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Chapter 493: Contract Signing
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“Greetings, Siva, I am Stark of the Atropos Group, I have come to meet you and wanted to request a trade…”
“What are you trading for what?” Siva didn’t dally for greetings.
“Information.” Stark said. “I have vital information about you from the Walled City of Dakar.” He bid a pause for a moment and went on, “After your latest clash with The Union in Maria, a certain girl with waving long blue hair in a ponytail visited the office of the Seventh Elder and stayed there for close to an hour. One of my assets who managed to be cleaning the door close to the 7th Elder’s office used his Initial Ability to listen to the content of their conversation. He didn’t hear it all but said something about the Church, a Kid, and a Father which was connected to your name in every sentence they spoke. The girl is called Kira, as my informant said. The Union is going to make their move on you soon.”
Spies —his opinion of them somehow increased at the mention of Stark’s contact in Dakar. He then thought about Julian and Gaia’s introduction about the girl and her willingness to work for him.
When he heard the news, Siva’s heart began to beat heavier. His chest also rose and fell hard as he tried to control his surging emotions.
His breathing was so rough and loud that it scared the female members of Atropos behind Stark.
“And it was just a couple of hours ago?” he said with a hoarse voice.
“Yes.” Stark said, face serious, “You’re our backer so I felt that telling you this information will make our partnership in the future even closer. I don’t want anything material in return. Instead let the Atropos work as your underlings… at least until… until…… until we find the way to go back into that place. We just hope that you could bring us with you if you somehow find a way to travel back in time… or at least be able to visit a certain time period, the Era of the Gods…”
At the end of his words, Stark actually sounded and looked like he was begging. But he didn’t show it on his face and only gestured calmly and casually as if explaining a presentation.
Siva also understood. These guys had chosen not to listen to his warnings and still wanted to go back to that time period, millions of years ago, and risk their health just so they could enjoy that life.
If one day measured 10,000 or more years, then perhaps only a moment would pass by and he’d already met Zeta by then. But the question is, how does it work going back in time and catching up to the current? Does it catch up like slowly but surely, the flow of time accelerates as the years go by, or does it only work for a single moment and once a certain condition is met, a time gate will open and bring the traveler back in his own time period?
Siva couldn’t help feeling astounded at this Stark’s bluntness about their request. Even more so, he couldn’t help but admire their dedication to their one obsession. This kind of desperation was also dangerous. Who knows if they’d betray him for a person who could bring them back in time?
[Mitra] showed surprise and exclaimed, “What are you doing, Stark…”
The man didn’t say anything. As [Siva], he should be finding it offensively impudent of him but then again, thinking of the cover he’d spoken of him to the Atropos guys, [Siva] was nothing but a slightly stronger Boss NPC than the normal ones so he should remain calm by this moment and await for Stark to give out more prompt so that [Siva] could give them their [Quest] or [Quest Clue].
Also, “Mitra” told them that [Siva] has a uniquely high-grade AI and so they only feared that this is a chance that could be missed and so requested this ‘chance’ thinking that Siva was the quest NPC they were looking for that would give out that one [Quest] they wanted.
All they have to do was prompt him of it. Perhaps with the right trigger, Siva would finally give them the next clue or the quest itself.
Thinking about it, Siva was now left in a dilemma.
As much as possible, he doesn’t want to maintain contact with these guys and only have a casual-kind of relationship with them —a business deal with every meeting— and not this ‘favor’-induced affiliation that can crumble at the moment they’ve realized he wasn’t actually an NPC or that there’s actually an official NPC, like Gaia, that could give them the [Time Quest] they wanted.
What more, the information he received just now was also very sensitive that it risks him of being discovered. These guys are very strong and all of them have Battle-AIs.
A huge risk accompanied fully allying with them.
Thus, the dilemma…
But then again, he also can’t deny the fact that their Intel is also valuable to him.
Siva couldn’t think of a better plan and so he can only delay the decision while also not officially putting a line between their groups.
“Let’s see… for being my subordinates, I don’t really need you all since I’ve already established my army. Furthermore, your request is slightly troublesome. Time traveling is not possible. If it was, then I wouldn’t be the only one who would be able to find it. Wouldn’t the rest of the Terran Alliance be aware of them as well? Furthermore, if such godly ability does exist, wouldn’t that be one of the most treasured resources of the Terrans? I don’t want to clash with the Terran Alliance since there is a matter more grave that’s heading straight for Terroa’s safety. As such, in exchange for this Intel, I can buy it from you in an even more appropriate price. As for informing you of a way to Time Travel, although I am not interested in it, it doesn’t mean that I won’t be when I actually get to meet the chance in person. By then, aren’t keeping the information to myself wouldn’t be an odd decision at all. As such, I will strike a deal with you all instead.”
