Elf's Forest (2)
Requests typically came to those with proven skill or reputation. The Magic Tower received plenty, but that was only because it housed so many capable mages.
Put another way, as long as you had the ability, even unaffiliated freelancers got their share. A prime example?
"A Handful of Ashes."
The free mage always seen with a cigar clenched in his teeth—that was his signature. It might not sound impressive at first, but anyone who knew his true nature would never dismiss him like that. After all, he was one of the world's top archmages.
In any case, commissions generally went to mages with prestige or guaranteed competence.
"So 1st Circle mages don't get many requests."
Of course, there were cases where a 1st Circle mage sufficed. But even then, people rarely approached Tower-affiliated mages for such minor work. It was cheaper to hire freelancers at that level. Besides, for basic tasks, there wasn't much difference between Tower mages and independents anyway.
"But they sent one to me?"
And from Nature Clan Master Jo Heegyung, no less?
Jo Heegyung. Who was she? A supreme spirit handler, one of the world's elite powerhouses. Leader of the massive spirit-user clan, Nature Clan. Why on earth would someone like her commission a mage known only as 1st Circle?
"Because of that brat, Shin Yesung."
If the kid had pulled some strings, it made sense.
—Well, didn't you save that brat's life? This request might just be her way of repaying the debt. Turns out the little punk knows manners after all. I thought he'd keep his mouth shut despite owing you his life.
Alkasha's words rang true. If that was the reason, calling him in fit perfectly. The request even specified him as an assistant mage.
"So the main mage for exploring the Elf Forest is someone else, and I'm just supporting them."
Not a bad deal. Assistant roles were the sweet spots in mage circles.
"I was planning to contact them anyway for spirit arts. Perfect timing."
If he could meet the Nature Clan guild master instead of just Shin Yesung, he might score a high-grade spirit art. And the Elf Forest? In his previous life, Kim Jehyun had never laid eyes on actual elves. Hardly anyone had even claimed contact. Elves were that reclusive.
'Something about tracing the Spirit King's footsteps. That must be why.'
He could guess the exploration's purpose. No real danger either. Elves avoided unnecessary killing, so even if they crossed paths, fights were unlikely.
"Okay. Gotta take a gig like this."
Jehyun replied immediately, accepting the commission. A Nature Clan request would net plenty of Tower points—maybe even enough for the Ascension Tower exam in one go.
"Alright then... let's open this first."
Jehyun pulled Sotosso's Treasure Chest+4 from his inventory—the reward from his recent mission.
Sotosso's Treasure Chest. Guaranteed to yield a skill. The +4 meant at least C-grade.
They'd promised rewards based on achievement, and crafting the enhanced Fire Dragon Elixir must've boosted it.
Whoosh!
A system alert popped up, and emerald light poured from the chest.
* * *
—Huh. Your luck never ceases to amaze this body.
Alkasha floated around Jehyun, chattering away.
"Anyone could get this, right?"
—What nonsense! Probability-wise, the skill grade you just pulled has less than a 0.1% chance. You're just born under a lucky star.
Alkasha snapped at Jehyun's nonchalant reply.
"Dunno if it's super useful right now, though."
Jehyun checked the new skill again.
Crystal Clarity (S)
◈ Mental attack defense +50%
◈ Mana recovery speed +50%
◈ Concentration +30%
◈ Casting speed +10%
Crystal Clarity. An S-grade skill.
Mental defense, mana recovery, concentration, casting speed—all percentage boosts. The kind that shone brighter as your base stats grew. A classic late-bloomer skill, beloved by powerhouses whose strength varied wildly by skill synergy.
—Of course, its efficiency will skyrocket later on. But useless now? Wrong. It won't boost your combat power obviously yet, but as battles pile up, you'll get what I mean.
Jehyun nodded at Alkasha's rant. He felt it too, even if Alkasha put it into words.
Mental defense and mana recovery at +50%? Insane efficiency, even at Mana Core Stage 2. With Dragon Eye, mental attacks were already near-useless against him. Paired with his core, mana recovery would become an endless fountain later.
"Yeah, it's kinda broken. I'll admit—I'm a bit lucky."
—Heh. Count your innate luck as a blessing.
Chatting with Alkasha, Jehyun arrived at the rendezvous. A crowd had gathered—dozens strong.
"Hyung!"
A familiar boy broke from the group: Shin Yesung, bowing deeply.
"Hope you've been well."
—Is this the same brat? From runaway punk to total reform. Kah kah.
Alkasha chuckled approvingly at the prim Yesung.
"Yeah, long time."
"I was too frantic back then to thank you properly for saving my life. Thank you, hyung!"
Yesung bowed again, then gushed on.
"Heh heh. Seeing you cast magic that day blew me away. And your insane performance in the Ascension Tower exam! I had no idea you hadn't even done the 1st floor yet. Hearing that? Proved my eyes were right! Rising star of Shinseongz! Future archmage candidate! That's you, hyung!"
Jehyun couldn't help a chuckle at the flattery.
Thus, Jehyun joined the Elf Forest expedition. There, he met Yesung's family: guild master Jo Heegyung, and his sister Shin Yerim—famed in his past life solely for her beauty.
'...!'
