Jared's eyes sparkled as he looked at Isabella. He checked her condition using his special vision. Even though she was a spirit, there was no problem in gathering information.
[Isabella – Level 20]
[Strength: 9]
[Stamina: 11]
[Magic Power: 90]
[Wisdom: 35]
[Agility: 9]
[Charm: 30]
[Physical Defense: 0]
[Magic Defense: 3]
[Special Traits: Mark of Despair S / Painful Healing A]
[General Traits: Men, Love, Jealousy]
"Why didn't I think to check Isabella's stats before? Oh right, she's a ghost... I didn't think she could come back to life."
Jared frowned slightly, blaming himself. Isabella's stats weren't bad; they were typical for someone with magical abilities. What stood out were her special traits, like the Mark of Despair and Painful Healing, which were usually found in those who debuff others. This meant Isabella was specialized in abilities that weaken others, like causing despair or corruption. She could be seen as a sorceress, different from a dark magician. In the world of <Paradiso>, there was even a recognized profession called a sorcerer.
"Isabella's abilities are focused on mental powers. She might even have some physical curses."
Jared looked at Isabella, making her flinch and step back.
"Why do you keep looking at me like that? What are you planning to do?"
Isabella covered herself with her arms, moving away with a longing look in her eyes. Her actions seemed like she disliked something, but her tone and gaze suggested she was yearning for something.
"Her general traits include men, love, and jealousy? I hope she doesn't think I'm the one she's interested in."
Jared chuckled to himself. He already had someone who liked him, Hazel, and didn't need another. But seeing Isabella's state gave him an idea.
He thought of a plan to increase his magic defense. In <Paradiso>, there were three main ways to do this:
First, invest 5 stat points to gain 1 magic defense point.
Second, buy or craft artifacts with magic defense options.
Third, face monsters that use magic attacks and build resistance through experience.
Over 99% of players used the first two methods because they were safe and reliable. Very few used the third method because it required being exposed to monster attacks for a long time, which constantly drained health. This method wasn't popular because the gains were small, and it was more efficient to earn money and buy artifacts instead.
"But if Isabella keeps casting debuffs on me within my limits, I can endure and gain magic defense. It's like building immunity!"
This was the core of his plan. It was a method used by tamers who controlled many monsters, though it wasn't popular in <Paradiso> due to the difficulty and expense of raising such a profession.
"I can control Isabella, so I can train safely and consistently."
Jared glanced at the last three lines of the spellbook.
[However, the revived subject is physically and mentally bound to the 'master' who revived them using this spellbook.]
Regardless of their feelings, Jared could completely control Isabella. Physical and mental enslavement meant she had to obey his commands, even if it meant her life.
When he clicked 'More' next to the final sentence, additional information appeared.
[The revived subject cannot refuse the master's orders. If they defy the master-servant contract, they will face death. This is a miserable death that completely destroys the soul, and it's extremely painful until the very end.]
"Great! If Isabella agrees, I can have a good subordinate and a way to increase my magic defense with a debuffer by my side!"
With his thoughts sorted, Jared smiled and walked over to Isabella, who was still looking at him with trembling eyes.
"What is it?"
"This is a resurrection spellbook. It can give you a new body and a chance to be reborn, not as a spirit but as a human Isabella."
"Does such a book really exist?"
"Yes. It was part of Deluc's legacy. I don't know why he had it..."
As Jared looked around, his eyes caught something. Focusing more, he saw a transparent coffin with the body of a woman who looked about 25 years old. Her body was preserved in a special liquid, looking as if she had just fallen asleep, with only slight wrinkles from the moisture.
"He might have intended to use it on her, maybe to control her as a servant or for some sinister purpose!"
Knowing Deluc, the latter was highly likely. Jared was glad he had killed him quickly; otherwise, he might have become one of Deluc's playthings.
"Show me. I want to see what's inside."
"Sure."
Jared opened the spellbook, and Isabella quickly read through it. Her expression twisted when she reached the last line.
"What is this? It means I'd be a complete slave! I'd have to serve you as my master!"
"That's right. But on the flip side, if you promise that, you can start a new life in a human body."
Jared wanted to have Isabella. After talking to her for a long time, he realized she wasn't as evil as he first thought. She also had undeniable talent as a debuffer. If she could consistently practice her sorcery, she would be a valuable asset.
"You're crazy! I don't want a master-slave relationship!"
"What are you talking about? I don't plan to treat you like a slave."
"Ah! You'd tie me up, whip me, and force me against the wall..."
Jared was sure Isabella was imagining things. He wasn't uninterested in women, but he wasn't a pervert or a womanizer. In his past life, he was more into 2D characters than real women.
"If you don't want it, I'll just put it in my space storage. I can use it later, even if it's not with you."
Jared's indifferent response shook Isabella. This wasn't what she wanted! She hoped to have some control in the conversation, but Jared was ready to walk away without hesitation. She felt anxious.
"Wait! Wait! What do you want me to do? Just tell me so I can prepare myself!"
Isabella adjusted her posture, trying to act like a noble lady. Was she trying to show she was above such things? Jared chuckled and answered.
"I want to use your talent. That way, I can increase my magic defense, which is hard to do through training."
"Is that all?"
"I'll think about other uses later."
Jared left room for possibilities, continuing the conversation at his pace.
"Fine! I'll accept! I'm tired of being a spirit. I want to live as a normal person, eat delicious food, wear pretty makeup, and dress in nice clothes. I'm tired of wandering as a ghost."
Her expression turned serious. Jared understood her words. Isabella had always been a symbol of curses in <Paradiso>, ignored by many players.
"Life with me won't be boring. There will be countless challenges and trials, though."
Jared spoke honestly. He had started as a minor character in a small territory and dreamed of becoming someone valuable in this vast world. He would face many named characters and countless trials.
"Alright. With you, it might be... fun."
"I'll be a good companion, but nothing more."
"Then what do we do now?"
"We need to put you in the new body Deluc prepared."
Jared pointed to the woman in the transparent coffin. She had long blonde hair, an S-shaped waist, and a perfect body. Unfortunately, they didn't know her story or how she died.
"Sorry, but maybe she'll be grateful if you live a better life in her body."
Isabella tried to ease her guilt. She didn't want to disrespect the body, even if it wasn't hers.
"Let's go, Isabella."
Jared took the lead.
Ten minutes later.
The resurrection spellbook burned up and disappeared as soon as it was used on Isabella. She finally got a new body. She asked to be called 'Isabel' because she never liked the name Isabella. So, her name became one letter shorter.
Her stats and traits remained the same. Unlike Jared, who remembered both past and present lives, she didn't remember her previous life. Her body and soul were combined, but not the memories.
Since there were no clothes for her, Jared gave her his coat and shirt. It left her without pants, but it was better than being naked.
"If I had known, I would have stopped the fire wall sooner when I killed Deluc. The flames burned his robe, leaving nothing to cover her with."
"How do we get out? Through the passage we came in?"
"Your voice has changed. Before, it was deep and smooth, but now it's a nice high tone."
"Is that a compliment?"
"Of course! The way we came in is a one-way path. We can't go back that way. We have to exit through the entrance."
"But you said there were many traps at the entrance, designed to kill people."
Isabel's expression darkened. It was understandable. Now that she had a body, the thought of dying again was frightening.
"Yes, I did."
"Isn't it dangerous to just walk through them?"
"It would be if we just walked through without thinking. But Deluc's traps have a fatal flaw, one he didn't even know about."
"What is it?"
With her eyes shining with curiosity, Isabel asked. Jared confidently replied.
"Follow me. You'll see the world's dumbest traps with your own eyes."