CHAPTER 512: 512. THE SPIRIT ATTEMPTS COMMUNICATION

"As expected, you can heal just by dipping in water... Are you some sort of water creature?" Yumina asked curiously, leaning over the edge of the enormous pool.

Both of them had found yet another mansion inside Tyla’s pocket dimension—this one equipped with a grand bathhouse that looked more like a hot spring resort than a simple bathroom. The pool-sized bath shimmered under the gentle glow of floating crystals, and the steam rising from the surface carried a soft, floral scent.

Tyla, who was floating lazily on her back, looked far too relaxed for someone who’d recently survived an explosion and a brawl with bandits. Her snow-white hair spread like silk over the water’s surface, her body glimmering faintly under the reflection of the light arrays.

Yumina, sitting at the edge with her legs dipped in the warm water, tilted her head and muttered, "You heal faster when soaked... and you move through water like a spirit fish. Maybe you’re a sea creature. Or an adventurer who used to roam the oceans. Maybe even a merchant—someone ridiculously rich, judging by all this luxury."

Tyla cracked one eye open and lazily turned her head. "Can you stop staring at my body?"

"W–what? I’m not staring!" Yumina stammered, blushing. Then, her eyes flicked downward for half a second before she quickly turned away, muttering, "It’s just... so perfect. And... why is there no hair... Never mind!" Her face turned beet red as she slapped her cheeks in embarrassment.

Tyla smirked faintly but didn’t tease her further. "Did you think Luman woke up yet?"

"Yeah," Yumina said, relieved for the change of topic. "We already put him in the small bath with some healing potions. He should wake up soon enough."

"Good. So... after this, where are you heading?" Tyla asked, gently paddling toward the edge. Droplets rolled down her skin like liquid light.

"To go on and do bounty hunting," Yumina replied with a proud grin.

"Bounty hunting?" Tyla raised an eyebrow. "You mean... like hunting down immortal practitioners or criminals?"

Yumina waved her hand. "Not exactly. Well, sometimes. But in the Dragon King Territories, the guilds don’t use the word ’tasks.’ They call them ’bounties’—an old tradition from the age of dragon riders." She smiled and continued, "So the bounties could be anything, from hunting beasts to gathering rare herbs. For example—’Wanted: Two kilograms of Swamp Snowberries. Reward: 100 Lydia.’ It’s basically adventuring, but with a cooler name."

"Oh..." Tyla nodded thoughtfully. "That actually sounds fun."

"Yeah," Yumina said, her eyes softening. "I’m saving up money to find my friends. Once I earn enough, I’ll take a Dragon Boat and sail across the seas to search for them. So after dropping this Luman guy off at his clan and claiming the reward, I’ll continue bounty hunting until I can afford the trip."

"Hmmm..." Tyla hummed, lost in thought as small ripples spread from her movements.

"What about you?" Yumina asked. "Any plans?"

Tyla blinked, then sighed. "I’m not sure. I don’t remember much. Maybe I’ll try to recover my memories first... figure out who I really am."

Yumina hesitated, then smiled shyly. "How about you tag along with me until then? It’s better than wandering alone."

"Sounds good," Tyla said instantly, her answer surprising even Yumina. "Yeah, I’ll come with you."

Yumina beamed. "Then it’s decided!"

For a while, the two simply relaxed. The soft humming of water arrays filled the silence, the warm mist blurring the edges of the grand chamber. For a brief moment, after all the chaos and fighting, they could breathe.

Suddenly—

"Idiot... copper pot... contracts"

The faint whisper cut through the still air. Tyla froze mid-motion, her hand halfway to her towel.

"Huh? Did you say something?" Tyla asked, glancing around.

But Yumina didn’t answer. She already left the bath. Tyla was alone.

"Yumina?" Tyla called, confused.

"Hello? Anyone here?" she called again. No answer.

She frowned, gripping the edge of the bath as she stood up. "I definitely heard a girl’s voice..." she muttered under her breath.

Her reflection on the surface rippled faintly—as though something beneath the water had just moved.

Tyla glanced down, half expecting to see her own reflection staring back. But what she saw instead... was a faint outline of another girl’s face, smiling faintly before fading into the steam.

Tyla blinked and rubbed her eyes. When she looked again, the reflection was gone.

"The heck" Tyla eyes widened , stepping out of the bath, the sound of dripping water echoing softly behind her as the steam swallowed the empty chamber.

