5: Ep.
3 – The Contract (I) 5: Ep.
3 – The Contract (I) I woke up to a bright light.
Not sunlight, that was clear.
My curtains were drawn, and besides, it was 4 PM on a January afternoon—the sun had almost entirely set already.
What woke me up was the System notification hovering above me, giving me a hell of a fright.
_ [System Notification: User Ryo: Contract Offer Available Partner: Llewellyn Objective: Ensure Partner’s Continued Survival Terms: Binding upon acceptance.] _ I stared at it.
Was I hallucinating?
Was this some weird aftereffect of whatever the hell had happened yesterday?
My muscles still ached, though.
Maybe I wasn’t hallucinating, maybe I was just dreaming.
I pinched myself.
“Ouch!” …Fuck.
Not dreaming, then.
I bolted upright and reread the notification again, heartbeat kicking up.
[Partner: Llewellyn Objective: Ensure Partner’s Continued Survival] Goosebumps erupted all over my body.
I swiped the notification away before I could be tempted into accepting; but it reappeared immediately, crisp and unbothered.
[Reminder: Contract Offer Pending.] For some reason, the System seemed to want to partner me with Llewellyn, thinking, supposedly, that I was the best person to keep him alive.
If last night had not happened, I would have thought this must be a prank.
As it was, I could just stare in disbelief.
I was in no condition to guarantee anyone’s survival, let alone Llewellyn’s, who charged into fights every five minutes without sparing a thought for his own safety.
Besides, I’d scrambled to salvage my shift after yesterday’s Distorted Realm, and it hadn’t been fun.
There was a reason we worked full eight-hour shifts—monitoring Llewellyn’s pages took time.
You couldn’t cover them in a couple of hours.
I’d been lucky Altan had the next shift and I could ask him to do a backcheck, but if this kept happening, it’d be a problem.
I needed my job.
I exhaled.
Magic swirled inside me, making my whole body vibrate.
The sensation had not vanished after the fight and it kept me on edge.
“Details.” Another window appeared.
_ [Contract Summary Role: Tactical Support, Sub-DPS Specialization: Elemental Insight and Thread Analysis Primary Objective: Prevent Partner’s Death Secondary Objective: Assist in Knot Resolutions Compensation: System-enhanced abilities, full living expenses coverage, hazard pay, and increased survivability.] _ Wait, it came with payment?
However, increased survivability seemed like such an obvious lie, considering that accepting this offer would throw me directly into Knot sites, that I was inclined to disbelieve the rest too.
Everything else aside, the primary objective was preventing Llewellyn’s death, like that was a normal thing to ask someone who barely survived the VR rooms at the local Elemental Café without serious physical injury.
There was a reason why I never even played in co-op.
I should’ve felt flattered or terrified, and maybe I was a bit of both—but mostly I just felt awake.
Like, really, fully awake.
I rubbed my face.
“Isn’t there someone more qualified?” The System responded immediately.
[Assessment: User Ryo has demonstrated consistent behavioral patterns aligned with Partner’s optimal survival outcomes.] That meant nothing.
“What patterns?” [Long-term data indicates User’s unwavering defense of Partner in online environments, proactive mitigation of threats, and instinctive prioritization of Partner’s wellbeing.] I blinked.
“You mean… moderating comments?” [Data also includes User’s independent actions from personal accounts, reflecting voluntary engagement in Partner-related defense.] I shut my mouth.
That… Why did the System know about my personal accounts?!
I looked at the floating text, then let my head fall back against the pillow with a thunk.
I stared at the ceiling—hoping if I stayed still long enough, the System would get bored and leave, sparing me the burden of the choice.
It didn’t.
The notification pulsed softly.
I groaned, rolling onto my side, and the notification hovered back a little, to keep in my eyesight.
“Is this optional?” [Clarification: Contract acceptance is voluntary.] A breath of relief slipped out.
[However, refusal will result in increased risk to Partner’s survival.] I frowned.
“That sounds like a threat.” [Statement of statistical correlation, not a threat.] That basically meant, If you don’t accept, Llewellyn’s probably going to die.
I glanced at the clock.
Already 4:12 PM.
I was supposed to visit Gran today.
I swung my legs over the side of the bed.
My muscles protested—a clear preview of what my life was going to be like if I accepted this offer.
“Let’s pretend for a second that this isn’t insane.
What exactly do I have to do?” [Primary tasks include: risk assessment, environmental analysis, real-time support during Knot engagements, and direct intervention when necessary.] “…Meaning?” [Further elaboration: Do what you did yesterday, but more efficiently.] I squinted at the glowing text.
“You mean, panic and hope Llewellyn doesn’t kill me for being in the way?” [System Analysis: Your panic yielded optimal outcomes.] I snorted.
“Very reassuring.” The notification just hovered.
I stood up, wincing as I stretched, and walked toward the kitchen to make coffee.
The contract window trailed behind me.
I glanced at it again.
“Full living expenses coverage,” I read aloud.
“What does that entail, exactly?” [Clarification: The System will cover all living costs upon request, including housing, utilities, transportation, food, and healthcare.] Well, that’s… I blinked.
“So… I don’t have to pay rent anymore?” [Correct.] That was… very tempting.
