Chapter 48

“The magic circle...”

Ruen could not hide her astonishment as the magic circle began to radiate light.

[The magic circle is fully charged with mana.]

[Life Arts can now be used.]

[The Egg of the Phantasmal Spirit reacts to the ancient elves’ mana.]

“It’s too early to be surprised.”

As the notifications appeared, Woojin took hold of the trembling egg and carefully set it on the magic circle.

[The materials in your possession are consumed.]

The materials vanished from his inventory, and powder seeped into the magic circle.

GRRR... GRRRRR...

Vines sprouted from the magic circle and began wrapping around the egg he had set down.

[The ancient elves’ mana is hatching the Egg of the Phantasmal Spirit.]

[The type of Phantasmal Spirit born from the egg varies according to its traits.]

“Argh?!”

White light filled the cave, so bright it hurt his eyes. Woojin turned his head and stepped back.

-Did you call for me?

“...!!”

A voice came from within the mass of light.

Woojin’s eyes widened.

‘It has a mind of its own?’

A summoned creature that was not merely alive, but could speak a human language...

He flinched. As the smoke cleared, Woojin’s cheek twitched. His eyes trembled as he peered inside, and he swallowed nervously.

-It is a pleasure to meet you, Master.

Flowing, lemon-colored hair. Brilliant blue eyes.

A girl in a fluttering, winged robe bowed to him, her slender arms folded over her chest.

-My name is Setsuna. I was born in answer to your call.

Clutching her arms, she looked at Woojin with shining eyes.

-I’ll protect you from now on.

The words were certainly reassuring. Unfortunately, Woojin felt no reassurance whatsoever.

‘... She’s tiny.’

That was his first impression.

Yes, she was tiny. Far too tiny.

A handspan tall at most?

She was small enough to fit on his palm.

With a flutter, she flew up above Woojin’s shoulder, her robes streaming behind her.

-Where is the enemy?

Setsuna rolled up her sleeves and repeatedly swung fists no bigger than fingernails.

“Stop wasting your energy and sit down. You’re distracting me.”

-Aww.

His expectations had been high, so his disappointment was bound to be just as great.

‘This is what I get for an SS-grade quest?’

Woojin smacked his lips.

[The Phantasmal Spirit has finished hatching.]

[You may now view your summoned creature’s information.]

[Would you like to view it?]

Without much expectation, he pressed the confirmation window.

Name: Setsuna

Class: Phantasmal Spirit

Summoned Creature Grade: A

Level: 1

Description: A Phantasmal Spirit born imbued with the power of Uldin and Verdure’s blood, she possesses very special powers.

▶ Golem Traits - Alchemical Blessing, Speed Reading, Analysis

▶ Elf Trait - Affinity for Life

▶ Holy Spirit Trait - Ancient Wisdom

▶ Raising the Phantasmal Spirit’s grade allows her to learn new traits.

‘Why are there so many...?’

Woojin could not help being taken aback when he saw Setsuna’s stats.

Every stat was only 1. The numbers were as meager as a newborn’s, but what mattered was how many stats she had.

‘Beyond the six basic stats, you normally only get one or two special ones at most, like mana for mages or nature power for Druids...’

Setsuna had no fewer than ten stats.

And that was not all. Every one of her traits was new to him.

Trait: Alchemical Blessing

▶ The contractor can craft alchemical products with effects 20% stronger than normal.

Trait: Affinity for Life

▶ Lowers the wariness of all living beings by one stage. Reduces hostility and occasionally allows taming when wariness reaches 0.

Trait: Speed Reading

▶ Allows rapid comprehension of content.

▶ Increases skill proficiency gain speed by 10%.

▶ Increases the contractor’s skill proficiency gain speed by 5%.

Trait: Analysis

▶ Allows deeper comprehension of content.

▶ Raises skill grades by one tier.

▶ Raises the contractor’s skill grades by one tier.

▶ Occasionally discovers hidden content.

Trait: Ancient Wisdom

▶ Allows leveling up by absorbing memories imbued in old or high-grade objects.

[The contract is complete.]

[The summoned creature’s traits are applied to the contractor.]

As the trait description window disappeared, a faint glow rose around Woojin.

[Analysis is applied.]

▶ Skill: Power Strike rises one grade.

▶ Power Strike → Mighty Strike.

▶ Skill: Sprint rises one grade.

▶ Sprint → Sprint.

▶ Skill: Acceleration rises one grade.

▶ Acceleration → Chain Strike.

▶ Owned Skill: [Wielding Heaven] cannot have its grade raised through Analysis.

“... Ha.”

