Alexander sat down, focusing his mind, trying to connect with the contract within him. He could feel it instinctively—the very essence of how to create a contract was somehow ingrained in his soul.
"The contract must be highly adaptable to various situations and able to handle a range of enemies."
After pondering for a while, a vision began to crystallize in his mind. With a lifetime of reading novels and comic books, his imagination was vast, a treasure trove of abilities and strategies he had accumulated over the years.
He began the process, crafting his contract as if writing on his own soul. Since the contracts had appeared, he seemed to possess the knowledge of how to create them, as if it had always been there, hidden and waiting to be discovered. After half an hour, he collapsed to the ground, exhausted, struggling to catch his breath. A wide smile spread across his face.
"This ability might just be one of the best—versatile beyond measure."
A surge of excitement filled him; with this power, he could explore the unknown and face this new world with confidence.
A ringing from his phone snapped him out of his reverie. Both his computer screen and phone displayed the same notification. In bold letters across the screen were the words: **The Four Core Contracts.**
The screen was divided into four sections, each detailing a contract, its functions, and its activation conditions. Alexander was stunned; the notification seemed to appear everywhere simultaneously. He wondered if the government had known this was coming, if they had prepared. After all, no one could send a message to every device so suddenly without the resources of a great nation.
He looked back at his computer, reading through the contracts. They were divided by range: **Long Range, Medium Range, Close Range, and Control.** Their names were **The Marksman, The Elementalist, The Arcane Arsenal, and The Golem Master.**
The Marksman allowed the user to launch various projectiles, ideal for soldiers or those with combat training. It enabled long-range attacks with impressive firepower, though it had a drawback—the body remained vulnerable in close combat.
The Elementalist was a medium-range contract enabling control over atmospheric elements, allowing the user to create specific attacks, like fireballs through oxygen combustion or ice spears through nitrogen manipulation. It offered a great diversity of attacks and defensive capabilities but with limited range, capped at about ten meters. This versatility made it well-suited for ordinary individuals, Alexander thought as he gazed at the screen.
The Golem Master was simpler; it granted the user control over up to four golems formed from any material. These golems couldn't exceed two meters in height or stray beyond fifty meters from their summoner. Alexander was genuinely impressed. This contract was perfect for those who disliked close combat, providing both offense and defense.
"Whoever designed these contracts was brilliant," he thought. "They're well-balanced, powerful, and free of major weaknesses."
After reflecting on them, he couldn't find any glaring flaws in their conditions; a clever user could easily offset any minor limitations.
The Arcane Arsenal particularly caught his eye. It functioned like a shield, enhancing strength and physical abilities. This contract could transform an ordinary person into an unstoppable force, boosting all physical and sensory capabilities while creating an aura-like barrier that protected the user from attacks.
Looking over the contracts, Alexander's first thought was of teamwork. A team of people using these contracts together would be ideal for facing all kinds of threats.
"The one who shared these contracts thought it through. This will definitely aid humanity in what's to come."
Then, Alexander felt a stirring in his heart—the call of his own contract, named **The Apex Predator**. By studying and absorbing the behaviors, patterns, and powers of specific targets, he could form a core and then summon a Predator. The summoned creature would be shaped based on the traits of the target, whether human, beast, or even weapon.
"My ability has many conditions, but what can truly elevate it is the spirit I can infuse into it," he thought. "I haven't tested it yet, but these contracts together would be ideal."
Deep in thought, he considered his next step. **What should my first Predator be?** Creating one in the heat of battle against monsters or other threats would be too risky; he needed something familiar.
"The best prey I know every detail about—the one I can create the perfect Predator for—is... humans."