The Last Human Returns.
Chapter 17 - Contract

Ethan stands still in a painting of a beautiful platinum-haired woman with ruby-like red irises. In the middle of the collapsed temple, only the painting was well-preserved with no weeds attached.

Ethan took out a magic stone, monster blood, and some magic ink. He then began to set up formations on the floor and walls. The formation was complicated and so many foreign words. He then placed the magic stones in several corners of the formation. Lastly, Ethan injected a bit of Mana into the core of the formation.

[Activating seal: Super Sirius.]

[Activating the seal: Great Sun Temple.]

[The [Great Soul Sealing] seal is slowly starting to weaken.]

[Mana is consumed twice as long as it is inside the seal.]

The painting slowly began to melt and the woman inside the painting appeared in the air. His body looks so transparent like a ghost. However, the overflowing mana around him was so domineering that Ethan who had 100 Mana Points goosebumps.

Their eyes locked onto each other judging each other. Ethan also tried using [Monarch Eyes]. However, the result was nil because the difference in strength between him and the woman before him was too far away.

"Who sent you here, man?" The girl's voice echoed throughout the entire Temple.

Ethan put his hand on his chest and slightly bowed. "It's nice to meet you, Your Majesty, Alice de Eyus. Ethan Austin, Climber from the newly occupied Dimension of the Tower."

Alice's red eyes narrowed. Clearly, it was impossible for him to believe humans had the knowledge of so many formations. Moreover, the Super Sirius formation, the nine-star seal.

Ethan ignores Alice's prejudices and opens his mouth again. "I came here to make a deal with you, Your Majesty."

Alice remained silent no matter how long Ethan waited for an answer. He looked as if he was telling her to keep talking. Ethan continued his words.

"I want you to make a contract with me. In return, I will give you two things. Freedom and revenge."

Such a sharp killing intent enveloped the entire room as soon as Ethan finished his words. Alice looked very angry and also full of hatred. Hundreds of blood spears floated in the air, aimed at Ethan who was still unmoved.

"I asked again. Who told you to come?"

At Alice's question, Ethan just smiles and gives the same answer. "I came of my own desire and mind. There is no one else behind me. You saw it with your eyes, didn't you, Your Majesty?"

Alice's pupils were trembling. One of Alice's unique abilities, [Eyes of Judgment] was able to discern lies and truth. He was able to punish those who lied before him. However, that ability Alice never told anyone else.

"I can't trust my future into the hands of a weak human. You must die." Saying that, hundreds of blood spears flew after Ethan as a target.

Ethan breathed his breath looking irritated. He nimbly moved avoiding Alice's blood spear. His movements are not so fast. However, as if he could see the future, he had already started moving even before the attack came.

"You–!" The annoyed Alice tried to attack with more force.

"Alice. You better stop using the remnants of your soul power. You will completely vanish and miss the opportunity to avenge all that you have received." Ethan stopped talking in a formal tone. He gave Alice a thought about where they were now. The Super Sirius Formation was a level nine formation not just an empty title.

Seeing Ethan's emotionless eyes, Alice felt goosebumps. A feeling he didn't even feel when dealing with the two Great Disasters just yet. Alice wondered how a human had such eyes.

Alice stopped attacking following Ethan's words. The last magic power inside Alice's body was also exhausted. He would die for real if he fought in vain against Ethan here.

"... Are you serious about what you say?" Alice's voice softened. However, his eyes remained a look of disbelief and hostility.

"certain. Not just seeking revenge, I'll take you to be the first to see the Tower's Peak of all the Beings in the Tower." Ethan says it so seriously. It is not self-confidence, but absolute confidence.

Alice felt for the first time after a long time she felt so excited. Alice is eager to accept Ethan's offer. He wanted to die without regret.

"I appreciate your offer. However, I am only a weak soul now. You didn't get any benefit by making a contract with me." Alice smiled bitterly, insulting the condition of her fragile body.

However, Ethan does not care about Alice's condition. He came to know Alice's situation. Thus, just because her soul was weakened, Alice still remained Alice, the Strongest Tyrant in the Tower.

"Don't worry. Your job is to just trust me."

Alice bit her lower lip looking worried. However, Ethan did not let Alice dissolve in his mind. The Super Sirius seal will soon collapse and the Great Soul Sealing seal will be back on.

"decide. The longer you think, the more the formation will soften."

After so much deliberation, Alice finally nodded slowly, agreeing to the invitation. "If so, I'll come with you."

