Chapter-09 -Trash-Toy.

After waiting for a moment, I pulled out the Blood Mixture vial and the corpse toy.

I placed the corpse toy on the floor and prepared myself to open the Blood Mixture vial.

I slowly opened it and then came closer to the corpse toy and poured it all out on it.

As if I am pouring water on a dry cracked up land it soaked up all the blood tears mixture, leaving nothing on the floor, not even a trace.

Like a dry folded paper in water, it swelled and started expanding. Its skin unfolded from within layer after layer swelling and expanding but not leaving its original shape until it took an adult shape.

It slowly stood up as colors took over him.

Still grey corpse like skin tone but the outfit? Sleeveless dark coat with full sleeve shirt, white gloves and dark trousers. He looked like a butler, except for his sickly grey skin tone, he was clean and elegant.

Its eyes gained the shine of life and looked at me.

"I am Mr. Mortimer…how may I address you?" a very polite and clear obedient voice greeted me. But it was also the most neutral voice I ever had, not monotone like a robot in speech intonations but monotone is emotional inflections.

"Hello Mr. Mortimer, I am Dane Blackwood." I sat down on the bed and lay down. "I have a backache, could you massage me and relieve that pain for me?"

Mr. Mortimer's eyes did not have much expression but he still looked a bit confused.

"I assumed you were aware of my worth, Young Master Blackwood."

"Yes, I am aware."

"Are you sure you want to avail my valuable services just for a back massage?"

"Why? You can't give a back massage?"

"I certainly can give the best back massage you will ever have, Young Master Blackwood."

"Call me Dane."

"Yes, Young Master Dane. Are you sure you want to avail my precious talent for just a back massage?"

"Yes, give me the best back massage I will ever have."

I turned around.

However, Mr. Mortimer didn't move from his spot.

"What's wrong?"

"I would still insist on reconsidering the request. Once I fulfil the request…" Mr. Mortimer didn't finish his words.

"You want to stay longer this time, Mr. Mortimer?"

Mr. Mortimer didn't answer.

"Let's just focus on now, my back is killing me, Please help."

Mr. Mortimer sighed. "Yes, Young Master Dane."

With precise, practiced hands, he worked his magic. His movements were slow, deliberate—almost like he was stalling. But the massage was so damn good I didn't care. Before I knew it, my body gave in, and I drifted into sleep.

When I woke up, my back was truly refreshed as I took a deep stretch on the bed with the longest satisfied yawn ever.

This was the best sleep I have taken after waking up in this body.

As I turned and sat up. Mr. Mortimer was sitting on the chair.

This time, though, he didn't have that sickly, corpse-like skin. His complexion was smooth, fair, and full of life—almost too perfect, like blood actually flowed through his veins. If I didn't know better, I'd think he wasn't undead at all.

But the biggest change? He was ridiculously handsome. The kind of man women would trip over themselves for—tall, sharp features, and effortlessly refined. Clean-shaven, with neatly styled silver-streaked hair that gave him that distinguished, mature charm.

"Who are you, Young Master Dane?" Mr. Mortimer's voice also changed, from that dry neutral tone, now had a life, a hint of emotions, a mellow clarity.

"A Curious Old Latch Toy? Interesting."

"I am grateful to you, Young Master. Using the rarest of them all, the Succubus Matriarch's Tears mixed with your blood on me, giving me a heartbeat and yet you only availed my services for a meager back massage?"

"Trust me, it was not a meager massage, my back now feels so great."

Mr. Mortimer sighed again and then stood up. "I have failed to comprehend your intention but I am ever so grateful." Mr. Mortimer looked at his hands as if he was able to feel them after a long time.

He was taking a long steady breath as if enjoying each expansion of his lungs and exhaling.

"Are you going?"

Mr. Mortimer nodded. "By the contract set by my creator Old Latch, your one request has been fulfilled."

I nodded as Mr. Mortimer stood up reluctantly.

He took another few enjoyable breaths and then closed his eyes.

But nothing happened.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I…" Confusion in that confident steady voice, "...I am not able to return."

"Does that mean you are staying?"

Mr. Mortimer looked at me as if I have cursed him or cured his curse.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that?"

Mr. Mortimer wanted to say something but no words came out of his mouth.

"Oh…you think I did something to you?"

No response.

"Did you forget the properties of Succubus tears?"

It clicked in Mr. Mortimer's mind, I was able to see in his eyes.

"Succubus tears do not dry up easily and that's why it is used in Soul Slave runic ink, Soul Contract Seals, Revitalizing Tonics and Aphrodisiacs."

I nodded.

"It is considered the most closely guarded and regulated substance, illegal in many cases if caught."

I scratched my head.

"You mixed your blood with it so that it would not dry up?"

I nodded confidently.

"Why? What if it didn't work? You would have wasted such a precious rare substance on a whim."

"But it didn't…you are still here, my blood hasn't dried up after my request is fulfilled."

I gave him a clever knowing look like do you see my genius now.

"But…Young Master Dane, it's against the contract."

"Is it? Are you sure? What does the contract say anyway? Word by Word?"

Mr. Mortimer straightened his posture, his voice steady and precise as he recited the contract from memory.