As he spoke, Siva produced a medium-sized crate of Dragon Resources and with a gentle flip of his hand countless tiny parts flew out of nowhere to bring the crate in front of Stark.
These were True Dragon resources.
Every one of them were surprised when they saw Siva manipulate [space] as if it was part of his arm and this only further solidified their conviction that Siva was indeed their key to going back in time.
“That is my payment for the information that you brought me. The box is filled with True Dragon Resources that you can use to increase all your strengths. As for the sincerity you’ve shown me, I am deeply grateful and so I shall open a deal with you all…”
When he spoke to this part, Siva produced a copy of a contract. He flipped the contract in the air and it appeared on Stark’s vision.
“Read it and tell me what you think.” He said.
Stark read the contract details and couldn’t help lifting his head to Siva, thinking that he might get a tiny change on his expression but alas, Siva was an NPC and until he gets their reply, Siva wouldn’t budge where he was standing.
The entire Atropos Group treated this moment as an essential minute in acquiring further assistance to their [Quest].
The details of the contract were simple.
It was a “by mission” kind of agreement. Siva will not explicitly say “YES” to their request of being brought back in time, but he will tell them, as soon as he confirmed that it was possible to turn back in time, the information, and that “it was up to the Atropos Group” whether they can go back in time or not themselves. To complete the detail of their agreement, there was a “list” of missions in here with a corresponding point system…
.…..with the ultimate goal being the very attractive things their Atropos Group sought after…
1) 9XX99 Points = Information about Time Travel
2) 9XX99 Points = Elemental Dragon Items
3) 9XX99 Points = Siva’s Promise of [Protection]
4) 9XX99 Points = True Dragon Items
5) 9XX99 Points = Unique-grade Inventions
6) 9XX99 Points = High-grade S-rank Inventions
7) 9XX…….
8) ……...
9) …..
….
…
..
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.
There were in total 99 “reward items” in the list of items and their buying points were actually high.
Further down was the “points system” or rather the “missions” Siva wanted done and one look is enough to tell any smart person that to even buy the 99th cheapest priced “reward item”, they have to accomplish difficult tasks and then accumulate at least 10K points.
This was completely extortion of labor!
Still, Siva did manage to make it look like an actual [Quest Info] and within the contract there was the catch, the bait, and the rules. It was all clear to the naked eyes. It was up to them to agree or not; in the end, both results in satisfying what he wants.
Simply put, although Siva didn’t promise to agree to the Atropos being his direct subordinate, they can still act as his “contracted workers” whose pay and insurance were these points and the rewards are these listed items.
With the contract, although it was a very obvious display of “legal slavery” that modern companies use to make people work for them their entire lives for a small “retirement money”, the fact was; the terms of the contract were still the very thing that the Atropos Group really wanted… thus the carrot or in other words, the bait.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“How are you going to make sure that the contract will be fulfilled?” Stark asked.
It was a good question.
What if Siva backs out of it? Wouldn’t that make all their hard work —in case they agree— be all just a waste of effort and time?
“I will create a Heavenly Oath for you.” Siva said and without any further ado, he signed the very contract in his hand right in front of them and also swore a Heavenly Oath which was followed by the loud bang of thunder even though there was not a sign of any thick group of clouds overhead.
This proved to the Atropos Members that Siva is indeed an NPC of this Terran Universe. All other doubts vanished like smoke.
It made them all excited. They were really on the right track and one step closer into being able to go back into that time period.
“Now that I’ve sworn an oath, the Heavenly Laws will make sure that once you signed that contract, our fates will be decided by the contract’s details in every way. Follow the rules and you live. Defy it and you die by Heavenly Lightning. I’ll be bound by the rules of the contract as soon as you sign it but if you don’t, then the promise I just made will then be void and we go our separate ways, never to meet each other again.”
Stark swallowed. He reread the contract details and realized that indeed, this contract was strict to Siva’s side but actually loose on theirs.
It says here that if Siva doesn’t tell them the info of Time Traveling actually being true, he will die by Heavenly Lightning.
But on their end, their only rule is that they keep everything regarding their contact with Siva in an extremely strict confidential treatment. Meaning, they are not allowed to inform any word or detail of anything about Siva to anybody, or else, they are responsible for both their lives for the Heavenly Laws will punish the weasels and the recipient of the info as long as they exists.
