Freelancer Declaration (2)
As I stepped out of the elevator, reporters swarmed forward excitedly, thrusting microphones and cameras at me.
"Daily Hunter, reporter Park Hansu! About your duel with Niagara this time...!"
"Dong-A Ilbo, reporter Lee Jeonghan! We understand you're a student at the academy—how did...!"
The reporters' enthusiasm was truly impressive. Impressive enough that I couldn't even find a moment to speak. I could feel Aqua's body, perched on my head, stiffening more and more—she had a severe case of camera shyness.
That was when Jang Gilsan stepped forward. Astonishingly, the reporters fell silent in an instant.
"As expected of the emperor's studies..." Han Deuri muttered softly from behind.
Jang Gilsan swept his gaze over the reporters and spoke.
"The interview with Spirit User Kang Hyunwoo will now begin. Due to time constraints, we'll take questions for only five minutes, so please refrain from irrelevant remarks."
One reporter shot up a hand. Jang Gilsan pointed at him.
"Please ask your question."
"Dong-A Ilbo, reporter Lee Jeonghan. Has Mr. Kang Hyunwoo's spirit become the Water Spirit King?"
Thanks to the smooth flow, I was able to answer without awkwardness.
"Hello. I'm Spirit User Kang Hyunwoo, currently attending Awakener Education University. Yes, Aqua dueled Niagara for the throne of the Spirit King and has now inherited the title."
No sooner had I finished than other reporters raised their hands high. Their eager, student-like posture made me chuckle involuntarily.
The reporter selected by Jang Gilsan asked rapidly.
"Awakener Today, reporter Jeong Eunyoung. What's your reaction to becoming Korea's first Spirit King contractor?"
"I'll work hard and strive forward so this position doesn't feel undeserved. I offer my thanks to all the spirit users and spirits who supported us, as well as my friends and family."
It was such a polished response that even I was impressed with myself.
"Has Niagara fully returned to the human world?"
"That's a matter between Sia Clearwater and Niagara, so I can't comment. But I'm expecting a positive outcome."
"We understand you were an F-rank spirit user— what allowed you to contract the Water Spirit King's successor?"
For that question, I smiled and looked up at Aqua. She was still frozen stiff.
"Up you go."
I lifted Aqua from my head and cradled her in my arms. Her body softened just a little.
"Want to answer this one yourself?"
Aqua's eyes widened slightly at my question. She cautiously turned toward the reporters. A barrage of flashes hit right on cue, and she flinched a bit.
Aqua looked back up at me. Bolstered by my smile, she gave a small nod and faced them again.
Then she declared loudly.
[It's the power of love and bonds!]
A perfect answer. I hugged her tight. She was still a little stiff, but she beamed anyway.
[Hee hee hee!]
[Chi-pit!]
Mandu, who had shifted to my shoulder, laughed along.
The next selected reporter asked.
"Has Spirit User Kang Hyunwoo joined the Union Guild?"
I swallowed hard. Here it came. I took a deep breath to clear my mind and spoke.
"I've decided not to join any guild. I'll be working as a freelancer spirit user."
My freelancer declaration unleashed a flood of questions from the reporters.
"No contact from Clearwater Cosmetics?"
"We heard you're close with Jeong Ri-on of Phoenix Guild—do they know?"
"Did Jang Gilsan know about this?"
"Is this a strategy to drive up your value?"
Jang Gilsan blocked the onslaught and nodded to the security guards. The interview was over. The guards swiftly formed a perimeter around us, clearing a path.
"Let's go."
Jang Gilsan gestured with unchanged tone.
Questions chased us as we left.
"Mr. Kang Hyunwoo! What's that salamander on your shoulder? Do you have Dual Traits?"
"What's the secret to maintaining a Spirit King contract with F-rank Spirit Affinity?"
"One last word, please!"
I turned back instinctively. Meeting my gaze, the reporters fell silent and extended their mics desperately. Their eagerness made me smile.
"To Aqua's loving fan club—thank you."
With that, I turned fully away.
* * *
After the brief interview, we headed to the small mart in the VIP building's basement. My soundbite and the guards' protection kept anyone from blocking us.
"Whew..."
I rubbed my still-pounding chest.
[Whoo...]
Aqua mimicked me, rubbing her own chest. Jang Gilsan and the Han siblings chuckled softly at us.
"Senior, you spoke so smoothly I thought you weren't nervous at all."
"I can't even remember what I said. Did I mess up anywhere?"
"It was perfect, in my opinion."
I let out another long breath. Surrounded by cameras, flashes, and reporters, I'd been buzzing with excitement and tension—my heart was still racing.
