"The spirit is a koala?" Jake inquired, sounding somewhat uncertain as he glanced at the old woman, who was idly lounging nearby.
"Yes, is there something amiss with that?" the old woman responded, scanning her surroundings in search of Jake.
Seeing that the old woman seemed genuinely serious about this, Jake decided to look beyond the koala's outward appearance.
With his spiritual senses honed in on the koala, Jake endeavored to establish communication. "Hello, um, Mr. Koala. I wish to form a contract with you. Can you comprehend my words?"
The koala had been leisurely munching on eucalyptus leaves, but it paused when Jake addressed it. Slowly, it descended from the tree and made its way toward Jake. However, its pace was sluggish, prompting Jake to extend his spiritual senses further to meet the koala halfway. Yet, as his spiritual senses brushed against the koala, something extraordinary occurred. The koala abruptly vanished and reappeared right beside Jake, as if it had teleported.
The koala fixed its gaze upon Jake, prompting him to inquire, "Can you see me?" However, the koala remained silent, regarding him with its round eyes.
Jake let out a sigh and turned his attention to the information screen that hovered beside the koala.
[Name: Koko
Species: Spirit Koala
Level: 1
Talent: Fate Thread Weaving (S), [Fate Eater (S).]
Upon reading the information regarding the koala, Jake was taken aback. This koala was merely level one! In stark contrast, the elderly woman beside him was level 50, a master class, yet she treated the koala with the utmost respect. Jake comprehended this reverence, though, as the koala possessed two remarkable abilities. The first was the power to perceive and manipulate destiny, known as [Fate Thread Weaving]. The second ability involved consuming an individual's fate and converting it into its own lifespan, aptly named [Fate Eater].
"This presence. Sir Koko! What has brought you here?" the old woman inquired with caution, but the koala paid her no heed.
The koala slowly ascended Jake's leg, and he made no effort to push it away. It climbed until it reached his shoulder, where it comfortably settled, hugging his head. Suddenly, a system screen materialized before Jake.
[Koko wants to form a master-servant contract with you. Do you wish to accept?]
Intrigued by the "Master-servant contract" that had manifested, Jake decided to delve deeper into its details. As the master in this arrangement, he could issue orders to Koko as long as they didn't harm Koko, and he was solely required to provide Koko with his daily necessities, such as food. This contract was highly beneficial to Jake, and he couldn't fathom why Koko had initiated it. What could possibly be the advantage of becoming his servant?
Despite his lingering concerns, Jake accepted the contract due to the potential utility of Koko's powers. With a click of the "accept" button, their bodies emitted light, indicating that the contract was now in effect.
"Alright, Koko. I won't deny that I'm taking advantage of you, but I promise to be a fair master," Jake stated.
"I believe in you, master. You have good karma surrounding you," Koko responded.
Jake blinked in astonishment, both by Koko's pleasant voice and the fact that Koko could speak. "You can talk?"
"It's not that I can't. Speaking consumes a lot of calories, so I avoid it unless it's essential or if I must communicate. Now that you're my master, I have to respond to your words," Koko explained.
Jake considered a retort but refrained from it. "Koko, I—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Koko interjected, "Master, I understand your issue, and I will assist you. But first, there's something you should know. Since we've formed a contract, you have the ability to materialize me in the mortal realm."
"I see." Jake promptly deactivated his [Spiritual Resonance]. This technique indeed consumed a significant amount of mana, but thanks to his S-grade intelligence and wisdom stats, his mana pool was substantial, and the energy consumption was minimal. Most others would find it exhausting to maintain such an ability.
Even after turning off the ability, Jake could still see the old woman beside him. He had initially believed himself trapped in the spirit realm, but Koko clarified, "You can sense her because you have a debt to her. You can also sense me nearby because I am your servant."
Jake suddenly realized that he could continue to perceive Koko, even after severing his connection to the spirit realm. "Hm, do I still need to summon you?"
"You should, master. You may not comprehend this, but the sensation of the mortal realm's air brings joy to us, spirits. That's why I didn't hesitate to establish a master-servant contract with you once I sensed your abundance of good karma."