Strict, yes, very ……in fact.
But for an H-Class [Quest NPC]’s requirements, it was pretty normal to encounter strict conditions such as this one. These rules are to be expected since what they’re talking about in here is the very history of the game itself.
Stark and the rest of the Atropos Group doesn’t have any care about being the first to accomplish a feat of glory by being the first to publicly get the chance to go on an [H-Class Quest].
What they care about, and their only concern, was the chance of being able to return and live in that world once again. Because only in that world will they be able to know and feel that there is really such a thing as an Alternate Universe.
Stark carries the unified agreement of the Atropos Group and once he agrees, their entire group will be bound by the rules of the contract, and will be treated as a single body.
Meaning, one’s points are everybody’s points. In this manner, although the points rewards were a little cheap compared to the “price” of rewards, it was still fair to say the least since they can just go and farm points so that their entire group could go and advance as a single body.
Tell a single soul and once a word of this meeting was mentioned inside Terroa, not only the weasel but the recipient of the Intel as well will be struck by Heavenly Lightning.
Nobody in their group knew what this Heavenly Lightning was, but “lightning” in logic is something every novel, TV show, and movie they’d known is very clear about: it–can–kill–you.
Noticing their eyes, Siva’s voice resounded, “You better tread the contract very carefully. Consider your decisions of agreeing to it prudently so that I will not receive a word of complaint in the future.”
Everyone heard it and followed the advice.
One of them murmured, “Hm? It says here that all of our points will be deducted on the price of an [item] we bought and will not be carried over. I don’t understand. Does it mean we have to work and work and only get one item in the end?”
Someone answered his confusion, “Just treat it as our unified bank account. When you buy an item, all of our savings and not just yours will be spent as well. So if we want more than one item in the list, we must accumulate enough points to buy all of them or not pend points at all.”
“Harsh!” the guy exclaimed when he realized this.
Stark then stared at the few key points in the last part of the contract where it says that Siva will be aware of their points and activities without even a single direct contact.
—the system monitors our progress real time and as soon as we accomplish a task or wanted to buy an item, he will know and we’ll always have to contact him first to get the rewards…
——[Players] can’t do this unless they’re an NPC!
Stark was sure of this now.
All his doubts about Siva duping them vanished.
Then, he saw the last part of the contract: they’re required to provide the [Contact Details] of all the members of the Atropos Group.
What for? He thought. He glanced at Siva whose body didn’t move nor he seemed to be breathing again, aside from his earlier ‘reaction’ to his intel, and thought that everything that’s happening so far were actually part of the [Quest Clues].
He suddenly felt his heartbeat rise. They were on the right track! His thoughts then ran deeper——
—the contact info may be set up by the system for the rewards because [Siva] is the [Quest Key] and that the Panorama Corporation had set this up as safety regulations for the rewards.
–—it should be normal.
——–considering that our [Time Quest] will affect the history of the game, their business, and the future of RPG: Terroa would also depend on our progress, and also considering everything Mitra said before about it all being connected to some plan by UNICORN, it must be something to do with billions of credits or even more… out lives…
—–——if we were to actually die, the InOSaRC will get their asses if something happens to us…
———there are risks and pros to this contract...
(AN: InOSaRC = International Online Safety Regulations Committee; they first appeared in Volume 6 chapter 122 when The Union tried to attack them with the death of some [Players])
“Please give us a little bit of time to talk about this with our members.” Stark said.
“Thirty minutes.” Siva said. “Nothing more.”
“It is enough.” Stark said gratefully.
Stark turned around and the Atropos Members all huddled together. Stark informed them about the contract’s pros and cons, the risks that it may get their families involved or their health and safety, and that it may have something to do with billions or more of credits in the real world; and about UNICORN’s involvement, and also the fact that it may also lead to them jumping into instant millionaires or death if they somehow doesn’t wake up after a few days of not eating and drinking water; and all other risks involved, a silent contemplation time erupted in their midst.
And then, The Analyst asked, “But wouldn’t the reason why the contract needed our addresses is because they wanted to keep us safe and healthy?”
Stark and the rest were surprised.
Right, there is also that possibility.
Perhaps what Mitra said was true. That everything in the game was being monitored by UNICORN and Panorama Corp.
Last time, they had indeed been online for a little more than two days, Stark being the longest one to survive in three days; but all of them said that it was indeed true that all of them died in the same manner —being killed by Demons.
Does it mean that Panorama Corp. was the one that made them die back then?
Was it all a test?
It was said that the NLD had a safety logout feature but their Battle-AIs said it was all disabled.
