Haruo's anger flared as he realized the stranger had stolen his ring, but he didn't act impulsively. Instead, he focused on the bigger picture, protecting Taiyo and surviving the game.
Acting rashly could jeopardize them both. While the desire to reclaim the ring burned inside him, Haruo knew he had to bide his time, waiting for the right moment to strike. For now, his focus was on keeping Taiyo safe and finishing the game before making his move.
"It's not rare, but it's not common either, to see artifacts in someone else's hands," the stranger said, inspecting the ring closely in front of his eyes.
"Especially when it belongs to him…" he added, redirecting his gaze to Haruo and his little brother, a smirk playing on his lips.
"You look just like him in those clothes," the stranger said, suddenly appearing beside Haruo, inspecting him closely. Ena and Haruo were equally surprised; they hadn't even seen him move before he stepped in.
Haruo instinctively stepped back, pulling Ena and Taiyo with him, his face reflecting a mix of uneasiness and confusion.
"I wonder why he gave them to you," the stranger mused, before casually returning to his original position.
"Why aren't you doing anything yet? You've wasted two minutes already!"
Haruo shouted, his frustration palpable as confusion flickered across his face. The urgency in his voice heightened the tension of the situation, pushing him to act.
"I have plenty of time for that. How about we just talk for now?"
he said, standing there confidently with a smirk. His relaxed posture and piercing gaze conveyed an unsettling calmness, hinting that he was in control of the situation.
"How do you know him?"
Haruo asked in a cautious tone, striving to buy as much time as possible. He kept his voice steady, masking the tension that coiled in his gut as he gauged the stranger's reaction.
1:53 minutes left
"He was my colleague, he left without saying goodbye. kind of."
the stranger replied, his tone casual but his eyes narrowing as he studied Haruo's reaction. The revelation added complexity to their encounter, making Haruo's mind race as he tried to piece together its implications for him and Taiyo.
1:30 seconds left
'Just keep talking,' Haruo thought to himself. It felt as if time slowed to a crawl, each passing second stretching out and intensifying the urgency of their situation.
1:22 seconds left
"the way he left was..." the stranger narrowed his eyes to the side trying to recall how he left.
1:00 seconds left
"I don't know; I forgot. But I do recall our memories together!" he said, plopping down onto a random chair he pulled from his mana storage.
0:46 seconds left
"He used to tie me up in the ceiling because I put laxatives in his drink all the time, good old days," the stranger continued, recalling the absurdity of their past.
0:24 seconds left
The time decreased as the stranger talked, the seconds ticking away and intensifying the urgency of the situation.
0:10 seconds
0:05 seconds
4...
3...
2...
1...
'We've won,' Haruo thought, a sense of reassurance filling him as he realized he had gained the upper hand.
But before he could grasp the victory, Haruo suddenly found himself on the ground, a cold blade pressed against his neck.
Ena and Taiyo lay beside him, their expressions reflecting shock as they realized the precariousness of their situation. They were all at the mercy of the stranger's sword, the tension palpable in the air.
"Looks like I win," he said, a smug glint in his eyes as he looked at them. He then squatted down, bringing himself face to face with Haruo, the blade still pressed menacingly against his neck.
"Chiharu isn't the type to take people in, so I'm going to give you another chance," he continued, his tone casual yet pointed.
"Prove your worth to me. Show me you're not just some half-baked fighter who can't hold their own."
The challenge was evident in his gaze, and Haruo could feel the weight of the ultimatum pressing down on him, forcing him to think carefully about his next move.
"But before that, what's your name, brat?" he asked, leaning in slightly, a taunting expression on his face as he awaited Haruo's response.
"Haruo Chiharu," Haruo replied, glaring at him, clearly maddened. The tension hung in the air as his frustration bubbled beneath the surface, his resolve solidifying with each passing moment.
"Oh, so you took after his name? Kind of hurts that he didn't tell me he had a son,"
he remarked, his tone teasing as he scratched his head and closed his eyes, as though the thought mildly amused him.
"I'm not his son," Haruo correcting him.
