TUG-of-WAR V

The bomb Meu threw made everyone silent. As a human being, I know exactly what everyone present is thinking... or who they are thinking to leave behind.

The first one to break the silence was the stuttering mess. Dee sputters, "It's an easy choice. Let's l-leave her here. She's gonna d-die anyway."

I knew I didn't like her, but now I just want to cut her tongue out.

"S-she's right." Steve clears his throat, "I'm sorry, Marianne. Please don't hold this against us."

"Can we include the boy that she brought as one of the two?" Mark questions. At this point, I was beyong mad. Rage boils inside me.

"Nya-nya-nya! Of course!" He twirls his cane, "Does everyone agree with these arrangements?!"

Everyone, even the thugs but except the Business man, raised their hands in favor of Jung-woo and I. Seeing as how I could not move, I opted out with me silently glaring at them. It was useless for me to say anything, but hearing that Jung-woo could be picked as one of the two means he was still alive.

"I'm sorry things turned out like this." Business man folds his jacket and places it under my head as a pillow.

"Thanks for pulling me out of the water. We don't owe each other now." I look away from him and everyone else. Not because I was mad or emotional, I mean a little, but I was busy cursing in my head. When will my body finish healing?!

My health gauge that was in the yellow has just entered the green. I wiggle my toes and fingers, which they responded. Just you wait Meu, I'm coming after you once I save Jung-woo.

The cat snaps his paws, and one by one, everyone light up and disappear.

"Marianne," Business man's voice calls out to me, "It's been a pleasure to compete with you. My name is Levi Branson. I hope... we can be of assistance to each other, if fate allows--"

His voice got cut off. Probably since he was teleported out of here. When everyone left, Meu walks over to me. The clunking sound of his cane stops next to my head.

"A human... get to play with the sea serpents-nya!" He says, waving something in front of him, most likely an interface visible to only him. I stare at him, thinking of ways of how I could deal with this psychotic cat until an item comes to mind.

"Baal," I whisper while Meu is busy, "Can you help me?"

[7th DEMON PRINCE, BAAL ASKS WHAT YOU DESIRE.]

"Help me write a contract." I grin. I proceeded to explain what I wanted to do and the terms to put in the contract. After hearing what I had to say, both the angel and demons react.

[ARCHANGEL, ARIEL IS SPEECHLESS AT YOUR IDEA.]

[7th DEMON PRINCE, BAAL ENJOYS YOUR DARK SIDE AND AGREES WHOLEHEARTEDLY.]

"Meu!" I call out to him, "Let's make a bet."

Meu, who was buying shipping at the air, stops to look at me.

"What's a paralyzed and soon-to-be corpse could possibly benefit me? I'm a demigod nya, and you're only human." He licks his arm and paw.

"What if I can tell you that I can make it pass through all of the apocalyptic scenarios, survive, and make your stream entertaining?"

Meu rolls his eyes, "Stupid human, there are other humans who are stronger than you, nya. You're not the only thing that can make the higher beings want to stay and make a bet on. You have to be completely unorthodox to be worth my time and effort, nya."

Yes, that's exactly what I want.

"How about I make them pay to watch me?" I ask. Meu stops licking himself and gives me a questioning look.

"What do you mean by that, nya?"

I didn't answer and only gave him a look. Meu snarls at me and waves his hands around. A barrier surrounds us.

"Nyeo, one can see or hear us." He floats on his back, "Talk."

"Until I get stronger and more 'unorthodox', you can have the gods pay you to let them into my screen to watch my performances. Kind of like an entrance fee, house fee, channel fee, or subscription charge." I explain,"We can even offer other services and charge them more for it."

"So you're telling me, you and I... in a contractor relationship... agent and talent relationship. I help you set the stage, and you perform?" He questions.

"Uh huh."

"And what makes you think you're even worth the money for these gods to be subscribing and throwing money at? You are nobody."

"Easy." I slowly sit up, scaring the cat at the same time.

"W-what the hell!" Meu flies away from me but did not let the barrier go, "How are you fine?!"

When I had the chance, I would read my diary for more information. After the first scenario, gods or demons who are interested in certain individuals are offered blessings, which can be done through money and special powers. Which means they are essentially adopted by them like a master-discple relationship.

"I will not take a God or a Demon as my masters or sponsors." I walk closer to the cat and take out a contract that Baal has written for me, "It's not like you'll be losing out on anything anyway. You're a great Demigod, and I'm only human. If I die, soul and body, you can take all of my possessions."

"However, while I'm still alive, the deal is I take all the proceeds, and you get your streaming view increase." I walk away for a bit before turning my head to look back at the cat, "Then maybe you'll be able to raise in rank and eventually get your channel nominated to participate in various awards and events... You can even quit hosting this stream and work with MAIN."

I threw the bait.

Before I had the chance to walk back to him, Meu's body transformed to a bigger and slimmer cat, almost human like but with his cat features. In a flash, he had my throat in his paw and his stick that pierced my stomach.

[AUTO-HEALING] is activated.