My Favorite Game Followed Me!

Anton knew very well that his friends aboard the ship, especially Melinda, were taking advantage of his generosity.

At the beginning of the voyage, his father and Anna had told him that since he was paying Paul and Eric to accompany him as guides, they were not his friends but his employees.

Anton preferred to think differently. Since he had already compensated them with several low-level spellbooks, he believed they had long since stopped being employees and had genuinely become his friends.

Even so, he expected that their friendship would probably last only for the duration of the journey. Although he had paved the road to that friendship with gold, he was perfectly content with that.

He was extraordinarily wealthy. In fact, most of his expenses were covered by Ormunda because of his family’s monthly contributions of portal scrolls.

Still, Anton knew that the amount he intended to pay Paul and Eric for helping him test whether his Diablo System would survive the Izmortans’ rebirth process was exceptionally generous.

He also knew that once he revoked their access to his Diablo System, they would inevitably feel the loss of that power. The least he could do was compensate them for it.

Besides, after receiving such an enormous payment from the Meronoma elves for his movies, his coffers were overflowing.

”Before we agree, we’d like to know more about the contract you’ll ask us to sign and the magic you’ll be giving us,” Paul said, speaking for both himself and Eric, even though Eric looked ready to accept the offer immediately.

”I don’t have the contract prepared yet because I need another wizard to help me create it,” Anton replied. ”I suggest we complete everything tomorrow after you’ve read and signed the contracts. I’ll also explain the finer details of my bloodline magic once they’re signed.”

Paul nodded in agreement, and he and Eric departed shortly afterward.

Anton accompanied them outside before heading to Supreme Baturin’s quarters. He hoped the old wizard could help him prepare the contracts.

One of the ship’s crew members led Anton to Baturin’s room.

Fortunately, the elderly wizard wasn’t busy and welcomed him inside.

”Could you help me create a general magical contract and a magical non-disclosure agreement?” Anton asked.

”That’s simple enough,” Baturin replied. ”Can’t you create them yourself?”

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Anton admitted that he had never learned how to create magical contracts.

Instead of simply doing it for him, Supreme Baturin offered to teach him in exchange for a mithril tablet containing defensive spells powered by a mana stone.

Anton readily agreed.

To his surprise, creating magical contracts was remarkably simple.

The spell construct was no more complicated than the one used for the Light spell.

Within an hour, Anton had mastered it.

He was relieved.

He hadn’t wanted anyone else reading the contents of the contract or the non-disclosure agreement he intended to have Paul and Eric sign.

After paying for the lesson with one of his magic tablets, Anton visited one of the ship’s magic shops to purchase magical paper, enchanted ink, and a fountain pen.

Once he had everything he needed, he returned to his room.

Using the internet, he searched for examples of legal contracts and non-disclosure agreements, then adapted them to suit his own requirements.

In the end, Anton decided to combine everything into a single contract.

It stated that, in exchange for one hundred thousand gold coins each, Paul and Eric would receive temporary access to the non-ladder Multiplayer feature of his Diablo System.

Once they reached Izmorta and completed the rebirth process, Anton would revoke that access.

The contract also prohibited either of them from revealing any information about his Diablo System to anyone else.

After reviewing the document several times, Anton was finally satisfied.

Since it was still early, he decided to continue leveling his ladder Amazon.

He knew that once Paul and Eric accepted his proposal, much of his time would be spent helping them level their Diablo II characters.

Fortunately, he didn’t expect that to take long.

Once they understood the game’s mechanics, they should be capable of progressing on their own.

Because Anton only needed three hours of sleep each night to feel fully rested, he made excellent progress with his Amazon.

The following morning, Paul and Eric arrived early.

The main reason was simple.

Eric wanted breakfast at one of the luxurious restaurants in the Noble Section, and he could only afford to dine there when Anton accompanied them.

After breakfast, the three returned to Anton’s suite to discuss their decision.

”Paul wanted to ask you for more money,” Eric said while giving his cousin a stern look.

Paul immediately blushed.

”I told him we shouldn’t do something like that,” Eric continued. ”You’ve treated all of us extremely well since the very beginning. Asking for even more gold on top of what you’re already offering would be disrespectful. It would simply be wrong.”

His stern expression gradually became an outright glare.

”Alright, stop already,” Paul muttered. ”I’m sorry. I know I was wrong. I was only thinking about how much money our families might need after we arrive in Izmorta.”

Eric snorted but said nothing.

Anton understood Eric’s point.

Their fathers were both capable men who would undoubtedly provide for their families. Acting as though Anton’s payment would be their only source of support was, in a way, disrespectful to them.

Anton found the entire exchange surprisingly revealing.

It was the first time he had ever seen Eric dominate Paul during a disagreement.

Until now, Anton had always assumed Paul was the leader between the two cousins.

Apparently, he had been mistaken.

Judging by Paul’s reaction, Eric had likely always been the true leader. He simply allowed Paul to take charge most of the time, stepping in only when something truly important was at stake.

Anton had always considered Eric something of a himbo.

Eric was undeniably handsome—even more so than Paul—but he often behaved like nothing more than a cheerful musclehead.

Perhaps that image had been deliberate all along.

Maybe Eric had intentionally allowed Paul to act as the spokesman while quietly making the important decisions behind the scenes.

Anton shook his head inwardly.

He realized he was still far too naive when it came to judging people.

Still, every experience was an opportunity to learn.

Paul and Eric carefully read the contract Anton had prepared.

Naturally, they had numerous questions.

It took Anton nearly an hour to explain every clause.

Once they were satisfied, Eric resolutely bit his thumb and signed the contract with his blood.

Seeing that, Paul did the same.

Anton signed last.

With the magical contract complete, Anton stored it safely inside his inventory before beginning his explanation of the Multiplayer feature of his Diablo System.

”Once I grant you access to my family’s bloodline magic, you’ll be able to enter a hidden world,” Anton began.

”That world is on the brink of destruction, overrun by demons and monsters.”

He then explained that the first thing they would need to do upon entering was choose one of the eight Diablo II classes.

Anton described each class in detail, covering their abilities, strengths, weaknesses, and preferred equipment.

He also showed them gameplay videos of every class but repeatedly reminded them that their own experience would be completely different.

”You won’t be controlling a character,” Anton explained. ”Your actual bodies will be transported into that world.”

Paul frowned.

”If that’s true, won’t we be in real danger? What happens if we’re injured... or killed?”

”Injuries will hurt,” Anton admitted, ”but powerful healing potions can restore even serious wounds in less than a minute.”

He paused before continuing.

”If you die, you’ll simply awaken in the safe zone. However, all of your equipment will remain where you died. To recover it, you’ll have to return to your corpse. The moment you touch it, your body will disappear, and all of your belongings will be returned to you.”