West struggled, trying to get up, but the roots tightened.
The tails came again and two struck him simultaneously.
The world spun as West was flung across the site, slamming hard into the ground. His vision dimmed as stars burst behind his eyes.
’This thing... It’s stronger than the ruin guardian,’ West realized...
The guardian had raw power but this beast had everything else... control over it’s multiple abilities.
As the Verdant Pyre Behemoth approached, Gor’thala watched carefully
West was bleeding and had slowed due to the damage he had taken. She was ready to stop the fight if it got any worse since she didn’t want him to wind up dead but that would also result in his loss.
The beast lowered its head as the fiery paw marks all over the ground burnt brighter.
It suddenly froze in the process of approaching.
Its burning eyes locked onto something new.
Despite coughing out blood, West had forced himself upright. If his substats hadn’t increased he probably wouldn’t be able to move right now but thanks to stamina and strength, he didn’t break down so easily.
However, at this moment, no one cared about his stamina or durability... What made the creature pause was the item in West’s hands...
It was a massive black sword that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
Dark mist poured from its surface like living smoke, swallowing the green light around it.
The air instantly grew oppressive...
Gor’thala’s pupils shrank. "That weapon—"
Even she felt it but yhe Verdant Pyre Behemoth had been too frozen by the pressure radiating from the weapon, that it reacted a second too late.
Blood dripped from West’s chin, as he lifted the sword.
It was monstrously heavy but he swung anyway.
Swwhiii~
The blade cut through the air, sending a dark crescent of pure annihilation forward.
The beast didn’t even have time to roar.
The dark crescent struck cleanly and the Verdant Pyre Behemoth was severed in two.
Green flames faded into harmless sparks, roots crumbled into ash, and the oppressive heat slowly bled away.
Its massive body collapsed, dissolving into embers and ash as the surroundings descended into a deep silence.
The sword slipped from West’s grasp, vanishing back into his inventory as he dropped to one knee, gasping for breath.
He remained kneeling for several seconds with his chest heaving as blood dripped down his chin and splattered onto the cracked concrete beneath him.
Then he heard the sound of a staff striking the ground.
Bam!
Gor’thala stepped forward, illuminated by the dying glow of the summoning circle. Her expression was no longer stern or evaluative... now it was resolute.
"You win," her deep voice echoed through the abandoned industrial hall. "By the laws of my people, and by the ancient rites of summoners... I will honor my word."
West exhaled slowly, lifting his head.
"So... that’s it?" he asked hoarsely. "You’ll sign?"
She nodded once.
"Yes."
A glowing sigil bloomed between them, hovering in the air like a living brand.
It was complex with interlocking runes of summoning, dominion, growth, and reciprocity. West felt the system react instantly.
---
[Summoning Contract Initiated]
Summoner: West Einstein
Summoned Entity: Gor’thala of the Verdant Circle
Contract Type: High-Rank Mutual Dominion Contract
[ Warning: This contract will permanently bind both parties. ]
<[ Will You Like To Proceed? ]>
[ YES ] × [ NO ]
---
West didn’t hesitate.
"Proceed."
The sigil expanded, then split into two identical symbols. One floated before West and the other before Gor’thala.
"Blood," Gor’thala said calmly.
West bit his thumb and pressed it against the glowing rune. Crimson light flared as the symbol drank it in. Across from him, Gor’thala drew a sharp claw across her palm without flinching causing emerald blood to drip onto her sigil.
The moment both were marked—
The world lurched.
West felt something snap into place deep within him, like a lock finally clicking shut.
Power coursed though like something that had always been missing had finally been filled.
---
[Contract Established Successfully]
New Summon Acquired: Gor’thala
Rank: High-Tier Warrior Mage
Summon Status: Permanent
Contract Effects:
• Instant Summoning Enabled
• Summon Domain Unlocked
• Ability Inheritance (Partial)
• Growth Synchronization
• Absolute Command Authority
---
West sucked in a sharp breath as a wave of knowledge flooded his mind.
He could feel her anchored to him in a way that felt spiritual.
Another notification soon popped up.
---
[Ability Acquired]
Inherited Ability: Verdant Bloom (Active)
Effect: A binding spell. Capable of trapping enemy/enemies in place briefly.
---
West blinked.
"...I got one of your abilities?" he muttered.
"Yes," Gor’thala replied simply. "That is the nature of a dominion contract. You grow. I grow. Our power becomes intertwined."
She paused, then added calmly, "You should also know—summoning is my weakest discipline."
West froze.
"...Say that again."
Gor’thala tilted her head slightly. "Summoning. It is my least developed magic. I can only summon ten Verdant Pyre Behemoth."
West stared at her in disbelief.
"You’re telling me," he said slowly, "that you can summon up to ten of that thing—" he gestured vaguely to the scorched remains of the battlefield, "—and that’s you being bad at it?"
"Yes."
"...I almost died fighting one."
She shrugged, entirely unapologetic.
West dragged a hand down his face.
"I’m contracting a monster," he muttered.
She ignored the comment and continued, "My other disciplines include elemental warfare, battlefield control, arcane reinforcement, and melee combat."
"Melee?" West echoed.
In response, Gor’thala’s staff glowed and then transformed into a massive, elegantly brutal sword etched with ancient runes.
West’s eyebrows shot up.
"...You’re kidding."
"I am not."
She dispelled the weapon and leaned slightly on her staff again.
Only then did something strange happen.
Gor’thala suddenly inhaled sharply as her eyes widened.
Raw and unrestrained mana surged around her body like a visible tide. The air vibrated as the summoning circle beneath her feet flared brighter than ever before.
West instinctively took a step back.
"What’s happening?"
Her voice was unsteady when she answered.
"...The contract is feeding back."
---
[Summon Boon Activated]
Gor’thala has received a Contract Enhancement.
Effects:
• Mana Capacity +50%
• Magical Efficiency Increased
• + New Ability Adrenal Control
• Physical Form Refinement
---
The change was immediate and impossible to miss...
Gor’thala’s imposing form softened subtly...
Her broad shoulders became more proportionate as her waist drew in, forming an elegant curvature. Her thighs remained thick and powerful, but now carried a distinct femininity that hadn’t been there before.
Her chest... also changed... becoming broader and perkier. They had gone from looking like oranges to the size of coconuts in nearly an instant.
West’s eyes widened before he could stop himself.
"...Wow."
Her facial features sharpened, becoming smoother, more expressive and surprisingly feminine. She now bore a face that could only be described as otherworldly and the set of tusks protruding from the side of her lips only added to the charm.
She touched her face in disbelief, tracing along her cheekbones with her fingers.
"...So this is the effect of anchoring to a human summoner," she murmured.
Then, without warning, she lowered herself to one knee.
"By contract and by will," Gor’thala said solemnly, "I acknowledge you as my master."