The dwarf was dead. There were no two ways about it. As Jax and Nia closed in on him, Jax felt a severing of the power he shared with Nia, replaced by a numbness. The collar around his neck flashed white-hot for a moment and then simply fell away. Jax caught it as it fell and pushed his intent toward Nia.

“Well?” he spoke into the small woman’s mind. “I’m pretty sure he’s dead. What does that mean for the four of us?”

Nia hugged his neck as she replied, “My contract is voided. I’ll need to make a new one if I’m to retain my abilities. I’m not sure about you, as you’re not like a normal spirit. You possess both a physical and spiritual form, separate from your contract. As for the two Gongs, I don’t know the terms of their servitude. If they were contracted to Gelkrin directly, then they’re likely free. If not, they may be required to continue with their task.”

Jax interrupted her as she finished. “Nia, would you like to form a contract?” he asked tentatively.

She went rigid on his shoulder, then responded with a huff. “I was only with Gelkrin because he summoned me. He was the supervisor of the local mineshaft and the de facto leader of the village above. And he was strong. You aren’t strong, Jax...” She paused as she thought, then continued, “But strong or not, you’re better than a Gong, I suppose. Yes, we can form a contract—as long as we reach decent terms in our negotiation.”

Jax nodded, then asked somewhat awkwardly, “How exactly do I do that?”

Nia proceeded to explain the intricacies of contract magic while Jax stripped the bodies of the two foes he had slain and gathered materials from Gelkrin. It turned out that while some magic was immensely complex, contract magic was quite simple. This was despite the fact that contract magic was unilaterally binding: once one agreed to a contract, they were incapable of undermining its terms. With a system installed in one’s mind, a person could access contract magic through intent.

Nia helpfully explained what the system was. There were many versions of the interface imposed on Jax’s mind, but they all shared similar terminology and functionality. In essence, the system was a type of magic that accessed the mind, assisting with certain tasks. It also allocated resources and could explain some things upon request. However, it was not omnipotent, as Jax had once assumed; it only knew what Jax could perceive. The system functioned off his perception, using his senses to interpret his surroundings. For instance, if he couldn’t detect magic when facing a summoner, it might have merely labeled them as an enemy or brigand.

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Since Jax’s system was of a higher grade than himself, it had access to knowledge he didn’t. This was likely because the universe had granted him a system of higher grade than his own, possibly one it had taken from a dead adventurer or spirit of that level. This, in itself, was a revelation. The universe, as a whole, seemed to have its own intent. This intent varied and changed, and while not fully understood, the general consensus was that the universe had a will separate from any single known entity. Knowing this new information, Jax walked toward the Gongs who remained inside the ring of light.

Apparently, it was a spell of Durg’s. Nia didn’t know everything the large Gong could do, but she was aware of his ability to cast low-level ritual spells and some minion effects like this. As they neared the ring of light, Jax slowed and surveyed the battle that had taken place. Their mare was dead, and the ring held a large number of corpses. As he looked on, he didn’t note anything particularly important. Jax crept forward and then addressed Durg.

“Gelkrin is dead,” he said with a steady gaze toward the Gong.

Durg held Jax’s gaze as Jerg stood sentry, glaring into the darkness. Silence fell over the three of them as Nia flew overhead, her green light somewhat diminished. Then Durg spoke out, saying, “Our compulsion remains. Jerg and I must push forward into the mines. Yet the settlement we are going to will not allow us passage if we are unaccompanied. We will be killed.”

Jax nodded at the words of the giant. Nia had explained to him that Gongs were not like humans or dwarves. They were a giant race that lived below ground. Their stature was diminished due to the confining nature of their environments, but they retained much of their racial strength. A young Gong was more than capable of ripping a man in half, and their skin and muscles were as strong as any armor. But with these strengths came a rage that many feared. The Gong lived by a code and were not afraid to kill those who broke it, even if the people did not follow the code themselves. As such, they were not allowed in a civilized settlement without a caretaker.

Jax held his left hand out, and a white light began to form around his palm. He spoke as he did so. “Durg, as the sole remaining officer of our current faction, you are technically the faction leader. If you relinquish that title to me, I will assist you in completing the task that Gelkrin assigned you.”

The Gong had not looked away from Jax since they began speaking, and he held his gaze now. He breathed deeply and then responded, “Even with Gelkrin, it was suicide. You know this, correct?”

Jax nodded in response, and Durg let out a deep laugh. “Very well. I recognize you as master,” the giant replied.