Hearing Ace's straightforward words without any of his usual fake fawning, the woman laughed, "Fufufufu... how bold of you!"
Ace's nerves instantly tensed as he thought she was angry and might try to do something, but he didn't sense anything amiss from the Soul Resurrection Bead or from the woman's voice.
Furthermore, since the system had told him that the Soul Resurrection Bead was now his bounded treasure, it couldn't harm him despite his lack of control over it.
Although he didn't know what kind of treasure the Soul Resurrection Bead was, and the system could still not completely analyze it, especially now that this woman was residing in it, he was sure that this was some extremely high-level treasure that was even useful to an ancient monster woman.
"But you know what?" The woman said with a hint of teasing, "I liked it! After all, only this kind of attitude befits Heaven's Stealer and my Steward!"
Ace was astounded by this unexpected response, "Are you still on about that Steward business? Although I admit you are strong, very strong, and I can't fathom your true power, I'm not stupid to believe that you were sincere with words at that time and even more so now.
"Furthermore, it seemed you know a lot about Heaven's Stealer. Can you tell me since I'm not informed about any of the previous Heaven's Stealers?" Ace couldn't help but ask since this was the main reason he wanted to agree to work with her, at least until the system was strong enough to deal with her.
"Fufu~, I sure do know about Heaven's Stealer; in fact, because of mutual occupations, I even have close ties with one," The woman revealed.
Ace was shocked by this unexpected answer. He knew what it meant to have ties with a Heaven's Stealer; it was like becoming the enemy of the entire world because of what a Heaven's Stealer represented. He also knew that a Heaven's Stealer wouldn't reveal itself to just anyone at least he hadn't yet, except for the thief house members.
If he didn't know the rules of the Thief House, he would even suspect her of being a member. Furthermore, he can't just take her word for it since she might be lying to earn his trust. But alas, he had no way to verify it, and she also told him that she was in her current predicament because she had robbed someone's ancestral grave.
"I know you're not going to believe me, but I'm not going to tell you anything either since it was all in the past, and knowing that will only hinder your own path, or it might lead you into the wrong path all along.
"I've been observing this place ever since you crossed the Path of Ascension, and it is no longer the same world I used to know. It seemed those old ghosts had succeeded, and with your weak cultivation base as a Heaven's Stealer, it's also clear that they had learned how to deal with Heaven's Stealers.
"I never expected I would be into this kind of surprise after escaping my imprisonment..." Her tone was filled with dismay and a tingle of chilling killing intent.
Even Ace was shocked. For some reason, a chill ran down his spine because what she had just said hinted at many things, and the implications behind it were nothing but terrifying and bad news to him.
"Just who are you?" Ace asked with a grave tone.
"Apparently, nothing but a relic of the past who has lost everything she knew..." She whispered before her tone changed into a jolly one again, "But it seemed it was fate that I encountered you, or I can say that it was the Heaven's Stealer fate that led you to me.
"After all, a Heaven's Stealer is both the luckiest and unluckiest person between Heavens and Abysses and whoever has any relationship with a Heaven's Stealer can either sore or directly turn to ashes. Just look at me..." She complained with a hint of melancholy.
Ace instantly asked, "So, you're saying the reason you are in this state is because of your ties with Heaven's Stealer?"
"Fufuf, nope. That was just my bad luck, I guess, and all those things I did finally caught up to me. Still, who knows? I stopped caring about it a long time ago, especially now that everything has changed, and you are just too weak to even comprehend my situation or what kind of enemies you are dealing with.
"But since you are a Heaven's Stealer, you'll be going to encounter them eventually if you reach that point. Just as you said, your enemy is my enemy as well, even more so since I know many secrets that should've been erased from history."
Her voice became chilly as ice, "So, little Heaven's Stealer, since I have karma with your predecessor and now with you, I'm willing to instruct you on your path to becoming a thief.
"I know no one can train of Heaven's Stealer since it would only limit your path, but since I've also been a thief for a very long time, I can give you some advice on some occasions.
"However, what I want in return from you is your promise to help me three times without any questions asked and that you will never harm me, even if you have the strength.
"I know very well just how unpredictable a Heaven's Stealer is, and your lineage is the biggest mystery under Heavens and Abysses, so I know you can't be controlled or threatened by anyone.
"In fact, I'm playing with fire and raising the most dangerous snake of them all, but you are my only hope, and I'm willing to take this risk. But in return, I want your sincere promise or pretend that I didn't exist, and I promise you that I'll leave you alone once you break the Law Shackle!"
Ace's eyes instantly narrowed as he was again shocked by her words, 'Did she perhaps know about the Thief Promise? And from her tone, it's clear that she also knew that I'd eventually gain the power to tame her. Just how the hell is she and what kind of deal she had with a Heaven's Stealer to know so much?
'Furthermore, from her tone, she also seemed to be absolutely confident in her ability to find out if I was lying to her or made a superficial promise... but just as she said, just her knowledge is absolutely precious to me, and if she was really a thief, then she can really give me advice... 'I already have the most terrifying enemy there is in this world, and she also seemed to know about it more than me... so, having her as a backup is even more beneficial to me than having her as an
'Besides, even if she knew about the Thief Promise, she didn't seem to know its rules...'
At this moment, Ace finally made his up mind and said, "Alright, as long as you won't scheme against me or put me or anyone close to me in danger, I give you my word that I'll do three things for you and won't harm you, and I expect the same thing from you!"
The moment Ace uttered those words, the system voice rang,
[Host has just made a Thief Promise]
-Thief Promise: An unbreakable promise of a Heaven's Stealer
-Abstract: Theft is not just about stealing for one's own benefit and motives. Sometimes, theft is done
for the greater good and for others who are in need.
-Description (1): A Thief Promise can only be triggered when the host willingly agrees to take a mission from someone else who's desperately in need of the host's thieving abilities.
-Description (2): The system will instantly trigger a mission when the possessor of a Thief Promise declares their reasonable request.
-Description (3): If the bearer had any malice against the host, the Thief Promise will be deemed void
"Fufufuf..." The woman instantly burst into joyous laughter as if she knew that the Thief Promise was established among them, which made Ace even more sure that she knew.
"Alright, it's a deal, Heaven's Stealer! Please take care of your master from now; you can call me Malservus!"