Translator: Dreamscribe

Helby stretched out her hand, and a contract appeared. It was a contract that bound even the soul.

[Contract]

Magic Dragon Hella Violani Urshig (hereinafter referred to as ‘Dragon’) and the Immortal Archmage (hereinafter referred to as ‘Mage’) agree to the following contract:

1. Heroes must accept the Dragon’s trial. Survival during the trial is entirely the responsibility of the Mage and the Hero.

2. Heroes must prove their worth through the Dragon’s trial. The contents of the trial may include extremely unreasonable elements. However, it will not include anything impossible based on the Hero’s abilities.

3. If the Dragon wins, the Mage becomes the Dragon’s slave. Conversely, if the Mage wins, the Dragon must completely follow the Mage. This period is eternal and immortal and cannot be terminated under any circumstance.

4. The above terms must be carried out without delay. Any deliberate stalling is prohibited.

It was an unreasonable contract.

The Magic Dragon’s trials could only be passed with an element of “miracle”. Although the trials always included excellent rewards, no human had ever claimed them.

“What if there’s more than one Hero?”

“Whether it’s two or three, it doesn’t matter. All will be given trials without exception. Don’t think of hiding a weak Hero.”

"Oh dear..., was I found out? Then, I'd like to define the winning conditions more specifically."

When Jinwoo made an “oops” expression, Helby smirked.

"Let's say until all heroes' will to resist the Erosion is completely broken. If even one hero doesn't succumb to the trials and continues to oppose the Erosion, I won't consider it your loss. In return, I will determine the content and duration of all trials. You cannot interfere. Depending on circumstances, the number of trials may increase."

“Truly reasonable, just like a great Magic Dragon. No room to wriggle out.”

Helby shrugged at Jinwoo’s compliment.

“And my win condition?”

"If through the trials, I determine that heroes can save Arsilan, I will acknowledge your victory."

“So basically, it’s up to your judgment.”

“Hmph, if they’re going to save Arsilan from Erosion, they should be able to handle at least that much, don’t you think?”

The clauses were promptly added and modified.

Helby laughed at Jinwoo reading the revised contract. She looked extremely composed.

“You must be scared. Why don’t you stop bluffing and give up now? I’ll cancel the contract if you serve me for just a week.”

It was indeed a bit of a one-sided contract.

Scribble scribble!

Jinwoo signed the contract immediately.

Helby actually stood up in surprise when he signed it without a moment’s hesitation.

She looked at Jinwoo and laughed.

“Hoo, hoohoho! With this, the contract is established. You will regret today's decision."

Helby looked thoroughly delighted.

Since all aspects of the trials were entirely up to Helby, the heroes, who were mere mortals, could never overcome them. However, Jinwoo actually liked that.

‘Wow! Personalized Quest!’

It was a personalized quest that occurred differently for each player.

Jinwoo absolutely loved it.

"I shall make you praise me for eternity. Well, I’ll even make you my pe-pe... a-hem! I’ll take you as my pet. Now, come on and show me some tricks! Kyahahahat!"

Helby was already acting like she had won everything.

"Now then! O mage, soon to be my pet. Where are the heroes? I shall bestow the trial this instant."

"They’ll arrive in a week."

"Oh? Then this will be your final week of freedom."

The objective was achieved.

Relieved, Jinwoo felt a great weight lift from his heart.

"There's something I should tell you."

"Your tricks won't work. The contract is flawless."

Helby remained relaxed.

Indeed, as she said, the contract left no room to escape.

"There are quite a lot of Heroes."

"That sounds delightful. As per the contract, I shall grant each one of them a dreadful trial."

"That sounds like it’ll be really exhausting."

Flinch!

Helby, just about to let out another loud laugh, felt an ominous twinge.

The Immortal Archmage before her was smiling brightly.

"...How many Heroes are there?"

Helby asked, suppressing her rising anxiety.

Long ago, Ella too had summoned Heroes. Even after consuming much light and divine power, summoning more than three was impossible.

"There are three thousand right now."

"W-what?! Three thousand?!"

Helby glared at Jinwoo.

It was still within the realm of possibility.

"T-that’s a lot, but that’s it. It will take some time, but they will all fall into despair in the end."

"Hmm, in a week, there’ll be fifty thousand."

"Wha...?"

Helby’s pupils began trembling uncontrollably.

"Y-you’re lying, right? That’s just bluffing, isn’t it?"

Jinwoo shook his head firmly.

"If I push myself, I can summon more. Oh! And if things go well and we reclaim the Magic Stone Mine, I think I could easily handle around a million."

