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139
-Wow.
-Another hidden skill dropped. Lol.
-Rank 5 ‘Epic.’
-This is actually possible?
-Isis re-evaluation;
-How do hidden skills keep coming out? Does that make sense?
-Try doing the same thing yourself. Lol.
The chat stirred at the newly appearing hidden skill.
Hanbit immediately checked the skill’s contents.
[Elemental Awakening]
Rank: 5
Grade: Epic
Type: Spirit, Passive, Active
Description: A magic improved by Isis that produces two effects.
1. Passive: Strengthens and increases the density of the contracted spirit’s element. This ability is maintained in a constant awakened state.
2. Active: Strengthens the element contained in the elemental king’s traces, and increases the accumulation speed and freedom of attribute assignment. This ability enters an awakened state only when activated, consuming half of current health and mana.
Meeting a special researcher may allow for the further advancement of this magic’s research.
-Loaded to the brim;
-Passive and active dual-track. Lol.
-This means Sylph is going up massively?
-She was already good;
-She has been a bit overshadowed lately because of the elemental kings.
-The original is eternal.
“What kind of skill is this?”
“So it’s really possible to improve a spellbook!”
The situation was just as unfamiliar to Kim Jaeha and Avantgarde.
Hanbit, who understood the principle, was equally surprised.
‘…It improves this much?’
He had known the magic’s contents would change — but the degree exceeded his expectations.
This was not a level of supplementary enhancement.
It felt more like intervening in the very essence of the spirit to amplify the power.
“How does it feel? Is there anything that comes to you with a snap?”
Isis, eyes sparkling as she waited for the reaction.
Levius quietly watching from the side, and Nia glancing over bit by bit — both apparently curious too.
After thinking for a moment, Hanbit extended his palm and murmured:
“Sylph.”
Whoosh—!
Wind enveloping the surroundings at the call.
It gathered onto his palm and formed the shape of a small bird.
Tweet—!
“Oh?”
“Could it be…….”
“Is it a spirit!”
At Sylph’s appearance, everyone’s eyes gathered.
A spirit actually moving, not merely traces of power — that was the magnitude of the astonishment.
-Oh.
-Sylph hi.
-Cute.
-Please introduce a daily one Sylph quota.
Sylph, who had stopped showing her form around the time Elemental Manifestation started being used.
It was to stabilize, as much as possible, the powerful force that the elemental king’s traces brought forth.
In other words, it was also the will to protect her friend Hanbit.
Shhk—
Taking the scabbard from his waist, Hanbit slowly lifted it in both hands.
Then he used Wind Swordsmanship.
Whoosh—!
Wind surging strongly around the scabbard.
A force as though it had been stored in advance.
‘This is…… really good.’
Using Wind Swordsmanship required preparation beforehand.
If that process were significantly shortened, the convenience would be substantially higher.
It would apply to new spirit skills he would learn before long as well.
And it didn’t consume mana, so maintaining it at all times carried no burden.
‘Perhaps this one is more important.’
Hanbit’s gaze moved to the second item of Elemental Awakening.
The active effect for handling the elemental king’s traces.
The rate at which heat and cold accumulated increasing, and that force being strengthened — it was a purely good effect.
But the sentence that followed required a little thought.
[This ability enters an awakened state only when activated, consuming half of current health and mana.]
The original Elemental Manifestation ate away at physical fatigue, making recovery through potions and the like impossible.
But if it changed to an effect like this, the method of use would be completely different.
Because the standard for what half is consumed was based on the ‘current’ state after all.
‘This could be broken-level if used right.’
Various situations surfacing in his mind.
In the Tower of Vortex alone, the value of use would be enormously high.
Shhk—
When Wind Swordsmanship was deactivated, Sylph returned to her original form.
“A real spirit…….”
Isis closing in right before her face to examine the small bird.
Levius and Nia had also considerably closed the distance.
“Sylph, are you alright for a moment?”
Tweet—!
With an affirmative chirp, Sylph fluttered her wings.
Then she passed over the carefully cupped hands of Isis…… and flew to Nia.
“Oh!”
At the sight of Sylph landing on her shoulder, the girl broke into peals of laughter in delight.
“But why——!”
-Lol.
-Danger-sensing ability SSS.
-‘Mad person.’
-Spirits really do know.
Isis, having taken the shock, went rigid on the spot.
