Chapter 447: Proof of Existence (35)
Chapter 447: Proof of Existence (35)
Senior Elsie’s breath was ragged, having only just been liberated from the fray.
The focus in her eyes was beginning to blur. It was only natural that she was reaching her limit; she’d been forced to face the monster’s onslaught without even a moment to catch her breath.
It was likely her extensive combat experience alone that had kept her alive this long.
The trail of blood trickling from the corner of her mouth was a pitiful sight. A mouthful of crimson seeped out through her erratic breathing—clear evidence that her injuries remained severe.
It was a relief, at least, that Senior Elsie was the first to be freed.
Yuren and Celine still seemed to have some strength left. Though they would surely be pushed back as time went on, the fact that they were holding their ground for now was what mattered.
The two were performing a coordinated joint strike against the monster they were facing. I had expected Yuren to play his part, but Celine’s performance was an unexpected surprise.
She really has improved a lot.
While I took a moment to breathe, a flash of resentment flickered in Senior Elsie’s blue eyes.
It seemed she couldn't overcome her rising temper.
Her small frame stood firm, legs trembling as she braced herself against the ground. Sparks of electricity crackled and hissed from her hands.
"How dare you... How dare you make a fool of Elsie Lainella...!"
A spear made of lightning began to grow in size. I couldn't gauge its exact power, but it was clearly a spell that required significant preparation.
She was desperate to land at least one solid blow.
However, Senior Elsie’s wish was not to be granted.
"Don't!"
Senior Elsie flinched at the urgent shout.
Both her gaze and mine snapped toward the source of the voice. There stood Yuren, swinging his sword like a flash of light as he blocked limbs clad in jet-black mana.
"The 'Contract' must be fulfilled! Don't interfere! There's no telling what will happen if you do!"
A thick, dark arc of a smile spread across the girl's face in the shadows.
Bathed in the blood-red light, the girl stood with her arms wide, waiting for me. The shimmering light dancing in her golden eyes created an ominous, meaningful atmosphere.
After a moment's hesitation, Senior Elsie met my eyes.
I gave a small shake of my head. At that, she clicked her tongue in annoyance and began rummaging through her belongings.
She was likely looking for a healing potion.
The girl’s languid proposal continued.
"Now, shouldn't you fulfill the contract? You have to hug me 'sincerely' for at least one minute."
A groan escaped my lips.
She had added a troublesome condition. 'Sincerely'—and since it was a condition I had volunteered myself, I couldn't even retract it.
Ultimately, I had no choice but to trudge toward her.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The constant ring of clashing metal echoed from the side. It was the sound of Yuren and Celine fending off the martial artist monster’s offensive.
By the time I was right in front of the girl, she asked, her smile never wavering.
"Are you sure just one is enough?"
I froze.
I looked at her with a gaze full of complex emotions. She was a sinner who had committed horrific acts, but at the same time, she was my lost younger sister.
A family member abandoned by us.
She was a woman who had been held captive by the Dark Cult. Naturally, she must have been subjected to all sorts of terrible experiments. There was no other way she could wield such immense power.
As if enjoying my conflicted expression, the girl asked again, her eyes burning.
"Is it really okay not to save those two? You could always add more terms to the deal..."
"Don't listen to her, Ian!"
It was Yuren’s scream again.
Even while gasping for air, he remained focused on the conversation between the girl and me.
"That woman is a merchant! A merchant would never make a deal without a profit—Urgh!"
Of course, his mouth was clamped shut the moment the girl snapped her fingers.
Blood-red threads began to surround Yuren as if dancing. As the thin lines attached themselves to the faceless monster’s limbs, the speed of its punches and kicks increased beyond comparison.
Their power would surely follow suit.
I was forced into conflict once more.
Certainly, Senior Elsie alone wasn't enough. On my own, there was almost no chance of turning the tide of battle.
Should I propose additional conditions?
It was then that a thunderous boom echoed from somewhere.
Startled, I turned my gaze toward the sound. There, I saw the faceless monster trembling, its arms crossed in a desperate block.
Overpowering it was an axe of intimidating proportions.
A battle axe.
Celine swung the axe repeatedly with everything she had, her eyes bloodshot with effort.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Gah! Ack! Kreeeeeee!
The monster’s body, which seemed to be holding out at first, began to be driven into the ground. After three or four more strikes, it was buried halfway into the earth like a stake.
The monster flailed its arms, trying to escape.
But Celine wasn't about to let that happen. She delivered a clean, decisive blow, as if hitting a ball out of the park.
Thwack!