Ethan smiled with satisfaction. Without delay, Ethan approaches Alice and puts his left hand on Alice's forehead.

"[Soul Collection]."

[Soul Collection Active.]

Alice's body glowed red and the red jewel in Ethan's ring glowed red as if in response to the aura Alice was emitting. Little fluctuation where it occurs. Then, Alice disappeared from the air, entering into the ring.

[Creating a contract with Alice de Eyus.]

[Terms fulfilled.]

[Getting Unique Ability: Festival of Blood.]

[Festival of Blood

Rank: SSS

Proficiency: E-B

Creating a domain of blood.

Option:

+ 5% User Status in Domain.

]

Ethan refrains from yelling when he sees a message from the system. Unique Ability of one of the Tyrant Towers, Alice de Eyus! The domain that earned him the title of Blood Queen. Ethan didn't expect him to get such a useful skill.

"Are you ignoring me now?" Alice, who had been speaking earlier, sounded annoyed.

Ethan gasped and smiled awkwardly. He apologized sincerely to Alice. "I'm sorry. I'm a little sidetracked. What are you talking about?"

Alice spoke at length and Ethan quietly listened. He's in a good mood. So, he would occasionally give a response or answer if Alice asked.

‘Now, I have to start hunting again.’

"This is the first time a man has ignored me. You're a real asshole."

"Let's talk about that later. I need to get ready to go to the 2nd Floor."

"With your strength now, there is no way you will die. At least you're finalizing the minimum requirement for no Stampede." Alice gives generous judgment to people with sharp tongues.

"Can you tell me how the 2nd Floor is, Alice?"

"I can't tell because of the rules of the System. If I could, I wouldn't have told you. It'll be a waste if you can't prove yourself."

Ethan nodded. He knows it. However, Ethan's reason remains to ask just to make sure the Tower's rules are still the same as his memories.

"I might need to go up a few more levels. I want to surpass first rank."

Alice muttered in annoyance. "If you knew, you shouldn't have asked!"

Ethan just ignores Alice on purpose. He destroyed the entire temple. Leaving a trail of level nine formations not having anything good would come.

***

While Ethan is doing his best in the Tower, Earth is also struggling for recovery. One week after the Gate Collapse, the Association began to aggressively take over the territory that the Monster had already occupied.

Unfortunately, not all countries are like that. The country, with a small population and relatively weak population, disappeared within a week. Many illegal immigrants come from the devastated State to the State that is still standing.

"... The number of immigrants coming from Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea is very large." The President of RI, muttered with a frown looking at the number of immigrants entering.

The State Economy is in agreement with the worst crisis in the country's entire existence. They don't have much money to use to help immigrants.

"Sir. I heard, Corner Corporation produces jerky at a low price. It's at least a lot cheaper than instant noodles these days." The Secretary of the President, delivered the news he received.

Hearing that, the President of RI, was shocked. "really? However, is jerky safe?"

"Yes. Although not tested BPOM. However, you can be sure it is safe because it has been consumed by refugees in Central and East Java."

Hearing that, the expression of the President of the Republic of Indonesia softened. He felt a little relieved hearing about it. "good. You take care of a special request to Corner Corporation to provide jerky to the Government."

"I understand."

The President of the Republic of Indonesia leaned his body. Although this was not the time to feel relieved, he only wanted to take a breather in difficult situations like this.

***

Ethan is lying on top of a pile of Monster corpses. The corpse of the monster that Ethan had hunted, piled up into a small hill in the middle of the sea of purple blood.

"... You don't look at all like the humans I know." Alice is astonished by Ethan's completely abnormal appearance.

The humans Alice knew were, of course, lazy people. They will go level up, one day once. If not for their rapid reproductive ability, humans were, a race that would have gone extinct before the Dwarves.

Ethan laughed weakly at Alice's words. "Am I special in your eyes?"

Alice paused for a moment before answering. "... What the hell are you saying? Disgusts."

Ethan laughs amusedly at the ketus answer of the little Vampire in his ring. If possible, he still wanted to continue exchanging words with Alice after such a long time. Unfortunately, there is no time left.

"I think this is enough. Now, let's go to the 2nd floor."

In response to Ethan's words, a System message appears in front of Ethan.

[Do you want to challenge the 2nd Floor?]

[Yes or No.]

Ethan unhesitatingly pressed [Yes]. A bright light enveloped his body and he disappeared, like he had never been in that place.