Chapter 177
Chapter 177
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 177
Chapter Title: Spirits React to Human Emotions
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***
Blackie looked majestic after such a long time.
"Feels like he's gotten even bigger."
His form was closer to a wolf than before. Nex tilted his head, eyeing my spirit curiously.
"Did he maybe reach adulthood...?"
"Nah. If that were the case, he'd appear even without me summoning him."
The tiny puppy like Bantol had vanished somewhere, replaced by something the size of a small dog.
Spirits are born from emotions, so maybe he was affected by my own changes.
"...Still can't quite control him yet, huh, Licht."
It'd be great if I could just pull out Blackie whenever and take him around with Pine.
The little guy was clinging to her nonstop, acting all cute.
"Being honest with your emotions is no easy task, Princess."
Nex sighed from within the purple phoenix-flame wings cradling him.
The moment he reached out to gently pet my spirit...
"Grrrrr..."
Blackie bared his teeth, growling threateningly at Nex. Acting just like he was guarding Pine.
"Junior... you're really... No, I'm not one to talk."
Nex sighed again, knowing his own spirit did the same. A byproduct of emotions laid bare after getting honest about his feelings.
If a phoenix reignites in the flames of love, then what did this Pomeranian-wolf mix mean?
A wolf? Nah. It had to symbolize something. If it was just because she adored cute things...
"Missed your big sis...?"
"Nope!"
Pine knelt to pet him, and Blackie immediately rolled onto his back.
"Haha, way more honest than his owner, huh, Junior?"
"..."
Don't answer for me. The spirit reacting to "big sis" made my face burn with embarrassment.
A Pomeranian grinning with his tongue out. Blackie's form had shifted again before I knew it.
"You little... now I have to pet you."
Why did he get even fluffier around Pine? No, fatter fur maybe.
My spirit seemed desperate for more of her affection.
The cool wolf from earlier was gone, replaced by a tumbling fluffball.
Wonder who he takes after.
The thought made me chuckle.
"Pine, time to hand over my spirit."
"...No."
No matter how much swordplay made her strong, no matter how he'd risk his life to protect her.
In front of our Pine, he just wanted to look cute, huh.
Pine holding Blackie, me stroking that fluffy head, both of us smiling.
Nex watched the whole time before speaking up.
"Won't interrupt your quality time. Good luck at the games, Junior."
He dispelled the phoenix cradle, gave a farewell, and sauntered off.
Oh yeah, the scavenger hunt was still going.
I snapped to attention, scanning the bushes for the rune from earlier.
Gone. The one etched with a swordsmanship magic circle.
True to his player rival nature, character didn't change even on the ally route.
I scowled, tricked, pondering my next move.
Still had joint magic and the spirit. Collect other runes to make up. It'd take time, but...
"Licht. That swordsmanship rune earlier... before Nex took it..."
Then Pine whispered in my ear. A soft breath cupped in her hands.
"I snagged it separately."
Her reassuring tone.
But she was in masterwork armor—heavy plate. No pockets or bag. Where'd she stash it, Pine?
My mind reeled as the status window popped up right in front of me.
Pine Granasia's sharp eyes caught Licht's every little reaction.
Whenever she bared her skin or pulled a surprise like this.
"Hold on."
His gaze locked right on.
Same at the tea party.
He ignored all the other noble ladies.
Only when she wore that pure white dress did he fumble like a puppet with cut strings.
"...Here."
Pine briefly dispelled her masterwork armor.
"..."
Licht hesitated to take the rune she'd stashed inside.
"Not gonna take it...? My arm's getting tired..."
His flushed neck and face, wide startled eyes. Shaky gaze.
"I'll take it..."
The Licht she knew wouldn't have humored her choker request.
Even for joint magic needing close contact, a back hug would've sufficed.
Kainel and Ariel did that. So why the front-facing embrace?
A hug full of ulterior motives.
"Licht, like with the joint magic earlier... can't you hug me?"
"Magic's working fine right now, though?"
But it didn't feel bad. If anything, she pushed further at his words.
"...Doesn't seem stable. For sure."
Even lying, something she usually hated.
His brute male strength and muscle.
Her hands twitching, unsure where to settle against his contrast.
Licht's embrace wasn't forceful—it considered her comfort.
The finishing touch? His heart pounding wildly against her.
Like a guy hugging a girl for the first time, all shy and inexperienced.
Which woman of the Inlang tribe wouldn't harbor naughty thoughts seeing his innocent sheep act?
Not Pine, that's for sure.
"Just once more... mind hugging me?"
Even if she hugged him nightly under sleep magic.
Fake couldn't beat the real thing.
"After the games end... I'll do it."
Too embarrassed to even speak, he lowered his visor to hide his face.
'...Amazing. Innocent like when we were kids.'
She'd pegged him as sly.
Yet here he was, doing things the old him never would.
It intrigued her, felt fresh—stirring her keen curiosity.
Was her beauty trap finally working like in books? Or had her view of him changed?
Lately, she even thought his burn scar looked cool.
Licht was just a guy friend.
No, a bit more... precious.
Way cooler than she thought?
Shouldn't be thinking like this. No fever or anything.
Pine hugged Blackie to calm her fluttering heart.
"Woof!"
"Quit licking... that tickles, Blackie."
Ears perked wolf-like now folded back, tail wagging happily.
He'd started Shadow Wolf-ish. Now a perfect round full moon puff.
"Blackie wants to stay with big sis too?"
Pine buried her face in his fur, playfully shaking her head while holding him.
"Hic."
Spirit answering like it understood. Nex's case proved communication was normal.
But he ignored his owner Licht, sticking only to her.
"Wh-what...? Blackie...!"
Suddenly, he bolted from her arms like a scent hound.
Short legs pumping, he climbed a tree.
"Woof!"
"Looks like it's up there."
Atop spindly branches, he proudly showed off a red rune in his mouth.
True to wolf spirit roots, nose like a bloodhound.
Just needed Blackie to come down safely with it.
But.
Crack— Branch snapping under weight. Tree shook, visibly unstable.
"Mardol! Make some footholds!"
Licht's spirit trembled, stranded. Glass wall below, but he wouldn't descend.
Transparent floor tricked him into thinking nothing was there.
The illusion scared him stiff.
"...I'll jump up. Sync breaths with me, Mardol."
Licht directed her, then climbed like stairs.
"Got it. Licht."
Step by step.
Perfectly in sync, no words needed.
His foot extended, glass stair appeared.
"Good boy. Come down...!"
Seconds later, he reached out to the spirit.
Trembling aspen-like, terrified and pitiful. More skittish than expected.
"Kiiing..."
Still, Blackie clamped the rune tight. To them, nothing mattered more than his safety.
Then, with a dry snap, the branch fully broke.
Licht scooped the spirit into a hug.
"...Worried me, you rascal."
He sighed in relief, Pomeranian snug in his arms.
Pine and I swept through runes using joint magic and Blackie.
"...That's six. About 60 points."
Heading back to return them at the wolf statue...
A booming voice shook the whole forest.
Laplace's mid-tally announcement.
Talented folks clustered on the enemy team left us short.
"Even with these at the statue, just 260 points..."
Way short. Any ideas?
Good news made me doubt my ears.
The runes I'd gathered were pebble-sized.
Slime-sized? Modern terms, soccer ball big.
A massive rune for the comeback. Doable.
Broadcast cut abruptly, like someone was chasing.
"Mardol, no need to say it, right?"
"...Yeah, of course. Licht."
No words needed—Pine and I locked eyes and nodded.