Chapter 88

◈ Chapter 88. Blossoming in the Swamp (5)

Since the time when Arcana was just a game.

To the players, spirits were beings of fantasy.

“Hey, are spirits even real?”

“If someone had seen one, it would have been all over NetTube by now.”

“Well, maybe it’s just a dangling plot thread? They mention it to build up anticipation, and then a new class, the Spirit Summoner, appears in the next update!”

It was a plausible thought.

After all, even players who claimed to have seen spirits.

Even without players who had classes related to spirits, the existence of spirits was certain. The evidence was in the books and the stories told by NPCs.

“But, when is that update supposed to happen?”

“There’s no such update this week, either.”

“No, wait. I’ve been waiting for months without even changing my class!”

But that was a completely wrong assumption.

As mentioned, spirits were.

A rare existence that only a few could witness.

Naturally, interest in spirits gradually waned.

Especially after Arcana became a reality.

With rifts appearing and monsters roaming the real world.

An existence whose very existence was unknown?

It was no different from talking about clouds in the sky.

“This is breaking news. A mysterious message has appeared from the rift. I will now relay this message to our viewers!”

That’s how it happened.

In the Predator’s Swamp.

Before the message appeared to the player who entered the rift.

[Someone has made a contract with a spirit.]

Someone had made a contract with a spirit.

“No way, we’re already struggling with battles. A contract?!”

“Is this just any ordinary contract? It’s a contract with a spirit, the spirit that was only ever mentioned!”

“It’s hard for us, just watching, to believe this news.”

And this happened in the Predator’s Swamp, which was no different from a Colosseum.

Who was the someone who made a contract with a spirit?

It wasn’t hard to guess.

Wasn’t there only one person?

The swamp.

A never-ending mud fight.

Amidst it, a player stood out like a lotus blooming in the swamp.

It was none other than Ihoyul.

“See! I told you something was up!”

Who was Ihoyul?

A player who returned unscathed from level 900-1,000 rifts. Such a player wouldn’t seek out the Predator’s Rift just for experience points like other players.

- Didn’t everyone guess when the stairs appeared??

- ㄹㅇㅋㅋ So everyone was super focused and excited ㅋㅋㅋㅋ

- But this is beyond our expectations?

- I never imagined a spirit, really ㄷㄷㄷㄷ

The chat messages poured in.

Because it was Ihoyul, not just any player.

The heightened expectations.

And the way Ihoyul responded to those expectations as if it were natural.

“Ihoyul never disappoints!”

In the Predator’s Swamp rift.

Even the players who saw the message directly were no different.

If anything, they were even more surprised.

“A contract with a spirit?”

“No way, what is this? Not only sword skills, but now a spirit?!”

“Stop whining. What message is appearing now?”

The messages kept appearing.

The content was alarming.

[The Forest Spirit King, Dryad, blesses the contract.]

[The Forest Spirit King, Dryad, bestows her blessing upon the Predator’s Swamp.]

[Experience gained in the Predator’s Swamp increases by 20%.]

[The value of loot obtained in the Predator’s Swamp increases by 20%.]

The blessing of the Spirit King.

The effects of the blessing were a 20% increase in experience and loot drop rates.

This was the rarest buff since the time Arcana was a game. Even players who knew the system well due to their high levels.

“Experience and drop rate buff?!”

“I’ve only seen this buff a couple of times.”

“It’s not just 10%, but a 20% increase…?”

“What an incredible feat, Ihoyul!!”

It was impossible not to be amazed.

I had my suspicions, but still.

Roks let out a hollow laugh.

“You’ve surpassed my expectations.”

Indeed, the gap in levels.

The gap in our perspectives was just as significant.

“Wow, I never even thought about a spirit. As expected!!”

Nam Taemin expressed his admiration purely.

Even though he prided himself on knowing more about Ho-yul than other players. It seemed Ho-yul’s potential was much greater than he had imagined.

“…A contract with a spirit? Suddenly?”

…It’s really hard to get a cup of tea now.