Woojin let out an involuntary exclamation as he read the notifications.

‘You can only raise skill grades after reaching level 50 and unlocking the second skill tree...’

Yet he had just done it.

If he reached level 50 and unlocked the skill tree now...

‘Would I be able to raise their grades again?’

Skills could be upgraded a total of three times: at levels 50, 70, and 99.

‘If that happens, I’ll have grade-three skills at level 50. In terms of skill stats alone, I’d be on par with a level 70...’

Even Kerga, regarded as the strongest player in [Evil Tale], was reportedly still short of level 80.

That meant his skills alone could already be on par with those of the top-ranked players by the time he reached the central continent.

‘But the important thing is, it doesn’t end there.’

The real payoff would come at level 99.

While everyone else’s skills capped at grade four, he would have grade-five skills.

He could grow beyond everyone else.

“You...”

Woojin looked at Setsuna.

“You really are worth an SS-grade quest.”

At that, Setsuna broke into a radiant smile.

“S-so cute...”

Before he knew it, Ruen was gazing with sparkling eyes at Setsuna on his shoulder.

“Master, may I touch her too?”

She looked at Setsuna tentatively.

Setsuna glided over without the slightest reluctance and rubbed against Ruen’s cheek.

“Eee!”

Ruen squealed with delight as the soft, drifting hair brushed her cheek.

‘Well, she has Uldin blood, so it’s hardly strange for her to take to Ruen.’

Woojin chuckled as he watched the two.

[SS Grade - Hatching the Phantasmal Spirit]

[Quest complete.]

[You have completed a quest of grade B or higher.]

▶ Raoul’s essence gains experience.

▶ Remaining Count: 1/3

With the summoning complete, a faint light spilled from his sword alongside the notifications.

[The magic circle is no longer active.]

[New information acquired.]

▶ The Ice Cave in the Snowfields

▶ An ancient elven magic circle was discovered inside the Ice Cave.

▶ There may be a connection between the magic circle and the Ice Cave’s sudden appearance...

[Related Quest: A Contract with Kahira]

▶ Please relay the information to Kahira.

‘I guess that fulfills the minimum requirements.’

Having gathered the information from the Ice Cave to pass on to Kahira, Woojin felt it was time to start gradually preparing for the central continent.

The first step was...

“Setsuna.”

-Yes, Master.

“First, we need to get you some levels.”

-Are we going into battle?

Setsuna rolled up both sleeves and threw punch after punch with her dainty hands, like a boxer.

“No. There’s a better place.”

-...?

* * *

[The Snow Demon of the Ice Cave has fallen.]

[The monsters of the snowfields begin to scatter.]

MURMUR, MURMUR...

When they returned to Hundred Flowers Valley, notifications began ringing out across the Dark Forest.

[The Dungeon Board records have been updated.]

[1st: ??? (5 members) 27 minutes 17 seconds]

[2nd: None]

[3rd: None]

“Who on earth was it?”

“They definitely said it was a raid dungeon...”

“They cleared it with five people?”

The notification left everyone bewildered.

“Ahem. Heh heh heh...”

“Could you be a little less obvious?”

“Hahahaha! Of course. I’ll be careful.”

At Woojin’s words, Gareth, who had resurrected at the shrine, wrapped his cloak around himself. Yet his white armor still peeked through the gaps as if on display.

[Ice Lord]

▶ Grade: Heroic

▶ Description: A title awarded for achieving first place in the [Ice Cave] raid dungeon time attack.

▶ All Stats +10

▶ Trait: Coldhearted Winter - Attack power increases by 10% when Health is at half or below.

▶ Trait: Fertile Winter - Defense increases by 10% when Health is at half or above.

▶ Skill: Cold Wave - Freezes all living beings around you for 1 minute.

“Heehee!”

Simply looking at it seemed to delight Gareth. He tried to hold back, but laughter kept escaping, leaving him grinning.

“You know, I’ve never been interested in tackling the Labyrinth Tower.”

“And?”

“Thanks to you, I’m starting to think I might try my hand at it.”

Woojin chuckled.

“Think about it. How could I sit still after getting this title? For the first time in ages, I’m itching for action!”

[Savior of the Snowfields]

▶ Grade: Epic

▶ Description: A title awarded for the first clear of the [Ice Cave] raid dungeon.

▶ All Stats +5

▶ Trait: Savior - Grants the following effects when attempting raid dungeons or higher-tier dungeons.

1. Increases the effectiveness of all recovery items by 5%.

2. Reduces damage taken by 5%.

3. Increases all stats of party members in the title holder’s party by 1.

“You’re grinning from ear to ear. At this rate, you’ll abandon your main character.”

