Ch 112

  "I'm at a bit of a loss here," remarked Matt thoughtfully, contemplating whether to inform Tempormr about the possibility of possessing a prime bloodline. "I can tell that my body has changed, and yet I don't feel any different."

  "You don't have to tell me what level of bloodline the system believes you have," responded Tempormr, perceiving Matt's intentions. "In fact, it's better if you don't and never willingly divulge that information to others. Now, regarding your body, how best to explain this? I would say it is in a state of constant flux, adapting to even the slightest changes in your environment. Where most bodies have specialized cells to perform various functions, your cells can transform into whatever they need to be at any given moment."

  "That makes it sound like I'm just like the monster we fought earlier," Matt mused, recalling the creature made of goopy substance that could shift its form freely.

  "Unlikely. Don't confuse what you are with what a slime-type creature is. They are composed of a single type of cell that can mimic many forms, but their cells can't instantly change from a skin cell to a bone cell. You also can't deform your shape to the extent a slime can, although I suspect you could do so to a certain degree. If someone were to cut off your head, a new one would likely grow. You could simply pick up your old head, and it would recombine with you effortlessly."

  "Sure sounds like I'm a slime monster," retorted Matt, raising an eyebrow skeptically. "I mean, what about my brain? Is that just a lump of nothing now?"

  "It has been since you unlocked the HP stat," Tempormr replied, with a hint of amusement. "Don't misunderstand, it's still needed for your body to function properly, but it can be restored just like the rest of your body can be."

  "What about my memories?" Matt asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

  "They're stored in the same place as your status, as they are a part of that. Therefore, they can't be destroyed until you die," Tempormr reassured him.

  “Speaking of dying, what can you tell me about the 'defier of fate' title?” Matt inquired, worry evident in his voice.

  “Oh, I was wondering if you would manage to obtain that one,” replied Tempormr, amusement clear in his tone. “It is a rather common occurrence for those whose path is intertwined with luck. Was there a moment in the last fight where you were left with just a few hit points, and something unexpected happened to save you?”

  Matt recounted the moment when his spirit stat received a boost after Greg froze the goop on him, and the body slam he performed, which he then managed to negate at the end of the fight.

  “I see. Yes, either one of those should have been your demise. Honestly, I am surprised that the slime’s matter froze while your skin remained unscathed. With just 61 luck, you should expect a few things to turn in your favor in unexpected ways. In this case, I would say that Greg aimed to miss you completely, and something redirected just enough to where the goop on you was. Thereby saving you and triggering a bonus that is rarely seen. It is a hallmark of defying fate, as you're not supposed to be able to increase your main stat.”

  “So, just how hard is fate going to try to kill me?” Matt asked, a hint of anxiety creeping into his tone.

  “Not much at this point. It is when you survive its next attempt and the one after that, that you’ll start needing your luck to increase if you wish to continue surviving. There are ways to mitigate the issue, but it will be up to you to discover them. Now, my time is running short, so if there is anything else you wish to ask before I depart, now is the time.”

  "If I attempted to recruit the six individuals who were rescued to join Scattered Star, what would be the most likely outcome?" inquired Matt.

  "Their deaths," answered Tempormr. "Even if they were coerced into joining Godfrey Enterprises against their will, leaving is not something they will be forgiven for, especially if they join another organization."

  "Well, it's a good thing you're going to have a stern talk with whoever runs Godfrey Enterprises and inform them that, as compensation for insulting you, these six individuals are to be untouchable by them. Along with any others they recruit once they manage to fight their way out of the dungeon in the same way my party has been doing," Matt replied with determination.

  "Sometimes I think you're more devious than I am," Tempormr mused. "You know that even though your skill list has been condensed, everything you used to do is still there; it's just the aspects of your path interacting. So, you'll aid them and encourage them while I extract a pound of flesh on your behalf. The only question is, why should I? Those who wronged me are dead."

  "To balance the scales for forcing me to attack," Matt insisted. "They knew something that you didn't want me to know, and if you want me to ignore that, you'll give me your word on this."

  Matt waited, anxiety creeping in as he worried that time had run out. But just as he was certain that Tempormr's time to speak with him had elapsed, a system message appeared in response, reassuring him.

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  Tempormr, the Dragon of time has agreed to the terms of a binding deal.

  Warning, not holding up your end of a binding deal enacted this way puts your life in the hands of the other.

  Notice, one must only do what is in their power to fulfill their side of such deals.

  For a fleeting moment, Matt felt a pang of anxiety regarding the agreement he had just made. He quickly pushed aside the unsettling thoughts about the information he had nearly uncovered, convincing himself that it would be manageable. He resolved to assume that whatever details he learned about Tempormr that might create tension between them were the only ones to consider, and he would simply wait for the next revelation to confront him. As long as he refrained from actively seeking out such information, Matt believed he would remain in a secure position.

