Chapter 604: No thanks. We reject.

Lara and all the others stared at Alec silently. They didn't blame him because they knew he had been suffering all alone due to the dark mark without any help.

All of them wanted to help him but had no clue how one can be released from the dark contract. While they were all busy in their thoughts, Old Hal, who was chained outside the very stage they had landed with Alec's unconscious body, suddenly spoke up.

"I can help. One of my comrades recently invented an artifact that can wipe out the dark mark placed on someone's body by the dark side. But in exchange, you all need to follow me to the war going down at the other end of the universe. Because, you know, nothing is free in this world."

The powerful figures in robes chained around the old man were taken aback by his sudden proposal. They looked at him with a hint of admiration.

Truly, the old man was suggesting a deal that the young ones would never turn down at the ideal moment. None of them dared to disturb him as he directed his serious gaze towards Kyle and the others.

Old Hal had been observing them all from the beginning and had noticed the deep care they held for each other.

Their fate was intertwined with the silver-haired man. Hence, he particularly desired to bring the silver-haired man to the war. As he watched them pondering his words, a faint smile graced his face. If they agreed to his proposal, he would recruit numerous skilled individuals... but his smile faltered when suddenly Nine chuckled and gazed at him with narrowed eyes.

"No thanks. We reject."

Nine's firm voice, which accepted no refusal, reverberated through the air, and a wide grin crept onto his face. Lara, Carcel, Jian and the few others who were seriously contemplating accepting the old man's proposition gazed at him in confusion.

Old Hal and all the people in robes waiting for the youngsters' responses frowned at Nine's words. They were well aware that the youngsters were completely lost on how to get rid of the dark mark on the blue-haired man's body. So, why was this lad rejecting the old man's proposal? Even Elizabeth, who was listening to everything from a distance, was somewhat puzzled.

Kyle's eyes shifted towards the grin on Nine's face, and he was certain the man had something up his sleeves. Instantly, a spark of curiosity flickered across his face, but he held back from moving closer to Nine, aware that the man would try to punch him again. Keeping their distance seemed like the wiser choice.

At that instant, Alec cracked a subtle smile as he made eye contact with Nine.

"Good. You all don't have to follow anyone just because of me. This is my battle-!"

Before he could finish his sentence, Nine clicked his tongue loudly.

"Quiet, why are you being such a whiner? And who said it's only your fight? We're all here for you. Let me finish my words first."

He reached out his hand into the air and pulled out a rolled-up paper from his mind space. It took him a considerable amount of time to locate the contract with Alec's name among the numerous papers he swiped from the demon's planet.

As the paper materialized in his hand, all eyes were drawn to it. But nobody knew its significance. Nine sheepishly rubbed his nose and then shot Kyle a stern look.

"Here."

He extended the paper towards Kyle, who moved closer, albeit slowly, and took it from his hand with a puzzled look.

Kyle unrolled the paper amidst everyone's curious stares, but as he read the symbols inside, his eyes widened in surprise. The symbols of confinement. He locked eyes with Nine, who had a sly grin on his face.

"I've finished my task. It's your turn now."

Sinon, Regius, and Jian leaned in towards Kyle, gazing at the paper in his hands with narrowed eyes. But unfortunately, the trio didn't get anything at all. Regius traced the symbols with his finger and asked.

"What are these? Symbols?"

Sinon replied with a frown.

"I think they are, but why do they look more like scribbles?"

Jian shook his head, pointing to the paper with a serious expression.

"No, look closely! It's a drawing of a snake with seven heads!"

Kyle's eyebrow twitched slightly at their comments. Thinking he should teach them a thing or two about arrays in his spare time, he shook his head solemnly.

"No, it's a dark contract."

He glanced at the name signed at the bottom corner of the paper.

"The one Alec signed..."

Jian's eyes widened at his words. Alec was the most shocked and quickly stood up to snatch the paper from Kyle's hand. He fixed his eyes on the ordinary paper, shaken by the memories it brought back.

As everyone gathered to stare at the paper in disbelief and shock, Kyle moved closer to Nine and asked with curious eyes.

"How did you get your hands on it?"

Nine's face beamed proudly as he lightly thumped his chest.

"A powerful being... someone beyond comparison, lent me a hand. He admired my charm and just couldn't stand to see harm come my way."

Kyle blinked at the enigmatic words uttered by the brown-haired man. He could not help but think about the identity of this powerful being who helped Nine. Little did he knew that it was none other than himself.

'Another friend I have forgotten? No, that can't be right. Yue never mentioned anyone else I am very close to.'

Old Hal and the many folks silently watching the group were utterly shocked when they realized that the paper Nine handed to Kyle was a dark contract. They were curious about how Nine came across it, given that no one had ever managed to find one. However, watching the group deeply engrossed in their conversation, no one dared to ask, feeling they would probably be completely ignored.