Satisfied they were looking into it I turned to ask something I’d been wondering for a while, “So who or what are you guys?”

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” grins devilishly and proclaims that they could tell you but then they’d have to kill you.]

[“Traveling Spring Painter” rolls her eyes calling “Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” immature.]

[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” informs you that they are celestial gods, and adds that other candidates might not have gods to converse with during this process.]

[“Traveling Spring Painter” states that the three of them are friends and chose to support you together.]

I pondered on their responses for a moment, I never expected to be chatting casually with celestial gods, or well any gods except after I died maybe. The concept of them just deciding to support me together made me a little wary though. I was a pretty normal woman, I had an average life and I didn’t think I’d be much more interesting than anyone else. For a couple seconds I wondered what their criteria was, and how it led them to me.

“So why me?” I asked.

[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” states that you were the best candidate, somewhat isolated so there would be less interference from other humans, not particularly too kind or mean.]

[“Traveling Spring Painter” disagrees, saying her reason was that she thought you were cute and nice.]

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” states that you’re interesting, and occasionally surprise them.]

Well, those are definitely decent reasons. I’m glad it’s not something like they want me to rule the world or kill someone or something. Low expectations are good.

“So then… what is happening now?”

[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” states simply that you’re a candidate.]

[“Traveling Spring Painter” tells you that you’ll be participating in the game.]

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” says that the other two aren’t detailed enough and you are bound to have more questions if they explain it that way. They continue saying that gods can sponsor candidates or contract with them. Sponsoring is basically just gift giving, while contracts can come with very substantial rewards and restrictions.]

The Playwright’s explanation both resolved my curiosity and stirred it up more. I was thankful for the details, but now I had new questions about sponsorships and contracts. What would they be giving in both of these situations, and what would be expected in return? I assumed that sponsorships were basically like donating to a stream because you enjoyed the content, but what could humans give to celestial beings?

[“Traveling Spring Painter” recommends you not enter into contracts and reminds the other two of their previous agreement.]

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” complains that they don’t need a reminder since contracts aren’t any fun and they prefer to watch the decision making processes of humans naturally.]

[“Traveling Spring Painter” calls “Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” a liar and declares that they have already formed contracts with several humans.]

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” grins as they say oops you caught me! While lightly bonking their own head and pulling a face.]

“APPROVED” a large system window materializes in front of their argument with the updated details of the Familiar Master class. There weren’t really many changes, the existing skills were adjusted and a new skill was added.

~~*~~

Skills:

Familiar Creation: User is able to create familiars that will obey them. The user and familiars all share a soul bond and can communicate through it. The familiars will have their own soul and are independent living creatures with their own skill progression. User can view familiars’ status windows by saying “familiar status window”. (Level 1, and every 50 levels after that)

Familiar Evolution: Alternative to Familiar Creation. User manually evolves a familiar, giving it a boost in stats by 3 points and acquiring a new skill.

Familiar Skill Sharing(Growth type): User can learn skills their familiar uses and execute them to the degree that they understand them. (Level 20)

~~*~~

I sighed and went to war in my head over whether or not to choose this option; it was vague compared to other classes but realistically it was compatible with my personality. The idea of having teammates that I could wholeheartedly trust as well as the ability to ask them to level up on their own, it was all very tempting.

Plus there weren't any real limitations other than how often I could create familiars. The one thing that gave me pause was that it almost seemed too good. Where was the catch?

The thing about them never reviving sucked but as long as I played it safe that wouldn’t be an issue. Also familiars using my mana once they are out of theirs is better than the summoning and necromancy options where they’d be draining my mana consistently. Though I would lose the numbers advantage.

“Ah, whatever. I'll choose this one.” I tapped the select button at the bottom of the window containing the Familiar Master class. There was no going back now.

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” loses their composure laughing heartily; they manage to say through the laughter this is how it should be, how entertaining. They proclaim that they like humans like you.]

[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” is excited saying he is looking forward to the new data he can study from your class.]

[“Traveling Spring Painter” congratulates you on your choice and asks if you have a familiar in mind.]

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

A new chat box appeared among the familiar three, a dark gray box with angular black border, the text read [“General among Flames” offers a contract.] The other three boxes filled with words of protest and complaints.

[“Traveling Spring Painter” complains that “General among Flames” has awful manners.]

[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” grumbles that if you sign a contract it will interfere with his research.]

Why would that affect the Seeker’s research? Bad manners? I ultimately came to the conclusion that the General was stepping on the other gods’ toes. They had staked a claim in me and he was messing with whatever plans came along with it. The gods had mentioned some sort of agreement earlier, likely that none of them would try to contract with me, so this rogue god appearing and offering a contract probably wasn’t in their plans.

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” encourages their friends to be more colorful with their insults. They suggest calling “General among Flames” a bunch of redacted text.]

[“General among Flames” questions the three’s reason for getting so upset, if they wanted this human they should have claimed you with a contract.]

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” rolls their eyes and spits out curses, not all of us are selfish little bitch boys like him being a snake in their garden and treating humans like cattle. Coming in here and trying to interfere with their plans. One or two more swears here.]

“How do I look at the details of the contract?” I asked, I wasn’t really considering accepting it, but reading through it might glean something interesting. The word contract began to glow slightly and I clicked on it in response.

[“Traveling Spring Painter” yells that you really shouldn’t sign one, expressing that they can help you with anything you might need.]