But… there is still the server side.
What if they were being monitored there?
Also, since the first time was a surprise, perhaps the Panorama Corp didn’t prepare for it that’s why they decided to kill them instead and prepare for it better… and at that time, [Siva] wasn’t present yet and so, this [Siva] in front of them is indeed their answer to that time’s “luck”.
Stark became sure of it: [Siva] was part of a [Time Quest] and that this time, what The Analyst said is true… that Panorama Corp had prepared for the eventuality that they might be trapped online for more than 2 days.
After all, a body without sustenance for four days will begin to experience death symptoms.
He laughed in his heart.
They were getting close to their goal.
Mitra said that he only knew a thing or two and he wasn’t even sure of it himself.
But if he were right, then perhaps this time, the Panorama Corp had made sure that their gamers will be safe while they stayed inside the game on an extended period of time.
—that was the carrot in a stick.
But what if this wasn’t the case, then they risk of actually dying this time.
When this was spoken, The Analyst said, “But was that our goal this entire time?” she said in a warm smile, “Aren’t we all in agreement before that we’ll go back or die searching? Wasn’t this our sole and only mission in establishing Atropos?”
Stark and the rest are shocked and they laughed to the sky and then nodded, tears on their eyes.
“You’re right.” Stark exclaimed. “I’d rather die in that beautiful world than live a mundane life in this pathetic earth.”
“Aye.”
“I agree.”
“I’d rather die an Immortal…”
“When I go back, I’m going to live my life as if it’s the last…”
“Me too…”
“Hahaha… let’s search each other the moment we go back!”
“Last time I was in…”
“I was close to you back then, right?”
“Yeah… back then, we didn’t know that we were teleported in that time in many different places…”
“This time, we must find each other!”
“Aye!”
“Aye, true!”
Many words of agreement rung and everybody were eager to sign the contract, inputting all their names and their addresses, contact info, and so on and so forth… before signing the contract and hearing a resonating thunder right above their heads.
The contract… was now signed and in full effect.
Siva felt it and knew it was in effect. When he saw his copy of the contract became ‘protected’ by the [Laws of this Game World], or collectively known back then as the Heavenly Laws, he knew that these crazy guys have resolved themselves in dying as gamers… no [Immortals]… although not the kind that undergo the “ceremony” but instead the kind that was “immortal since their inception”.
He had even made sure that the points they have to work on in achieving was high and the rewards are little —all for the sake of discouraging them— but he still realized that he’d underestimated their eagerness to go back into that world.
Of course, he hid this thought deep inside himself and would NEVER tell a soul about it.
And of course, what the Atropos Group does not know is that it wasn’t the UNICORN or Panorama Corp. that’s going to visit their houses; the reason why he needed their contact info was for Cortana to launch the [Echelon Network] within their area and monitor if anyone of them will betray him and “tell a soul” outside of the game.
Inside the game, the Heavenly Laws will take care of the security of their contract but outside of it, he needed something more accurate and secure.
Thus, he needed to know the names, addresses, and the contact info of the Atropos Members.
“Now that you’ve signed the contract, you may now begin to execute the missions listed there.”
When Siva spoke to this point, unknown to him, a pop up window appeared on the visions of the Atropos Members.
[You have struck a deal with Siva!]
[Quest activation in progress]
[A calamity is approaching!]
[Fulfill all missions within nine months’ time or fail!]
As soon as they saw this, one of them exclaimed.
“There’s a calamity in nine months’ time?”
Although it wasn’t loud enough to be called a loud cry of surprise, with the Absolute Domain active, it wasn’t something that could escape Siva’s ears.
“What did you say?” Siva blurted in surprise.
Stark glared at the member and then spoke in an ingratiating tone, “Nothing, sir. We will do our best to complete the contract within nine months’ time.”
Siva’s heart was in a storm of emotions. Was it just a coincidence?
No!
‘Cortana did he…’
[Yes sir. He did say there’s a calamity in nine months’ time. Based on their head angle and their visual direction, it would seem that they received some kind of pop up notification window that had informed them of this secret.]
Siva’s chest rose and fell heavily. He wanted to ask more details but he stopped himself with great effort since he knew that right now, he was acting as an NPC.
Thus, he’d let “Mitra” handle it for him.
“If you have nothing else then you can proceed to maintain my Nano-Cryo Preserver.”
With that said, he took a step and vanished inside a Mini Realm and began observing the Atropos.
Sure enough, as soon as he left, the talk began.
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Nine Months to complete the fake contract!!
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Next Chapter: Is it coincidence or…