Reinvigorated by a new sense of purpose, Sozen, despite his fear and desperation, uttered, “Open Contract UI.” He swiftly navigated through the array of contract types available, pausing only when he found one labeled “Contract Through Messenger.” With a few more taps, a new menu appeared in front of him.

This particular contract type allowed him to set up deals with other players through a medium like a machine he could place somewhere or control. His current predicament with his guard dogs seemed to fit this scenario perfectly. He scrolled through the extensive list of potential recipients, briefly glancing at the various names and options. His eyes eventually settled on three specific individuals. “These will do, they HAVE to...” he muttered to himself, a glimmer of hope emerging through the gloom of his situation.

Meanwhile, Waver, the figure who had set off this chain of misfortune for Sozen, tipped his hat and brushed his coat in frustration. “This has become a pain in the ass,” he remarked with visible annoyance.

“Yes, we should move on to other targets,” Mary, his accomplice, replied coolly.

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Waver and Mary were known as “Headhunters,” elite assailants hired to eliminate potential family heirs seeking peacekeeper status for a certain duration, all in exchange for a hefty sum of money. With Sozen slipping from their grasp, their focus had shifted to more lucrative and strategic targets.

Back on the battlefield, Toru’s communication UI flickered to life as Hitomi’s call came through. He answered, and her voice came through clearly, “Did you receive it?”

“Yeah, I got the Ally Contract from Sozen Yajima,” Toru responded, his voice steady despite the chaos around him. He glanced at the nearby guard dog, momentarily disinterested in its presence as his focus shifted to the new contract offer.

This contract could signify one of two things: either Sozen had recognized their skills and saw value in bringing them on board, or he had lost control of his situation and was seeking support to regain his footing. Given the aggressive behavior of the guard dogs, it was more likely that Sozen was reaching out for aid in his time of crisis.

Toru contemplated the offer for a moment, weighing the potential benefits of aligning with a former opponent against the possible risks. Teaming up with Sozen, someone they had been up against, was a complex decision fraught with uncertainty. It could either be an opportunity to gain an unexpected advantage or a dangerous gamble with unpredictable outcomes.