Watching that, Hanbit offered one observation.
“You have no choice but to be shunned by spirits right now. The lingering scent of the monster enhancement drug, and the robes of the Holy Nation give off an unsettling mana.”
“Ah!”
At that advice, Isis shot to her feet.
Then without a second of deliberation she moved to yank off her own lab coat.
“No, you can’t take it off here!”
Nia came rushing over in a flustered state at the sudden bizarre action.
Sylph naturally returned to Hanbit.
“I have to take it off! With this on, that adorable spirit will——!”
“Still you can’t! Come this way!”
The girl, having grabbed the wild-eyed scientist, went up to the upper floor.
It was a short while before Isis came back down in ordinary clothes.
“D, does this work now?”
Cautiously approaching Hanbit.
Sylph, watching Isis steadily, tilted her head — and then spread her wings.
Tweet—!
The spirit flew slowly and landed on Isis’s neatly cupped palms.
The moved voice followed immediately.
“Ah……!”
Isis, having touched a real, living spirit, was nearly in tears.
“Ahem.”
Levius, watching the scene from behind.
At the almost fan-meeting-like situation, Hanbit gave a quiet smile and said:
“Sylph will visit each of you in turn, so let’s continue the research discussion. What would be a way to further improve this spellbook?”
“I wonder. I’ve emptied everything out of my head.”
Isis, examining Sylph’s wings, answered without even moving her gaze.
Partly because her attention had been captured by the spirit — but she truly had poured out her entire capacity.
She had modified the spellbook, after all, so it was more than understandable.
“Everything I brought up a moment ago was the sum of it as well. Drawing anything further out is beyond my ability.”
Levius was of a similar opinion.
Regrettable, but for now it had to be enough.
Having accepted it cleanly, Hanbit raised a different request.
“Would it be possible to also learn the foundational magics of other attributes?”
***
About two hours later.
Having left the magic research institute, Hanbit moved with his party toward the city wall under repair.
There, a new wall using durable materials was already rising at a rapid pace.
The citizens and adventurers were also helping with the work.
“Ah, you’ve arrived!”
Kudran, who had been focused on work, came over hammer in hand.
Ever positive, but he looked noticeably more content now.
“At this pace it’ll be done quickly.”
“Yes! With His Highness the Prince having already completed the design, we’re focusing solely on the building! Perhaps finished in a week, I’d say!”
The length of the wall encircling Ifrit’s perimeter was considerable.
But with everyone helping like this, the dwarves could give their best as well.
Clatter— clatter—!
Just then, the sound of hoofbeats came from outside the city gate.
Turning to look, Leon was returning at the head of knights and soldiers.
“Ah, here you are.”
Having spotted Hanbit, she immediately dismounted from her horse.
Jinuk, who had gone along to assist, was also coming in behind.
“Did the investigation go well?”
“We confirmed the artificially constructed nests and the contents of the test tubes. For now we’ll return to the Royal Capital to report, then likely put together specialists and return for further investigation.”
The evidence related to the monster wave was difficult for laypeople to interpret.
Having Isis explain it herself could be an option, but the kingdom’s specialists were needed regardless.
“More than that — I was surprised by the traces of the battle with the Yeti. Dispatching the berserk Bares as well — you possess quite remarkable ability.”
Leon, who had searched the forest alongside Jinuk, had confirmed the traces of the battle scattered throughout.
Being a capable person herself, she could roughly gauge the force involved.
“It’s thanks to having met fine teachers and companions.”
“Humility is a fine virtue. Your strength being used for the sake of the vulnerable — as a knight I can only be grateful…….”
Crack—
Just then, the sound of something breaking came from the direction of the wall.
“Careful over there!”
An adventurer helping with work from above raised a warning call.
Below were three children who had gathered to watch.
Thump—!
Hanbit and Leon kicking off simultaneously.
Hanbit’s running speed was faster than expected.
Thanks to ‘Elemental Awakening’ being applied to his movement through the wind.
Bang—!
The falling stone Hanbit had knocked aside embedded itself in a deserted corner of the ground.
Leon, who had split off in a different direction, was already sheltering the children.
Having checked the stone, she turned her eyes to those in her arms.
“Are you alright?”
A gentle voice entirely unlike her usual manner.
The children, who had frozen in startled shock, quickly relaxed.
“Um…… yes!”
“Thank you!”
“Lady, you’re so fast!”
