Chapter Forty-Five: The Magical Pact

Hao Ren was in no hurry to return to "Hawaii"; instead, he wandered along the street with Saeko.

"Master, did I do something wrong?" Saeko asked, her tone uncertain—this was the first time she had witnessed Hao Ren's violent side.

Hao Ren shook his head.

"You all are what's most important to me. What happens to others, what does it matter to me?" Hao Ren stroked Saeko's hair, his face unusually gentle. "Anyone who tries to harm you becomes my enemy."

"Master's possessiveness is really strong. Are you planning to keep all of us for yourself?" Saeko chuckled softly, leaning into his embrace.

"I'm a man, after all." With Saeko's teasing, Hao Ren's expression grew a little awkward.

"My master can't be such a timid man," Saeko teased, laughing coquettishly.

"Am I someone worthy of your trust? No—even if you don't agree, I'll bind you all to my side!" Hao Ren immediately dismissed his moment of self-doubt.

"That's the man I love," Saeko said, lifting her face from Hao Ren's chest, cheeks flushed, eyes full of anticipation.

Hao Ren was powerless against such a gaze; any further resistance would hardly be manly. He pressed a fierce kiss to Saeko’s cherry lips.

The two exchanged their passion, and beneath their feet, a faint magical circle appeared. Suddenly, a card materialized between Saeko's breasts.

Fortunately, it was night, and there were few people around.

"Everyone is still waiting. I can't sneak off alone," Saeko said after ten minutes, a little breathless.

"Let's go back now then—I'm afraid the girls might revolt if we keep them waiting," Hao Ren replied.

Saeko fell silent, clearly agreeing.

"What's this?" After a brief pause, Saeko retrieved the card from her cleavage.

"It must be the magic contract activating—this is our contract card. We'll examine it when we return to the space," Hao Ren recalled that exchanging bodily fluids was the ritual required to activate this contract.

"Alright, I'll follow your lead." Saeko's blushing face was truly adorable.

Finding a secluded corner, Hao Ren took Saeko's hand and returned to "Hawaii."

It was nighttime in "Hawaii" now, likely an adjustment made by the girls.

Seeing the two holding hands, the women swiftly carried Saeko off—Hao Ren suspected they were going to interrogate her.

Taking advantage of the moment, Hao Ren checked Saeko's new attributes.

Name: Saeko Busujima

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Profession: Crimson Lotus Swordswoman

Attributes: Strength 21, Agility 24, Constitution 23, Intelligence 18, Spirit 17, Charm 17

Loyalty: 100

Relationship: In Love

Contract Card: Crimson Lotus Dancer

Talent: "Bloodthirsty Crimson Lotus" Lv1+1 (0/500), for every 7% HP lost, increases attack and movement speed by 4%, and boosts damage by 4%.

Skill: "Bloodthirst" Lv1+1 (0/500), consumes 10 LP, increases attack and movement speed by 55% for ten minutes and grants 15% lifesteal.

Skill: "Berserk" (No level), passive skill; increases all melee damage by 15%, and each enemy killed has a chance to permanently increase an attribute (except Charm).

Her base stats had increased, she had a new profession, and corresponding talent and contract card.

It seemed Saeko was the sort to grow stronger with each battle.

"I wonder what skills the other girls have?" Hao Ren touched his lips, grinning lasciviously.

Midnight snack time!

Hao Ren rolled up his sleeves and dove into the kitchen.

After some bustling about...

Hao Ren gazed proudly at the table full of dishes.

There were dishes requested by Kanade Tachibana: "Vermilion Bird" and "Yellow Dragon," a newly developed "White Tiger Fried Rice," and, at the very center of the table, Hao Ren's maliciously crafted "Dark Fish Pot: Madness."

Item: "White Tiger Fried Rice"—instantly restores 50% HP, removes [Sealed Skill].

Item: "Dark Fish Pot: Madness"—each bite reduces HP by 1%, increases ATK by 1% for one minute, and has a chance to increase an attribute. This item cannot cause death.

Hao Ren had tried a few bites of the Madness Pot before and found the taste impossible to describe.

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It was delicious, addictive, and caused a painful awakening of one's physical attributes.

Pain and pleasure intertwined—these words best described the dish.

Hao Ren wasn't familiar with the market prices in the Core Space, but items that restored HP by percentage could fetch hundreds or even thousands of LP. Items that had a chance to increase attributes were sold at prices unimaginable to ordinary players.

All players could spend LP to increase their stats; the higher the attribute, the more LP it cost. For stats below 20, each point cost 2 LP; then, for every 10-point increase, the LP cost doubled based on the previous stage. Summoned creatures followed the same rule.

Players who could craft recovery items existed, but most could only restore a fixed amount of HP and lacked special effects. Typical teams treated these crafters like royalty.

But Hao Ren casually made these dishes for his girls as everyday meals.

If the team leaders in the space found out, they'd probably weep blood.

Ordinary ingredients from the real world couldn’t be used to craft recovery items, but Hao Ren’s space, thanks to Saya and the others’ settings, boasted a complete ecosystem with all sorts of marine life. For example, the fish used in the Madness Pot was called “Beast Fish”—its size rivaled the monstrous fish in Angel Beats! called the River Lord, which was also a “Beast Fish.”

In short, with access to a wealth of strange ingredients, Hao Ren could craft these unique dishes.

Following Hao Ren’s call, all the girls gathered at the dining table. To his surprise, Saeko looked untouched by the others, still smiling sweetly. The other girls blushed or looked awkward; Saya was the most extreme—one glance at Hao Ren and steam all but poured from her face.

What was going on? Hao Ren wondered.

Dinner commenced~

Because Hao Ren kept the "Dark Fish Pot: Madness" recipe secret, the girls, tormented by its effects, forced the remaining fish into Hao Ren, who now lay on the sofa, foaming at the mouth.

"Were we a bit harsh?" Shiki poked Hao Ren’s armpit—he didn’t react, like a corpse.

"He started the prank—serves him right!" Saya showed no mercy.

"Amitabha~" Shizuka pressed her palms together for Hao Ren's “body.”

"Let me take our master; it's time for rest," Shirley made as if to carry him away.

"You’re the most dangerous one here! Absolutely cannot let you take Hao Ren!" Saya knew that if Shirley took Hao Ren away, something “harmonious” would inevitably happen.

"No one can stop me today!" Shirley donned her Dragoon armor, ready for battle.

"Let's get some post-dinner exercise," Nemesis and Mea exchanged smiles, entering battle mode.

"It’s peaceful as ever," Tia Yu, who had recently taken a liking to hot tea, cradled her ceramic cup and quietly sipped, unconcerned.

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