  With that thought firmly tucked away in the recesses of his mind, Matt redirected his attention to the scene unfolding around him. His companions were deeply engrossed in animated discussions, while the six captives remained resolutely positioned in their roles as prisoners. None of them bore human characteristics; instead, each had features that evoked memories of various beasts. One creature was astonishingly large, easily the width of two men and towering at least eight feet tall, with the face of a formidable brown bear. Intriguingly, its paws were more akin to human hands and feet than to claws. The others were similarly striking; two sported the faces and tails of grey wolves, while another resembled a rabbit, one took on the appearance of a goat, and the final one was the most human-like of all, possessing a face that was almost human yet adorned with fox-like ears and a coat of fur on its arms.

  Regardless, Matt wasn't about to concern himself with things that were sure to become commonplace on Earth given enough time. As he stood up and captured everyone's attention, he directed his focus towards Greg and Emily before beginning to speak.

  "Is there anything I should know before speaking with our new acquaintances?" he inquired.

  "We're not your friends," retorted the bear-man with a gruff voice. "All you've done is ensure our death."

  "That pretty much sums it up," Greg agreed. "From what we've gathered, they were more or less coerced into Godfrey Enterprises' service and were on their way to where we were before. Apparently, the dungeon we cleared was notorious, and groups like this were regularly forced to power level in the area around it before challenging its dangers. Now that it's gone, their chances of leaving the dungeon alive have vanished as well."

  "That's not true," Matt replied confidently. "Here's the deal for you six. Tempormr and I have an offer that could give you a chance not only to survive but also to compel Godfrey Enterprises to leave you alone."

  "Right, why would a god do anything for us," grumbled the fox-man, his skepticism evident.

  "Because he owes me a favor, and my success aligns with his interests. This means if you six prove useful to me, then you're valuable to him as well," Matt explained, hoping to instill a sense of hope in the group.

  "Oh, and just how can we be useful to you?" asked the fox-man, raising an eyebrow with skepticism. "You're all significantly more powerful than us, and unless you need some disposable meat shields, I can't see much we can offer."

  "I am Matthew Pierce," he introduced himself with an air of authority, "and I'm sure you all received the notification about the organization I founded, Scattered Stars. Well, congratulations, because you're all going to join my organization. You'll be dropped off where we first arrived in this dungeon and do your best to fight your way out while leveling up. This is the deal that I have been authorized to offer all of you, and once you make it out, you'll be free to recruit others as well. However, I expect all of you to exercise good judgment when doing so."

  "I thought we were going to use that last slot for one of our family members," Emily commented, her voice tinged with disappointment. "Plus, we have no idea when we'll even be able to reconnect with anyone here beyond using the calls you can make."

  "Who says we're even going to take that deal?" retorted the bear-man, his tone gruff and defiant. "It's not like being part of a tiny organization has any real benefits for us."

  “That is where you’re mistaken, my friend,” remarked the fox-man, his wide smile revealing sharp teeth. “Getting in close to the ground floor is always advantageous if an enterprise takes off. The real question is how to best maximize the benefits that are available.”

  “Whatever,” the bear-man grumbled, crossing his arms in defiance. “If anyone ever asks, I was coerced into joining this mess, and I suppose we won’t be free to leave once we get out of here?”

  “Not if you want Tempormr to keep Godfrey Enterprises off your back,” Matt replied, his tone serious. “So, are the six of you going to agree to my terms?”

  For a brief moment, the six beast-men exchanged wary glances, their expressions a mix of uncertainty and determination, before they all nodded in unison. The fox-man’s smile widened as he stood up, extending his hand, palm up and flat towards Matt.

  “I’m sure that what you’re doing is perfectly normal for you, but could you explain how you expect me to respond to this?” asked Matt.

  “Oh, it’s simple,” the fox-man explained, his voice steady. “You place your hand palm down over mine while I state that I recognize you as above me, and you acknowledge that you see me as below you. This is a common method for many organizations to induct new members.”

  “Cool, but that’s not how mine will work,” Matt retorted, reaching out for a more conventional handshake. “Now, grip my hand with our palms touching, and we’ll shake them up and down as we agree as equals. Just because I’m your boss doesn’t mean I’m better than you. If anything, my job is to make things better for you as I work toward our shared success.”

  "Interesting," replied the fox-man, as he firmly grasped Matt’s hand. "I’m Sadao, and I hope to see many prosperous years working alongside you."

  "Same here," agreed Matt as they shook hands, sealing their newfound partnership. "Though, I expect the initial phase to be rather challenging for all of us."

  "All things worth having require effort, so have no fear about the trials ahead of us."

  "Good, now please tell me that we have the keys to remove these collars and chains."

  "It would be wise if you took us to our starting location first," replied Sadao, with a concerned frown. "They’re designed to ensure that we don't gain experience while wearing them. They are also quite costly for anyone below B rank, so I would suggest holding onto them afterward as well."

  "Alright, Emily, Elanor, the three of us need to devise a plan before we can rest."

  "Matt, it’s already the day after the fight," stated Emily, with a hint of concern. "You were out of it for quite some time. Speaking of which, how about you explain why your body looks so different now?"