Purification
Puuk!
An arrow of light pierced Soruk's heart.
Soruk's body jerked violently from the impact.
Seranti's pupils trembled as she saw it. With a white arrow embedded in her heart, Soruk looked fatally wounded to anyone watching.
"S-Soruk!"
Seranti gasped in horror, her face draining of color.
At that moment—
Paaaaaht!
A pure white light burst from the arrow lodged in Soruk's chest. The light felt incredibly warm, like the comforting embrace of a mother's arms from childhood.
World Tree's Bow (Light)'s special option Recovery has successfully manifested.
The message appeared before Kim Jehyun's eyes at the same time.
"Ugh... umm."
A groan escaped Soruk's lips.
"Soruk!"
Seranti jumped in surprise and rushed right up to Soruk's side. She clasped her hands together, gazing at her with teary eyes.
Just moments ago, when Jehyun had shot the arrow of light into Soruk's left chest, Seranti had briefly misunderstood, thinking Jehyun had finished her off since she seemed beyond saving.
"Ahh..."
Seranti let out a sigh of relief as color returned to Soruk's face. Vitality gradually bloomed across Soruk's features. Even just the flush returning to her pale skin felt like a flower bursting into full, radiant bloom.
"Where...?"
"Feeling okay?"
"...!"
Soruk finally noticed Jehyun and startled.
"Great one...?"
"Skip the formalities. Your body?"
At Jehyun's words, Soruk looked down at herself. She examined her body inside and out, contemplated her inner energy, then spoke.
"My body... it feels so light, like it could float away."
Jehyun grinned at Soruk's words. The treatment had succeeded perfectly.
At that moment, as if confirming the fact, a system message appeared before his eyes.
Sudden Quest completed successfully.
Acquired ownership of World Tree's Bow (Light).
Gained 150,000 points.
Acquired Elrun's Treasure Chest +5.
He'd gotten the World Tree's Bow, 150,000 points, and even Elrun's Treasure Chest +5.
A satisfied smile curved Jehyun's lips.
The World Tree's Bow seems pretty versatile on its own... Later, I should gather more divine artifacts and try crafting the World Tree's Essence.
Jehyun thought as he stored the World Tree's Bow in his inventory.
With 150,000 points, my total now exceeds 400,000. That's enough for another Stage 4 legendary magic tool... but.
Buying a Stage 4 magic tool right now felt off. He was just two levels away from reaching Stage 5.
Jehyun decided to save up more points for a Stage 5 tool instead.
I'll check Elrun's Treasure Chest later.
Last time, Elrun's Treasure Chest +4 had yielded a legendary bracelet. He hoped for at least unique grade this time, legendary if possible.
"Great one, I have received an immense grace too great to repay."
Soruk, having composed herself, prostrated deeply before Jehyun. Her slender frame trembled faintly—from overwhelming gratitude that Jehyun had risked danger to save her.
This one... is different from the previous master.
If it had been her former master, the black dragon Sekira, in Jehyun's position, she would have abandoned Soruk instantly. Or perhaps killed her with her own claws, deeming her a hindrance.
The stark contrast between the two dragons left an even deeper impression on Soruk.
Soruk's Loyalty has greatly increased.
Congratulations! Soruk's Loyalty has surpassed the threshold.
Will you accept Soruk as your familiar?
The message floated before Jehyun's eyes.
Normally, with an existing master, no amount of loyalty increase would allow accepting her as a familiar.
—Something must have happened to that black dragon.
Alkasha's heavy tone made Jehyun's gaze turn serious as well. Knowing this was the Grandrsha Continent, he wondered if Sekira's disappearance tied to the purple orbs.
I'll think about that later.
Jehyun murmured softly to the message, I accept.
You have become Soruk's true master.
* * *
"Whew. That was tougher than I thought."
Back at his lodging, Jehyun lay on the bed and muttered.
Having become Soruk's master, he'd broken out in a sweat dissuading her from insisting on following him.
She obeyed his every word like putty, but surprisingly stood firm on that point, startling him. It showed how desperately she wanted to stay by his side.
But now, Soruk was the forest's master. He'd told her to focus on restoring the Spirit Forest to its former glory.
In the end, she submitted to his will, vowing to do her utmost.
—Still, she's an S-rank high elf now. Wouldn't bringing her along be useful?
"Sure, it could be, but... like with Haidel last time, bringing elves to the Magic Tower won't help me immediately. Better for them to contribute from their own territories."
—So you told Soruk to restore the Spirit Forest. Planning to draw spirit power or spirits from it later once it's revived?
