Reborn As An Evolving Monster

382  Subjective Value, I

'Is it seriously talking this openly in my presence? Thinking about him as an "It" might be a mistake though...' The Undead Lich thought as the white-scaled Monster took a seat.

The distance separating the two was about two dozen meters.

"So I used to have this Skill, right..."

'Seriously?'

"I used to be able to bring back the dead right away. Their wounds would heal and they would stand up to fight for me-"

The Undead Lich broke out in laughter, interrupting Mark.

The latter stared silently for a bit before continuing.

"So it-"

"What do I get in exchange for helping you?"

"Huh? Didn't we settle that already? I'll tell which one comes first, the Body or the Soul."

"That won't do."

"Why not? Aren't you curious?"

"I am. But it's not a fair exchange."

"Of course it is. You've been alive for so long, yet you don't know the answer. You've thought about it wayyy longer than I've thought about this Skill of mine. It means more to you than it means to me. Still, I'm willing to go through with this exchange."

"Just because my body is made of bones doesn't mean I lived that long."

"Yeah, right." Mark said with a chuckle. "Anyways-"

"I might have thought about it for longer..." The Undead Lich interrupted once more. "But it's still not a fair exchange. The value you place is subjective in the first place. Time isn't something that can kill me, so you can't add value based on how long I've thought about it."

Mark immediately put his elbows on the desk before him.

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The Undead Lich's words...

"Is that so? Tell me more about it."

Were very interesting.

"I have all the time in the world. You do not. Your body will decay one day."

"All the time in the world? That's if I don't-"

"Of course, of course." The Undead Lich's tone made it obvious. Its eye sockets were empty, but it had definitely rolled its eyes. "In the position that I'm in, I can remain this way for centuries. What about you? Will you be alive in a couple of centuries?"

"Being all bones has its benefits, huh?"

"Will you be alive in a couple of centuries?"

"One can only hope." Mark said with a chuckle.

"It's not a hope for me, but a fact. I have no urgency. Thus, information has more value to you. Not only that, but all you're offering is a way to satiate part of my curiosity. While your survival might depend on-"

"Alright, I get it! I get it!"

"So my information is more valuable. Since it could save your life. A life that, all things considered, will either end in less than an hour, or, at most, in a couple of decencies."

"Fuck... Dealing with the devil is tough."

"Of course it is."

"So you're not willing to help? Do we get straight into the killing?"

"Oh, no. I'll help, of course. I'm curious about that too after all. But I'll need you to explain things thoroughly and answer my every question."

"Your every question is too much. I'll explain thoroughly though."

"Good. Then," The Undead Lich snapped its fingers. "Let's go through with it."

[You have been offered a Contract by the Undead Lich.]

[Would you like to view said Contract?]

"Sure." Mark answered while doing his best to keep an eye on the Undead Lich. It turned back towards the Ghoul it had been working on.

[

believe that the Soul comes before the Body. Satiating the Undead Lich's curiosity entails explaining your reasoning and thought process thoroughly and answering the Undead Lich's questions.]

"That's funny."

"What is?" The Undead Lich asked.

"My part is way longer than yours. You're being specific with what I have to do, but not with what you have to do."

"Well, my information is more valuable to you."

"I guess that's true..."

"Your survival might depend on it."

"That's true..."

"My survival might depend on it."

"True... Wait, what? Oh, right."

"Well we both agree that the killing comes after that. So that Skill might help you-"

"I said I got it. Alright, fine. I'll answer three of your questions after my explanation."

"Seven."

"Three. I'll say more if I feel like it."

"If you feel like it?"

"Yes. So make sure you resolve the problem with my Skill."

"Hahaha!" The Undead Lich laughed. "Not bad." It snapped its fingers again."

[

Clause 1: The Undead Lich vows to offer all the help it can offer to solve the problem you have mentioned.

Clause 2: In exchange, you vow to satiate the Undead Lich's curiosity on why you believe that the Soul comes before the Body. Satiating the Undead Lich's curiosity entails explaining your reasoning and thought process thoroughly. Clause 3: Additionally, you will answer three of the Undead Lich's questions.]

 "Tsk. That means three questions in general."

 "That's right. How much does that Skill mean to you? How much are you willing to give for it? I believe that what I am asking isn't too much."

"Whatever. What now?"

"We discuss what happens if either doesn't respect the Contract."

"Too many variables. The Clauses are subjective, just like the 'value' you keep talking about. How thorough is thorough enough? How much detail is enough to count a question as answered?"

"Fine, fine. If I break the Contract, I will forfeit the use of Mana temporarily. If I am unable to help with your Skill issue, you are freed from the Contract's obligations. If you don't go through with it after I've helped, how does a 50% temporary reduction in Stats sound?"

"Fuck no. And don't call it a Skill issue."

"Fine. You will forfeit the use of Mana temporarily."

"What does temporarily mean."

"How does ten minutes sound?"

"As a Lich, Mana is what you rely on..." Mark brought a hand to his chin. "Ten minutes should be more than enough to deal with you."

"That's right."

"You're that confident in your ability to help?"

"I am."

'Ten minutes without Mana... If worse comes to worst, I should still be able to run away.' Mark thought silently for a bit.

"Alright. Also, no surprise attacks or fighting until we've resolved the whole thing."

"Of course."

"And add to the Contract, no Summons, Monsters, Skeletons, or Items under your control either. None of that while we work this out, or if and when your ten minutes without Mana come."

"How thorough."