"What are you doing?"
Mare Rhine sensed the shift in Kurose Akira's gaze—the faint edge of ill intent—and a thread of unease coiled in her chest.
Don't tell me… this human has finally succumbed to my charm?
He offered no reply. Instead, he calmly reached into his inventory and withdrew a golden contract.
The Sacred Adventurer Contract could only be used on adventurers who had already joined the guild. It was, in essence, a reinforcement mechanism—deepening the bond between guild master and subordinate.
Especially useful… when dealing with an unruly little dragon like Mare Rhine.
"Come on. Contract."
Without hesitation, Kurose Akira grabbed her small hand, clearly intending to initiate it immediately.
"Wait—?! What are you planning to do to me?!"
Mare Rhine instantly sensed danger and tried to pull away.
The lingering effects of [Soul Hook] had weakened over time—but not enough. Her resistance faltered at the critical moment.
When Kurose Akira pressed her palm onto the surface of the contract, the parchment erupted in dazzling golden radiance.
The paper dissolved into streams of brilliant, multicolored runes. They shimmered as if alive, spiraling upward and wrapping around Mare Rhine's body.
"W-What is this?!"
Her crimson eyes darted around in panic. She had no idea what these hovering symbols were.
Before she could gather her thoughts, the prismatic runes tightened like living ropes, binding her securely in midair.
"Let me go! Now!"
She struggled fiercely—but quickly realized not only was her body restrained, her power had been sealed as well. Even the ability to revert to her true dragon form had vanished.
"Stop wasting your strength," Kurose Akira said with a dark smirk, eyes gleaming with triumph. "Today, you're not escaping your fate. Kukukuku."
"…?"
The moment the laugh left his mouth, he froze.
Wait.
Why did that sound like he was doing something villainous?
He blinked.
No—this was a sacred contract. Entirely legitimate. Official system mechanics.
Completely righteous.
Clearing his throat, he proceeded according to the contract's binding sequence.
Throughout the process, Mare Rhine's indignant cries rang in his ears.
"Human! What exactly are you trying to do to me?!"
"Release me!"
"Don't you dare sleep too deeply tonight! I—!"
"…"
[You have successfully formed a Sacred Contract with Adventurer Mare Rhine!][Mare Rhine All Attributes +100!]
The moment the contract finalized, Mare Rhine's expression shifted dramatically.
Her body trembled—not from restraint, but from surging power.
"This power…"
Her panic melted into delight.
"Hehe! Human, I misunderstood you!"
She threw her head back with a triumphant laugh.
"Hahaha! I've grown stronger again! Mira—wait patiently in the Sealed Land! My revenge draws closer!"
"…"
Kurose Akira ignored her abrupt shift in attitude.
With a thought, he opened his own status panel to examine the amplification effect.
[Mare Rhine grants you 10% of her total attributes as a bonus!]
"Ten percent…"
He immediately pulled up her full profile.
[Mare Rhine (Mythic)]Level: 45 (0/14800)Race: Red Dragon / Valkyrie
Strength: 1400Agility: 1360Magic: 1450Constitution: 1590
Growth: 15 + 5 (Gains 15 + 5 All Attributes per Level)
Skills: (Expand)
Traits:[Undying Flame][Valkyrie][Red Dragon][Dragon Egg of Destruction][XX! Fusion!][Multiple Combat Forms][Loyal]
[Your Adventurer Mare Rhine has gained the new trait "Loyal"!][Loyal: When fighting at your side, Combat Power +50%! (Effect doubled during Fusion!)]
Just ten percent of her attributes granted him over a hundred points across the board.
Kurose Akira couldn't stop the smile tugging at his lips.
Having a red dragon in the guild… truly was magnificent.
Still, what interested him most was the MAX Loyalty.
Had it altered Mare Rhine's personality in any fundamental way?
He studied her carefully.
She was still reveling in her newfound strength, gloating to herself with unrestrained pride. No obvious behavioral overhaul.
Then—
She suddenly turned.
Her large crimson eyes locked directly onto his.
"Stare…"
"…?"
The intensity of her gaze sent a faint jolt through his heart.
There was something different.
Her eyes seemed… clearer. Less chaotic. More focused.
"Hey… human…"
Her voice lowered to a murmur.
"Why does your scent suddenly… smell kind of nice?"
"…?"
He froze.
Don't tell me she's starting too—
"Cough!" Mare Rhine quickly covered her mouth, as if realizing how that sounded. "I merely meant—you're emitting a rather captivating aura of destruction. I quite like it. Nothing more!"
"Oh."
He responded casually.
But inside, alarm bells rang.
Because he had clearly seen—
A thin strand of saliva at the corner of her mouth.
"…Hiss."
This dragon wouldn't suddenly decide to eat him, would she?
His concern was immediately detected.
Mare Rhine hastily wiped her lips and turned away, avoiding eye contact. Her thick dragon tail swayed slowly behind her, betraying the turmoil she was trying to suppress.
"…."
Kurose Akira narrowed his eyes.
Tonight, he absolutely could not sleep too soundly.
[You have received a private message!]
A notification blinked at the edge of his vision.
He opened the chat interface.
It was Liu Xue.
[Kana's Bunny: You reached C-rank? Congrats!]
"Thanks~ 😊"
He sent back a smiling emoji.
No sooner had he replied than more messages flooded in.
[Shen Siqi: Congratulations on your promotion to C-rank!]
"Thank you."
[…]
Xia Yu, Shen Jun, and several others followed with their congratulations.
C-rank guilds were a watershed line. Once crossed, an entirely new world opened before you.
After responding to the final message, Kurose Akira glanced out the window.
The sun was already dipping below the horizon. Dusk had thickened into early evening. There wasn't enough time left today to take on a new commission.
He turned back toward the women gathered in the guild hall.
A bright smile spread across his face.
"To celebrate our successful promotion to C-rank—"
He raised his hand dramatically.
"Tonight, we party."