Bob spit blood out of his mouth. “It won’t work, it’s under duress,” he wheezed.

“Mr. Mathew, are you sure we can trust this guy?” Alan asked in a concerned voice.

“Hush Alan. You want your family protected? This is how it’s done by the professionals. You and I can talk about it later.” Mathew looked back down at Bob. “My friend Leo. His sister died because of you. The only other person after her death he cared about is dead. That same person's family is dead because of you. You are at the top of his shit list. He isn’t going to kill you at first. No, instead he is going to tourture you. You saw Leo, you know how on edge he is. When he realizes who you are, and what you did, what do you think will happen?”

Mathew let those words sink in before continuing. “Now. You sign this, you give ownership of this Dungeon to a random undead, let me kill it, then you can live and not suffer tourture till the end of time.”

Bob was afraid now. If a Chosen wanted him to stay alive, he just might make it happen. System or no System. Yet, did he trust Mathew that the contract wouldn’t do the same?”

“What if I do? What then?”

“It’s an indenture slave agreement. You become mine. Only you, me, and Alan will know. You can’t kill me. You can leave me. Think of yourself as my personal assistant, no pay, no sick leave, and no betrayal. I will actually be surprised if you find a loophole. Even if you do, it will require an act of one of the Gods to save you. Which, given how you look, I doubt they are handing out mercy left and right.”

Bob narrowed his eyes, “Why?”

“Because you have knowledge. I wanted it. Now? You can ensure I don’t die here. I don’t know much about souls, but I’m damn sure mine is fucked up now. You are going to fix it, help me fix it, or find someone to fix it. If you don’t, I’ll ensure you stay tourtured until I die, until you finally bring me back to life, then I’ll tourture you some more until I had my fun. Leo? He will do it with no end. At least with me, there is an end. Pick your poison, or pick the only path forward where you can sleep soundly and eat three meals a day.”

Bob reached up to his face and wiped some blood with this thumb. He didn’t know Mathew that well. Yet, he knew he was absolutely correct right now. He might die from The System for what he did to his own soul.

Yet, he was banking on surviving in the first place. Now? He had to bank on dying. Something he was afraid wouldn’t happen now.

He pressed his bloody thumb on the papers, signing it with a true signature. He then mentally opened the menu, giving ownership of the Dungeon to a nearby undead minion. He honestly didn’t care if what the contract said. He knew Mathew was telling the truth that he needed him to live. “Just need to get stronger than him…”

“Well played Mr. McGonalds.” Bob said with a chuckle. “Well played.”

“Fix me.” Mathew said, lacking a punch this time.

Bob sighed and closed his eyes. He then opened them, looking at Alan. “Large man, bring me the book on the shelf there. Purple spine, orange lettering.”

Alan glanced at Mathew, who nodded. He brought over the book. “Good, open it to page 92. Should have a picture of an outline of a person with hand writing over it. Yes good, that’s it. Hold it next to Mathew so I can compare him to it.”

Mathew narrowed his eyes at Bob. “If you can shoot fire out of your eyes and you try to kill me, good luck. Contract covers anything you could do to me with magic as well.”

Bob chuckled. “My friend. I understand what I signed. I’m willing to bet there is zero death clause, just a siezure of my body. Causing me to writhe in pain for hours until you release me. Wouldn’t want your fountain of information to die would we? Now hold still, I need to figure out what you did to your own soul.”

“More like what your ghost did to me.” Mathew muttered.

Silence filled the room as Bob's eyes glowed. “Mmm, okay. Since we are both dying, I’ll keep it short. You won’t die right now. I give you a year at least, two at most. If you rank up, that will increase the timeline slightly, but only just.”

Mathew breathed out a sigh of relief and fell to the floor. Alan gripped him with his strong arms, preventing him from hitting his head. Mathew nodded his thanks and relaxed. He could rest now that his timer was longer than a few hours.

“Where’s the undead?” Mathew asked.

Bob nodded to one of the passages and a weak undead was walking over. Mathew glanced at his summon, “Jeffrey, kill it. Also, how is Agnox? Is his soul fucked up like mine?”

“The opposite. His soul is connected to yours, and is keeping you alive, just as you are keeping him alive. How did you manage to tie his soul to yours? It’s as if you are both the same person, but different. Twins don’t even have souls like that.” Bob said with slight curiosity in his voice. Even on the edge of death, the man had the heart of a researcher.

“We can talk it out later. So long nobody is dying within the week, we have bigger fish to fry.” Mathew coughed up some blood, and looked down at it. “Shit, pills are wearing off.”

A blue screen appeared in his face, one he instantly closed, not having the patience to look over. Jeffrey had just finished off the undead.

“Before either of us pass out Bob: You came in here to finish off the boss yourself, due to the high value of the quest reward, and to prove magic is bullshit. My team and I found you in the hallway, we killed the ghost boss, so that explains why there is no body from the Dungeon Boss. It’s mostly true, and you are free to lie however you can, to keep all of our necks free from Leo’s wrath. If he finds out the truth, we are dead men. He really hates this dungeon, and as a by-product, you.”

