After he spoke, silence settled between them.
The elf girl knew what was coming next. She agreed to it after all. Still, she couldn't help but be worried, even if it was just for a little bit.
Anxiously gripping the side of her gown with both her hands, she finally looked up at Ash.
Her eyes were dark and lifeless.
"Yes sir, I am ready."
[Target has agreed to form a contract.]
[You may now proceed with the Contract of Dominion.]
Ash didn't give much of a reaction to the announcement.
Slowly he stood to his feet, standing inches away from the girl.
Then soon after, he stretched his hand forward, summoning a red glowing magic circle right in front of him.
It was big enough to cover the entirety of his hand all the way to his lower body. At the same time, it was bright enough to draw anyone's attention if they were ever to walk past.
With time, the magic circle fully formed, the pulsing mana had grown more stable.
"Okay, place your hand on it." Ash instructed.
"H-hai."
The elf girl, though hesitant, did as she was told.
She pressed her small palm on the magic circle. Just as quickly, the red mana spread to her arm, her face etched with fear.
She tried to pull away, but her hand was glued to it, making it impossible for her to move until the ritual was done.
Over time, the girl discovered that Ash's body was covered in blue mana, while her entire body had been covered in red mana.
And then—
Shrrrk!
The magic circle shattered like glass on the ground.
[Congratulations on contracting your second slave.]
'That's all?'
Normally, he would need to tear off his thumb and add blood to the magic circle for the contract to work.
Thud!
Ash's attention deviated as he noticed the elf girl had collapsed to the ground.
Though he didn't panic, he could tell she was still breathing. It was a normal part of the process. It was basically the individual's body trying to adapt to the new change in the system.
Looking at her for a while, Ash once again could not help but notice the visible injuries on the girl's body. Just what the hell has she been through?
[Notice, the character Alice's stats has been updated.]
[The character Alice has gained a new skill.]
[The character Alice has gained a new skill.]
[The character Alice has gained a new skill.]
The spam in system alerts kept flowing; however, what Ash was waiting to see had not yet appeared.
[The character currently lacks a unique ability.]
[Plundering skill is currently unavailable.]
Ash's gaze narrowed.
'What?'
In truth, the only reason he contracted her was mainly because he was hoping to get a skill out of it, just like he did with the devil king.
Once he had done that, he was going to sever the link and set her free. His chances of surviving if a child was roaming about with him were slim. Taking a risk like that, especially when he hasn't grown in any way, was not part of his plan.
'So what was the damn point of turning her to my slave if I can't gain a skill from it?'
[Plundering will be available once the character gains a unique skill/trait.]
'And how can that be done?' he asked angrily.
[Characters undergo evolution through bond increment. Once a bond has been formed with your slave, options such as character evolution, upgrade and even plundering will be available.]
[Current bond level is 10.]
Ash placed one hand on his waist while pinching the bridge of his nose.
'Isn't this just perfect?' he uttered sarcastically.
Then, he looked at the elf girl.
Tsk!
…
The next day…
Last night, he had made a small tent using clothes from the adventurers he killed and some logs; it looked like he had woken up safely there with no worries.
Sigh.
'Damn this stupid dream. Why am I seeing her of all people? '
"Uhm, eh, ah, g-good morning, m-master…"
A weak voice suddenly echoed beside him.
Turning his head, he could see the elf girl, his new slave, right beside him.
She was kneeling on the side of the tent, her face purple with fear, with her fist clenched on her lap.
'How long has she been here? I couldn't even tell. Also, is it me or does she look different?'
Taking a closer look, ignoring how much she was shaking, he could see how her skin had slightly turned healthier than before. Most of the cuts adorning her skin had disappeared as well, not even the scar that was tainted at the side of her neck.
'Is this because of the slave contract? Or has her evolution already started?'
"I—I am so-orry, I should have gr-eated you sooner. Y-you were just deep in thoughts; I didn't know how to s-tart."
Her voice was barely audible, but one could still sense the fear just creeping inside her soul.
After staring at her for a while, Ash gave out a sigh.
Then he uttered, looking away from her.
"Look here, I don't know what you have been through or the kind of people you've surrounded yourself with. But if you're going to be around me, then you need to stop being so scared. I don't need you greeting me every morning or whatever." he paused.
"All I ask for is results, nothing more. I don't care about the rest. Is that understood?"
The elf girl's eyes widened in shock.
"I don't have to clean your sandals?" she asked.
"You don't." Ash turned his attention to her. "If I need something done, I'll ask you; I don't need you bugging me about it."
Not a word left her mouth right after.
Instead, she looked to the ground, too speechless to talk. It felt as though Ash was going to do something worse to her, and she could only sit there imagining possible outcomes.
Until his voice sprang up once more.
"Speaking of, what is your name?"
She raised her head. "I don't have a name. M-master."
"What is with you people and not having names? Are you all messing with me?"
"N-no, Master, I really don't." The elf girl raised her hand, as though expecting a punch from him. "I don't remember what my name is, only my trade number, 090."
'Trade number? She doesn't remember her name, but the system brought her name to me. What a bother.' Ash threw his gaze to the front.
"In that case, I'll give you a temporary one till you remember what your original is. Let's see, right, your name will be Aisha."
As she received her name, her eyes sparkled.
"A-Aisha?"
[Your bond has increased by 20.]
'Eh? I didn't do anything, though...'
[A new feature has been unlocked for Aisha.]
[Would you like to activate Bond link?]
...
[A/N]
You've read this far; if you like the story, please don't forget to add to your library and send some powerstones for support. Thank you.