Deep within the dimensional turbulence, Chen Mo was still rapidly falling, or rather, deviating from his current path.
Strictly speaking, there is no concept of up, down, left, or right in dimensional turbulence.
The surrounding space was filled with broken spatial rules, and occasionally a few pieces of dimensional debris would fly past his body, only to be knocked far away by Chen Mo's elbow.
Chen Mo glanced down at the dimensional debris that had been sent flying by the elbow, then forcibly stopped himself.
He adjusted his posture and sat cross-legged in mid-air.
"How come I'm being asked to collect debts so soon after starting this job? They didn't even give me a probationary period. This company will be reported to the labor bureau sooner or later."
Chen Mo picked up the pure black contract, stared at the character "Yao" at the top, and couldn't help but click his Delia.
The current Sorcerer Supreme of Earth.
The identity is already clearly stated.
The problem is, the current Sorcerer Supreme is the Ancient One.
Although the old man liked to speak in circles and often put on an air of profound mystery, he had indeed helped Chen Mo a lot before.
Just as they were Cul in a fierce battle, the Ancient One stepped in to lend a hand.
As a result, death sent him to take the old monk's life.
What's this?
An onboarding test, or a test of professional ethics?
Chen Mo pondered the slender goddess's intention, flicked his finger, and a wisp of black flame fell in front of him.
The turbulent dimensional currents instantly lost their activity, and the internal spatial rules were extinguished. Large fragments remained suspended in mid-air, motionless once more.
"The damage output is good, but the employee benefits are a bit bad. Still, it's alright, we can do it!"
Chen Mo withdrew his finger and began to think about how to better handle the situation.
The contract only recorded that the Ancient One borrowed power from many dimensions, but did not pay the corresponding lifespan. As for whose power she borrowed and what she used it for, it was completely unwritten.
Death probably doesn't care about the process.
Her job was simply to keep the books.
Then they sent apostles to collect the debt.
"Speaking of which, why didn't Cul come to collect the debt?"
The good news is that the agreement between the two parties did not specify a time limit for the mission. Chen Mo can ask the Ancient One for clarification before deciding whether to take action.
We definitely can't fight directly; after all, the Ancient One is also an ally.
Thinking of this, Chen Mo closed his eyes.
The inner world trembled slightly, and a mass of dark red flesh detached from the chest, quickly coalescing into a new body.
As soon as the avatar took shape, the surrounding space began to sink downwards.
Chen Mo opened his eyes and looked down at himself.
"Surely it's not like this before? Did I overload the car again?"
He tried to tear open a spatial rift leading to Earth.
As soon as the avatar reached in, large cracks appeared around the fissure, clearly indicating that the spatial structure of the real universe could not withstand it.
Chen Mo remained silent for two seconds before having no choice but to devour the avatar again.
He then separated the cells again.
This time, he only retained the most basic mimicry ability and a small portion of the crimson-gold energy. Even the Death Black Flame within his body were only transferred in a wisp.
The new incarnation raised its hand and pinched its arm.
"Very good, being weak gives me a sense of security."
The spatial rift has reopened.
Chen Mo stepped into it, and thankfully, the space did not collapse.
New York Sanctum.
The Ancient One sat at the wooden table, slowly brewing tea.
Odin sat on the other side, holding the Gungnir in his hand. Although his expression remained calm, his single eye was fixed on the center of the room.
Just now, he sensed Cul's death.
That deep-seated connection has completely vanished.
Click.
A crack appeared in space.
Chen Mo squeezed out from inside, casually smoothing out the spatial fluctuations around him.
The Ancient One raised her eyelids.
Welcome back, Chen Mo.
"Haha, strictly speaking, only a little bit of Chen Mo came back."
Chen Mo walked to the table, sat down without any ceremony, picked up the tea that the Ancient One had just poured, and took a sip.
Odin observed Chen Mo out of the corner of his eye, his gaze inadvertently lingering on Chen Mo's left eye.
Deep within that eye, a wisp of black flame was slowly burning.
With just one glance, Odin sensed an extremely dangerous aura.
Death is ever-present.
"Looks like Cul lost. How did it taste? You don't seem very happy," The Ancient One asked.
"Because I traveled all that way, got beaten up, and didn't get to eat anything."
Chen Mo put down his teacup and casually said, "One fire, and I wasn't even left with ashes, let alone a corpse."
