I Died and Became a Noble's Heir

Jack frowned, searching his fragmented memories. "You mean like... a guardian for a family? Protection passed down through generations?"

"Precisely." S's eyes gleamed with interest.

"Guardian deities are bound to powerful families or powerful individuals, offering protection, guidance, and power in exchange for worship and offerings. It's not uncommon among the noble houses of this world, though most keep their guardians secret fir good reason."

He paused, letting the information sink in. "I want to leave this tower. But not as someone's puppet or slave. I'm offering to become your family's guardian deity."

Jack's mind raced through the possibilities. A guardian deity of S's caliber would be an incredible asset. Protection against threats he couldn't hope to face alone.

Knowledge spanning centuries or longer. The kind of backing that could change everything.

But it also meant tying his family's future to this creature. This monster who casually commanded Disaster-class beasts and had watched Jack slaughter hundreds with obvious approval.

"What's the catch?" Jack asked bluntly. "Nothing that powerful comes without conditions."

S's smile returned, appreciative.

"The catch is simple. As your guardian deity, I would technically be subordinate to you and your bloodline. But I would also have considerable autonomy in how I fulfill that role." He spread his hands.

"I want freedom without the chains. The ability to leave the tower and act in the world, but with purpose rather than as a wandering monster."

Jack tried to stand again. This time, his legs cooperated enough to let him rise to his feet, though he swayed dangerously. He planted his feet wide, centering his weight, refusing to collapse despite the weakness still coursing through his body.

"I have conditions," Jack said, his voice hardening with determination. He gripped his thigh where his Lightning Spear would normally materialize, finding comfort in the familiar gesture even without the weapon.

"If you want to be my family's guardian deity, it won't be on your terms alone."

S's eyebrow raised, but he gestured for Jack to continue.

"First," Jack raised one finger, his hand trembling slightly but his voice steady, "you serve me first and foremost. Not my family, not my bloodline, me. My family comes second. If there's ever a conflict between what I want and what's 'good for the bloodline,' my word takes precedence."

"Reasonable," S acknowledged with a nod.

"Second," Jack continued, raising another finger, "if you ever betray me, harm my family, or do anything I find unacceptable..." He locked eyes with S, his gaze as hard as steel despite his weakened state.

"You'll agree to offer me your soul as payment."

S studied him for a long moment, his red eyes unreadable. Jack could feel the weight of that gaze, the assessment happening behind those ancient eyes.

Was he measuring Jack's resolve? His potential? Or simply deciding whether these conditions were acceptable?

"You realize," S said slowly, "that such conditions give you enormous power over me. More than most guardian deity contracts allow."

"Yes," Jack said simply. "Because I'm not most people, and you're not most guardian deities. If we're going to do this, it's going to be on terms I can live with. Otherwise, we part ways here."

The bluff was enormous. Jack had no leverage, no way to enforce his will if S simply decided to leave, or worse, to kill him.

But he'd learned one thing from his time in this tower. Showing weakness was the fastest way to get devoured.

S's face remained impassive for another heartbeat. Then he smiled, not the pleasant facade from before, but something genuine and almost respectful.

"Agreed," S said, extending his hand.

As Jack reached out to shake it, something materialized in the air between them. A piece of parchment, but not like any paper Jack had ever seen.

It was red, not dyed red, but red in its very essence, as if the material itself was woven from blood. Characters appeared on its surface, writing themselves in words Jack could read.

S took the parchment and held it out to Jack. "A blood contract. Binding on both parties. Read it carefully, once signed, the terms are absolute. Even I cannot break them without consequences that would unmake me."

Jack took the parchment with trembling hands. His eyes scanned the text, and despite his exhaustion, his mind sharpened as he read through each clause.

The contract was surprisingly straightforward.

Guardian Deity Bond:

S shall serve as Guardian Deity to Jack and his bloodline, with Jack taking precedence in all matters.

Terms of Service: S shall provide protection, guidance, and assistance as befits a guardian deity, acting in the interests of Jack first and the bloodline second.

Termination Clause: Should S betray Jack, harm his family, or commit acts deemed unacceptable by Jack's judgment, S shall forfeit his soul to Jack

Freedom of Action: Within the bounds of his duties, S retains autonomy in his methods and actions.

Binding: This contract is eternal unless terminated by the above clause or by mutual agreement of both parties.

At the bottom was a space for Jack's signature.

"Sign with your blood," S instructed. "A blood contract requires blood to seal it."

Jack bit his thumb, wincing as his teeth broke through already damaged skin.

Blood welled up, darker than it should be, probably from all the demon blood he'd consumed. He pressed his thumb to the signature line.

The moment his blood touched the parchment, the entire document burst into crimson flames. Jack jerked back instinctively, but the flames didn't burn him.

Instead, they spiraled upward, forming complex patterns in the air before diving toward his chest.

[DING!]

The system notification exploded across his vision with more force than any before it.

[Congratulations! You have acquired a Family Guardian Deity!]

[Guardian: The Crazed Red-Eyed Demon (S)]

[Rank: ???]

[Status: Bound by Blood Contract]

[Benefits: Guardian protection, Enhanced family legacy, Access to ancient knowledge]

[Note: This is an unprecedented binding. You are the first Soul Warden to claim a guardian deity of this caliber.]

The flames faded, and Jack felt something settle into his chest, not physical, but a presence. A connection that hadn't existed before, linking him to the creature standing before him.

S's smile was satisfying. "It's done. I am now bound to you and your bloodline, Jack. For better or worse, your fate and mine are intertwined."

Jack swayed again, the effort of standing finally catching up to him.

His regeneration from the demon blood was tapering off, leaving him exhausted but functional. He looked at S, his guardian deity now, apparently and tried to process everything that had just happened.

His gaze drifted past S to where Fluffy sat, all three massive heads watching the proceedings with patient intensity.

The Disaster-class Cerberus was even more intimidating now that Jack wasn't in the grip of demonic frenzy.

"What about..." Jack gestured weakly toward the hellhound, "the giant dog behind you?"

S glanced back at Fluffy, his expression softening into something almost affectionate. "Oh, Fluffy? He's just my pet. I've had him for... well, quite a long time."

He paused, then turned back to Jack with a glint in his eye. "Did you want one for yourself?"

The question hung in the air, deceptively casual.

Jack stared at S, then at the three-headed monster that could probably eat him in a single bite, then back at S.

"Are you..." Jack started, his exhausted brain struggling to process the offer. "Are you seriously asking if I want my own hellhound?"

S's smile widened. "Why not? Every Soul Warden needs a proper companion. And Fluffy here has been terribly lonely being the only Cerberus around. His littermates are all back in the deeper levels of the tower, and they're not nearly as well-trained."

Jack opened his mouth to respond, but his legs finally gave out.

He dropped to one knee, catching himself with one hand planted in the blood-soaked ground. His vision swam, the edges darkening as his body finally acknowledged just how close to death he'd come.

S stepped forward, still smiling that enigmatic smile. "We'll discuss a pet later. For now, I think you need to rest and recover. You've had quite the day."

Jack tried to argue, but darkness was already pulling at the edges of his consciousness.

The last thing he saw before exhaustion claimed him was S's amused face and Fluffy's six eyes watching him with what might have been curiosity.