Chapter 1: The Pact

Chapter 1: The Pact

With graceful feline steps, 996 walked towards the furthest room down the corridor. Along the way, it encountered many peers.

These peers were peculiar and bizarre. Some were golden orbs, floating in the air like specks of dust, collectively named

System.

Others resembled massive octopuses, with many slimy, frightening tentacles writhing around their round heads. They had a shared name, Cthulhu. Still, others were formless, mere wraith-like black shadows, ghostly in appearance.

Without a side glance, 996 passed these peers, looking down at its pristine white paws and softly chuckled to itself, "Indeed, I am the most magnificent envoy. No one's beauty can match mine—"

The latter half of the sentence was abruptly swallowed by 996.

By this time, it had entered the vast

Chamber

。

where the Main God resided. This chamber had no distinct light source, yet was filled with a soft, gentle white glow. Within this soft illumination stood an abrupt, jet-black, egg-shaped entity.

Standing several meters tall, this entity, while egg-like, wasn't wrapped in a hard shell. It more resembled a miniaturized universe formed from chaotic gases, brilliant stars, and vast galaxies.

The gentle white glow around was absorbed when touching this micro-universe, creating a vortex of nebulae and galaxies. Countless stars twinkled, akin to fine diamonds scattered on a pitch-black velvet.

The view was so breathtaking it defied description.

However, what left 996 speechless and feeling inferior was not this ellipsoidal universe, but the man standing before it, gazing upwards.

Lustrous black hair, reaching his ankles, gleamed softly as it cascaded down his slender shoulders. A fair face was hidden beneath this overly lush and magnificent mane.

His attire, stature, and features were concealed by the hair, yet one could immediately recognize, at first glance, that he was extraordinarily beautiful.

A beauty of the highest caliber.

996's self-praise was cut short by this captivating sight.

The room originally lacked a light source, but with this man's presence, light was born.

Amidst the room lay a mesmerizing universe, yet with this man standing before it, even the stars seemed to pale in comparison.

996 swallowed audibly, a gulp resounding in the silence.

Hearing the noise, the man turned his gaze slightly in its direction. His previously unfocused, misty eyes suddenly sparkled, and his pale, thin lips curled into a faint smile.

The bloom of a flower couldn't rival such beauty in that fleeting moment.

"Greetings. I have been awaiting your arrival for quite some time. How might I address you?" The man's ruby lips parted to release a soft-spoken phrase.

His voice was like jade dripping into a tranquil spring, deep and husky, lightly lingering in the air.

996's ears perked up in an airplane-like fashion, not from fear, but from the ticklish sensation the voice caused.

For a moment, 996 found itself at a loss for words to describe the man before it.

A radiant ghost? A mystical creature? A bewitching entity?

Regardless, 996 realized it might no longer be considered the most magnificent being within the realm of passionate admiration.

"Greetings. You may address me as Emissary," 996 declared with a puffed chest, greeting the man with an air of detachment.

The man turned to face 996, his lips curling into another tender smile. "Emissary, your presence is indeed commanding."

Only then did 996 notice the man's pristine robe was stained with blood. The crimson splatters appeared like red plum blossoms in the snow; they were startling yet carried a melancholic allure.

A wound gaped at the man's chest, seemingly inflicted by a sharp instrument piercing his heart. A slash ran diagonally from his left shoulder, revealing stark white bones beneath the flesh...

The man was gravely injured, to the extent that his soul was barely able to maintain its form.

His elegantly shaped lips were drained of color, and his already fair skin seemed almost translucent under the dim light. Despite his grievous injuries and bloodstains, they didn't mar his beauty but instead added a touch of fragile allure.

He was beautiful, ethereally so, exuding both mystery and vulnerability.

996 held its breath instinctively, whispering, "Are you already gone, or are you on the brink?" It feared that a louder voice might scatter the man's soul.

The man glanced down at the blood on his robe and touched his continuously aching heart, smiling resignedly, "It seems I'm on the brink."

"So, you've come seeking a lease on life," 996 surmised with a nod.

The man brushed a bloodstain on his cuff with long, delicate fingers. "Yes," his eyes cast downward, brows furrowed as if recalling an unpleasant memory, but he soon smiled, "I'm not ready to go just yet."

As he spoke, a trail of blood seeped from the corner of his lips, which he elegantly wiped away.

"Those who come here do not wish to die. It's the cries for help that summon them here by the Main God," 996 gestured towards the egg-shaped universe.

"Is this a deity?" The man curiously eyed the star-filled, mysterious orb.

"Indeed, this is our Lord God. It can grant you divine power, mending your broken body and soul, but in return, you must serve Its purpose."

996 glanced at the device on its petite paw, advising, "Your condition is dire. Data indicates your internal organs are shattered, and your soul has sustained severe damage. To survive, you must follow me and complete tasks in various worlds. Of course, if you choose not to, you can leave now, but death will be your only path."

This mix of cajoling and intimidation always made the lost souls readily obey 996.

996 lifted its head, anticipating the man's apprehensive expression.

However, the man merely pondered for a moment before gently inquiring, "What, then, is my task?"

"Our company's motto is 'Love and Peace.' Our mission is to bring destined lovers together, in simpler terms, to play matchmaker," 996 said, raising its head proudly.

"Matchmaker? You want me to act as the God of Matchmaking?" The man seemed slightly surprised.

He hadn't expected the task set by the Main God to be so straightforward.

