Episode 229
“…….”
Hanbit could not open his mouth even at Ariel’s question. She
was an incredibly difficult presence for Hanbit.
It was not a matter of mere etiquette.
She was a spirit who opened her heart only to those she judged to be worthy.
'It’s dangerous right now.'
The circumstances were different every time Hanbit met Ariel.
This was because her attitude changed drastically with even the slightest shift in the world.
In this world, already filled with the variable of "Players," any prediction was impossible.
"You have a complicated look on your face."
Ariel tossed out a remark with a smile.
It felt as if even the fluttering hem of her dress carried a meaning.
"I never expected to meet you. Why are you in the Sanctuary?"
"Hmm, because I had to?"
"What do you mean by that…"
Ariel’s answer was strange.
While there were no restrictions on where spirits could reside, the highest-ranking spirits were beings who guarded their designated spots.
This was because, in the absence of the Spirit King, they were the de facto rulers of the attributes.
In particular, unlike spirits of the upper rank or lower, the concept of a true body was clear, making movement a significant burden.
"You look like you don't understand."
Ariel, having descended from the flower, strolled slowly around Hanbit.
Then, she abruptly stopped and asked,
"Guess. Why do you think it is?"
Her breath caught in her throat at that question.
It wasn't simply a question seeking the correct answer, but a means to gauge her.
There was a high probability that her attitude would change drastically depending on the response.
"Phew."
Exhaling, Hanbit turned his gaze to his surroundings.
He hadn't been able to look around properly because he had been so startled by seeing Ariel.
Since it was a place he had visited countless times, he had to trust his own eyes and senses.
"I'll be right back after taking a quick look around."
"By all means."
Having obtained permission, he advanced across the verdant meadow.
It appeared to be of unfathomable scale, but that was a matter of perspective.
'The reason a supreme spirit descended here…'
Regaining his composure, Hanbit coolly reviewed the situation.
Ariel's true form, which would never move for ordinary reasons.
The only thing she had perceived so far was that she had shown interest in her.
As Ariel gathers information from the winds of the entire world, it was not surprising that she knew of the Black Dragon's existence.
However, this did not seem like a situation where she was merely trying to check his face.
*Smack*
—Hanbit moved forward, carefully surveying the meadow.
At the same time, she opened the screen shared by her party members.
'This side must be normal.'
Although a top-tier spirit resided here, it was a separate matter from the others. She
certainly thought so.
“…What?”
Hanbit, who had been checking the sky screen, stopped abruptly.
She stood in yet another meadow.
However, Silaiyon, the High-ranking Wind Spirit, was nowhere to be seen in that location.
*Whoosh*
—Hanbit quickly turned her gaze and surveyed the Wind Realm again.
The meadow was so peaceful and quiet.
On the surface, there seemed to be no problems.
However, it was strange that the original owner who resided here was missing.
Even with Ariel present, this was not a normal situation. *
Swipe*
—Looking around again, Hanbit slowly raised her hand.
“Fire Lance.”
*Whoosh*!
A spear of flame shot straight ahead with a chant.
Moving away at high speed, it soon struck something.
Bang!
Smoke billowed with the violent explosion and rose into the sky like a cloud.
The wind meant to protect the domain did not appear at all.
Watching this, Hanbit murmured a thought that had come to a close.
“Is this place already destroyed?”
Whoosh!
Just then, a sudden whirlwind swept through the surroundings.
A mysterious voice followed.
“That’s right. It has collapsed.”
Ariel, arriving by her side in an instant, reached out her hand toward the source of the smoke.
Swoosh—
The wind, having begun to move in the sky, gathered like a vortex.
It was instantaneous for it to swallow the smoke.
Whoosh—
The space cleared up once again.
Watching this scene, Hanbit asked Ariel,
“What happened?”
“Something invaded the sanctuary. And the high-ranking spirits of wind and electricity disappeared. That is all we know.”
“…Yes?”
Something invaded the sanctuary.
The sense of incongruity emanating from this sentence was overwhelming.
“Is that even possible?”
“It was impossible before, and someone appeared who made it possible. Perhaps the reason is that there are more powerful humans recently.”
The identity of the humans Ariel had identified.
It was only natural that they were hundreds of millions of players—or, to be precise, top-tier rankers.
However, no matter how strong a player was, it was hard to even imagine invading a sanctuary and stealing a spirit.
Although he naturally suspected the Holy Body Faction, he had no choice but to ask a question.
“Don’t you know who the culprit is? Your wind must be spread across the world.”
Ariel’s wind had gathered countless pieces of information from every corner of the globe.
Even if not on the level of the Spirit King, there was no way he could fail to grasp such a massive incident.
Yet, the supreme spirit before him shook his head.
“There are places the wind does not reach. Before long, they might find a way to infiltrate the temple.”
“…….”
The Spirit Temple, where supreme beings reside.
If that place were breached, it would effectively mean the collapse of the spirits’ very existence.
Watching the composed Ariel, Hanbit asked a question.
“Was the realm beyond your reach the Holy Kingdom, by any chance?”
“It’s not a matter of location. There are humans there, and among them, beings who have transcended the power of their own species.”
Ariel focused on individual power.
He was probably referring to single-digit rankers.
