CHAPTER 195: CHAPTER 195 : LUCIFER MORNINGSTAR (7)

The atmosphere around the museum was suffocating. People were still on their knees, gasping for air, struggling to breathe under the crushing weight of Lucifer’s aura. It pressed down on them like a mountain, merciless and absolute.

Danny, Natly, and Tommen didn’t even know what was happening at first. Just moments ago, they had been confident—ready to put that arrogant kid in his place. But the next second, it felt as if death itself was pressing against their throats. The suffocating pressure left them unable to move, their bodies trembling as if they were about to collapse for good.

And then, just as suddenly, the pressure vanished. The invisible mountain lifted, leaving them drenched in sweat, gulping for air as their lungs finally remembered how to breathe.

Before they could recover, the Shadow Legion appeared, stepping forward with cool composure. Tyrion wore a smug expression as he folded his arms, his tone dripping with arrogance.

"I think you guys should leave here as soon as possible if you don’t want to get beaten up by the Captain," he said. "And forget about the rift—we’re the ones who are going to clear it."

The smugness in his voice lit a fire in their veins. Danny, Natly, and Tommen glared daggers at him.

Natly gritted her teeth. "So what if your Captain is as powerful as the three of us combined? Carter is still here. He’ll pummel him to the ground."

Tyrion’s smirk widened. "If you’re talking about your wannabe boyfriend, then maybe you should look over there."

The three froze, confusion flickering across their faces. Because of the earlier pressure, they had been too dazed to notice what was happening. But when they followed Tyrion’s pointing finger, the sight that met them nearly stopped their hearts.

Carter Brown—the most famous hunter in the human empire. The man who had cleared hundreds of rifts, who had once assisted the Hero during a kidnapping incident and saved countless civilians. The man with talent they could never hope to match, the man they had always dreamed of surpassing—

That Carter Brown was running.

Running away from a sixteen-year-old boy.

Their blood ran cold. A Grandmaster running away from a kid? If they told their guildmaster or anyone else what they had just seen, they’d be laughed out of the room. Yet their eyes couldn’t lie. Carter Brown was fleeing for his life, and one thought screamed in their minds:

’What the hell is happening? Who the hell is that kid?!’

Meanwhile, Carter himself was drowning in despair. He ran with everything he had, muttering under his breath like a broken record.

"It can’t be. It can’t be. It can’t be—"

But his words died in his throat when Alex suddenly appeared in front of him, blocking his path. Before Carter could react, Alex’s hand shot out, seizing his face. With terrifying strength, Alex slammed him into the ground. The pavement cracked beneath the impact, splitting wide as Carter’s body bounced against it.

Lying sprawled, dazed and broken, Carter heard that dreadful voice again, calm and mocking.

"Now you’re sure this isn’t a dream. Everything you’re seeing—it’s reality."

As Carter looked into those amethyst eyes, reality finally crashed down on him.

The impossible truth clawed its way into his chest: it really was the same kid they had abandoned six months ago, left to die in that hellish dimension.

Terror consumed him. He scrambled onto his knees, bowing his head.

"Forgive me! You already know—I had no choice. Even if I wanted to help you, I was powerless. Please... please don’t kill me. I didn’t want any of that to happen!"

Alex’s lips curled into a cold laugh. "Looks like that last strike really brought you back to reality."

He flicked a finger, and shadows rose from the ground, shaping into a chair. He sat upon it like a king on his throne, staring down at Carter, who remained kneeling, trembling.

Alex’s gaze analyzed him, unblinking, and Carter’s heartbeat thundered louder with every second. He knew exactly what kind of monster sat before him.

The Devil showed no mercy to enemies. He couldn’t afford to let Alex see him as one.

Almost as if reading his mind, Alex tilted his head. "I heard after that incident, you became a lot more famous. The one who assisted the Hero and saved countless citizens. You made a lot of money too, didn’t you?"

Carter swallowed hard. "I didn’t do it willingly. The orders came from the royal palace—I had no choice but to cooperate."

Alex hummed, pretending to think. "Well, that’s understandable. You didn’t have a choice."

But his next words froze Carter’s blood.

"The fact remains—you profited a lot from me. So tell me, how are you going to compensate me? After all, I’m your benefactor, aren’t I?"

Carter flinched. His eyes darted in panic. "Sir, you don’t have to worry! I can give you all the money, and if that’s not enough, I can compensate you with connections, properties—anything you want. Just name it!"

Alex smirked. "What if I want all of it?"

Carter’s breath hitched. "If I give you everything... then what about me?"

Alex burst out laughing, his voice sharp as knives. "Don’t worry. I’m a very kind person who loves justice. I even treat my enemies with kindness."

Carter’s mind screamed. ’Yeah right. I’d sooner believe the world will end tomorrow.’

But Alex’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "You think I’m lying, don’t you?"

Carter shook his head frantically. "Of course not, sir! Why would someone as great as you ever lie?"

