Chapter 81

Chapter 6: Reunion (4)

"Thank you, human."

"It's nothing."

"But what about those guys who took my child?"

"They are dead. I also burned all the bodies, just in case there might be any other masterminds."

"A pity. Those guys should have been punished by me."

It was a fact that Phoenix, upon learning this belatedly, had intended to chase after the treasure hunters immediately after the hatching was complete. However, doing so would have prevented the chick from properly recognizing its mother, and there were also limits to chasing them once they left the area.

It was fortunate that the chick was returned before hatching.

"Well, it doesn't matter. You are my savior, having saved my child in my place. What difference is there between what a savior does and what I do? Anyway."

Phoenix paused slightly, rolling its eyes. In the large yellow pupils, Yeonwoo's image was reflected.

"You saved my child. A promise is a promise. I will give you the test as promised. Speak clearly. What do you desire?"

"I want the flame of life you possess."

"Do you know what it is?"

"Yes, I know it is the power that sustains you."

Phoenix is a being that is born from fire and dies in fire, then rises from the flames to the sky. The flame symbolizes resurrection and regeneration.

That is the flame of life, commonly known as the 'Holy Fire.'

And.

"Also, if there is any god or demon you follow, you should say so. If you lie and receive it, it might not suit you."

"There isn't."

This was also the reason Yeonwoo had refused the seat of apostle proposed by Hermes.

The Holy Fire is a primordial flame of life. However, it does not align with the already 'completed' divinity. Completed gods typically pursue a different kind of flame.

"Fortunately. Then, do you intend to give it to your Reunion?"

"Yes."

"Very well. Normally, I would give you a separate test, but since you have done me a favor, I will skip it. Given your skills, the test wouldn't be particularly difficult anyway."

'Good.'

[You have gained the favor of Phoenix.]

[Your affinity with Phoenix has increased by 200. Phoenix lowers its guard against you.]

[You have gained the qualification for the test of the 'Flame of Life.']

[You have completed the hidden quest 'Phoenix's Test' by earning Phoenix's recognition.]

[You have achieved an accomplishment that few can easily attain. Additional merit points are provided.]

[You have gained 1,500 merit points.]

[You have gained an additional 1,000 merit points.]

...

To obtain the Flame of Life, one must pass a rather stringent test.

According to Phoenix, it wouldn't be too difficult for the current Yeonwoo, but it would still require a considerable amount of time.

Being able to skip this time would be a great relief.

"However, to transfer my flame, you need a suitable vessel. Bring one that is adequate."

[A new quest has been given to you.]

[Hidden Quest / Flame of Life]

Content: The 'Flame of Life,' the source of Phoenix's power, does not easily fade, but it is also very difficult to transfer. Gather the materials scattered throughout the 11th floor and complete a vessel to transfer the Flame of Life.

* Required List

1. Albatross Eggs (0/5)

2. Shadow Snake Apples (0/80)

3. Razer Dragon Heart (0/1)

...

Time Limit: None.

Rewards:

1. Phoenix's Favor

2. Flame of Life

Yeonwoo lightly clicked his tongue as he looked at the list of materials.

'As they say, getting the flame is easier than gathering the materials for the vessel. It's true.'

The quest requires over 50 different items. While all can be obtained on the 11th floor, some are quite difficult to acquire.

Still, if he can obtain the Flame of Life, it's worth the effort.

He can also train while moving around the 11th floor.

"Then, if you have finished your business, leave now. I will call you if needed later."

It seemed the hatching time was almost complete.

Yeonwoo nodded and quietly stepped back.

* * *

Yeonwoo set up a base camp not far from Phoenix's nest.

He quickly built a 'nest' for the Reunion egg.

Even though it's a Reunion, it's still a chick, and instinctively it is sensitive to the outside environment.

The first thing needed was a quiet and comfortable environment to prevent stress.

Actually, it was already quite late.

However, the egg seemed to enjoy the warm aura Phoenix emitted and showed no particular reaction.

This allowed Yeonwoo to build the nest with peace of mind.

Yeonwoo followed the instructions in the diary and used the best materials available on the stage to decorate the nest.

He tightly wove the nest frame with Alcas branches and gently lined the inside with the leaves of the Kiwha grass.

To prevent other Reunions from approaching, he applied the sap of the carnivorous plant around the nest and fetched water from a nearby spring to carefully wash the egg.

The more carefully he handled the egg, the better the Reunion would turn out. This was essential.

'What a hassle.'

Yeonwoo sighed slightly, finding himself unexpectedly playing the role of a caretaker.

However.

Rumble, rumble.

At that moment, the egg gently shook, as if feeling good.

Yeonwoo was slightly surprised but shook his head, determined to finish the nest.

* * *

The nest was placed at the top of the tallest tree to allow the 'wind' to be felt.

Fortunately, the Reunion egg seemed to like it.

Though it couldn't be known through a message or sound, the 'feeling' was clear.

'Now, this side is done.'

Yeonwoo lightly dusted his hands and stood up after finishing the nest.

And.

It was time to check the rewards he had received.

He planned to look for the materials after confirming the recipe.

'Currently, I have received a total of eight rewards, right?'

The list of rewards was extensive.

Ice Ring, Skull Pendant, Kratuga's Spear, and more.

Yeonwoo opened his Dragon Eye to check all the artifacts and lightly clicked his tongue.

'Is this the only one worth it?'

Yeonwoo examined the small skull pendant again.

It was a tiny size, no bigger than a fingernail, with a small gem in its mouth, which was quite striking.

