Death... and me

Grabol and three more elders came inside. Before Rean started to show his methods, Brabol forced the guys to sign a Soul Binding Contract. It was so that they wouldn't reveal the methods to anyone else without Grabol or the Sacred Land Master's permission. Yes, Kristio was the person Grabol contacted about paying Rean for his method. Grabol would also share the method with Kristio later, just in case something happened to him.

With that out of the way, Rean spent one more day teaching those four how to forge Element Gathering equipment. It's just that the results they got weren't as good as Rean's. "Weren't your equipment a lot stronger?"

Rean nodded, saying, "That's obvious. The Element Gathering Method is one thing. My forging process is another. However, don't tell me you don't have your own forging methods that you keep a secret from others. Now that you know how to make your equipment gather a specific element, it's up to you to improve it and make them better."

Grabol nodded, saying, "Rean's right. We only needed the Element Gathering Method. I can definitely think of a hundred different ways to forge a piece of stronger equipment now that I know it. If we also rely on him for the normal forging, can we even call ourselves blacksmiths?"

The other three agreed with Grabol. "We were wrong, Grabol."

Rean smiled in response. Obviously, without the Earth's Remnants and the Soul Gem Blacksmith Workshop, he was certain they wouldn't be able to match the strength of his own equipment. 'In the end, they can't win against a technological world.'

Rean then turned around, preparing to leave. "Alright, our deal is done. Is there anything else you need from me?"

Grabol nodded before bringing out a Soul Binding Contract, telling Rean, "I'm truly sorry for forcing you to do this, but you must sign a Soul Binding Contract as well. I know it was you who created this method, and we're in the wrong to ask you that. However, our Sacred Land can't afford to let this method escape our walls. You will be prohibited from forging equipment that can gather elements outside the Blacksmith Hall of our Sacred Land. After all, we never know if someone will be watching you work even though you have no intention of teaching anything."

Rean narrowed his eyes after hearing that. "What did you say? You must be joking, right? So now what? Once I get a son, I can't teach him my own methods because you said so? This is ridiculous!"

Grabol's expression went slightly red with embarrassment. He knew that it was indeed a ridiculous request, and they would usually not ask such a thing. But then again, that's how important that method was. Just as he was about to try to talk with Rean, another voice echoed in their minds through Divine Sense. 'Rean, you only have two choices. One, sign the contract. Two, never come out of the Sacred Land ever again.'

"Land Master!" Grabol was surprised that Kristio would show himself in the end.

Rean's eyes narrowed even further as he could not help but ask, "Do you have no shame?"

'I don't,' Kristio answered straight away. 'If it's for the safety of my Sacred Land, I'm willing to be the most shameless person that has ever existed. In any case, I allowed Grabol to pay you that enormous price of 1000 Rank Three Divine Stones. I didn't need to do that, but I accepted nonetheless. That was my way of compensating for both your method and this last request. It's up to you whether you want to be permanently confined or not.'

Of course, Rean was just putting up an act. Soul Binding Contracts were useless against him. Not that he would tell them, of course. "Fine. However, you must leave an exception for me. If I decide to teach someone in the future, I can bring the person here and have them sign a Soul Binding Contract in front of you. Is this much okay?"

Kristio decided to allow that much. 'Very well. It will be included in the contract. Just be aware that this person will never be able to forge Element Gathering equipment outside of our Blacksmith Hall either.'

Grabol sighed in relief before he began to write the terms of the contract. Rean then used his blood, and soon, the contract burned up. Of course, the binding part was put on the dummy soul, so nothing could stop Rean from sharing his methods in the future if he wished to.

Grabol then touched Rean's shoulder with an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry, we had no other choice. At least you can still practice your forging in our Blacksmith Hall. I'll give you as much support as I can. Don't worry, our Blacksmith Hall doesn't lose to any branch of the Blacksmith Guild outside. As long as you only forge your Element Gathering equipment here, you're free to do whatever you want."

Rean was still angry, though. Even if it didn't work, the fact was that they wanted to seal his gold mine. "Whatever, I'm leaving." Without even looking back, Rean left the Blacksmith Hall.

Surprisingly, Etherian was outside, waiting for him. "Seems like you decided to sign the contract, huh?"

Rean glanced at him before asking, "You knew they would force me, right?"

"I knew," Etherian replied. "However, I was against it from the very start. I tried to plead for your sake, but Kristio and the others wouldn't listen. In the end, there's only so much I can do. It's quite a pitiful display for a man called one of the Ten Greats, don't you think?" Etherian didn't look happy about that either.

Rean could tell he wasn't lying, especially since there wasn't a need for him to do so. "It's fine. I'll manage."

Etherian then asked through a Divine Sense Message. 'You and your brother are leaving soon. Will you be okay not being able to use your Element Gathering Method anymore?'

Rean just shook his head, telling him, 'It's fine. Don't worry about it.'