The symbols Rita found were advanced magical glyphs used for designing equipnt requirents. These glyphs stabilize and balance the magic within equipnt, allowing it to carry more attributes and possess superior stats. Regular equipnt isn't even eligible to use them—only Level 10 purple-grade items might qualify.
However, these glyphs could also serve other purposes. For example, enchanters and tailors often use them to conceal or protect valuables. By setting specific visibility thresholds, items under their protection remain hidden unless the required conditions are t.
The glyphs Rita found had the following requirents:
Divine Gift Rank: S True Strength > 80 True Intelligence > 80 True Agility > 80 True Constitution > 80
This was a trap designed just for her. It fit perfectly, like a hand in a glove.
Her [Thief God] Divine Gift alone t the S-rank requirent, and anyone with such a Gift and even a modicum of ambition would ensure their base stats exceeded 80. Without any equipnt, her base stats already cleared the thresholds.
This discovery only solidified Rita's suspicions: Soul Catcher was tainted. Her next best course of action might be investigating Miyaas' relics and lair, as they could offer new leads.
She and Nivalis headed to The White Family estate. After disguising her identity as a staff mber and activating invisibility, she Shadowstepped into the estate.
Confirming that Sanchez now had a [Crippling Stabilization] status effect, Rita observed her from above. Sanchez had been awake since 5 AM, relentlessly training. Her snowboard glided smoothly beneath her feet as she slashed the air with her blade, over and over again.
Rita asked Nivalis, "Can your specialist-grade healing lift her condition?" Her mind raced with two contradictory fears: what if Sanchez healed, and what if she ended up like Sanchez herself?
Nivalis examined Sanchez from afar. "It's hard to say. Theoretically, I could treat her and even break Jason's curse temporarily. But the problem lies in the curse being imprinted on the [Bloodline Shackles]. My healing would only be temporary. The curse would slowly regenerate unless she permanently severs the Bloodline Shackles. Even temporarily breaking the shackles won't help."
Rita: "What do you an by 'permanently sever'?"
Nivalis: "All her blood relatives would have to die."
Rita stayed in the air, watching Sanchez for a long ti. It wasn't until the estate's water-screen detectors sensed her presence and guards approached that she left.
Sanchez, as an enemy, was a constant threat to her peace of mind. But as a tool in her hands, Sanchez was like a rare SSR card—powerful, expendable, and free from moral obligations. Rita could use her to the fullest without guilt.
With a deep sigh, Rita made her decision.
She Shadowstepped into the White Family's fishing vessel. Still disguised, she released Jason from his container.
The first thing Jason did upon waking and seeing the open sky was exhale in relief. If Rita had intended to silence him, he wouldn't have had a chance to wake. "You've made your decision?"
Rita: "Yes."
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The deal Jason offered was enough for her to "borrow" her hatred and vengeance.
If a task arose that she couldn't complete herself, she would have a loyal faction to delegate to. She wouldn't have to invest resources into nurturing them or feel guilty about their casualties. They were expendable assets.
And during her visit to the White Family estate earlier, she'd even spotted traces of snake servants…
The White Family's collaboration with Rick was sothing she couldn't tolerate. If Sanchez were to die, it had to be by her hand—not drained and discarded by Rick. It wasn't out of sympathy for Sanchez. Rick simply wasn't worthy, whether Sanchez was a tool or a wife.
Rita opened the Contract interface and officially bound Jason to an agreent.
The Contract:
Jason's Obligations:
Fulfill all promises made to Rita, including disclosing Miyaas' relics and lair. Maintain absolute secrecy about Rita's identity and any knowledge of her. Form a military guild under the White Family na and execute all tasks issued by Rita without refusal. Cause no harm to Rita in any form. If any terms are violated, Jason, Ariana, Josephine, Sanchez, and any other nad individuals will: Have their stats reduced to zero. Lose all mories. Be petrified for 100 years.
Rita's Obligations:
Accept the White Family's allegiance. Issue them at least one task monthly (Blue Star ti). Fight alongside them at least once a year. If she fails to uphold these terms, she must compensate the White Family with 50,000 gold coins.
Final Clause: Upon Rita's permanent death, Sanchez's HP will drop to zero instantly.
The contract would last for 50 years.
This was an extrely one-sided agreent, yet Jason agreed without hesitation.
Rita asked, "You're not asking to promise to lift your curse?"
Jason almost said, A cornered dog will jump the fence, but stopped himself in ti. After slapping himself, he adjusted his expression and replied earnestly, "Leaving things open-ended often leads to better results."
It was wisdom he'd gleaned from [Life Resu]—less certainty allowed for more flexibility. It was also this approach that convinced Rita to negotiate with him in the first place.
Rita: Don't think I didn't catch that you wanted to talk about dogs jumping fences. Who's the desperate one here, hmm?
Guild Formation
Jason summoned a Guild Crest and mailed it to soone. Shortly after, a new guild appeared in the rankings: .
The guild leader: Ariana.
Its three mbers: Ariana, Josephine, Sanchez.
Jason, due to his current status as a sea demon, couldn't officially join. But he nad the guild in the contract to demonstrate his sincerity. He even signed the nas of Ariana, Josephine, and Sanchez into the agreent, using their blood to validate their participation remotely.
To his final instructions, Jason added: "Block their access to the other party's na."
The contract replaced Rita's na with [Unknown].
Golden light swept across the blood-stained nas, validating the arrangent.
Rita scrutinized the contract once more, then said abruptly, "Add soone else to the penalty list: your wife, Allison."
For the first ti, Jason's expression turned grim. In the end, he sighed and added Allison's na to the contract.
His tale had its truths and its lies. A script could be fabricated, but emotions were not.
From the mont she t him, Jason ntioned his wife just often enough—not too much, not too little. It was suspicious. If he didn't care, he wouldn't bring her up, or he'd constantly use her as bait. His restrained ntions of Allison revealed his love and longing.
Jason completed the final step, using Allison's blood to validate her participation.
As expected…
With the contract sealed, Rita revealed her true face for the first ti.
Jason murmured her na under his breath, committing it to mory. "They understand how serious this is. They're also terrified. Rest assured, they won't act out of line. They won't even know who you are until I'm gone."
Rita's first order was imdiate:
"Don't work with Rick. No matter what he offers, reject it. Crush him at every opportunity and make his life miserable."
She added a series of tasks for the White Family:
Investigate Yu Qingshan and Scarlett's current situations. Locate Ezra and ensure he suffers. Gather intel on the Taylor family's operations in B City and preemptively undermine their influence in S City. Collect any artifacts bearing the na 'God of Food.' Identify a player using blank skill crystals to buy skills. Track a player nad EasySing.
Jason: …Did I just start a full-ti job? Where did that "I don't need anyone" attitude go?!
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