NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5
Seated across from the summoner, I looked at her with a bemused expression, my eyes glinting with mirth. "You know," I began, leaning back into my chair, a smirk playing at my lips, "in the realm I come from, summoning someone without a solid reason is considered, let's say... impolite."
The girl blushed, her fingers nervously toying with the edge of the ancient book that lay spread out on the wooden table between them. "I just... I don't understand." The girl's voice was a fragile whisper, her fingers tracing the arcane symbols inscribed on the yellowed pages. "I didn't mean to summon you. I was just trying to read it, and then..."
His chuckle filled the room, light and teasing. "Oh, is that what you were doing.”
She blushed. Of course, she did. I looked at the book that summoned me.
[ Dark Arts and Infernal Summoneing ]
Let’s just say that the dark arts were rather extreme and the infernal beings were rather liberal with their summoner. Reading the book isn’t what I thought when I looked at the book, especially when I remembered her panting. But I have to maintain the upper hand.
“Don't worry, I'm not offended. Accidents happen. However..." I paused, leaning forward, elbows resting on the table. My smirk widened. "I believe a certain form of... compensation is in order."
Her eyes wide as saucers. "Compensation? But I... I don't have anything to give to compensate you for summoning unnecessary."
I smiled softly, with a mischievous glint in my eyes. "Oh, I'm sure we can think of something."
She gulped, her mind running wild with possibilities. "Like what?" I can already see her mind thinking about the exotic arts portrayed in the book. Depictions of demons and humans fornicating, ah but on the darker side.
I hummed thoughtfully, tapping my chin with a finger. "Well, for starters, you could teach me about the world. And also take care of my needs." I added in a suggestive tone.
A flush spread across her cheeks, lust flooding her. "Is that all?"
What am I going to do with this girl? For a moment, I was silent, my gaze never leaving her. She squirmed a little. I guess I will slowly enjoy her. The mess back in Yaleria is still fresh in my mind.
I grinned, a playful glint in his eyes. "For now. But who knows? We have all the time in the world to think of more... creative forms of compensation."
I can easily see what was going on in her little head. Her heart pounded in her chest, a mix of nerves and excitement. But then she shook her head as if clearing from her dirty thoughts.
"But you are a human," the girl stated, bewilderment thick in her voice. "How can you be summoned from a book about dark arts?"
Is that all she can think about? Maybe I should just act as Incubus in human form.
I shrugged a spark of amusement in my voice. "Do you think I'm hiding my true nature, and acting like a false Hero? Do you want to summon an Incubus from the infernal plane? I wonder what you would want from him.”
Lowering her head in shame, she did her best not to make any eye contact.
“It seems this world has a sense of irony, doesn't it?" He reached out, his fingertips gently brushing the pages. "I’m normally summoned to the world which needs to be saved, and yet here I’m in a peaceful world summoned by a book on the topic of summoning an incubus."
The girl stared at him, her brows furrowing. "So this is not your first time, and you generally go to smite the wicked or something?"
I laughed, "Smite the wicked? Is that what you think Hero does?"
"Well, yes," she said, a defensive edge to her tone. "Isn't that what you're supposed to do?"
I paused, considering my reply. "In some tales, yes. But I am more... versatile than those stories suggest. And besides," I added, eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief, "I'm not exactly the conventional Hero."
She looked at him, confusion written all over her face. "So... you're here to save the world?"
I shrugged. "Most of the time, yes. But as you said, there is no evil to fight here."
She averted her gaze as she still feel embarrassed to summon him. Looking at her, I decided to carry on with the conversation with the little girl. I have already decided to drink this little poison to get a better contract.
"I like that you will compensate for summoning me." I began, a playful smirk dancing on my lips. “But before that, we are still connected with the bond, even though it has weakened as there was no initial binding, still you cannot break this bond or set me free until we make a deal. And until the bond is not dissolved, we cannot increase our levels."
Her confused eyes met mine, her grip tightened in the book. I couldn't help but chuckle at her bewilderment. It was clear she was in over her head and didn’t trust my words.
I continued, "Oh, don't look so flabbergasted, darling." I waved my hand dismissively in the air, my tone dripping with facetious charm. "This isn't anything too complex, I assure you."
“You already have levels here so I don’t need to explain that, but think of this world as a system, as I am from another world, the world has put limits on me and you as being participants of the summoning ritual. Until this summoning is not resolved, the world had decided to put us into limbo. So, there is only one option right now.”
I could see her mind working, attempting to piece together what I'd presented her with. I gave her a moment, enjoying the sight. Usually, my summoners were more composed, so to see her so off balance was satisfying.
"See, here's the thing." I leaned forward, forearms resting on my knees as I looked her squarely in the eyes. "You summoned me, correct?" I asked though it was more of a statement than a question. "That implies a readiness on your part to enter into a contract with a being from another realm."
Her eyes widened slightly at that, but she remained silent, prompting me to continue.
"But alas," I spread my hands, "the summoning contract is off the table, isn't it?" I shrugged nonchalantly, "Still, we have to come up with a more... flexible arrangement to complete the ritual."
