"Lowly, despicable human, daring to defile the heart of a deity. No matter how you've stolen it with your inferior methods, send it back the same way!"
"Otherwise, I'll show you the power of a deity."
Maldream's form exuded a purple aura, her alluring face twisting with anger.
The overwhelming pressure made it difficult for Henry to resist.
This was a supreme deity spanning dozens of major levels; if not for the barrier of the mental world, their mere conversation could have shattered Henry's soul.
Biting his teeth, Henry lifted the heart high, his voice cold and merciless,
"First, I want to tell you that there's no way to send this heart back once it's come into my possession."
"Also, drop that annoying superior tone. I've never been a reasonable person. Maybe if I crush this heart, your irritating tone will disappear."
Maldream, looking down from high above at Henry, remained silent for a long while before finally speaking:
"A low-level awakener daring to show such courage in my presence. Impressive. Perhaps I can offer you a chance to become my servant, to serve me loyally."
In front of Maldream, numerous ancient artifacts shimmering with mysterious hues appeared.
Although Henry had never seen these objects before, the mystical aura emanating from them was enough to indicate their extraordinary nature.
"How about it? Become my servant, and you can choose from these mystical items at will. See that doll-like puppet?"
"It can steal the levels of other awakeners and transfer them to you. With it, you could swiftly ascend to the rank of an Ascendant God, second only to the deities!"
"Come, become my servant. You will hold a high position in your world, and I might even allow you to conquer me."
"Conquering a female deity, you must find that appealing."
Maldream's garments fell away, leaving only lingerie that covered key areas.
Her alluring figure, combined with her seductive red lips, made Henry's heart race.
However, the images of Anna, Queen Adele, Emily, and others, equally beautiful as Maldream, pulled Henry back from this temptation.
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Henry looked at Maldream, unafraid, and spoke,
"I think you're mistaken about something. Indeed, one of us is to become a servant, but it's not me – it's you!"
"Insolence!"
A surge of energy burst forth from Maldream's being, her towering rage nearly materializing to slay Henry in his mental space.
Even as a dark god, she possessed the status and dignity of a deity!
"I have been a deity for thousands of years, conquered countless planets, turning them all into my Sealing Artifacts. And now, you, a mere low-level awakener, dare to make me your servant? Such audacity!" Maldream's tone was arrogant, clearly not taking Henry seriously.
However, as Henry lifted her pulsating, fervent heart, the expressions of the dark gods shifted to one of unease.
"I'll count to three," Henry declared.
"If you haven't submitted by then, prepare for your heart to explode."
A god unwilling to submit was like a volatile bomb; Henry would rather destroy the heart than put himself in jeopardy.
"3..."
"2..."
"1!"
Instantly, Maldream's demeanor changed, adopting the guise of an innocent, delicate young girl.
"Master, don't be so cruel, I'll submit," she said, her previous imposing aura vanishing as she descended from the sky, her voice laced with feigned grievance.
Henry looked at Maldream, his voice cold, "Are you sure you're willing to submit?"
Maldream nodded, her voice coquettish, "From now on, I live for my master, and I die for my master. Even if you wish to bully me, I won't resist."
Henry nodded, "Then let's sign the Master-Servant Covenant."
Maldream stood frozen in place.
Fatima had already informed Henry, via telepathic communication, about a widely known Master-Servant Covenant method among awakeners.
Once the contract is signed, one party is destined to be the master, and the other the servant, with no possibility of alteration, even if it involves a deity.
This is because it's a fundamental rule of the world, and such rules cannot be abolished.
"You actually know about the Master-Servant Covenant?"
Maldream's expression was complex as she clenched her fists, engaged in a fierce internal struggle.
After a few minutes, she spoke in a dazed voice,
"I can sign the Master-Servant Covenant with you, but you must agree to several conditions, which also must be included in the covenant's stipulations."
"First, even if I become your servant, you absolutely cannot risk my life in situations against my will."
"Second, you must not force me to satisfy your carnal desires unless I willingly agree."
"Third, if you become a deity and I am no longer a threat to you, you must abolish this Master-Servant Covenant."
Henry nodded, responding, "Reasonable conditions."
Maldream's eyes brightened, "Does that mean you agree?"
Henry replied with a teasing tone, "No, I refuse all of them."
Maldream, grinding her teeth, said,
"Then there's nothing more to discuss. Let's end this. You might crush my heart, but I might not necessarily die. If I survive, I will one day descend upon your realm to avenge this day!"
"I wasn't finished speaking," Henry said calmly.
"I will respect all three conditions you mentioned, but I won't include them in the Master-Servant Covenant. That would be a slander to my character. I am a person with principles."
"That's all I had to say. Whether or not you choose to become my servant is now up to you."
Maldream bit her lip lightly, looking at Henry, sensing he was not a liar. "Master," she finally said.
Without much effort, they signed the Master-Servant Covenant, and Henry officially acquired a god-tier servant.
Regrettably, due to the difference in their planes of existence and being in separate universes, Henry could not directly use the god-tier powers.
He could only rely on Maldream's support to aid him.
"Can that doll you mentioned earlier really elevate me to an Ascendant God?" Henry asked.
Maldream, now Henry's servant, nodded.
"Yes, master. But there's a catch I didn't mention. Once you use the doll, sooner or later, your body will switch places with it."
"At that point, the soul inside the doll will take over your identity, inheriting everything that's yours."
Henry's mouth twitched slightly, thinking how sinister that mysterious item was.
He'd have to be out of his mind to use it.
"Then tell me about the other mysterious items."
"Of course, master," Maldream nodded.
"See this sword? It's a remnant of a dark god from another plane. Using it grants a portion of that dark god's powers, but you'll lose your self-identity, becoming that dark god's servant."
"This flask can grant you the power of an Ascendant God for a short time, but it will tear apart your soul."
...
Listening to the negative effects of these mysterious items, Henry asked with some trepidation, "Why did you collect so many items with such adverse effects?"
Maldream replied coyly, "After all, I am a dark god. The items a dark god gives to their subordinates always come with some issues."
Henry breathed a sigh of relief that he had become her master, then thought of something else.
"So, you not only threatened me earlier but also planned to make me use these items, losing myself unknowingly?"
Maldream's face turned pale as she spoke, "Master, that was before I became your servant. Now, I am entirely loyal to you."
Henry snorted coldly. "Death can be avoided, but punishment cannot."
"Stick out your buttocks."
?
A question mark popped up in Maldream's mind.
Then, as realization dawned, her face flushed red, and she spoke hesitantly, "Please be gentle, master."