Kyle let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. Three weeks. It wasn't permanent, but it was more than enough time to find Yua and get off this wretched rock.
"The first part of the transaction is complete," the deer stated, its glowing forehead now projecting a complex, floating array of golden and crimson runes into the space between them. "Now, seal the contract."
[SYSTEM NOTICE: COMPANION CONTRACT GENERATING...]
[- Clause 1: Both parties are strictly prohibited from inflicting direct or indirect harm upon one another.]
[- Clause 2: Both parties must actively intervene to preserve the other's existence if threatened by mortal peril.]
[- Clause 3: Shared evolutionary path initiated. Companion growth directly scales with Host progression.]
The floating runic contract suddenly condensed into a single, sharp shard of crystallized blood essence. Without warning, the shard shot forward, slamming directly into Kyle's chest.
