She appeared without warning.
No footsteps.
No pressure.
Just… there.
Leaning against a lamppost across the street.
The same woman.
Same coat.
Same calm eyes.
---
"…You really don't knock," I muttered.
She smiled.
"I don't have to."
Fair.
---
> [Alert: Unknown-Class Entity Nearby.]
Thanks, system. I noticed.
---
"You stabilized your core," she said, glancing at the air around me.
"Imperfect, but impressive."
"I didn't ask for help."
"And yet, you lived."
That shut me up.
---
She crossed her arms.
"Names are troublesome, so just call me Mira."
"Rei," I replied automatically.
She raised an eyebrow.
"…Bold. Most spirits don't volunteer their names."
"Most spirits didn't have a system."
> [No comment.]
---
Mira looked amused.
"Good. That makes things simple."
"…Simple for who?"
"For me."
I didn't like that answer.
---
"You owe me," she said calmly.
"Interference during core formation has a price."
"Figures."
---
She lifted one finger.
"Three favors."
Not now.
Not specific.
Not negotiable.
Just… future.
---
"…And if I refuse?"
She shrugged.
"Then I tell the hunters where a newborn spirit with a system is hiding."
---
I stared at her.
Then sighed.
"…You drive a hard bargain."
---
> [Forced Contract Detected.]
[Evaluation: Non-lethal. Binding.]
"Of course it is."
---
The air tightened briefly.
Then released.
---
> [Contract Established.]
— Debt of Three Favors (Mira)
---
Mira smiled again.
Satisfied.
"Grow stronger," she said, turning away.
"I don't like fragile assets."
"…You're terrible."
"I know."
She vanished.
Just like that.
---
> [New Status Effect:]
— Contract-Bound (Minor)
I floated there.
Staring at where she'd been.
"…I'm collecting enemies faster than levels."
> [Observation: Accurate.]
---
The city buzzed beneath me.
Hunters above.
Debts below.
And a system that never explained anything.
---
"…Guess I better get moving."
---