{CONTRACTS:...}

There were a few hundred options available for the contracts. Rewards for each mission varied, and so did the contents. Things like escorting demons from point A to point B, carrying cargo from point C to point D, joining the fighting forces in front E, or killing unidentified astral bodies.

Rewards weren’t necessarily monetary based. Weapons or tickets for forging better tools were among the commissioned compensation. Though, most of them did come with quite the sum.

Which is still something I’m working hard to wrap my head around.

“What do you mean by escorting pureborn demons?”

“Purborn demons are real demons. Remember how there’s the mortal sea and the spirit realm? Pureborn demons are born from the spirit realm. To them, the mortal world is like the sea.”

“And we’re ships?”

“That's the sort of analogy most of us use. Interesting, isn’t it?”

Lucifer’s words were accompanied by a tired chuckle.

She was free today and invited me out for a walk around Oala mall.

“We’re ship out in the sea. Pureborn demons don’t have the capability to fight or defend themselves in these waters. On the other hand, if we mortalborn demons go to the spirit realm, our attributes become greatly suppressed.”

Is the suppression different, or similar to the encounter with The Seraph? My attributes back then were suppressed due to the difference in ability.

“Yes. It doesn’t matter if you’re a veteran or an amateur, there will be some degree of suppression. However, it also depends on the type of Seraph. Some don’t cause attribute suppression, or weak suppression. Which path do you want to take?”

“The right one then.”

Lucifer and I turned at a junction. We entered a section where random Chirtmas ornaments jumped on and off screen.

“Do you know what attributes are?”

“If I’m to make a guess, our abilities?”

“I’m not sure what you mean but, the theory is that attributes are our base abilities. Tools used to gauge attributes don’t exist. So we can only make assumptions based on comparisons. If we didn’t have attributes, some of the more unrealistic stunts wouldn’t be feasible in the astral world.”

So that’s why.

“Did any angels come and attack you the past few days?”

“Just yesterday, a gang of angels ate at the restaurant. I thought they weren’t going to kick up a fuss. Who knew they’d plant a mine? I drove their heads to the ground.”

“You didn’t kill them?”

“No, I didn’t. They can call for surrender since they were the ones who initiated the attack. Plus, it’s not the first time they came to me looking for a fight,” Lucifer gripped.

So this is what she meant by the battle maniacs.

I looked at the contract list once more.

The mortal realm is the sea, the spirit realm is the land. Other bodies like tankers and merchants are simply pureborn demons crossing the sea.

TBH, this is a really interesting concept.

“How about these unidentified astral bodies?”

“They’re your typical monsters. Those are rare to come by. Though, sometimes they affect the logistics of the spirit realm so we have to get rid of them. Want to see one? We’re actually undertaking one of such contracts later this evening.”

“I wish I could. I don’t think I can stay till evening.”

“No silly. You can just stay at home. I’ll invite you to the astral space. Just accept it and you’ll be dispatched into the fight.”

What? Is that how it works?

“You’ll understand it once I invite you. Just accept it later.”

“Alright.”

Randell was looking at some random items displayed on the shelves of the nearby pharmacy. Makes me wonder if it's some preprogrammed dynamic to make AIs feel as if they were alive, or could curiosity actually be modulated into their program?

“Lucifer. I actually have a dilemma.”

“About what?”

“I’m associated with angels, in a sense. In fact, I have an angel teacher who acts as my sparring partner. He’s the one who spared my life, and the person who tried to get me to ally with the angels.”

“Do you want a drink?”

“Drink? No thank you.”

“It’s just juice.”

“No, it’s alright.”

Lucifer walked up to the fruit bar.

“He bribed you with stuff didn’t he? I’ll do the same then.”

What? Do angels do that? Actually, I couldn’t say Cain didn’t do something like..

“It’s alright, you don’t need to buy me one.”

“Then pass it to your etler, I’m sure xe’ll like it.”

“It’ll melt by then.”

“Just toss it in the freezer when you get back home, simple right?”

Having ordered 2 avocado milkshakes, Lucifer passed one to me. I had no choice but to accept otherwise it would be a waste.

I stared at the drink. Shin’s memories resurfaced. He’d usually pass up on things like these as they were really expensive.

“Considering?”

I nodded.

What is important in life anyways? Lucifer just spent her money on me like it’s nothing.

Shin was a loner, a workaholic whose main goal was to secure enough assets so that he didn’t need to worry about money. He wanted to get to the point where he could draw without needing to worry about finances.

But.. I’m not just Shin. And this isn’t the same world.

What should I prioritize, honestly?

“Thank you for everything Lucifer.”

“Don’t mention it. Later in the evening, I’ll call you for the UAB extermination, don’t forget.”

“I won’t.”

===

“Press the dough down like this.”

“Like this? Is this alright?”

“Yes, yes, that’s good.”

“Fold it in a little more.”

“How about this?”

We were wrapping dumplings in the kitchen with grandma and grandoa. Minced meat with carrots, onions, and baby crickets. A small block of cheese was hidden inside each piece.

These sorts of shared interactions were rare when we lived with our parents. Most of the time, meals were prepared by aether alone. I only helped out occasionally.

“This one looks really beautiful, Avner.”

I shook my head, placing another completed dumpling on the plate dusted with flour.

“How are you so fast..”

“Practice.”

“Since when?”

“You help your aether at home, is it?”

“Sometimes.”

More like, Shin made these with Novelle before.

“I can’t wait to eat these.”

“You can tell who made who just by the shape of it.”

“Hahaha.”

Lia dangled hirs head.

The deformed ones were made by Lia. The ones that looked a tad too small or big were mine. And those that looked just right were from grandma and grandoa.

“Thank you for helping out. I’ll put these into the steamer, it’ll take around 15 minutes.”

“You two have to wait a bit longer for dinner alright?”

“No problems.”

“I’m so hungry, I can’t wait.”

{Lucifer Saunders has requested for your aid}

{Call distance: 27km/10km}

{A penalty of -17% all attributes will be applied}

Accept or deny. How unexpected.

So this is how contacting other people works.

There’s a penalty if the call distance exceeds 10 kilometers. Then let’s not delay this.

Accept.

The scene warped and I found myself on top of the skywalk connecting an ELRT station to a hospital.

A chill crawled up my arm.

Even from this distance, I could feel it.

Working out the direction with the Boundary as the guide, I made my way to the center of the astral bubble.

Running down the unfamiliar streets, the cars and people frozen in time, I weaved my way through the city and did my best to find Lucifer. Explosions and crackling of electricity rang out alongside the SFX of kaijus screaming.

“You’re our newest member eh?”

I bumped into another demon.

“Pardon?”

“I’m Raon. What’s your’s?”

“Avner.”

“Avner. So you’re the fledgling. Here’s an advice from me. You should always have your weapon out. Don’t jinx it.”

This guy’s weapon was a fancy bayonet. Its quality is incomparable to the bayonet I saw used by that craft last time. Sleek, matt black with red lines running across its body.

He pulled the pump.

A multi-purpose bayonet.

“This way!”

“Roger.”