"Listen well, human. We are the only beings considered immortal and untouchable. We exist in the Astral, where no one—no Dragonoid, Asuran, Vivian, Elf, Demon, or Giant —can reach. Only Uriel has influence in the Astral realm," Aurora said and continued after making sure he understood.
"So we pixies are untouchable and grow influence in the mortal realm by using our knowledge, becoming guides and advisors for kings and emperors alike. Some of us even become judges in their planet's High courts."
(A/N: The matter universe is referred to as the mortal realm by other races.)
Connor smiled inwardly as the talk finally got to the point he wished for.
"So, you are here because you are all unemployed and jobless?" he said, tilting his head innocently. He wanted revenge for all her annoying remarks.
"N-no... we... yes, we are like freshers who have recently graduated and are looking for a contract," Kris replied, flustered. While that was true for her, being the youngest pixie who graduated just 50 years ago, it wasn't for the other two.
"What we are shouldn't matter to you, human. To you, we are like godsend help. It would be better if you form a mutual benefit contract with us," said Livia, quite annoyed by his remark.
"Can I form a contract with you then? What are the terms, and how do we form it?"
For once, Livia smiled, because this was what she wanted the human to do—ask many questions like the clueless fool he was.
"Since you are so pitiful, I shall give you some free intel," she said and started explaining about a contract and how it works. Connor, of course, knew it all from the system.
After making sure he understood everything, they gave him some time to think freely. The first to come with a proposal was Kris.
"If I form a contract with you, I have only six terms you need to agree on:
1. Must be loyal to me.
2. Must never lie to me.
3. Allow permission to view your memories at any time.
4. Give me 15% of the SP you gain as you grow.
5. Treat me like a boss."
"REJECTED," he replied immediately. Not only were the terms too demanding, but he also never planned to bond with her, as she could never be as knowledgeable as the other two.
"Why?" she asked, but Connor just ignored her and looked at Aurora. "What are your demands?" he asked.
"We were never planning to form a contract until your world started the exploratory phase, but well, you beat us to it. I only have four terms." She paused and directly showed a contract to him through the system. The contract was already formed, and if he signed it with his mana, the bond would be established.
1. Show your memories to the contractor.
2. Answer how you found out that three people were looking at you.
3. Share 25% of your SP gained as you grow.
4. Must be loyal to the contractor.
He rejected it immediately as he read the absurd amount of SP she demanded. Fuming, he said, "Only a fool would agree to such terms. Good luck finding one, and if you do, I hope he doesn't die from foolish mistakes."
"Now, now... you don't need to be so worked up. I shall reduce the share to 18%," Aurora said, trying to be nice.
"You think I don't understand what you are trying to achieve here?"
"I may look naive, but as a businessman, I know this stunt you pulled. It is called 'anchoring' or 'high-low pricing strategy,' where you initially present a product at a high price and then offer it at a lower price to create a perception of value.
It is indeed a good strategy to fool and make your client happy, but you should know that in front of a veteran like me, it also leads to your own fall of reputation.
I would never form a contract with a thieving cat. Now I know what to expect from you in the future" he said, anger etched on his face.
Clap... clap... clap... Kris started clapping as she enjoyed the exchange. She learned something new and started writing it down.
Aurora, on the other hand, wanted to bite her nails as she had been thoroughly seen through by a boy who was much younger than her.
She started sweating, trying to think of a way to please him this time.
She changed the contract again, asking for only 8% this time, hoping he would agree.
But he said again, "Didn't you hear? I am not interested in making a contract and forming a bond with you. Please keep your contract; I won't sign it, so take it back."
He turned to Livia, rejecting Aurora solely to avoid exposing his secret. He would have to tell her how he knew of their existence, and he couldn't lie with the contract involved.
While there was no harm in that, as the deal would have already been made and a bond formed, their relationship would turn for the worse.
And he wanted a better deal than that. This time Livia asked, "What kind of contract do you want, and what are you willing to offer me?"
Her approach was a good one, as by asking directly, she showed that she was serious about forming a bond and also showed eagerness.
"I will give 5% of my SP shares. You can look at my memories, but not all at once. I will treat you as I should treat a party who is equal—no master-servant relationship, since this is a mutual benefit contract.
I know you are getting very little SP, but I am confident that even the 5% of my SP shares you get will be similar to 50% of the SP of any other person in this place. I mean, look at me. I am already raring to start my evolution path.
Lastly, trust and loyalty go both ways. We both shall be loyal and not do anything to harm or jeopardize each other."
That was his proposal. He wasn't immediately rejected, as Livia was still considering it.
"You dare, human? You don't get to make demands here. Just because Livia asked you nicely doesn't mean you can say whatever you want," Kris snapped, her anger directed at him as if he had demanded something from her instead of Livia.
"Fine, but I have one condition too," Livia interjected.
"Livia!"
"Are you really going to ask him that?"
Kris was shocked, while Aurora looked worried.
"What's the condition?" Connor asked, caught off guard by this unexpected turn of events.
"I need you to kill someone for me if you manage to reach the 4th ascension in the next 3 years."
"Who?" he asked, already a scenario forming in his head.
"He is an Asuran mercenary named Skirk. He will definitely come here to your world when Earth is open for all, which will happen in the third phase."