"Perfect," Alex said with a satisfied smile. "Now there’s trust between us."

He waved his hand, and a contract appeared in the air before Carter. The hunter’s face drained of color as he read it.

---

### The Contract Terms

- Carter Brown shall obey and fulfill every command, order, or desire issued by Alex Dragonheart without delay, refusal, or resistance.

- Carter Brown shall give Alex Dragonheart his unconditional support in all matters, whether personal, financial, political, or martial.

- Carter Brown acknowledges that Alex Dragonheart shall hold ownership of 50% of all present and future companies, assets, and enterprises established by him.

- Carter Brown shall never refuse a request from Alex Dragonheart. Any attempt to resist, betray, or withhold shall result in immediate enforcement by the contract, inflicting unbearable soul-level pain until obedience is restored.

- Carter Brown shall never, whether directly or indirectly, commit any act of betrayal, deception, or harm against Alex Dragonheart. Any such attempt will result in the contract consuming his life force until obedience is restored.

- This contract is eternal, unbreakable, and absolute, remaining in effect until Alex Dragonheart alone chooses to dissolve it.

---

Carter stammered, his soul nearly leaving his body. "S–Sir... did you maybe give me the wrong mana contract?"

Alex leaned over, glancing at the paper. "Hmm? Let me see... No, no, this is the right one. The slave one."

Carter shouted, horrified. "So you admit it’s a slave contract?!"

He immediately regretted his outburst, covering his mouth with both hands.

Alex smirked. "Tell me, Carter. What’s more important—your life, or your money?"

Carter’s voice trembled. "But if I sign this, I’ll basically be your slave."

"Exactly," Alex said smoothly. "Don’t forget, I saved your life by sacrificing myself. Your life already belongs to me. You should be grateful I’m being generous—or I’d take everything."

Carter was stunned. He had never witnessed such shamelessness in his life. And yet, with a heavy sigh, he admitted inwardly, ’He’s not entirely wrong... If not for him, none of us would’ve survived that day.’

With tears brimming in his eyes, Carter clenched his chest and signed the contract.

Light exploded as the paper dissolved into shimmering motes, seeping into both their bodies.

Alex laughed triumphantly. "You’ll never regret this. I’m a very generous man—ask my guildmates if you don’t believe me."

His gaze slid toward Carter’s bike. "I like your bike. You’ll give it to me, right? I’m asking nicely."

Carter’s shoulders slumped. His tears flowed freely. "Of course, sir. From this moment on, it’s yours."

"What a glorious day," Alex said with a bright smile. "But why are you crying?"

Carter sniffled miserably. "They’re... tears of joy."

"Of course they are."

Just then, Tyrion’s voice came from behind. "Captain, is everything alright?" He glanced at Carter and shook his head. "Tch tch... you made the poor guy cry. It’s becoming a habit. He’s the most famous hunter, you should’ve gone a little easier on him."

"I did go easy on him," Alex replied calmly. "And these are tears of joy, aren’t they, Carter?"

Carter nodded frantically, desperate to agree.

Tyrion could only gape. ’What the hell did Captain do to make him cry like this?’

But Alex wasn’t done. His voice darkened with amusement. "Carter, here’s your first act of friendship toward me."

He pointed toward Danny, Natly, and Tommen, who had been watching in stunned silence as the most famous Grandmaster they knew cried before a sixteen-year-old boy.

"Clear those pests. Looking at them hurts my eyes."

Their jaws dropped. Natly snapped in outrage. "Stop bullshitting! Why would he atta—"

Her words cut short as Carter’s fist smashed into her face, sending her crashing through several walls.

Tommen and Danny froze in horror. Carter now stood in front of them, void energy surging from his body.

"You two better run," he warned coldly, "or you’ll get beaten to a pulp."

The Shadow Legion watched in stunned silence. Tyrion’s jaw dropped. "See?! What did I tell you? Captain is the Devil himself! The man who was ready to fight him seconds ago is now beating up his own guildmates and friends from other guilds.!"

A hand smacked the back of his head. Alex’s irritated voice followed. "Who the hell are you calling a devil? I’m an angel! And what the hell are you still doing here? Not clearing the rift? Do you want me to do it for you too?"

Their souls almost left their bodies as a sword materialized in Alex’s hand. But it wasn’t his signature black blade—it was just a normal sword.

Tyrion blinked in confusion. ’What happened to Captain’s black sword?’

Before he could dwell on it, Alex’s sharp voice rang out again. "Did you not hear me? Go!"

Without another word, the Shadow Legion bolted toward the rift.

Just then, Alex’s EtherPad buzzed. He pulled it out, and when he saw the caller ID, his breath hitched.

***Chaos Gremlin 😈**

Alex stiffened. ’The real devil is calling me now.’

"Shit—I almost forgot I promised to take her shopping... what should I do now?"

-----

A/N:

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