The Five Great Families
That way, Ariel and I safely cleared the gate and returned to the guild. Ariel was perched happily on my shoulder in her invisible state, humming a little tune.
I opened the door to the gate management department and reported the clear. The staff member who'd dealt with me yesterday gaped in shock.
"Y-you cleared it in just one day?"
"Yeah, I'd love to hit the next gate right away, but I've got my regular work to do. You know how it is."
The staffer stared in disbelief at the clear certificate data and loot list I handed over. That brutal swamp gate no one wanted to touch had been perfectly cleared in a single day—no, half a day.
"No way! You have no idea how much this lightens the load for the other combat hunters. Thank you so much!"
She bowed repeatedly in gratitude. Per the contract, all the mana stones, monster byproducts, and loot from the gate were mine. I left the settlement to the guild and headed back to my workshop sanctuary.
Hard to believe coming back after just one day felt so welcoming. At this point, it was basically home...?
How long had it been since I'd last gone back to the junkyard? Sure, it was a workshop, but with all the living conveniences stocked, it was basically a luxury officetel.
I grinned at Ariel. "A rewarding stroll, wasn't it, Lady Ariel?"
"It sure was. I got five air fresheners—such a fruitful outing. Hehehe...."
On the way back, I'd stopped at the convenience store and given her the five promised ones: fresh scent, forest breeze, citrus, and more. She'd been over the moon, eyes sparkling like she'd conquered the world. I'd expected three, but buying five made her reaction all the more adorable. Super cute.
I chuckled. The great spirit king who blasted plasma beams and vaporized gate bosses in one shot, thrilled over five measly air fresheners... At this rate, maybe spirit kings deserved the nickname 'Ultra-Cost-Effective Combatant'. Maintenance costs this low? Unbeatable.
"Honestly, it was kinda fun. Let's go out more often, Contractor."
Even the room-bound locker was the one suggesting we head out first.
"You bet. I'll take good care of you next time too."
"Good! Then I'll pop over to the spirit realm for a bit."
Ariel declared abruptly, clutching her air fresheners tight.
"Huh? Why?"
"Just 'cause?"
"Pardon?"
"Do you need a reason to go home? I'll be right back."
What was with that coolness? But thinking about it, it made total sense. Yeah, why need a grand reason to head home?
"Sure, go ahead."
The moment I replied, Ariel dissolved like a mirage and vanished into thin air.
The quiet workshop, its owner off in the spirit realm inside the soundproof glass case.
"Whoa... Without Lady Ariel, it's this quiet?"
Even with layers of soundproofing, the faint heavy metal riffs and thumps had always leaked through. Now gone in an instant, the place was dead silent—like a funeral home. So quiet my ears were ringing...?
That's when it happened.
Ding!
A blue system window popped up in midair, flashing a familiar, welcome name.
I bolted upright from lounging on the sofa like a spring.
"Oh! It's Big Sis!"
A message from Jermad, who'd been out of touch. I hammered out a reply on the system window like a typewriter, explaining the orb repair process on Yeouiju and Master Nereis's contingency plan in detail.
Moments later, a cheerful response came.
Ooh! As expected from the almighty Jermad! The majesty of a dragon's lair littered with S-rank relics.
My fingers paused. I recalled what Ariel had seen in the gate today—the Defirado mimicking a demon realm entrance.
First time seeing Jermad so serious...? Was something big really brewing? Nah, who'm I kidding worrying about her. Still, oddly attached. I sent well-wishes.
The curt but warm text ended the chat. Demon realm was a nagging variable, but as she said, she's top-tier. She'll handle it.
A few days passed like that. True to her word, Jermad sent the orb artifact to my workshop. I reciprocated with a heap of assorted sweet desserts.
Why does trading with Jermad Big Sis give so much EXP...?
Trading bread crumbs and desserts for an artifact way beyond S-rank? Nah, imbalance in trade value boosts EXP? Swapping a lightbulb for a magic artifact's imbalanced for me but not the Tower Master. So... Jermad Big Sis loves desserts that much? Classic her.
I pulled up the status on Jermad's orb and whistled in awe.
Damn... leagues above.
Yeouiju was formerly 'Mana Amplification Jewel.' This one's simply 'Mana Jewel'—similar name, slight color tone difference in appearance, but mana density and performance a full step up from the original. Not just amplification, but aids mana control and manipulation too. Being from her lair, it's specialized for fire magic power boosts, but perfect since modern iron also wields fire. No issues fooling the guild master and government. Better performance? They'll buy it hook, line, and sinker.
Two days left till Baek Hayeon's repair deadline. All set, plenty of leeway.
Ariel had returned from her spirit realm jaunt, sniffing air fresheners in the glass case while shredding heavy metal on her toy guitar.
Maybe get her a real guitar...? Nah, too much. Wrong size anyway. If she wants one, she'll ask.
While Ariel jammed, I'd been practicing plasma beam mimicry in the corner for days—hands cupped, twisting Dragon Words and mana—but my skill only sparked a tiny zzzt once or twice. Persistent practice should get me my own beam eventually.
Enough lounging—what's the point? Keep up martial arts and skill drills in spare time.
I sat cross-legged on the floor, about to circulate qi through meridians—
Ding!
Another welcome blue window appeared.
Oh! Finally! The moment I'd been waiting for. A bit bummed the saintess-arranged Heavenly Demon meetup wasn't first, but hey—members of Murim's Five Great Families.
I took a deep breath and fired back.
Murim debut at last. Jegal Family of mechanisms and brain weapons, Sacheon Tang Clan of hidden weapons and poison. What deals awaited? Curiosity piqued. Gotta scout stuff they'd like first. Sales need samples, right?
And so, I dove into internet browsing.