Partner Contract

How could there be so much?

A twenty percent progress bar? Last time, the progress for "Forbidden Object 1-83 Demon Clown" had clearly only been one percent.

Wei En looked at the prompt on the panel and pondered the basis for the panel's judgment.

Although he had not said "Forbidden Object 0-34 Resurrection Coffin" aloud, he had written it on the parchment with a pen.

And Lacy and Marco had both mentioned the forbidden object's name and number.

In addition, Lacy had just gone to report to Yegor... During their conversation, they must have mentioned the forbidden object's name or number frequently.

That was it.

Yegor would also tell the others at the Secret Investigation Bureau, such as the director and the rest...

Calculated that way, twenty percent progress really was possible.

Thinking of this, Wei En frowned.

At this rate, he would soon encounter "Forbidden Object 0-34 Resurrection Coffin."

This was news that could not possibly be any worse!

"Wei En?"

Wei En came back to his senses and looked at Marco in confusion. "What is it?"

"You've been spacing out. What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing. Are the injuries on your body all right?"

"Don't worry about me. Lacy may hit hard, but I've already recovered."

"Really?"

Marco patted his chest. "Of course. No matter what, I'm still an elite investigator of Investigation Division One."

"...Big Brother Marco, do you want to look in a mirror before you say that?"

"Uh, that's not important. My recovery ability really is strong."

"You two, hurry up. I'll wait for you downstairs."

After giving that reminder, Lacy picked up the silver case and left the office.

"We'll talk on the way in a bit."

Marco hurriedly threw out those words and also began tidying up.

Wei En nodded, put everything on the desk into the case, then waited for him before leaving the office together.

Hm?

As he walked, Wei En felt someone tug at the hem of his clothes. He turned back to look. "Tina?"

When Tina saw his gaze turn toward her, a ripple appeared in her lifeless eyes. "Tina likes you. Can we be friends?"

Wei En froze for a moment. Likes me? Be friends?

He looked at the white-haired girl's indifferent, calm face, and nodded, feeling rather surprised. "Of course."

Although Tina's personality was a little strange, as a colleague, it should not be a bad thing.

It was much better than being on the verge of losing control like Rogeret... right?

Marco, who had heard the voice, was also stunned. He had just been about to give a warning when he saw that Wei En had already nodded, and even said "of course"?

Then—

"Tina is happy."

Wei En smiled and patted her head. "I'm also very happy to be friends with you."

And Tina seemed to enjoy his gesture very much. She reached out again and grabbed the hem of his clothes. "Tina is happy."

"I know you're happy. No need to repeat it..."

Marco stared blankly at Wei En's actions. He had actually "patted her head" and said he was "very happy"?

By the time he reacted, Wei En and Tina had already walked quite far away.

"Damn it!"

Seeing this, Marco immediately broke into a mad sprint, soon overtaking Wei En and the others.

"Huh? Big Brother Marco?"

Wei En looked at his hurried back and asked in puzzlement, "What's wrong with him? Why is he running so fast?"

"Tina is happy." Tina seemed not to have heard his question, still repeating those words.

On the other side, Marco quickly ran out of the Secret Investigation Bureau and found Lacy waiting at the entrance.

"Lacy, something terrible happened."

"What is it now?" Lacy glared at him in annoyance. "If you dare say there's something else you lied to me about, you're dead."

"No, no."

Marco looked at her anxiously and said, "Tina just told Wei En she wanted to be friends, and Wei En already agreed."

"Huh? Why didn't you stop him?"

"I—I didn't have time..."

Bang!

"I'll settle accounts with you later!" Lacy punched him hatefully, then turned to look at Wei En and Tina not far behind her. "Marco, your ability..."

"It's already recovered."

Marco stood beside her, also watching the two of them walk over at an unhurried pace, and gave a bitter smile. "Just now, when I was running over, my innate ability became usable again."

As he spoke, he casually snapped his fingers.

A small tornado appeared in his hand. The cold wind lifted their long hair, and made their hearts sink with it.

Wei En, walking over from the distance, saw this scene. "Big Brother Marco, is that a tornado in your hand?"

Was this his extraordinary ability?

So cool!

"Innate ability." Marco clenched his fist and shattered the tornado, then smiled stiffly.

Lacy looked at Wei En, whose expression was as normal as ever. After hesitating for a moment, she asked, "Wei En, do you... do you feel any changes in your body?"

"Changes? Me?"

Wei En lowered his head and looked himself over. His clothes had no wrinkles, his suitcase was neat and tidy, his little hand... Mm, Tina's hand was still clutching the corner of his clothes.

"Nothing... Fuck!"

[You have formed a Partner Contract with the Calamity Species Tina Klosterman. Evaluation: In a certain sense, a Calamity Species is something one may seek but never find! Special reward: Origin Seal 1.]

[You have been affected by the Partner Contract. Your physique has been greatly enhanced. Evaluation: Thank the God of Contracts—there is still time to switch to the Blood Spirit School. Special reward: Toughness Level +5.]

[You have obtained the enhancement of the Calamity Species' innate ability: increased wound-healing speed, increased bodily recovery speed.]

What was this?

Calamity Species?

How could Tina be a Calamity Species? And how had she formed a Partner Contract with him?

Wei En looked at the prompts on the panel, his stomach full of confusion.

This world was too bizarre. How could he still run into something this strange after arriving at the Secret Investigation Bureau?

Lacy and Marco exchanged a glance, both seeing the tense expression on the other's face.

"Wei En, are... are you all right?"

Wei En raised his head and looked at them, asking blankly, "Cal—calamity?"

"What calamity?"

"No, nothing. Is there anything to eat?"

"I have some here. I prepared food."

Marco hurriedly opened his suitcase, took out a large box of biscuits, and handed it over. "Wei En, I know this is very sudden, but believe me, nothing will happen..."

Wei En looked at the box in his hands, fell silent for a moment, then took the box, opened it, and began eating.

As he ate, he checked the panel in his mind.

One point of his Origin had been sealed?

No wonder the range of his perception had shrunk a little.

But the Little Ashis were all still there, so the impact was not large.

And his Toughness Level had increased by 5, and he had also obtained the innate ability healing enhancement...

Mm.

It seemed pretty good!

P.S. I'm writing very slowly right now, mainly because the plot has only just begun to unfold, and there's a lot I want to make stand out and feel different. I'm also strengthening the character portrayals and environmental descriptions.

I'll work hard to maintain the pace and make every section of the plot a little more exciting.