed his gaze on Lloyd the Void in the distance.
He lifted the contract in his hand, and—
Srrk—
Evan tore the contract in half.
His eyes locked onto The Void, sharp and unwavering.
"Lloyd—let's negotiate."