New Guardians (1)
‘Only guardians who’ve reached the Realm of Transcendence can appear now?’
I had no clear idea what the Realm of Transcendence meant.
And ten guardians total?
The last one I summoned was my eighth...
‘Ah!’
A sudden realization hit me.
Fenril and Mandrian.
I’d accepted them as guardians.
That must include them in the count.
‘If I’d known, I would’ve held off on accepting them.’
Of course, delaying might’ve meant I couldn’t appoint them at all.
Either way, summoning new guardians wouldn’t be as straightforward anymore.
‘But in exchange, it seems I can summon ones who’ve ascended to the Realm of Transcendence.’
Equivalent exchange.
You gain something, you lose something.
I didn’t know what beings reached that realm, but I figured they’d be guardians of tremendous power.
‘Won’t be easy.’
Obviously, I couldn’t just summon them on a whim.
I’d have to check their summoning conditions later.
‘For now...’
My gaze turned to Crimson Valdria and Wispent.
“Welcome.”
I finished the greetings I’d cut short with Crimson Valdria and Wispent.
Then I glanced at their status windows.
Oh!
Both over level 400.
And both nine stars.
Jackpot.
At a glance, they rivaled Azkai’s current power.
Now, the key was their roles.
‘Crimson’s ability seems dimension-related...’
Not sure if he was combat-oriented.
Wispent, on the other hand, screamed combat archer.
Her shoulder-slung bow made it obvious.
“So, what are your abilities?”
“Yes, Master. Allow me to explain first.”
Crimson Valdria spoke up at my words.
But this guy...
Why so greasy?
He looked slick enough, but his speech and mannerisms dripped butter.
“I am an Elder Vampire born of dimensional bloodline. Depending on conditions, I can traverse various dimensions.”
Traversing dimensions? Intriguing.
“Be specific. How exactly do you cross dimensions?”
“Of course. I can open dimensional gates using my blood as a medium. The concentration of dimensional energy in my blood determines the destination dimension.”
“How do you replenish dimensional energy?”
“Heh heh. An excellent question. Typically from dimensional rifts or traces, but... I can also absorb it by devouring souls or energies from other dimensions.”
“Can you use it now?”
“Ah! Not at present. As you see, my dimensional energy is depleted.”
He extended his right forearm.
A complex pattern swirled in red and gold.
A central crystal symbolizing dimensional portals harmonized with ancient runes.
Organic lines traced energy flows, exuding a mystical, transcendent aura.
“This is the Dimension Seal.”
“Hooh.”
I nodded, inspecting it.
No ordinary seal.
It felt like it could summon a portal any second.
I wondered what dimensions it could access.
Maybe even a gate to Earth?
“So, not much for combat then. You’re no battle guardian.”
“Oh, no no, Master. Before a dimensional wanderer, I am an Elder Vampire. We vampires are born warriors.”
Hmm. Is that so?
Not bad.
I’d test his combat prowess later.
“Wispent, you’re an archer, right?”
“Yes, Master. You see correctly.”
At my words, her long black hair floated ethereally.
Swish.
A black mist dress enveloped her, flowing endlessly.
Her purple-glowing eyes fixed on me with a captivating smile.
“I am an archer who wields spirits. I fight by firing captured spirits, my power scaling with their number.”
Wispent lived up to her name—a spirit archer.
Collecting actual spirits, huh.
I got the mechanic, but picturing her in battle was tough.
Like Crimson, I’d need to see her fight.
“Follow me for now. I’ll introduce you to the other guardians.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Understood.”
Their eyes sparkled at the mention of the others.
Leading them out, I found Dania and the guardians gathered at the first passage entrance.
『New guardians! Nice to meet you!』
“Welcome to the team.”
“Pleased to meet you.”
『Two new ones! So glad you’re here!』
“Popo!”
“Chuchu!”
“Awoooo—!”
@Geueoeoeo—
A thunderous wave of welcomes.
Crimson Valdria and Wispent looked mildly surprised.
They hadn’t expected such a warm reception.
“Greetings to the Master. I am Crimson Valdria.”
“I am Wispent.”
They knelt on one knee to Dania first, offering profound respect.
I smiled warmly at the sight.
Our forces had grown significantly.
‘With this, we could hit-and-run guerrilla tactics against the bug legions no problem.’
I’d heard the bug legions had halted their advance.
But I had no intention of leaving them be.
They were a massive potential threat.
Extermination soon was the answer.
And especially!
The cockroaches.
Those had to be wiped out, no matter what.
‘Once we’re prepped, straight to the hunt.’
Lots to do this time.
