“…is governed by the laws of Hel.”

Hyeon wasn’t sure how long the document’s contents would be visible, so he had to hurry and read what he couldn’t detect before. He didn’t know what triggered this ability since everything was so new.

Most of the information was the same… but there were additional paragraphs and a few altered words. Heart pounding, Hyeon squinted closer. The modified information seemed to stand out in darker letters as if bolded in a computer program. What he missed before would’ve left him swimming back to New Zealand’s mainland, no ferry required.

Employment Contract

1. Employment

a. Employee agrees to be faithful, diligent, and to the best of his skill, ability, talent, and experience, perform all of the duties required of this position. The employee shall comply with all employer policies, rules, regulations, and procedures, both oral and written.

b. It is also understood and agreed to by the employee that his assignment, duties, and responsibilities cannot be changed.

2. Position Title

a. As a servant, the employee is required to perform the following duties and responsibilities professionally.

-Ensures a safe and sanitary work environment for others as well as himself.

-Performs cleaning, polishing, and organization tasks as assigned.

-Completes daily side work.

-Assist housekeeping with the cleanliness and maintenance of corridors, guestrooms, and gardens.

-Maintain high standards of personal appearance and grooming outlined by the grooming policy.

-Provide diversity and cultural examples to fellow coworkers.

-Willing to be tracked through an insignia for the employee’s safety.

b. In addition to servant duties, the role of personal assistant to Festr Castle's Master is expected. Functions include but not limited to:

-Following all of Master Fenrir’s needs until they are completed satisfactorily.

-Takes care of requests and liaises.

-Maintain cleanliness of personal areas, sleeping quarters, office, etc., throughout the day.

-Sustain Master Fenrir’s condition by providing soul energy through skin contact.

3. Soul Review

a. As a review, the sál (soul) entity has different components: hugr (mind), hamr (body), hamingja (luck), and fylgja (spirit).

-Hugr (mind)—Personality and cognitive processes. If strong enough, it can affect someone from far away by thinking about them.

-Hamr (body)—Physical form and shape-shifting of the body. Energy movement can be transferred via body and provide essence. Soul energy is also referred to mana, depending on the preference.

-Hamingja (luck)—Family heritage and karma are passed through bloodlines. Offspring’s successes in life are determined through this component. In death, the hamingja is reincarnated to the next descendant.

-Fylgja (spirit)—A follower spirit that binds itself to a chosen individual. Having a familiar is rare and will not be required for this position.

4. Termination

a. Unless contracting a life-threatening, dýr-related illness that requires family assistance, the employee may not terminate this agreement under any circumstances. Oral and written notices will not be accepted.

b. This agreement will end exactly one year from which the contract was signed.

Hyeon read it again. And again. And again.

What? I can’t even resign? Getting a disease will release me, but being almost eaten doesn’t?

The hole he made for himself became deeper and deeper. If that hamingja or luck from past family members determined his fate, they must have committed something majorly serious. His track record was too bad and rotten. 

Can’t I make the argument that I didn’t know what I was signing? I guess it doesn’t matter. There’s nothing for me in the real world.

Hyeon plopped himself on the couch and brushed a hand through his hair. He picked up the papers to re-read it… but he couldn’t. Those sections were missing, disappearing into an average contract. His eyes must’ve returned to normal. 

Sighing, Hyeon stared at the ceiling. Thunder rumbled in the distance. Rain pattered against the window. Strangely, his eyes felt drowsy which didn’t usually happen. His body relaxed and became heavy—really heavy. It was like something was forcing him to sleep.

It must be stress.

As his eyes closed, the sides of Hyeon’s lips curved, smiling sinisterly. 

“This is going to be fun,” he said hoarsely, ominous when lightning lit up the room.

The voice wasn’t his.