"A-a million? Urgh!"

"From the beginning, my goal was in the tens of millions. A hundred million would be even better."

Helby went completely blank, her eyes losing focus.

The terms of the contract were now backfiring on her. Just carrying out the contract had become a trial for her.

Jinwoo rose from his seat.

"Well then, I’ll see you in a week."

"W-wait!"

As Jinwoo turned to leave, Helby grabbed his body in a panic. The chair toppled backward, and the table slid to the side.

"L-let’s call it a draw!"

"I’d like to agree, but the contract says it can’t be broken. And it also states everything must be carried out without delay."

How could she have drafted such a perfect contract? As expected of the Dragon Hella Violani Urshig.

A being truly worthy of greatness.

Jinwoo’s smile as he looked at the panicked Helby was refreshingly bright.

"Get some rest. You’re going to be busy delivering all those trials."

"Ugh!"

Helby collapsed to the ground with a thud. The contract had already lodged itself deep within her soul and could not be erased.

Countless Heroes, who could keep challenging the trial even after dying dozens of times, were waiting to be summoned.

Jinwoo had acquired the “[SSS] Personalized Quest Generator”!

And also the future “[SSS] Magic Developer”!

It was the moment he succeeded in subjugating the Magic Dragon, a feat no one had ever achieved.

* * *

Han Yong-seon was working overtime. There was a lot to prepare ahead of the first showcase. Tickets had sold out as soon as they were released, and even world stars visiting Korea were begging to be allowed to participate, it was that popular.

‘The congratulatory stage is just...’

A once-disbanded, famous British rock band had reunited and chosen the showcase as their comeback performance.

‘We were damn well over ages ago. It’s only because of Arsilan Saga that we’re doing this.’

‘So damn it, just sell me one Soul Link. Please. No, please sell it to me.’

Those were the kinds of comments they left during interviews.

Even the singer who once dominated the Billboard charts, and the legendary artist known as the godfather of hip-hop, personally visited Ohsung Electronics’ promotional center to stand on stage. They even brought dedication songs for Arsilan Saga.

‘Why am I not surprised?’

One after another, the performers kept getting added, and what was supposed to be just a celebratory stage had now become the concert of the century. And yet, it was merely a showcase. While organizing the announcement materials with that thought in mind, the head of planning approached.

“There’s been a message from the CEO’s research lab.”

“Hm?”

Han Yong-seon skimmed through the document handed to him by the planning lead.

“Oh!”

It was news that the superintelligent AI that powered Arsilan Saga had been upgraded with a real-time, personalized quest generation system.

“The Helby System....”

Well, it was definitely not something possible without a superintelligent AI. If someone had to plan each and every quest manually, it would take an enormous amount of effort and time, and the stress might even kill them from overwork.

'Would an AI get tired too?'

Snicker!

That ridiculous thought made Han Yong-seon laugh out loud.

He didn't know why the word 'slave' came to mind, but anyway, there was now more to present at the showcase!

The Heroes were going to love it, right?

With that thought, Han Yong-seon felt reassured.

* * *

After Jinwoo left the room, Helby staggered to her feet. She was about to return to her original form but paused when she saw herself in the mirror.

“Hmph....”

She turned once to the side.

Then, she smiled slyly into the mirror. She beamed brightly, then made a scowling face. Striking a seductive pose, she pouted her lips.

Clack!

"Ah! I forgot to engrave a teleportation magic circle to the Magic Tower..."

“Huh?”

"...I forgot..."

Helby’s eyes met Jinwoo’s as he reopened the door and came back in.

“I’ll come back later. Take care.”

Jinwoo averted his gaze and disappeared through teleportation.

Helby froze in place for a moment.

“Ugh!”

A trial had come for her, too, it seemed.

* * *

After completing the contract with Helby, Jinwoo returned home.

He sat at the dining table and had dinner.

“Haah….”

"Huuh..."

“Ha….”

His grandfather, older brother, and older sister all let out sighs as if they had lost their country. They didn’t even touch a single spoonful of food until Jinwoo finished his meal.

“Well… thanks for the meal. I’ll head in first.”

Jinwoo spoke politely, but

"...hunting, hunting..., I need to hunt a bear now..."

“Battle…, duels…, a festival of blood…”

"Ah, a musical idea is coming to me..., my instrument..."

The three only mumbled blankly, staring off into space.

Ah!

‘Come to think of it…’

His father, Lee Geon-su, had been at the company for months now, and no one had paid it any mind.

Jinwoo started to feel a little scared.