"The hell...?"
This was it. The true artifact wasn't the dagger itself, but this—the sentient black liquid that lived inside it. It was the core.
I took a cautious step back, but the moment I hesitated, it lunged.
Before I could pull away, the thing latched onto my left arm with a sudden, slick motion. It coiled up, wrapping tightly like a band of cold fire.
"Shit—! Not the arm!"
Summer uniforms were short-sleeved. If this thing left a mark, I was screwed.
Too late.
The black liquid stopped moving and opened what looked like a jagged, snake-like mouth. Then—chomp.
It bit into the back of my hand.
I flinched at the sting, more surprised than hurt, and then… the pain faded.
In its place, a small, glowing mark bloomed on my skin.
A tattoo—dark, almost metallic—formed into the shape of a winged serpent.
Not exactly my style, but at least it wasn't huge.
The pain vanished as quickly as it came.
"…Guess that means the contract's done."