"Wow you really are just like him, cant take a joke"
In a swift motion, Haruo lunged at the stranger. Despite the speed of his attack, the stranger effortlessly dodged without even opening his eyes.
The moment Haruo realized he had missed, he found himself back in the exact spot he'd started from, as if he hadn't moved at all. The trio was stunned, Haruo had been right in front of the stranger, and now, somehow, he was back in his original position.
"Try again. This time, I won't dodge," he said, locking his amber eyes on Haruo.
'What the hell? Did he put me back in my original position? When... how?' Haruo struggled to comprehend how the stranger had moved him. Unease crept into his expression as he glared at the man, his mind racing for answers.
'I definitely saw him attack. Even I struggle to keep up with Haru's speed. Can we really win this?' Ena clenched her fists, desperate to join the fight. But the man's focus remained solely on Haruo. She realized that intervening could lead to disaster for all three of them.
Taiyo slightly tugged at Haruo's coat, successfully drawing his attention. He looked up at Haruo, concern etched on his face.
"Is everything going to be alright?" Taiyo asked, his unease evident in his expression as he looked up at Haruo.
"It's—" Haruo began.
"When are you going to attack? Didn't Chiharu teach you never to get distracted while fighting?" The stranger cut him off, a hint of irritation creeping into his voice as he refocused on Haruo.
"It's going to be fine. Trust me," Haruo reassured Taiyo, turning away from the stranger. He locked eyes with Taiyo, his voice steady despite the tension in the air.
"I won't let anything happen to you. Just stay close to me, and we'll get through this together."
Haruo quickly took a stance, preparing for an attack, but before he could move, the stranger lunged at him with incredible force.
The impact sent a massive shockwave rippling through the forest, shaking the trees and scattering leaves in all directions.
Ena held tightly onto Taiyo, anchoring him against the overwhelming force. Although the shockwave pushed her slightly back, she remained completely unfazed, her grip steady and her expression resolute.
She shielded Taiyo from the chaos around them, focused on keeping him safe amidst the turmoil.
Haruo managed to block the attack just in time, but the force still overwhelmed him. The stranger stood firm, not breaking a sweat as he unleashed his power.
A single drop of blood slipped from Haruo's mouth, evidence of the struggle, even with both hands gripping his blade tightly. Despite his determination, he found himself unable to overcome the stranger's immense strength.
"You were taking too long."
the stranger said, his smirk vanishing as he locked his gaze on Haruo. The intensity in his eyes intensified as he pressed down harder on Haruo's blade, forcing him to struggle against the growing pressure.
Haruo fought to maintain his ground against the sudden surge of power, straining against the stranger's relentless pressure. The shockwave intensified, expanding outward as the stranger pushed down harder on Haruo's blade.
The ground beneath them began to form a massive dent, cracking and splintering under the overwhelming force. Haruo's muscles trembled as he struggled to hold on, determination etched across his face.
Ena struggled to hold her ground while carrying Taiyo, her muscles straining against the force pushing them back. She gripped the earth tightly, refusing to yield.
Nearby trees lost their leaves and branches, swaying dangerously as the forest vibrated with overwhelming energy. Despite the chaos, Ena remained resolute, determined to shield Taiyo from the turmoil around them.
"I'm a bit disappointed. Chiharu was an intense person; to think he would make you this weak," the stranger said, his tone condescending. Despite the immense force he was producing, he looked as though he was only having a hard time holding back.
"...but only a bit disappointed. At least you're holding up against me for this long," he continued, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Suddenly, Haruo's sword shattered, disintegrating into ashes instead of splitting. The stranger finally ceased his assault, a playful grin reappearing on his face as he noticed Haruo still glaring at him, undeterred by the overwhelming strength he had just displayed.
"Looks like I won, again," he said, sheathing his blade and putting it into his mana storage. He looked pleased with the outcome of the game, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips as he regarded Haruo's defiance.
Haruo breathed heavily, his hands trembling, and his ears ringing from the force of the clash. Despite his sword's disappearance, his grip remained tight as if it were still there, a testament to his stubbornness and unwillingness to surrender.
