Zombie Domination Chapter 150- Pact

Beatrix’s lips pressed into a thin line as if she were holding back her pride. Then she let out a quiet sigh. "Julian... you think I enjoy lowering myself like this? I don’t. But if I don’t find soone strong enough to stand beside , that mark will keep chained forever." She touched her chest where the tattoo lay hidden beneath her clothes.

Her eyes softened, almost pleading. "You said you don’t want to get involved with factions, but what if that faction decides to co after you regardless? Do you really think walking away will keep you safe?"

Julian’s eyes narrowed. "So now you’re trying to drag into your ss by fear?"

"No," Beatrix said quickly, her voice sharper, but the tremor beneath it betrayed her unease. "I’m saying that we already share the sa path whether you like it or not. The Sky Whale is only one threat. There are others. And if I can use your strength, and you can use my knowledge, then maybe we both live to see another day."

She stepped a little closer, holding his gaze without blinking. "I’m not asking for your head. I’m asking for a temporary alliance. For survival. After that, you never have to see again."

Julian folded his arms, his expression unreadable. "You talk like survival is enough to bind to you. But I’ve survived this long without needing anyone."

Beatrix didn’t flinch. "And how much longer do you think you can keep that up? Even you can’t cut down every enemy alone, Julian. Not forever."

He let out a quiet breath through his nose, almost a scoff. His gaze drifted for a mont, as if weighing her words. "You assu too much."

Beatrix hesitated, her fingers brushing the edge of her sleeve as if weighing sothing heavy. Then, with a faint, almost bitter smile, she murmured, "If power alone isn’t enough to sway you... then I’ll offer sothing else."

Julian arched an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Sothing else?"

She took a step closer, lowering her voice until it was barely above a whisper. "Myself. My skills, my body, my knowledge... all of it. If that’s the price to make you stand with , then so be it."

For a mont, silence stretched between them, the air thick with tension. Julian studied her face carefully, the faint blush creeping up her cheeks, the way she forced herself to hold his gaze despite the unease flickering in her eyes.

Then Julian said, "Isn’t that the sa as transferring your ownership to ?"

Beatrix replied, "It’s better than nothing."

"You’re serious," he said at last, his tone more intrigued than mocking.

Beatrix nodded stiffly. "I don’t make empty promises. I told you, I want my freedom. If sacrificing my pride is what it takes, I’ll do it."

Julian’s lips curled into a faint, almost amused smile. "I didn’t think you’d go this far... and yet, hearing you say it makes curious."

Julian let the silence linger a mont longer, then leaned back slightly, arms crossed as if weighing the truth of her words. "If you’re really willing to offer yourself," he said slowly, his eyes narrowing with intent, "then prove it."

Beatrix stiffened. "Prove...?"

He stepped closer, close enough that she had to tilt her chin upward to et his gaze. His voice dropped low, calm yet edged with sothing that made her pulse quicken. "Anyone can say they’re desperate. Words are cheap. Show you an it."

Her breath hitched. She had expected him to be skeptical, but not this direct. Still, she bit her lip, forcing herself to remain composed. "And if I do?" she asked, her voice trembling only slightly.

"Then maybe," Julian replied, studying her carefully, "I’ll consider your request. But if you’re lying to , or trying to manipulate again... you won’t get another chance."

Beatrix’s hands curled into fists at her sides, her pride and survival instinct colliding violently inside her chest. She finally drew a steady breath and whispered, "Fine... test however you want. I’ll endure it."

Julian’s expression softened into a faint smirk, his curiosity sharpened. "Good. Let’s see how far your resolve goes."

Julian let his fingers hover just short of her arm, so close she could feel the warmth radiating from him without contact. "You said I can test you however I want," he murmured, eyes locked on hers. "Don’t regret those words."

Beatrix’s throat tightened. She wanted to retort, to throw his challenge back at him, but her voice refused to rise. Instead, she gave the smallest of nods.