Bob closed his eyes and nodded. Both the mages soon faded into sleep. Alan was afraid they both died if not for their breathing. Both looked like shit, esspecially Bob.

Footsteps grew louder as Captain Henderson’s team came into the room. The giant Dungeon Core floated in the back of the room, with a portal opened next to it, allowing anyone in the Dungeon to escape if they so choose and return from the place they came from. Just like the Goblins, Infernals, and Dinosaurs.

“Shit, Alan! What happened?” She gasped as she ran to Mathew’s body.

Alan glanced between Mathew and Bob and grimiced. “I think it’s best for Mr. Mathew to explain it all when he wakes up. Can you help me bring everyone to the medical teams outside? I can’t carry both of their bodies without hurting them. Jeffery can carry the little dude though.”

Jeffery glared at Henderson as she walked closer. Yet, she didn’t move closer to the imp nor Mathew. Instead, she walked to the Portal that led to somewhere.

“Did anyone go through the portal yet?” She asked. Alan shook his head no. “Good, I’ll guard it. Make sure nobody tries to escape. Two of you,” Captain Henderson said after pointing at two of her guards. “Help Alan here. Get Mathew to the medics, along with Bob.”

Leo was breathing heavily. Yet he did it. He defeated the undead knight, and minutes later, he saw the blue screen that showed Mathew finished off the Dungeon Boss. He slowly stood up, “Let’s get out of here.”

He took a somber look at the dead face of the knight. There was no mistake of who it was. Yet, there was nothing more he could do for the mother. He had failed to protect not only his own family, but hers.

He boxed his emotions right now, not infront of the others, not now.

The rest of his team nodded in agreement. Lucas looked the worse for wear, luckily Samuel patched him up to ensure death didn’t steal him away. “Being with you all makes me realize something.” She said.

Lindsey looked down at her. “That we are a bunch of combat loving psychopaths?”

“That Death likes to play ding dong ditch with our lives too much. Between Mathew and the rest of you guys. The door of life keeps opening and closing way too much.”

Lindsey laughed at her crude joke, along with mostly everyone else. Lucas tried to laugh, but it came out as a cough.

“I wonder how Mathew’s team is.” Leo said, half defeated.

He wanted to end this whole debacle himself. He half expected the armored undead to be the boss of this area, yet it wasn’t. His quest from his God was still satisfied, but was he?

Leo walked out of the portal, and saw Mathew and several others being carried away on modifed gournies. A shiver of panic shadowed over his mind, but realized the Summoner was alive. He saw Bob as well, and narrowed his eyes at the bald man.

“I had a feeling he was working with the Dungeon, yet here he is alive and well…It said Mathew defeated the boss, so there’s no way it could have been him. What the hell was he doing here then?”

Leo went to ask questions, but only Alan was alive, and was helping carry Mathew. He saw body bags of the five member team and said a silent prayer for them. He made no vow of vengeance, Mathew took care of that for them.

Instead, he prayed that they rested easy, knowing they helped defeat one vile evil on their planet. Just a near unlimited number more to go.

Leo glanced up at the decrepit building, and walked to the fire escape on the outside. He climbed up the rusty metal stairs, finding it funny how easy such a simple task is for him now. Climbing into the building, he looked down at all the rotting corpses.

“It’s going to take months to clean the city up of all the bodies…” He muttered as he walked down the hall.

He stopped at a familiar door, opening it up to see a single body perfectly preserved. Standing over her body was none other than his God, Kur.

He was wearing simple clothes. No armor. No weapons. Two tusks poked out of his jaw, both perfectly white and sharp. The golden stick was still in his nose, however. Leo stood next to him and didn’t say a word as he looked down at the body of his sister.

They both stood there for several moments like that. Time ticked by, before the god spoke. “Whenever you are ready.”

Leo nodded once, and closed his eyes. He pulled out his phone and turned it on. Just barely ten percent of the batter remained, but he looked at two photos on it. One was of him an his sister, Isabell. The other was of him and Madison, the only person who kept him afloat while he mourned for Isabell.

He failed them both. “No more failures Kur. I’m leaving it all behind here.” He turned the phone off and placed it next to his sister along with a necklace that belonged to Madison. With a shaky breath Leo looked up at his god. “Do it.”

With a snap of his fingers, Isabella’s body engulfed in white flames. The room burned into an inferno, yet Leo stood perfectly unharmed. A moment later, the room was left barren, with nothing left in it. Not even a single wisp of smoke. “Her soul is no longer trapped. She is free to return to the afterlife. I did everything you asked of me. Now, it’s your turn Leo.”

“I know. I agreed to it.” Leo took a deep breath, and let it out. “Go ahead, update the quest.”

A blue box appeared infront of him, and he gave it a quick look over before closing it. “You know Mathew might not like it.”

