Chapter 74

00074 Pet Creation Project

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"Welcome. Oh, I haven't seen you before in Muel."

"Well, with so many users coming and going every day, it's possible to see a new face."

"Ahaha, that's true. Anyway, welcome. It's been quite dull around here with most users flocking to Barbara or Kan. What brings you here today?"

"Considering this is a temple, it wouldn't be missing, right? I came here for gem appraisal and contract drafting. I also came to submit an exploration report."

A male user in a priest's robe flashed a friendly smile and spoke to me. As soon as I mentioned the contract, the man's face lit up with a bright smile. He seemed excited at the prospect of some money finally coming in. After telling me to wait a moment, he hurriedly ran inside.

Vivian seemed engrossed in looking around the temple, but I could tell that her attention was mostly on the elixir in my possession, even with a slight exertion of mana. I smiled faintly at her cute behavior and waited silently for the priest.

Soon, from the stairs leading to the second floor, I heard a "thud" and the sound of someone rushing down. The temple was one of the few places where users and residents coexisted on equal terms. Generally, residents were in the position of conveying the words of angels, while users handled other tasks. The problem was that most of the tasks users did involved some level of interference from residents.

A female user rushed over, panting heavily in front of me before speaking in a hurried tone. Behind her, the male priest followed with a bitter expression. Was the temple that short on money these days?

"Ah, welcome. You're here for a contract, right?"

"Yes, and to submit an exploration report…"

"The temple has been so busy lately that there's no one to handle exploration reports. So, you don't have to do that. What kind of contract are you here for?"

The female priest briefly looked at me and Vivian behind me, then nodded.

"Hmm, a contract between a user and a resident is generally feasible. Have you thought about the content of the contract?"

"I can write it immediately if you give me the contract paper."

"Great. Mincheol, give this gentleman the contract paper quickly."

The male priest, called Mincheol, immediately handed me a sheet of paper and a pen. After a moment of thought, I began to write the content. The content I was about to write was simple, but it was far from simple. In other words, I intended to write a so-called slave contract. I wrote smoothly and then carefully reviewed the completed content.

1) User Kim Suhyun will pay one favor requested by Vivian. Thereafter, Vivian acknowledges that she will comply with the terms stated in this contract to fulfill the favor.

2) Resident Vivian will listen to and obey User Kim Suhyun. While she retains her free will, she will prioritize User Kim Suhyun's requests.

3) Resident Vivian will assist User Kim Suhyun and his party (hereinafter Ahn Hyun, Ahn Sol, and Lee Yoojeong) in every way and will never be hostile.

This should do it. I showed the contract to Vivian with a dangerous smile. She read it hastily, nodded, and quickly signed it before handing it back to me. I also signed it and then passed the paper to the female priest. It was a smooth process.

The female priest briefly read the contract and then chuckled, covering her mouth with one hand. After a moment of giggling, she removed her hand but still looked at me with a raised corner of her mouth. I smiled back at her.

"Hahaha, really, you want to go through with this?"

"Hahaha, I'd like you to make it as binding as possible."

"Is there any doubt?"

We laughed together, and the female priest winked at me. She then turned to Vivian and spoke.

"Are you sure about this?"

"Huh? Oh, yes. I just have to listen and help, right? There's no need to be hostile. But, does it take this long to make a contract? Please do it as quickly as possible."

The female priest shook her head and looked at Vivian with a sympathetic expression. However, Vivian continued to urge her. Finally, the female priest turned her gaze away from Vivian and spoke solemnly.

"At this moment, I, User Lee Min-hye, certify that both of you have read the content of the contract and signed it of your own free will."

As she finished speaking, the paper she held was enveloped in a bright light, and the sound of fireworks filled the air as it turned white. This was the process of the contract being approved. Vivian was momentarily stunned by the dazzling scene but could see two users nodding in the light. I quickly sharpened my hearing.

"Min-hye, isn't this being done too quickly, like roasting beans in a flash?"

"What does it matter? It's been a while since money has come in. A contract of this content is almost top-tier."

"Still…"

"Also, if the residents find out about this content, they won't allow it. Anyway, it's a bit pitiful for that female resident, but it's not our problem."

They whispered to each other, but my sensitive ears caught every word. I was glad I had entrusted this to users. Watching the contract being completed, I smiled contentedly. How I would cook, fry, and eat Vivian… Hmm, anyway.

After a while, as the bright light faded, Lee Min-hye skillfully caught the paper that fell from the air. Contract drafting usually takes a long time, but seeing it done so quickly, I widened my eyes. Lee Min-hye, perhaps reading my expression, smiled and placed a scale on the table, saying,

"Don't worry. It's not a shoddy job. You'll see. Among the users working at the temple, the priests responsible for contracts are granted special authority in this area. Of course, this authority disappears immediately if they stop doing this job."

I nodded as I watched her place the paper on the scale. The amount the scale's pointer would indicate would determine the payment I had to make. The paper was placed on the scale, and the result came out, causing Lee Min-hye and Mincheol to exclaim in surprise.

As expected, the weight of the contract was enormous. It spun around once, then twice, three times, and almost eight times. I wasn't particularly surprised since I had anticipated this, but Vivian looked worried. However, her worry wasn't about making a bad contract but about whether I could pay the unexpectedly high amount. After carefully examining the scale, Lee Min-hye approached me with a satisfied look and whispered,

"User Kim Suhyun, do you know the effect a contract between a user and a resident has?"

