Nathan is scared.
He's realizing he can't win in this fight. The woman's movements are too quick. Just as fast as Nail.
'She's looking at me like I'm a treat waiting to be devoured!' Nathan quickly raised his guard and activated shadow movement to try to run away. At that moment, the woman said, "Stop." It was barely a whisper, but the commanding pressure it exerted on Nathan completely paralyzed him.
"I can't have you running away yet; you are useful." The woman said. She looked as if her face embodied Greed. "My name for now is Ash, how did you come about my cave…. Why aren't you answering my question?!…. Oh yeah. You may speak."
With that, Nathan was finally able to speak, but he had no clue what to say. 'I can't tell her that died in my world but got saved and put in the forest. SHE MIGHT EXPERIMENT ON ME!!' He had to think quickly. Finally, he came up with something. "I fled into the forest after being kidnapped and ended up at this cave. All while being chased after by the animals in the forest!" Ash didn't respond immediately; he just stood there, analyzing him.
"What race are you? I've never seen anybody like you." She looked at him with genuine curiosity.
'Why is this girl taking this situation like it's normal. I'm being kept hostage! And why is she asking him his race? Are there no humans in this world?! Nathan realized he really could be experimented on now. He's a new race entirely. He needed a cover-up for this. "We were a small race living in a remote part of the land, I don't know where it is on your maps. The slave traders killed everyone else except me since I was the only one not sick in my clan."
Ash secretly checks his stats, and since Nathan is in her domain, no matter what skill blocking skill you have, she can look at it freely. 'Wait, what?! Why can I only see his core stats?! I can't see his talents or traits. Maybe he has none, and he's weaker than a normal adult, except for his speed, which barely matches. Maybe their race is just inherently weaker.' Now time for her final question. "How did you use my authority of darkness without permission and in my domain at that, too?" Her tone was no longer as aloof as earlier, but darker and more sinister, shaking Nathan to the core.
'What does she mean by her authority? Isn't it an element anyone can get since I got it? Why do I need her permission? What is she talking about, the domain? To like this is her home, is it disrespectful to go into the shadows in someone else's home?' "I don't know, I felt this stinging in my head, and I was able to do it after escaping from the bunnies and wolves by hiding and running."
'Well, that explains his high speed stat, but how did he obtain the darkness element without me granting it to him? Wait… He's that guy?! I MUST MAKE HIM SIGN A CONTRACT WITH ME SO I CAN BE FREE!' "You are free." With that command, Nathan fell and started gasping, but never letting an eye off of Ash. "I'll let you know my real name now, be honored, few may never hear my name in a millennium. My name is Nott Hrimfaxi, the Spirit of Darkness."
Nathan caught his breath for a short second. 'That's why she was so curious about my dark element. Should I greet her a certain way? In my dad's game, you could pretty much say anything to regular npcs and get through their dialogue. The important NPCs, though, you had to talk to them a certain way. They were coded by AI and controlled their kingdoms, making them actual kingdoms. They also recognized the players' words. Some responses could even be said to activate a hidden quest. Let's try to greet her royally.' Nathan's choice was now decided, and he bent down on one knee. "I greet the Spirit of Darkness, Nott Hrimfaxi."
"Oh, someone with manners. Since I'm flattered, how about signing a contract with me, and I'll be bound to you, and I can even level up your darkness element and give you greater proficiency."
'I need him to take the contract quickly before he starts asking why I'm here, if I have to tell him I was imprisoned here by the High Mage Tower.'
THIS IS OP!! There's no way I say no, if I increase my element, maybe I could get another skill, and if my proficiency goes up, I could move faster in shadow movement!' "How do we sign a contract? Do you have one written out somewhere?"
"Why would a contract be written out? We do a magical contract. In y'all's village, did you not have people who could use magic?" Lott was baffled that Nathan could use the darkness element but not the most basic spell for contracts. 'Who trained this kid, or did he just do it instinctively for survival. If so, this is a rare talent, so not only will I be free from this cave, but I can also get stronger alongside him. "Anyways, it doesn't matter, I can always teach you once the contract is formed. I'll initiate the contract, and all you have to do is shake my hand."
Nathan hesitated slightly and drew a worried expression. 'Kinda seems like I'm making a deal with the devil. Well even if i must do it i must try to return to my world, there must be a way.' Nathan was already tired of the perils of this world, but knew this was the only way to get stronger for the upcoming challenges ahead. Nott chanted something under her breath, and a green magic circle appeared in her hand. She then extended it toward Nathan. 'No turning back now!' Nathan gave Nott a firm handshake back and sensation in is head, not the usual burning sensation but more like a hum, 'Seems like I'm getting used to the feeling of my status changing.'
Before Nathan could check his status, Nott giggled, drawing Nathan's attention, "Also, I hope you like using daggers! Hehe!"
Nathan immediately turned cold as stone, and in the next moment, he seemed boiling with rage. "I WANTED TO BE A FUCKING SWORDSMAN!"
Somewhere in a vast expanse of white, a powerful cackle could be heard booming through the expanse.