Chapter 390
Chapter 390
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 391
Chapter Title: The Light Spirit's Choice
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Before heading to the reward room, I picked up the massive scythe left behind where the "Death-Eating Reaper" had vanished.
[Death Scythe (S)]
Classification: Material
Description: The scythe used by the Death-Eating Reaper. It contains special power.
It's shaped like a scythe, but it's listed as "material" rather than "scythe."
That means it's evidence that this scythe isn't a weapon—it's a special ingredient for crafting something else.
"Can I take this scythe?"
I also had a vague idea of what this special power contained within the scythe was.
Under special conditions, it could deal enormous additional damage to living beings.
Of course, the conditions were a bit tricky, but if it's Yang Tae-min, the world's top craftsman, he could probably mitigate the downsides to some extent.
Lee Seojun pondered my suggestion for a moment before nodding.
"I don't know how to use a scythe anyway, so I don't mind. You planning to use it?"
"Nah. I'm just curious and want to research it a bit."
"Research?"
Lee Seojun tilted his head.
"Well, sure. You found the dungeon, so it's right for the one who needs it to have it."
"Thanks."
I smirked and slung the scythe over my back.
It was cumbersome, and I wanted to store it in my sub-space, but I couldn't with Lee Seojun around.
"Shall we go, then?"
With that, we left the boss room and arrived at the reward room.
As before, the reward room was pitch black, not a speck of light entering, so I illuminated the surroundings with magic orbs to search for the reward chest.
"...I can't see it well. Where's the reward?"
"Isn't that it?"
In the direction Lee Seojun pointed, there stood a massive altar.
"Oh, there it is."
We headed straight for the altar. As expected, various items were placed atop it.
I first picked up the pure white cloth garment.
[Custom Auxiliary Innerwear (A)]
Description: Innerwear containing various auxiliary abilities.
►Auxiliary
Assists the wearer's stamina and mana.
Increases the wearer's mana control by 15%.
Increases all of the wearer's recovery abilities by 200%.
Changes form to fit the wearer's body.
This garment does not get soiled.
True to its name, simply wearing it granted a multitude of auxiliary effects.
Naturally, as a universally appealing item with no real drawbacks, it would fetch a price at auction incomparable to most A-rank items.
I stared blankly at the garment before speaking to Lee Seojun.
"You take this. It's auxiliary wear that boosts mana control and various recovery abilities."
"Oh, really? Great for me. But what about you?"
"I'm good."
I already had "Formless," which offered superior effects.
Even if I took it, it'd just end up as fodder for Formless.
"But I get the scythe, right? We're even."
"Hmm... Yeah, fair enough."
Lee Seojun smiled and picked up the innerwear.
Given the weather and his layered clothes, he couldn't wear it right then, so he put it in his bag.
I checked the next rewards.
As auxiliary rewards, they were mostly small items like elixirs or crafting materials.
I yielded all the elixirs to Lee Seojun.
Their ranks were low, and having consumed many already, they wouldn't have much effect on me.
"No, wait. Can I really take all this? Feels bad hogging them alone."
"It's fine. I don't like elixirs. You eat them."
"Liar. Who doesn't like elixirs?"
Lee Seojun narrowed his eyes. Ignoring him, I examined the final reward.
"This is the last one."
A stone sparkling like a transparent gem.
I'd been curious about it since earlier.
What could this stone be?
[Brilliant Light Spirit Stone (S)]
Description: The highest light spirit slumbers within. Gain the spirit's favor to contract it.
"...What? Something like this existed?"
It was an S-rank reward, no less.
And from the description, it was powerful enough to eclipse all previous rewards combined.
What was this?
In my previous life, I'd never heard of a reward like this.
Lee Seojun, sensing the doubt in my mutter, asked.
"Something like this?"
"Hm? It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
He gave me a suspicious look before asking.
"So, what's this stone?"
"A spirit stone."
"Spirit stone?"
Lee Seojun's eyes widened briefly.
Spirit stones were one of the rare rewards already known to the world.
They allowed contracts with spirits possessing special powers, letting combat mages fight 2v1 like summoners.
The issue was that most spirit stones on the market were low or mid-grade.
"Wow... a spirit stone. Only heard rumors. What's the rank?"
"Highest grade."
"Highest... grade?"
His eyes widened again.
What should I do with this?
It was a highest-grade spirit, not something you saw easily, so I felt tempted too.
Securing one would undoubtedly give a huge edge in future developments.
As I pondered, Lee Seojun spoke.
"...Hmm. You take it."
"Me?"
He nodded at my question.
"Just feels like you should have it. Might need it right away. Soon... uh, never mind."
He shook his head, trailing off.
From the flow, it seemed my death prophecy was bothering him.
Well, getting a highest-grade spirit would be great for me.
I had a pile of life-or-death incidents looming that needed resolving.
After much deliberation, I nodded.
"Yeah, I'll take it."
Lee Seojun smirked.
"But you're not gonna sell it at auction or anything, right?"
"What do you take me for? I'll use it."
