Chapter 266: Completing the Mission (1/2)

The gasps and sounds of rejections filled Ed's surroundings, but he paid them no heed. His eyes remained fixated upon Merry's doubtful eyes. He had never seen her gaze at him in such a way. He was always used to seeing her amused look, but never an uncertain one.

”You can't be serious about doing such a thing!” Asem shouted with what little power he had left. He limped forward as his left leg turned into a dark and purple color. He was poisoned during the fight and didn't speak of it at all. If he hadn't moved towards Ed, no one would have noticed it. ”This is a Dragon! Dragons are not meant to be trusted, that at least we all know about, even those that have never read a book in their lives!”

”And all of us know that they are powerful,” said Ed, ”Mighty powerful! Currently, what is it that we need the most? Isn't it power, Asem? Our battle is far from over, you know. We've come here with so many people and we barely killed one of their leaders. Letting Sarin escape has already put a dent into my plan, and every second I waste is one more life we lose them!”

Ed raised his voice, something he had forgotten if he was capable of doing.

”I'm barely holding on right now even with all my natural healing abilities,” Ed said as he pointed at his chest wound. ”It pains me to say it, but Sarin is a master cultivator. I don't think even Suika can heal me right now. And I don't even have any Healing Cards for now” Ed mumbled the last part to himself.

”But a soul contract? Surely there is a better way?!” asked Helena, her voice fast and unsteady.

”I don't know why you're acting like I'm preparing a rope to hang myself; I'm simply adding one more ally to our cause. You might not know this, but Raikou, my very first companion, is also contracted to me, yes by a Soul Contract. We almost killed each other, and with no other way to save each other, we decided on a soul contract. Much similar to this situation, don't you think?”

Ed walked forward next to Merry, who had switched her attention to the dragon and was communicating with it. Her doubt had vanished the moment she heard Ed raise his voice.

”He says that he will rather die than serve another human,” Merry explained as Ed fell down next to her. ”It seems like the one controlling all the monsters on their side is also controlling him.”

”That's even better,” Ed smirked as he drew in a breath. ”Tell him that he can kill whoever humiliated him if he agrees to join me.”

As Merry did her magic, Ed continued to stare at the Dragon's gigantic eye, who, in turn, stared at him. Ed's smirk faded as he felt the poison tearing his insides. It was similar to swallowing thousands of burning needles. He felt something gush up towards his mouth and coughed up dark murky blood.

”You know, I could probably level up if I kill you right here and now,” Ed said as he raised his head upwards to meet the eye again. ”It could probably save my life and I'll get a power-up as well.”

The dragon's cloudy and hazed red eyes seemed to focus slightly as Merry probed into his mind, relaying each and every word of Ed.

”However, I won't do such a thing. I will show you the mercy that I received years ago. You're the same dragon from before, aren't you? The dragon that flew over me when I was making my way towards Scale kingdom. The very first true dragon I encountered in this world.” Ed's words seemed to resonate for the first time with the dragon. Its eyes focused on Ed and his whole body. It was scanning him from head to toe. Merry was surprised as she noticed the dragon trying to move using its own will.

”Stop!” she shouted. ”Whoever is controlling you is too strong! If you deny their will, your soul will be damaged beyond repair!”