Chapter 15: Contract

As Seojun's consciousness slipped away, he fell into a deep, restless sleep. His body lay beneath the massive rock, still pinned and battered, while the system took over the situation. The screen flickered to life with a new notification.

[System Notification]

Host is currently in a healing coma. System taking control to manage immediate threats. Host's body is in Healing Mode.

The holographic screen showed that Seojun's body was being automatically managed to stabilize and recover. Though he was unconscious, the system was actively working to protect him and handle the crisis.

Meanwhile, Cerberus was released. The guardian appeared with a dramatic entrance, towering over the battlefield. Its massive, three-headed form was roughly the same size as the Hydra, almost touching the ceiling of the chamber. The creature's dark, menacing fur bristled as it entered the fray.

The battle between Cerberus and the Hydra erupted with intensity. The Hydra, with its nine heads, attacked fiercely, snapping and biting at Cerberus. Cerberus held its ground, using its powerful limbs and three sets of jaws to fend off the Hydra's attacks. Despite the ferocity of the battle, it was clear that Cerberus was reluctant to cause serious harm to the Hydra, its movements precise and controlled.

Ding!

[System activating binding chains to control Hydra's aggression.]

Suddenly, a new notification appeared, and glowing, spectral chains emerged from the system's interface. These chains shot towards the Hydra, wrapping around its massive limbs and heads. The chains glowed with a mystical energy, restricting the Hydra's movement and reducing its aggression.

The Hydra roared in frustration, struggling against the binding chains, but Cerberus continued to hold its ground, maintaining a defensive stance. The battle was fierce but carefully controlled, with Cerberus preventing further harm while the chains worked to subdue the Hydra.

As the system managed the situation, Seojun remained in his healing state, his body slowly recovering while the guardians fought to protect him and the Labyrinth.

As the binding chains tightened around the Hydra, its massive form began to shrink, the once-towering beast compressing under the magical restraints. The chains glowed brighter as they constricted, visibly forcing the Hydra into a smaller, more manageable size. Cerberus, too, its own massive frame gradually diminishing in size.

The battle continued with Cerberus adapting to its new, smaller form. The guardian carefully stepped on the Hydra's constricted body, maintaining its defensive stance. Despite its reduced size, Cerberus's three heads remained vigilant, and its presence was still formidable.

As the binding chains continued to restrain the Hydra, its form gradually returned to its original size. The massive beast roared in frustration and fury, struggling against the magical restraints. But then, a peculiar change occurred—the Hydra's rage seemed to shift into something else, a flicker of recognition in its eyes.

[System Notification]

Warning: Hydra regains control and is exhibiting unusual behavior.

The Hydra's heads turned towards Cerberus, a look of deep, ancient recognition flashing across their eyes. The creature's roars softened, replaced by an eerie, solemn tone.

"Brother?" one of the Hydra's heads hissed. "Is that you, Cerberus?"

Cerberus, still in its diminished form, looked back at the Hydra with surprise and a hint of sadness. It stepped firmly on the Hydra's restrained body, causing the creature to wince in pain.

"It is I, Hydra," Cerberus replied "And you hurt my master!"

The Hydra's heads twisted in confusion and rage. "Master? You mean that human?" one head hissed. "Since when did you lower yourself to serve a mere human? Have you lost all your pride, Cerberus?"

Cerberus's patience snapped. With a powerful swipe, he struck the Hydra's original head, sending it reeling back.

"How dare you speak of my master that way!

You're treading on dangerous ground, Hydra."

The Hydra roared in pain and fury. "What do you know of my own plight? What right do you have to challenge me?"

Cerberus's tone grew cold and resolute. "It's not just about me. You're in trouble with Father for daring to act against our bond. But for now, I propose a truce."

The Hydra's heads hissed in frustration, but Cerberus continued. "For the sake of our shared history, and to address the situation properly, make a contract with my master. We'll resolve our issues in the space where Master's guardian rests."

[System Notification]

Contract Proposal: Hydra and Master's Guardian to discuss matters in the Guardian Resting Space.

A new hologram appeared, detailing the terms of the proposed contract. The Guardian Resting Space was a serene, neutral area within the system designed for discussions and agreements among powerful entities. It provided a calm environment, away from the immediate dangers of the battlefield.

Cerberus's stance remained firm. "Agree to the contract, Hydra. We need to speak in a place where we can understand each other and address these grievances."

The Hydra's confusion turned into anger as Cerberus demanded a truce. "You dare to call me out, Cerberus? Since when did you become a slave to that human?" the Hydra snarled.

His rage was evident, but Cerberus's fury was even more intense. Cerberus's patience snapped. With a heavy stomp, he pressed down hard on the Hydra's head, making it cry out in pain.

"Don't you dare speak about my master like that! You're crossing a line, Hydra." The Hydra recoiled, but his anger was overshadowed by a wave of sorrow. Tears streamed from his eyes as he howled, his voice echoing with a deep, mournful cry.

"Huhuu, brother! After millions of years, this is how you treat me?!" As the Hydra cried out, the binding chains began to weaken. The mystical energy holding him in place flickered and lost its grip. The Hydra's form shifted, and he transformed into a silver-scaled snake slithering across Cerberus's body in a gesture of defeat and desperation.

[System Notification]

Force Contract Initiated: Hydra Contract

The Hydra is to be forcibly bound to the role of a Guardian due to non-compliance and the need to align with the existing guardian system under Cerberus's authority.

The hologram displayed a new contract, outlining the terms of Hydra's forced transition into a guardian role. The Hydra looked at the hologram with confusion. "What is this?"

Cerberus, his own anger tempered by a hint of sadness, took a decisive action. He bit down hard on the Hydra's scaled skin, causing the snake to roar in agony. Blood dripped from the wound, and the pain signaled the Hydra's reluctant acceptance of the contract. The Hydra's cries of pain mixed with a final, resigned acknowledgment. Cerberus released his grip, and the contract was sealed. dangers of the battlefield.

Cerberus's stance remained firm. "Agree to the contract, Hydra. We need to speak in a place where we can understand each other and address these grievances."

The Hydra's confusion turned into anger as Cerberus demanded a truce. "Just when did you become a slave to that human? Brother you have to open your eyes! A mere human is not en--"

His rage was evident, but Cerberus's fury was even more intense. Cerberus's patience snapped. With a heavy stomp, he pressed down hard on the Hydra's head, making it cry out in pain.