‘The NPCs must have something to offer, too.’
It was difficult to draw a definitive conclusion regarding the veiled power and plans of the Holy Body Faction.
The Commander of the Royal Guard of the Raven Kingdom, whom they had taken away earlier.
If there were more beings like him, they could pose a significant threat depending on how they were utilized.
“…I have recognized the situation for now. However, Lord Tonatio, who was outside, seemed unaware of it. What happened?”
Among the vanished spirits, there was also a High-Grade Electric Spirit.
Although they had only just learned the identity of the spirit by Odin’s side, it was puzzling that Tonatio, a Supreme-Grade Electric Spirit, remained unaware.
“Other Supreme-Grades don’t pay much attention outside their own domains. I was simply curious.” "And you, beloved by the spirits, were coming."
Ariel strolled slowly across the meadow with her hands clasped behind her back.
Watching her retreating figure, Hanbit brought up the main point.
"Do you wish for me to eliminate them?"
"Well. I don't particularly feel a desire for revenge. After all, they didn't invade my territory. Perhaps it's just curiosity about a new power?"
She stopped in her tracks and turned her head to look at Hanbit.
Although nothing could be read in those green eyes, losing control of the conversation was dangerous.
After collecting her thoughts for a moment, Hanbit asked Ariel,
"If I could satisfy that curiosity, would you lend me your power?"
"Is that possible? It would be different from this child."
She caressed the Sylph's wind with her fingertips.
A being that dominates the winds of this world.
Even if she were to borrow its power now, there were clearly limits to how she could handle it.
However, there was absolutely no reason to miss the opportunity that had appeared before her eyes.
Clenching her fist, Hanbit conveyed the truth with desperation.
“I know the future. I have the experience of repeating this world many times at the behest of the Goddess of Silence.”
“The future?”
At that word, Ariel took a step closer.
Leaning to meet her gaze, she spoke with a look of wonder.
“It seems it’s true. It looks like the Goddess did something?”
Ariel was clearly aware of the Goddess.
Aside from being implemented in a game, it was only natural, given that the primordial world had undeniably existed.
“The enemies whose powers cannot be fathomed are similar to me. They are humans on the side of the Goddess of Turmoil.”
“…I understand the feeling. That Goddess was a being who truly loved chaos.”
Ariel murmured quietly, recalling old memories.
Raising her head to gaze at the realm of wind, she made a decision in an instant.
“Alright. I will lend you my power.”
Chirp!
Just then, the Sylph, who had been scattered by the wind, revealed itself.
And just as it was about to quickly return to Hanbit…
Whoosh!
A fierce gust of wind enveloped the bird’s body.
Whoosh!
There was no sense of aggression in the storm-like wind.
And the moment the rotation stopped and the inside was revealed.
Ding—
with an alarm sound, a green humanoid spirit appeared.
[The Intermediate Wind Spirit Sylph evolves into an Advanced Wind Spirit.]
[The Advanced Wind Spirit Sylph wishes to stay with you.]
"Wow!"
The figure of a small girl with shining green eyes.
Sylph snapped her head and hurriedly approached Hanbit.
"Black Dragon!"
The spirit held in her arms looked no different from when it was in its bird form.
While she watched this, another message followed.
[The Supreme Wind Spirit Ariel inhabits the High-Level Wind Spirit Sylph.]
“……?”
Hanbit snapped her head back at the message, which seemed to be a misreading.
There stood Ariel, grinning as if amused.
“Are you saying you will accompany us? What do you plan to do with the domain?”
“I wouldn’t be able to accompany you in my complete form. That is why I am going with Sylph.”
“What do you mean…?”
It was a situation that had never occurred even after searching through every single iteration.
Unlike this Spirit Sanctuary, joining an adventure was no simple matter.
Even without her complete form, the possibility of her domain becoming vulnerable was far too great.
“The Supreme Spirits guarding the temple will remain there. If that place were to be attacked, it would mean the world itself is in danger.”
“That… is true.”
One could not help but nod at the calmly delivered explanation . After all,
if the Sacred Body Faction were to breach the Spirit Temple and acquire the power to neutralize the highest-ranking spirits, it would not be enough to simply call it dangerous. "Well, we can check on the minor issues gradually. For now, shall we call your master?" "Huh? Master, you mean…" Whoosh ! A gust of wind blew before he could even finish his sentence. Hanbit, who had naturally closed his eyes, slowly lifted them. "Huh?" A white-haired old man had appeared before him wearing a blank expression. It was Asla, Hanbit's master. "It's been a while. Humans really do age fast." "Lord Aerial? And the Black Dragon, how did you…" He looked back and forth between the spirit and Hanbit with wide eyes. His bewilderment was palpable. However, Asla, who served the spirit, moved on his own. Thump! Lowering his stance, he knelt on one knee before Aerial. It felt like a resolve that desired neither explanation nor anything else. “I never thought I would see you again in this life. What may I do?” Asla bowed her head, trying not to even look at his face presumptuously. Ariel smiled and lowered his stance. “Transfer all the technology to that child before this space collapses. I have a separate task to entrust to you.” The voice, which resonated with a particularly mysterious quality, pierced his mind vividly. Asla, who had not moved the slightest, immediately replied. “I will obey your command.”
