"Everyone, tomorrow is the day You will enter the Gate of Corruption." Silas paused before continuing.
We were currently in the training yard, lying on the ground after being struck hard.
"I have watched the results of your training and I know more than anyone else that you have given your best effort in training, so let me give you one final piece of advice." Silas exchanged looks with all the students.
"You must trust yourselves for the time you spent training, but do not become arrogant. I have said this more than once and I will keep saying it: the Abyss will kill you at any moment, so do not lower your guard for even a single instant."
He spoke like a caring teacher to his students, and that surprised them.
After he finished speaking, Silas left, leaving the students alone.
'That bastard looked at me longer than the others,' I thought, remembering the day I took the Soul Contract.
.....
One month earlier
"Oh, what a rare occasion. May I know the reason for your visit, boy?" Silas sat at his desk holding a cup of coffee in his right hand and some papers in the other.
He spoke in that irritating way as always.
"I want to ask for something."
I said seriously, which made Silas straighten his posture and put the coffee and papers aside.
"Oh? What is it?" he said, resting his chin on his hands placed on the desk.
"I want to obtain a Soul Contract to use on myself."
I got straight to the point; I didn't intend to waste any time with that bastard.
The air around me shifted and the shadows trembled because of the pressure Silas released.
He stared at my eyes coldly, trying to gauge my intentions.
"Boy, do you even realize what you're asking for? Soul Contracts are extremely rare. If we had the luxury of giving one that easily, we would have you sign one — especially since you hide your attribute."
Silas spoke coldly, increasing the pressure on me, making standing difficult.
But I couldn't give up over something like this. I thought and released my darkness, wrapping my body with it to make resisting his aura easier.
I looked into his eyes and spoke forcefully.
"Just answer yes or no: can you provide one?"
Silas stared at me for a moment, then canceled his aura and leaned his back backward.
"That depends on the intended use. So tell me — what do you intend to do?"
I canceled my aura too and stared into his silver eyes.
"Let's just say I want to make sure I don't lose myself."
I said ambiguously and waited for Silas's answer.
"Hmmm, lose yourself, huh? Fine — I'll give you one, but I have conditions."
Silas said, clasping his hands together.
"As you see, Nox, I see potential in you and I am confident in your survival in the Abyss. In fact, I am sure you'll become a notable person in the future, so I want to recruit you."
Silas extended his hand forward as if offering Nox an invitation.
"Who do you mean ?"
I said, confused by Silas's offer.
"Oh, you see, Nox, I used to be a person of no value in my family — that was 30 years ago. But I met the Director who believed in my abilities and helped me survive, so I swore loyalty to him."
Silas spoke while recalling his life and meeting the Director.
"So I want you to be an ally of the Director as well. He works for the good and salvation of humanity. You might not believe me, but the Director is different from other powerful people who only care about strength and status. Also, you will be preyed upon by others if you lack something to back you up."
Silas spoke with a very sly smile.
'Great — who can tell this fool I plan to kill his boss granddaughter, and here he is offering me to join him so stupidly,' I thought sarcastically about the situation.
"I will agree, but I refuse to swear allegiance or do things I don't want to. Also, my alliance with you must not conflict with the contract I want to apply to myself. I refuse your knowledge or anyone else's knowledge of the contract. Understood?"
I said in a strict tone that allowed no argument.
Silas laughed dryly at my words.
"You are stubborn, but I don't mind."
Silas opened his desk drawer and took out a paper. He placed it on the desk and wrote on it with his finger dipped in shadow. When he finished, he handed the paper to me.
"Wrap your hand with darkness and write what you want, then tear the paper."
"Huh?! Wait a moment — weren't you saying they are rare? Then why did you take it out of your drawer so easily?" I shouted at him because of his confusing actions.
"Oh, did I say that? Sorry, I lied. It's just some scattered papers here and there in the Abyss. And there are people who can make them. Are they expensive? Yes. But I can obtain one whenever I want. Oh, I should mention they have levels. A low-level one will not bind the strong . In your hand and will restrain you until you reach Stage 6. Honestly, if you reach Stage 5, who are we to stop you?"
