Death... and me

One didn't need to be a genius to guess what that contract meant. "So, this thing can force one to abide by the rules that have been agreed upon?"

Fabio nodded in response. "Pretty much. There are many side effects that can be chosen for those who break the contract. It ranges from having one's cultivation crippled to instant death. It all depends on the terms of the contract itself."

Naturally, neither Rean nor Roan liked the idea of signing such a thing at all. However, it was then that Sister Orb's voice echoed in their minds, telling them. [You can sign it if you want. The system can intervene during the soul binding process and make it look like you really did sign it. After that, you would be free to do whatever you want.]

Rean and Roan had to admit it was a very good perk from the system. However, it made sense as they knew that their souls were protected by the system to start with. It wouldn't make sense if they were bound by some contract with the system in place.

"Let's hear a bit more about this Soul Binding Contract. What exactly would be our duties if we sign it?" Roan asked.

Fabio was happy that they didn't seem to reject it straight away, going ahead and explaining the various clauses he had in mind. "Don't worry, I don't plan to do something like ask you two to die if you don't abide by the contract. However, I'll have the contract put a seal on your cultivations if you break it, having to need to come to me to allow it to be lifted."

Hearing Fabio's words, Rean understood. "So, we wouldn't be able to cultivate, but we wouldn't become cripples either. In that case, we still could regain the ability to cultivate back as long as we see you and make some other deal."

"Exactly!" Fabio nodded before continuing, "As for what you'll have to do, it is to help me in case I need your help in the future. As I mentioned, I like talents, especially because I don't have it myself. With that said, I'm sure a lot of you are bound to turn into some great cultivators as long as you have the opportunity to do so. That's why I want to have you two as my own trump cards for when the time comes. Just so you know, the number of people I made this offer with since I started to do it hasn't gone over five yet."

Rean and Roan pondered over it. In the end, it would all depend on what kind of help he wanted in the future. Of course, they knew that they wouldn't need to be really bound as they had the system. Still, they weren't the type to not pay a favor.

Roan then asked something else, "What if we don't know you need our help? Will the contract activate?"

Fabio shook his head in response. "If I don't find a way to contact you two, then there's no way I can ask for help. I'll leave one of my Thoughts Transmission Talismans with you. Its pair, which will stay with me, can send a thought through hundreds of regions of distance. I don't think you will move so far that it can't reach you. If you do, then I can only tell myself that I'm unlucky."

Rean and Roan didn't see an issue with it. Even they didn't know how long they'd stay in Yukirrom Region, let alone head to the other regions.

Rean had one doubt, though. "Very well. However, aren't you afraid that we will just throw the talisman away? That way, we wouldn't have a way to know if you need help or not."

The one to answer that question wasn't Fabio but Roan instead. "Naive as always. If you throw the talisman away, it'll be the same as telling him that you refuse to help. Fabio wouldn't even need to wait for the day he needs help. The Soul Binding Contract would most likely activate straight away."

Fabio nodded with a smile as he told Rean, "Your brother is right." Soon after, he made the question again. "So, how about it? I can't tell you what I need help with since even I don't know what it could possibly be in the future. In any case, I don't think it's a bad deal."

In the end, the twins nodded in agreement. They simply made their minds up that if Fabio asked for help regarding something they could really help in, then they would do so. If he asked for something ridiculous, then they would ignore it. "Very well, we will take this deal. As for what we want, it is information."

Fabio pointed at the token he had given the twins back in the assembly after hearing that. "All you need to do is show this token in one of the big cities of the kingdom. Just head to one of the Royal Family Offices located in those places, and their member will do everything we agreed before. Of course, if you ask for information about something delicate regarding our Kamos Kingdom, that wouldn't be possible."

Rean shook his head after hearing that, telling Fabio, "We have no interest in the Kamos Kingdom or the Royal Family's affairs. That much we can guarantee you."

Fabio then took three pieces of black paper from his spatial ring. That was obviously the Soul Binding Contracts. "Make sure you read everything carefully. These Soul Binding Contracts are very expensive, so I don't want to have to use another one if possible." Soon after, he made a cut on his finger and began to write many things down. Rean and Roan, obviously, watched it closely. Fabio stated exactly the conditions he had agreed with them, no more, no less.

After reviewing it a few more times, the twins nodded. "That's perfect. So, what should we do now?"

"Just cut your finger and let a drop fall on the bottom. The contract will take it and burn the terms on both yours and my mind. We will have to follow the rules set for both of us from here onwards," Fabio explained.

Rean and Roan nodded and did as Fabio told them. As soon as their blood touched the contract...

*Ping!*

[Detected danger to hosts' souls. Deploying Soul Dummy.]