Sealing the Contract
In The Ashen Valkyrie, there were all sorts of systems to strengthen the Valkyries you pulled from gacha. You could level up characters by battling Erosion Species, pour resources into raising skill levels, break limits by merging duplicates from gacha pulls, awaken to raise your max level once you hit the cap, or even transcend once you'd maxed everything out. It followed all the standard otaku gacha game tropes, really.
And the same holds true in this world. The common thread among Valkyries who suddenly grew stronger for some inexplicable reason? A deep bond with their commander!
That meant the systems from the game worked here too. So I pondered which one I could exploit... and settled on the contract.
"A contract... what exactly is that?"
After the engineer loaded civilians onto the train and departed, leaving us alone, the commander—Yujin—turned to me with the question.
I already knew this world had no such term. It was game lingo, after all. Unfamiliar territory for him.
So I answered calmly. "It's a method known only to a select few, like myself... a way to make Valkyries stronger."
"Does something like that really exist?"
"Yes. But... it's not easy. It comes with a heavy burden in many ways. To be honest, if we weren't in this depleted state right now, I wouldn't have brought it up."
"If it's that taxing, you don't have to push yourself..."
"No. I must do this. Reinforcements will take at least a few hours. But this is a new strain of Erosion Species that's never jammed communications before. We can't afford to let it slip away."
I met Yujin's eyes as I spoke. My face must have looked brimming with resolve.
He furrowed his brow in thought, then nodded gravely. "...Understood. If you're that determined, Leira, I'll follow your lead, no matter what."
Of course, it was half a lie. No matter how much power I'd used, the enemy was just a tutorial mob. I didn't feel like I'd lose even if we fought right now.
But didn't saying it this way make me seem noble? Showing my resolve to shoulder the risk for duty's sake. Oh yeah, this'll skyrocket his affinity for sure.
Go ahead and fall for me, Commander. I won't mind.
Besides, I'm not settling for the original story's level of distance.
In the original, Leira and the commander were just trusted colleagues. To him, she was like a reliable senior who saved his life and guided his shortcomings.
But I had no intention of letting it stay that lukewarm. The more precious something is, the more it hurts to lose it, right?
I planned to maneuver him into carving me deep into his heart.
Flashing a bright smile, I stepped toward Yujin. He stared back with eyes full of determination—eyes I'd gladly pluck out and keep if I could.
"So, how does this contract... H-huh?!"
Mid-question, Yujin sucked in a sharp breath. Where had that seriousness gone? He floundered, unable to hide his fluster.
The reason? I'd abruptly hiked up my top, baring my stomach.
Not for anything lewd, of course. It was necessary for the contract.
"My stigma is below my navel, on my lower abdomen. Can you see it clearly?"
"Uh, y-yes...! I-I can see it!"
"Would you touch it with your palm?"
"W-with my hand?!"
Yujin gaped in shock. Getting this rattled over touching a stomach? He clearly didn't have much experience with women.
Part of me wanted to tease him more, but that wouldn't fit Leira's character.
I averted my gaze shyly and continued. "Commander, you know the stigma is the source of a Valkyrie's power, right?"
"Yes, that's what I was taught."
"And commanders have artificial stigmas to control Valkyries. Connecting the two stigmas forms the contract, granting the Valkyrie greater strength and abilities."
"I... had no idea."
"Well, Valkyries instinctively recoil from anyone touching their stigma. It's no surprise it's not widely known."
The stigma was like a second heart to a Valkyrie. They felt primal fear and disgust at the touch, like a cat freaking out over a belly rub.
Last time I tested it on Alicia, she slapped me without thinking. The aversion was intense.
That's where maximum affinity came in. Only a Valkyrie who trusted their commander deeply from the heart would allow it.
Or so the setting went.
But I don't feel that aversion at all.
Maybe because I possessed Leira? Touching the stigma didn't faze me. I'd tested it on Alicia a few times to confirm.
In other words, no need to grind Yujin's affinity the hard way. Just touch the stigma, and contract complete.
Plus... this solves another problem.
One goal was surpassing original Leira's strength—specifically, surviving on the brink of death against the Erosion Species that pulped her in the prologue.