Was it because of the message, or the madness of the Paladin?

Leoni’s face was filled with murderous intent.

Each player’s relationship with Ho-yul was different.

Naturally, their reactions to the message varied.

But one thing was clear.

The someone in the message was definitely Ihoyul.

So, naturally, most of the attention was on the floating stairs.

The stairs where Ho-yul would appear.

NetTubers were already salivating.

“I will clearly show you what a spirit looks like!”

What did it matter what a spirit looked like?

The title of being the first was more important.

That’s what they thought.

Clack—

“!!!”

Until Ho-yul appeared.

*

[Contract with a Spirit]

Even if it’s just a superficial understanding, it’s still Granfel’s strict standard.

I’ve read a few books on spiritology.

I have a basic understanding of spirits. Of course, I also knew what a contract with a spirit meant. So, in a way, I was secretly relieved.

‘If I had encountered a mid-level spirit.’

All the information about the Arcana continent, contracts, and everything else.

It would have been nothing but a pipe dream.

This was due to the contract terms.

[Spirits are deeply influenced by the nature of the contractor.]

Nature refers to the overall character of the contractor.

In simpler terms, since I’m a player.

From a player’s perspective.

‘It means they are influenced by my status screen.’

Senior Mage Feyan Lot, the spiritology expert.

The reason she’s a big eater is because of her contract with a spirit.

-“As you can see, I have a poor metabolism.”

The Upper Fire Spirit, Fire Drake.

Fire Drake seems to demand a lot from Feyan, its contractor.

In other words, it’s worth its rank.

Even the amount of food she eats is a result of their relationship not being completely severed, Feyan explained with a chipmunk-like puffed face.

-“But compared to when I suffered from mana exhaustion.”

What kind of beings are the senior mages of the Magic Tower?

Most importantly, I’ve seen Bangrit Tom’s mana reserves in battle.

An overwhelming amount of mana that I couldn’t even dream of catching up to.

Since Feyan is also a senior mage.

Her mana reserves wouldn’t be much different from Bangrit’s.

So, an upper spirit.

It’s an existence that can make even the mana-rich Feyan complain about mana exhaustion…!

‘I have more than enough for a lower spirit.’

So, the understanding was natural.

Moreover.

“I swear by the name of the Forest Spirit King, Dryad.”

Contract established.

As soon as Nymph finished speaking, I felt it.

…The feeling of my mana being drained!

I’ve been investing all my level-up points into mana. Thanks to the [Six-Pointed Star Brooch] and [Masterpiece - Swarlin’s Keepsake], my mana regeneration has improved, but still…

Spirits are spirits, after all.

Spiritology isn’t called the chosen study of the Magic Tower for nothing.

But I won’t reveal my inner confusion.

I calmly spoke.

“You have changed in appearance.”

The nature of the contractor.

So, Nymph’s appearance has changed due to my influence.

Her body is still small like a fairy.

Somehow, from that small body.

A dignity different from before seems to emanate.

“Is that so? This must also be due to the influence of Lord Ho-yul.”

…What is this way of speaking?

A formal tone that doesn’t even contradict Granfel’s strict standards.

I finally realized.

The true meaning of spirits being influenced by the nature of the contractor.

I, influenced by Granfel.

The changed appearance of Nymph makes sense.

Even in the days when I was much less mature, I was addressed with ‘Sir’ by Harcon. Plus, the influence of the [Aesthetics] stat on my status screen.

‘This isn’t a lower spirit just by appearance.’

It looks like a spirit queen?

I swallowed hard as I looked at Nymph.

This is what they call a mirror treatment, a lesson by example.

‘Thanks to contracting with me, a mediocre person.’

The appearance of Nymph, who now looks impressive.

I feel a sense of responsibility for the negative influence.

Truly.

Nymph examined her changed appearance with a restrained nod.

Her elegantly elongated butterfly wings, her fuller and longer hair, and her attire that even Granfel’s aesthetic eye couldn’t find fault with.

Then she spoke to me.

