The Tyrant’s First Contract
In that moment, a flame of unyielding defiance seemed to ignite within Leon’s heart.
He raised his head.
He locked eyes with Selena.
He spoke each word with deliberate clarity.
"I don’t need your money."
"And I will not apologize to your son."
"One day, I’ll make all of you high-and-mighty people bow your heads to me."
Selena was momentarily taken aback.
She hadn’t expected this seemingly weak and fragile youth to possess such backbone.
But then, an even more unrestrained mockery spread across her face.
"Ha ha ha!"
"How utterly ridiculous."
"Who do you think you are?"
"A talentless waste—and you dare spout such arrogant nonsense?"
"Let me tell you, you will *never* turn your life around!"
"With aptitude that low, you should just rot quietly in your corner."
"Stop embarrassing yourself out in public!"
*[Ding! Tyranny Value fully accumulated. Host may now forcibly initiate a soul contract with the target.]*
A wave of relief washed over Leon’s face.
A subtle smile curved at the corner of his mouth.
Selena had just delivered a torrent of insults and mockery.
She was the mother of a brainless antagonist.
She had filled the Tyranny Value to the brim.
In this world, monstrous beasts ran rampant.
Only by becoming a beast-soul master and contracting with a beast-girl could a man become strong.
Only then could he earn the respect of others.
*Since I’ve transmigrated to another world, wouldn’t I be letting down my identity as a transmigrator if I didn’t make something of myself?*
The soul contract.
The highest tier of beast-girl contracts in this world.
Once activated, it could not be unilaterally dissolved.
The beast-soul master would also be unable to contract any other beast-girls.
Unless one of the parties died.
Of course, that was the standard version of the soul contract.
The soul contract granted by Leon’s system was different.
It was a "One-Way Soul Contract."
Enhanced by the system.
Once signed, it could never be dissolved.
Moreover, it did not limit Leon from contracting multiple beast-girls.
If Leon died, all his beast-girls would wither and perish alongside him.
But if a beast-girl died, Leon would suffer no consequences whatsoever.
At the same time, Leon held absolute control over his beast-girls.
In short—once the soul contract was signed, it was equivalent to signing away one’s freedom.
*These are all tyrant women.*
*They don’t deserve sympathy!*
Once the contract was established, Leon would have complete dominion over her fate.
He could let her live.
Or he could make her wish she were dead.
"Selena, you think your mockery and insults can break me?"
"You’re wrong."
Leon slowly rose to his feet.
His tall, imposing figure made Selena involuntarily step back.
The overwhelming wave of masculine presence radiated from him.
"That so-called S-rank talent of yours?"
"In my eyes, it’s nothing more than mediocre."
"The humiliation you’ve dealt me today—I will repay it tenfold."
Selena’s expression shifted dramatically upon hearing those words.
She hadn’t expected this youth to speak with such defiance.
He had silently endured so much.
But then, a dismissive smirk reappeared on her face.
"What empty boasting!"
The martial exams were right around the corner.
Leon had tested as D-rank aptitude.
That rating was abysmally low.
Compared to her son, it was like the heavens versus the earth.
Worlds apart.
How did such a useless piece of trash have the nerve to say things like that?
"You think uttering a few harsh words changes anything?"
"Let me tell you, reality is cruel."
"You have no talent, no background—you are *nothing*!"
"Mud will always be mud."
"It’s only fit to be trampled underfoot!"
*SMACK!*
Leon’s palm connected with Selena’s face in a resounding slap.
No matter how powerful her beast-soul was.
In its inactive state, her body was only as strong as any ordinary woman’s.
That one slap sent her sprawling to the ground.
Selena was completely stunned.
She clutched her burning cheek.
Her eyes filled with utter disbelief and fury.
"You... you dare to hit me?!"
"Yes."
"And not only that."
"I’m going to form a contract with you."
"You will become my contracted beast-girl."
Leon stepped forward slowly.
Each footfall was deliberate.
He moved like a predator closing in.
Selena’s breath caught in her throat.
She pressed herself deeper into the corner.
But there was nowhere to run.
Leon crouched down beside her.
He was so close now.
She could feel the warmth radiating from his body.
He leaned in toward her neck.
His eyes closed briefly.
He inhaled deeply.
The scent of her perfume filled his senses.
Jasmine.
Mixed with something sweeter.
Her natural fragrance.
It was intoxicating.
"I wondered what you would smell like."
His voice was low.
Almost a whisper.
"All that elegance and cruelty."
He inhaled again.
"Turns out... you smell even better than I imagined."
Selena’s face burned red.
Her body trembled.
She tried to push him away.
But her hands wouldn’t move.
The contract was already taking hold.
Leon pulled back slightly.
He looked at her face.
At the dried blood on his own lip.
He reached up.
His fingers found the crusted wound.
He wiped it slowly.
The blood came off on his fingertips.
He looked at the red stain.
Then he smiled.
"This is the last time I bleed because of your family."
His voice was cold.
"The last time anyone from the Blackheart family lays a hand on me."
He wiped his fingers on his pants.
Then he turned back to Selena.
He leaned close again.
His face inches from hers.
He could see the fear in her purple eyes.
The hatred.
The confusion.
"Madam... you smell wonderful."