"Oh, your insight's no joke. Yeah, that thought crossed my mind."
If the Spirit Forest returned to its prime, it would be the perfect place for Jehyun to maximize his spirit powers.
—Heh, you sly fox...
Alkasha admired Jehyun's cunning. He had to admit, Jehyun's schemes for growth were often brilliant.
"Any other ways to get more spirit power in the meantime?"
With methods to acquire spirits of other attributes now open, he was eager to stock up. Dark spirits, thunder spirits, and more.
Diverse spirits would massively boost his fusion magic's power. Maybe even blessings of mana in colors beyond golden.
Should I ask the Nature Clan?
He owed them a debt anyway. Even without that, Shin Yerim would likely help given their rapport.
But first... better to hit level 40 and start from Stage 5.
The depth of Stage 4 and 5 realms differed. Reaching Stage 5 would be far easier even with spirits.
Jehyun pondered leveling methods briefly. The answer was clear.
"For now, dungeons are the fastest way to level."
For that, he needed multiple private dungeons. Public ones would be too crowded for proper monster hunting.
To secure multiple private dungeons, I need influence, connections, or money.
Magic Tower-assigned private dungeons were unlikely for him—factions got priority.
Next best: pull strings at the association.
Ask Chief Kang Byungwoo?
He'd met Kang during a major incident, exchanged contacts, and been told to call if needed.
But Kang's strict personality made handing over private dungeons unlikely. And two levels needed dozens, not one or two.
Even Kang would need justification for that many clearances.
"Tch, easiest would be if I just had money..."
Post-cataclysm, capital's power had waned, but not to irrelevance. Money still bought hard-to-get dungeon clearances in bulk.
—The problem is you don't have any.
"Yeah, that's the issue. If only cash would rain down..."
Bzzz!
Jehyun's smartphone vibrated mid-sentence.
"Kim Shinho?"
Phoenix Faction branch manager Kim Shinho. A message from him.
"What's up?"
Jehyun answered curiously.
—Hello, Jehyun.
"Hey, hello."
After brief greetings, Kim got to the point—he knew Jehyun preferred that.
—It's about the overlapping magic formation royalties we discussed. They've been settled.
"Oh yeah? How much?"
Perfect timing—he needed money.
They'd paid advance plus first-month royalties, so it should be substantial.
Ask Kang... bug the Tower Master... buy clearances with royalties. Might just cover it. Or maybe short?
As Jehyun mentally calculated, Kim replied.
—Quite a bit. Advance of 5 billion, first-month running royalties of 15.5 billion. Total: 20.5 billion.
"...20.5 billion?"
Jehyun scrapped his mental abacus.
* * *
"Jackpot."
Jehyun's mouth hung open to his ears.
Far more than expected—in one go. And this was supposedly conservative.
—Orders are flooding in; we can't keep up with demand. We'll expand production with other faction workshops soon.
Once stabilized, monthly royalties would grow even more.
Jehyun held 100% patent rights, claiming all royalties.
Even under Phoenix Workshop's exclusive production, this was huge. Puzzled, Jehyun asked, and Kim explained calmly.
—As you know, overlapping magic formations are mainly for magic tools and artifacts. Even 1st Circle ones start at millions. 4th Circle and up hit billions; 5th or 6th are priceless.
With formations, prices double or more. So royalties alone net that much.
Jehyun beamed. He'd left it to Kim back then, uninterested. Now, he was set for life.
After more details, they ended the call.
"Whoa... Alkasha, should I whip up a few more inventions like this to sell?"
Jehyun's eyes sparkled at Alkasha like never before.
He wasn't usually greedy, but lately, his desire for wealth had surged. Imagining his account piling up already heated him up.
—Heh, isn't that the early symptoms of turning into a ja-nag-goe?
"What? Dragons' lairs are canonically piled mountain-high with treasures."
Jehyun retorted seriously, and Alkasha chuckled.
—Haha, kidding. You're right. Dragons are innately tied to treasure.
But consider it after building a proper lair.
"Lair? Hmm... How do I make one?"
The word piqued his interest; he stared at Alkasha.
—Not yet. When you grow enough for holy dragon status.
"Can't make one now, huh. Anyway, focus on growth first. Fair point."
Jehyun agreed.
"Alright then... time to spend some cash on leveling up."
A smile played on his lips.
Time for gold-fueled rapid growth.
"Oh, before that..."
Jehyun pulled a golden-glowing chest from his inventory.
Elrun's Treasure Chest +5.
No matter how rushed, he couldn't skip cracking chests.