A silver diagonal line easily severed the neck and extended high into the air. Along that boundary, the monster’s head and a spray of blood scattered into the sky.
Amidst the falling droplets of blood, Celine shouted.
"We're fine!"
Immediately after, Celine kicked off the ground and shot toward Yuren.
Watching this, the girl’s eyes twitched with dissatisfaction.
"Ah, that was a favorite toy of mine..."
"No new deals are necessary."
Celine had gone through the trouble of opening this path for me.
I couldn't let it go to waste, so I declared again in a firm voice.
"Let's just fulfill the contract as it is."
The girl clicked her tongue softly. Yet, unable to hide her anticipation, she simply spread her arms again, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"Then, hurry up and hug me."
I let out a deep sigh.
This was the younger sister I was reuniting with after so long. I never imagined our emotional reunion would look like this.
Did I even have the right?
I hesitated for a split second, but asking such questions now was pointless.
I quietly but firmly pulled the girl into my arms.
I could feel the thumping of her heart. Since 'sincerity' was a condition, I decided to think of her as my younger sister for this moment.
She must have been in so much pain, so much suffering.
That was why she was obsessed with family. Even as she hated and resented us, my heart ached at the way she craved love from me.
I felt like I understood why she had accepted my deal.
The word 'sincerely' might have had a decisive impact on her decision.
She was a child who had never once received a family's love.
Love and affection were things she couldn't trust, for they were the kinds of things that could be faked at any time.
Therefore, she had to insist on the condition of 'sincerity.'
Unlike people, a contract could be trusted.
In the silence, the girl’s soft body filled my embrace.
Haa... haa...
The girl’s breathing grew somewhat ragged. With dazed eyes and a bewildered face, she looked like someone who couldn't even identify the nature of her own emotions.
And so, one minute passed.
Whether it was long or short, I couldn't even tell as I slowly pulled away from her.
The girl had long since lost her senses.
Her flushed cheeks, her wandering focus, and her feverish breath were the only clues to her state of mind.
At the very least, she didn't look unhappy.
Before the lingering warmth of the hug could even fade, the girl murmured blankly.
"...This won't do."
Before I could even ask what she meant.
The girl took a step forward. She put her hands behind her back and stared up at my face, her golden eyes burning with an intense, roiling desire.
It was a shade so fierce that 'madness' felt like a more appropriate description.
Every time I instinctively took a step back, she stepped forward to maintain the distance between us. Then, a flat, monotone muttering began.
"I... I have to have you. I can't be without you, Brother. I want you, I want you, I want you... no matter what it takes... Yes!"
The girl’s face brightened as she clapped her hands.
She looked as if she had just come up with a brilliant idea. Even so, her pupils were so consumed by desire that not even a shadow could be seen within them.
"Let's make a 'Contract'!"
My brow furrowed at the cheerful proposal.
It was absurd. If the subject of the deal was me, it wasn't even worth discussing.
I immediately shook my head.
"No matter what you say, I won't sign a—"
"I'll let them live!"
As if granting a great favor, the girl smiled brightly and placed a hand over her heart.
"All of them! In exchange, Brother, you become mine."
She spoke as if our fates had already been decided.
If I didn't accept this proposal, only death awaited us.
That was what she was saying.
* * *
"Ian... thank you. I won't forget your sacrifice."
"Stop bullshitting."
I had managed to secure a brief moment of respite, claiming it was a matter I couldn't decide alone.
When I returned to the group, Yuren placed a hand on my shoulder, pretending to wipe away tears. From the way he spoke, it sounded as if my sacrifice had already been set in stone.
Of course, I simply dismissed it as a tasteless joke.
Honestly, I felt like getting angry, but Yuren’s body was covered in blood and dust. He was also someone who had been buying time on the front lines.
No one wanted to raise their voice at a comrade they had to trust with their back.
Instead, it was Celine and Senior Elsie who flared up.
"Are you crazy, Senior?! There's a time and place for jokes...!"
"Our Master?! Absolutely not! Don't you see that look in her eyes?"
At Senior Elsie’s words, the group’s gaze shifted slightly.
The girl was staring at me with a dreamlike expression.
Ever since I had hugged her.
Senior Elsie trembled, as if the mere thought gave her goosebumps.
"Our Master is going to be eaten alive. It's dangerous..."
Despite the two's opposition, Yuren only let out a heavy groan.
He spoke in a voice that sounded somewhat weary.
"Then what do you suggest we do? Objectively speaking, our strength is no match for that woman. She's one of the 'Seven Deadly Sins'."
"Seven Deadly Sins?"
It was a term I had heard somewhere before.