I changed my mind. I will die at 34, so just come here for now. Im about to be assassinated.

Didnt he say he would make a deal right away? Didnt he say that an F-Class subject had an assassin attached to it? The subsequent conversation was so bewildering that even Kang Changho couldnt speak for a while

But the silence didnt last long.

-Wait.

Soon after, Kang Changho ended the call with a short word.

***

Lift the eyebrows with the frontalis muscle, and contract the zygomaticus major and orbicularis oculi muscles to pull in the corners of the mouth. I mimicked the smiles of Earthlings through the manipulation of several muscles, and then I spoke like this.

Thanks to Changho-ssi, I really survived.

The sentence is rather contradictory considering that this place is meant to promise death ten years later.

As expected, S-Class hunters are different. To take down such a powerful awakened being in one blow.

In conclusion, I decided to accept Kang Changhos proposal.

Hunter Kang Changho! But before we talk, could you please capture an Awakener nearby?

Awakener?

I will tell you the location via cell phone.

Of course, its been a long time since we resolved the nuisance of the intruder. With the combined magic detection abilities of the great magician and the power of an S-Class Hunter, theres nothing we cant handle.

Wow! I didnt know the human body could crumple like that.

During the interrogation that followed, the S-Class showed off the skill of folding the assassins waist in half. Well, thats not really important, so lets move on.

Hmm.

This was a Japanese restaurant in Gangnam recommended by the S-Class Hunter.

Luxurious wooden interior, tidy dishes, and a firmly closed lattice door.

Its definitely good for talking quietly.

The thing is that Im at the same table with an S-Class Hunter with a history of assault charges.

Tuk.

I lost my appetite and put down my spoon.

Stop eating?

Seeing this, Kang Changho put down his chopsticks and got to the point.

Then lets talk about the promise

Right after that, what Kang Changho presented was none other than a single sheet of paper.

Is this your first time seeing this? This is an item called [Knights Oath].

A knights oath?

It is the highest level of contract scrolls.

A one-time magic tool that can be obtained by defeating monsters that appear in certain gates in Europe. Its function was truly simple.

If you break your promise, you will be penalized with instant death.

I was surprised by his words and quickly checked the parchment. Fortunately, I didnt find anything very complicated in its contents.

Wait a moment

Contract details.

2-1. When leaving the country voluntarily. Kim Kiryeo must first report this to Kang Changho.

There are some parts that are a bit puzzling.

Im fine with the first place, but what about the rest?

When I asked a question, Kang Changho opened his mouth.

Mostly to protect you. Itd be a big problem if something happened to you alone in a place I cant see.

Ah.

The S-Class hunter who said that calmly continued his explanation as if he had anything more to say about the contract.

For your information, it would be good to be careful when interpreting the word voluntarily used here.

Yes?

For example if you asked someone to kidnap you overseas, it is a breach of contract even if you left the country while unconscious.

Of course.

Im telling you not to pull any pointless tricks. If you dont want to die.

Kang Changho threatens with a harsh look in his eyes. However, I remained indifferent despite hearing this. After all, it wasnt too much to ask for a simple request to let him know where Im going.

And details like what to do if we encounter monsters outside or how to protect the contractorwere intentionally omitted.

Intentionally?

The more complicated the clause becomes, the more likely it is that you will die by mistake.

In fact, it was an inevitable choice that the contract contents were somewhat vague.

But dont worry. Even though I couldnt specify it here, Ill do my best to ensure your safety.

Before long, the S-Class dimples appeared slightly.

No matter what, you said you would give up your life, so I have to guarantee it for these 10 years.

Kang Changho looked at me with interest and quickly spoke.

Id like to say he should be there for me 24/7, but realistically, thats not possible. A system without privacy isnt something Id want either.

So from now on, lets be flexible about protection and freedom.

Its a very condescending tone, but Ive experienced too much so far to fall for that kind of flattery.

This is like signing a contract solely based on Changhos conscience.

No matter how high the risk is, the only thing that can be trusted in such transactions is the effect of the magic tool. But at this rate, couldnt that S-Class Hunter dispose of me at any time, given the conditions?

Let me ask you one thing. What if I were to fall seriously ill before I turn 34?

What?

Or if a dungeon break occurs that not even you can handle, and the contractor is in danger?

Moreover, there wasnt even a clause in this knights oath stating that you shouldnt kill the other party before fulfilling the deadline.

What do you think Ill do?

Its possible that the S-class may activate the Improvement in the middle of the situation. But, nevertheless, I accepted his offer obediently.

But Kim Kiryeo, Im just asking in case, you dont actually think you have a choice in this, do you?

About three seconds later, an indisputable truth emerged from the other side, leaving no room for rebuttal.

Just so you know, I could easily kill any F-Class without all this procedure. The only reason I havent done so far is just a little pity.

The sad words didnt end there.

Moreover, youve already backed out of this deal once. Instead of being grateful for another chance

T, thank you.

Just with words?

Kang Changho rolls his eyes into the air as if he is thinking about something.

Last time, I was the one desperate, but this time, its a contract youre asking for, Kim Kiryeo, so lets modify the conditions a bit.

It looks like this S-Class wants to accuse me of a minor offense.

Sorry, but dont expect any financial support from me.

What did you say?

Well, you shouldnt have been so cold towards me.

He didnt want to give money to someone who refused him before, so he would just let me live until I was 34. Kang Changho canceled the former condition of money and protection that was initially proposed.

As expected, it turned out like this.

A significantly worsened deal. However, its a penalty I can accept. The key to this deal is securing immediate safety with the guarantee of lifespan.

I already got my moneys worth just by dealing with that uninvited guest.

