Chapter Ninety-Nine: The Pact

After reading the contents of the paper, the shop manager fell silent. It was an equality contract, simple in its terms: Mu Yang could take the shop manager to other worlds, and in return, the shop manager was obliged to stay by Mu Yang’s side and assist him whenever needed.

“If I refuse, and reveal that there’s more than one world, what will you do to me?” The shop manager remained silent for a moment after reading the contract, then asked.

“You won’t say anything. And even if you do, it won’t matter,” Mu Yang said with a smile.

“Mu Yang, besides me, can you take others through as well?” the shop manager inquired.

“As long as they sign the contract, yes. But not everyone can sign an equality contract. You’re the first to present one,” Mu Yang replied.

“May I see the contents of the other contracts?” the shop manager pressed on.

“Sure, but including the one you have, I only have three to show right now.” Mu Yang then produced the Master-Servant contract and the Slave contract.

The Master-Servant contract imposed no harsh restrictions, but the servant must obey the master’s commands—except for orders that would lead to suicide or the like. Otherwise, all commands must be followed, even... certain intimate requests. The contract automatically dissolves upon the servant’s death.

The Slave contract, however, was far more severe. Once signed, the master could command the slave to do anything, including suicide. Even after death, the slave’s soul remained bound to the master, still obligated to obey. Moreover, descendants born after signing the Slave contract would also be slaves to the master. For this reason, no one would willingly sign such a contract, and it cannot be forced—only the person’s own signature counts. Thus, the Slave contract was the least likely to be signed.

“If I forgo signing the equality contract and sign the Master-Servant contract instead, could you let my daughter sign the equality contract?” the shop manager asked Mu Yang.

“That’s possible. Give me a reason,” Mu Yang said, looking at the shop manager. In truth, even without the manager’s suggestion, Mu Yang had planned to have Takatsuki Izumi sign the equality contract. He had initially wanted the shop manager to sign the Master-Servant contract but feared refusal, hence offering the equality contract instead. The manager’s words now aligned perfectly with Mu Yang’s intentions.

“The reason? My heart has grown old; I’ve passed the stage of pursuing strength. But my daughter is still at the age of ambition. I want her to sign this equality contract because her aspirations should not be confined to such a small world,” the shop manager said with a smile.

“Understood. I will find Takatsuki Izumi,” Mu Yang said.

“Takatsuki Izumi?” the shop manager echoed.

“Yes, the author of The Black Goat’s Egg, and your daughter. I assume you’ve read that book,” Mu Yang explained.

“The Black Goat’s Egg... right, I should know it. Well, after you’re done dealing with the ghoul and the CCG, I’ll naturally sign the Master-Servant contract,” the shop manager chuckled, as if mocking himself.

“I understand. In a month, the curtain will fall. Until then, you must stay alive—not for me, but for your daughter.” Mu Yang looked at the shop manager, tore a piece from his own arm, and handed it to him.

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