“Shall we draw up the contract?”
Gremory produced a sheet of parchment.
As the rolled parchment was unrolled, it bore written words.
1. Kaiser will become a contractor to Gremory, one of the 72 Demon Lords.
2. This contract shall remain in effect until the end of the hierarchy contest among the 72 Demon Lords.
3. Kaiser may live in his original world until the next hierarchy contest.
4. Upon the establishment of this contract, Kaiser will receive healing for all injuries, including those to his wrist.
5. Gremory will not harm and will protect contractor Kaiser while he is in the demon world.
6. This contract can be terminated by mutual agreement.
7. Upon termination or cancellation, Gremory will send Kaiser back to his original world.
8. Gremory will lose her lordship if she breaches this contract.
9. Kaiser will lose his soul if he breaches this contract.
“What do you think?”
“Well, I’ll look over it some more.”
He read through it and concluded that there was nothing harmful to him. Even in case of defeat, no penalties were imposed.
However, upon scrutinizing it again, he flinched at clause number 2.
‘The contract remains in effect until the end of the hierarchy contest?’
She had said that the hierarchy contest among the 72 Demon Lords never ends.
He then looked at clause number 6.
This contract can be terminated by mutual agreement.
Meaning, it cannot be terminated without the agreement of one party.
“I have something to ask.”
“By all means.”
“How long does this contract last?”
“It continues until the end of the hierarchy contest or until it’s terminated by mutual agreement.”
“What if you do not agree to terminate it?”
Gremory smiled.
“Naturally, forever.”
“Does that forever mean until I die?”
“Even after death, forever.”
“Excuse me?”
Shocked, Lee Shin heard Gremory say,
“It’s only natural for a demon’s contractor to remain by the demon’s side forever after death.”
Lee Shin felt a chill.
To speak such frightening words so naturally in such a kind and benevolent tone.
Gremory said with a beautiful smile,
“It’s not bad news for you. While you stay by my side, you will be treated with the utmost care. No one can harm you, and you can enjoy everything you desire. Such is the high status of a Demon Lord’s contractor.”
“But the idea of ‘forever even after death’ is a bit disconcerting to me.”
“Why is that? You could have an enviable life by my side.”
“It seems to be because I’m human. I’d like to add one clause to the contract.”
“What is it?”
“I’d like the option to decide on the termination of the contract each time I win.”
The end of this hierarchy contest was uncertain. Lee Shin felt it necessary to add such a condition.
“That’s impossible!”
Gremory suddenly shouted firmly. Her white face flushed with shame.
“For a Demon Lord, having a contract broken by a contractor is a great disgrace. I would become a laughingstock!”
“I was not aware of that.”
Lee Shin was taken aback.
Feeling humiliated as if she had been rejected after a confession.
“Even if you were to be freed from the contract, it would have to be with my permission. That clause is absolutely unacceptable.”
“Then I cannot agree to the contract.”
Lee Shin took a firm stand.
He desperately wanted his wrist to be healed, but now he had to stay strong and resist.
“That’s really too much.”
As Gremory pouted with a grievance, Lee Shin felt a dizzying sensation.
The opponent was a demon, after all. Just that fact alone was enough to make him feel guilty.
“I’m sorry, but I have no choice. An undefined eternity is too frightening for a human like me.”
“Sigh, it can’t be helped.”
Gremory opened her mouth as if she had no other option.
“Then, I will add two more clauses.”
“What are they?”
“Look at the contract again.”
When Lee Shin looked at the parchment, the contract terms had been somewhat changed.
10. Kaiser may terminate this contract upon achieving 10 victories, provided the victories outnumber the defeats.
11. If Kaiser is defeated in the hierarchy contest, he cannot return to his original world until he wins in the next contest.
‘To achieve 10 victories?’
Lee Shin, curious, asked.
“How long does it take for one fight in the hierarchy contest?”
“Usually, it doesn’t last more than 2 hours until a winner is decided.”
‘It only takes that? That’s a relief then.’
Lee Shin, who had been worried about having to fight for years in each contest, felt relieved.
Then, the condition of 10 victories seemed acceptable.
‘A win rate of over 50% also seems reasonable.’
However, clause 11 was significant.
“I want to hear more about not being able to return.”
“Currently, only your soul has been summoned to the demon world. Your body is sleeping in your original world.”
“So, is it still sleeping right now?”
“Right now, I’ve stopped time on your side. However, if you lose, I won’t hold time until you win again.”
Gremory added with a twinkling eye smile,
“It could be as short as ten days or as long as three months. If you keep losing, it could be even longer. Since you made such a request, it’s only fair to have a penalty, right?”
“…”
Lee Shin pondered for a moment.
But his hesitation was brief.
“Is the ten days to three months in the time of this place or my world?”
“The flow of time is the same.”
“Alright, then I’ll agree to the contract.”
“If you’re afraid of the penalty, you can still agree to the original terms.”
“No.”
Lee Shin said,
“A match only has value when the defeat is bitter.”
“Those are admirable words. Then, please mark it with your blood here.”
Gremory pointed to the bottom of the contract.
“With blood?”
Gremory smiled softly at Lee Shin, who was startled.
“The contract between the devil and humans is made in blood.”
“All right. Then the blood…”
Lee Shin tried to bite his finger to make it bleed, but he hesitated and couldn’t bear to bite.
Gremory, chuckling, produced a small needle from her possession.
She pricked Lee Shin’s thumb lightly. Startled by the sting, Lee Shin noticed a drop of blood had formed on his thumb.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.”
Lee Shin marked the contract with his blood.
Gremory did the same.
Then, the written words on the contract began to wriggle and change.
1. Lee Shin will become a contractor to Gremory, one of the 72 Demon Lords.
2. This contract shall remain in effect until the end of the hierarchy contest among the 72 Demon Lords.
3. Lee Shin may live in his original world until the next hierarchy contest.
4. Upon the establishment of this contract, Lee Shin will receive healing for all injuries, including those to his wrist.
5. Gremory will not harm and will protect contractor Lee Shin while he is in the demon world.
6. This contract can be terminated by mutual agreement.
7. Upon termination or cancellation, Gremory will send Lee Shin back to his original world.
8. Gremory will lose her lordship if she breaches this contract.
9. Lee Shin will lose his soul if he breaches this contract.
10. Lee Shin may terminate this contract upon achieving 10 victories, provided the victories outnumber the defeats.
11. If Lee Shin is defeated in the hierarchy contest, he cannot return to his original world until he wins in the next contest.
‘Kaiser’ had been changed to ‘Lee Shin’ throughout.
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