Hardest Choice

'Gasp!' 

Clark gasped for air and abruptly opened his eyes, He was lying on the ground that was covered in water at the level of his toes. 

Surprisingly, his clothes weren't getting wet and his injuries were healed. He lifted his upper body and grabbed his head, which was pounding with pain. 

"It hurts so much," he said with pain. Clark examined his healed body with surprise. Looking around, there was nothing but pure darkness, only a few meters were visible to look at even then, only the ground and a layer of water were present.

'What is this place?' he said while trying to remember what previously happened. 

Taking a moment to think, the memories before he lost consciousness stirred in his mind. With the flow of memories, the mind was in pain several more times than before. However, Clark was able to endure the pain. 

'Right, I saw something glowing, and it was asking me–I can't remember what he was asking' He couldn't remember the part where the rectangular screen asked the question, and he said yes. 

It wasn't necessary to think about it because that screen popped before Clark's face again. 

[The first step has been completed.]

The text morphs and next text appears 

[Complete the contract]

"Wait! I have seen this type of screen! Doesn't it appear in the anime?" Clark said with a surprised expression but it wasn't essential at the time, 'A system, I think, yeah, I think it's called a system.'

"Do I need to complete the contract?" he remembered what the system said before, "To save my family?" 

{Yes, you have to complete the contract}

A terrifying voice came from the darkness, it was heavy and loud. On hearing the voice, Clark could roughly guess that it was not the voice of a human. 

Then two red eyes glow from the blackness, the level at which they were glowing meant whoever had those eyes was at least bigger than most of the buildings or maybe far superior in height.

'Thump' 

The being with red eyes took a step, which shook the ground. 'Thump' 'Thump' 

'What an overwhelming step; whatever he is, surely is dangerous.' Clark was anxious as he stepped back a few steps. Then something unexpected emerged from the black shadows—something not even Clark had anticipated. 

It was a gigantic dragon that was shielded with red scales. In comparison to dragon size, Clark was nothing but an ant looking at a beast hundred times bigger than him.

'A dragon?' Clark said with dreadful eyes, his body was trembling with just looking at the dragon. It was an uncontrollable shake, and it is undeniable to say that the dragon could kill him with a single step of his leg.

He wasn't Thomas but Clark, his body was weak as compared to that monstrous once, Even if he were Thomas, things wouldn't have been different, against a monster. No weapon but empty pockets. 

{Human, do not be afraid. I wish not to harm you}

Clark's trembling voice watered down a bit but that doesn't mean he was all cool because the dragon said he wouldn't harm him, Clark was skeptical; he can't trust any stranger and mostly something out of nightmare: a dragon. 

{As you can see, I and the system have come here to aid you}

"Will you really save my family?" Clark asked with a skeptical look. 

{You shall not doubt us, As we have no ill intentions} 

'No, why do I feel something is wrong with here?' He inhaled and exhaled, but there was an uneasy feeling. 'This feeling in my heart, it's the same as how I was feeling at kin's room' 

He was so stunned that he could tell that it was the same feeling as before. Even though that was a past time, this time even it shouldn't have been feel able because of the gap. 

{All I want you to do is complete the contract and we will save your family} the dragon sounded eager, someone who wanted to finish off things faster.

'Something cooking here, I need to be cautious' Clark told himself inwardly before opening his mouth, "What are the conditions? Is saving my family the only thing in the contract?" 

{Conditions… You will know once You sign the contract}

Clark's expression hardened, "I can't recklessly sign a contract, where the host isn't even spitting out the conditions." 

The dragon gritted his teeth as he looked at the young lad with annoyed eyes, Clark could feel the tense change of atmosphere. 

'It was true, dragons really have low tolerance. But that doesn't matter' Clark's expression remained indifferent. 

{Human, if you don't want to die, then complete the contract without questions} 

"If you wanted to kill, you wouldn't have saved me in the first place."

{Tsk… I really want to kill annoying bugs that talk to much but your lucky}

"Why is it that you will die if you kill me?" Clark jokingly remarked with his grave expression and serious tone. 

{Hoh, It's interesting how you know this}

'HUH? I just joked but I didn't know it was real' seeing his joke turn out to be the truth.

{In this place, you and I are connected as one, that means If I kill you, then I will die with you} he didn't give a detailed explanation but even so, this much was still enough for Clark.

Clark, keeping his composure, said, "In this case, Why don't you tell me the conditions? What's the big deal?" 

The dragon's body glowed with red light, his massive form compressed and turned to a small shape as the light that was covering his body faded, a Humanoid form was revealed. There were crystals that were moving behind his back in circular motion. 

"I don't have the time for this childish play."

"The one who's playing childish here is you. I can't sign a contract with no conditions revealing to me." His razer eyes were giving the dragon a dead stare as he landed on the ground with two feet's and steps towards Clark.

"I don't even know if this will be good or bad. It can be a poison instead of a cure." 

The dragon stopped next to Clark and saw what he believed to be the most annoying eyes. 

"Very well then, If you think that way, then I have something else for you."

Whatever was about to come next, Clark needed to be attentive and ask first about the trap of this dragon. 

The dragon smiles and places his hand on his chin, "Do you want a new offer?"

"As long as you don't hide things and are straight forward,"

"Sigh… There's no need to hide anything in the next offer."

The system that was levitating in the air, disappeared and reappeared with a new text. 

[You can only save 2 family members.]

[0/2]

"What kind of sick joke is this?" Clark's eyebrows lowered slightly and iris moved at the smirking face of the dragon.

"This is not a joke but this is what's left. I can't provide you anything else. Now choose the two you want to save."

"What about the old offer?" anxiousness arose in his heart and mind. 

"You can't go back, and I can't give you any other offer."

"Why not"

"There's no meaning to explain things to you who will ask questions over questions, Now choose because the countdown is running low."

"What countdown?" Clark bewilderedly ask, the dragon pin points his finger above Clark's head and said, "I wouldn't tell you the time left on your head but I will say that it's running down."

"Now, then choose."

[0/2]