Free Web NovelChapter 76: 76:Shouldn’t arrive.
Silver finished packing the last box. His room looked strangely empty now; the walls felt larger and the silence felt heavier.
His gaze settled on two framed photographs, his parents, the original Silver’s parents. For several moments he simply stood there, looking at them. Then carefully placed the pictures inside a reinforced storage case.
No matter whose soul occupied the body now, those two people had loved their son, and that deserved respect.
A knock sounded. Sander entered then hesitated. He spoke quietly.
"Young Master."
Silver turned.
"What is it?"
Sander looked uncomfortable which was rare for him.
"May I accompany you?"
Silver’s eyes widened slightly. That wasn’t expected. Sander continued.
"I have served you for years."
Silver studied him. The man had betrayed the original Silver countless times, feeding information to other family branches, ignoring problems, and helping to create the spoiled young master everyone despised.
Yet strangely, lately, he seemed different, perhaps guilt, fear, or something else entirely. Silver had felt it but chalked it up to it being in his head.
He eventually smiled.
"No," he firmly said.
Sander lowered his head.
Silver continued.
"I’ll be fine."
He looked disappointed then nodded.
"I understand."
After he left, Silver returned to packing.
.
.
.
Deep within another wing of the estate. The Tenth Uncle sat in his private office. The room was darker than usual and only a single lamp illuminated the desk.
Several men sat nearby, trusted people, family members, and allies.
One of them spoke first.
"The Patriarch approved it."
The Tenth Uncle’s expression darkened.
"I know."
The room fell silent. Everyone understood the implication, the Patriarch’s attention was valuable especially for family succession, influence, and power.
The Tenth Uncle slowly tapped the desk, three times. The same habit Silver had noticed earlier.
His eyes narrowed.
"The boy should have remained useless. What happened with the soul eater?"
Nobody responded because everyone in the room had thought the same thing. Silver was one of the many they had managed to train into a spoiled grandson, embarrassment, and disappointment.
That version of Silver had been predictable, safe, and harmless. This new Silver wasn’t. He was earning recommendations, gaining recognition, receiving resources, and now the Patriarch’s interest.
The Tenth Uncle finally spoke again.
"If he reaches the Academy..." he quietly said, "...it becomes difficult."
He glanced around the room, and his eyes landed on an almost familiar face.
"What about your brother?" He asked the man.
The man shook his head." Shawn is quite cautious. He rarely takes things offered. Cruella was the only way to make him stay longer but it seems he changed his mind... Silver was responsible for that change."
The Tenth Uncle nodded. " We’ll deal with him together with Silver. As promised you’ll inherit everything from your branch and peacefully separate from the family. As long as my son becomes the Patriarch."
The man nodded. "That’s all I need."
Another person in the room spoke up." How should we deal with Silver now, we can’t let him slip through..."
The tenth uncle leaned back slowly and his face disappeared into shadow. Then for the first time, he smiled, a cold smile.
"Perhaps," he started and folded his arms,"...he shouldn’t arrive."
.
.
.
Silver had barely finished checking the fuel levels on the new contractor vehicle when a familiar mechanical voice echoed inside his mind.
[Notification]
[Hidden Event Completed.]
{• Target Ravenna defended the Host’s reputation against malicious interference.
• Target rejected external manipulation.
• Trust in Host has strengthened.
Calculating rewards...}
Silver paused with one hand on the driver’s door.
"...What?"
The system continued as if it hadn’t heard him.
[Reward Distribution Complete]
Reward One:
[Skill Acquired]
Advanced Field Cooking Lv1
Description:
{A contractor’s survival is determined not only by combat, but also by preparation.
~Allows the host to efficiently process beast meat, preserve monster ingredients, identify edible plants, and cook meals that increase recovery speed and stamina regeneration.}
Passive Bonus: freewebnσvel.cѳm
• +10% Nutrient Absorption
• Reduced food waste
• Increased recovery from meals personally prepared.
Silver didn’t even know how to react to that.
"...Cooking?"
The reward made sense, he could cook but he couldn’t cook monster meat.
[Reward Two]
[Rare Item Acquired]
Void Tempering Fruit
Grade: Epic
Description:
{A rare fruit born from Space-type beasts.
Can only be consumed by contractors possessing Space affinity
Temporarily strengthens the soul’s compatibility with spatial energy while permanently increasing the durability of spatial pathways.
Effects:
• Increases Space Affinity.
• Reduces mental exhaustion when using spatial abilities.
• Slightly increases Soul Synchronization.
Warning:
• Recommended consumption after reaching Rank 3.
• Premature use may overload the soul.
• Stored in System Inventory.}
Silver’s eyes widened. That... That was incredible. Space contractors rarely found treasures compatible with their affinity. Most items enhanced general soul power, very few specifically strengthened spatial abilities. The fruit alone was worth several fortunes.
The system continued.
[Reward Three]
250 Affection Points.
[Reward Four]
Attribute Increase.
Perception +2
Soul Synchronization +3
Mental Resistance +2
[Reward Four]
Title Unlocked.
Reliable Companion
Passive Effect:
{Individuals who genuinely trust the Host recover emotional stability more quickly during moments of crisis.}
Silver let out a slow whistle.
"...Those are actually amazing."
He couldn’t help smiling. The rewards were becoming increasingly specialized, instead of simply making him stronger. The system was beginning to build him into a well-rounded contractor. He would have combat, support, survival, leadership and even cooking.
It was almost as though... The Happiness System wanted him to become someone people naturally wanted to stay beside.
"...Interesting."
He closed the notifications.
Only then did it come to him that the notification had been from Ravenna defending him. He knew he had to go see her since the system had been vague.
He got into the new car and drove off. Fifteen minutes later, he pulled into the contractor’s hotel parking lot.
He closed the car door and stepped out, only to notice the commotion near the entrance of the Contractor Hotel.
People whispered among themselves, some glanced toward the hotel and others looked away awkwardly.
Silver frowned.
Whatever had happened was definitely bad if it attracted enough attention for people to crowd amongst themselves.
He started walking. Then someone stepped directly into his path. He stopped.
Cruella.
She looked nothing like she usually did. Her immaculate appearance remained and her clothes remained flawless, but the left side of her face carried a distinct red handprint. It wasn’t swollen badly. Just obvious enough that anyone looking would notice.
Her eyes immediately found his.
"Silver."
His expression remained calm.
"...Can I help you?"
She looked around briefly before lowering her voice.
"I... I need to tell you something."
