A Mid-Rank Water Spirit in the Forest!
A swirl of light enveloped the low-rank water spirit right in front of me. And then...
Its body began to grow. Its fingers elongated. Its height increased. The wings on its back expanded. Paat-! The light scattered.
In the spot where the fading light had been stood a water spirit.
'...'
I stared blankly at the spirit. Long, rippling hair shimmering like water. Creamy skin. Transparent fairy wings on its back. Its size was about from an adult's fingertip to elbow.
The little thing that had been no bigger than a pinky finger just moments ago had become truly beautiful, like a person.
It really happened.
I gazed at it in a daze. That was when it happened.
-Waaahhh-!!
The low-rank water spirits nearby flocked over, flapping excitedly.
-It really happened!!
-You became a mid-rank spirit!!
-You really evolved!!!
It was total chaos. The evolved water spirit grinned broadly and spun around in a whirl.
Its wings fluttered lightly, sending water droplets splashing everywhere.
Then, beaming at me, it flew straight over.
-I evolved thanks to you!
It burst into giggles and hugged my trunk tightly.
-Thank you!!
I lowered a branch to gently stroke its head. It felt like running my fingers through flowing water. Damp, cool, and soft.
Good for you.
But right then, the spirit in my embrace suddenly looked up.
-I've made up my mind!
Huh? About what?
The moment I wondered, a window popped up in front of me.
The mid-rank water spirit wishes to submit to you.
Do you approve?
Wha—? I panicked.
I'd figured someday I'd end up contracting with these guys, but I hadn't expected it to come so suddenly.
Since I didn't say anything, the mid-rank spirit's eyes sparkled as it spoke.
-I feel like everything will be fun if I'm with you!
Its voice brimmed with sincerity. Then it widened its eyes and gazed at me pleadingly.
-...Can't I?
No, of course you can. How could I refuse eyes like that?
At my answer, the mid-rank spirit beamed and hugged my trunk tightly again.
-Waaahhh!! Now I'm completely yours!!
Ugh... yeah. The phrasing felt a bit off, but good things were good.
Right then, a window appeared.
You have subdued the mid-rank water spirit.
You have acquired a capable subordinate.
Please name the mid-rank water spirit.
A name. A name, huh.
This is always the hardest part.
I pondered while looking at it. Mid-rank water spirit. Clear, bright, refreshing. Obviously pure and limpid like water.
How about Lin?
The spirit tilted its head.
-Lin?
Yeah. It means clear water.
Lin, from the character for clear water. The hanja that evokes a pure, clean heart. It came to me from my past life's hanja studies. Who knew it'd be useful like this? It suited this bright, clear spirit perfectly.
The spirit narrowed its eyes into crescents and nodded vigorously.
-I love it!!
Good. Lin.
-My name is Lin!! Lin!!
It really seemed to love the name. Lin spun around laughing gleefully. Water droplets splashed up wherever it passed.
The nearby Totori and goblins caught the droplets happily.
“Kku-wung~”
“Kee-ee!”
The low-rank spirits trailed after Lin.
-Congrats, Lin!
-Pretty name!
Lin puffed up proudly at their words.
-Hehe. Now I'm my friend's top aide!
That was when Lin said it so bluntly.
“No, that's not right.”
A quiet, low voice. It was Kahn. He approached leisurely, weapon in hand. Elite goblins followed in a line behind him.
Kahn looked at Lin.
“I'm the first aide. You're...”
He held up two fingers, utterly serious.
“...second.”
Lin's face soured.
-What? Wasn't that already settled?
The spirits behind Lin chimed in noisily.
-Yeah!
-We said we're first priority!
-You guys are third!
Kahn chuckled. The elite goblins behind him snickered softly.
The spirits' eyes sharpened.
-Laughing?
-You think this is funny?
Kahn declared confidently.
“Don't you remember why you became first priority?”
Lin narrowed its eyes.
-Why we're first?
One spirit nearby shot up its hand.
-Ah! Because only we can hear...
The other spirits rushed to clamp its mouth.
-Shut up!!
-We'll lose our advantage!!
Kahn's eyes narrowed, lips curling up.
“Right. Spot on.”
He continued leisurely.
