Changing the Contract

Duru had thought that after being frightened twice, his courage had been tempered. Clearly, though, he had overestimated himself. The gusting yin wind behind him and the hand resting on his shoulder made his heart skip a beat, nearly stopping altogether.

Before Duru could turn to look at whoever stood behind him, his eyes rolled back and he fainted.

"Uh." Angel looked at Duru, unconscious on the floor, and mused to himself, Should I recruit people the way Mentor Sanders does from now on, with a Nine-Cabin Blood Fight... Forget it. The Nine-Cabin Blood Fight wastes too much talent. A haunted-house test would be better?

He had released Frod without any intention of scaring Duru. Besides, Frod's expression and appearance were completely human. He truly had not expected Duru to be frightened unconscious by Frod.

Perhaps Duru had kept his nerves stretched too taut ever since entering the Nightmare Orphanage?

Frod was somewhat embarrassed as well. He could actually have passed straight through Duru, but having a soul pass through one's body was not a particularly pleasant experience. That was why he had politely greeted him first. Who could have expected this to happen?

"Mr. Pat, look, this..." Frod trailed off.

Angel waved a hand and used Magic Hand to lift Duru onto the table. "No matter. Let this fellow build up some courage."

Frod glanced at Duru, whose face remained pale and bluish even in unconsciousness, and sighed. Just as he was about to ask about Duru's identity, a figure rushed toward him from the other side.

Small in stature, the little boy hugged Frod's thigh. It was Yada.

"Young Master Tisen!" Yada wailed for a long while. As a soul, he could not shed tears, but his expression showed just how agitated he was. "You finally came back!"