Suddenly, a small drop of concentrated blood essence rose from the lion's corpse. Then, it was split into two equally smaller drops. The monster core in my hand sucked in one drop, while the other drop was sucked into me.

[A blood essence contract is being forced upon you!]

[However, with the help of the system you can choose whether to agree to it or forcefully refuse it.]

['blood essence contract' lv.1 (Special)

Effect: you will absorb the Thunder lion's blood essence equally forming a contract of equal status

Clauses:

1. You will have to help the core achieve true birth once you are able to (a time limit of a week).

2. Your life would be interlinked together once the core fully develops.

3. You will receive '??????' from the Thunder lion in exchange.

Hidden Claus:

4. Once your intimacy is high enough, a master and pet relationship can be established.

Note: this contract will only take effect after the Thunder lion's conscious disperses.

Would you like to accept? (Y/N)]

'Gasp!'

After noticing the word 'Forced', I felt truly fragile. I was simply too weak to have a say in a contract made with a potent blood essence. I finally understood where the Thunder lion's confidence came from...

Even though the contract didn't have malicious clauses and they were mostly in my favor, other than the interlinked life which seemed somewhat dangerous. Being forced to do something left a sour taste in my mouth.

Fortunately, I was reminded that I wasn't alone once more, I had the system with me. Although interacting with it was somewhat vague and it didn't have much effect on my surroundings, it still had the ability to interfere as long as it was limited to my own body.

In the end, I decided to accept it. After all, it wasn't bad to the extent of refusing it and leaving the Thunder lion suspicious.

This contract proved that the lion still had the ability to cause certain effects, unlike what I expected before. Who knew if the system would be able to help me then?

Besides, considering that the clause which forced me to help within a limited time period would only start to work after I had the capability to do it, it wasn't that bad of a deal anyway, by then... would it be really impossible for me to find a solution for these restrictions?

['blood essence contract' lv.1 (pending]

All that was left was to see what I'd received according to third clause, while hopefully avoiding whatever danger this dead lion could bring me.

"What was that just now?!"

Pretending I didn't view the contract's through the system's identification, I tried to sound as shocked as ever.

{Hmmmm, this should be the contract's seed. You needn't worry to much. All you need to know is that you have to achieve what I said previously. And most importantly protect my descendant with your life or else your life would be in danger.}

"Eh? Isn't this a bit too much? Won't I be on the losing side."

{Fret not! This is all to preserve the existence of our species. Besides, what you will receive in exchange is something of equal value or even more. It is something that you need more than you think!}

"Apparently, it doesn't look like I have a say in this."

Remembering the contract clauses, it would seem quite hard that the lion would bring me harm anymore. After all, he still needed me to raise and protect his child, didn't he?

{I guess it is time to achieve my part of the contract….}

Somehow, I felt as if something just vanished with my perception. However, I was able to sense something so close to me that it felt suffocating!

[A foreign conscious is invading your mind!]

[No malicious intent is sensed….]

[A hidden suppression on your mind have been released.]

[A slumbering stat have been awakened!]