[Skull Pendant]

Category: Auxiliary Equipment

Grade: D

Description: A pendant made from the skull of a player who was a voodoo sorcerer in life. When it was first made, it boasted good performance, but now, after much time has passed, it can only serve as an auxiliary tool.

If possible, seek out a skilled blacksmith. It might be useful as a material for repairs or to create other artifacts.

* Voodoo Sorcerer's Malediction

The soul of the voodoo sorcerer remains in the skull, silently screaming. Each time it does, the curse emitted slightly amplifies dark magic power.

The Skull Pendant, if judged solely by its options, was the least useful among the rewards.

For Yeonwoo, who could handle dark magic, it was only a simple auxiliary device and had little significance.

Moreover, a D-grade artifact was now cumbersome for Yeonwoo.

However, Yeonwoo focused on another aspect.

'The soul of a voodoo sorcerer is bound to it.'

It was a good opportunity to test the changed options of the black bracelet.

'Although it might not be called a bracelet anymore.'

Yeonwoo smiled and opened his Dragon Eye, looking at the black bracelet and the chain wrapped around his arm.

Another pupil opened vertically along with his black pupils, focusing on the Skull Pendant.

"Kiaa!"

As expected, a grotesquely distorted ghost was bound to the Skull Pendant.

It had been bound to the artifact for too long, leaving only deep resentment. It had lost all strength and magic power and could only scream.

Yeonwoo gripped the pendant tightly.

He activated his magic circuit and infused the pendant with 30 of the 150 ghosts stored in his collection, converting them to dark magic and blowing them into the pendant along with his magic power.

The option of the Black King Despair, [Black Aura].

A dark aura seeped into the Skull Pendant.

The worn-out skull began to turn black, and the gem in its mouth emitted a brilliant light.

The eerie screams of the voodoo sorcerer's soul grew louder.

"Kiaaaa!"

Another option, [Ghost Servitude]. To create a ghost artificially, the voodoo sorcerer's soul was used as an experimental subject.

And.

Flash!

Suddenly, the gem emitted a cold light.

Crack!

The skull and the gem shattered into small pieces, creating a small whirlwind of dust.

It gradually grew into a ghost the size of a human torso.

The voodoo sorcerer's soul, now reborn as a ghost, slowly lifted its head. Its grotesquely distorted face faintly glowed.

"Aaa... Aaa... Aaaaaa!"

Even as a ghost, the voodoo sorcerer's soul continued to emit eerie screams.

"Aaa... Aaaaaa!"

Despite being reborn as a ghost, its mind was completely broken, and it could not regain its senses.

Its trembling appearance clearly showed that it was very afraid of something.

A player's soul, yet it seemed to have been eaten by some monster?

Yeonwoo frowned, wondering if it would be a proper experiment, but he lightly clicked his tongue.

"Can't be helped."

Still, among the ghosts he currently possessed, this was the only one suitable for experimentation.

He had to try.

Yeonwoo extended his hand and firmly gripped the voodoo sorcerer's soul's head.

The soul was only created as a ghost, not yet bound.

First, the servitude.

Yeonwoo firmly held the struggling soul's head.

He forced the soul to meet his eyes and said,

"Be my servant."

"Aaaaaa!"

"Be my servant."

"Aaa!"

Yeonwoo continued to repeat the same words, infusing the soul with his magic power.

To force the soul to recognize his magic power.

The more he did this, the more the voodoo sorcerer's soul trembled like a seizure patient.

It seemed unlikely that this would result in proper servitude.

"I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I don't want to die!"

At some point, the soul's screams began to show some sense.

"Be my servant."

Yeonwoo's words were firmly imprinted on the voodoo sorcerer's soul.

The soul, which had been a murky color, shuddered once and then turned black.

The voodoo sorcerer's soul no longer screamed.

Its clear eyes focused on Yeonwoo, and Yeonwoo felt an invisible line connecting the soul to himself.

'Such a feeling.'

Yeonwoo now understood what it meant to 'bind' a soul. He still found the realm of superpowers somewhat unfamiliar.

Yeonwoo looked at the voodoo sorcerer's soul and said,

"Sit down."

Swoosh.

The soul, which had been staring blankly at Yeonwoo, slightly lowered its posture.

Yeonwoo's eyes glowed slightly as he gave a few more commands.

"Stand up."

"Run."

From simple commands.

"Turn around once in place."

"Run to that tree over there and come back as fast as you can."

To movement commands.

"Can you see the fruit over there? Can you pick it for me?"

To specific commands.

The voodoo sorcerer's soul carried out Yeonwoo's commands without any resistance.

When asked to pick fruit from a high place, it even used a small magic spell.

Although it couldn't cast powerful spells due to its low rank, it seemed capable of using minor spells at any time.

It showed no signs of rebellion and did not express any personal opinions.

It had truly become a loyal servant.

He conducted a few more experiments.

First, maximum speed.

It was slightly slower than a sprint. This seemed acceptable for carrying around, and its stealthy nature as a ghost made it suitable for ambushes.

Next, range.

Roughly 100 meters or so, not very far.

When close, it was hard to notice, but as the distance between the ghost and Yeonwoo increased, the invisible line connecting them gradually thinned.

From the point where the line became faint, the ghost no longer obeyed commands.

Of course, this did not mean the servitude relationship was broken, but it could not be controlled forcibly.

Still, even when the line thinned, it did not disappear, allowing some messages to be sent intermittently.

'This line needs to be strengthened.'

Yeonwoo named the connection to the ghost a 'sensory line' and focused on it.