"Roughly. Contracts between users have many limitations, but residents are not affected by <Settings>…hehe."

She glanced at me and then handed me the contract.

"Right. Since residents are not affected by <Settings>, the effect of the contract is much stronger. It influences even the inner self…almost to a compulsory level. Anyway, congratulations on getting a good slave. She looks quite pretty, so your bed will be enjoyable."

"Haha, I didn't buy her for that. Don't misunderstand."

"Come on, it's obvious from what you're wearing. Anyway, it's 789 gold, 417 silver, and 216 bronze. The temple doesn't offer installment payments, you know?"

I paid the amount immediately, brushing off her joke. For less than 800 gold, getting a skilled companion for the rest of the journey was definitely a good deal. Vivian, who was initially surprised by the large amount, looked at me with a grateful expression as I took out the money without hesitation. At this moment, the contract became fully effective. Of course, the process of paying the favor I specified in the contract remained.

After bidding farewell to Lee Min-hye and Mincheol, I carefully put the contract in my pocket and left the temple. Vivian, who had been anxiously watching me since the contract was completed, followed me as I walked to a more secluded area.

"Is it done? Is it really done?"

In a place with few users, I stopped, and Vivian immediately rushed to me. I smiled and took out the elixir, handing it to her. She quickly grabbed the bottle and looked at the elixir with trembling eyes.

"Huff, huff."

Vivian took a few deep breaths. It seemed she had been under significant stress from being transformed into a spider. Despite her strong will to live and losing her intelligence, she was a character I was really looking forward to seeing how she would develop. Such a skilled resident was rare.

I might get a scolding from Seraph, but I was prepared for that. She was a boss monster designed to be captured, but I used her weaknesses recorded in the data to make her part of my party. Since I did this by my own will, I had my reasons.

Vivian looked at the elixir with a mix of affection and conflict. Her struggle was evident on her face, but it didn't last long.

Pop!

"Ah, gulp."

She immediately uncorked the bottle and drank its contents in one go. A refreshing sensation spread through her body, and she shivered with pleasure. I approached her slightly and lifted the robe covering her body, seeing her split skin gradually healing.

Not only that, her skin became smoother and more elastic, and her dull hair regained its lustrous black color. Her pale face regained a healthy complexion, and her cold body turned warm, tinged with a peachy hue.

One of the best features of the elixir is its immediate effect, unlike gradual recovery. As proof, I could feel the strong mana waves of a fully recovered mage right in front of me.

However, the person who could best feel this effect was Vivian herself. She looked at her hands and body in disbelief, then clenched her fists with a face full of joy. How does it feel to regain lost strength? It must be similar to the feeling of crawling back to the world after falling into the depths of hell.

After enjoying her own joy for a while, Vivian slowly opened her eyes and looked at me. Her face still had a dazed and innocent look, but there was a noticeable difference. While her eyes used to be dull and focused only on survival, they now shone with a newfound confidence. Her small lips then opened.

"…Suhyun."

"Why?"

"Your name is Suhyun. Kim Suhyun."

"So, why are you calling me?"

"Suhyun. Kim Suhyun. Kim Suhyun. Kim Suhyun."

Despite my question, Vivian continued to repeat my name, and I scratched my head. The warmth in my pocket suggested the contract was being renewed. It was showtime. I decided to conduct an experiment and looked at her with a mischievous expression. Her jet-black hair, silver eyes, and a face that looked intelligent but had a hint of innocence. She was beautiful. Really beautiful. Under the pretext of testing the contract's effect, I spoke.

"Vivian."

"Suhyun. Kim Suhyun."

"Now, come here…huh?"

Just as I was about to say, "Come and hug me," I stopped when I saw Vivian suddenly rushing towards me. She wrapped her tearful eyes around me, burying her face in my chest.

Caught off guard by the sudden situation, I tried to remain calm and patted her back. I somehow understood her feelings. While the atmosphere was good, what I wanted was not for her to come to me willingly but to test the contract's force and compulsion.

Unaware of my inner thoughts, Vivian kept repeating her gratitude.

"Thank you…thank you so much…really, thank you."

"Thank you? It's a contract, after all…Hey, wait. You're almost naked. This is…."

"I didn't think I'd really become human again…Yeah, it's okay. It's okay with you. I'll listen to you from now on. I'll really, really listen."

What did she mean by "it's okay"? Her sudden change in attitude left me flustered, and I tried to pull her away. The more I tried, the more she clung to me, like a spider's instinct, wrapping her arms and legs around me. Was she this overjoyed?

Seeing Vivian burrow into my chest like Ahn Sol, I became flustered. She ignored my discomfort and kept pressing her body against me. The feeling of a woman's body was too direct, and I sighed deeply, resolving to hold a woman tonight.

============================ Author's Note ============================

Hello, I'm Ro Yujin.

Hahaha, how did I manage to get through today? I was completely frazzled. I'm easily influenced by my surroundings when I write, and I felt several times that my writing was messy and too long. I even considered a rewrite. However, since a rewrite takes a lot of time, I decided to focus on advancing the story.

Now, Vivian has recovered her strength. It's time to organize everything we gained from this expedition and head to the next destination, the research facility. With the experience and the addition of a powerful ally, we can progress faster, right? :)

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