"Very well." Jake refrained from inquiring about the summoning process, as he had swiftly comprehended it following the contract's formation.
Jake bit his thumb until it bled, letting the drops of blood fall to the floor. Simultaneously, he chanted an incantation, causing a magical circle to materialize beneath him.
Koko proceeded to approach the circle, standing on it until the circle vanished. While for others, it might seem that Koko had suddenly emerged from the circle, for Jake, who could perceive Koko, the transition was a bit more peculiar.
Koko gazed around in excitement, remarking, "So, this is the mortal world. The air is truly refreshing."
"You've never been to the mortal world before?" Jake inquired.
"I am a natural-born spirit, master," Koko responded. It then went on to explain that spirits were divided into natural-born spirits and deceased spirits who couldn't move on.
"Anyway, master, I'm sure you have a purpose for summoning me. As your master, you can freely utilize my powers," Koko offered.
Jake hesitated for a moment before activating his [Akashic Eyes] and pointing to them. "Do you see my eyes? These eyes can perceive every ability in the present, including your abilities. I know you have to pay a hefty price to activate your ability."
Koko giggled, "You're quite perceptive, master. I made the right choice in selecting you. After I use my ability, I need to consume karma. It can be anyone's karma, including my own. I can simply consume my own karma after activating this ability for you."
Karma, in this context, referred to the threads of fate surrounding people and objects. While these karmas were often described as threads of fate, they lacked a tangible form, akin to a feeling. Although regular individuals couldn't perceive karma, certain individuals possessed this ability, much like Koko.
"Wouldn't consuming your own karma diminish your lifespan?" Jake asked.
"Yes, it would be troublesome if I were in the spirit world. However, in my mortal form, I can consume resources from the mortal realm. You can simply provide me with resources that can extend my lifespan, and that should suffice," Koko explained.
Jake was beginning to grasp how the contract benefited Koko. Merely existing in the mortal realm was an advantage for a spirit. With this understanding, Jake began to trust Koko more.
"Alright, Koko, I hope you can provide me with advice regarding my issue."
"Is it related to your relationships with multiple women?" Koko inquired.
Jake looked at it with surprise. "How did you know?"
"As I mentioned, I can perceive karmas. The karma surrounding people with relationship problems is quite distinct. I can't quite put it into words, but the sensation is certainly intriguing."
"In that case... Can you help me?" Jake asked, feeling a touch of nervousness. He suddenly realized that seeking advice on a matter like this was rather embarrassing.
"Leave it to me, master," Koko assured.
Koko approached Jake and hugged his leg, working its ability as it did so. While Jake knew that Koko was using its power, he couldn't help but find the sight of the fluffy koala hugging his leg rather cute. He almost felt the urge to reciprocate with a hug.
After a moment, Koko released his leg and looked up at him with its round eyes. "Master, I've found a way to solve your problem."
"Please tell me," Jake said.
"You have to use that [Heavenly Access] and learn an extension ability for your [Overcome] ability."
"Oh, I didn't know my [Overcome] had an extension ability. But how will that help me?"
Koko shrugged. "Master, I can't see the future. I can only tell you which path leads to better karma. Anyway, after learning that ability, you have to immediately head to the back garden where your childhood friend usually hangs around. That's all. You have to do it now."
"Alright. I'll trust you," Jake replied, willing to follow Koko's advice.
"[Heavenly Access]!" Jake exclaimed. Instantly, his surroundings transformed into a dark expanse filled with countless stars, and he began falling toward a galaxy below.
As he entered the galaxy, he swam through space, eventually reaching a particular star that held information about the extension ability of [Overcome]. Upon touching the star, everything around him became blindingly bright, and Jake was immediately transported back to the real world.
[Name: Halo of Divine Protection
Value: Gold
Rank: F
Description: Allow the user to hasten the adaptation of Overcome ability within four turns. At F rank, increase the Overcome resistance ability to 100%.
Requirement: Overcome, level 10, one S grade stat, and the virginity of a virgin girl.]
Jake suddenly had a revelation about how this ability could help him.