Julian brushed the back of his knuckles lightly along her skin, deliberately slow, watching every flicker of reaction in her face. She flinched at first, then tried to stand firm, but her breath betrayed her, coming uneven and shallow.

"So, you can endure this much," he said quietly, almost to himself. His hand moved higher, closer to the edge of her collar where the mark rested, hidden again beneath her clothing. "But what happens when I push a little further?"

Beatrix’s fingers clenched around her skirt, knuckles white. "If this is your way of testing ... then I’ll bear it," she whispered, though her cheeks burned crimson.

Julian tilted his head, studying her trembling composure with keen interest. "Endurance can reveal truth," he said softly, "but it also reveals weakness. Which one are you showing now, Beatrix?"

Then Beatrix could only remain silent at Julian’s question.

Julian finally pulled his hand back, his expression unreadable. For a long mont he said nothing, only watching her until Beatrix’s shoulders sagged with both relief and confusion.

"Fine," he said at last, his voice calm but edged with finality. "I’ll accept your offer. I’ll help you."

Beatrix blinked, almost not believing his words. "You... will?"

Julian stepped closer, his presence sinking into the space between them. "Yes. But my help doesn’t co without precaution." His eyes narrowed, shadows rippling faintly at his feet. "If I’m to trust you, then you’ll carry a piece of with you."

Before Beatrix could question him, Julian raised his hand. The darkness pooled beneath him, alive, writhing, and then a shard of shadow peeled away, moving like liquid smoke. It drifted across the floor and slid seamlessly into her own shadow, vanishing without a trace.

Beatrix stiffened, gasping as she felt the strange weight inside her. "What... what did you just do?"

Julian’s gaze was sharp, unwavering. "A fragnt of my shadow. As long as it rests within yours, I’ll know where you are. If you betray ..." he let the silence linger, cold and heavy, "...you won’t even realize when the darkness swallows you."

Beatrix’s eyes widened as she felt the fragnt of Julian’s shadow settle within her own. A shiver ran down her spine, but she straightened her posture, determination flashing in her gaze.

"I... I won’t betray you," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the tension. "You have my word, Julian. Whatever happens, I’ll stay true to this agreent."

Julian studied her for a long mont, his dark eyes searching for any sign of deceit. Satisfied, or at least convinced enough, he finally relaxed his stance slightly, the shadows around him settling like calm water.

"Good," he said, his tone clipped but approving. "Then we move forward together. And Beatrix... don’t forget, this isn’t a friendship. It’s a pact. Cross , and even the shadow inside you won’t save you."

Beatrix nodded solemnly, feeling the weight of his words, but also the strange reassurance of having a piece of his power within her.

Beatrix nodded in agreent, her expression a mixture of relief and resolve. Julian’s shadow still lingered subtly around her, a constant reminder of the pact they had just forged.

"We’ll act as usual for now," Julian said, his tone calm but authoritative. "Focus on your tasks, stay out of unnecessary trouble. Once this ’Sky Whale’ problem is settled, I’ll consider helping you properly."

Beatrix t his gaze, understanding the weight behind his words. "Understood," she replied. "I won’t step out of line. I’ll follow your lead."

Julian gave a small nod, almost imperceptible, then turned and walked away, his mind already shifting toward the preparations they had to make. Beatrix watched him go, a strange mixture of relief and determination stirring within her.

Julian walked silently through the street, his thoughts turning inward. ’My shadow can’t fully monitor Beatrix, But it’s enough to keep her from acting recklessly... for now.’

His mind drifted to the scale-shaped mark on her chest. Technically, he could use his Domination skill to seize control of the mark and free Beatrix from whoever had imposed it. But the risk gnawed at him, if the original master of that skill sensed its sudden loss, the consequences could be catastrophic.

’I’ll wait, Until everything with the Sky Whale is settled, until the threat is neutralized... then I’ll consider freeing her. For now, it’s safer to keep things as they are.’