[I'll go use the restroom first.] Jonah

 

In front of the drawing room, Jonah separated from the Demobraun brothers and went towards a nearby restroom. Antonio opened the door from inside for them to enter. Betty was also inside placing tea and other drinks on a small table between sofas. The drinks were especially made by Antonio according to the men’s preferences using the brewing kit on a trolley at the side of the table and sofas. The Demobraun brothers sat on sofas that faced each other.

 

[So? Why did you bring your kids here? It's not just because of the twins, right?] Richards

[Jonah's been getting full of himself again in college lately, so having him meet Elle again should humble him back down. Also, let's have a drink along with Tony tonight, it's a weekend anyway haha!] Raymond

[Alright. Antonio, prepare strong ones.] Richards

[Yes, sir.] Antonio

[Nice!] Raymond

[I feel sorry for your son. He's just as good as we were at that age, yet always gets compared to Eleanor.]

[You slipped earlier. Jonah's probably beating himself up in the restroom without letting anyone see.]

[Uhg..]

*Slap*

 

Richards facepalmed at his own carelessness.

 

[Haha it's fine, it'll keep his arrogance in check.]

[It's not like your arrogance needed toning down when we were young.]

[And you ended up being the main family head even though I'm older because of that. No hard feelings, though. You deserve it more.]

[More like, you just pushed the responsibility to me.]

[Ha! Well, it'll be Jonah's turn soon. But you know, we wouldn't need to go through all this trouble if we make Elle the family head instead. Damn girl is way too talented.]

[We'll be dealing with shady business as Elle sinks the family deep into the underworld if that were to happen.]

[Who knows? Maybe we'll become the biggest syndicate if she leads the family.]

[I know you're joking, but it's actually possible with her.]

[Damn. What do you wanna do with her, then?]

[She can do as she pleases as a branch family head. That way, the main family won't get involved much with whatever business she'd do. You know, like how you're doing whatever you please.]

[Good idea. No wonder you're the main head.]

*Knock knock*

 

Their conversation got interrupted by knocks on the door. Antonio opened the door, and Jonah came in. Jonah’s face and hair were damp. He sat on the same sofa as Raymond. Antonio left the room to take some liquor as requested by Richards and Raymond.

 

[If it's not too long, you can go ahead and ask missy here what you wanted to ask.] Raymond

 

Raymond gestured towards Betty. Betty put down some snacks on the table, then stood and prepared to answer what Raymond might ask.

 

[Right. Then, Beatrice, how was Eleanor in that game?] Richards

[Game?] Raymond

[I suggested she use the online features in VR and let loose there instead of beating up her classmates. It seems she went and played an MMORPG. What was it again?] Richards

[Dream World Online. Elle seems to be having fun in it. She said she will log in regularly. There are also videos of her in-game.] Betty

[Ooh, let's see it with the twins, son. I'm sure they'll love it. You know, your uncle and I used to play MMORPGs when we were kids.] Raymond

[Retro ones that are played using physical keyboards or controllers.] Richards

[That's..pretty old. So DWO, huh? What level is she now?] Jonah

[Around sixty.] Betty

[Heh.] Jonah

 

(Am I finally ahead of her in something?) Jonah

 

Jonah smirked after hearing of Elle's level in DWO.

 

[She just started last night until just before her breakfast and training, so it's still pretty low.] Betty

[W-what..?] Jonah

 

Jonah's face froze after learning of Elle's growth rate in-game. Jonah was actually a Sixthen player, but considering Elle's growth rate, it won't take long for her to catch up and overtake him.

 

While Betty felt pity for Jonah, who's always pushed around by Elle and the twins, she didn't want anyone to look down on Elle and immediately shot Jonah down when he did.

 

[You play that game too?] Raymond

[Yes, father. For some time already.] Jonah

[Hou? Since she just started last night, you must be much farther ahead of her.] Raymond

[Yeah, I’m playing with top players in the current highest level content. We’ll prepare for an upcoming event later as soon as I login.] Jonah

[Well, have a drink with us first before you go in. We’ll resume handing off family responsibilities to you tomorrow.] Richards

*Clatter clatter*

[Speaking of which, Tony’s here!] Raymond

 

Antonio came back into the room. He had a trolley of shot glasses, small buckets of ice, and a bottle of strong liquor.

