"One year is too little," Nate muttered, shaking his head.
There was nothing to salvage, 85% of Earth's population would be gone.
"I demand three," he said, praying for Mundus' acceptance.
It would be a perfect opportunity to counterattack around the Grace Period before the war.
"This is no charity. You must pay accordingly." Mundus blinked, then spoke.
He wondered what Nate had to offer in return for his service.
Nate thought for a few seconds, then responded: "Your target can't be Infernum, nor Earth. Am I correct?"
It seemed unreasonable for Mundus to offer him such an opportunity if what he needed could be easily taken.
Both Infernum and Earth were insignificant in the creature's eyes.
His words shocked Mundus, if only slightly.
Mundus smiled faintly, nodding in approval.
"You're after the system creators. Just like me," Nate continued, believing his hatred was what piqued Mundus' interest.
Mundus froze, staring at Nate intently.
"I am. Your victory against Magnus would crown you a new champion, allowing you one precious wish." Suddenly, he spoke, waving his hand.
"You want to use me, correct? But it would be impossible with only one year," Nate replied. "Three years. Answers. Power. But I won't demand it all now," he added calmly.
Mundus grinned. Nate was incredibly bold for a human.
But he couldn't let go, he needed to locate his prey.
"The court never reveals itself to the world, but you can visit it easily using your wish."
Nate smiled, asking confidently: "What is the court?"
"Unfortunately, I've agreed to abide by certain rules... I can't answer your question truthfully."
Nate smiled again, appreciating Mundus's rare honesty. He saw it as a pillar to support their business relationship.
"Never mind them. Tell me about you," he said, assuming there couldn't be any rules preventing that.
Nate was deeply interested...
'Why would Mundus antagonize the court?' he thought.
"I'm god—" Mundus smiled, claiming something odd.
Nate shook his head, feeling unconvinced.
"You're not even close. A god shouldn't be this... ominous?"
"Intriguing and wise observation, I must say! But.. it doesn't matter what I am," Mundus replied with a smile. "What matters is that I offer you three questions now, and two every time you advance your class. As for power, how about becoming my apostle?"
Nate held his chin, thinking. Advancement occurred once at level seventy, granting him five questions in total...
As for becoming an apostle, he had no idea what it meant.
"Pardon me, but that means you grant me two extra answers. Nothing else, no?" he asked, unsure.
"That's incorrect. All creatures may advance up to three times," Mundus clarified.
"Then one last inquiry... what's an apostle? And what's the benefit of becoming one?" Nate asked, ensuring he wasn't getting tricked.
"First, you gain a fraction of my essence, allowing you to ascend past your limits. Let's say it grants you the opportunity to become a god, like me.
Second, the system won't undermine you. Hidden advancement paths will unlock automatically, and some class limitations will be removed.
Finally, once you reincarnate, you'll retain all your memories. You know how valuable that is.
But heed my warning, everything will reset. You'll start from the very beginning."
Nate exhaled deeply, weighing the offer.
His heart pounded with a surge of excitement.
'Keeping my memories? That alone might be worth the risk…'
But removing his limitations? He never imagined that. Let alone becoming a god...
He doubted Mundus' offer. Nothing like that came without a price.
It felt too good to be true.
'If I could do that, then dealing with the creators wouldn't be out of reach…'
Even though he didn't know who—or what—they were.
But one thing was certain: he believed they were related to the system's creators.
'If they didn't make up the court itself, that is... but can I trust him?!'
He clenched the armrest nervously, his eyes flickering toward Mundus, searching for any signs of deceit.
Mundus grinned internally, hearing Nate's thoughts.
That flicker of doubt was precious.
Everything was going in a great direction, with Nate figuring things out without breaking any rules.
"Amazing... Your last thought is correct!" Mundus exclaimed, smiling gently.
His tone was soft—unusually soft. Assuring, almost human.
It made Nate's pulse quicken again. A mix of hope, fear, and determination all tangled together.
This deal could change everything. But the price was still unknown.
And yet, he was already thinking about how to use it.
"Your fears and doubts are warranted, and you may reject my offer. But I shall warn you...
Disagree, and the underworld will consume your world, and the court will claim your souls.
You will become monsters, serving as experience for the next world, Infernum invades.
A second chance like this will become impossible.
However, everything has a price.
If you accept, those related to you shall become my servants if you fail.
Not the best fate, but far better than becoming a monster. Don't you agree?"
Nate's jaw tightened. He wasn't a naive child. He saw the trap in every word.
But so what? It was slim, but a crack in the cage that restrained humanity.
A chance to flip the table.
Power beyond comprehension. Memories retained. Limits removed.
The alternative? Repeated slaughter. Rebirth as monsters.
A doomed Earth all over again.
He couldn't let that happen, not after being given this opportunity.
His eyes met Mundus's, full of suspicion.
"I accept," Nate said, mustering his courage. "But I require equality. A way to ensure you won't betray me, or my kind."
Mundus' grin widened. Not with mockery, but satisfaction.
He believed Nate was a reliable partner.
A dependable one!
"As expected... bold and wary," Mundus said, pulling a piece of paper from the suitcase."You shall write your terms, and I shall write mine. If either of us betrays the other, we both perish."
"A contract... How nice!" Nate smiled, approving of the method.
The air thickened as Mundus wrote his terms in detail before handing Nate the contract.
Nate reviewed it carefully, ensuring Mundus wasn't tricking him.
Once satisfied, he wrote his terms as previously agreed.
Finally, both soul signatures gleamed on the contract's surface like burning embers—intertwining their fates.