Deep within the dense forest, branches snapped beneath hurried footsteps.
A female elf sprinted through the thick trees, her breath uneven and shaky. She was of average height, her long white hair tangled and stained with dirt. Her clothes were torn and ragged from days of running.
Behind her, unfamiliar armed men chased relentlessly, as if they were hunting a wild beast.
They had been hired by an unknown organization, ordered to capture the lone survivor of the massacre in the Elven Forest.
She was the only one left alive. The others had been captured or killed.
The Elven Forest had once been a vast and beautiful sanctuary, forbidden to outsiders. At its heart stood the 'Ancient Great Tree,' a sacred existence for the elves of the forest.
Now… the entire Elven Forest was burned. Only ashes and blood remained, and the Great Tree was still burning.
The elf kept running, but her legs trembled from moving nonstop. She was completely exhausted. At any moment, she might fall.
Suddenly—she tripped over a large rock and slammed onto the ground.
She clenched her teeth and tried to push herself up with shaking arms, even as pain spread through her body.
"There she is! Catch her!" one of the pursuers shouted, pointing forward with a rough laugh.
They ran relentlessly, their boots pounding against the ground. They reached her within seconds.
One man twisted her arms behind her back while another tied a rope tightly around her wrists. She struggled weakly, her shoulders trembling, tears finally spilled down her cheeks as they dragged her toward the waiting carriage.
She tried to get away, but she no longer had the strength. She couldn't scream—she was mute—and all she could do was hope someone would save her.
One of the men laughed, pulling the rope tighter. "Stop struggling. You can't do anything."
"Yeah," another added with a smirk. "Because of you, we'll get a big payment."
"Put her inside," the group leader ordered, waving his hand impatiently as he scanned the forest. "Tie her properly. I don't want any problems."
"Yes, boss!"
They shoved the elf into an iron cage on the carriage, the metal bars cold and unforgiving against her skin.
She curled inward, hugging her knees tightly. Silent sobs shook her body, and her eyes were filled with pure fear.
"Looks like she's the only survivor of the massacre…" one subordinate muttered, scratching his head.
The leader crossed his arms and stared at the elf through the bars, his face filled with confusion and questions.
The only thing troubling the leader was why this particular elf was so important, and why their group had been chosen for the job.
Inside the carriage, the elf's mind drifted, as if pulled into a strange vision. From the pitch-black void, she saw countless beings—humans, elves, dwarves, and more—walking in perfect lines, following an invisible path. A "Fate of Line," she thought, instinctively understanding the order and restriction.
Her eyes widened in shock when she saw a man walking freely, unconstrained by the lines. Beside him, a little kid, the line of that kid are slowly began to fade, disappearing into nothingness.
Her heart raced. She reached out with his hand, but when she blinked, she was back in the carriage. The world around her was real again, the ropes cutting into her wrists, the iron bars cold and unforgiving.
The vision lingered in her mind, a reminder that the world outside this carriage was far stranger and far more dangerous than she could have imagined.
On a quiet road beside the forest,
Ren walked calmly along the peaceful roadside, Anna hopping beside him, occasionally swinging her arms.
Ren noticed it immediately. She looked different, her eyes were no longer filled with sorrow and emptiness. Instead, they sparkled with energy, and her steps were lighter than before.
Then Anna noticed something moving on the ground. When she saw it clearly, she rushed toward it.
"Papa! Papa! Look!" Anna shouted.
She dropped to her knees on the grass and pointed excitedly, her face full of curiosity.
"What is this?" Anna asked as she gently poked it.
Ren slowed down and walked over. When he saw clearly what Anna was poking, he stopped.
It was a small blue creature, like jelly, wobbling gently in front of her.
"A slime," Ren said, lowering himself beside her. He gently picked it up and placed it on Anna's palm. "Don't worry. It doesn't hurt people."
Anna looked closer at the slime in her hand, her eyes wide. She thought it was the cutest thing she had ever seen.
"Can I take it with us, Papa?" she asked, tugging slightly on his sleeve, her face full of innocent hope.
Ren paused, thinking for a moment. He glanced at Anna's innocent face, then at the slime with its cute wobbling posture.
"What is this… what's happening to her? No! What's happening to me? Why I feel she so cute!" he muttered to himself.
"Papa?" Anna asked softly.
"…Sure," Ren said finally.
At least she won't feel lonely when I'm not around.
He carefully placed his hand over the slime in Anna's hands, letting it rest gently between them. Then Ren also touched Anna's hand.
A soft light began to glow, wrapping around their hands. Anna's eyes widened in amazement at what she was seeing.
The Contract Formed.
For an ordinary contract, preparation and chanting were usually required. But for Ren… he only needed to touch it, and the contract was formed.
Ren had added a special clause to the contract called Luminis Cognitio. It granted the slime intelligence, emotions, combat instincts, and the ability to evolve.
The moment the contract was complete, Ren removed his hands. At first, the slime didn't seem to change at all.
A moment later, it bounced energetically onto Anna's shoulder, wobbling happily.
"Papa! It's so cute!" Anna laughed, her eyes sparkling with joy.
Ren tapped Anna's head gently, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"What should we name it?" he asked.
Anna thought for a moment, her face serious as she considered a name, even the slime seemed to wobble thoughtfully.
"Hmm…" she murmured.
"How about Lemi?" Ren suggested, looking at her.
"Papa! That name is ugly!" Anna complained, pouting.
Even the slime wiggled unhappily, seeming to agree with her. It let out a tiny, high-pitched wobble, bouncing lightly on her shoulder.
Ren sighed softly. "Fine... You decide."
"Lemi… is that so bad?" Ren muttered to himself, looking around and waiting for Anna's decision.
Anna closed her eyes tightly, her small fingers tapping her head as she thought seriously.
Suddenly, her face lit up. "I got it!" she exclaimed. She scooped the slime onto her shoulder. "Your name is Silya!"
Silya spun happily on Anna's shoulder, bouncing with joy.
Anna rushed to Ren. "Papa! Her name is Silya!" she shouted, hugging his legs tightly, then lifted her head to look at him.
Ren chuckled faintly and ruffled her hair.
"That's a good name. Come on, let's go—we still have a long way ahead."
As they walked, Ren glanced down at Anna, who was happily playing with Silya on her shoulder.
I really need to learn how to raise a child, he thought to himself, a small, amused smile tugging at his lips.