Chapter 70 : Rest at the End of the Uproar (1)

The woman who introduced herself as Lab Director Angelica was quite useful.

She knew a lot of information, and seemed to hold a surprisingly high position within the organization.

According to her own claims, if it became known that she was captured, <Red Cliff> would continuously send rescue teams.

Even Yun Pei, the Shanghai branch manager who was now deceased, burned to death by karma fire, had confessed that she was indeed an

important figure… Considering the value of the information, perhaps she was worth keeping alive.

At least for now.

Of course, whether she was useful or not, I thought she deserved to die and intended to kill her… but Hyewon and Sia, who saw Yun Pei burn

alive, stopped me, so I reluctantly held back.

Something about burning a person alive being too cruel.

Instead, I made her form a <Dragon’s Pact> so she couldn’t resist.

It wouldn’t be a threat if she tried to harm us with an ordinary person’s body, but it would obviously cause trouble if she revealed our location

to <Red Cliff> users.

For powerful users, the <Dragon’s Pact> functioned merely as a restriction preventing them from harming me… but for ordinary people with

a large gap in power, it seemed to have a mind-control function as well.

As if completely robbing them of the will to resist.

Thanks to them finding me, the journey back from China was enjoyable.

The speed was slower compared to when I flew to China alone, but traveling with relatively comfortable people like Yeseul, Yewon, Sia, and

Hyewon felt like a trip, which was nice.

Especially since I could swipe the card the Korean government gave me for use abroad, we could rest in good accommodations.

To think we’d end up visiting lodgings and restaurants run by the Chinese guilds that antagonized me.

Of course, I had cast perception-blocking magic on the entire group, making them unable to remember who their guests were, so there was

no worry about problems arising.

A top-ranker might see through the perception block and recognize us… but they weren’t exactly common figures lying around on the streets,

and the probability of encountering us converged to 0%.

Good lodging, delicious food, close acquaintances.

It felt like the backpacking trip I had dreamed of in my youth.

The luxurious journey seemed to satisfy the dragon’s temperament too, as my emotions became less volatile lately, making it enjoyable in

many ways.

Although Angelica, whose ownership I had transferred to Yejin, didn’t seem to agree with my thoughts.

“Op… No, Master. Can I play with that woman for a bit?”

“Even users clutch their stomachs and can’t get up after one hit from you. That woman is just an ordinary person. Are you confident you

won’t break her?”

“I’ll be gentle so she doesn’t break!”

Since I didn’t particularly care whether Angelica lived or died, I just heard her out and transferred ownership to her.

Discovering that the ownership of someone subdued and made a subordinate through the <Dragon’s Pact> could be transferred to another

was, in many ways, a good thing.

Glaring at the room next door, where intense noises and screams transpired every night, before casting <Low-Grade Magic: Silence> became

routine.

She said she was sexually frustrated because she couldn’t have me, so having someone else to release it on must be good.

…Something felt dissatisfying.

According to the pact, she was my servant and s*ave.

It couldn’t feel good that she was only engrossed in playing with Angelica.

Hearing Angelica’s thick moans faintly penetrating <Silence>, I reapplied the sound-blocking barrier.

My head ached every time I heard that sound.

Anyway, perhaps because the corpses of massacred people were strewn around, Hyewon seemed fearful of me… Since she’s a capable

summoner, a Summoner, and useful personnel that I highly evaluate, I intended to pay her some attention.

Above all, a summoner’s ability allowed one person to handle tens, hundreds, or even thousands of entities.

Meaning, summoners were extremely useful for guarding and defending wide areas.

Her abilities would be crucial in minimizing damage during the upcoming ‘Day of Judgment’ event.

As soon as I left my room, I saw Hyewon’s door across from Yejin’s room.

Befitting a luxury hotel, the ornate door decoration plated with gold leaf caught my eye.

I shook my head and recalled my original purpose.

Lately, like a magpie, I had a problem with getting distracted by anything shiny.

During the fight with Yun Pei, I bit my tongue while looking at the jewel embroidery on his clothes.

