How to get third highest salary from a table without using top keyword ?

Data Base used for the query processing :- 

Table Name Employee

pkid	Name	Salary
1	apekshit	5000
2	gaurav	6000
3	sunil	7000
4	rajnish	6500
5	amit	8000

For finding 3rd highest salary from a table without using TOP, GROUP BY AND ROW COUNT or any other SQL Keywords,

There are two options for this :-

1. OPTION

SELECT MAX(SALARY) FROM EMPLOYEE WHERE SALARY NOT IN
(SELECT MAX(SALARY) FROM EMPLOYEE WHERE SALARY
NOT IN (SELECT MAX(SALARY) FROM EMPLOYEE)
UNION
(SELECT MAX(SALARY) FROM EMPLOYEE))

2. OPTION 

SELECT MAX(SALARY) FROM EMPLOYEE as E1 
WHERE 3=(SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT SALARY) 
FROM EMPLOYEE E2 WHERE E1.SALARY<=E2.SALARY)