"It's not as simple as you think! You're underestimating the job!" 996 puffed out its already protruding chest, flexing its muscular arm.

It was an American Shorthair cat with a black tie around its neck. Its chest and belly were stark white, but its left arm bore tiger-striped markings, much like a tattoo. The pattern on its head was also quite distinct, with a "king" character prominent on its forehead, making it look imposing.

Of course, only it perceived the marking as "king." To others, the character was missing a crucial stroke, looking more like the character for "earth."

The man glanced at the chubby cat with the "earth" mark on its forehead, the hint of a smile threatening but repressed.

"What exactly is my task?" He leaned forward slightly, strands of his silky hair cascading like a waterfall, releasing a rich fragrance.

996, somewhat dizzied by the aroma, covered its nose with its chubby paw before managing to reply, "Your primary duty is to foster the development of romantic relationships between destined couples. In short, you'll play the role of the supporting male lead."

"Supporting male lead? What's that?" The man blinked his peach blossom eyes filled with tiny glimmers.

996 waved its little paw dismissively, "No matter if you don't know. Just focus on fulfilling the task. However, with your face..."

996 circled the man twice, eyeing him critically, mumbling, "This face might not be ideal for a supporting role. No worries, you'll assume the appearance of the story's characters, so no matter how beautiful, this face won't get in the way."

The man arched his slender brows, a glint appearing in his eyes.

Oblivious, 996 continued, "Alright, entrust your physical form to me, and I'll guide your soul through the realms."

The man furrowed his brows, questioning, "Must I relinquish my body to you?"

Impatiently scraping the ground with its claw, 996 replied, "Not necessarily, only if you can find a place safer than my personal pocket dimension."

After a moment of contemplation, the man replied with a wry smile, "Then I shall entrust it to you, Emissary. Indeed, I can't think of a safer place."

The vast world no longer held refuge for him.

The man turned his gaze to the miniaturized universe adorned with stars, eyes profound and distant. He then looked at 996 and, opening his palm, conjured a milky-white seed from the depths of his soul.

"This is my true form," he handed the seed to 996.

Holding the seed, 996 inquired curiously, "What is this?"

"My essence is that of a rose. To preserve the last shred of life, I regressed to this seed form," the man sighed softly, asking, "Emissary, can we proceed now?"

"A flower spirit?" 996 remarked, studying the man's blossoming beauty, then nodding in realization, "Ah, that makes sense! Very well, follow me. In each world, you must heed my directives and diligently fulfill every mission. Failing to accomplish tasks means you won't accumulate points, which are essential for harnessing divine power."

"How is a task deemed completed? How many points per task and how much divine power can they be exchanged for? How much divine power do I need for the restoration of both body and soul? Once restored, can I depart?" Qin Qing asked meticulously.

"Complete the plot points for the supporting male lead and successfully unite the destined lovers to fulfill a mission. Each plot point is worth 10 points. If the lovers don't end up together, the mission is deemed a failure. Fail thrice consecutively, and the Main God will return you to your original world. Your only fate there is death. 100 points can be exchanged for a unit of divine power. Given your severe damages, I estimate you'd need at least a million divine power units to survive. Once fully restored, the Main God will permit your departure. Our organization propagates love; we're not some nefarious syndicate."

As 996 provided the answers, it stored Qin Qing's essence into its tie, which served as its pocket dimension.

"Promoting love? It seems your organization and I are fated. Alright, I understand," the man said with a cryptic smile, "I've yet to introduce myself properly; I am Qin Qing. Qin as in 'Qin Dynasty' and Qing as in 'green of budding mountains.'"

"Green of budding mountains? For a rose, why not go by Qin Qiang or Qin Wei? Even Qin Qiangwei sounds good," 996 remarked offhandedly.

Qin Qing: "..."

After a brief pause, he chuckled, "Your naming sense is truly commendable, Emissary. I wish those who named me had your flair."

A mere flattery sent 996's tail high up in pride.

"I've always had impeccable taste, meow. Let's move on. As long as you follow my lead, I'll have your back in those worlds," 996 declared arrogantly.

A time-space tunnel, dotted with shooting stars, appeared in the vast milky chamber. 996 stepped in first, with Qin Qing leisurely following, shedding his bloodstained, tattered robe in the process.

The airy robe slipped from his arm, plunging into the tumultuous flow of time and space, torn into fragments.

Devoid of the cloak's concealment, Qin Qing's scarred body was laid bare beneath the flickering starlight. Scars of all kinds – broad, thin, long, short, shallow, deep... countless sword and knife marks, as well as imprints of hands, marred his pale skin.

996 paused and looked back.

Only after Qin Qing had moved ahead did it catch up, wincing as it asked, "Were you ambushed?"

"Something like that," Qin Qing responded calmly.

"You've had it rough!" exclaimed 996, noticing Qin Qing's back and expressing further surprise, "What's that on your back? A tattoo?"

On Qin Qing's back were interwoven vines, each lined with sharp thorns, radiating a moribund aura. In contrast to mysterious runes or beautiful designs, this tattoo, comprised solely of withered vines, appeared eerily unsettling.

With just one glance, 996 uncomfortably averted its gaze.

"My vibrant arm tattoo is still more impressive," it muttered.

Qin Qing tilted his head to glimpse the withered vine tattoo on his shoulder, lips curling into a smile, but a hint of melancholy filled his eyes.