Whether in combat or daily life, I felt the dragon’s instincts gradually awakening… but the craving for precious metals was particularly strong

among those instincts.

‘Get a grip.’

“Hyewon, are you inside?”

After slapping both cheeks to regain my senses, I politely knocked on the door and asked. Hyewon’s flustered voice came from inside.

“yes?”

“I have come here personally as I have something to discuss, so open the door.”

“Yes? Ah, yes! Just a moment!”

Crash! A breaking sound came from inside, as if she fumbled and dropped something.

“Th-the door’s unlocked! Come in!”

Hearing that, I turned the doorknob, and indeed, the door opened.

It was fine for me, but Yejin and Yerim had aspects dangerous to the same s*x in various ways.

Leaving the door unlocked like this, I wondered if she was fearless or just unaware.

“…Welcome. I don’t have much prepared, but would you like some water?”

“Why would you offer hospitality to a colleague visiting from the next room during a trip… no, what’s with the formality between us?”

My tone had become arrogant again.

The influence of the assimilation rate had worsened to the point where it even interfered with my speech patterns.

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[Current Assimilation Rate: 32.3%]

The current assimilation rate was 32%.

A whopping one-third of me was already eroded.

It was a level where it naturally impacted daily life.

The problem was, even though I knew I needed to lower the assimilation rate, the thought of wanting to reach 50% to see what (special

bonus/trait) it offered kept nagging at me.

“I-is something bothering you perhaps…”

Hyewon broke out in a cold sweat, seemingly misunderstanding the expression I made looking at the increased assimilation rate.

I had to break a sweat explaining myself to reassure her.

“…I think I’ve explained enough about why I made that face.”

“The reason I came to see you today is for a slightly serious talk.”

“What do you think our relationship is?”

“…Pardon?”

Hyewon blushed, stealing glances at my serious face.

Mulling over what I just said, it seemed I might have said something easily misunderstood.

“Th-that just now wasn’t a confession, I was really asking what kind of relationship we have.”

“R-right? I thought you were saying you liked me, Winter-nim… If so, I really might have been killed by Yejin-nim So, what

do you think of me, Winter-nim?”

This time, instead of a clear answer, a question came back at me.

My thoughts on Hyewon… there wasn’t much to organize.

Just a feeling like a competent subordinate whom I want to treat well in various ways and make work hard.

“Hmm… Until recently, I simply thought of you as my s*ave or subordinate… but my thoughts have changed.”

“How about making a contract with me and becoming a magical girl?”

“A magical girl?”

Feeling awkward at Hyewon’s serious reaction, asking again as if she misheard, I added defensively.

“Of course, that was a joke to ease your tension…”

“More accurately, I was thinking of asking if you’d enter my service by forming a <Dragon’s Pact>. Like Yejin.”

Until now, I had only used the stick with Hyewon.

I threatened her by casting debuff magic close to curses, she saw all sorts of unpleasant things involving Yejin, and even her summons were

beaten half to death.

To her, we probably seemed like a lifeline to cling onto and survive amidst the chaotic situation.

And in that state, she wouldn’t be able to exert her full potential.

Just like even an expert in a specific field can’t perform at their best with a gun pointed at their head.

Since Hyewon’s power was essential for blocking the upcoming monster wave, I planned to eliminate anything that might constrain her in

battle, except for minimal safeguards.

That minimal safeguard was the <Dragon’s Pact>.

“You don’t plan on living forever with debuffs that stop your heart or restrict certain actions, do you?”

As a user originally accustomed to using skills freely, the debuffs I cast must have felt even more like shackles to her.

“If I become your colleague, will you remove them?”

“Of course. Hostile actions against me will naturally be restricted through the pact. Instead, aside from that restriction, you’ll be free in all

other aspects.”

“I’ll do it! I’ll do it right now!”

An enthusiastic response came back, unlike her usual self who trembled and stuttered with nervousness just moments ago.

“Then let’s begin right away.”

Engraving the pact is simple.

After subjugating the opponent, feed them my blood to establish the master-servant relationship.

And subjugation here, recalling when I subjugated Yejin through the pact and even made her wear a maid outfit…

“This might hurt a little.”