"Those great families would never permit such a power to remain in the hands of someone they couldn’t control. They would first attempt to recruit you. If you refused, they would imprison you, study you, and perhaps even..."
She did not finish her sentence.
However, they both understood what she meant.
The world of Hunters had never been as bright as the news portrayed it.
After Spatial Gates appeared, humanity had indeed relied on the strength of Hunters to resist the invasions of magical beasts. However, along with that power came an even crueler class hierarchy than had existed before. To maintain their positions, the Hunter families controlling high-level Spatial Gates and enormous quantities of resources were capable of almost anything.
In their eyes, a person capable of continuously producing enhancement resources was not a human being.
He was a mine that could be endlessly exploited.
"That is why no one can ever learn about this."
Asher looked at Irene.
Irene met his gaze briefly before nodding without hesitation.
"I won’t tell anyone."
[The target has voluntarily promised to keep the secret.]
[The target’s affection has increased.]
[Current affection: 76.]
[The target’s initial dependency level: 8.]
[Notice: The Secret Essence’s strengthening effects have begun taking effect. The target’s dependency level will gradually increase with the number of times it is absorbed.]
Asher’s gaze sharpened slightly when he saw the final notification.
’What does dependency level mean?’
[The target’s degree of physical and magical dependency on the Secret Essence.]
[As the dependency level increases, the target will gradually begin craving the Host’s Life Essence again.]
’Can it be eliminated?’
[Yes.]
[If contact ceases, the dependency level will gradually decrease over time. However, the physical enhancements and skill evolution already obtained will not disappear.]
This answer allowed Asher to relax slightly.
At the very least, Irene would not completely lose herself because of a single encounter.
What he needed were powerful companions capable of helping him establish his own faction, not a group of puppets incapable of thinking normally who knew only how to surround him and fight over his Secret Essence.
"However, a verbal promise alone isn’t enough."
Asher spoke slowly.
Irene froze briefly.
"You don’t trust me?"
"I trust the person you are now."
Asher did not abandon the necessary caution merely because of the relationship they had just established.
"However, when people face sufficient pressure, the choices they make are often different from the ones they would normally make. If the Hunter Association or some great family notices your abnormalities and threatens your life to force you to reveal the reason for your advancement, I cannot be certain how long you would endure."
Irene fell silent.
She could not refute him.
She was currently only a newly advanced C-Rank Hunter. Although she might already be sufficiently powerful in the eyes of ordinary people, she had no ability to resist the Hunter families that truly controlled power.
"Then what are you planning to do?"
"Sign a mana contract."
This answer was not something Asher had invented on the spot.
According to the original Asher’s memories, mana contracts were the most commonly used method of restraint between Hunters. As long as both parties voluntarily infused their mana into the contract and wrote down the specific terms, the contract would immediately produce a backlash if either party deliberately violated them.
However, mana contracts were not absolutely impossible to break.
As long as someone possessed sufficient strength or a special purification relic, the contract could still be forcibly removed. Therefore, truly intelligent people never placed all their hopes in a single piece of paper.
However, for the current Asher, it was already the most suitable choice.
Irene did not hesitate for long.
"Fine."
She removed a black scroll from the combat backpack on the floor, bit the tip of her finger, and allowed a drop of blood to fall onto its center.
Complicated silver patterns rapidly illuminated.
"I happen to carry a low-level mana contract whenever I’m carrying out missions."
Irene placed the scroll on the table.
"You can write the terms."
Asher picked up the contract pen. He did not add excessive terms involving enslavement or absolute obedience. Instead, he wrote only several basic requirements onto the scroll.
Without Asher’s permission, Irene could not voluntarily reveal his constitution, the Secret Essence, or anything that had happened that night to anyone.
If Asher encountered danger connected to this secret, Irene would provide assistance within the limits of her abilities.
In exchange, Asher would help Irene increase her strength and, once he possessed sufficient power in the future, provide her with corresponding protection and resources.
Irene carefully read every term.
"That’s all?"
"That’s all for now."
"You aren’t going to demand that I obey you forever?"
Asher raised his head and glanced at her.
"What I need is a companion, not a slave."
Irene’s gaze fluctuated slightly.
Several seconds later, she infused her mana into the scroll.
Asher reached out his hand as well.
Their mana entered the contract simultaneously. The silver words on the scroll rapidly ignited before transforming into two tiny streams of light that entered their bodies separately.
The contract was established.
Almost at the same moment, a System notification appeared before Asher.
[The Host has used the Secret Essence to obtain a tangible benefit for the first time.]
[Hidden Mission triggered.]
[Mission name: I Never Give for Free.]
[Mission requirement: Enter into a fair contract of mutual benefit with one adult target.]
[Mission completed.]
[Reward obtained: 200 Lust Points.]
[Current Lust Points: 300.]
[System Store browsing access unlocked.]
Asher’s eyebrows rose slightly.
He had merely been trying to ensure that his secret would not be exposed, yet he had unexpectedly completed a hidden mission.
Judging by the mission’s name, however, the System seemed to strongly encourage him to exchange the Secret Essence for benefits. It apparently did not want him helping anyone without receiving anything in return.
’Open the Store.’
Asher spoke inwardly.
This time, the System did not refuse him on the grounds that poor people lacked browsing privileges.
The pale pink screen rapidly unfolded, and numerous items appeared before him.