Jehyun was stunned by Yerim's looks. Post-Dragon Eye, his aesthetic sense had sharpened immensely. What once seemed beautiful now barely registered. Yet even to his elevated taste, Yerim was extraordinary. And at 17—same age as him—her beauty hadn't fully bloomed yet. No wonder her fame endured.
—She takes after her mother.
Jehyun's gaze shifted to Jo Heegyung. Indeed, the facial features matched. Heegyung looked impossibly young and stunning for her mid-40s.
"Pleased to meet you, Mage Kim Jehyun. I've heard so much from Yesung."
Heegyung smiled gracefully, extending her hand.
"The pleasure's mine. Greetings from a Magic Tower disciple to Grand Spirit Master Jo Heegyung."
Jehyun clasped her hand politely, activating Dragon Eye simultaneously.
'No dice.'
The gap was too vast; his Dragon Eye proficiency couldn't pierce her yet. Fitting for a world-top powerhouse.
"Such a fine, upstanding young man."
"You're too kind."
Heegyung liked him. He'd saved her son, had impeccable manners, and stayed humble—no arrogance despite his talent. It clicked with her.
"You asked for spirit arts as payment, right? We'll talk details after the expedition."
She smiled brightly. Jehyun thanked her succinctly, then exchanged nods with Yerim.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Shin Yerim of Nature Clan."
"Likewise."
Yerim contrasted Yesung's energy with cool aloofness—distant, regal, keeping others at bay.
'Can I read her info?'
Jehyun's eyes tinted amber. Dragon Eye pierced her.
He blinked in shock.
'...!'
'C-grade? Dual-attribute spirit user?'
Jehyun stared, stunned. Yerim tilted her head questioningly.
"...?"
He waved it off casually.
'Impressive.'
C-grade equaled 4th Circle—mid-tier spirits. At 17? Monstrous talent. Yet in his past life, only her beauty shone; her power never surfaced. Dual water-fire? Opposing elements. World-shaking potential.
"Alright, entering the Elf Forest!"
Ignoring his questions, the expedition pressed on.
* * *
A colossal, dense woodland. Towering trees like skyscrapers packed tight. Vaster than the ancient Amazon, Earth's lungs. For nearly a century, humans stayed away for one reason: elves. Their home.
"Left flank!"
6th Circle mage Jizongsu shouted. Spells from spirits and mages lanced leftward.
Bzzz.
The magic circle in the air dimmed and faded.
"Smooth sailing."
Nods all around.
The elves' home, the "Forest Labyrinth," confounded intruders—endless loops back to the entrance. No exceptions. Nature Clan, prepared meticulously, had pierced deeper than any before.
"We're near the core, right?"
"Distance-wise, yeah. Let's rest here. The scenery never gets old."
During the break, awe-filled sighs echoed. Soaring ancients, sunlight shafts, exotic blooms and grasses in harmony—a breathtaking vista.
—Mana flow just glitched.
Alkasha whispered as Jehyun rested.
'Yeah, something feels off.'
Jehyun boasted the sharpest mana sense here. Skin breathing, spirit-etched mana—he outdid even 6th Circle Jizongsu.
Thus, he alone caught the subtle shift.
"Mana flow's weird."
They brushed it off. Publicly 1st Circle? Unlikely. Even knowing Stage 2, doubtful.
"Mana flow? Anyone else sense anything?"
"Nah."
"Nothing here."
"First big expedition? Nerves, Jehyun."
"Genius mages get jitters too, huh? Haha."
They ignored him. Their downfall.
Whoosh!
Sudden black clouds blotted the sky; vision blacked out like a blackout. Massive mana and spirit power surged, overwhelming the group.
"Guh!"
"Urk."
"Damn it! Snap out of it!"
Chaos erupted.
Flash!
Light burst again. All vanished save prepared Jehyun and nearby Yerim.
"Wh-what..."
Yerim stammered, panic cracking her stoic mask.
"Whew. Close call."
Jehyun dismissed his magic barrier. Pre-Stage 2, he'd have failed to block it. Heightened sense dodged the storm. Crystal Clarity countered the mental mix within.
"What happened? How did you..."
"Hold on. Not the time."
Jehyun nodded forward. Footsteps approached.
Thud. Thud.
They appeared. Eyes widened.
"Elves!"
Yerim gasped softly.
Pointed ears. God-sculpted features. Golden-ratio perfection—a pair of peerless beauties.
"Young humans, begone. We know not how you broke the spell, but this place forbids human feet."
The male elf spoke. Yerim stepped up.
"What of those caught in the spell?"
"Safe. Merely returned whence they came."
Stiff tone, but relief washed over her. Ejected outside, unharmed.
"You too shall return."
He extended a hand. Hexagram circle formed—overwhelming power. At least 7th Circle.
"W-wait."
Yerim pleaded desperately. Elves! Nature Clan's long-sought key to the Spirit King's trail.
But the circle neared completion. This one targeted them precisely—harder to evade.
Jehyun wouldn't sit idle. He invoked Dragon Eye to dissect elven magic flow.
Shimmer.
His black pupils turned amber.
That instant—the elves gaped.
"Dr-dragon?"
Their stoic faces shattered. Pupils quaked like earthquakes.