"Prove it!" said Sierra firmly.
She demanded that the couple demonstrate that they are really capable of helping her, and not just shaking the air with empty promises.
"Of course we can prove it," Arabel said confidently.
"System, is there a way to make a deal that ensures that neither side can break it?" — at this point, Idan remembered novels that described various contracts and agreements that could serve in such situations.
[Of course there is! In the "Trade" function, you can purchase three types of contracts: a blood contract, a soul contract, and a power contract for System points. In addition to one-time contracts, there is also a special ability, but due to level restrictions, it is not available in the "Trade" function.]
After receiving a response from the System, Idan immediately opened the "Trade" window. When he saw the value of the contracts, he immediately closed it.
"Ms. Sierra, do you have a contract?" asked Idan, deciding that if the System and they themselves did not have one, then it was worth paying attention to the other side.
Surprised that Idan had addressed her, Sierra's eyebrows went up.
Sierra looked at him and nodded her head.:
— There is a soul contract!
— Wonderful! Idan exclaimed with joy. — Let's conclude a contract, and then we can show how we can help you.
Sierra thought for a moment before agreeing.
Although the soul contract was difficult to obtain and its cost was considerable, for Sierra, who didn't have much time left, it wasn't a waste. She decided to take the opportunity to verify the truthfulness of the couple's words.
She took out a parchment from her spatial storage, which was a pendant, and placed it on the table.
"And what do you want in exchange?" she asked, getting straight to the point. If they offer a deal, it means they have something they want to get out of it. Before concluding an agreement, she wanted to know what demands both sides were making.
"It's simple—we're asking for protection," Arabel said.
Before Sierra could respond, she continued:
"You must know that the consciousness of this world is hunting us, and most likely one of these days we will face an ambush or something similar. We want you to help us and our elders if we can't handle this on our own."
"And more specifically?" Sierra was not satisfied with what she heard. She asked for more specific information.
"We don't know how many people will participate in this, but we are sure that they will. There will probably be locals among them, so we are not asking you to engage them in battle. We just need your help if the situation gets out of control. Can you help a few people escape without getting involved in the conflict?"
Sierra thought for a moment. If this couple can really help her solve the problem, then she won't have any difficulties.
"Yes, I can," she replied.
"I would also like to ask you for the of your blood essence," Arabel immediately moved on to the second requirement, having received consent for the first.
"My blood essence?" wondered Sierra, but then she narrowed her eyes. She immediately sensed something was amiss. "Why do you need it?"
"Of course, to help you with your problem. We need to analyze your blood essence, not your regular blood. After all, the blood essence contains your bloodline, which is what you're having trouble with," Arabel said without even blushing.
To some extent, she was telling the truth. They needed Sierra's blood essence to sell it for System points and buy potions that could temporarily solve her problems.
Seeing nothing unusual in her words, Sierra glanced at Idan and asked:
Idan mentally addressed the System with a question:
"And really, how much?"
[The more, the better, Host. The quantity depends on how high the value will be when selling.]
Arabel, exactly repeating the words of the System, turned to Sierra:
— The more, the better.
Sierra's eye twitched at what she heard.
"I can only provide one full vial," Sierra said, putting a small empty vial on the table.
"Will that be enough?" Arabel mentally asked the System.
[That will be more than enough], the System replied.
"Wonderful", Arabel thought happily, and then, glancing at Sierra, she nodded, "That's enough."
Hearing Arabel's words, Sierra breathed a sigh of relief. She could have provided more, but she was unwilling to do so.
The process of separating the blood essence was not only painful, but also caused unpleasant sensations. Although such an amount would not have seriously harmed her, if they had demanded even more, she would have added another vial, but no more.
Two vials was her limit. If she exceeded it, her life would be in danger.
After they decided on the requirements, they proceeded to conclude the soul contract.
It was the couple's first experience, and they were unaware of what a soul contract was.
[A soul contract is an agreement in which both parties are required to comply with the requirements set out in the contract. If one of the parties violates the terms of the contract, then her soul will be seriously damaged, and there is a small risk that this may lead to her death.]
The system briefly explained to the couple the essence of the soul contract.
Soul damage is a serious injury that requires special attention and effort to heal. There are a limited number of methods, especially if the injury was caused by a breach of contract. Even those who are able to help are not always ready to lend a helping hand to someone who has violated the contract.
The couple initially wanted to make additional demands, but then they decided not to be too greedy and limited themselves to what had already been offered.
They sought to establish friendly relations with Sierra, realizing that they could only partially alleviate her problems, but not completely solve them. It was also in Sierra's best interests to maintain good relations with them, which opened up new horizons for future cooperation.
Sierra formulated the terms of the contract that were beneficial to both sides.
For her part, she promised to help the couple and their elders if in the future they encounter an ambush set up by outsiders from other cities and local residents. Her goal was only to help them get out of this situation if they couldn't handle it on their own. In addition, she will provide the couple with one vial of her blood essence.
Idan and Arabel, for their part, agreed to help Sierra suppress the flaw in her bloodline, thereby prolonging her life. They made it clear that their method would not completely cure Sierra, but would only delay the inevitable by giving her more time to find ways to treat herself.
After carefully reading and confirming the correctness of all the conditions, both sides used their Soul Forces to conclude the Contract.
As soon as the three Soul Forces came into contact with the parchment, it shone and split into three equal parts, which flew into the bodies of each of the participants, completing the process of concluding the contract.