“Um, well, I bought a set of nameless martial arts cards yesterday. Although it’s not complete, it seems pretty powerful! It’s just that I didn’t manage to get the basic blade technique…” After racking my brains, I finally thought of a topic and took out my Devil’s Book, wanting to show off to Harriet Turner.

“If I give you a basic blade technique card, would you join our team?” The girl with glasses suddenly spoke up.

This girl looked to be in her twenties. Although she didn’t have the same overwhelming pride as the ice-cold beauty Harriet Turner, she had a very special aura that made her instantly likable. Even though her glasses covered the upper half of her face, it didn’t diminish her beauty—she was what people often called an intellectual beauty.

I scratched my head and said with a wry smile, “I’m just a newbie, I don’t have any abilities at all!”

The girl with glasses smiled and said, “Everyone starts as a newbie. I believe you’ll be able to show great strength in my team.” As she spoke, she leaned forward slightly, exuding a charming grace. I had never seen a girl sit so elegantly. In comparison, Harriet Turner’s sitting posture was much more casual.

“Lillian Faulkner, if you want to recruit a newbie, go ahead.” Harriet Turner casually tossed out a sentence and got up to leave. I couldn’t think of any excuse to follow her or ask Harriet Turner to stay, so I could only sit there, scratching my head, and said to the girl with glasses, “I’d be happy to join your team, but could you tell me what kind of team it is?”

Anyway, if I wanted to go home, I needed to get the Wish Fruit. To get the Wish Fruit, I had to become strong enough. Being recruited by a team was much better than stumbling around on my own, and I wasn’t in a position to be picky.

“I’m an agent for a mercenary group. My mission on Devil’s Island is to find qualified members for the mercenary group. Occasionally, I also scout out promising newcomers. As long as you’re willing to sign this contract and promise to join our mercenary group after leaving Devil’s Island, I can provide you with a series of services.”

A meticulously worded contract appeared in my Devil’s Book. I asked what I thought was a key question: “What if I don’t meet your requirements?”

Lillian Faulkner suddenly smiled and said calmly, “Anyone who can leave Devil’s Island alive will be strong.”

I suddenly shivered, understanding the subtext of Lillian Faulkner’s words. “Those who don’t meet the requirements probably end up dead, and there’s no point arguing with the dead.”

I lowered my head and carefully examined the contract Lillian Faulkner sent over. The content was actually very simple: she would provide me with what I needed to improve my strength, I would follow her arrangements, and after leaving Devil’s Island, Lillian Faulkner would have the rights to my first professional license! Most importantly, either of us could unilaterally terminate the contract at any time.

Although I was just a first-year high school student, I wasn’t stupid enough to think I’d stumbled into a sucker’s deal. “If I terminate the contract unilaterally, I’ll probably have to face assassins sent by Lillian Faulkner.” Sighing inwardly, I thought it over for a long time and finally decided to sign this first devil’s contract of my life.

Chapter 11: A Terrifying New Companion

As soon as my name was written on the paper, a demonic emblem immediately appeared beneath the contract, signifying its activation. Julia had already told me about this emblem—it meant the contract’s magic was now in effect, and either party who broke it would face unpredictable punishment.

As for which demon would enforce the punishment, even Julia didn’t know. She only told me it was not a being I could resist.

Seeing that I had signed my name, Lillian Faulkner smiled slightly and handed me a basic blade technique card and an internal energy card. She said to me, “Welcome to the Demon-Sealing Mercenary Group’s reserves!”

Basic Blade Technique

Level 1 Martial Arts Card

Although it only has eighteen simple moves, it covers all the essentials of using a blade.

It is the foundation of all blade techniques and must be practiced repeatedly to master.

Internal Energy Card

Level 2 Special Card

The user can permanently increase their internal energy limit by 300 points.

The things Lillian Faulkner gave me were so good I couldn’t refuse—they were exactly what I needed right now. Lillian Faulkner smiled as she watched me put the two cards into the Devil’s Book and select “use.” She said to me, “With your current abilities, you simply can’t survive in this place. I’ll arrange for you to join our mercenary group’s rookie training camp. If you have nothing else to do, we can set off now!”

“I still have some things left in my room. I’ll come find you in a bit!”

Lillian Faulkner nodded, gave me her communication card number, and then got up and left.

I quickly finished my breakfast and brought a portion for Julia as well before returning to my room. What I said earlier about needing to get something was just an excuse; in reality, I wanted to ask Julia about the mercenary group.

“What? You joined the Demon-Sealing Mercenary Group! I just slept in for a bit, and you already joined a mercenary group… Oh my god!”

Julia shouted in an exaggerated tone, and I had to cover my ears. I had just told her about meeting Lillian Faulkner and signing the mercenary group training contract. I didn’t expect Julia to react so strongly.