Leon smiled at the chattering voices.
Then, taking the children’s hands and leading them, she said:
“Watching is fine, but you mustn’t be in a dangerous spot. So what should you do?”
“Hmm, I’ll watch from far away!”
“I’ll bring my dad!”
“I’m bored of watching so I won’t look anymore!”
-Lol.
-Dedicated to one’s parents;
-Got bored fast. Lol.
-That’s kids for you.
The age-appropriate safety lesson continued a little longer.
Having moved the children inside, Leon came back to Hanbit.
“Thank you. You covered for my shortcoming.”
“My speed is my advantage. It would be nothing compared to the vice-captain’s strength.”
In the middle of that exchange, Leon’s preparations to depart were completed.
When they returned here tomorrow, Hanbit would have already departed.
“Ugh, I still want to do more research…….”
The being-escorted Isis wore an expression full of regret.
Because she had pictured in her mind a future where she would die.
“Vice-Captain Leon, may I ask one thing of you?”
Having waited for the moment, Hanbit met Leon’s eyes.
Her answer returned immediately.
“I will willingly comply with anything. Black Dragon — you have every right to ask.”
“…Thank you.”
Leon, holding firm convictions about justice, had accepted the request without even hearing its contents.
That fact felt to Hanbit like an enormous reward.
“Then what would you like me to help with?”
“Protecting Isis until I come to you. That single thing is the request.”
The talent of Isis that had been newly recognized from modifying the spellbook just now.
In all those past runs, every judgment had been an underestimation.
Thinking of the future — she absolutely could not be lost.
“When you say protection — would that include trial outcomes such as execution? Depending on the amount of information, there is sufficient possibility it could proceed quite quickly.”
“Yes. She is a criminal, but there were no casualties in Ifrit. Which is why I intend to put that scientist’s abilities to use in a direction that benefits us. As Raven Kingdom currently stands, it will be unable to keep up with the Holy Nation’s pace of advancement.”
“I see.”
She, as though chewing over the words, sank into thought.
Protecting a criminal was generally something contrary to ‘justice.’
But Leon was not a person who blindly chased ideology alone.
A moment later, she gave a nod and said:
“Buying time is possible. It would be even better if there were a way to demonstrate the value of scientist Isis, even briefly.”
“Ah, for that method…….”
Hanbit quickly conveyed several verification methods that could be used right away in the Royal Capital.
“Understood. I will take responsibility for responding to whatever circumstances arise.”
Leon’s words carried not possibility but resolve.
She immediately mounted her horse and looked at Hanbit.
“Then I’ll be going. I’ll wait for our meeting in the Royal Capital alongside your entrusted request. I hope we’ll be able to share a great deal more at that time.”
Neigh—!
Leon turned her horse’s head and rode out beyond the city wall.
Alongside that retreating figure, an alert rang.
Ding—
[Main Quest #13 has been completed.]
[Progress increases.]
[Progress has reached 100%.]
[Episode 2 has been completed.]
[Achievement: True Savior of Ifrit unlocked.]
[As the first to achieve this achievement, the reward has been increased to the maximum.]
[You have received 3,000,000 gold.]
[50 additional stat points are awarded.]
[Your experience points have increased by 1,000,000.]
[Your level has risen by 8.]
[8 additional stat points are awarded.]
-Holy.
-It’s actually done.
-True Savior.
-That’s Black Dragon right there.
-The rewards, lol.
-Developers, your reward multiplier settings are wrong.
-Over 100 stat points from one episode;
-A genuinely glitched character;
-More importantly, quickly — the next message.
-Is there more?
-Anticipation.
The chat’s mood was at some point looking toward one thing.
As though knowing that, a change occurred.
Hummm—
The screen gently shaking along with a vibration.
Golden letters engraving themselves along the top came right after.
[Player Black Dragon’s party has succeeded in the true salvation of Ifrit.]
[Special rewards are granted to the player who first reached the truth of Episode 2. Rewards according to contribution level are issued to the inventory.]
The messages up to here were nearly identical to Episode 1.
But what followed was nothing like what was expected.
[In 48 hours, Field Boss: Snow Drake content will open.]
[Player Black Dragon’s party is granted first-entry rights.]
[Immediately upon the completion of the Snow Drake’s subjugation, players who previously cleared Episode 2 will be granted the opportunity for a reset and retry.]
