The cave's tunnel stretched on, its rocky walls seeming to close in tighter with each step.

Charles followed the system's blue arrow pointing ahead, but as they progressed, the tunnel grew narrower, and the hope of finding an exit began to fade.

Suddenly, Charles stopped.

In front of them, the path ended at a solid rock wall.

No opening, no crack—just a smooth surface blocking their way.

The system's blue arrow flickered insistently, as if urging that the exit was right there.

Charles frowned, confused.

"What the hell?" he muttered, staring at the wall.

Nora, noticing they'd stopped, looked up at him.

"What's wrong now, Rian…?" she asked, her tone a mix of concern and sarcasm. "Don't tell me we're lost. Because if we are, I swear I'll get down and find the exit myself."

Charles shook his head, still eyeing the wall.

"We're not lost," he said, though his voice lacked the confidence he aimed for. "The exit's here, but… it looks blocked."

Nora raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly to inspect the rock wall.

"Blocked?" she repeated, with a hint of disbelief. "Great. So, what's the plan?"

Charles gripped the sword tighter, feeling the weight of the situation.

The sword's voice, which had been quiet for a moment, echoed in his head again, its tone almost amused.

"Well, human?" it said, high-pitched with a mocking edge. "Gonna make the contract now? Because, from what I can see, your precious system was counting on you using me to get out of this. That wall's not gonna move itself."

Charles swallowed hard.

The idea of the contract still didn't sit right with him. Everything the sword had promised—limitless power, greatness, amplifying his lightning abilities—sounded amazing but suspicious.

Why would a sword this powerful settle for something as simple as one hour a day to "be free"?

Something wasn't adding up.

'Alright,' he thought, addressing the sword in his mind. 'You say you just want one hour a day to do whatever you want. That's it? No other conditions? Because I don't buy that a sword like you would settle for so little…'

The sword let out a sound like a laugh, though this time it felt more serious.

"You think that's a small thing…?" it said, its tone blending indignation and challenge. "It might seem simple to you, human, but I've been trapped in this cave for centuries. Centuries! One hour a day to walk, feel the wind, or just exist outside this metal form is more than I've had in all that time. So I suggest you take this deal. It's a steep discount for my power, you know."

Charles frowned, still skeptical.

The sword's way of talking made him uneasy, like it was hiding something.

But as he looked at the rock wall and felt Nora's weight in his arms, he knew he didn't have many options.

If the system had led him here, maybe the sword was the key to getting out.

'Fine,' he thought with a mental sigh. 'Let's do the contract. But you better not be hiding anything.'

The sword let out a gleeful sound, like it had won a bet.

"Perfect!" it exclaimed. "Just say it out loud. Say you accept the contract, and we'll seal the deal."

Charles raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the condition.

'Out loud?' he thought. 'Why isn't saying it in my head enough? What trick are you pulling now?'

The sword laughed again, its tone almost childlike.

"No trick," it said. "It's just part of the ritual. Gotta make it official. Come on, don't be shy."

Charles sighed, glancing at Nora, who was watching him with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

He didn't want her thinking he was crazy, but he saw no other way out.

With a reluctant tone, he said aloud:

"Alright, I accept the contract."

Nora blinked, clearly startled.

"What?" she exclaimed, leaning forward in his arms. "What did you just say, Rian? Contract? Who are you talking to? Don't tell me that sword's actually cursed!"

Before Charles could respond, the sword's golden light intensified, filling the tunnel with a blinding glow.

Nora raised a hand to shield her eyes, and Charles felt a warmth surge through his right hand, the one holding the sword.

The sword's voice echoed in his head, now serious.

"One more thing, human…" it said. "You can't break this contract unless I agree. Just so you know."

Charles's eyes widened, furious.

'Hold on a second!' he thought, shouting in his mind. 'You didn't mention that! That wasn't part of the deal!'

But before he could protest further, a yellow mark began forming on his palm where he gripped the sword.

It was an intricate design, like a circle with interwoven lines, and it burned slightly as it appeared.

At the same time, Charles felt a surge of energy blending with his own electricity, as if something new and powerful was fusing with him.

Instinctively, he tightened his grip on Nora with his other arm, ensuring he didn't drop her.

"Done!" the sword said cheerfully. "The contract's sealed! Welcome to a new era of power, human."

Charles grunted, still annoyed.

'Damn it!' he thought. 'You tricked me with that last-minute clause! What's this about not breaking the contract? You didn't mention that!'

The sword let out a whistle, as if brushing it off.

"Details, details," it said nonchalantly. "I told you the main points, didn't I? Besides, it's no big deal. Now, about important stuff—use my power. I can cut through that rock wall like it's paper. Do it, and we'll get out of this nasty place without a hitch. No cave-ins, no risks!"

Charles gritted his teeth, still feeling the heat of the mark on his palm.

But before he could respond, Nora spoke again, her tone now more worried than sarcastic.

"Rian, what's going on?" she said, staring at him. "Did that sword possess you? Because, I swear, if you're possessed, I don't want to be here when you turn into a monster…"

Charles shook his head, trying to reassure her.

"I'm not possessed," he said, forcing a smile. "Just… trust me. We're getting out of here."

Without waiting for a reply, he felt something guiding him, as if the sword was directing his movements.

Charles raised the sword with his right hand, and a golden energy began flowing from the blade.

Following an instinct he didn't fully understand, he traced a circle on the rock wall with the sword's tip and then drove it into the center.

ZAP!

A burst of golden energy shot from the sword, slicing through the rock like butter.

The impact was so strong that Charles had to grip Nora tighter to keep his balance.

The wall collapsed outward, revealing an opening that showed the night sky.

Rain poured down heavily, and the cool outside air flooded the tunnel.

Nora's eyes widened, clearly stunned.

"By the gods!" she exclaimed, staring at the opening. "How the hell did you do that, Rian? That was… incredible!"

Charles smiled, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction.

The sword's energy still crackled in his hand, and the yellow mark on his palm glowed faintly under the rain's light.

"We're free now," he said, his tone calmer. "That's what matters."

Nora frowned, clearly annoyed by his evasive response.

"Free?" she repeated, with a touch of irritation. "Don't give me that, Rian. You just sliced open a wall with a sword that glows like the sun. Don't tell me that's normal! What's going on with that thing?"

Charles laughed, knowing he couldn't dodge her questions forever.

He started walking toward the exit, still carrying her.

The rain began soaking their already-drenched tunics, but Nora didn't seem to care.

As they stepped outside, she took a deep breath, closing her eyes as the fresh air filled her lungs.

'Nora's figured out Rian won't answer her questions,' she thought, a mix of relief and resignation.

"Well… at least we made it…" she said, a relieved smile crossing her face.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.