Supreme Hunter of Beautiful Souls-Chapter 41: A contract

"You’re quite cute, little one." He heard a soft and welcoming voice invade his mind.

Kael instinctively took a step back, his eyes scanning the surroundings, but he knew the voice wasn’t coming from anywhere visible. It echoed directly in his mind, like a whisper that was both distant and intimate. His heart raced, and his breathing became heavier.

"Who’s there?" He asked, trying to maintain composure, though there was an evident tension in his voice.

The figure lying before him remained still, but the pressure around him increased, as if the very room were alive, responding to his nervousness.

"Do not be afraid, young traveler," the voice responded, soft as the wind passing through the leaves. "I am before you. And also... everywhere."

Kael furrowed his brow, returning his gaze to the slumbering woman. Something within him told him that she was the one speaking, even without moving her lips. It was a strange feeling, but undeniable.

"Are you... Umbra?" Kael asked, taking a cautious step forward.

The laughter that echoed in his mind was light, almost musical, but carried an ancient force, as if it belonged to something beyond human comprehension. "Yes, that is what they call me. The Guardian of this place, the essence of this forest."

"Why... am I here?" Kael narrowed his eyes, his body still tense. "I just want to get out of here. I didn’t ask to be chosen for anything."

"Oh, but choices are rarely ours, aren’t they?" The voice responded, with a sweetness that seemed to hide a weight. "You came here because you followed my call, even without knowing. And now, before me, your destiny has already been set. I have slept for ages, but the world has changed, and I need someone to be my voice, my blade... my protector."

Kael scoffed, crossing his arms. "You say that like it’s easy to accept something like this. What if I refuse?"

For a moment, the pressure in the room disappeared, replaced by a near-deafening silence. Then, for the first time, the woman moved. Slowly, her eyes opened, revealing irises of radiant gold, glowing like the sun through the trees. She lifted her head, her movements graceful, almost supernatural, and fixed her gaze directly on Kael.

"If you refuse..." the voice began, now clear and tangible, but still carrying a power that seemed to reverberate throughout the entire room, "I will let you go. But know this: without me, you will never leave this forest. And what awaits you out there will be far worse than what you fear here."

Kael swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her words. The air around him seemed to carry a silent judgment, and he was about to speak when...

"It’s a joke, hahaha!" The voice suddenly exploded in laughter, completely shifting from its serious tone to something lighthearted and carefree. "Oh my god, you should have seen your face! So serious, so determined, and then... POOF! You almost believed it, didn’t you? Ah, that was fun."

Kael stood there dumbfounded, utterly bewildered by the twist. "What?!"

"Calm down, calm down," the voice continued, laughing softly, "don’t worry so much. Just go through that passage over there"—one of the walls of the cave seemed to glow faintly as she spoke—"and boom, you’ll be on Mount Avathorne. From there, you can go wherever you want. Easy, right?"

"You’re messing with me, aren’t you?" Kael asked, incredulous, still trying to process what was happening.

"Of course not! Well... maybe just a little!" The voice responded, now with an animated, almost mischievous tone. "But seriously, you can go if you want. Though I should say... leaving like this would be a bit boring, don’t you think? After all, you still have the blessing of the World Tree to deal with."

Kael froze, his eyes widening. "You know about that?"

"Oh, of course I know! You think you can fool an entity like me? Please, kid." The voice seemed almost offended, but there was a touch of humor. "It’s quite impressive, I must admit. Humans usually can’t handle the blessing of higher spirits, but you... you’re an exception. Receiving a blessing from something greater than a god? You’re really special. Or very lucky. Maybe both."

Kael sighed, running a hand over his face. "Incredible. Now even spirits are calling me lucky. This is way too ironic for my taste."

"Oh, don’t be like that!" the voice said, as if trying to cheer him up. "You’re interesting! It’s been a while since I’ve seen someone like you. Speaking of which... did that dragon up there pick a fight with you? That old woman is impossible! Always so serious. She treated you badly, didn’t she? Bet she did!"

Kael couldn’t help but smile wryly. "Well, let’s say she was... intimidating."

"Oh, how typical of her!" The voice exclaimed, full of theatrical indignation. "Always so pompous and grand. I should go up there and give her a scolding! Who does she think she is, treating my guest like that? Grumpy old woman!"

Kael shook his head, chuckling softly. "You know, you’re very different from what I expected from an ancient, powerful spirit."

"Why? Because I’m fun? Sorry, I’m not the ’fearsome and mysterious’ type. There are plenty of those around. I prefer to be charming." The voice responded with a hint of pride. "But anyway, if you want to continue your journey, just go down that way. Although... I really think you should listen more to what I have to say. Who knows what might happen, right?"

Kael sighed again, but this time there was a smile on his face. "Why do I feel like, even if I wanted to leave now, you wouldn’t let me rest?"

