Elf Forest
Whoosh!
A burst of red light exploded from the magic beaker, filling the room. At the same time, a scorching aura of fire spread throughout the space.
“……!”
The energy was far more intense than expected. Kim Jehyun's eyes widened in surprise. The blinding light could have seared anyone's vision, but with his Dragon Eye, he remained unaffected, allowing him to watch the Fire Dragon Elixir complete its transformation without missing a beat.
“It's done!”
Kim Jehyun clenched his fist and shouted. The result was a resounding success.
Enhanced Fire Dragon Elixir
—See? Didn't I tell you?
“Yeah. Thanks. Alkasha.”
Alkasha shrugged nonchalantly, and Kim Jehyun expressed his gratitude. He immediately focused on the enhanced Fire Dragon Elixir in the beaker, bringing up its details before his eyes.
◈ Fire Attribute Amplification +20%
◈ Fire Attribute Mastery +105
◈ Fire Attribute Resistance +105
◈ Mana +10
◈ Fire Attribute Spirit Affinity +200
◈ Consumption Requirement: Fire Attribute Sensitivity 50+
“Oh.”
An exclamation escaped Kim Jehyun's lips. It was a jackpot.
“Legendary grade!”
The original Fire Dragon Elixir had been Unique grade. The stats it could boost through absorption were less than half of these. And all it took was adding a single petal from the True Flame Flower.
The efficiency had more than doubled. Just the 20% fire attribute amplification was game-changing. It meant every fire-attribute spell Kim Jehyun cast would instantly gain 20% more power. An absurd boost that defied words.
“I remember the original only gave 5-7% fire amplification.”
Now it was nearly triple. Even accounting for the grade difference, this was overkill.
—Indeed! You're one lucky bastard.
Alkasha was right. Luck had been on his side this time. Even among Legendary items, quality varied from low to mid to high. Kim Jehyun had pulled the absolute pinnacle.
A standard Legendary might have offered 10-15% amplification. In short, pure jackpot.
“The rest aren't slouches either.”
Kim Jehyun swallowed hard as he scanned the other stats. Fire mastery and resistance both jumped by a whopping 105. Enough to skyrocket those ratings by an entire grade. And mana +10? Insane.
“My current mana is 27.”
His status showed Mana: 18+(9). Pure stat of 18, boosted to 27 by titles and effects. This single potion would add over a third to his total mana in one go.
And +200 fire spirit affinity?
“Doesn't this mean I could contract a fire spirit now?”
—Huh. Yeah, this is unexpected. You might form a spirit contract sooner than thought.
Even Alkasha was surprised. Dragons could command spirits thanks to their dragon hearts, but Kim Jehyun would normally need either a dragon heart or Mana Core Stage 7+ for contracts. This was a stroke of fortune.
“Whew. Alright. Down the hatch.”
Kim Jehyun cradled the beaker reverently in both hands. The blood-red liquid might repulse anyone else, but to him, knowing its power, it was more precious than gold.
Gulp, gulp.
He chugged the enhanced Fire Dragon Elixir without hesitation. Truth be told, it tasted awful—like thick ginger juice mixed with a handful of bitter greens and a bowl of vinegar. His taste buds screamed for mercy, but he circulated mana to scrape every last drop from the beaker.
The effects hit immediately.
Shaaa.
Heat haze rose from his body. A blazing surge erupted from within.
“Ugh.”
His Mana Core and Mana Road burned like they were in a furnace—hot enough to melt.
Bubble, bubble.
His organs felt like they were dissolving.
—This is the critical moment. Focus. Absorption rate depends on your concentration now.
'I know...'
Kim Jehyun gritted his teeth. Dizzying pain assaulted him, but he'd endured far worse. He could handle this.
'Focus on the mana art.'
He steadied his mind and immersed himself in Hatchling's Basic Mana Art.
Shaaaaaaa.
After some time, the rampaging mana calmed. Like soil firming after rain, his Mana Road grew denser and stronger.
Fwaaah!
Golden light burst from his body. Vast mana surged through his Mana Road, circulating fully before flooding his Mana Core.
Boom!
Thunder roared in his ears. His Mana Core expanded dramatically, filling with power. Euphoria and fullness overwhelmed him—like soaring through clouds.
Immense golden light enveloped him, seeping inward.
Flicker.
He opened his eyes, golden light flashing in his gaze. Feeling the intense energy coiling within, he smiled.
He'd done it. Fully absorbed the enhanced Fire Dragon Elixir.
Not just reaching Stage 2—he'd blasted past the early phase. Sealed insights unlocked partially. Growth begat growth. In days, he'd surged like a storm.
Now, five yesterdays' worth of him couldn't touch today's.
And it wasn't over. Familiarity with Stage 2 mana and reorganizing insights would propel him to its peak soon.
1,000 points acquired.
Soto's Treasure Chest+4 obtained.
“Whew.”
Kim Jehyun steadied his breath, sensing the overflowing mana within. The growth spurt was tremendous.
