Mathew was leaning forward and growing more worried. They were just a few minutes away from the forward camp and he has yet to see the Imps with the Hearth Crystal. Either they had long passed them, or they were faster than they originally thought.

His hands grew sweaty with anticipation. Even Lucas and Holly were on edge now. They had heard and seen a fight occurring for about five minutes now. Several people were running down the road toward the base. Nobody stayed in the way, but a couple tried to flag them down to warn them about something.

It didn’t take much to figure out what was going on. The Infernals were fighting on two fronts. Mathew was secretly glad. If the Infernals did a full force attack at the forward base, then pushed for the main base, then they would be doomed. Nobody could stop them. Mathew imagined their plan was to just distract the main fighters so they could steal the Hearth Crystal, the sleazy devils.

He respected their tactics, and filed it away to use himself one day if needed. However, for now, he needed to get to that Crystal, kill the Imps, somehow convince Payne to not attack him on sight, and get back to the base while claiming it.

Mathew didn’t want to fight Payne. Even though he locked Mathew in jail, apparently sold American secrets, and was an overall asshole, he didn’t want to fight the General. Yet, if it came down to it, Mathew would end it quickly. He wasn’t cruel enough to tourture the man. A quick death, to end the first of his current problems.

Just as the camp was coming into view, everything slowed down and seemed to stop. “Lucas, what the fuck are you doing, go!” Mathew shouted as he turned to the swordsman. His brow furrowed as the man was completely still. Mathew then realized everything was frozen in place.

“What the hell…” Mathew turned left and right trying to figure out what was going on when a female voice echoed from in front of him.

“Hello there, human. I am the great Numa!” A small woman was sitting on the hood of the truck. If she was standing, Mathew assumed she would come up to his hips. Her skin was ghostly white and semi-translucent. He could see veins and bones in her body. She had two different colored eyes, one red and one blue. Her hair was a short curly mess of a bright violet.

Mathew was startled by her sudden presence and jumped in his seat raising his rod to attack her.

“Hey that won’t work now buddy. I only got you for a few moments, apparently a small line exists for a turn with you. I’ll keep it short, I’m an Avatar of Numa, a Goddess who is interested in you. You have potential to be my follower, loyalty will carry you far and beyond what you can do alone. Join my fellowship and it can all be yours.”

Mathew stopped for a moment, going over what she said again. “You’re a God? I expected...more.”

Numa shrugged, “I’m an Avatar of myself. A sliver of power. I don’t have time to actually visit each and every person who I deem worthy of planting a seed to possibly grow and bear fruit one day.”

Mathew chuckled, “Of course, sure. So what’s your deal with me?”

“You” She said as she pointed at him. “Have a skill that I created. So obviously I came to see if you are worth the effort. Not the best I’ve seen, I can say that much, yet a small bit of potential.” She held two fingers an inch apart.

Mathew scoffed, “Please, like I actually plan on becoming some sort of errant assassin for you. Going around killing whoever you choose, or crucify, or simply speak gospels of your...smallness.”

Numa sneered and a pressure formed on Mathew’s neck. Like a blade was pressed up against it. “Careful human, I might be an Avatar of myself, but I can kill you just as easily.”

Mathew swallowed. This was a feeling he didn’t expect. He felt as if she could easily kill him without so much as a breath of effort. Yet something he remembered kept him from begging for his life. The System Terms and Agreement specified protection against outside powers. The Gods should fall under that right? Otherwise they could come and gobble up a free and weak planet.

“Sure, but then why waste such a potential follower? You said it yourself, I have potential.” Mathew chose then and there to play it safe, no reason to make new enemies with Payne just down the road plus a hoard of Infernals.

She shook her head and gave a seductive grin, “Now, I know when a man is telling the truth and also lying. Don’t try to play games with me, Mortal.” Numa crawled closer to the windshield and licked her lips. “I could eat you up as a small snack here and now. Yet, you have a point, you do have some potential. If you follow my path, you could become something great. A powerful leader of your own division here on your home planet. A Summoner isn’t the best start, but you have only taken the first step. I can show you the steps to become someone rich, respected, and have your name strike fear into your enemies.”

Mathew was starting to like the sound of this. “What’s in it for you?”

“Many things, none of which you need to bother with. Just focus on the rewards right for you to grasp. Just starting off with my blessing will give you immediate rewards here and now. Far more than any title you probably have now.”

Mathew doubted that. If a blessing from a God could be on par with his [Soloist] title, then it was worthless. People left and right would take a blessing, it would make zero sense. It was more than likely on par with the [Lawyer] Title or at best the [Forerunner] one.

