Chapter 106: Everyone Must Pay Their Debt!
The Moon’s Dark Whisperer felt an immense pressure bearing down on it, the dark energy coiling and writhing around its massive form, searching desperately for an opening to strike back.
But Merlin’s attacks were relentless, surging like the tides in a never-ending onslaught, leaving no room for even a single breath. The creature’s body was being chipped away, weakened with every strike, and its roars—born from a chaotic mix of anger and despair—grew sharper, more piercing, cutting through the night air.
“If I can just hold out… if I can just endure this vermin’s assault…”, it whispered to itself in a fragile attempt at solace. Deep down, it believed Merlin could not sustain such attacks for long. After all, the power he wielded was not his own. Once Merlin’s magic waned, once his tools were spent, it would have its chance to retaliate.
Yet, as moments stretched into unbearable eternity, its confidence was slowly devoured by pain and hopelessness.
“Bullshit!” it screamed inwardly, a surge of rage breaking through. It had been countless years since it had truly felt pain, and now every strike from Merlin struck with the intensity of a tempest. Its Arrival Core was battered repeatedly, agony flooding every inch of its being as though each fragment of its soul cried out in torment. Its body could no longer bear it; every limb and sinew protested, and even the dark energy that had always seemed invincible now felt fragile, wavering under the assault.
“Stop! I beg you, stop!” The Dark Whisperer wailed, a sound laced with pure despair and helplessness. Merlin’s relentless barrage had shattered its arrogance, pulverized its disdain, leaving nothing but vulnerability behind. Though a stubborn spark of defiance still flickered within, it was too weak to fight.
If only the vessel I descended into had been stronger… I would never have been reduced to this by a mere fledgling mage!
The creature roared silently in frustration, yet the cruel reality was clear: it was powerless. Against Merlin’s tidal wave of attacks, it could do nothing but submit to this merciless combat.
Merlin did not pause. In fact, hearing its cries seemed to drive him to strike even harder. Every bolt, every magical concoction, seemed to proclaim victory, each one a hammer against the creature’s dwindling strength. Yuna stood nearby, her eyes wide in disbelief. She was both awed by Merlin’s overwhelming power and touched by the utter hopelessness radiating from the Dark Whisperer.
“You want me to stop?” Merlin’s voice was cold, a faint, cruel smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His staff shimmered with blinding light, almost as if he were savoring the thrill of victory. “Do you realize how many coins this fight has cost me? You really think I’d let you off that easily?”
The Dark Whisperer’s core tightened in alarm. Merlin had no intention of letting up. Its dark energy began to drain at an alarming rate, pain searing through its body as if each strike tore at the very essence of its being. Desperation clawed at the edge of its mind—until, in a fleeting moment of clarity, a thought emerged.
“I can give you power… stronger magic! I know the hidden treasures lost by the elves, treasures worth fortunes! I can even enchant the beautiful elves, bending them to you, making them your thralls!” it gasped, voice trembling despite its effort to sound resolute. “Just spare me… I will give you anything!”
Merlin paused, a flicker of interest glinting in his eyes. His assault halted, and he studied the creature intently, considering this unexpected proposition.
“Sounds tempting…”, he repeated slowly, a cold smile curling on his lips. “But you really think I’d believe you?”
“I swear it! I can swear to the Moon God, I can even form a contract and serve you!” The Dark Whisperer’s words came with the weight of its last reserves of strength. “Just stop hitting me! I will honor any promise!”
For a being from the Shadow Realm, descending into the mortal world was no trivial matter. The conditions were harsh, the timing exacting. If it voluntarily relinquished its Arrival Core now, it might take decades—or even centuries—to return. The thought of going back to the void of the Shadow Realm, empty and lifeless, was unbearable.
Yuna watched tensely, her worry palpable. She knew Merlin could not blindly trust such a cunning, malevolent entity. Yet Merlin’s eyes flickered with hesitation, weighing the potential of this sudden opportunity.
“So… you want to form a contract with me to escape the debt this fight has incurred? You are a cunning little devil, aren’t you?” Merlin’s gaze hardened as he studied the Dark Whisperer, now struggling to form the semblance of “Stacie.” His expression turned cold, merciless.
Fear prickled the creature’s heart.
“No! That’s not what I mean!” It shook desperately, knowing full well that only submission could protect its Arrival Core.
With great effort, the Dark Whisperer unearthed its Arrival Core—the key to its existence in the mortal realm, the very essence of the contract it was about to offer: “I will serve you, repay my debt!”
It had read Stacie’s mind and understood what type of person Merlin was. Resistance was no longer an option; it accepted that it would be exploited for this lifetime.
“Very well,” Merlin finally decided, lowering his staff slowly. A sly, almost sinister smile played across his lips. “I’ll give you one chance. But betray Stacie, and you’ll regret it.”
Relief washed over the Dark Whisperer—it had anticipated this outcome, yet even so, submission was its only choice. Still, the warning about betraying Stacie stirred an unfamiliar sensation within it.
Merlin’s eyes glinted with malice as he stared, evil amusement evident in his smile. “I’m not interested in a contract with you. I’m not a fae master; I can’t fully control your power, and I don’t trust you. You will contract with Stacie obediently. No tricks, no rebellions. Stacie works for me, and now, so will you. You are bound—neither of you is going anywhere.”
The Dark Whisperer’s unease grew. That smile was not friendliness—it was the cruel delight of a predator savoring its prey.
Its gaze swept over Merlin, scrutinizing every detail of the human before it. The greed flickering in his eyes was unsettling, as though he were inspecting a priceless artifact rather than a sentient being.
“What are you staring at?” Merlin’s voice cut through its thoughts. He leaned slightly forward, the sinister curl of his lips making the threat unmistakable, as if he thrived on its fear.
The Dark Whisperer’s senses sharpened. It had faced countless demons and endured unspeakable horrors, yet Merlin radiated a pressure it had never encountered before. The human’s presence exuded cunning and malice, a subtle yet unmistakable aura of boundless schemes concealed behind an unassuming exterior.