One Step Immortal

The Life-and-Death Contract

The pain in his chest was unbearable.

Yet Jones clenched his teeth and remained composed. Even as it felt like his heart was being hammered over and over again, not a single trace of panic showed on his face. He simply reached out and calmly took the black-gold card.

Right at that moment—

The materials required for the ritual were delivered with utmost care by a beautiful attendant: one hundred Titan cores and an ounce of Frost Crystal Essence.

“I need a spacious room. No interruptions.”

The contract ritual was extremely dangerous. Any disturbance could trigger a severe backlash.

…

Inside the room—

The one hundred Titan cores were arranged in the shape of a pentagram. A mithril necklace had been crushed into fine powder, linking the energy of each core together. At the very center lay the Frost Crystal Essence.

Under the chandelier’s glow, the entire formation shimmered with a cold, ice-blue light.

Jones stepped into the center.

It was time.

Sensing danger, the Hellfire Demon lowered its massive head. Its oppressive presence filled the room, its bull-sized, violent eyes locking onto Jones, attempting to force him to retreat.

But Jones didn’t even flinch.

Following the instructions given by the God-Tier Choice System, he began to chant—each word a harsh, ancient demonic syllable.

In an instant—

The ritual activated.

The formation erupted in brilliant blue light, which condensed into chains that shot upward, binding the Hellfire Demon in place.

The creature let out a pained groan, quickly followed by a furious roar.

“Mortal… you dare try to control me?”

“You will pay the price! I will not spare you—your soul, your flesh… all of it will be devoured!”

No matter how it threatened him, Jones remained calm, carrying out each step with precision.

Step one. Step two.

Everything proceeded flawlessly.

Only the final step remained—

The contract.

Jones’s expression grew solemn.

Once this last step was complete, he would truly gain control over an SS-class Titan—becoming one in millions, the rare existence who possessed such power.

For five years, he had clawed his way up from the slums. Training from five in the morning until midnight. Enduring pain. Risking his life.

And now, at this very moment—

He stood at the threshold of leaving his past behind.

All those who had humiliated him, threatened him, betrayed him… would one day kneel and beg under the weight of this power.

Jones raised his hand.

He was about to complete the contract—

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The door shook violently.

Karl’s arrogant, grating voice rang out from outside.

“Kid, don’t think hiding in there will save you! Every exit of Blackwater is covered. I’ve got snipers on the surrounding rooftops. Even if you could fly, you’re not getting out!”

He paused, then added with false patience:

“Of course, we can still talk. Give me back the two hundred million. Trust me—being a friend of the DuPont family isn’t a bad deal.”

Outside the door, Karl sneered as he spun his lies. Once Jones stepped out, he would have him captured and broken.

What he didn’t know—

was that, in a sense, he had already succeeded.

Inside the room—

Jones’s body convulsed as if struck by lightning. He coughed violently and collapsed to the floor.

The ritual required absolute silence.

Karl’s disruption had interfered with it.

Pain exploded in Jones’s head, as if it were about to split apart. He lay sprawled on the ground, unable to breathe.

At the same time—

the ritual began to fail.

Two of the chains binding the Hellfire Demon snapped instantly.

One of its arms broke free.

Its mouth stretched wide, rows of jagged teeth exposed as it burst into wild laughter.

“Mortal… now it is time for you to pay the price!”

Flames began to seep into the room—thin at first, then growing, creeping closer to Jones. Even from several meters away, the heat stung like fire against his skin.

In a matter of seconds, everything had fallen apart.

And outside, Karl’s voice kept going, making Jones’s pounding head feel like it might burst.

“What, playing mute in there? Let’s see how many days you can hide in Blackwater!”

When no response came, Karl dropped the act, pounding harder against the door. Then, hearing the commotion inside, he quickly realized what was happening.

“Well, well, well… looks like you’re in trouble.” He let out a dark laugh. “Die with your regret and hatred!”

He slammed the door even harder.

“Feel it! The frustration! The hatred! This is your fate!”

“I’ve already had you investigated. Not just you—you think your family can escape?” His voice turned vicious. “Your sick mother in the hospital? She won’t escape. And your sister… not bad looking. I’ll make sure to take good care of her.”

Hearing Karl’s words—

Watching the flames closing in—

Jones’s heart filled with fury and unwillingness.

His nails dug deep into his palms.

Damn it!

Just one step away… just one step, and the contract would be complete!

Why was it that every time he reached the edge of success, something invisible would slam him back down—crushing him before he could even stand?

Was the barrier of class truly this impossible to cross?

From the slums to here—after everything he had endured—

Was this where his path ended?

Jones’s eyes burned red, wide open, not a trace of submission in them—only a raging storm of defiance, like a fire that refused to be extinguished.

And then—

That familiar voice echoed in his mind once more.

“The Chosen One, the turning point of fate has arrived. Make your choice.”

Option One:

Abandon the contract with the Hellfire Demon. Detonate the ritual and escape the mortal danger.

Result: The ritual fails. You will never have another chance to contract the Hellfire Demon.

…

Option Two:

Gamble everything. Step into the flames. Let your flesh and soul merge, and form the highest-level Life-and-Death Contract with the Hellfire Demon. From this moment on, you share life and death as one.

Reward: Unknown.