Demonic Contract, Mana Bond
Kim Tae-hee's father had died when she was a child.
Her mother passed away a few years ago.
Now, her only living relative was her younger sister, studying at a university in South Korea.
She had called her sister countless times earlier, but the line never connected.
Only one belief burned in her heart now: survive, and go back to save her sister.
Even after witnessing the monsters' horrors, she knew her sister's chances of survival were slim. But she refused to give up. Even if she herself became a zombie, she would find her sister.
Yet she also understood reality—on her own, escaping this city was nearly impossible, let alone returning to South Korea.
But she had just witnessed Xu Mo's unbelievable powers. Depending on him was her only hope.
She knew her own worth—men had always been drawn to her beauty. She thought he would be no exception. But when she offered herself, Xu Mo only shook his head.
"I saved your life. You told me the location of the vault. We're even."
He opened a portal of shimmering space beside him and stepped toward it.
Panicked, Kim Tae-hee called out, desperation in her voice.
"As long as you help me survive, I can give you everything!"
The Ryan couple, watching nearby, did not look surprised. In this apocalypse, offering anything to live was nothing unusual.
Xu Mo stopped. His gaze lingered on her, thoughtful.
"Everything?" he asked softly. "Even your soul?"
Kim Tae-hee faltered, then clenched her jaw and nodded firmly.
"Yes!"
She had seen his powers. She knew his words were no bluff.
Xu Mo raised a hand. Between his brows, the mark of the Dark Divine Book glowed faintly, casting gray light. A contract formed out of light before her.
"If you agree, then sign. Touch it, and give your silent consent."
Without hesitation, Kim Tae-hee pressed her hand against the floating contract.
Light flared. A wisp of radiance burst from her brow and merged into the contract, which dissolved into a stream of energy and vanished into the Dark Divine Book bound to Xu Mo's soul.
Xu Mo closed his eyes. He could feel it clearly—her soul tethered to him. Her life and death rested in his hands.
"This devil's contract… truly remarkable," he murmured.
Until yesterday, he had been wondering how to spread his influence—how to lend out mana, build loyal subordinates. Traditional sorcery required petitioning higher beings, borrowing their power. Even the Ancient One drew upon the Vishanti's authority.
But there was another way. The way of demons like Mephisto—power given through binding contracts. And the Dark Divine Book contained the methods to forge such bonds.
He had merely tested it just now. He hadn't expected it to succeed.
Now, Kim Tae-hee's life was his. In return, she would be able to draw mana through him—through the Book itself. In time, with practice, she could wield dark magic.
When the contract sealed, Kim Tae-hee felt the knowledge bloom within her mind. Her lips trembled, then curved into an astonished smile.
"Is this… real? Can I truly become like you?"
Her original plan had been base—offering her body, hoping to barter passage back to South Korea, praying he might help rescue her sister. She hadn't dared hope for more.
Yet now, she held power. Real power. If she survived long enough, she might even save her sister herself.
As she reeled in secret joy, Xu Mo's voice cut through her thoughts.
"Follow me."
He stepped into the portal. Now that the contract was forged, she was bound to him. The rest—Ryan and the others—were irrelevant. Xu Mo was no saint. Saving them once was more than enough.
Kim Tae-hee hurried after him, heart pounding.
The portal shimmered and closed. Ryan and the others stared at the fading glow with envy. With such power, surviving this nightmare world would almost be comfortable.
---
Newark, Suburban Warehouse
Xu Mo emerged first, Kim Tae-hee close behind.
It was her second time stepping through the space gate, yet awe still glimmered in her eyes. She even reached out, tempted to touch the glowing sparks that lingered in the air.
"If you don't want to lose your hand, put away your damned curiosity," Xu Mo warned without looking back.
Startled, she pulled her hand away.
Looking around, she froze. She knew this place.
It was the silver jewelry factory she had mentioned earlier. She had been here before—she recognized it instantly.
"Incredible…" she whispered, unable to hide her wonder. Could he teleport directly to South Korea as well?
Xu Mo ignored her awe and strode toward the factory. She quickly followed.
The grounds were eerily empty. No zombies, only dark bloodstains across the pavement. But from deeper inside, the guttural roars of the undead echoed faintly.
They turned a corner. The factory gates loomed before them, chained shut. Xu Mo flicked his fingers, and the heavy doors creaked open under his telekinetic power.
Inside—zombies everywhere.
Right at the entrance, a female corpse in a blue work uniform crouched over a mangled body, tearing flesh with bloody teeth.
The sound of footsteps drew her attention. She lifted her face, smeared crimson, eyes glowing with hunger.
If not for the gore, she might once have been beautiful.
Then, with a guttural snarl, she lunged straight for Xu Mo, jaws wide.
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