Although Lin Guang had rescued her from those traffickers, on the land of Kazdel, only the most cunning, treacherous, and self-serving Sarkaz could survive.
And the fact that the girl was still alive was the best proof of her past.
A dangerous glint shone in her amber eyes, like a beast locking onto its prey, ready to strike at any moment.
The atmosphere turned cold in an instant, as if their earlier conversation had never happened.
Yet Lin Guang paid no attention to the hostility in her gaze. He simply shook his head.
"No."
He paused briefly, as if choosing his words.
"What I let you feel just now… was a slave contract."
"For most Spirit Masters and spirit beasts in this world, spirit beasts aren't treated as independent individuals," Lin Guang said, his tone steady but heavy, his gaze firm and sincere.
"To those Spirit Masters, spirit beasts are their most trusted companions—their other half. In importance, they can even surpass parents, children, or lovers."
The girl's gaze unconsciously drifted slightly to the left, landing on the two black-and-white photos hanging on the wall.
She quickly withdrew her eyes without a trace and asked, "Most?"
"Because they form slave contracts," Lin Guang replied calmly. "A spirit beast under a slave contract is completely brainwashed, reduced to nothing more than an extension of the Spirit Master."
"Studies show that after about a month, a contracted spirit beast would willingly give its life for its master—obeying without question."
"In other words, they lose part of themselves… or their soul. Their position shifts from partner to subordinate. And whether the spirit beast dies or the Spirit Master severs the bond, the cost is much lower."
Lin Guang explained everything in detail, his calm words peeling back the harsh reality hidden beneath this prosperous world.
He shook his head, a trace of helplessness in his eyes.
"This world isn't peaceful. Spirit Masters have no real choice if they want to fight against beast tides and demons. After all… the survival and continuation of one form of life often comes at the cost of another."
"Heh." The girl curled her lips, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "So I'm supposed to thank you for not using that on me? And what about that 'equal contract' you mentioned earlier?"
Lin Guang extended his hand once more.
This time, the light at his fingertips was pure—formless, without any symbol.
After glancing at him, the girl reached out again, quietly sensing the contract deep within her mind—her soul.
The equal contract carried a sacred and solemn presence. No one could doubt its nature.
"An equal contract may lack the advantages of a slave contract," Lin Guang continued, "but it doesn't require crushing the spirit beast's will. Without outside interference, its success rate is nearly five times higher."
"It also preserves the spirit beast's full potential, intelligence, and combat instincts."
He went on, "My 'Equal Contract Method' has reached the level of mastery. Not only is it much faster, but it causes no harm to the spirit beast. It can fully awaken their potential and mind."
"Five hundred years ago, when the first Spirit Masters repelled the demonic invasion, they relied on this very method—forming contracts with 'Divine Beasts.' At its core, it's just eight words: heart to heart, walking forward together."
The girl's expression softened slightly, though she still scoffed.
"You call it an equal contract, but I didn't even agree, and it still worked. And I can't undo it. Isn't that still forced?"
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Lin Guang's face, but he answered honestly:
"…Sorry. I got too excited back then."
"Excited?" She raised an eyebrow.
Lin Guang looked at her, his gaze earnest.
"My talent only activates when contracting so-called 'W beings.' It was that talent that led me to you."
"I don't believe in predetermined fate. But I won't deny the existence of chance."
"I don't know what kind of environment shaped you. I don't know what kind of life you want."
"But I can tell you what I want."
He stood up and extended his right hand toward her.
"This world is vast—far beyond anything I once imagined. I've always dreamed of exploring its beauty and wonders."
"But I know I can't do it alone. I might falter, feel fear, or lose heart. There are things I simply can't accomplish by myself."
"So I need you."
"I want a companion. A family member. Someone I can trust completely."
"And the only promise I can make is this—"
"I will do everything I can to explore this world: the heights of the sky, the depths of the earth, the vastness of the ocean. And I'll share everything I gain along the way."
"Through it all, we won't abandon each other. We won't betray each other—until the end of our journey, or our lives."
The girl slowly lifted her head, meeting his dark eyes.
She had seen countless skilled liars. She herself was an excellent actor.
But she had never seen a gaze like this.
A Sarkaz who had never known light could never fake something like that. What shone within his eyes was genuine longing—an earnest desire for the world.
Family…?
Becoming family with a Sarkaz?
He knew nothing about her, nothing about what Sarkaz truly meant—yet he made such promises so easily?
How enviably naïve…
At that moment, something twisted rose within her—something like jealousy, something like self-destructive malice.
What kind of expression would he make if he learned she carried an incurable, infectious disease—Oripathy?
She was… curious.
A dangerous smile curled at her lips as she raised her hand and lightly clasped his.
That made Lin Guang's smile grow even brighter—almost dazzling. As he cleaned up the dishes, he even began humming a tune.
What are you so happy about? I'm just waiting to see how this plays out.
The girl felt increasingly irritated—and she didn't even understand why.
Lin Guang, of course, had no idea what she was thinking.
But coincidentally, what he was thinking about was closely related.
Feeding only granted stardust the first time each day, but there were other ways to obtain it. At the beginning, it would take about four days to form a single Starlight.
Once all three core abilities were unlocked, there would be a chance to obtain, within the "Caretaker" skill tree, abilities capable of curing all kinds of illnesses.
He believed—
Even Oripathy would be no exception.