Rising Shadows: The Fight for Freedom I

Chapter 46: The Contract

The seductive voice continued to echo in Darn's mind, unceasingly, while the orcs before him glared intently, showing no intention of retreating. Caught between two choices, Darn felt it was better to remain within that invisible boundary. Even as his self-control waned and the allure grew stronger, he did not choose to approach the orcs, nor the certain death that awaited him.

Stepping outside would mean certain death, while staying meant uncertainty. Realizing that the two outcomes were fundamentally indistinguishable, Darn relaxed his grip, allowing the half-sword that had accompanied him through countless battles to fall to the grass.

Well, whatever! I'll just wait! Before I starve or die of thirst, let's see if that cursed sword can lure me closer! Or perhaps the orcs will be unable to resist and rush over, equally tempted by the sword?

With only ten steps separating him from the orcs, Darn sat down, gazing at the bloodthirsty faces before him. He felt none of the previous tension, anxiety, or hatred. After predicting his grim fate, Darn suddenly found peace, as if he were a man who had already died once.

Time passed slowly, the bleeding wounds gradually clotting and scabbing over, the pain he had inflicted upon himself diminishing. When another wave of temptation washed over him, Darn, now dazed, slowly stood up.

Should I give myself another punch? A little blood, and I won't be tempted... hmm, never mind, self-harm is a bit too cruel. After all, I'd only be paying with my life; why not let myself be a bit more comfortable?

With this thought, the last shred of clarity abandoned resistance, and Darn allowed his body to be guided by the enchanting voice, slowly walking back toward the sword. Behind him, the orcs' fierce expressions gradually faded, replaced by deep fear and reverence.

Step by step, Darn, in a daze, let his body move forward. Yet after just a few steps, a flash of white light appeared in the distance, catching Darn's attention and jolting him awake.

That light... is it coming from the hilt of that mysterious longsword!? Upon regaining his senses, Darn did not panic and retreat as before; instead, he focused intently on the shimmering sword, a contemplative expression crossing his face.

The eerie, seductive voice and the pure light that sanctifies the soul-both emanate from that sword. So, is it a sword of justice or a sword of evil?

In the limited time of clarity, Darn's mind raced, fixating on the ancient-looking longsword, attempting to analyze a conclusion regarding his fate.

Unfortunately, the brief moment was insufficient for Darn to reach any conclusions. When the voice filled with mysterious power once again clouded his vision, Darn slowly moved forward once more.

Perhaps because Darn had not seized the opportunity to escape, he found himself standing directly before the mysterious longsword this time. The white light that had previously awakened him did not appear again. Instead, as Darn's hand slowly reached out, inching closer to the hilt, a dark crystal embedded in the center of the hilt flickered with faint glimmers of light.

"Ah, you've finally arrived! Stop dawdling, you're acting like a coward!"

As Darn's fingers grasped the hilt of the longsword, the voice that had been enchanting him suddenly transformed, becoming loud and vibrant. An indescribable sensation surged through Darn's entire being.

In that instant, Darn snapped back to reality, suddenly feeling as if every inch of him was being scrutinized by a pair of eyes, and the owner of those eyes seemed quite dissatisfied and exceedingly critical!?

What is happening to me? What is going on? Darn anxiously looked at his right hand, the sword that had been embedded in the earth was now rising as he lifted his hand. Just as the sword was about to be completely freed from the ground, the voice echoed in Darn's mind once more.

"Lucky fellow, do you wish to wield the legendary Horgani sword, capable of tearing through space and possessing boundless power? Do you wish to become a peerless warrior, one whom even the gods regard with awe? Then sign this contract! By signing it, you shall become omnipotent, trampling everything in this world beneath your feet!"

Ah! The sword is speaking to me! It wants to... sign a contract with me!?

In an instant, countless tales and ballads flooded Darn's mind, each depicting the relationship between divine artifacts and mortals. Concepts of blood oaths and pacts emerged, stories of ordinary individuals transforming into heroes overnight quickened Darn's heartbeat, filling him with excitement.

Could it be that I've stumbled upon good fortune, sharing in the radiance of the Almighty!? Fixating on the sword he had named Horgani, Darn's gaze was devoid of unease or fear. The countless bones in the grass around him were selectively ignored.

Perhaps sensing Darn's exhilaration, a raucous laughter echoed in his mind, and a golden scroll materialized before his eyes, densely inscribed with incomprehensible text. Below the scroll, a quill floated serenely in Darn's thoughts.

For reasons unknown, Darn understood that the suddenly appearing scroll and quill existed solely in his mind. Strangely, these items, which should have been mere figments of imagination, appeared as vividly as if they were tangible, allowing Darn to perceive them clearly and even feel them with his thoughts!

Is this the scroll for forming a master-servant contract with the sword spirit? Gazing at the golden paper and white quill, Darn smiled with excitement.

"Kid, hurry up and sign! I can't wait to leave this place! You grant me freedom, and I grant you power! You're getting quite the bargain, aren't you?"

Listening to the laughter, Darn felt no offense at the spirit's arrogance; rather, it made perfect sense. Indeed! The spirit within the sword must be eager to leave the meadow and explore the world's wonders, which is why it would casually agree to a contract with me! Otherwise, with my mere fifth-tier fighting spirit...

Contemplating this self-evident explanation, Darn focused his thoughts, and the quill that existed solely in his mind began to move. Soon, the first letter of Darn's name appeared at the bottom of the scroll.

Pleased with his signature, Darn took great care with his penmanship, as this was a contract with a divine sword. He was meticulous and cautious as he wrote.

After gathering his emotions, Darn, who believed he was on the verge of becoming a world-shaking hero, prepared to write the second letter. However, just as he began to form the second letter, a long-absent flash of white light suddenly flickered before his eyes.

"Stop! Do not sign that evil contract! It is a pact with the devil!"

The unexpected voice interrupted Darn's signature, and the familiar sensation of purity enveloped him once more-warm, sincere, upright, and filled with love.

Whose voice is that!? For some reason, Darn instinctively trusted the newly emerged voice, and feelings of fear and dread began to swell within him. The scroll, which he had only partially signed, suddenly shattered into golden light, dissipating in his mind.

"Damn you, old fool! Damn you, Helius's lackey! I will kill you! I will tear you to pieces! I will ensure your soul can never find peace!"

Suddenly, another voice erupted in Darn's mind, while the hilt of the longsword in his hand transformed, the dark crystal swirling with ominous mist, resembling a greedy wolf or an enraged dragon, exuding a chilling pressure.

Yet amidst the oppressive and fearsome darkness within the crystal, there remained a small point of light that brought a sense of calm and tranquility. Though tiny, the black mist could not obscure the radiance of that light, and as Darn focused on it, the oppressive weight of the darkness seemed to lift significantly.