[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” chastises “Traveling Spring Painter” and tells you that they cannot help with anything you might need.]

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” adds that you will have to do things on your own, they weren’t planning to pamper you.]

[“General among Flames” ignores them adding that you should feel honored for getting an offer from him.]

Skimming over the contract I could see why “Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” described contracts as rewarding and restricting, while the conditions seemed good the requirements that would be put on me were unclear and could easily be exploited at a later date. I would get an initial boost of stat points as well as a class related to “General among Flames”, but would also be expected to obey orders given by him and raise his prestige.

Particularly there were some portions of the contract that required me to provide tributes to him in the future once I’d reached a ‘certain status’. They also required me to publicly praise him as my Patron god and there were specific requirements on how often I would have to appear publicly as a representative of him. It also required me to participate in events related to him, but left out the specifics about what the events would be or what I would be required to do in them.

It was way too vague, and basically seemed like a glorified slave contract to be his lackey and mascot. Not to mention the class was basically a glorified flame elemental swordsman so there were little benefits for me. I could just create familiars with these traits if I wanted these skills that badly. Once I finished reading it I considered rejecting it, but thought I might as well take advantage of the situation to get a few answers.

“Excuse me, ‘General among Flames’ I have a couple questions. Is there any room for negotiation on the terms of the contract?” I asked.

[“Traveling Spring Painter” whines that you have no reason to sign it anyway.]

[“General among Flames” expresses that the terms are pretty strict but if there is a specific thing you’d like you could request it. He offered, maybe a cosmetic change or a basic skill like tracking or enhanced vision.]

[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” asks if those would be significant enough to sway a decision.]

“Hm… then could you expand on what it means by ‘certain status’?”

[“General among Flames” frowns saying that the terms are as clear as possible.]

“It’s difficult for me to sign something I don’t understand though. What about the tributes, if you can’t explain the status portion, at least what I’d have to provide would make me feel better.” I waited for half a minute, there was no response. I assumed that was all I would get out of him unfortunately. I regretted not asking questions I was more curious about first. Things about how the world was changing, why, and if we were even going back to earth after the place I was in.

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” agrees that transparent contracts are safer, stating that they would never trick anyone into an unfair agreement. They always put all the details in plain words.]

[“Traveling Spring Painter” rolls her eyes at them, saying that just because you wrote it plainly doesn’t mean you aren’t tricking naive and ignorant humans.]

[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” agrees that writing it plainly in clear terms is fine, and doesn’t understand what “Traveling Spring Painter” is complaining about.]

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” smiles triumphantly.]

[“Traveling Spring Painter” explains that “Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” isn’t using it in the way “Seeker of Magic and Knowledge" thinks though.]

I watched the three of them argue for a moment about contracts and ethics. Watching the Painter call humans stupid in the politest way I’d ever seen made me feel gross. The Seeker seemed to just not understand the nuances of contracts and how they could be exploited, while the Playwright was stating strongly that they were always fair in their contracts. Strangely enough, I didn’t believe for one second that the Playwright had ever written a fair contract. Ultimately after a minute of letting them stew I just shrugged and refused the contract.

[“General among Flames” voices disapproval saying you will regret it.]

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” taunts “General among Flames” calling him a typical villain that disappears in the first half of a plot.]

[“Traveling Spring Painter” asks if “General among Flames” knows anything about his contractors and complains that you and him aren’t compatible in the first place.]

[“General among Flames” argues that having many contractors is beneficial and looks down his nose at them as he leaves.]

“Wow, I didn’t expect him to be so upset that I rejected him.” I said nervously as I rubbed the back of my neck.

[“Traveling Spring Painter” curses “General among Flames” while telling you not to mind that scoundrel.]

“So… uh the Playwright likes to trick people into unfavorable contracts?” I asked, mainly curious on what is offered and required in their contracts.

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” grasps at their chest, pretending to be emotionally wounded by your comments.]

[“Traveling Spring Painter” glares at them before agreeing with you.]

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask'' protests that they explained their contracts plainly, it wasn't their fault if the person didn’t know how to spot a bad deal.]

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” crosses their arms, stating that they have not done anything wrong.]

“Okay. Sure, but outside of that, what are we waiting on? Why are we in this area anyways?” I asked, sweeping my arms out gesturing at the empty space around me.

[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” explains that we are waiting on all humans to complete the awakening process and the changes to be applied to your world.]

“Changes? What changes?”

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” tells you that you’ll find out soon and asks you to be a little patient.]

I grumbled, patience had never been my strong suit. “Wait, so why do we need to wait for all humans to finish their awakening? Can’t I just go back once I’m done and the world is… ready?”

[“Traveling Spring Painter” expresses it wouldn’t be fair for some humans to get a head start.]

“That’s not a head start. It’s just a reward for making your mind up quickly.”

[“Whispering Playwright behind a Mask” agrees with you stating that it would be more fun if people returned at different times.]

[“Seeker of Magic and Knowledge” expresses that it would have been best, like he’d said in the first place, to have humans go into an unconscious state until everything is ready to start.]

“You know, I think I agree with you, Seeker. I would have been bored out of my mind if I didn’t have the three of you to talk to.”

A loud ding rang out and the heavy pressure returned. Rather than fighting it as I did the first time I tried to relax and accept it naturally. It was still uncomfortable but this time I felt like I was sinking slowly into the ocean. My consciousness slipped away as I sunk deeper and deeper.