In the meantime, Kang Changho rolled a fountain pen out of his pocket towards me.

Now, you sign it too.

However, as mentioned earlier, theres no room for negotiation for someone like me, a weakling. That person is a top-level magician who can blow up an F-Class object at any time if he wants to. In other words, this contract is essentially the bare minimum insurance for me.

If my life is going to be targeted anyway, maybe its better to quickly draft this and gain some advantage.

Sssk.

I wrote Kim Ki-ryeos name in the signature line of the contract. With that, the [Knights Oath] was activated.

Flash.

An intense blue light signaling the start of the contract seeped into the subjects skin.

Huh?

But when I looked up later, I realized that Kang Changhos reaction was a bit strange. Instead of being happy, he has a surprised expression.

Did you notice anything strange?

Is there a hint that he was an alien, or perhaps I pondered a few possibilities before redirecting the topic to conceal my confusion.

I have a question. What happens to the Improvement if I die due to a breach of contract?

Even though Im a great magician, I ended up asking rather mundane questions just to keep the conversation going.

Even then, you were determined to kill me. I was the one who presented the contract. f𝗿e𝗲𝘄𝗲bn𝐨𝚟𝚎l.com

Actually, the guy who went as far as stalking me to use his skills probably didnt even think about that.

Ha.

At that moment, by pure coincidence or not, the S-Class Hunter began to bring up the exact same topic that I had just thought of.

Now that I think about it, I had something to say about your surveillance.

He himself mentioned stalking.

Actually, what I did wasnt something big enough to be called stalking.

Yes?

I was planning to tell you last time, but then our Hunter Kim Kiryeo woke up first

He tapped the table rhythmically with his index finger.

Shall I teach you an interesting fact?

The remarks that followed were half-expected. However, as it went on, the conversation became increasingly hard to understand

I can see other peoples mana with my naked eye.

Is that the ability of the Dragons Eye?

Yeah. But among all those awakened individuals, only one person stands out differently.

Kang Changho points at me with his index finger and speaks lightly.

Do you know that your magic power is always fluctuating greatly?

Is my magic power fluctuating? Theres no reason for that.

Thanks to that, its easy to pinpoint your location. When I scan the city from the rooftop, theres only one spot that flickers.

I couldnt quite grasp what he meant by the fluctuation. Even though we were speaking the same language, our knowledge was fundamentally different.

Is he referring to the movement of particles when mana circulates through the body? No, if that were the case, all humans would appear to be fluctuating

An issue that occurs only in one person, unlike the other awakener. And what is the biggest difference between me and other awakeners?

Soul?

It was that kind of moment.

Does Kang Changho have any doubts? He continued his sentence while scratching his neck.

Anyway, the point is, I wont interfere with your privacy more than necessary, so dont worry

The dark blue dragons eyes stare at the center of the table. It was the exact spot where the oath was placed.

Why didnt you bring up this topic first?

Yes?

To be honest, I thought you would negotiate a lot before the deal. Adding a clause to the contract to prohibit surveillance, for example

Well, besides that and so on.

But in reality, you accepted the deal quite obediently.

There is less resistance than expected. Kang Changho leaned forward on the table, resting his arms, and spoke as if testing me.

Kim Kiryeo, whats your motive?

But I have only one answer.

No, as I said on the call, I just needed help.

Hmm.

If no one protected me, today could have been my last day. I really had no choice here.

Thats true.

Besides, before I came here when I asked if the period could be extended to about 15 years, you said absolutely no.

What kind of negotiations are there now?

I tried to express my unfairness as much as possible. Then Kang Changho pondered for a while before distancing himself again.

Yeah.

Anyway, since Ive signed the oath, further questioning seems meaningless.

Anyway, please take care of me in the future.

Ssk.

I shook Kang Changhos hand. Then the other person shook my hands without any doubt. Finally, the unethical contract was sealed.

Hahahahahahaha!

Of course, I wont keep my promise!

Do I have an ulterior motive? Of course, I do! Why would you even ask such a question?

Thats right. In fact, I had no intention of doing as Kang Changho wanted in the first place! I already knew through prior research what Earths hunters use when making important contracts.

Are you trying to pass off this piece of garbage as a contract?

[Knights Oath] is none other than a magic tool based on the curse skill. By giving a strong hint to the contractor something that even an S-Class cant escape they are designed to induce brain death if they violate the terms.

But as you know, Im the greatest magician of Alphauri.

Hahahaha!

I am completely unaffected by spells such as brainwashing, paralysis, or curses. I will break every provision of this contract in the future.

Like an inferior mammal.

But the time limit of 10 years itself may surprisingly be effective. On the day its discovered that the contract has been violated, Kang Changho wont stay silent.

10 years.

Sometimes its not a bad idea to set goals for myself.

I must regain the power of the past within that time.

After a while, I rummaged through the sorbet that was served for dessert and glanced at the awakener sitting across from me.

Kang Changho-ssi.

With the limited magical power in compliance, and with that level of muscle mass, physical activities would be much easier as well.

Excuse me, but could I borrow a cigarette after the meal?

Cigarette?

I just happened to run out of mine.

I dont have it. I dont smoke.

And finally

A non-smoker.

Ah, is that so?

After closely examining the Earthling known as Kang Changho, I reached a conclusion.

A robber who seeks the lives of others for the sake of his selfish skill of improvement, and who does not hesitate to use violence against fellow hunters.

What better conditions could there be for a body to be taken away?

I moved the dead skin and imitated human behavior again.

Wait for it, Kang Changho. Soon, Ill break that skeleton and transfer your S-Class body.

Just like that, silent plans were building up inside me.