Thanks to the Liri tribe, our spirit herbs and elixirs had broken level 100 across the board, steadily boosting levels.
Not just me—Dania and the guardians could all level up another notch.
So during prep, max out levels.
And the ★ gems we’d acquired.
Needed to figure out distribution.
Finally.
‘Head to the Arcane Chamber for Dragon Words training, and check the newly unlocked passages.’
The more fluent I got with Dragon Words, the more I could contribute in battle.
That meant more EXP and growth from fights—faster leveling for me.
The passages always revealed treasure chests upon unlocking.
‘Alright, first...’
Check the newly opened ones.
I headed to the next passage.
Wonder what room this one was.
Hoping for something to boost combat power.
Section Chief Lee Jeong-won.
He furrowed his brow.
“What? Approval suddenly delayed? Why?”
“Well... seems someone upstairs intervened.”
He scowled at his subordinate’s words.
The 100% conductivity mithril from Madoje.
To use government distribution networks, he’d requested approval from above.
Perk of partnering with the government.
Access their infrastructure at low cost.
But!
What should’ve been rubber-stamped was now on hold.
This would snag mithril supply from the start.
‘Why now?’
15 years in public service.
His nose for this stuff was sharp.
‘Smells fishy.’
Stink of foul play.
Someone pulled strings, clearly.
‘Then...’
Lee Jeong-won’s mind raced.
He was more capable than he let on.
Waste of talent in bureaucracy.
So he quickly pinpointed the issue.
‘Who loses most from 100% mithril supply?’
Answer hit immediately.
The existing Mithril Distribution Union.
Them.
Anyone could guess that.
‘If they’re suspects...’
The picture formed.
Mithril Distribution Union Head.
Na Seon-uk.
He’d called recently.
Offered to handle middle distribution.
As if I’d accept that nonsense.
Shot it down flat.
Now he’d drawn his blade.
‘If I were him?’
Plenty of cards.
Long-time player with deep connections.
Bribed plenty along the way.
Even his old department, Hunter Bureau—Na Seon-uk’s money flowed heavy.
None to his pocket, though.
All to Director Kim Do-chul.
Probably reached him too.
So Kim Do-chul stayed silent here.
‘Tch.’
If Kim Do-chul moved, this pressure would lift easy.
But gorged on bribes, he ignored the project he’d pushed stalling out.
‘At least he didn’t block distribution outright. Count blessings?’
That dodged the worst.
But.
This wouldn’t end here.
‘Prep for the worst.’
Physical clashes weren’t off the table.
They might even occupy Mado Corporation HQ.
Puppet gang raids.
Rare, but happened.
Post-superhuman society, fists outpaced law more than ever.
‘This could be an opportunity.’
His eyes gleamed.
He grabbed his phone, scrolling contacts.
A debtor to Madoje.
One of the Twelve Heavens.
Fast-rising powerhouse in Korea.
He decided to ask her for help.
She might refuse, of course.
‘But if she helps...’
It’d be a trump card in the worst case—and solve distribution fast.
Section Chief Lee Jeong-won.
Time to earn his keep.
“Oh.”
The first newly opened passage.
I let out a gasp of admiration.
Why?
An unexpected room.
Guardian Training Center (Elemental Cycle Chamber) has been unlocked.
A place where elements cycled periodically—fire, ice, lightning, wind.
For training adaptability in rapid environmental shifts, elemental resistances, and handling compound elements.
‘A training spot for guardians, huh.’
Amazed, I approached the central control device.
「Guardian Transcendence Project No. 1」
The inscription on the device.
Transcendence Project?
Tied to that earlier mention of transcendence.
‘Hmm.’
Intriguing.
Eyes gleaming, I headed to the next room.
And there...
Guardian Transcendence Project No. 2
Guardian Training Center (Floating Stone Battlefield) has been unlocked.
Whoosh!
This room featured a vast sky.
Rock platforms of various sizes dotted the air.
Gravity-manipulating magic device at the entrance.
Aerial combat and balance training room, clearly.
‘Azkai would love this.’
Recalled how he nearly struggled against Vestiger.
Azkai’s weakness: aerial combat.
Training here could fix that.
‘Next...’
Thud!
Blocked.
Just two passages unlocked.
Probably more guardian training centers among the rest.
Unlock all, complete training—then transcendence?
Curious.
Wanted to open them all ASAP.
With that thought, I turned toward the Arcane Chamber.
Welcome to the Arcane Chamber. Please select a menu option.
What I needed here.
‘Dragon Words training and 9th-circle spell mastery.’
The former eternal lowbie.
Starting to stretch his wings.