The orcish god shrugged, “Then leave him. He has nothing left for you. This place has nothing left for you. You made a deal, you are my Chosen. When you look back in a few years, you will laugh at how you thought to stay behind. This planet is a drop in the bucket compared to the grand cosmos. Are you sure I can’t convince you to leave it? It will be a costly quest, but The System will allow it for a god’s Chosen.”

Leo shook his head, “I want to create a place here on Earth for people. A safe place. Where broken hearts like mine can regrow. Channel their anger against the real problems. The System isn’t the villain like how others think it is. You said it’s a tool, and I plan to use it till it breaks.” Leo said with an edge of anger.

With a toothy smile, Kur vanished. No longer able to stay a moment longer, due to the sanctions on the planet. He returned to his own world, sitting upon his throne, and a rumble of power echoed over him.

“Aye, shut it you bastard. I know what I did. You can punish me later, I knew the price. Sewing a new thread of fate is dangerous, but it will be an amazing view. All worth it when my masterpiece is finished.”

Kur threw a hand motion at the sky, knowing he will receive The System's punishment in a few moments. Yet to a God, those moments will be as long as years. For the time being, he had other things to do.

“My first thread. Ha! To think it just took an emotionally damaged human from a first generation induction world. The others are going to be so jealous. I should announce my victory, but I’ll wait. Just in case Leo subcums to what was originally planned for him.”

Doctor Garcia slapped Mathew’s wrist as he tried to get out of bed. “If you get out of bed, I’ll tie you down. Don’t tempt me.”

Mathew crossed his arms and stared at his Doctor. “Garcia, I have passed every physical exam and magical one. I told you why you still get the feeling I am injured. We need to talk to Bob.”

She pointed at him with her clipboard, “And I told you, he and I already chatted. He was slightly alarmed when I acted all nonchalantly, but once I mentioned a contract he laughed. Something along the lines of, ‘that smug asshole really thought of everything’.”

Groaning, Mathew rubbed at his head, still aching. He felt better physically, yet there was something inside of him that ached. Like an overused muscle tied with a brainfreeze crossed with a bone that was bruised.

He tried to use magic once and summon Agnox back out. That ended with him screaming in pain for over a minute. He needed Bob to look at him, but Garcia refused to have such a meeting to happen yet.

“Listen Garcia. This is a no bullshit moment. My soul is injured, that man Bob is from the undead Dungeon. I am telling you this because if you tell anyone, my life could be in danger. Good luck knowing that with the contract we have. Now, you need to bring him in here, have him examine me, and work with you to fix me. Hell, I’m sure he can teach you a thing or three if you asked. He has to do whatever I say anyways, so his answer will be yes.”

Garcia pressed her lips together, not liking what Mathew just said. She at first thought he was being dramatic about his soul, yet now, she believed him.

“Fine, I’ll wheel him in, give me a few minutes to find someone to help move him.”

With her out of the room, Mathew leaned back into his bed. He was unconscious for three days. Three whole days he could have been preparing for the World Quest. He glanced out the window and looked down at Blue Oaks.

“Just how do I pull this off. I have less than two weeks to prepare. If Bob can’t fix me enough to go in, I’m doomed to stagnate in power.” With little else he can do, Mathew opened the quest to see how well he did.

Area/Personal Quest: Diplomatic Choices [Competed]

As a third party in an ever growing conflict, you have no stake in this quest. However, if you outshine all involved parties, you will potentially gain all potential rewards either side would gain. Rewards are based on performance. This quest is unique to you as a Hearth Crystal owner. All others will have a generalized version.

Resolve the growing tensions, and take what should be yours.

Undead Dungeon Defeated: 1/1

-

New Watago Allianced: 0/1 Or Fuck The System Allianced: 0/1

Both zones conqured through battle: 2/2

Rewards:

150,000 UC

Culviation Manual [Trinity’s Dominance]

Papriko’s Charm

Quiq’s Spear

Class upgrade upon Ranking up

Building upgrade for Blue Oaks: Performance concluded at Apprentice Ranking

Three chests landed on the ground next to his bed. The first one was small, similar to the size when he received his ring. It was inlaid with a teal color metal. He opened it up to find a small charm that would fit on a bracelet. The small metal object was in the shape of a silver circle with a teal colored plus sign on either side.

The second chest was long and had a red metal inalide around it. Mathew opened it up to see a purple wood spear with a pinkish metal tip. The butt of the spear had similar metal on it with three bands of metal near the middle.

The last chest was by far the most normal looking. A simple wooden chest with iron metal inlays. Inside it layed out on a black velvet material was a book. On the cover was a triangle. Each tip was a different color. Black, Yellow, and Red. The title [Trinity’s Dominance] was written in white text on the cover.

He quickly placed all three items in his personal storage, the simple act causing his mana in his body to flair up and burn. Yet, he needed to hide these items. He expected the first two, but why had he received the third one? Was it because of how he completed the quest?

Mathew had yet another question for not only Bob, but perhaps Di as well or any of the two other shops. One thing was for sure, Mathew was going to milk the necromancer for answers until he was dried up.