“I am pleased with my transformation. What do you think, Lord Ho-yul?”

Well, well, if the party to the contract is satisfied, that’s a relief.

But the formal tone is a bit burdensome.

I can’t reveal my inner thoughts, so I said.

“There’s nothing to criticize.”

The conversation with Nymph ended there.

I immediately reached for the blue ghost orchid.

I didn’t have time to spare.

‘Even as we talk, my mana is being drained…’

It wasn’t a situation to make a fuss over.

But it wasn’t a level where I could afford to waste mana either.

Moreover, I had seen the message.

The congratulatory message containing the blessing of the Forest Spirit King, Dryad.

‘Experience and drop rate buffs.’

The blessing was bestowed upon the [Predator’s Swamp].

It meant other players would also benefit from the same effects.

If I hesitate, there won’t be any monsters left.

It’s a waste of time to complain about my weakness.

If my level is insufficient, I can level up.

If the level of mana required is beyond what I can achieve through leveling alone.

I can reach it by chewing and swallowing a mana herb.

I have the potential.

Just as I was thinking this.

Rustle—

Nymph flew elegantly toward the blue ghost orchid.

“If you need this blue ghost orchid.”

“?”

“I will bestow my blessing upon it.”

…Blessing?

What’s this sudden talk of a blessing?

My knowledge of spirits is superficial at best.

But a detailed explanation wasn’t necessary.

Rustle—

Just once.

Nymph touched the blue ghost orchid.

Glow—

The light of the blue ghost orchid became even more vivid.

“…!”

The light of the blue ghost orchid becomes deeper as it grows.

[The Pure Knowledge of the Five-Pointed Star].

The knowledge of all plants on the Arcana continent I acquired through it.

‘Could this be…’

And there I saw it.

[The Cultivation Method of Mana Herbs]

The direction of a research with tremendous potential value!

*

Clack—

The sound of footsteps from above.

The waiting NetTubers swallowed their saliva.

“Ihoyul. No, Lord Ho-yul is coming down…!”

Some broadcasting stations were live-streaming the NetTubers’ streams.

Weren’t spirits treated like beings of fantasy until now?

The situation where the true form of a spirit is revealed.

It was bound to be a hot topic with high ratings.

Moreover.

Who had made a contract with such a spirit?

It was none other than Ihoyul.

“Real-time viewership has surpassed 15%…!”

The anticipation was reflected in the ratings.

Still, knowledge about spirits was widely known through Arcana’s books and word of mouth.

Thanks to this, there were also those who viewed the situation realistically.

“Regardless of their abilities, upper spirits are not beings that easily reveal themselves.”

“Even for a player like Ihoyul, making a contract with a high-ranking spirit is not an easy feat?”

“That’s true. But does the rank matter? The fact that a player has made a contract with a spirit for the first time is what’s important, isn’t it?”

Of course, such opinions.

Disappeared the moment Ho-yul appeared.

The appearance of the flying spirit.

The dignity that flowed from every movement.

“Is that… a spirit…?”

“What’s with the halo?”

“That’s not just pretty, it’s beautiful….”

The presence that didn’t fade even next to Ho-yul.

The meaning of this appearance was simple.

Someone exclaimed in amazement.

“That spirit is clearly an upper, no, a spirit king level, right?!”

.

.

.

Stare—

Gazes are felt from all around.

Nymph spoke.

“Indeed, Lord Ho-yul is in such a position.”

Then she continued elegantly.

“I, as a contract spirit, will get used to such gazes.”

You, have been thoroughly influenced by Granfel.

But that’s a wise statement.

This guy’s personality won’t change.

Nymph, it means it’s easier for you to adapt.

‘Of course, I don’t care about the focused gazes.’

As I said.

I’m a busy person.

Unlike those ranked players, my level is in a sorry state.

Every second of the experience and drop rate buff is precious.

So, I didn’t hesitate.

This is the Predator’s Zone, where battles never cease.

I immediately drew my sword.

[Level: 324]

I’m still hungry for experience…!