Each with Their Own Designs (2)

With that thought, Sutton wasted no more words. He raised his hand, and the Soul Covenant Scroll began to float slowly, coming to a halt between the three of them.

The dark red runes began to wriggle and spread bit by bit, looking like living blood vessels. The mana fluctuations in the air grew increasingly thick as a result.

A solemn, oppressive, and even instinctively awe-inspiring aura gradually enveloped the entire passage. “Since that is the case...” Sutton began, his voice low and solemn.

“Then leave a brand upon it with your Spirit.” It was a simple yet extremely practical arrangement. Sutton’s gaze slowly swept over the two of them.

“The effects are simple,” he continued. “During the exploration, you shall not attack one another unto death. All gains must be made public on the spot and distributed fairly according to the contract. No private hoarding.”

“Once we leave the tomb, the contract will automatically dissolve.” After saying this, he added in a low voice, “I do not want anyone to die here because of greed.”

The air grew still for a moment. As Matthew finished listening, his heart first felt a sense of relief. With the protection of this contract, his safety as the weakest member was undoubtedly granted a vital layer of security.

He naturally had no objections to the contract terms; in fact, it was exactly what he wanted. At the same time, he looked at the scroll radiating mana, a flicker of fervor in his eyes. Such an item was undoubtedly one of the most ideal protective tools for an adventure team.

Herbert remained silent for a moment, his gaze lingering on the contract terms for a while. His gains from this trip had already exceeded his expectations, but the risks ahead were unknown, and he could not handle them alone. With this contract’s constraints, he could at least ensure that Sutton and Matthew would not abandon or backstab him at a critical moment.

For him, he had already obtained the core, so it was only fair if the remaining treasures were distributed according to the contract. With these thoughts in mind, he calmly spoke two words. “Very well.”

A flash of satisfaction immediately crossed Sutton’s single eye. He then looked toward Matthew. “And you, Matthew?”

Matthew did not hesitate. “I naturally have no objections.” Sutton nodded. “Excellent.”

He raised his hand again. The parchment scroll floated slowly to the center of the three men. The dark red runes seemed to come to life, beginning to wriggle slowly.

An invisible and ancient power of the oath was quietly permeating the entire passage. “Then—” Sutton suspended the scroll between them as the dark red runes wriggled slightly, waiting for the conclusion of the oath.

“Leave your brand with your Spirit.” Upon hearing this, Matthew focused his mind. Following Sutton’s guidance, he slowly released a wisp of Spirit, which reached out toward the floating scroll like an invisible thread.

The moment his Spirit touched the dark red runes on the scroll’s surface, an indescribable perception suddenly slammed into the depths of his consciousness.

It felt as if some Ancient Will had awakened from the scroll and locked onto him in an instant. It was not an attack, yet it was more heart-stopping than one. It felt like being “stared at” by a pair of eyes hanging high in the void, indifferently watching all things.

It was as if his soul were being lightly pressed by an invisible hand, leaving behind an unalterable mark. The solemnity, suppression, and even the cold weight of the contract rules themselves pressed heavily upon his spiritual level.

Once the three of them had finished signing the agreement, they turned their attention back to the two diverging paths ahead.

The left passage was dark and winding. Its entrance appeared exceptionally deep, as if the darkness within was not naturally settled but rather compressed and swallowed layer by layer by some invisible force.

Just peering into it would cause an indescribable hesitation, as if continuing deeper might lead one to step right into a trap that had long been laid open.

In contrast, the right passage appeared much straighter. It was equally dim, but it lacked the unsettling sense of distortion found on the left. Instead, there seemed to be a more stable and hidden energy fluctuation flowing deep within the air.

It was like the subtle current at the bottom of a deep pool; though the surface appeared calm, it possessed its own direction and rhythm.

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