Chapter 425 - Mutual Narrative Safeguard
"How do I know you are not trying to trap me," Atlas said.
"No, my lord," Han Feng replied calmly. "You will be able to read the contract clearly once I present it. This is a two-way agreement that benefits both sides. You also know what I possess on my island. I will not burden you. We will work together. And if there is any form of deception within this contract, the system itself will punish me for it. In this situation, I am honestly offering this at a very low cost."
Atlas fell silent for a moment. "Did you offer this to Bolin before?"
Han Feng let out a quiet sigh. "Elder Bolin refused. Naturally... because this kind of agreement comes with mutual obligations to support one another. Something that would eventually happen anyway if lords are involved in the same alliance."
"I understand," Atlas replied.
Han Feng then explained in more detail that there were no hidden consequences Atlas had to pay, other than fulfilling the shared obligation to support one another. Nothing more.
In truth, this was already something Atlas practiced within the current alliance. The difference now was that this came with a concrete reward, enforced by a contract backed by the system.
There was, realistically, nothing to lose. Only the added assurance of having a new lord in the alliance whose trustworthiness could be monitored through Narrative Weight in the future.
In that case, there was no reason to hesitate.
Atlas made the decision without further discussion with Edrik or the others. And seeing that Edrik showed no concern at all, that alone felt like an answer.
This was safe to do.
Even so... this felt like Han Feng was giving up far too much of himself.
Was he really that desperate to earn Atlas’s trust, just to be accepted into this alliance?
Then again, Atlas had heard more than once that lords in this region would not survive for long without an alliance. It was no longer optional. Alliances had become a necessity, something that determined the future of a lord, their island, and everyone living on it. Without one, the outcome was almost guaranteed, and not in a good way.
Edrik sent a mental link to Atlas at that moment.
[Edrik: "Han Feng is genuinely trying to buy your trust, my lord. Your victory over Bolin carries significant weight, especially among lords who were directly involved in that battle. A strong alliance led by someone reliable is not something anyone would pass up."]
[Atlas: "You are still going on with those overly flattering words, Edrik."]
[Edrik: "I am simply stating what already exists in reality."]
Atlas exhaled quietly.
[System Notification]
[SS-Rank System Ability Detected: Law of Narrative Weight]
[Lord Han Feng is offering a binding contract under the authority of Law of Narrative Weight.]
[Contract Name: Mutual Narrative Safeguard]
[Contract Rules: ]
[Both parties agree to actively protect and support each other’s survival.]
[Intentional betrayal, direct harm, or actions leading to the other party’s irreversible death are prohibited.]
[This contract is monitored and enforced directly by the system.]
[Violation will result in severe penalties, including loss of Narrative Weight and system sanctions.]
[Contract Effects: ]
[A portion of Han Feng’s Narrative Weight will be mirrored to Lord Atlas.]
[Mirrored Narrative Weight grants resistance against fatal resolution, erasure, and forced death.]
[The effect scales based on the continuity and strength of the shared narrative.]
[Additional Information: ]
[This contract functions as both power and proof of trust.]
[Narrative Weight cannot be falsified.]
[The system recognizes this agreement as a genuine alliance bond.]
[Do you accept the contract?]
[Accept]
[Decline]
Atlas considered it several more times. He read every line displayed before him, every word stated by the system, making sure the contract truly benefited both sides. At least, it should.
Han Feng would gain what he needed, trust. And Atlas would receive something extraordinary, Narrative Weight.
A form of insurance... far more dangerous and valuable than it sounded.
In the end, Atlas pressed the Accept button. Immediately, a new series of system messages appeared before him.
[Contract Confirmed: Mutual Narrative Safeguard]
[Binding process complete.]
[Narrative Weight Transfer Detected]
[11 Narrative Weight has been mirrored to Lord Atlas.]
[Contract enforcement active. System monitoring enabled.]
"Eleven Narrative Weight?" Atlas asked, surprised.
"Yes, my lord," Han Feng replied calmly. "That is a very high value. Out of the twelve Narrative Weight I possess, I shared eleven. That shows how highly the system values our contract."
"So... what does this Narrative Weight actually grant me?"
"At Narrative Weight ten and above," Han Feng explained, "fate begins to resist erasure, and the chance of revival increases. Yes, that is a real possibility here, my lord. The higher the Narrative Weight, the greater the chance of revival. This also includes all effects from lower Narrative Weight values, including my ability to delay your death if it ever occurs."
Atlas nodded slowly, watching how the system enforced the bond between them, strengthening their connection through an invisible but undeniable rule. And in return, it rewarded them with something truly extraordinary.
A chance of revival.
This was an absurd ability, one that operated very differently from what Arveline possessed, yet carried the same terrifying weight.
Death, here, was no longer absolute.
A sudden sound of clapping echoed through the room. When Atlas turned, he saw Ember doing it.
"Congrats, Mr. Invincible. Even more insurance to stay alive longer," she said.
"I wonder if we could eventually share the benefits each lord possesses with the others in the alliance," Atlas replied thoughtfully. "I am sure that would strengthen us as a whole."
One thing was certain. Atlas intended to distribute the Soul Binding Armor he could produce to other lords and their people as well. That alone would greatly increase the survival chances of the entire force.
To do that, Atlas would need far more resources, and he would have to push the production speed of that extraordinary armor set even harder.
Atlas stood up once more and extended his hand toward the man in front of him.
"Welcome to the alliance, Han Feng. You are still a trial member for now, but I hope this will grow into something far greater," Atlas said.
"I truly appreciate that, Lord Atlas," Han Feng replied with a respectful bow. "Thank you very much."