“Hmm?”

“Kim Chan told me everyone in the Ulda Alliance is level 65 or higher. You wouldn’t have dropped more than ten levels... So that’s probably an alt account, isn’t it?”

“Haha, that’s right. Buying a cash-shop item lets you create another character. You’re quite observant, aren’t you?”

“Th-thank you.”

Gareth spoke as he poked Kim Chan, who stood beside him, in the ribs.

“Anyway... I didn’t know clearing a dungeon would be announced to everyone like this.”

“That only happens for the first clear. Your name goes on the Dungeon Board anyway, so what does it matter?”

“Well, I don’t like hassle.”

At that, Gareth nodded instead.

“What do you say? Why not take this opportunity to join our alliance?”

“I wouldn’t be much help. My trait isn’t suited to party hunting, so I’ll mostly be working alone.”

“Don’t worry about that. If you want, you can simply change your trait once you reach the central continent.”

“... Change my trait?”

“Yes. It costs a bit, but it’s worth it if you can replace a trait you don’t need. I’ll even cover the cost if you want.”

Gareth lightly patted Woojin’s shoulder.

‘So trait conversion is a thing too.’

Despite being what could be called [Evil Tale]’s main content, the central continent had such a high barrier to entry that there was actually very little information about it even on the community forums.

“Besides, I have no intention of working under anyone.”

“Are you planning to start a clan?”

“If I need to.”

“On the central continent?”

When Woojin nodded, Gareth put on a startled expression before bursting into hearty laughter.

“Haha, yes. That sounds like you. But it won’t be easy. They’re fiercely territorial there. If you ever change your mind, let me know. We always welcome talented people.”

Still, Woojin gave no answer.

It was a firm refusal.

“I’ll be waiting. I look forward to seeing what happens when the super rookie who smashed all of Kerga’s records comes to the central continent.”

Accepting Woojin’s decision without fuss, Gareth offered his hand one last time.

It was a farewell.

“Super rookie... That’s embarrassing.”

“Heh heh. Ulda takes an interest in all sorts of things.”

A group of eccentrics who gathered every kind of news from [Evil Tale] and sought out quests no one else cared about.

‘Maybe they could find out...’

His words brought something to Woojin’s mind.

In truth, skill alone was not the reason Woojin had chosen Gareth for the party.

“Then may I ask you something? I looked on the forums, and they said the Ulda Alliance also takes commissions.”

“... Hmm? Why? Is there something you need?”

“There’s something I’d like you to investigate. I’ll pay whatever you ask.”

“Payment isn’t important. If you looked us up, you should know what sort of group we are. We only seek out intriguing puzzles.”

“You won’t need to worry about that. This will be the most interesting one you’ve ever had.”

“You’ve certainly piqued my curiosity.”

“Sarbandin.”

Gareth tilted his head slightly at the word.

“It concerns the creation of Akedonia, the continent we’re on. Apparently, the word refers to three animals granted divine power to punish the Sarbant, a race that commanded gods.”

“Hmm, the history of creation...”

“I’m told there might be relevant texts in the Red Tower’s grand library, but as you can see, I can’t go there yet.”

At the mention of the Red Tower, Kim Chan’s expression changed beside Gareth.

“Hmm, how unusual. Most people are obsessed with nothing but hunting and climbing the tower.”

Gareth looked at Woojin.

“You don’t seem like one of our sort... but you’re surprisingly interested in the world’s lore, aren’t you? Are you working on a quest?”

“... I’d rather it were a quest.”

“Hmm?”

Woojin shook his head with a bitter smile.

“All right. I’ll look into it for now. If it turns out to be an interesting story, I’ll contact you myself.”

“I appreciate it.”

“See you soon!”

After saying goodbye to Gareth, Woojin looked at Kim Chan, who had been standing beside him.

“If you get bored of the Red Tower, contact me. I’ll at least make the game more fun for you than they do.”

“Is that... a recruitment offer?”

“Take it however you like.”

“Are you really planning to start a clan? You still don’t know how hard it is to establish yourself on the central continent, do you?”

“It doesn’t matter if I don’t. Even if I knew, it wouldn’t change anything if it’s something I have to do.”

Kim Chan chuckled.

“You never change. All right. I’ll look forward to it too. I’ll save up the money to send you a Message, so hurry up and get over there.”

Woojin briefly shook the hand he offered.

“Boss, the Azen Trading Company has contacted us.”

Having seen the two off, Woojin turned his head.

He was not done collecting his rewards yet.