"OK~~~"
Hugh Bettman cooperatively signed his name on the Oath Contract Taowu had produced.
"Alex Bettman. Not a short name." Taowu took the Oath Contract, gave it a glance, and commented blandly.
Hugh grinned and spoke in the manner Alex usually used:
"You can call me Alex too. My mother gave me that name. Bettman is the family name, from the father I never met. Just ignore it."
At that, an almost imperceptible flicker of surprise crossed Taowu's eyes.
He was certain that this fugitive from Earth had neither eavesdropped on his thoughts nor read his memories.
And during their earlier conversation, he had never told the other party about his past.
At most, the other party could have guessed that he bore a grudge against Lady Luck, who had been born within the Eternal Star Clan.
There was no way he could know
that it was that bitch who had stolen his father and caused his mother's death!
Similar experiences bred resonance, and resonance gave rise to goodwill.
Thus, Taowu's attitude toward the blond youth had quietly changed.
Moreover, after signing the Oath Contract, the blond youth had not been crushed apart by the power of its rules, proving that every word he had said earlier was true.
Taowu's tone unconsciously softened.
"Although your condition is strange—your consciousness is split, with multiple souls in one body—"
"the contract's rule power acts directly upon the Player himself. Whether the soul is divided or not makes little difference."
"I have seen your sincerity. This is the reward you deserve."
As he spoke, Taowu flicked his right hand and tossed two packs of cigarettes to the blond youth.
Hugh caught them swiftly, immediately pulled one out and stuck it in his mouth, then raised an eyebrow at Taowu.
"Hehe, I told you