 

[Beatrice, bring us some snacks to match this drink, then you can go. I’ll ask about Elleanor in-game some other time.] Richards

[Yes, sir.] Betty

 

After preparing snacks, Betty left the room.

 

---

 

(There’s quite a lot of people) Elle

 

Elle appeared in Seconden's fountain area when she logged in. It was night time in-game. She logged in around a time when a lot of people also did. There were people logging in, waiting, and meeting up around the fountain area.

 

Elle, still in her Void Robes in the form of a hooded dress, went to Rogue’s Guild. There were also a lot of people inside taking quests. Elle queued to one of the receptionists while checking the quest board from afar.

 

[Welcome to the Rogue’s Guild. How can I help you?] Receptionist

[Which quests you recommend I take while moving to Thirden?] Elle

[Please touch the orb, so that we can give proper recommendations.]

 

When Elle touched the orb, the receptionist saw data about Elle, mainly her guild rank and level.

 

[Okay, Ms Elle, I can recommend these quests.]

 

~~~

Quest: Escort the Caravan Through the Mountain Path to Thirden

Required rank: rogue rank 10 or assassin rank 4

Main Objective: Provide support to the caravan by scouting the path ahead of any danger

Secondary objectives:

Protection - Fight alongside the main guards during battles

Assassination - Reduce the number of enemies before the caravan encounters them

Commissioner: Merchant’s Guild

Current progress to destination: 0%

~~~

 

~~~

Quest: Scout the Alternate Path Between Seconden and Thirden

Required rank: rogue rank 12 or spy rank 5 or assassin rank 3

Main Objective: Confirm the status and safety of the alternate path and its surroundings between Seconden and Thirden, and give the information to Thirden Rogue’s Guild.

Secondary objectives:

Stealth - Complete the main objective without leaving enemies alerted

Assassination - Reduce the number of enemies along the path

Commissioner: Adventurer’s Guild

~~~

 

~~~

Quest: Deliver a Magic Tool to Thirden Alchemist’s Guild

Required rank: rogue rank 10

Main Objective: Deliver a highly sensitive magic tool intact to the Alchemist’s Guild in Thirden

Secondary objectives:

Uncontaminated - Prevent magic contamination on the tool during transit

Commissioner: Alchemist’s Guild

Magic Tool Durability: 100%

Current progress to destination: 0%

Magic contamination: 0%

~~~

 

[Escort and scout seem pretty straight forward. Tell me more about the magic tool in the delivery.] Elle

[Okay. The magic tool is kept in a protective box about a cubic foot big. It cannot be stored into the inventory, as the magic item will separate from the box. Storing it in magical storages will contaminate it.]

[Seems inconvenient. How did this become a Rogue’s Guild quest?]

[It’s quite unpopular, so the Alchemist’s Guild made the request to multiple guilds.]

[I see. For the escort quest, what time will the caravan leave?]

[Tomorrow at 6AM]

 

(I could go right away if it’s the scouting quest) Elle

 

It was around 10PM in-game as Elle spoke to the receptionist. She’d have to wait for a few hours to start the escort quest.

 

[Ms Elle, before you decide which quest to take, please check this letter first.]

 

The receptionist handed a letter to Elle and lent her a paper knife. Elle opened it and read the letter.

 

(An invitation to Hitman’s Guild, huh. In the Slum Street?)

 

The letter showed instructions on what to do in the Slum Street to meet with a recruiter. Elle sensed magic on the letter as she read it. When Elle finished reading, the magic activated and ignited the letter, or at least tried to. Elle interrupted the activation and dispelled it.

 

[I recommend finishing the letter before choosing a quest.]

[I just did.]

[Huh?]

 

The receptionist had a dumbfounded look, then looked at Elle in disbelief. She expected the letter to burst into flames.

 

[Well, if you say so. Which quest will it be?]

 

(I can accept the invitation first while waiting for the caravan.)

 

[I’ll take the escort and delivery quests.]

[Okay, please take this letter to the Alchemist’s Guild. They’ll give you the box once you do. Then, this letter to the caravan leader at 6AM. You’ll find the caravan at the gate facing Thirden]

[Thanks.]

 

Elle stored the letters into her dimensional storage, then left the guild.

 

[What was that??]