Odin's grip on the Gungnir tightened slightly.
"I already felt that his life had completely ended."
"Don't worry, I don't plan to ask Asgard for reimbursement."
Chen Mo glanced at him.
"However, next time you introduce someone as an easy target, you'd better figure out first whether the other party is actually an easy target."
Odin's eyes darkened.
"This was my oversight."
Odin did not defend himself; instead, he readily admitted it.
" Asgard will send a batch of gifts as compensation for this incident. The magical tomes in the royal palace will also be open to you."
The displeasure on Chen Mo's face quickly disappeared.
"The God-King is indeed reasonable."
The Ancient One glanced at him.
They were just about to pursue the matter, but immediately changed their minds upon hearing about compensation.
But that's already a big improvement; after all, he didn't try to steal it himself.
"You witnessed death?" The Ancient One asked.
"I saw him, and he even touched my face."
Chen Mo pointed to himself.
"Then she said I was exceptionally talented, with a unique physique, and perfectly suited to join her company."
Odin remained silent for a moment.
The Goddess of Death wouldn't use those words.
"The meaning is roughly the same; don't worry about the details."
Chen Mo raised his right hand, and a wisp of black flame emerged from his fingertips.
The moment the black flames appeared, the magic circle within the Sanctum dimmed simultaneously. A small area of space beside the table also temporarily lost its normal fluctuations.
The Ancient One's expression finally changed.
"She gave this flame to you?"
"To be precise, I signed a temporary employment agreement."
Chen Mo dispersed the black flames.
"No loyalty pledges, no clocking in, payment per task. The target's soul belongs to her, her body to me; both sides get what they want."
The Ancient One held his teacup, remaining silent for a long time.
Death has existed for countless years.
Believers and apostles are not uncommon.
But Chen Mo is probably the first person to dare to talk to her about working conditions.
"You agree to collect debts for death?" Odin asked.
"It's just an occasional part-time job."
Chen Mo leaned back in his chair.
"Don't worry, I don't see you on the list yet. But Your Majesty, if you borrow anything, you'd better remember to return it on time."
Odin did not respond, but silently pondered whether he had any outstanding debts.
The Ancient One put down her teacup and continued to inquire about the events of the Battle of Cul.
Chen Mo didn't hide much, and roughly recounted how Cul burned his life force, released black flames, and finally met his death.
After he finished speaking, he looked at the Ancient One.
I'll remember the favor you did for me this time.
"I'm just preventing his power from affecting the Earth."
Motives are motives, and personal feelings are personal feelings.
Chen Mo said seriously, "If you encounter someone you can't beat in the future, remember to call me. If we agree on the ownership of the corpse, I can give you a discount."
The Ancient One gently shook her head, but did not refuse the promise.
Odin looked at the two of them, and his opinion of Chen Mo rose even higher.
With this thought in mind, Odin stood up and solemnly said, "The gift will be sent after I return to Asgard."
Don't forget the magic books.
"Won't."
The Ancient One raised her hand and opened a portal.
Before leaving, Odin glanced once more at the black flame in Chen Mo's left eye, then stepped inside.
The portal slowly closed.
Only Chen Mo and the Ancient One remained in the Sanctum.
After confirming that Odin had gone far away, Chen Mo reached into his chest and took out the pure black contract from his body.
"Grandpa, could you take a look at this for me?"
The Ancient One accepted the contract.
The moment the pure black paper touched his palm, the surrounding magical energy quickly extinguished.
He didn't let go, but instead focused his mental energy to carefully observe the constantly changing black characters.
Time passed little by little.
The ease on the Ancient One's face gradually disappeared.
Chen Mo sat opposite him and poured himself another cup of tea.
"Did you figure it out?"
"I can see it now, it really is from the hand of the Goddess of Death."
The Ancient One's finger stopped at the top, gently rubbing the character "Yao".
"And it cannot be forged."
"That's good."
Chen Mo took a sip of tea.
"I'm also worried she'll use a fake contract to trick me into working overtime."
The Ancient One slowly raised her head, her wrinkled eyes looking at Chen Mo.
"It's been many years since anyone called me by that name."
Chen Mo's movements immediately stopped.
He glanced at the Ancient One, then at the clear "Yao" character on the contract.
The Ancient One placed the Black Contract on the table, her tone remaining calm.
"So, death's first task for you is to take my life?"