---

"Thank you for saving me..." Luman bowed deeply toward Tyla and Yumina, who were already dressed in their gear, ready to move out. His voice carried both gratitude and awe— after all, these two women had just pulled him out of a nightmare.

"It’s not a big deal," Tyla said casually, stretching her arms. "Just make sure to pay my friend here the right amount. She’s the one who saved you twice.’

"Of course," Luman replied quickly, forcing a laugh. "I owe you both my life. And if Ms. Yumina is interested..." He straightened his back and spoke with a spark of pride, "She can join our clan! We’re currently in conflict with those insect clan bastards over the Snow crystal stones mine. If you’d be willing to work as one of our guards, we can pay you handsomely."

The sincerity in his tone was clear —he genuinely wanted Yumina’s strength on his side.

Yumina scratched her cheek awkwardly.

Before Yumina could answer, Tyla replied, "That’s kind of flattering, but no thanks. We already have something important to do."

"Huh?" Yumina was confused, Before she could question, Tyla waved a hand and interrupted. "Also, let’s keep the whole pocket dimension thing between us, alright?"

"Oh, absolutely," Luman said, nodding so fast his neck almost cracked.

"Good," Tyla said cheerfully, before taking out something from her robes. "But to make sure you really mean it..."

She pulled out a thin sheet inscribed with runes that glowed faintly under the morning light in the pocket dimension, "Let’s make it official— with a Soul Contract."

Luman froze mid-nod. "A–A Soul Contract?" His face twitched as if she’d just suggested cutting off his arm.

"Yes," Tyla said in a businesslike tone, already unfurling the parchment. "Just a simple one. It’ll bind you from spilling what you know about us. Don’t worry —it won’t harm you unless you do something stupid."

Yumina sighed, "You’re scaring him."

"I’m protecting us?," Tyla replied flatly.

Luman gave a dry laugh, trying to mask his unease. "N-No problem... it’s understandable. You two are strangers to me too."

He then read the contract.

With a reluctant sigh, he bit his thumb and pressed it to the parchment. The contract flared with a blue glow and then dissolved into sparks that vanished into the air.

"Perfect," Tyla said, smiling with satisfaction.

As Luman stared at his hand nervously, Yumina’s voice entered Tyla’s mind through a sound transmission.

"Where did you even get that thing?"

Tyla smirked slightly and replied through the same sound transmission , "Found a whole box of them inside that storage pagoda. Guess I do make many contracts."

"You know... those Soul Contracts are insanely rare and expensive," Yumina’s mental voice echoed with a mix of disbelief and awe. "Especially the tier you used— it can bind anyone below the Immortal Realm! Honestly, I’m already shocked by how rich you are..."

Tyla smirked and gave a playful wink. "Just call me "Mommy". I can groom you, you know."

Yumina blinked, half in amusement, half in horror. "You’re joking, right?" she scoffed, folding her arms. "Wait— don’t tell me I’m supposed to sign one too?"

"Yeah, why not?" Tyla said casually, then added teasingly, "Wait, I think I saw something labeled ’Slave Contract’ in there too..."

Yumina froze, her expression twitching as she forced a laugh. "You’re joking, right?"

Tyla just smiled mysteriously.

Yumina gave her a wary glance. "Right... joking."

Somehow, she wasn’t entirely sure.

In the end, Yumina also signed a contract—just to make sure she wouldn’t reveal anything about the pocket dimension. Even though Tyla’s memories were gone, her cautious nature clearly wasn’t.

---

Meanwhile, Tyla found herself in a snowy expanse within the pocket realm, guided by the same mysterious voice of the ghost girl.

Two snow camels rested nearby, munching happily on piles of glowing winter berries. One of them rose and affectionately rubbed its cheek against Tyla’s face.

"Oh... I have snow camels?" Tyla murmured in surprise, smiling faintly as she patted the creature’s head. "Well, that’s... not really important right now." Her gaze drifted toward the direction where the ghost girl’s faint presence seemed to lead. "She can’t talk to me, but she keeps guiding me..."

Following the unseen trail, Tyla stepped forward, and with each step, intricate arrays hidden beneath the snow flared to life —unlocking one after another with a soft hum. The air shimmered with gentle light.

When she reached the end, Tyla stopped. A strange emotion welled up inside her—something between relief and confidence, as if her heart recognized this thing before her even when her mind did not.

Before her sat a simple copper pot and a copper ladle resting beside it.