The timer continued ticking above the sky.
James and Vinni were still speaking quietly between the two civilizations.
"…So your world had VR as the main competitive platform?" James asked.
Vinni nodded. "Full immersion rigs. Sensory feedback. Most combat-oriented players were already used to high-pressure environments."
"That explains your adaptability."
Before she could respond—
A system notification appeared in James' vision.
Not a public one.
A private one.
[Special Summon Exclusive Notification]
[Contracted Entity: Martis]
[Request: Permission to eliminate a target.]
[Approve / Deny]
James froze.
Eliminate?
Without thinking—
"NO."
His voice came out louder than intended.
Several nearby players from both universes turned their heads sharply.
Vinni blinked.
"…What?"
A few people frowned in annoyance.
"Keep it down." "What's wrong with him?"
James quickly sat down on the grass, pretending nothing happened.
"Sorry," he muttered awkwardly.
He lowered his gaze and focused inward.
System.
"If any of my summons attempt to perform an action classified as a 'bad deed'— especially mass killing or destabilizing behavior— you will notify me and request authorization."
There was a pause.
Then the system responded.
A new window unfolded in front of him.
[Summon Contract — Core Principles]
[1. Absolute obedience to the Summoner.]
[2. Protection of the Summoner takes highest operational priority.]
[3. If Principles 1 and 2 conflict, Principle 2 takes priority.]
James read it carefully.
Then another line formed at the bottom.
Slowly.
As if being written in real time.
[Special Exclusive Principle (Newly Added):]
[If Principle No.3 is activated but the perceived threat is determined non-critical, the Summoned Entity must request permission from the Summoner.]
[In this case, Principle No.1 regains absolute authority.]
James exhaled slowly.
Good.
That meant if Martis deemed something a "threat" to James and moved to eliminate it, but it wasn't immediate—
He needed permission.
James approved the new principle.
> Principle Confirmed
When he looked up—
Vinni was staring at him.
The kind of stare reserved for someone arguing with invisible beings.
"…Are you okay?" she asked carefully.
James coughed lightly. "Yeah. Just… adjusting settings."
She looked at him like someone watching a man celebrate winning a toy in a claw machine after screaming at it.
Concerned.
Confused.
Slightly impressed.
---
Far From the Crowd
On a distant hill—
Martis stared at the newly appeared system window.
His jaw tightened.
Sampon read it silently.
The new principle glowed faintly.
Martis' hand clenched.
He punched the air in front of him.
A violent gust of wind exploded outward, flattening grass for dozens of meters.
"Annoying."
Sampon glanced at him casually.
"Well… guess we can't kill it now."
Martis' red pupils shifted toward him sharply.
Sampon raised both hands defensively.
"I'm just saying. The contract updated."
Martis clicked his tongue in irritation.
He hated interference.
Especially when it restricted him.
Sampon smirked.
"Let's return before he starts adjusting more settings."
Martis glared at the sky once more.
The angel was still hovering.
Still smiling.
Martis turned away.
"…Fine."
Despite hating it—
He couldn't override the contract.
---
Back at the Midpoint
James noticed two familiar presences approaching.
Martis and Sampon reappeared beside him.
Vinni instinctively tensed.
Sampon smiled casually. "Hello."
James stood up.
"This is Vinni. She's from Odenha, the other earth on the other universe."
Vinni's eyes moved between them.
Sampon gave a slight bow. "Sampon."
Martis didn't bow.
"Martis."
Vinni nodded slowly.
James continued, "They're part of my clan."
Vinni looked interested. "Clan?"
James nodded.
"We have structure. Resource pooling. Skill synergy. Rune access. Stat optimization. Protection."
Sampon added casually, "And extremely good leadership."
Martis gave him a side glance.
Vinni crossed her arms slightly.
"…How do I join?"
James answered calmly.
"Requirements."
She waited.
"Trust affinity must reach a certain threshold."
"Is there another way?"
"You need a clan ticket."
She raised a brow. "And how do I get one?"
James smiled faintly.
"That depends."
The timer in the sky ticked down quietly.
Two universes.
One field.
A boss in less than a day.
And alliances were already forming.