Squeeze. I hugged Aqua tighter. To me, she was a cure-all.
Aqua hugged back fiercely. By the time we reached the mart, we were fully recovered.
"Alright. Time to shop!"
[Let's go!]
Jang Gilsan shook his head slightly at our revival. I grabbed a cart and seated Aqua in the child seat.
Han Areum asked curiously.
"Senior, do you always shop like this with Aqua?"
"Yeah. Why?"
[Why do you ask? Is something strange?]
"No way! It's just so cute!"
Han Areum gently pinched and wiggled Aqua's cheek. Aqua smiled at the soft touch, then turned seriously to the side.
[Don't even think about it.]
Han Deuri, who had been wiggling his fingers to poke Aqua's cheek too, pouted. We began shopping in earnest.
[These apples look good!]
Aqua sensed moisture in fruits and veggies, picking the fresh, healthy ones for me.
[Chi-pit! Chi-pit!]
Mandu's eyes, already huge relative to his body, grew even wider as he eagerly scanned the aisles for snacks.
"Heh heh heh..."
I gently stroked the back of Mandu's neck. He looked up, eyes curving into half-moons.
* * *
After shopping, we returned to our rooms and flopped down.
[Boing!]
Aqua dove into the bedding.
[Hnnnyaah...]
Even after a full night's sleep, she still seemed tired. I gently stroked her back.
Mandu slipped into her side. It tickled, and Aqua giggled.
After petting her plenty, I summoned the Spirit Shop.
The 'Defeat Niagara' quest reward included an expansion for the Spirit Shop.
I needed to check the changes.
The Spirit Shop has been expanded!
Aqua reacted to the popup.
[Oh! The Spirit Shop!]
She sprang up and read the notice with me.
Spirit Shop expanded by one floor due to quest completion.
Sold-out items have been restocked.
New items added to the shop.
[Ooh! New items for sale!]
Aqua's eyes sparkled with anticipation. But something more important came first.
Mandu's spirit trait window had opened.
[Mandu has a trait window too!]
Aqua grinned and hugged Mandu tight.
[Pit?]
Mandu tilted his head at his own window, clearly clueless about what it was. I smiled and scratched his head. He closed his eyes blissfully.
Come to think of it, none of the Spirit King contractors had multi-element contracts.
Sia Clearwater didn't, nor did the Earth Spirit King's contractor in Australia. Even with a Multi-Element trait, an S-rank spirit user's Spirit Affinity couldn't sustain manifestation costs for non-king spirits.
But I had the Spirit Shop, making it possible.
What a grateful trait.
I scratched Mandu's head and said,
"Looking forward to working with you from now on."
[Chi-chi-pit!]
Mandu chirped brightly. Aqua squeezed him.
[Hee hee hee!]
I gently stroked Aqua's head.
"You too, Aqua."
[Looking forward to it! We'll be together forever!]
Aqua reached out and patted the Spirit Shop window.
[Looking forward to working with you too!]
I chuckled softly and patted it with her.
"Looking forward to it."
The reason I could maintain my contract with Aqua, the reason I beat Niagara—it was all thanks to the Spirit Shop.
"Thank you so much."
The window hummed under my palm, as if responding.
* * *
After sufficient rest, I began party preparations. First step: shoo out the uninvited guests.
"You all go rest more. You're the invited guests for this party."
"But... isn't it too much for senior to prepare alone?"
"It's fine. There are deliveries, and I'm only making a few things myself."
I chased Jang Gilsan, Han Areum, and Han Deuri from the kitchen and started prepping ingredients alone.
Let's start with the scallion pancakes.
The two dishes I planned to make myself were scallion pancakes and meat skewers—low risk of failure.
Showing my sincerity matters, but the guests enjoying the food comes first.
Everything else would be ordered. As I prepped saltwater to purge the clams for the pancakes,
something tugged at my pant leg insistently. Aqua.
She raised both hands to me. I knew the gesture well. Smiling, I lifted her gently onto the counter.
[What are you doing?]
Aqua seemed curious about my cooking.
"Purging grit from the clams."
[Are they dead?]
"Still alive for now."
Aqua watched fascinated as I sliced zucchini and potatoes for the batter. She started fidgeting excitedly, like a cat eyeing a toy. I chuckled.
"What's up?"
[I want to try cooking!]
"Cooking? Why?"
[You're doing it!]
That was reason enough; she giggled.
[It'll be fun together!]
Her pure response brought a smile to my face. Honestly, I'd expected this. I'd chosen pancakes and skewers precisely because Aqua and Mandu could help easily.
"I could use some help anyway—want to ask our Aqua?"
[Ask away!]
Aqua's culinary debut began.