There was also the fact she avoided answering about what he had to do in return. “I must be required to do something to receive these rewards.” Mathew said. “How else could I serve you?”

“There are requirements, but nothing you can’t handle. Kill a few people here, once The Systems hold over this planet ends, you might be required to do additional duties. You are free to do what you wish, but you can’t leave my order. We are a blood path, one that you must internalize, and to go against this path is to go against yourself.”

Mathew nodded, “And if I deny?”

She shrugged, “You miss your opportunity of free power.”

“Free my ass, you just said I had to do things for it.” Mathew played as if he was deep in thought, but in reality he already made up his mind. This was an offer he wouldn't take.

“I’ll have to deny, sorry.” Mathew said.

Numa shook her head, “Really? A chance of power and you refuse it? Call that a first in a long time I’ve seen. Nobody says no to a God, let alone some single step mortal.”

“My answer is the same, I don’t want your power, I want the power that is mine. No strings attached.”

She laughed loudly, “Human, nothing in this universe is for free. Not even power. Tell me, how did you get all those levels? Through hard work and determination? Or did you kill things?”

Mathew paused, “I killed some monsters, nothing else.” “At least, not Intentionally.”

“Ha! So that’s how you’ve internalized it? Just some monsters? News flash boy, those were living breathing creatures. Don’t be a hypocrite. I don’t care if you killed some people for power, I’ve done more than my fair share of it. Just admit that you took the lives of others to get stronger, no shame in doing so.”

Mathew stopped. He never really thought of it that way. They were just dumb beasts right? Yet, the Pack Leader he had tried to bind as his familiar spoke. It was living with emotions and thoughts. “Regardless, it’s still my power. I earned it. What do I have to do to earn the power you are as you said ‘Freely giving to me’?”

She waved a hand and a deadly dagger in the shape of a fang appeared in her hand. “Weapons that can kill.” She waved her hand again and a bag overflowing with coins spilled out. “Wealth that will rival what your entire planet has accumulated.” She gestured to Holly, “Even a woman of your dreams if you wished.”

Mathew shook his head, “Still no.”

“Oh, So…” She glanced at Lucas curiously. “I didn’t take you to be like that.”

Mathew stared flatly at God. There was something about this that struck him as odd. It’s been over a week for them to communicate with people. Why him? Why now? She mentioned there was a line. Di said the Gods would talk to people not long after Phase 1 started. Yet, something about this timing was odd.

A gut feeling told him to not accept her offer even if it was a good one. It’s exactly what he wanted. Power, Money, and the ability to have what he wanted. It just felt...cheap. “Final answer, it’s no.”

Numa shrugged. “So be it, don’t expect another offer from me, human. A God's blessing is unique and powerful. It goes beyond what The System can control. I’m not offering you the highest of blessings because you are not on my path just yet. Do great things and it can all be yours. The only reason you interest me is because of your uniqueness, Mathew.” She now started to have an alluring understone to her voice. Like a mistress inviting her newest toy to the bed.

Mathew squinted his eyes, “What about me is Unique?”

She smiled, “Oh? You don’t know? I suppose it was a mistake on my end then. I thought you were a man with determination to acquire power at any cost. Willing to use the law to better your own life. Even to go as far as bending those laws till they are just about to give out.”

“There are hundreds of people who do that. I’m still not buying whatever game you are selling. I said no.”

Numa stopped for a moment. There was an ever faint emotion in her eyes, it was disbelief. “So be it, I won’t be talking to you ever again. Bye.” With that final word, she faded away into mist. Mathew leaned forward, ready to get to driving again, but remembered she said there was a line.

“Great, just how many more will I have to talk to?” Mathew asked out loud. This was not going to his plans. He wanted to hurry up and end this. Unless a God had a real offer to him, he would just deny them all. He had zero interest in serving a higher power, not after the mistake of getting tangled with Payne.

A man coughed to get his attention. Standing next to the passenger window was a well dressed...snake? It was a giant snake, no arms, no humanoid features. Just a snake with a business suit and tie. How the snake put it on wasn’t the real concern to Mathew.

“Hi, yes, are you Mathew McGonald?” The snake asked, a clipboard with papers was held with an invisible force eye level with the snake. Mathew looked past it’s head and saw the snake was easily dozens of feet long, if not more. It’s head was on par with the Pack Leader he fought.

“Y-Yes?” Mathew said hesitantly, not wishing to become snake food.

