RATBA 48

Chapter 48

I could feel it.

Even though the Fire Spirit was looking at me, I could tell I wasn’t the one he was talking to.

‘He’s calling out to Elliot, who’s inside me right now.’

Not that it was any of my business, but the way he did it was absolutely absurd.

I brushed off the spirit’s hand that was holding my chin.

“Hold on. When you said you’d burn someone… were you talking about me?”

<……?? Of course I was. Who else around here is there to burn besides you?>

“It was Elliot who ignored your call, and I’ve done nothing wrong…?”

<Exactly!!>

He said such nonsense so confidently that I was left speechless.

Even while I was caught in confusion, the fire kept shouting for Elliot.

It looked at me like I was nothing more than a piece of firewood.

<If I called you, you should come out right away! Don’t keep me waiting!>

Finally, Elliot showed himself.

But that was it. Even after appearing, he didn’t say a word.

The silence just dragged on.

<…….>

<…….>

“Hey… this silence is really uncomfortable. Can’t you exchange greetings or start a fight or something? Do anything.”

Honestly, I only said it because the awkward silence was unbearable.

But then the fire actually acted on my suggestion.

<You bastard…! Why did you stop me from entering the island all this time!!>

He grabbed Elliot by the collar and exploded with rage.

But Elliot didn’t react at all.

He was just as calm as a lake on a warm day.

Once again, it was the Fire Spirit who exploded.

<You hid for years and can’t even say sorry?>

<…….>

<What the hell were you even doing all this time!!>

Their exchange… well, can we even call it a conversation?

It was more of a one-sided monologue from the Fire Spirit.

He was barking away, and Elliot just stood there silently.

‘I didn’t actually mean for them to fight… Wait, have they completely forgotten about me?’

This wouldn’t do.

I had to make it clear that I came here because I wanted a contract.

I cleared my throat and called out to Elliot.

“Elliot, don’t just talk between yourselves, at least introduce me—”

<Wait, did you just say Elliot?>

I had called Elliot, but it wasn’t him who responded.

The Fire Spirit looked at me like he was about to kill someone.

Then he turned to Elliot and asked,

<What did she just call you? Sounds like a lowly, vulgar human name.>

Why ask when you clearly heard it?

Still, since he was curious, I explained in Elliot’s place.

“We signed a contract a while ago. I gave him a new name as a gift.”

<Shut up! I didn’t ask you!!>

“……!!”

I flinched in surprise.

The moment he shouted, flames burst up around us.

I only wanted to talk about the contract…

But the Fire Spirit was already annoyed.

<Is it true? You were playing contract games with this pathetic little thing? You went into hiding when I came calling!>

<I had my reasons. So keep it reasonable.>

<Reasons?>

Elliot replied in a voice so cold it was chilling.

<I tried to read her memories, but it was impossible. That kind of protection only exists when someone is guarded by a transcendent being. So I deemed her worthy of a contract.>

<Transcendent, my ass. She doesn’t look special at all.>

Now it was my turn to get offended.

But I held it in, knowing I could be attacked again.

‘Can’t believe he doesn’t see how special I am. Compared to Elliot, his judgment in choosing contractors is awful.’

I ground my teeth in frustration inwardly.

The Fire Spirit just scoffed at me.

<Stop making useless excuses and just admit it—you wanted to be a leashed dog.>

Even from behind Elliot, I could imagine his expression.

He was probably using every muscle in his face to express disgust.

<…I never agreed to be anyone’s dog. I’m just cooperating. It’s a mutual contract between equals.>

<Tsk. Doesn’t even realize he’s a dog now? How pathetic can you get.>

This guy was impossible to reason with.

Elliot seemed overwhelmed, so I cleared my throat again and stepped forward.

“Elliot’s right. The contract was made on equal terms. No one is dominating or submitting.”

Was it because I spoke again after being told to shut up?

His expression instantly turned savage.

<Pretty sure I told you to shut up. Are you deaf now, you tiny little thing?>

I quietly slipped back behind Elliot for safety.

Once I was safely hidden, I said boldly,

“I can’t shut up.”

<……What?>

“I came all the way here because there’s something I have to say.”

I met the Fire Spirit’s eyes directly.

Still hiding behind Elliot, but holding my gaze firmly.

“Make a contract with me.”

<…….>

Even if he was a temperamental freak, I had to form a contract with him.

To make Nathan emperor.

And to find a way back home for myself.

That’s why I endured the scorching heat and fear.

Then, the Fire Spirit, who had been quietly staring at me, snapped his fingers.

“……!!”

Flames suddenly burst up where I stood.

The grass under my feet turned to ashes in a blink.

If Elliot hadn’t shielded me just a second sooner, I would’ve become ash too.

‘I… I almost died…?!’

It felt like the touch of death had brushed against my skin.

When I looked at the Fire Spirit, he was smirking arrogantly.

<You think you can leash me when you’d turn to ash just by touching me?>

He still misunderstood the meaning of a “contract.”

I shook my head.

“I told you earlier, this isn’t about dominance. It’s about an equal partnership—”

<Whatever. Fine.>

“Huh?”

I blinked in confusion.

I hadn’t expected him to just say “fine” so easily.

<You’re barging in here talking about contracts like your life doesn’t matter, so I guess I should give you a shot.>

“Really?!”

A smile began to spread across my face.

<But not right now. You have 30 days. Offer one of your loved ones as a sacrifice. Then I’ll make a contract with you.>

“A sacrifice? You want me to give you… a person?”

<Yes. But it has to be someone close to you—a friend or a family member. I don’t want strangers with no connection to you. If you fail to find a sacrifice within 30 days…>

He reached out and tugged the ribbon tied in my hair.

The silk ribbon instantly turned to ash in his hand.

He held the scattering ashes up to my face and grinned.

<Then you become the sacrifice.>

He gave me only two choices.

To kill someone I love.

Or to die myself.

‘He really does want to make my life hell, doesn’t he?’

I was once again struck by his cruelty.

So I asked, just in case,

“Isn’t there another way…?”

<No.>

“…Then can I at least think about it for a little longer?”

His expression immediately twisted.

<I’ve already made plenty of concessions. And now you dare ask for more time? Absolutely not.>

If I rejected his offer now, the contract would be lost forever.

But accepting it… was just as dangerous.

‘What do I do…?’

As my silence dragged on, the Fire Spirit clicked his tongue in irritation.

< Tsk. Your answer is way too slow. >