Plundering in the Apocalypse

A few days ago while Alice was trying to understand her abilities better. She was trying to understand how to get more familiars. Mia and Robin were her only familiars. Their case was pretty different.

Soul servants are more or less expendables. They don't have specific powers or abilities. They are like soldiers that will learn from experience.

Another difference is Soul Servants consume Chaotic energy. While on the other hand, her familiars consume mana.

After running several simulations for a while and improving her understanding of Soul Tamer. She finally came up with an idea, Soul Contracts.

After that, her proficiency in Soul Tamer also increased.

Yes, after a certain point proficiency can't be increased just by repeatedly using the ability. There are several deciding factors for it.

Soul Contract is different from how Mia and Robin's case. When they became familiars it was because of their close relationship with her and a certain amount of trust. So they naturally have their consciousness and their memories.

But in the case of Soul Contract. Alice first has to form a contract with that person in which that person agrees to follow her. In this case, trust and relation don't matter. Also, the soul won't have their memories and only loyalty and trust for Alice. Likewise, if the person has a close relationship with her and a lot of trusts they may not need a Soul Contract and have their memories. Just like Mia and Robin.

So although they all are contracted souls their statuses are different.

The reason for this is unknown.

In other words. She has yet to have a full understanding of her powers. Once she does she may be able to find all her answers.

***

(A.N. - Types of souls and contracts will be explained later.)

***

[Soul Contract established.]

[Soul 'Tyson Lee' has agreed to become your slave after death.]

[Soul 'Justin Hood' has agreed to become your slave after death.]

Seeing this notification Alice was surprised. Not because her skill worked. But,

'So this is their actual names.'

Yeah, because she never bothered to learn their names.

'Glasses and Baldy is better.'

[Do you want to change the names of your contracted souls?]

Alice was stunned for a moment. Then she noticed those girls haven't left yet. She waved her hand gesturing to move on.

"What are you guys still doing here? Just go."

They reluctantly nodded their heads. They wanted to see if Alice will torture those two. But, unfortunately, they can only sigh in disappointment.

Seeing the back following her soul servants, Alice focused again on the screen in front of her.

"Yes."

Yeah, this feature is good.

[Please select the soul to give a nickname.]

-[Mia Kayden]

-[Robin Woodland]

-[Tyson Lee]

-[Justin Hood]

She immediately changed their names.

[Soul 'Tyson Lee' has been changed to Baldy.]

[Soul 'Justin Hood' has been changed to Glasses.]

'Yeah, this is better.'

'Mom, should I change your name too?'

[No need.] Mia

'Fine.'

Alice thought of checking their status. But before she could her thoughts were interrupted.

"Um, My lady."

Alice knit her brows in irritation. Her frown made Glasses and Baldy wonders if she was angry she might kill them. But they could only muster up their courage and ask.

"C-Can you heal us now?" Glasses asked while sweating buckets. Not being able to see is very terrifying.

Baldy also waited for Alice to answer. But at some point, their eyes wander to Mia too. Their reason was obvious. With Alice's one command they will get back their eyes and leg.

Although they had agreed to be her slave, it was only a verbal agreement between them. They planned to run whenever they get an opportunity. But for now, they have to wait until they are healed.

Of course, they never knew that they had already committed the biggest mistake of their life. The contract they agreed on is akin to selling their souls to the devil.

Now they can't escape her even after their death.

But they have yet to know about this so they can only make schemes and try to deceive this 'naive' and ruthless woman.

Alice's frowning expression changed to a look of contempt.

'What are these idiots talking about? Did they not understand the deal they made? They will die either way. Just they won't be tortured now.'

'Whatever I don't have time to deal with them now.'

'Now that the hostages are rescued I should hurry up and meet up with Jenny and Celeste. But before that.'

Alice's expression changed to a cheerful one as she sent the message with the telepathy link.

[Darling, All the Hostages are rescued. You can let loose now.]

Baldy was dumbfounded when he saw her change in expression. 'First, she was very angry. Then that look of pity.'

'What is it? Did we mess something up?'

Glasses were also worried. 'Why is she not answering?'

As he can't see anything he could only rely on his ears and Baldy couldn't tell him Alice's reaction.

'The f**k.'

Alice showed an expression that Baldy never believed was possible for her. She was so cheerful while blushing and her red cheeks. She was just like a stupid girl in love.

But the next moment her attention turned to them and her expression returned to then of cold and terrifying one.

As she walked towards them they could help but tremble.

Fear crept inside their minds.

They were worried that Alice might have a change of heart and go back on her words.

"So, from now on. Both of you are my slaves."

They looked at her but didn't answer. Alice also doesn't care as she continued.

"To be honest you are not worthy of being my slaves. The crimes you have committed are enough to make me torture you endlessly."

"I too want both of you to suffer. But as I have agreed I won't torture both of you."

Hearing this they had smiles on their faces. In excitement, Glasses flattered her trying to be a better salve and gave her more ideas.

"My Lady, you've killed them in a flash. You couldn't torture them. Shall we help you find other criminals?"

Yeah, they barely survived. But how could others escape her torture and have an easy death? Isn't that unfair?

In case Alice dies at their hands then they will be free. If not, they could try to be better slaves and wait for an opportunity.

"Y-Yeah, I know where others are." Baldy also didn't sit still. He understood what Glasses was trying to do. So how could he be left behind?

Alice nodded her head while smiling. 'These two are so obvious.' Their poor acting was seen through.

"Don't worry, although they died. It doesn't mean they escaped from torture." Alice explained honestly. Telling them not to worry.

Both of them gave her a weird look. What does she mean?

Aren't they already dead?

How will she torture them?

Isn't that meaningless now?

Alice smiled at their questioning look and asked casually.

"Oh? Are you confused?"

"Y-Yes," Baldy answered with hesitation.

"Did you forget the terms of our contract?" Alice smirked even more. She was enjoying this.

Without waiting for them to answer Alice stated.

"You guys are willing to be my slaves after death."

They were still confused but when she repeated this Baldy's eyes widened in shock. Realization hit him very hard.

He removed his hands from Glasses' shoulder and fell on his butt. As he lost his balance.

"N-N-No way." He shouted while pointing his fingers at Alice. She was enjoying this even more. Her smirk made Baldy even more terrified.

"Cancel the contract. Cancel it. Just torture me and give me a normal death." Baldy pleaded.

Glasses who couldn't understand what happened was also tense.

"What happened Tyson? Why are saying this? Why do you want to die so badly?"

Baldy looked at him with his teeth shuttering.

"R-R-Right you can't see. T-T-This woman can control souls."

Voila, Baldy's words were right on point.

Glasses who heard this were also shocked and understood the meaning behind the terms of that contract. Does that mean they just gave away their souls?

"That contract is invalid." Glasses said while looking in the opposite direction of Alice.

"I am facing your back," Alice said.

He turned back and repeated.

"That contract is invalid."

"Oh? Who says so?" Alice gave an 'Oh' expression.

"Became it was just a verbal agreement." Glasses said trying to find fault in it.

It is a hundred times better to get tortured and die than to be used as a slave for someone after death.

"Don't worry, an Oral contract is valid here. So you can be at ease."

Be at ease my foot.

"You cheated us."

"What are you saying? I gave you two choices it was you who made the decision." Alice said while shaking her head.

Baldy and Glasses were in despair. They had no way of resisting and even if they suicide they can't escape her clutches.

They were f*cked up.