• Chapter #25: [CONTRACT]

… Hope?

How odd… But her feelings are literally crashing onto me, like her aura, who’s continuously pulsing these warm waves onto my face.

I sighed inwardly.

“Don’t worry about it.”, I comfortingly said to the sobbing Deity, kneeling down momentarily as I did so.

It took a few moments, but the Deity’s cries and whimpers were finally beginning to lessen. Soon enough, she took a deep breath and stood up from the grass.

Hastily wiping her eyes, she flashed me a small smile.

“A-Are you the o-one? T-The G-Goddess of Slumber had… G-Given the t-ticket to?”, She hesitantly asked.

Ticket? PeaceLife haven’t even gi—

… Oh… I think she means my first quest reward.

“… Yeah, I think I have it in me. I’m not sure if it’s the right one though…”, I replied to her, while sorting through my [Inventory] to find the item.

Ahh, here it is.

[Ticket Pass: Soul Exchange]

“—! T-Then you…!”, She suddenly exclaimed, stepping forward and getting close to my face. Her shyness suddenly vanished and I could see from her eyes excitement and more hope.

Of course, I was slightly taken aback from her actions and I took a slight step back. Seeing my surprise, her eyes widened and her face slightly flushed. She also took a panicked step back

.

“O-Oh! I-I’m sorry!”, She cried out in a small voice, closing her eyes tightly. She looked like a little girl who did something wrong.

“N-No, please don’t apologize, Lady Deity. I should’ve prepared myself for that.”, Still, I’m quite surprised.

She’s quite the kind and innocent Deity. If I could, I would’ve already pinched her cheeks.

After saying that, she opened her eyes and gave me her hopeful look. She averted her gaze from me, looks like she’s contemplating on something.

After several seconds, her attention returned to me.

“U-Umm… C- Can I suggest a c-contract?”, She hesitantly said.

Though, it was clear that she was hoping that I would accept.

“… A contract?”, I echoed.

“Y-Yes… I…”, She paused for a few seconds.

“… I want to live again…”

… She wants to live again huh.. After looking around for her life story, I can certainly understand why she wants to…

Well that, and who doesn’t want to live again after dying?

… Alright, probably depressed people but hey, she’s not that depressed looking anymore…

I inwardly shook my head, trying to go back on track. Still, this piece of paper cpuld actually revive even Deities? What ridiculousness.

I wonder though, a contract with me? What has this Deity seen in me?

“I will make us a pact, in exchange of reviving me…”, She mumbled, though she was a bit sad again for some reason.

Seeing this, I thought once more. I had no uses for the ticket right now, and most likely for a long time. Still, it would be good to have something usable during times of emergency.

However, this situation is also quite rare. Even though I do not know what this contract entails, having favorable relations with a Deity sounds like a great boon.

“What are the conditions of this… Contract?”, I asked her.

Thinking for a bit, she begun to explain the details of the pact that we’re gonna do. Though, she also sometimes bit her tongue. Looks like not speaking for millions of years, Deity or not, takes a toll on you.

[Aptitude – Law Firm: Active]

Hmmm… I see… Looks like as exchange for freeing her soul and reviving her, she’ll grant me her blessings in turn. She’ll also act as some guardian of sorts, protecting me from threats below and equal her level.

Wait… Doesn’t this mean that I had the absolute protection and blessing of a Deity? Hell yeah! That’s just the gist of it too! What thugs will dare to attack me should they find out that I have a Deity’s protection?

… Probably fools and battle maniacs…

I inwardly coughed. Anyways, back on track. This is very interesting. I don’t really see any cons, except that the contracted Deity will always be with you. But hey, this isn’t really a consequence but more of like a bonus to me, I could study more about Divinities and gain a cute, godly waifu at the same time.

… Hehe, peace :’)

With these in mind, I only had one more thing to say.

“I have one condition before we proceed though…”, I said with my eyes closed.

“W-What is it…?”, Miyanase fidgeted for a bit.

Opening my eyes, it revealed an odd glint that matched my grin.

“Tell me your true story.”

…

As the Union members tried to stabilize themselves and their comrades to prevent further injuries from the earthquake, the said disaster suddenly stopped, just like how it suddenly appeared.

“I-It stopped…?”, Someone asked in confusion.

“Did he do it…?”, Lisa muttered, her brows furrowing.

“… LightSeeker…”

…

“Are the preparations ready?”, The Bound Serpent asked.

“It while take a while for them to give up, but soon, everyone of them will be wiped out, including this Death Plane.”, The woman besides him stated.

“What? But how’s that possible? They have 2 Supreme Ranks and that guy with the sword.”, Tatsumi asked in confusion.

“It’s obvious Tatsumi, the Deity.”, The old man said.

“Wha…? The Deity is still alive?!”, Tatsumi cried out in disbelief.

Could it be…? Could his presence really be—

His charm affected the Deity's heart and started to beat again?

“Stop your idiotic chunniness will you? The Deity was simply sealed away and took over, she did not really die.”, The old man explained at Tatsumi with a bit of annoyance.

“Then…”, Tatsumi trailed.

“Yes. We need to place this thing on the seal… And once that’s done, everything will just fall into place.”, The old man grinned, before chuckling darkly, as he grabbed the vial containing the dark violet fluid, covered in crimson miasma.

[Tear Of The Corrupted]

A powerful, magical item that’s extremely sensitive to souls. It also produces nasty effects when it clings into one, and when placed into a soul as powerful as something like a Deity, then it could…

The old man’s chuckle began to grow into an evil laughter, as he casted some unknown magic. Opening the vial, the other lower ranked members noticeably shifted uncomfortably as the aura of the [Tear Of The Corrupted] leaked from the vial.

However, the old man ignored them and dropped the vial’s contents to the odd-looking magic circle. As soon as the drop reached the magic circle, it glowed and the magic circle disappeared. Soon, the liquid seeped in the ground, vanishing away from their sight.

“Hehehehe…”, The old man’s demonic laughter, once more became dark chuckles.

…

… So that’s what happened huh… How tragic. And no, I won’t go on and prattle it. That was my condition for the contract after all.

“How long have you been waiting here?”, I asked her. She seemed to think for some moments, before her head dropped in sadness.

“I-I… I already forgot…”, She whispered. Damn, all of those years of being here really took it’s toll on her personality and social skills.

I sighed inwardly… Humans truly know no boundaries. With her power, she was treated more of an object that they can just use and throw away, rather than as a being with feelings… Living her life to protect her world, yet she was betrayed and thrown away like a broken toy…

Summoning the object that would finalize our contract, I finally saw a joyful glint and a wide smile on her face. I inwardly smiled as well, as I got my phone from my [Inventory].

Upon seeing the second object on my hands, her head tilted and she adopted a cute, confused face. However, she didn’t ask anything.

Aligning the ticket with my front camera, I began to scan it. It only took a few seconds before something popped on my screen.

[Scanning… Ticket Pass: Soul Exchange… Confirmed]

[Please Select Target]

I pointed the camera at Miyanase, who still held a confused face.

[Scanning… Target Confirmed]

I lowered down my phone.

[Proceed to perform Soul Exchange?]

[Yes / No]

Without further ado, my thumb immediately went to press yes.

[•END•]

Revised by BaNaeNae.