As Ram examined the contract more closely, he found more conditions that added to the gravity.
In addition to his 15-year service obligation to the Shadow Society, the contract included clauses specifying certain tasks or mandatory missions that he was required to perform on a regular basis.
Among the stipulations, some provisions dictated his loyalty to the Shadow Society above all else, forbidding any form of allegiance or collaboration with rival factions or organizations.
While these mandatory missions also required him to complete a set number of tasks each month, each one more demanding.
From reconnaissance missions to intelligence gathering, combat training to covert and spy operations, with various miscellaneous tasks, the scope of missions within the Shadow Society appeared vast and immeasurable.
Moreover, he was bound by strict confidentiality clauses that mandated secrecy, forbidding the disclosure of any details regarding the inner workings of the Shadow Society to outsiders, or else the contract would fail automatically.
"F-ck," he cursed, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. "Isn't it kind of similar to a slave contract..."
Despite its additional benefits, such as access to the Shadow Society's resources, the contract felt like chains binding him to a cruel fate.
With a heavy heart, Ram took a few seconds to consider his options and thought about his parents, now the shadow society already had his details, so he resigned himself to the inevitable.
He signed the contract, realizing that at this moment, he had no other better choice unless he was strong enough for the shadow society to not dare to hurt him.
Which is not possible anytime soon. Signing now meant buying himself time to consider alternative courses of action later.
Signing the contract is straightforward, but it requires leaving a unique imprint of one's spiritual power.
This imprint is impossible for others to forge and easy to verify but also acts as a bridge for the contract to take action.
After he finished signing, the paper before him spontaneously ignited, transforming into a stream of light that flowed into his left hand and materialized as a tattoo with an unfamiliar, unique symbol.
The moment the tattoo materialized, he felt as if invisible shackles had bound his body, and shortly after that, Ram received a communication device similar to his old Sky Drive.
However, this one was different; it could only function within the Shadow Society's network and was incapable of sending messages outside of it.
Xia Lin handed him the backpack with a practiced efficiency. "Well, Mr. Ram, now that you're done with your registration, I've already sent all the basic details of the base, the mission board, and other important information into your Sky Drive. Please have a good day."
Before leaving the registration office, Ram looked through the bag and noticed that most of his belongings from before the kidnapping were missing.
He then turned to Xia Lin and asked, "What happened to the things I had before I was kidnapped?"
When Xia Lin heard his question, she was stunned for a few seconds and thought to herself, "Where did this guy come from? He looks handsome, but doesn't he know that everything he had before is probably in someone else's pockets by now?"
She didn't get angry but replied softly, "Mr. Ram, I don't know where your things are, but I can tell you that most of them are probably gone. You should forget about them and focus on surviving here."
Hearing her suggestion, Ram felt a twinge of anger.
He didn't care much about the Life Energy Crystals he had, but losing the Iron Robot Blade, which had cost him more than two hundred thousand Life Energy points, was painful.
"Do you know who has them?" Ram asked, his frustration evident in his voice.
Xia Lin shook her head. "I don't know exactly who has them, but they're probably with the ones who brought you here. It might be someone from the Fire Scorpion Gang."
Ram clenched his fists, trying to control his anger. "The Fire Scorpion Gang, huh? How can I find them?"
Xia Lin sighed, recognizing his determination. "There's an arena nearby where all the gangs gather to settle disputes. You should be able to find them there, but be careful—they're dangerous."
Ram nodded, his resolve firm. "Thank you, Miss Xia. I appreciate your help."
She gave him a worried look. "Be careful, Mr. Ram. This place is harsh, and the Fire Scorpion Gang is ruthless. Make sure you're ready for what you're getting into."
She took back the holographic device from Ram's hands and swiftly turned her attention to the next experimental subject waiting in line.
In addition to the Sky Drive, Ram discovered a backpack containing various essential items.
Among them were two sets of basic black clothing and a potion bottle.
Furthermore, the Sky Drive was preloaded with 100 shadow points, the exclusive currency used within the Shadow Society.
After leaving the registration office, Ram went to a nearby restroom to change clothes. Once he was dressed, he left the facility.
This time, there were no guards following him.
As Xia Lin had mentioned earlier, he was free to do whatever he wanted, except that he needed to pay a certain amount of Shadow coins or complete some missions every month.
Failure to comply would constitute a breach of contract, granting the Shadow Society the right to take any action they desired against him.
He didn't understand why they would let him remain free, yet he was relieved to be unbound.
Just as Ram stepped outside the registration office, he was stunned by what he saw.
High-tech buildings and advanced infrastructure stretched as far as the eye could see, seamlessly blending into the natural landscape around them.
Everywhere he turned, there were indications of sophisticated technology and systematic activity, presenting a sharp contrast to the underground city he had previously known.
People bustled about, each absorbed in their own duties. Among them were individuals wearing uniforms similar to that of the guard he had seen before, all armed and alert.
Holographic displays and signs provided directions and information, creating a futuristic yet organized atmosphere.
Ram remained unimpressed by the advanced technology and bustling crowds.
What truly took his breath away was the moment he turned his gaze upwards to the sky.
He was no longer beneath the earth but standing at one of the Shadow Society's surface bases on the Blue Star.
"Holy... shit...!" he exclaimed, utterly astonished.
A massive blue planet filled most of the sky, so enormous that it stretched from horizon to horizon.
The planet glowed with an eerie azure light, and the only details visible on its surface were the swirling clouds that danced across its face.
Ram stood in awe, captivated by the surreal and breathtaking sight before him.