Episode 228
-Huh?
-Did you hear that he was top-tier?
-One-shotting top rankers, yikes. -But
this is a dungeon?
-??
The viewers were left in doubt by the sudden truth.
The sight of top rankers vanishing in an instant was vividly visible through the camera.
"You are… …"
Pow!
A flash of light emanated from Tonatio, the top-tier spirit who had lowered his gaze.
Arriving right before their eyes in an instant, he shrank his body to meet their eyes. His
youthful face, somewhere between a boy and a girl, and his golden eyes gave the impression that they could see right through everything.
"What a fascinating spirit user. You draw all the spirits in. It is a miracle you are still alive."
What Tonatio was looking at were the spirits of the four attributes accompanying Hanbit,
and the traces of the Spirit King he harbored within.
Just as it would not have been strange for an ordinary human to have died long ago, he was a mysterious existence even in the eyes of a top-tier spirit.
Hanbit, having turned off the broadcast microphone, introduced him with the utmost respect.
“I am the Black Dragon. It is an honor to meet you.”
“It is nice to see you are polite. The human who came 300 years ago just started hurling insults right away.”
He murmured softly, as if recalling an old memory.
After glancing around for a moment, Tonatio snapped his fingers.
Snap—!
With another flash of electricity, the three people who had been at a distance arrived close by.
“Huh?”
“Suddenly…”
The twins and Pingpong looked around.
The power of spirits was completely different from ordinary teleportation.
Feeling it physically was indeed quite an unusual experience.
“These kids are spirit users, too? Except for that one.”
“Uh, me…?”
As the dry gaze met his, Pingpong’s face turned pale in an instant.
However, Tonatio paid no further attention.
“So, what is the matter? You must have entered knowing this is my territory.”
“I have come to ask for permission to enter the Spirit Sanctuary.”
“Sanctuary…” "…I see."
When the reason was revealed, Tonatio quietly nodded.
It was because the Spirit Sanctuary could be opened even with the power of a Supreme Spirit.
Hanbit's contracted Spirits, who were clearly visible to him. The
reason they were not showing themselves now was due to the gap in rank.
They wouldn't appear until Hanbit was in danger.
Of course, there was an exception.
*Swoosh*—
A translucent bird perched on Hanbit's shoulder flapped its wings boldly.
Watching this, Tonatio spoke with a puzzled look.
"It's fascinating that you followed me all the way from a Low-ranking Spirit. Do you like it that much?"
*Whoosh*!
A Sylph answered in lieu of a direct answer by scattering a gust of wind.
How many Spirits could behave like that in front of a Supreme Spirit?
It was an absurd situation, even upon rethinking it.
"Well, I know your communion abilities are good. But the Spirit Sanctuary is a different matter. I don't see any reason for you to lend me your power."
Tonatio's words were exactly as expected.
As in the past, this deal required a clear price.
And he knew all too well what he wanted.
“The trace of the Electric Spirit King. I will find it and give it to you.”
“Spirit King? You say you can find the trace of Fener?”
Tonatio’s eyes changed at the shift in topic.
Seeing his interest surge, Hanbit quietly continued.
“As you know, I possess the traces of Sallion and Glacier. Finding the traces of other Spirit Kings is not an impossible task.”
There is only one Spirit King of a single attribute.
However, if that position is vacant, a top-tier spirit becomes qualified to ascend to it.
Tonatio was a spirit who had devoted a long time to finding that method.
“How do you know the location?”
“I have identified that as well.”
“So you can’t tell me the reason?”
A brief exchange.
Tonatio met his gaze and pondered quietly.
And after a short while, he spoke.
“Alright. In exchange for bringing the trace of Fener, I will open the path to the Sanctuary. The oath is…” "It doesn't look particularly necessary."
A vow with a spirit possessing powerful bondage.
Regardless of mere success or failure, it was a promise that entailed a significant burden in many ways.
However, for the Black Dragon, who was always with the spirit, it was safe to say that such a restriction was unnecessary.
After all, if he had been that kind of person from the start, the spirit would not have followed him.
"Thank you. I will bring it to you before it is too late."
"Your time and mine are different. You just need to bring it to me before my lifespan runs its end."
Tonatio shrugged his shoulders, specifying the timeframe.
It wasn't a matter of benevolent consideration, but rather words spoken because he genuinely believed it.
"I'll open it, so wait a moment. It'll take a while."
*Crack!*
Turning his gaze, he leisurely reached out his hand.
Then, accompanied by a burst of lightning into the air, the rift began to slowly distort.
It was a process that would take a few minutes.
"Let's collect those,"
Hanbit said, looking at the players' gold and items scattered here and there.
Most of them had died without even being able to move properly, so they were all huddled together in one spot.
"There really isn't much here," Haneul
said, scanning the ground and looking at the small items.
Hanbit, who was continuing the retrieval with him, offered an explanation.
"They probably came wearing bound items. After all, they are top-ranked players."
Regardless, they were people at the very top of the RP pyramid.
It was only right that they possessed at least some bound gear.
Bringing items that were at risk of being lost to a dangerous place like Nephelis's Dungeon was a foolish move in the first place.
Of course, exceptions always existed.
[Training Talisman (Rank 7 – Hero)]
Rank: 7
Grade: Hero
Restriction: Level 300 or higher
Description: A talisman used for training by a martial artist of the Cloud Plateau.
When possessed, experience gained from monsters increases by 10 percent.
It seems the effect could be enhanced if a special item were used.
-Oh.
-Crazy;
-Info) It's damn expensive.
-You carry this around?
-I do have to carry it, but… …
-If you're dead, it can't be helped.
-Fact) He came here and died himself.
As seen in the chat, the value of this talisman was considerable.