"Because you’re absolutely right!" The voice laughed joyfully. "Now, shall we talk more, or are you going straight into dangerous adventures? I promise I won’t bite... much."

Kael snorted, but her carefree attitude was starting to infect him. "Alright, Umbra. I’m listening. Just don’t prank me anymore, okay?"

"Me? Pranks? Never! Now, let’s get to the point!" The voice responded, full of energy, as if she were just getting started.

The 𝘮ost uptodat𝑒 novels are pub𝙡ished on freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

"So... could you get me out of here? I mean, if it’s not a bother... The World Tree said I could give my soul to you and, in a few years, I’d be free." Umbra said with a shrug, and a message appeared before him.

[The entity "Umbra" wishes to make a soul contract with you.]

Kael was stunned, staring at the floating message before him. "Wait... you’re telling me you want to make a soul contract? Like, you give me your soul and... what happens to you after that?"

"Oh, it’s pretty simple!" Umbra replied, her voice sounding carefree, almost like she was talking about a stroll. "You take my soul, keep it nice and cozy inside that body of yours, and I get to be free of this place in a few years. Nothing major, you know? Just a little trade. I’ve lived here for so long... I’d like to see the world!"

Kael raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "And what do you get out of it? Doesn’t sound like a fair trade for you."

"Oh, how sweet, you’re concerned about me?" Umbra teased, her voice tinged with humor. "How cute! But seriously, it’s beneficial for me too. I get out of this suffocating forest, you get a really cool soul, and who knows, maybe I’ll even lend a hand every now and then? Everyone wins!"

Kael sighed, eyeing the message with skepticism. He didn’t fully trust this story. "And if I refuse?"

"Oh, no pressure!" Umbra replied, as if it were the most normal thing in the world. "I’ll just stay here. Locked up. Alone. With the grumpy dragon as my neighbor... forever. Nothing major."

"That was a low blow." Kael responded, rolling his eyes.

"Hey! I’m just stating the facts! But look, I understand. A soul contract is pretty intense. I won’t insist... too much." The voice laughed again, and Kael felt a flicker of sympathy for the peculiar entity.

He stared at the message again, his finger hovering over the accept option. "This is going to get me into trouble, isn’t it?"

"Oh, absolutely!" Umbra replied cheerfully. "But who cares? Life’s more fun with a little chaos! Trust me, you’re going to love having me around."

Kael snorted, a smile forming against his will. "Alright, alright. But if this goes wrong, I’ll make sure you regret following me."

"Promises, promises," Umbra teased. "Now, go ahead and press that button! We’ve got so much to do, lucky human!"

Kael took a deep breath and pressed the button to accept the contract.

[The entity "Umbra" is now your ally. Soul bound successfully.]

A brilliant light filled the room, radiating from Kael and the spot where the figure had been resting. He felt energy pulse inside him, something deeply ancient and enigmatic blending with his essence, like a bond that transcended the physical and touched the spiritual.

"Ahhh, imminent freedom!" Umbra exclaimed with contagious joy as the sleeping figure on the ground slowly began to fade. The white dress, the leaves, and the roots surrounding her transformed into particles of light, ascending into the air like golden dust.

From the center of that ethereal glow, a new form began to emerge. It was intangible, translucent, but no less impressive. Umbra took the form of a spirit, floating lightly in the air. Her features were as beautiful as her physical body, but now they carried a supernatural aura. Her brown hair flowed like smoke, and her body seemed made of a blend of light and shadow that danced in perfect harmony.

"Ah, it feels so good to finally move for real!" Umbra declared, stretching her ethereal arms as if waking from a long slumber. "Centuries trapped in that boring form... Now I truly feel alive again! Or... almost alive?" She laughed at her own joke, spinning in the air with grace.

Kael watched everything with wide eyes, trying to absorb what had just happened. "You really became a spirit? Is that part of the contract?"

"Of course, cutie! Now I’m officially your ally, bound by this wonderful contract you accepted. And, between us, you’re not going to regret it!" Umbra said, floating closer to him. "And, by the way, look at me! Don’t I look fabulous?"

Kael sighed, placing a hand on his forehead. "You’re definitely... different."

"Different is my middle name!" Umbra responded, twirling in the air as if in an invisible dance. "Now that we’re together, we have lots of work ahead. And, of course, you owe me a trip outside this forest."

Kael couldn’t help but smile a little. Despite everything, there was something comforting in Umbra’s vibrant energy. "Alright, let’s get out of here first. Then we’ll figure out the rest."

"Great!" Umbra exclaimed, her voice full of enthusiasm. "Oh, and about that secret passage I mentioned earlier? It’s right over there!" She pointed to a corner of the room, where an opening seemed to form magically between the trees and roots.

Kael looked at the passage and then at Umbra. "You really know how to make a dramatic entrance, don’t you?"

"Darling, dramatization is my second name!" She winked. "Now let’s go! Adventure awaits!"