"Think carefully, Shana. You should still have some memories."
Sitting on Shana's back, Adrian Blake casually spoke, guiding her.
The soft, bouncy, and fluffy seat beneath him was undeniably pleasant, and he couldn't help but enjoy the sensation.
At this moment, Shana had calmed down, focusing on recalling her memories.
As fragments of her past flashed in her mind, she realized that Adrian was not an enemy.
Her face turned red with embarrassment as she lowered her head, muttering, "I thought you attacked me... I'm sorry for what I did earlier."
Seeing her obedient apology, Adrian didn't press the issue any further.
Shana immediately straightened up, as if eager to get on her feet.
Freya, ever so quick to introduce herself, spoke, "Let me introduce myself. I'm Freya, and this is my master, Lord Adrian Blake."
"Slave?"
Looking at Freya's casual mention of herself as a slave, Shana furrowed her brows but chose not to comment.
Taking a deep breath, Shana composed herself, her tone calm as she responded, "I am Shana, a warrior of the Ice Wolf Clan, a proud one."
With a touch of pride, Shana announced her identity before looking at Adrian.
"Our clan always repays its debts, but right now, I have somewhere I must go. Please move aside."
While grateful for Adrian's help, Shana still remembered the scouts that were looking for the Ice Wolf Clan's territory.
She couldn't allow her people to fall!
"You're just going to leave like this?"
Adrian stepped forward, easily crushing the ice claws Shana had formed in her hand.
An overwhelming pressure descended, pinning her back onto the bed.
From above, Adrian looked down at her, his voice calm yet imposing. "Even if I let you go, what will you do for the Ice Wolf Clan?"
Feeling the force of his hand holding her down, Shana's tears welled up. She understood her weakness and despised it.
Adrian's words ripped open the wound in her heart.
"I am weak... but I... I..."
"Do you want to fight back? Do you want to grow stronger?" Adrian's voice was like a hammer, striking deep into her soul.
Every word he spoke uncovered her innermost thoughts.
In the next instant, the crushing gravity lifted, and Adrian released his hold.
He casually tossed a piece of paper in front of her.
Upon seeing the information on it, Shana's ice-blue eyes trembled.
"You... are a Hero?"
Adrian gently cupped Shana's chin, tilting her head to face him.
"Of course, and I can make you stronger. I can give you the power to keep fighting!"
Then he dropped the bombshell. "There's one more bad piece of news for you."
"Right now, the Giolar Kingdom's army, disguised as mercenaries, is heading toward the Ice Wolf Clan's territory."
"The Ice Wolf Clan's fate is sealed: death or slavery."
"You don't want your clan to be destroyed, do you, Shana?"
With those final words, Shana's expression shifted completely.
Clenching her fists, her eyes reddened as she looked up at Adrian.
"As long as I can become stronger, as long as I can protect everyone, I will do anything!"
"Then sign a Master-Servant contract with me and become my slave, Shana."
A magic array for the Master-Servant contract appeared on the floor as Adrian offered her the choice.
Shana didn't fully understand what the Master-Servant contract entailed, but she knew what Adrian wanted her to do.
Without hesitation, Shana spoke. "As long as you can make me stronger, I am willing to do anything, even reveal my true name!"
The true names of demi-humans were incredibly important in this world. To control someone, one needed their true name.
Shana's willingness to offer her true name meant she was ready to surrender herself fully.
"True name? That doesn't matter. The Master-Servant contract is what we need."
Adrian shook his head, focusing on the pink collar marks that now adorned Shana's neck.
Compared to the Master-Servant contract, the true name was trivial.
At that moment, Adrian took out a "Level Breakthrough Device" and placed it before Shana.
"Shana, your source of strength is here. This is your future."
"Will you grasp your future, or will you let the chance to become stronger slip away?"
Shana's face flushed even more as she swallowed nervously, her eyes shaking as she looked at Adrian.
Her breath grew heavier, and her heart raced in anticipation.
"I want to become stronger, I don't want to be weak anymore."
With those words, Shana stretched out her delicate hand, bringing her face closer.
Seeing her so eager, Adrian's smile widened in excitement.
"Shana, the future is in your hands now. Let me feel your passion!"
Adrian gently stroked Shana's head, teasing her fluffy ears.
Seeing the tears welling up in her eyes from pain, he kindly reminded her, "To become stronger, you can't be picky."
"Mm...!"
Shana's eyes grew resolute as she swallowed hard, taking the next step.
With her faith unshakable, Freya, blushing, stepped in to assist.
In the next moment, Shana felt a surge of power flowing through her.
"The power... it's so hot, I'm getting stronger!"
Shana could feel her strength growing, and her fluffy tail wagged enthusiastically.
Adrian couldn't resist grabbing it, overwhelmed with excitement.
Tears of joy streamed down Shana's face as she felt her level surpass its limit.
"Looks like the experience points I've accumulated weren't wasted after all!"
As her level broke through its limit, Shana's level immediately increased.
It was clear just how hard she had worked to level up.
"Now, let me see where your limits lie!"
"If you want to protect your home, your current strength is nowhere near enough."
Adrian stood up, full of energy and determination.
Shana, though still seated, lifted her head stubbornly.
"I... I want to be stronger... I will keep going... keep getting stronger!"
She held onto Adrian tightly, clutching the hope of her future.
Freya, watching this scene, felt a pang of sympathy and admiration.
Shana's determination moved her deeply.
In order to help Shana become stronger, Freya took out some of the recovery potions Adrian had created earlier.
For the next two days, Shana's level limit was forcefully pushed to level 15!
[Level: 15 (Intermediate Ice Wolf Warrior)]
"You really did it! You broke through a whole tier, Shana. You're amazing!"
Adrian's praise brought a bright smile to Shana's face.
She gently caressed her soft stomach, feeling the power coursing through her body, something she had never imagined before.
"I've become stronger... I've become useful!"
Shana laughed happily, her ice-blue eyes now filled with love and loyalty as she gazed at Adrian.
Her tail wagged enthusiastically, almost like a playful puppy rubbing against Adrian's face and hand.
If time weren't so tight, she probably would have tried to crawl up his legs again.