Whoever owned it, it seemed they hadn't even considered dying.
"Come this way."
Just as the recovery of gold and small items was finished,
Tonatio's voice was heard.
Upon returning to the original location, a portal had appeared in the center of the golden rift.
"It's a portal leading to the Spirit Sanctuary where high-level spirits reside. You can go straight in."
"Thank you."
Hanbit and his party offered their thanks and prepared to step into the portal.
Just then, a faint electric current flashed.
Crackle—!
“Ack!”
Pingpong stopped in his tracks, startled by the spark that exploded right before his eyes.
“You’ll die if you go in, so stay here.”
Tonatio, blocking his path, spat out a warning.
However, Pingpong had to stay with them as well.
“It’s alright. I have this friend here.”
Hanbit took out the tiger from his bosom.
At that, Tonatio approached and leaned in.
“…Cheonho?”
Grrr—
The tiger purred in his arms.
It was Cheonho, a mythical beast, one of the primordial beings.
“It looks like you’ve been asleep for quite a while. Still, you made it outside.”
The spirit smiled as if recalling a familiar face.
After closing his eyes for a moment, he slowly stepped back.
“You may go in.”
Swoosh—
With a light reply, the spark blocking Pingpong’s path cleared.
“Phew.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, he quickly moved on.
Hanbit looked at Tonatio and spoke.
“Then I’ll be going. I’ll see the viewers later.”
*Swoosh*
—Pausing the broadcast, a foot stepped inside.
With that, the scenery before their eyes changed along with a unique sensation.
It was a movement that occurred so naturally it was hard to compare it to a teleportation.
“Wow.”
“This is the sanctuary…”
The twins widened their eyes as they gazed at the space with its unique structure.
The floor and outer walls were made of shining stone.
In the center, a massive spherical crystal stood tall.
“I, I’m really okay, right?”
Pingpong looked around with a face full of tension.
Although it was a dangerous space for him, it was well worth the risk.
“Cheonho, stay with me.”
*Grrr*—The
tiger on his shoulder lightly leaped toward Pingpong’s head.
A mythical beast, one of the primordial beings.
It was a being of equal standing to the Spirit King.
No matter how young it appeared, no spirit would dare treat Cheonho disrespectfully.
“Let’s go.”
Hanbit, leading the way, advanced toward the central crystal.
*Whoosh*
—As his foot touched the glowing floor, a beautiful wave spread outward.
It was a place I had originally planned to visit a little later, but I could not delay any longer.
Seeing Odin was the catalyst.
'What trick did he pull?'
The Odin he had seen before was certainly not someone who used the power of spirits.
Yet, suddenly, he appeared with a high-ranking spirit and attacked him.
He had no intention of giving up easily just because he fought, but he could not simply ignore the power of a high-ranking spirit. *
Crunch*
—Hanbit, who had been walking continuously, stopped in front of the blue door beneath the crystal.
Turning his head, he gave a brief explanation to the three of them.
“If you touch here, you will be transported to a place suited to each of you. It’s not dangerous, so be polite and try to converse nicely. They might offer help even without a contract.”
“Yes!”
“Understood! ”
The twins nodded with confident replies.
He did not explain the method.
After all, no matter how much trickery they tried, they were powerless against spirits.
However, he was absolutely certain that the two of them could do it.
“What should I do?”
Pingpong asked, holding up the Heavenly Tiger on his head.
After a moment of contemplation, Hanbit gave just one piece of advice.
“You show the Guardian’s Shield. And appeal.”
“Appeal?”
“There is a 99 percent chance of failure, but just give it a try. You never know, it might move their hearts.”
“Uh… Understood.”
The elemental attribute of the spirit Pingpong was about to encounter was Earth.
They considered asking the Gnomes for help, but given their personalities, it was highly likely to backfire.
Since the expectation for the three was merely an attempt, not a success, there was no need to feel pressured.
“Now, put your hands up.”
At Hanbit’s command, the three stood before the blue door.
And the moment they simultaneously placed their palms against it, the figures vanished without a sound.
Swoosh—
Hanbit paused for a moment as he was about to reach out his hand next.
'I wonder how this will turn out.'
Arriving at this place so early.
Silaiion, the High-ranking Wind Spirit they were about to meet, was not exactly an easygoing person.
If he disliked him or their relationship soured, there was a high probability it would be difficult to recover.
“Phew.”
Hanbit let out a light sigh and reached out his hand toward the blue door.
And the moment he felt a cool sensation, the scenery changed.
Whoosh—
A vast grassland where not a single tree existed.
A woman wrapped in light green cloth sat atop a large flower placed in the center.
Upon seeing her, Hanbit’s eyes widened.
[Aerial, Supreme Wind Spirit]
A clear name tag was visible above her head.
Flustered, a voice involuntarily escaped Hanbit’s lips.
“Why are you…?”
The high-ranking wind spirit, who was supposed to be here, was nowhere to be seen.
Ariel, whom he had encountered at the very end of his journey even in this other world.
Meeting her at this time was far too early.
"You’re finally here. What were you worrying about?"
The clear voice carried on the wind was mysterious.
After gazing at Hanbit for a moment, Ariel lightly raised her finger.
At the same time, a gust of wind struck Hanbit.
Whoosh—!
An intense wind that made him instinctively close his eyes.
When he lifted his eyelids again, Hanbit was standing just one step away from Ariel.
"Come here."
Rustle—
As she raised her hand, the wind that had been enveloping Hanbit’s body was forcibly torn away.
It was the Sylph who had been with him all this time.
Ariel, who had been gently stroking it, raised his head and said,
"The human who stole the hearts of Sylph and Shuriel. What can you take from me?"