Even with money, I couldn't buy items freely— no reason to sell a rare one like this.
Of course.
"Then, can I watch you contract it here?"
"Here?"
"Yeah. Curious to see it."
Deep curiosity shone in Lee Seojun's eyes.
No issue for me.
It was a spirit stone I'd use anyway, and location didn't matter.
"Okay."
I gripped the spirit stone and drew up my mana.
To contract, first wake the slumbering spirit.
My mana poured into the spirit stone.
A strong light began emanating from the stone.
"...Ugh!"
The blinding intensity made me squint.
[You have awakened the 'Slumbering Highest Light Spirit.']
[Light Attribute Control proficiency increases by 10%.]
[You face a highest spirit.]
[Mana Control proficiency increases by 3%.]
The light faded, and before us floated a small, glowing entity.
[...Hm?]
Its form resembled a human woman.
Tiny, fitting in my palm, but with a face— eyes, nose, mouth all there.
The only difference: pointed ears like an elf's.
"Is this a spirit? First time seeing one— pretty cool."
Lee Seojun gazed at it with wonder.
The spirit turned to him, eyes widening in admiration.
[...Wow.]
Spirits react to beauty. They're even more appearance-obsessed than humans.
Its reaction was probably due to Lee Seojun's looks.
[Um, hello...?]
The spirit gave a shy smile and greeted him.
Lee Seojun glanced at me, then nodded.
"...Yeah, hi."
[Are you the prince who woke me?]
It floated around him, asking.
Lee Seojun gave an awkward smile and looked to me.
Your spirit— handle it, his silent plea said.
Sighing, I intervened.
"I woke you."
The spirit froze.
It turned to me, staring for about three seconds before narrowing its eyes.
[...What?]
"I woke you. So, I'm your contractor."
Now it furrowed its brow too.
Veins even bulged on its forehead.
This was outright shock— or disgust.
[Why.]
Why what?
"Because I need you."
[No. Rejected.]
It made an X with its hands.
A message appeared.
[Failed to gain the Highest Light Spirit's approval.]
[The Highest Light Spirit enters free contract state.]
['4 Chimes' achievement unlocked.]
[Reward: 4,000 points acquired.]
['Rejected by异族' achievement unlocked.]
[Reward: 5,000 points acquired.]
I was speechless at the messages.
I'd used my mana to wake it, yet it rejected me just because it didn't like me.
Plus, a chime achievement after a lull.
Rejected by异族? What was that?
...Still, 9,000 points gained. Should I be happy?
[Anyway, what's your name? Wanna contract with me? Hm? Hm?]
The spirit spun away from me toward Lee Seojun, wiggling enticingly.
He glanced at me awkwardly, smiling.
"Uh, well..."
In the end, after the light spirit's persistent insistence, the contractor became Lee Seojun.
He'd urged it to contract with me to the last, but couldn't sway its strong will.
Probably because Lee Seojun used light attributes, earning instinctive favor.
I handled light too, but not purely, so it sensed rejection.
Not looks, surely.
...Probably.
[...Yawn. Sleepy. Gonna sleep.]
Once outside the dungeon, the light spirit said that and vanished.
Lee Seojun stared blankly at the empty air, then scratched his head.
"Feels kinda bad."
"Nah. Wasn't your fault. Couldn't be helped."
A bit disappointing, but Lee Seojun gained a new asset, so not all bad.
As always, his survival was my top priority.
And I'd gotten plenty of rewards already.
We headed toward the Wizard Academy.
Late night, but Friday vibes meant people around.
Lee Seojun gazed at the night sky, mumbling.
"...Weekend starts tomorrow. What to do?"
"You got a spirit. Practice with it at the training grounds tomorrow."
"Hm. Maybe."
He rubbed his chin, then turned to me.
"Wanna train together tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow?"
I thought for a moment.
"Dunno. Got an appointment around lunch."
"...Acting casual but you got a packed schedule."
I smirked at his words.
Tomorrow's appointment was with Han Seyeon.
I'd gotten word that processing the mysterious demon fruit I'd entrusted was done.
Needed to eat it and check the trait effect, so timing was iffy.
"Well, can't help it if you've got plans."
After that, Lee Seojun and I chatted idly.
What happened with Shin Youngjun, what Lee Hyunju had been up to lately.
Mostly about friends.
Time flew, and we neared our destination: the Wizard Academy's main gate.
Then, a familiar-looking back caught my eye.
Lee Seojun noticed too, squinting.
"......That's."
Yoo Seongjin, participating in this pro wizard qualification exam.
But why was he here?
He sensed us and turned.
"Lee Seojun? Kim Sunwoo?"
Burned once, Lee Seojun immediately went on guard.
Yoo Seongjin scratched his head at the sight.
"Hey, hey. Not here to fight, so ease up. Wasn't even here for you guys."
"...Then why are you here?"
At Lee Seojun's question, Yoo Seongjin scratched his head again.
"Lend me Yoo Ara's number. Messaged her on SNS about group exam practice, but got blocked."