“Excellent, I am a representative of The Council. As we as a collective are granted the Title of ‘God’ only one of us could show up and I was voted to do so. I do hope this isn’t a bad time?” The snake looked around seeing people fleeing away from the signs of battle ahead.

“Kinda is actually.” Mathew admitted.

“Well, I will be brief then. Your Profession has already introduced you into our personnel as a plausible candidate for this planet. Your current records of over 400 Officated Contract, plus the synergy with your Class places you as the highest potential candidate to offer a high level Blessing. If you would sign these documents, it can all be officiated.

“Is 400 good?”

“It’s the highest amount on this planet. The second highest being just over seventy. A notable achievement, hence why you are able to receive the blessing as dictated by our rules.”

A large stack of papers was handed to him. Mathew was honestly still in shock at the sight of a giant snake. He didn’t have a phobia of snakes, but giant ones? Any sane person would be afraid of them. The fact it spoke clear and proper English, and seemed somewhat human, was where it all took a sharp left turn.

“Uh, yes, just let me read them first?” Mathew glanced down and the text was averaged in size. He thumbed through it just to see how many papers there were, and it was just too much right now. Mathew was about to ask for the short version, but stopped. “How long are you here before the next in line comes?”

“As the law states, until you agree or disagree with me, and are reading those papers or debating with me, you have all the time needed.”

A sly idea appeared in Mathew’s mind. He went to open the door but found it unmoveable. “Please don’t try to find a loophole to gain advantage, I promise you there are none. The Council prides itself on not allowing any loopholes it does not want. Allowing Gods to use this moment to give their possible subjects and followers an advantage of any kind outside their blessings and words is not allowed.”

Mathew frowned, but respected the straightforwardness of the snake. “Do you have a name?”

“I do.”

“And your name is…”

“Not important, please read and either decline or accept. I have a very busy day.”

“But time is frozen here?” Mathew asked, slightly puzzled.

The snake huffed, “Yes here, not everywhere else especially time secluded bubbles of space such as The Councilroom.” He nodded at the papers as if encouraging Mathew to get to work.

Mathew didn’t want to push his luck with the snake and started to read the paperwork. He was floored with how detailed everything was. It took him four times to read it over to properly understand it all, and probably spent well over two hours doing so.

Going through such familiar movements calmed him a little bit. Putting him back into his old metal working metal state. He has been on edge lately, for the worse. He hasn’t been thinking clearly or as calculated. Always reacting instead of planning ahead properly. Mathew silently thanked The Council for this.

The Contract itself was about 80% legal filler. In the end, The Council was more of a political or legal power than any God. At least, that is what it sounded like. Mathew didn’t have to ‘worship’ for them, just be a legal representative. He had to follow their laws to perfection.

Additionally he would gain the rights to establish world tier laws once Phase 2 started. A note he pocketed for the future. There were other legal actions he could take. Even going as far as he could represent any human that was under his power as a Hearth Crystal owner. Right now he didn’t want to do that, a freedom he greatly enjoyed. Being forced to play the games of The Council seemed boring. If they already had laws and regulations for everything then he would have a boring and straight forward job.

In return, he received a very interesting blessing. Not only were the stat bonuses stacking with a mathematical formula calculated at each Level, but the abilities were outstanding. Firstly, his [Writing] would upgrade. He would receive the [Reading] skill, along with a spell called [Enforce Law]. It was a spell that only worked on someone breaking a law that he rightfully can enforce. Essentially stopping them instantly in place and teleporting them to a predesignated prison or cell. Mathew assumed it would only work on people weaker than him.

Mathew also was glad to see the Blessing itself was invisible to The System. He had no idea why that was a perk, and even Numa mentioned it. Yet, even with such a promise of power to enforce his laws along with the massive stat boosts, he couldn’t accept it. He enjoyed the backing The Council gave with his Contracts, but he wanted to not become a true part of them.

Mathew signed his name next to the ‘Deny’ section and the papers floated out of his hands. The snake nodded it’s head, “Good Day,” and blinked out of existence without a second to talk further.

Blinking in surprise, Mathew tried to just ignore the weirdness. Magic was real, something even he forgot in that moment. He was curious if there was a third person. That’s when he realized so far these two people were from the list he saw when he received his class. If he recalled there were four that approved his class, while two disapproved of it. The next two should be Gaia and An Ancestor.

He didn’t have long to think about it before a man appeared facing away from the truck. He turned around and smiled once looking at Mathew. He had a large white beard, white hair, rosy cheeks that were almost as red as his jacket, “If Gaia is Santa I quit.”