The system fairyâs smile widened slightly, a glimmer of hope sparking in her eyes.
[Thank you, Bai Lung. I know I donât deserve your forgiveness, but Iâm grateful that youâre willing to give me this chanceâ¦]
She reached out hesitantly, placing a hand on his arm.
[I promise, Iâll do everything in my power to regain your trust. Just tell me what I need to do, and Iâll do it. I wonât let you down againâ¦]
Bai Lung looked down at her hand on his shoulders, his expression unreadable. After a moment, he gently covered her hand with his own.
âVery well, system fairy. Iâll give you this chance, but know that itâs the last one. If you betray me again, I wonât be so forgiving,â
He squeezed her hand lightly, his eyes searching her face.
âNow then⦠Tell me, what is it that you truly want from me? What is your endgame here?â
The system fairyâs heart raced at his touch, a flutter of hope and trepidation coursing through her.
[Honestly, Bai Lung, I donât have an endgame. At least, not one that Iâm certain of.] she admitted, her voice soft.
[All I know is that I donât want to be alone, and that youâve becomeâ¦important to me, in a way I canât fully explainâ¦]
She squeezed his hand in return, her eyes pleading.
[I want to help you, to support you, to stand by your side. Not because I have to, but because Iâ¦care about you. I know itâs hard for you to believe but it is what it isâ¦]
Bai Lungâs expression softened slightly as he considered the system fairyâs words. Inwardly, he was weighing his options, calculating the best way to manipulate the situation to his advantage.
âI seeâ¦â he murmured, his thumb lightly caressing the back of her hand.
âIt seems we find ourselves in a ratherâ¦delicate position, wellâ
His gaze locked with hers, a glimmer of something akin to sympathy flickering in his eyes.
âYou say you care for me, that you wish to stand by my side. And I must admit, a part of meâ¦wants to believe you,â
He paused for cinematic, his free hand coming up to gently cup her cheek, into her tiny figure.
âBut how can I be sure you wonât betray me again? How can I trust that your words are genuine, and not just another ploy for your own survival?â
The system fairyâs soul caught in her throat at his touch, her eyes searching his face desperately.
[Bai Lung, I⦠I know Iâve given you no reason to trust me. But I swear to you, my words are real. I donât want to use you, I want to help you. Please, just give me a chance to prove it to you.]
Bai Lungâs lips curved into a faint, almost predatory smile.
âVery well, system fairy. Iâll give you this chance. But know that; One wrong move andâ¦â
Inwardly, he was already formulating a plan, a way to ensure the system fairyâs complete and utter loyalty.
She had proven herself to be valuable.
âNow then, letâs change the contractâ¦â Bai Lung said causing her small toy-like figure to shiver.
[O-Okey!] She was unable to refuse his words.
With that, a panel opened in front of both of them.
It was a system administrative panel, and also the holder of the contract.
The current contract;
Thy, The Constellation messenger system is entitled to 70% energy gained from Hostâs cultivation, and full authority to absorb the fortune flux of the slaughtered protagonist, if Host is ever to fail to uphold the contract or rebel against the system, the system is fully permitted to devour its host with no backlash however, the contract will be terminated if System and Host are separated from a long period of time.
Status: ( The contract can be voided )
â¦
Seeing such an absurd contract, Bai Lung couldnât help but laugh.
This is a contract? More like free labor under capitalism.
â¦
[ Ding! The contract has been terminatedâ¦]
[ Ding! Bai Lung is proposing a new contract⦠]
Two more windows popped up.
However, System Fairy was speechless seeing the new contract⦠It was so unfair for her.
His sinister smirk widens.
âAh, sweet system fairy⦠You truly believe you have convinced me, donât you?â he purred, his thumb tracing the delicate line of her jaw.
âBut you see, Iâve been two steps ahead of you all along. This âchanceâ you speak of? It was never about you earning back my trust, it was about luring you into my grasp⦠â
He leaned in closer, his breath ghosting across her cheek, her tiny toy-like figure trembling uncontrollably.
âYou are so desperate for my approval, that youâve played right into my hands. And now that I have you here, so utterly dependent on me⦠Of course, you are free to refuse my contract,â
His grip on her chin tightened ever so slightly, his eyes narrowing with dark, calculating intent.
The contract was unfair but Bai Lung had no care.
He was a slave before, now itâs her turn to be a slave.
âYou will do exactly as I say, wonât you? Because the alternative is your demise⦠â he said with his eyes glinting with menacing intent.
The system fairyâs eyes widened in dawning horror, her body going rigid with fear.
[N-No, Bai Lung, this canât be⦠You canât be serious!]
Bai Lungâs chuckle was low and sinister, sending a shiver down her spine.
âI am⦠I am dead serious,â Bai Lung uttered coldly.
The system fairyâs heart sank as she gazed up at Bai Lung, his words sending a chill down her spine. She knew she was trapped, utterly at his mercy.
[Please, Bai Lung, I beg youâ¦]
She pleaded, her voice trembling.
[Donât do this. There must be another way, a way for us to work together, as equalsâ¦]
She reached out tentatively, her small hand grasping the fabric of his sleeve.
[I know Iâve betrayed your trust, and Iâm willing to do whatever it takes to earn it back. But making me your slaveâ¦thatâs not the answer. Canât we find a compromise?]
Bai Lungâs eyes narrowed as he considered her words.
Work on equal? Tsk! What a joke.