Silas spoke with a sly, triumphant smile.
'I... I've been tricked. Ugh. I hope you die horribly,' I thought angrily as I looked at Silas with hatred.
But I focused on what was in front of me, wrote what I wanted, then tore the paper as he said. The paper turned into particles then merged into our bodies.
"Wonderful. Glad to work with you, Nox. We'll have some fun times." Silas said, trying to annoy me more.
'I hope I don't kill Elena. It would be great to bully you since I will date your boss granddaughter, motherfu*ker.'
I glared at him angrily, refusing his welcome.
"Anyway, your mission is to protect Elena and ensure her survival. Understand?" Silas said suddenly, which made Nox freeze in place.
I looked into his eyes and nodded.
"I understand."
.....
Back to the present time. Elena, Sora, and I were also eating in the cafeteria. In fact, it had started to feel like a celebratory feast.
"Ahhh I'm so nervous about tomorrow. I hope we don't end up in a desert or a cold place," Elena said, lowering her body in worry.
"Don't think of the worst or it will come true."
I scolded Elena, then looked at Sora.
"Sora, will you be okay? I know you'll be at a different gate." I said with genuine concern; after all, we had become friends.
"No need to worry. I'll survive no matter what it costs."
He shook his head, refusing any outcome but survival.
"Then let's the three of us survive and have a real feast."
Elena spoke with a smile, clasping her hands together in hope.
"All you ever think about is food."
I said while pinching her chubby cheek.
"Ouch, Nox, that hurts. And what's wrong with what I said? Food is great."
Elena said while I kept pinching her cheek. She pretended it hurt but I didn't use any power.
'This girl actually seems to be enjoying herself.'
I thought as I looked at the delight in her eyes. We were in our own world, but Sora's words made us freeze.
"I've been wondering this the whole time — are you two dating?"
Sora said simply while eating his food.
I froze; I didn't know what to say. But Elena acted quickly, which made me open my mouth in surprise.
"Sora, can you imagine? I confessed to h a month ago but he rejected me," she said, wiping a fake tear from her eye. She played the wronged girl.
Sora looked at me and said with mild surprise, "Are you stupid? Why did you reject her?"
I froze at the question and quickly said, "Don't let her fool you, Sora. It's true she confessed, but I didn't reject her. We decided to wait until we return from the Abyss before making a decision."
I defended myself, stumbling over my words.
"Okay, that's still stupid. Did you postpone it because you're afraid one of you might die? I mean, that's obvious stupidity. Wouldn't it be better to live your last days in love instead of focusing on negative thoughts?"
We were astonished by Sora's words. Since when did he have such wisdom?
"Nox, everyone will die. Whether today or tomorrow — but that doesn't mean letting death ruin your day. Yes, you may dating each other and die; Elena will be sad. But her sadness from losing someone she loves is better than her living a life wishing she had been with you."
Sora said, narrowing his eyes at me, which made me tremble.
Elena intervened quickly when she saw the situation.
"Hey, Sora, calm down. Don't pressure Nox. It's not his fault. I agreed to his offer myself. We will be in the same Abyss world and I will make sure we survive."
Elena waved her hands, trying to calm things.
Sora returned to eating as if nothing had happened, which made Elena sigh in relief.
But I couldn't stop thinking about his words. I knew I was a coward, especially in relationships. When strange feelings affected me, I won't lie — I felt some comfort. Maybe I took advantage of it to get closer to Elena and express myself more. But now that it's gone, I returned to my cowardly self who doesn't dare to feel.
'Feelings are extremely painful, especially a feeling like love. I can't stop thinking about bad outcomes which prevents me from focusing on my present. Maybe I love Elena, but I wait. Maybe I wait until my love suffocates me to the point I confess.'
I thought as I looked at Elena beside me, and sadness filled her eyes .
I tightened my hand when I saw her in that sad state. I preferred to see her smile that banishes the darkness in my heart.
I turned my face and ate greedily, trying to forget everything.
'I'm truly a coward bastard.'
I thought with disgust at my behavior.
.....