But my growth had plateaued. No matter how much I trained, core abilities showed no meaningful gains. Just new applications at best.
So if a contract could boost me further, it'd resolve all that perfectly.
"Commander Yujin, please touch my stigma."
"But you said Valkyries hate it..."
"I'm fine. If it means fewer victims to the Erosion Species, I can endure this much."
Eh, live or die, whatever. But if it sways his heart, I'll lie as many times as needed.
Maybe he was just worried about me. Seeing my resolve unwavering, he nodded.
"Understood. That's just like you, Leira."
"...?"
"I'll do it. Ah, but can you undo a contract once it's made?"
"Of course. If either party objects, it can be severed anytime."
"Phew... that's a relief."
With that, Yujin placed his hand on my lower abdomen. A man's palm—rough, callused, thick. As it met my stigma, my body twitched involuntarily.
Ugh... heh... so itchy.
Weird. It didn't feel like this when Alicia touched it.
I bit my lip against the unbearable tickle. Yujin's face stiffened immediately.
"Close... urgh, your eyes."
"...Yes."
"Now... feel beyond your palm... hngh, something there."
"Something specific...?"
"Focus your senses... you'll definitely... hnnngh... feel it."
Truth be told, I wasn't sure about that part. I'd know once we tried. In-game, you just slapped your hand down and it worked.
Here, it seemed to need some process.
Ugh, this...?
After minutes of ticklish torture, as Yujin concentrated with eyes shut, a warm sensation washed through my gut like a wave. Like our insides linking.
I instinctively knew the interlocking was the contract.
"Hah... hah... C-Commander... h-hand, please..."
"Ah, yes! Sorry. My mind blanked for a second... Did it fail?"
"No... seems like... it worked..."
I thought I was gonna die enduring that, you jerk.
Legs giving out, I collapsed. Leaning down, I checked my lower abdomen. The stigma glowed faintly.
Success. Tension melted from my shoulders.
Honestly wasn't a hundred percent sure it'd work. Cool, it does.
A thrill bubbled up. How much stronger had it made me?
Lowering my top, I tested my power. Hopefully A-rank Valkyrie level at least.
...Huh? Doesn't feel... much different...
No real change. Physical stats needed testing, but my innate lightning felt the same. No increase in output or power...
...Did the contract have some hidden condition I didn't know? Like max affinity required for full effect?
No, that'd defeat the purpose.
Cold sweat beaded on my skin.
"Um... did it work?"
"Huh? Oh, yes! I definitely feel stronger thanks to you. Thank you, Commander. Let's go take out that Erosion Species!"
"Right. I'll follow."
"J-just my guess, but! The closer we get, the stronger the signal jam should be! So... head toward where the terminal noise intensifies, and we'll find it!"
But I couldn't admit the truth. After all that buildup... "Actually, no effect." Yeah, no way. Too embarrassing—I'd die of shame.
Luckily, Yujin didn't know my full capabilities. "Got stronger" would suffice; he'd buy it.
I swiftly shifted the topic to the Erosion Species.
Let's finish quick and head back...
I already knew where the hidden Erosion Species lurked: a cave thirty minutes' walk away. Probably biding its time in the gloom.
No need to circle. We found the cave, and right in front of Yujin, I nailed dozens of nails into its skull.
"Kieeeek!"
"The power of a B-rank Valkyrie... Incredible, Leira!"
"Hehe, I could push myself thanks to you, Commander."
Phew, feels good. Lately, it'd just been me eating hits from Alicia. Unilaterally crushing like this? Refreshing.
With the new Erosion Species dead, comms restored. HQ reinforcements arrived safely.
From here, we could leave it to them. Transferred to the nearest city, we headed to our destination: Ruina.
"What a surprise. I never imagined you'd be heading to Ruina too, Leira."
"Same here. Who'd have thought you were my real commander, Commander Yujin..."
And that's when I learned we were bound for the same city. Kinda fateful, right?
Smiling like small world, huh?, I said, "Guess we don't need to sever the contract then?"
"Mm... yeah. Seems practical. Looking forward to working with you."
"Yes, Commander. Same here."
Truly looking forward to it. Our ripening bond filled me with genuine delight.