“Bills?” [Bills are also covered.] I set the pack of ground coffee down, fingers tapping the counter.
No more overtime shifts?
Possible life upgrades?
“And I would work with Llewellyn directly.
Right?” [Affirmative.] Well.
I turned back to the counter.
“What if I buy a new mattress?” [Clarification: All living expenses are covered.] That was… Huh.
“Does that include entertainment?
Eating out?
Elemental Cafés?” [Affirmative.] “And if I die?” [Compensation extends to next of kin.] …Well.
Gran could use a bigger room with a better view.
She’d roast me if I got myself killed over a contract, though.
Coffee dripped into the mug.
I inhaled the steam.
“What’s the survival rate?” [Probability of lethal outcome for User Ryo: 28.3% in first year.] “Wait… Only 28%?” [Higher than baseline, lower than Partner’s current 67%.
Support role reduces Partner’s risk by—] Sixty-seven percent?!
I stared in shock.
Llewellyn?
“Fine.” I swallowed half the scalding coffee.
“Any penalties if I back out later?” [Contract dissolution permitted with 30-day notice.] Another notification.
[Transfer advance funds as gesture of goodwill?] A number blinked.
Enough to cover Gran’s next ten months.
My mouth went dry.
“…You fight dirty.” [Gratitude is unnecessary.] My phone buzzed—my calendar reminder.
Gran’s 6 PM.
visit.
Right.
I needed a shower first.
I thought for a second as I sipped my coffee.
What if I quit my job and then the System decided that I wasn’t good enough?!
I needed to get as much out of this as possible.
“I want 5,000 Oryang deposited into my account every month too.
On top of everything you already offered.” A brief pause.
[Request acknowledged.
Additional monthly compensation of 5,000 Oryang will be provided.] Wait… Just like that?
I was expecting more of a negotiation.
Maybe the System was really desperate.
Should I just quit my job then?
But then I wouldn’t have access to anything anymore.
Unless… I rubbed the back of my neck.
“I also want a setup like I have at work.
Full access.
Same tools.” [Request acknowledged.
System will integrate required monitoring tools into User’s interface for optimal Partner’s protection.] Well… I stared at the notification, then down at my worn-out socks.
Rent-free living, hazard pay, the same monitoring tools I had at work, and a salary I could’ve only dreamed of.
Only for a 28.3% chance to die in the first year.
And a 67% chance Llewellyn would, if I didn’t accept.
“I’m taking a shower,” I told the System.
“Let me think.” [Understood.] *** The hot water did nothing to clear my mind.
My body still felt charged, too.
Was this energy just going to keep coursing through?!
Did I have to get used to this now?
Every nerve buzzed.
Just below my sternum, I could still feel the phantom itch of last night’s Knot.
Steam fogged the bathroom mirror as I toweled off.
Back in my bedroom, I pulled on a clean hoodie and paused, staring at the faint reflection of the System notification still hovering in the doorway like it was standing guard.
“Still here?” [Affirmative.] “Seriously, what do you even need me for?
Llewellyn can handle himself better than anyone else.” [Partner’s survival probability decreases significantly without external tactical support.
Current combat efficacy is optimal, but strategic vulnerabilities remain.] “Strategic vulnerabilities,” I repeated, snorting.
“You mean he’s bad at teamwork?” [Clarification: Partner exhibits tendencies toward operational self-reliance, leading to elevated exposure during high-risk scenarios.] “So… yes.” I sat down on my bed.
“But there has to be someone with actual training.
What would I even do?
Yesterday, I barely managed not to die.
Is it just because of the Threads?” [Strength and Thread Perception are not the primary criteria.
User Ryo demonstrates compatibility in pattern recognition, situational adaptability, and instinctive prioritization of Partner’s wellbeing.] I scrubbed a hand through my damp hair, bracing.
“What happens if I say no?” [Partner’s probability of fatal outcome increases by 42% compared to supported projection.
User’s likelihood of future re-involvement remains high due to pre-existing experience.] I blinked.
“Future re-involvement?
Pre-existing experience?” What?
[Clarification: User Ryo’s behavioral patterns indicate a sustained, emotionally-driven fixation on Partner Llewellyn, frequently resulting in spontaneous defense.
User’s online defensive actions were evaluated and classified as combat experience.] “…” You’ve got to be kidding me.
“So even if I say no, you’ll probably just drag me back into this anyway?” [Correct.
However, voluntary participation maximizes strategic advantages—and is remunerated.] Well.
“What if I get a lawyer?” That was a pointless question because I could not afford a lawyer, but I felt like I had to ask.
[Legal representation does not affect System protocols.] “So you’re saying there’s no legal loophole?” [Correct.
System operations are not subject to human legal frameworks.] Not even a chance to threaten it with paperwork.
“What if I fake my own death?” [Ineffective.
System tracking remains active post-mortem.] I paused.
“Post-mortem?” [Clarification: In the event of actual death, System tracking will be deactivated.
However, this outcome is not recommended.] “Yeah, no kidding.” I stood up, grabbing my keys.
The notification pulsed softly, waiting.
“We’re not done,” I said, shoving the keys into my pocket and walking toward the front door.
“But I’ve got a train to catch.” [Understood.
Contract offer remains pending.] “Don’t wait up.” The door clicked shut behind me.