"Did this Skirk kill your previous contractor?" he asked, and Livia immediately flinched.
His guess was spot on. Seeing her not responding, he continued,
"First tell me more about him, and then I will decide."
"He is the leader of a band of mercenaries from the dark faction races, and he is a transcendent rank," said Aurora. Livia was not in the state to speak of him, as her previous contractor was brought up.
She felt very sad, reminiscing about her past. Seeing the shocked expression on Connor, she continued,
"Her previous contractor was raped and brutally killed by him while his mercenary squad 'Scorpia' had plundered and ravaged her contractor's hometown.
We pixies are untouchable, but we are also powerless when it comes to harming others. That's why our race has been nicknamed 'Observers of the Universe', as that is all we can do"
Connor didn't know how to feel. He detested the man called Skirk but was scared to face a transcendent-rank individual.
According to the system, these transcendent rank people are of a higher standard of existence; to them, even a 4th ascension rank person is like a child.
Now he understood what she meant by him reaching the 4th ascension. If he didn't reach the fourth ascension, he wouldn't even be able to face Skirk's band. He was deep in thought. After a while, he replied,
"I can't promise I will be able to kill him, but should I reach a level of power where I can stand on my own against him and his people, I will fulfill your request.
And it will be your responsibility to ensure I am growing faster—fast enough to reach at least ascension third rank when they come to my world in the third phase."
Livia was satisfied with his answer. At first, she didn't expect a naive guy like him to become strong-willed enough to fight them, but when she saw how he wasn't easily fooled by Aurora, hope ignited inside her.
Perhaps this was the chance that destiny was throwing at her—a chance for vengeance.
"Very well then, let's get started," she said as she began drafting the contract.
"Wait, I haven't unlocked my mana yet," Connor stopped her.
He asked the system for a solution, realizing his biggest mistake: he wouldn't be able to awaken mana since his core was disintegrating. He had to find an alternative way without exposing his illness and condition.
[You can use SP to generate some mana in your core which is the second perk given to you for your disability.]
Now, he knew what to do.
"If you haven't awakened your mana yet, then you are a late bloomer, huh? Maybe it's just because the flow of mana here is very low.
There are no fallen here as well, which means this region will likely be the slowest to advance," Aurora said, trying to make Livia back out.
She was doing this for the young boy's sake, as she didn't want another incident like what happened with that girl to repeat.
However, she knew she couldn't do much, as she was just delaying the inevitable.
Skirk liked to visit newly developing worlds and bully the weak. He was also getting paid by a high-ranking member of ASRA, an alliance of all the supreme races.
Some of the people in ASRA didn't want another race to advance forward. They were afraid that their rule would be overthrown and their races would lose their seat in the alliance.
So Skirk was commissioned to torture and oppress them, and he quite enjoyed it. Just thinking of that sadistic bastard caused even the composed Aurora to turn angry.
"I was actually planning to explore and find some treasure or something. In many apocalypse games, there would usually be a dungeon or tower where we can get some power-ups,"
Connor said, careful with his answer. He wanted to sound like a kid who played a lot of games.
Of course, he never played any apocalypse games; he was spewing nonsense left and right to get into their good graces.
"Yeah, actually, there is a dungeon forming nearby," Kris said, giving out information he already knew.
"But that is a fourth-order dungeon, Kris. Even though it is in the developing stage, if he goes there, he won't be able to survive it with all the traps and danger there."
"Alright, take me to the dungeon. If I clear it, Livia, you will make a contract with me. Let's take this as a test to prove myself."
"You don't understand. It's a fourth-order dungeon, dammit. Once it is formed, only a group of individuals in the ascension ranks can clear it."
" But it isn't formed yet, right? Let's hit it before it is complete.
It was always my dream to hit someone mid-transformation. I really hate it when in those animes, the characters waste time waiting for the other guy to transform and finish his monologue."
This time, Connor wasn't lying. He really hated that.
"Fine, if you can survive and come out of that dungeon, I will form a contract with you with 2.5% SP shares. I don't care about my own growth; I only want my contractor to be strong, cruel, and cunning. I don't care about the methods you use. All I care about is revenge," Livia gave her verdict. There was no going back.
Both Aurora and Kris were stunned. They knew Livia hated Skirk and Scorpia, but to such an extent that she wouldn't mind being used?
She was close to walking the path of self-destruction.
Kris didn't want Livia to walk that path. She had been a mentor and elder sister to her and really loved her like family.
Aurora also shared similar feelings, so they both wanted to ask her to reconsider. But they also knew that once Livia had decided something, there was no going back.
"Alright then, take me there," Connor exclaimed excitedly. he felt like he hit the jackpot.
There was no stopping this duo that was marching towards their death.
*********************************
A/N:
ASRA: Association of Supreme Races and Authorities
.....
Members:
.....
Light Faction:
1. Angels ( Leaders ) 2.High Elves
3. Dwarves 4. Luminaris
[ more to be revealed later ]
.....
Dark Faction:
1. Demons ( Leaders ) 2. Asurans
3. Vampires 4. Rakshas
[ more to be revealed later ]
....
Destroyer Faction:
1. Dragonoids ( Co-Leader )
2. Giants ( Co-leader)
3. Titans 4. Trolls
[ more to be revealed later ]
....
[ More about the association and its working to be explained in later volumes ]