The Third Life – A Contract of Torment and a Demon’s Revelation
I had always assumed my life would end with my death.
I never imagined there would be another page left in the story after that final line.
That was the exact moment my third life as Dullahan Franz began.
"So, tell me already. About the secret of my power that even I don't know..."
"Kyaa... then let's make one contract, shall we?!"
"A contract?"
Things were progressing too smoothly. The Demon God clearly had no intention of handing over the secrets of her power so easily.
I waited with tense anticipation for her next words, and Pelican burst into laughter as she began explaining the details.
"Simply put, it's a master-slave contract. Well, more precisely, a contract that engraves our relationship as master and slave..."
"...What?"
That... wasn't a contract that favored me at all?
Without hiding my shock, I asked her while gripping her hand as she began generating the magic contract.
"Why are you the one demanding this contract in the first place?"
"Why? Isn't it an advantage for the master?"
Of course. The mere fact that I had gained a controllable subordinate—someone I could command—would be an enormous benefit.
After all, it was far better than simply forcing her to become a slave. With this binding contract, I could restrict her completely. There was no reason I couldn't accept her.
Yet... why was she the one wanting this? What exactly did she think I would order her to do?
"So... it's obviously an advantage for me, but why are you the one wanting it?"
"Ah, you mean this? Hoo... explaining this properly would take quite a long time... but I'll tell you later."
Pelican finished speaking and raised the completed contract into view, then began reciting its contents slowly.
1. From the moment this contract is concluded, Demon Pelican becomes the absolute subordinate, and Dullahan Franz becomes the absolute 'master' who reigns supreme.
2. The 'subordinate' mentioned in this contract may only act on the commands of the 'master'—except for actions necessary to sustain basic survival.
3. The 'subordinate' mentioned in this contract must never harbor any impure thoughts toward the 'master.'
4. Any violation of any clause in this contract will result in the 'subordinate' being judged by the contract itself.
5. Only with the consent of both the 'master' and 'subordinate' mentioned in this contract can the contract be destroyed or modified.
"No issues here. You really intend to make a contract like this?"
I suspected she might be hiding some trap, so I carefully examined every single clause. There was nothing problematic.
Even the part about needing both parties' consent to terminate felt off, but her next words—
"Ah, that? It's to prevent the master from suddenly growing tired of me and discarding me. A harem is fine... but I must be included no matter what!"
...Yeah, the Demon God was obviously crazy.
Thinking that, I slowly bit my own finger until it bled, then wrote my name on the contract.
At the same moment, Pelican extracted her own blood with magic and wrote her name through the same method. The contract, now bearing both names, flared with light and vanished.
The moment it disappeared, I felt something tighten around my heart, and a brand mark appeared on my chest.
I finally confirmed that our master-slave contract had been established.
"Haaa... this feeling... is so exhilarating. From now on, I am truly your slave, Master Dullahan...!"
"Now tell me everything you know about my Honeybee Clan ability."
I tested the contract's validity by issuing my first command.
The brand on her chest ignited with a red glow, and she began to tremble as if on the verge of tears.
...Was she really enjoying this? No way.
"Kyaa... Master Dullahan's command... I cannot refuse... kyueeeng!!"
...She sounded like she was enjoying it? Was this girl insane?
When she didn't answer, the red light emanating from Pelican's body grew brighter and brighter, and her expression shifted to one of pure bliss. It was mesmerizing.
At first she had feigned discomfort, but as time passed, her face became one of genuine joy.
"Damn... doesn't it hurt?"
"Kyaaah!!"
"...Fuck, I feel like I got scammed."
"Scammed...? Hic..."
It was clear she had been deceived by the contract. There had to be some device that inflicted pain whenever I tried to disobey. Yet she was smiling in happiness.
Rejecting my commands as a masochistic Demon God was probably as easy as lying down and sleeping.
"Now that I've enjoyed enough... I'll tell you. Heueeung."
Pelican spoke with a satisfied smile, and the light of her brand dimmed as she straightened herself again.
"I assume you've been using only your maximum output."
"...Yes."
"But those who have used the Honeybee Clan ability in the past operated it differently."
"Differently... what exactly did they do?"
"I can explain it using mana, like this!"
Pelican released her mixed mana into the air.
The mana converged into one massive sphere.
"Master Dullahan knows about this species ability called the 'Awakening'—the ability to transcend the original power with an overwhelming upgrade."
"I know. But Awakening requires long-term use and training. How does that relate to my ability?"
[Awakening]. It is an upgrade that maximizes the traits of a species ability and further strengthens its power.
Yet such growth was never easy.
Only one in ten thousand people who manifested a species ability would even reach Awakening.
Especially with something like the Honeybee Clan, which inflicted lethal pain every time it was used—no one could even train to improve it.
"The sphere I just created represents the maximum output of the Honeybee Clan you can currently use. For simplicity, I'll call it 'Death Bee'."
...Death Bee. It really did suit me.
Agreeing internally, Pelican continued, poking the mana sphere.
"Master, Death Bee deals greater damage the stronger the opponent. Of course, you suffer the same damage."
"But even Death Bee has limits. No matter how severe the penalty, it can't kill a god with a single punch."
"...What? But I—"
"From now on, I'll explain based on you. In short, your Death Bee's limit is ridiculously high."
"Compared to other users?"
She nodded and created another sphere. This one was only the size of a soccer ball compared to the previous giant one.
Holding the small sphere, Pelican looked between it and me.
"This small sphere is the maximum output of Death Bee I've ever seen. But your—"
"Is absurdly enormous?"
"Exactly. So even I, the Demon God, was felled in a single strike."
Pelican reached into the giant sphere and separated the mana.
"But the important part isn't the maximum power—it's the controllable power, right?"
"Yes. Controllable power."
No matter how strong the force, if you couldn't use it, it was worthless.
And if that strong force damaged your own abilities as well...
That's why I didn't need overwhelming strength. I just wanted something I could actually wield and benefit from.
I had already wasted one life because of that very ability. I had no intention of letting it happen again.
"I will rise above those who ruined my life."
No longer wanting to be the weakest at the academy or looked down upon by everyone, I swore I would reach the top by any means necessary.
It was to return to the position I—Dullahan Franz—should have held.
That was my only goal and hope after two wasted lives.