The trio's clothes were ragged and messy from the shockwave. Taiyo freed himself from Ena and rushed toward his brother, wrapping his arms around Haruo and hugging him tightly as gentle tears streamed down his cheeks.
"Since I won, all three of you have to do what I say," the stranger declared, a smile playing on his lips.
"We didn't agree to the game, bastard!" Haruo shouted, but the effort took its toll, and he fell to his knees, the weight of defeat heavy on him.
"I didn't give you guys a choice either way," he said, still smiling as he looked at them. The confidence in his demeanor only deepened their sense of helplessness, amplifying the tension in the air.
The stranger then pulled three papers from his mana storage, and with a flick of his wrist, they flew toward the trio, landing gently in their hands.
Each paper shimmered slightly, pulsing with an energy that hinted at their importance and the gravity of the situation.
Ena and Haruo stared at the papers in shock, their expressions transforming as they realized they were holding a magic contract.
The intricate designs suggested it was a rare document, one that likely took years to create, but it remained blank, awaiting the signatures of the contractors.
'A magic contract?' Haruo thought, eyes widening as he examined the high-quality paper.
'Where did he get such a detailed contract with such precise runes?' A wave of worry washed over him.
Magic contracts can be made at any time, prepared or not, since they aren't created with ink but with words.
The stranger then cleared his throat, preparing to fill in the blank canvases of the contracts.
"Employment Contract."
The paper then automatically inscribed the type of contract he had selected, the letters glowing briefly before settling into place.
"Since you lost the game, you must sign the contract," the stranger stated flatly, his expression unwavering.
"And because you managed to hold out against me for a whole 12 seconds, this contract will last for 12 years. Each second you resisted will now translate into a year of servitude. From now on, you must be my subordinate and serve the Marion Kingdom alongside me," he declared, his tone leaving no room for argument.
The contract captured all his words on the paper, each phrase glowing as it was inscribed. The runes shimmered brightly, reflecting the weight of the promises being forged within its blank confines.
"Rules of the contract are as follows:"
"1. Obedience to Orders: The contractees must listen to my orders. While they may refuse an order, this can only be done if I explicitly grant them permission to do so."
"2.Task Fulfillment: The contractees are required to fulfill all tasks assigned to them, completing each one to the best of their ability. Failure to do so will be viewed as a breach of the contract."
"3.Training and Development: The contractees must undergo specific training sessions or skill development as directed by me. This is to ensure they are adequately equipped to perform their duties effectively."
"4. Participation in Missions: The contractees are obligated to participate in all missions or quests assigned to them, regardless of personal risk or danger involved. They may only be excused from participation if I provide explicit permission."
"5. Progress Reporting: The contractees must submit regular reports detailing their progress and any significant developments related to their assigned tasks. This ensures transparency and accountability throughout the duration of the contract."
"Consequences of Breach: Breaking any of these rules will result in severe repercussions. The most severe consequence is the complete destruction of the contractees' souls. This serves as a reminder of the gravity of their obligations. Each violation will be assessed, and penalties may escalate, culminating in this ultimate fate for the most serious infractions. The contractees must understand that adherence to the contract is not just a matter of duty but a matter of survival."
The magic contract then forcefully imprinted the blood of the contractors, sealing the agreement with a binding mark. The crimson droplets merged with the glowing runes, solidifying the terms and ensuring that the contract was now irrevocably tied to their very essence.
"Contractees:"
"Haruo Chiharu"
"Ena Hyakagure"
"Taiyo Chiharu"
"Contractor:"
"Kilian weber"
The paper then finally finished inscribing the terms of the contract, and as it did, it merged with the contractee's, forming a glowing mark on their necks.
This mark pulsed with a faint light, a permanent reminder of their binding agreement, signifying their submission to the terms laid out before them.
After a while, the glowing marks on the contractees' necks darkened to a deep black hue.
The transformation continued, turning the marks into intricate tattoos, symbolizing their binding agreement and serving as a constant reminder of the pact they had unwittingly entered into.
"i hope you guys do good," Kilian said with a smile