The elevator doors chimed open.
Once again, the single corridor seemed to stare back at me. Cold metal walls stretched endlessly on either side, and the long pathway made my stomach twist. My legs wobbled; for a moment, I thought I might faint. But I clenched my fists, took a deep breath, and forced myself forward.
Step by step, I closed the distance.
Finally, I reached the door.
I gripped the metallic handle and pushed it open.
There he was.
The alien who would change my life—sitting casually on his red couch, sharp eyes already fixed on me. His messy dark brown hair dripped with water as he glanced at the clock, then back at me, his gaze piercing straight through my chest.
"You're late," he said flatly.
"Y‑y‑you n‑n‑never g‑g‑gave me a specific time," I stammered, looking down.
"Oh y‑y‑y‑you n‑n‑never g‑g‑g‑g‑gave m‑me a sp‑sp‑specific time," he mocked, exaggerating every syllable with a grin.
I clenched my fists."I would like you to stop that… please."
He stared at me in silence, brows furrowing in exaggerated confusion before he sighed and rocked back in his chair.
"Geez… you can't handle a single joke without wanting to cry."
"I'm waiting," he added.
"What?" I looked up, confused.
"I'm waiting for the reason you want me to be your contractor," he hummed, tilting his head.
"The reason is b‑because…" My voice shook. "I want to become an officer—not for glory, not for my name, not to be seen as strong… but because I want to protect people who can't protect themselves. I want to give them a chance to live without fear, even if it costs me everything. I want to prove that my existence isn't useless—that I can do something real, something that matters, on my own… not just relying on others. And with you, that dream can come true. I can help people and—"
I was cut off by laughter.
"Oh, you make me laugh," he said, clutching his stomach as he caught his breath. "So that's your reason."
"Is there a problem with it?" I asked, my body trembling.
"There's nothing wrong with it," he said thoughtfully. "It's just… boring. No desire to crush your enemies? No manipulation? No hunger for power? Nothing a little more… evil?"
"No," I whispered. "I want everyone to live a happy life."
His smile vanished.
"Even the ones who hurt you?"
"What…?"
"I can read souls and minds, Paschar," he said calmly, standing and circling me. "I'm not just some Mongolian lizard."
My breath hitched as his voice lowered.
"You're lying to yourself. The real reason you want to be an officer is because you want people to see you as strong—not weak. You don't want to be seen as a pampered nepo baby protected by his father. You want to be like your siblings. You want acceptance."
My vision blurred as he continued.
"But tell me—what changes if you choose me?"
"They'll still whisper.""They'll still say it's because you're the founder's son.""They'll say you only succeeded because you had a powerful contractor."
He leaned closer.
"It wouldn't change anything, Paschar. Not really."
My body trembled violently. The room seemed to warp and tilt, my head spinning as tears filled my eyes.
"You're selfish, Paschar," he said quietly."You want strength—not just for others… but for yourself."
My tears fell onto the wooden floor, one after another, staining it as the truth crushed down on me.
"But I do want to help people," I said, my voice breaking. "It may not always be the main thing cycling through my mind and soul, but it's true. Yes, I don't want to seem weak. Yes, I want to appear strong. Yes, I want society to accept me—but I do want to help others.
"Earlier today, I thought about how many people, cultures, stories, and lives we've already lost to the Asiers. And I wondered… why couldn't we do more? If only there was a way we could.
"People are dying out there—some with Numinine, some without—and I want to help regardless. I want to be useful. I want to make a difference… even if it costs me everything."
For the first time, he looked genuinely surprised.
"…You intrigue me," he said, a slow smirk forming. "Fine. I'll be your contractor."
"What?" I froze. "Y‑you will?"
"What? Didn't hear me?" he said, grabbing my black tie and pulling me closer. His eyes gleamed with something dangerous—and amused.
"I want to see where this binding takes us," he whispered."Partner."