—Congratulations. What a leap. Never dreamed you'd hit 99.9% absorption. Impressive.
Alkasha's surprised voice praised him. Kim Jehyun smiled warmly, then asked,
“But is this spirit energy?”
He glanced around. Fire aura now permeated everything—subtle before, now vivid. Distinct from fire-attribute mana: purer, nature itself.
—Oh ho. Yes. If you sense it, you can attempt a contract.
“Really? How do spirit contracts work?”
Kim Jehyun asked eagerly. The supreme grimoire Alkasha surely knew top-tier spirit arts.
Alkasha met his expectant gaze.
—Beats me.
“Huh?”
Kim Jehyun blinked dumbly. Alkasha didn't know something? Magic-related?
Well, spirit arts were separate from magic. Still, he'd assumed dragons knew, since they commanded spirits.
Disappointing.
—Dragons borrowed from Spirit Kings directly, thus lower spirits too. Never learned spirit arts proper. Why would dragons need spirit power anyway?
“Hm.”
Recalling Arkanios's memories, Kim Jehyun nodded. Dragons at magic's pinnacle needed no spirit aid—especially with Dragon Words. They were perfection incarnate.
“Still, at my level, spirits would make me stronger.”
His goal was dragon power. Spirits as a stepping stone? Ideal. Magic-spirit fusion—like future Shin Yesung—yielded devastating synergy.
For a newborn hatchling, that merit alone tempted.
“Maybe contact the Nature Clan.”
He recalled Shin Yesung's number. Worst case, ask for spirit art basics.
But he tabled it.
“First, master this new power.”
He contemplated his surged strength, adapting fully.
* * *
Overlapping Magic Circle Development Complete. Will be exclusively applied to artifacts and magic tools from Phoenix Faction onward. Love the Phoenix Faction's gear! Official announcement soon.
Rumors of the overlapping magic circle buzzed through the community, stirring chaos. Kim Jehyun was the hot center—half doubting, half hailing him as Tower Master-surpassing prodigy.
The news spread beyond, reaching factions.
Bam!
“What the hell is this?!”
A red-haired middle-aged man roared. A peer bowed before him.
“……My apologies.”
“Sorry fixes this?!”
Kim Kangjin, the red-haired man, seethed.
“I stressed beating Phoenix to it!”
“Apologies, Faction Leader. Never saw that variable coming……”
The subordinate bowed deeper. Kim Kangjin of Ignis Faction.
Overlapping circles were his long-prepped research and business—the Ignis breakthrough, Phoenix crusher. He'd even planted spies.
“……So a 1st Circle kid did it?”
“Yes.”
“Ha! Madness.”
Kim Kangjin clutched his head, slumping into his chair. Absurd. Even Tower Master lacked a solution.
'If true……'
His eyes gleamed.
“That 1st Circle hasn't joined Phoenix yet?”
“No. Many factions recruiting—all rejected.”
“We try?”
“……Yes, but he said he'd contact later.”
“Hmph. Cocky brat. Makes sense—rewriting records.”
He wasn't mad at the rejection. The subordinate sighed inwardly in relief.
'Whew. His temper's a nightmare.'
“What’s he doing? Unaffiliated, owns the patent. Plan to snag him for Ignis!”
“Y-yes! Told HR to go all-out.”
“Not enough. Hyeongjin same age, right?”
“Yes, probably.”
“Perfect. He's playing circle boss? Tell him to befriend the kid. Geniuses weak to bonds. Nephew of Ignis Leader? Easy recruit.”
“Brilliant! As expected, Faction Leader! On it.”
“Hmph. Less flattery, more action. Fail this, your fault.”
“Of course.”
'Fail and his temper explodes. Hyeongjin our only hope.'
The subordinate bowed. No big worry—Kim Hyeongjin ruled peers. He'd deliver.
Poor fool.
* * *
“Good enough.”
Kim Jehyun now wielded his surging mana masterfully.
'Status window.'
Abilities:
Hatchling's Basic Mana Art(S), Lv. 4 | Subspace(A), Lv. 1 | Alkasha(EX), Lv. 1
Dragon Bodies: 1. Dragon Eye(0.99%)
Titles:
Blessed by Golden Mana | Mana Core Completer+1
He'd allocated level-up points to physical stats, balancing all at 10. Mana control smoothed out. Confidence soared.
3rd Circle? Easy prey. 2nd floor Ascension Tower? Cakewalk.
“Rush 2nd floor, claim second dragon legacy.”
Goal set. Problem:
“Exam's not for a while.”
Days since 1st floor, already Stage 2. Unprecedented speed. Plenty of time left.
“Prep points for Ascension Tower.”
As he planned—
New commission.
His phone chimed.
“Request?”
He checked it.
Commission request to Mage Kim Jehyun.
Client: Nature Clan Master Jo Heegyung.
Content: Elf Forest expedition.
Fee: To be negotiated.
Kim Jehyun's eyes widened. Nature Clan Master? Fine.
“Elf Forest?!”