 

Some players in the guild got surprised when they saw the small purple portal that took the letters. With her enigmatic vantablack-like dress, Elle stood out in the guild, which led many people to witness her use of dimensional storage

 

---

 

Following the instructions in the letter, Elle went through alleys in Slum Street. There were thugs and unsavory people along the way, but they didn’t approach Elle. The NPCs in Seconden partially knew what Elle was capable of after her actions in the previous siege defense.

 

Elle almost reached her destination, when she found a half conscious emaciated man sitting at the side of the alley.

 

(It’s about time I tested contract magic. AI, show more details about my race abilities.)

 

~~~

Contract Magic

Make agreements with a person or people and finalize it with a handshake or equivalent gesture for people with no hands. Both parties must willingly agree to the terms. The agreements bind to the soul itself and cannot be dispelled. By default, the compelling force is by weakening the status and skills used to attempt to break the contract terms. The compelling force can be changed if both parties agree. Upon completion or breaking of an agreement, receive a physical copy of the contract stamped by the gods themselves, as proof that the payment or penalty is justified no matter how excessive.

 

Wish Granting

Gain boosts when acting upon a wish through a contract agreement. Instantly grant wishes that are within the realm of thought at the cost of magic with 1% efficiency. Raise efficiency to 2% if the wish is made through a contract. External sources of magic can be used with halved efficiency.

 

Soul Eater

As an agreed payment for a fulfilled contract or agreed penalty for a broken contract, kill the person under the contract to consume their soul. Stats, skills, or spells can be taken from the consumed soul’s owner at random or as agreed in a contract. By not taking stats, skills, or spells, consumed souls can be converted into temporary magic power with amount depending on the soul owner’s level.

 

Dimensional Storage

Gain a time frozen dimensional space with unlimited capacity and accessible through space magic. Storing and taking out items costs magic with an amount depending on the item size and magic content. The amount of items stored increases the cost of storing and taking out items.

~~~

 

[Hey.] Elle

[..w-who’s there?] Emaciated man

[Hungry?]

 

Elle took out some of the pork she cooked in the private workshop before. As it was still in its freshly cooked state, steam came out of it. Elle made sure to make the steam blow towards the man’s face.

 

[FOOD!]

 

The man snapped back to full consciousness and tried to reach for the pork, but he was too weak and couldn’t reach the pork as he was lightly pushed back by Elle.

 

[Nothing’s free, you know.]

[What is it?? I’ll do anything!]

[Alright. I’ll have your soul, in exchange for this food.]

 

Elle held the pork magically afloat with her left hand, and held her right hand out for a handshake with the man.

 

*Clap*

 

The man immediately shook Elle’s hand. Normally, he’d find the deal coming from an enigmatic girl suspicious, but with his mind muddled by starvation and the smell of the pork, he thought Elle having his soul was just a figure of speech that meant he’d just have to serve her.

 

[Here you go.]

[YES!]

 

*Munch munch*

 

After finishing his meal, the man prostrated to Elle.

 

[W-what will you have me do, milady?]

[What are you talking about? I said I’ll have your soul, not have you serve me.]

[Huh?]

 

The man looked up at Elle while still prostrated. With his thoughts clearing up, he finally figured out that the girl with an enigmatic dress literally meant what she said. His face, which had started to regain some color after eating, became pale. *Shing* Elle took out her scythe from her dimensional storage.

 

[or are you going back on our agreement?]

[Hiee!]

 

From his prostrating position, the man crawled, turned around, and tried to run. However,

 

*Thud* [Ack! What, I can’t move! W-what have you done to me?!]

 

(Must be the compelling force that’s weakening his already weak body.)

 

[W-wait, please! I-i-i-it’s not f-fair! I wasn’t myself when we had the deal!]

[So you’re saying I’m a cheat?]

 

Elle put the blade of her scythe on the crawling man’s neck, ready to reap his head with pull. Blood dripped from his neck as the slight touch of the blade made a shallow cut on it. The man froze and held his breath so that the blade wouldn’t cut deeper.

 

(I don’t think I’ll get anything worthwhile out of absorbing this guy’s soul.)

 

[Alright, let’s make another deal. I’ll give you power to survive for now, then I’ll give you a chance to gain your own power. Make yourself useful to me with that. As long as I’m satisfied with your usefulness, you get to keep your soul. Oh, I'll also put a curse on you that will trigger if you don't actively aim to be useful to me.]

*Gasp!* *Thud*

 

When Elle withdrew her scythe, the man gasped for air and fell.

 

[Don’t say you’re not yourself this time. Do we have a deal?]