“Because only you could hear His voice.”
A beat.
“But now?”
-Huh?
-You can... hear it too?
The spirits panicked. Kahn crossed his arms.
“So we're on equal footing.”
He sharpened his gaze.
“But who became aide first?”
The elite goblins pointed at Kahn with both hands, shouting.
“Kee-ee!!”
“Kee-eeee!!”
Kahn nodded.
“Exactly. Me. So I'm the top aide.”
The spirits' mouths gaped.
-Th-that's... how it works?
-How...?
-We're second?
Despair like the sky splitting open. Then Lin huffed in disbelief.
It narrowed its eyes at Kahn.
-But that doesn't change who was here longest! We have more memories with Friend than you!
Kahn grinned.
“Memories...”
Low and relaxed.
“We can make them from now on.”
-Gasp!!
The spirits inhaled sharply.
-Such thinking!
-We've been too complacent!
Lin scowled and pointed at Kahn.
-Then let's bet on it!
Kahn asked back.
“A bet?”
-Yeah! You and me. Who helps Friend more!
Lin's eyes gleamed.
-We'll compete fair and square for top spot!
Kahn grinned.
“Fine. Fair and square.”
-Until then, you're both second!
“Sure.”
Lin and Kahn glared at each other fiercely, then whoosh—turned away simultaneously.
The spirits clustered behind Lin. The goblins behind Kahn. They all shuffled off in groups.
I watched their backs blankly, then rustled my leaves.
Wait... kids.
Don't I decide who's first and second?
Tori nearby shrugged and shook its head.
“Kku-wung...”
At that moment, in a small cave near Pirel Forest.
A single torch dimly lit the walls. People huddled together in the cramped space.
All of them had long, slender limbs. Delicate, elegant faces. And peeking through their hair—pointed ears.
The race said to be extinct: elves.
A female elf entered from the cave's depths, carrying a bowl.
Deep inside, a man sat on the floor with eyes closed. He was emaciated. He didn't look healthy.
The female elf spoke softly to him.
“Elder, please eat dinner.”
She offered the bowl. It held something like porridge made from unidentified leaves. It looked utterly unappetizing.
Yet the surrounding elves devoured it greedily. Like people starved for ages.
The elder stared at the bowl, then said quietly.
“Share it with the children.”
“But...!”
The female elf hesitated, then continued in a trembling voice.
“Elder... it's been a week already. You must eat today...”
The elder smiled faintly instead of answering.
Decades had passed like this. At first, it wasn't bad. The forest was abundant. Crops overflowed.
Even after the World Tree died and the elves lost their power, they managed.
But the problem started when the ma energy grew stronger. It seeped into Pirel Forest.
Crops withered. The soil rotted. Things reached this state.
All because the World Tree vanished.
The elder thought with eyes closed.
But there was still hope. He'd felt it when the oracle came.
The spirit's presence in Pirel Forest.
So the next World Tree would be born here.
But we haven't found it, even after so much time.
Enduring weakening vitality amid ma energy-choked woods. Searching, but it wasn't enough.
That was when it happened.
The elder's eyes snapped open.
This presence...!
The surrounding elves tensed simultaneously.
A warm, refreshing aura. Clear and profound.
“A mid-rank water spirit...!!”
A low exclamation escaped the elder.
It was certain. After the World Tree died, most spirits returned to the spirit realm. All mid-ranks, and most low-ranks vanished.
Yet one remained?
No.
The elder's eyes narrowed.
This one's newly born.
A mid-rank water spirit born anew in this forest meant spirit power had returned.
In other words...
The World Tree...!
The elder shot to his feet.
“Ugh.”
His legs wobbled. The female elf rushed to support his arm.
Even so, the elder raised his voice.
“Hurry.”
The elves in the cave looked up.
“A mid-rank water spirit is in this forest!”
At those words, their eyes changed. Light returned to weary gazes.
Hope of finding the World Tree. Of seeing spirits again.
They rose urgently and began moving.
The elder watched, thinking.
One mid-rank spirit can fend off ma energy to some degree.
With just one, we elves could survive.
We must find it, no matter what.
Supported, the elder slowly stepped forward.
Toward the depths of Pirel Forest.