"Contract... what are you talking about?"
Even though the other party had saved her, Minami Rika remained vigilant, a professional habit ingrained in her.
Of course, at that moment she was more confused.
Because the young man in front of her seemed to be shrouded in secrets.
"You can think of it as a 'mercenary' agreement."
After a moment's thought, Kevin rephrased it in a way that was easier to grasp.
After all, this was a modern society, devoid of magic or gods.
"... Do I have the right to refuse?"
Minami Rika asked tentatively.
Her eyes flickered inadvertently over the superthermal ion cannon in Kevin's hand.
That must have been what caused the incredible explosion moments ago.
But there was no way to discern its weapon type from the outside.
"Unfortunately, no."
Kevin shrugged, stating it plainly.
"Even if you refuse, I'll end up signing a contract with you in a less pleasant manner."
"So... I suggest you avoid unnecessary trouble from the start."
Hearing this answer, the beautiful, wheat-skinned special police officer offered a wry smile and shook her head.
"Okay, I figured."
"What do I need to do? Sign an employment contract right here?"
To be honest, she had formed a favorable impression of Kevin.
After all, she had been prepared to die alongside those zombies.
But this handsome young hero had appeared and saved the day.
If he wanted to play some sort of mercenary game... she'd just play along.
Minami Rika trusted that with her own abilities, she would definitely find a way out eventually.
"Contract? No need."
Seeing her agreement, Kevin smiled.
"You just have to accept the call from your heart."
"Varied..."
Minami Rika raised her eyebrows, sensing that something was amiss.
By the time she fully processed it, a flood of information had already surged into her mind, impacting her memories.
After a moment, Minami Rika looked at Kevin with complicated emotions.
She now understood the true nature of the "job" she had agreed to.
"I didn't expect this to be the real face of the 'contract'."
"I told you that from the beginning."
Kevin said as he tapped on Minami Rika's contract information.
"If you're not comfortable calling me master, 'boss' works too... Oh? You have some pretty impressive skills."
Like Lily, Minami Rika also possessed special contract skills!
[Contract Skill - Sniper's Insight: Enables your "Identification" ability to identify the contract potential of the identification target. When acting as an "Arms Dealer", the contractor's attacks will not consume ammunition.]
The role that suited Minami Rika was "arms dealer."
This was a Terraria NPC function that Kevin hadn't unlocked yet.
However, unlocking it was quite straightforward—he simply needed to have any firearms or bullets in his inventory.
Minami Rika's contract skills had two crucial aspects.
One was the enhancement of Kevin's [Identification] ability.
The original appraisal could only identify objects, but now it could identify people!
As for "contract potential," it likely indicated the ability to see if a person had contract skills.
Another key point was that when Minami Rika acted as an "arms dealer," her own attacks wouldn't consume ammunition.
This was an incredibly useful skill that could save a significant amount of ammo.
It also allowed for the unlimited use of more advanced bullets without worrying about running out.
"As expected of the ace sniper in the special police force, both her talent and combat effectiveness are top-notch."
Kevin extended his hand towards Minami Rika, his eyes briefly glancing at the weapon she held tightly.
"Give me the gun in your hand."
"... Alright."
Despite the ingrained rule of "never give your only weapon to others,"
driven by the contract, Minami Rika could only raise her arm and hand over the pistol.
However, Kevin simply took it, gave it a casual glance, and then returned it.
"Why just a pistol? I remember you were a sniper."
"Gear like rifles is too cumbersome."
Minami Rika replied helplessly.
"If you want to avoid being caught by these wandering zombies, you have to abandon all unnecessary weight."
"Oh… I see."
Hearing this, Kevin looked at the beauty before him and noted that she was indeed traveling light, without any heavy equipment.
This also meant that if they were surrounded, they would lack supplies and the means to break free.
Noticing Kevin's gaze linger on her, Minami Rika hesitated for a moment and then spoke up.
"I'm willing to serve you, but could you grant me a request?"
"I have a very close friend who I've lost contact with since the crisis."
"If she hasn't forgotten my instructions, she would have fled to my villa in the city center..."
"Could we go there and take a look? Maybe there will be clues about my friend."
In fact, Kevin had already guessed who Minami Rika was talking about before she finished the sentence.
If nothing unexpected had happened, it had to be the well-endowed school nurse with an impressive figure, Shizuka Marikawa.
Even if Minami Rika hadn't mentioned it, he would have gone to her villa anyway.
After all, it was a well-known high-resource location in Bedzhu City. Whether you were running with a knife or fully equipped, it was a place you couldn't miss.
However, this didn't mean he would agree immediately.
"If I remember correctly, I'm the 'employer' in this agreement."
Kevin glanced at Minami Rika with a slightly dissatisfied look.
"I didn't expect you to start assigning tasks to me before I even asked you to do anything."
"Oh... don't be so unkind, boss."
Minami Rika saw that he wasn't truly angry, so she moved closer and casually draped her arm around his shoulders like a close comrade.
"My friend is a beauty with even bigger breasts than mine, wouldn't you want to see them?"
If you wanted to talk about that... then he really did want to see.
"Forget it. I just happened to have something to do downtown anyway."
Seeing Kevin agree, Minami Rika's eyes suddenly lit up, and she thought to herself that this "boss" was quite easy to get along with.
In that case...
"Thanks, boss."
As she spoke, Minami Rika seized the opportunity to grab Kevin's hand and press it against her ample chest.
Having left behind her heavy tactical gear, she was now only wearing a vest and a shirt.
Through the thin fabric, Kevin could feel the warmth and softness.
"This is an advance payment."
This woman... was really forward. She had a completely different style from Lily.
Looking at his second contractor, Kevin shrugged.
"Before we set off, there's a companion I need to introduce you to."
"She, like you, is also someone who has signed a contract with me."