CHAPTER 127: AWAKENER’S CONTRACT

When Ainsworth’s right hand plunged into the Ancient Space Dragon’s head, he didn’t feel any resistance. No matter how tough the dragon’s scales and its skull were, it still couldn’t bypass the rule imbued on Ainsworth’s right hand.

His right hand at this moment could even penetrate the divine flesh of the holy son, let alone a mere dragon who was only considered a Demigod.

As soon as Ainsworth’s right hand plunged into its brain, he thought, ’Release!’

The future version of the monster virus was immediately injected into the entire body of the SSS-rank Ancient Space Dragon, starting from its head.

In just under a second, the Ancient Space Dragon was completely assimilated into Ainsworth’s Hive Mind!

Before Lucien could react, Ainsworth paid him no attention as he disappeared, leaving the head of the already assimilated Ancient Space Dragon.

Then, he reappeared above Xalvureth with his palm clutching its skeletal head. The Demon King of Decay Xalvureth didn’t have any flesh, as it was a skeleton.

However, Ainsworth’s virus wasn’t limited to being biological, as it could even infect the mind and soul. With that in mind, he infused his future version of the demon virus into Xalvureth’s entire skeletal body and even soul.

The Ancient Space Dragon was on par with Xalvureth in power, and since the former couldn’t resist being assimilated into the Hive Mind, the latter stood no chance either.

In just under a second, Xalvureth became part of the Hive Mind despite being unaware of how he was attacked.

After all, aside from Lucien and Ainsworth, Xalvureth, Varnak, and the Ancient Space Dragon’s consciousness were all frozen in time.

It went without saying that even before the effects of Absolute Zero wore off, Varnak was also assimilated into the Hive Mind. Despite being the same rank as Xalvureth and the Ancient Space Dragon, Varnak was far weaker than both of them, so his resistance was even weaker.

After being completely assimilated into the Hive Mind, Xalvureth, Varnak, and the Ancient Space Dragon were absolutely loyal to Ainsworth and wouldn’t even hesitate to listen to his command, even if it was to let them commit suicide.

With the two Demon Kings and one Monster King taken care of, Ainsworth shifted his attention to Lucien, who was currently holding an SSS-rank Forbidden Magic Scroll.

Lucien looked at Ainsworth with mixed feelings. He was wary of Ainsworth, but also astonished at his great power.

Due to his years of experience, Lucien regained his composure as he asked Ainsworth, "You should be the reinforcement called in by the Earth Will, right?"

Ainsworth nodded, "Yes, and for saving your life, you owe me two favors."

Although the Earth Will had issued him a rescue mission with rewards included, that was the reward given by the Earth Will and not Lucien’s.

Hearing Ainsworth’s declaration, Lucien contemplated before agreeing, "As long as it’s not against my bottom line and within my capabilities, I’ll repay those two favors."

He knew that there wasn’t any free lunch in this world, and owing favors was commonplace among Awakeners.

If Ainsworth had demanded him for an SSS-rank item or valuable items like Revival Coins and Class Rank Upgrade Crystal, then Lucien would be troubled, as even he couldn’t give those items freely due to how valuable they were.

Since it was just owing favors that didn’t directly deduct his items, Lucien was still confident in repaying them.

After agreeing with Ainsworth, Lucien noticed that the effects of Absolute Zero had disappeared as the bluish white light that enveloped the surroundings shattered and dissipated.

However, much to his surprise, Xalvureth, Varnak, and the Ancient Space Dragon didn’t attack him and Ainsworth.

Lucien wondered while looking at them, ’Did this kid use mind control on them? Or enslavement? No, from the looks of it, parasitism?’

No matter how much Lucien scrutinized the three of them, he still couldn’t find out what method Ainsworth used on those three.

He only knew that Ainsworth seemed to touch or insert his hand into them and then release an unusual energy, which would then make two SSS-rank Demon Kings and one SSS-rank Monster King docile.

Even an SSS-rank Awakener like him couldn’t find anything wrong with Xalvureth, Varnak, and the Ancient Space Dragon. If he didn’t know that Ainsworth did something to them before, he’d assume nothing’s wrong with them.

’Damn! If what I believed is truly the case, wouldn’t he be able to control the minds of not only the Demon Race and Monster Race, but even the Human Race without any of them knowing?’

When Lucien realized the implication of Ainsworth’s ability, he couldn’t help but become nervous as he feared, ’He’s not going to silence me, will he?’

Although Lucien was panicking internally, he kept his composure as he looked calm on the surface, but such a facade was shattered when he heard Ainsworth’s chilling statement, "You have seen through my secret, Lucien."

Lucien couldn’t even refute. Ainsworth’s words seemed to carry an affirmative tone as if he was merely declaring the truth, and it even triggered a guilty conscience within him like a petty thief who was caught.

If it were other SSS-rank Awakeners, Lucien wouldn’t have been worried, as he knew their respective personalities and he was well acquainted with them. However, Ainsworth was a new face he didn’t recognize, yet the power Ainsworth had was even stronger than his!

’Sigh, is this the end? I thought I’d be rescued, but who knew I encountered such an outrageous matter as enslavement of even SSS-rank Demon Kings.’

Even if Lucien wanted to put up a fight, let alone in his current weakened state, he wasn’t confident in defeating Ainsworth even if he was in his peak state.

Even the SSS-rank Planet Buster Mana Cannon Forbidden Magic Scroll couldn’t bring him any security, as a powerhouse of Ainsworth’s caliber could easily swat it away.

While Lucien was awaiting his judgment, Ainsworth chuckled, "You still owe me two favors, so I won’t silence you. However, it does trouble me that you know my secret, so how about this?"

Waving his hand, a parchment scroll appeared, and Lucien instantly recognized it as an Awakener’s Contract—a binding pact personally sanctioned by the Earth Will.

Once signed, the Earth Will itself would bear witness, ensuring that every clause was upheld. Any Awakener who dared to break such a contract would face the Earth Will’s divine retribution.

Ainsworth added, "We both sign this, and I’ll let you off."