[...]

[Or you wanna pay with your soul now?]

[No! P-please..I accept..]

 

The man regained some power as he’s no longer trying to escape the previous agreement. He stood up, and reluctantly shook hands with Elle.

 

[[You have subordinated Unnamed Slum NPC!]]

[[Tip: Dead subordinates can be revived in churches or shrines at the cost of magic power.]]

 

Elle became able to see the man’s status from her status menu and his location from the world map.

 

(Ugh, his endurance and mind are too low. He won't be able to take much magic engravings unless I include demerits. Hmm..this starving man..I got it!)

 

[From now on, you’ll be known as Bub. I’ll bestow skills to you now, endure it.]

[..Yes.]

 

Elle returned her scythe to her dimensional storage, then she put her hands in the storage to wear her Razor Floss gloves.

 

Elle controlled the wires on one hand and pointed it towards Bub. The alleyway at night was too dark for Bub to see the thin wires, he only saw Elle doing hand gestures.

 

*Stab stab stab*

[Ow, something bit me!]

[Stay still. I might poke your brain by accident, you know.]

[Urk!]

 

Elle stabbed the wires into the back of Bub’s neck, then, slowly and carefully, she made the wires touch the brainstem. Bub’s body froze as Elle used the wires with magic to take control of his non-autonomous movements except the eyes. His body relaxed, and his face fell into a poker face, which did not match the panicking movements of his eyes.

 

With her other hand that wasn’t manipulating wires, Elle created magic symbols and made it enter Bub’s head. Bub’s eyes rolled upwards until only the whites were visible, and his tears fell. If Elle didn’t take control of his body, he’d scream and smash his head to the ground or wall from the extreme headache he’s experiencing as Elle plastered the magic symbols to his brain.

 

Despite being dehydrated, Bub’s face became soaked with tears and his rags of clothing with sweat. Elle made him drink water from her water magic.

 

As the headache subsided, Bub’s flickering consciousness returned. He saw Elle make more magic symbols. Knowing what’s coming, Bub could do nothing but shed more tears.

 

The magic symbols entered Bub’s abdomen. Elle plastered it into his digestive system. The pain Bub felt in his stomach was many times worse than all the starvation and stomach ulcers he ever experienced. He wanted to let go of his consciousness, but he couldn’t for some reason.

 

Elle also took control of Bub’s heart and regulated its beating. Bub would have a heart attack, otherwise.

 

Elle opened her status menu and checked the skills Bub obtained.

 

~~~

Reinforced Consciousness Lv4

Increase resistance from being rendered unconscious (passive)

 

Gluttony Lv4

Greatly increase food buff effects and duration. Temporarily gain abilities of the eaten substance based on freshness. Greatly increase satiety reduction rate (NPC only). Gain satiety status (player only). Gain status boosts based on hunger level. Temporarily receive frenzy debuff when satiety reaches zero. Temporarily receive berserk debuff if frenzy debuff caused by zero satiety expires without being dispelled.

 

Elle's Unsatiable Curse Lv4

When not pursuing the contract terms, gradually reduce taste of food and its satiety gain.

 

Tip: Satiety refers to fullness of the stomach and will reduce over time. Various debuffs are inflicted when satiety levels are low. Damage over time is inflicted when satiety level is zero.

~~~

 

(Just as expected. Now, he won't lose consciousness from severe hunger. Not sure if it can keep him conscious while berserk, though.)

 

A while after the pain subsided, Bub calmed down a bit. Sensing that, Elle disconnected the wires.

 

*Thud* *Wretch* Bub flopped down the ground and vomited the pork he ate earlier.

 

[..what..what did you do to me..?]

[I bestowed skills to you. Figure it out on your own. I'll be leaving now, make sure you'll be useful the next time we meet.]

 

*Splat* A piece of pork fell from a portal connected to Elle's dimensional storage and dropped on a relatively clean plank on the ground near Bub, then Elle walked away before Bub could respond.

 

---

 

Author here.

Some people might be wondering what took this chapter so long. To put it simply, I've run out of steam or burned out, especially after the first login session. This is the first novel I've ever written, and coming up with interesting stuff is quite difficult.

I try to post once a week, but like before, I'd rather delay than forcefully shit out poor quality chapters. I'm only doing this as a hobby, after all. Thank god there are no deadlines.

Thanks for reading.