Roar of the Flame Spirit
Whaaaargh---!!!
Fwoosh--!!
The energy of the subordinate god Yeomhwa-ryeong is being absorbed into you.
Along with the alert, the rampaging red energy began seeping into my body.
"Hoo…."
As I exhaled, faint smoke trailed from my lips.
The power of Yeomhwa-ryeong is currently embedded arbitrarily within your body. To draw out Yeomhwa-ryeong's true power, you must designate a new divine vessel.
Warning: The familiar's master may become the divine vessel themselves, but only one god can be directly embodied within the body, so choose carefully.
The tiny flame fairy flitted around me, as if waiting for me to open my eyes.
Crack… Craaack….
Cracks formed across my body like shedding skin, and the flames I'd just absorbed began spilling out between them.
"…Huh?"
An immense amount of divine power (Yeomhwa-ryeong) beyond what the body can contain surges forth.
Your body is being restructured as a vessel to accept divine power.
Your trait: Magic Blood is being used for the bodily transformation to accept divine power.
Magic Blood → Divine Blood
The trait's properties are changing.
Craaack…! Crunch!!
A mysterious scorching heat swirled in my lower abdomen.
"Aaaagh…!!!"
The pain felt like my joints were breaking and reforming anew—like the first time I'd recalled in Dimension World. But unlike back then, I didn't want to look pathetic, so I bit my lip hard and endured the agony churning inside me.
"…What a vicious bastard."
Baek Yiheon shook his head in disbelief as he watched me.
"E-Everyone, run!!"
"Uwaaagh!!"
The Torong tribesmen scattered in panic every which way. They fled down the plateau without even grabbing the coats that had shielded them from the cold, overwhelmed by the flickering divine flames.
Aaaaagh---!!!
The screams echoing from the plateau's midway point were, predictably, the foolish consequence of their actions.
"Let's go."
Baek Yiheon approached me, ignoring the fleeing Torong tribesmen.
"This is why I told you to bring the teleportation stone, right?"
He hoisted my pained body onto his back and spoke in a nonchalant tone.
"No matter how you look at it, getting just one Heroic weapon is a bad deal. Seriously… If you don't make it up to me properly later, I'll get mad. Just you wait."
"Heh…."
I couldn't help but chuckle at Baek Yiheon, who was muttering about his share even now. I knew better than anyone that despite his words, he was always the one taking the biggest losses.
You have acquired a new title.
Some traits have been changed.
Some skills have been added.
Alerts kept ringing in my fading consciousness.
Linker's Authority is applied.
Shared Fragment 'Plateau Battle' has been newly completed.
"Mm…."
When I opened my eyes again, the somewhat unfamiliar scenery took a moment to register. This is… where?
Buma Shrine.
As if waiting for me to wake, Black Eye's voice rang out.
"I see…."
I blinked my stiff eyes a few more times before slowly sitting up.
"Urgh."
My whole body throbbed like I'd been beaten black and blue. Even with high sensory feedback, the soreness was vivid, so I barely managed to lean against the wall.
As I opened my eyes, a barrage of alerts greeted me.
You have comprehended Divine Blood through Magic Blood.
Trait acquired: Divine Power.
The body's property conversion as a divine vessel is complete.
Trait acquired: Quasi-Divine Body.
Warning: Your subordinated god currently has no divine vessel, so it is temporarily using your body as one. Find a divine vessel as soon as possible. Otherwise, your body may be corrupted by the powerful divine power.
I swiped away the alerts piling up enough to block my vision, reading each one.
Thanks to comprehending Divine Blood, a new stat called Divine Power had appeared next to stamina, mana, and vitality in my status window.
- A trait usable only by those bound by covenant with a god. A higher stage of power than priests' holy power.
Divine Power is consumed when using a god's power or summoning a god, varying by the god's abilities and rank.
Subordinate God list has been updated.
Would you like to view the list?
"Hm…."
I compared the list and status window's divine power value, letting out a low sigh.
My current divine power is 100, and summoning a subordinate god like Yeomhwa-ryeong costs 100….
Even with higher gods subordinated or contracted, I might not be able to summon them due to insufficient divine power.
Not just divine power—almost nothing is known about god-related abilities.
But fortunately, finding answers wasn't hard. For god matters, just ask the god directly.
"Summon Yeomhwa-ryeong."
Yeomhwa-ryeong summoned.
With the command, my status window's divine power depleted instantly, and faint flames wrapped around my arm. Unlike Black Eye's divine beast form, Yeomhwa-ryeong's flames carried real, searing heat.
[Master!!]
The summoned Yeomhwa-ryeong flapped its wings, circling me.
[Are you okay?]
Forgetting it was a god, it fawned with a meek voice.
[It knows its place well.]
Black Eye chuckled at the sight.
[Quiet down. How dare a divine beast like you… Even as familiars, our ranks differ.]
[Oh yeah?]
Black Eye laughed incredulously at Yeomhwa-ryeong's attitude, which flipped 180 degrees toward me.
"Enough, both of you."
The blue and red flame fairies darted about like they were quarreling, making my head spin, so I waved them apart.
"Yeomhwa-ryeong, I have questions for you."
[Yes, Master.]
"My body seems to have temporarily transformed to accept you… Once I find a divine vessel to store you in, will it revert?"
[No. Quasi-Divine Body is a trait anyone entangled with gods acquires. Think of it as a change to become a vessel that holds and uses divine power. Divine Blood opens the paths, with minor body reinforcement, but it's below demigod or incarnation rank, so no major changes.]
I nodded at its explanation.
"So Quasi-Divine Body is the foundation for becoming an incarnation."
[Exactly. You're sharp.]
- Bodily change undergone by all involved with divine power, such as followers, contractors, or overlords. Occasionally, fierce warriors in history were born with divine grace as Quasi-Divine Bodies, often possessing superior physical abilities.
[All Stats +5]
[Vitality +10]
[HP Gain on Level Up Increase Lv2]
[Stamina Recovery Lv1]
[10% Increased Stat Gain from General Actions]
[Physical Resistances +20]
[Movement Speed +5%]
[Reaction Speed +5%]
"This is a Heroic trait?"
I doubted my eyes. The options were worthy of Legendary.
[Since you've been chosen by a god. At demigod or incarnation stages, this is nothing special.]
Yeomhwa-ryeong flapped proudly, perching on my shoulder.
Divine Name:Yeomhwa-ryeong
Rank:Rare
- Herald god born from flames infused by shamanic priests praying to ten thousand gods. Uniquely high affinity with all gods, allowing it to convey and hear communications between them. Lacks notable abilities but excels in fire attributes befitting its fiery birth.
Yeomhwa
- Divine art usable only by herald gods. Conveys the user's will to the target.
Warning: Casting range varies with familiar dominance.
Fire Command
- Yeomhwa-ryeong's special technique using extreme heat flames. Grants massive flame wings on the caster's back for high-speed movement and gliding.
Warning: Cast duration varies with familiar dominance.
"Heh…."
I let out a hollow laugh at Yeomhwa-ryeong's abilities. With dominance already at 100%, the divine arts were at max effect.
Spineless… or just highly compatible?
Seemed my torment during the contract had broken it thoroughly.
"What's the range of Yeomhwa?"
[Hard to say without testing, but without interference, anywhere on the continent should be fine?]
My lips curled at its answer.
In Dimension World, special items were needed for whispers or messages over long distances. But Yeomhwa-ryeong made continent-wide communication effortless.
In a way, I've gained something far more valuable than simple attack power.
Issuing orders without distance limits wasn't just chat—it had massive tactical value in the upcoming war against the Eight Great Clans.
"Can I try it?"
[Sure. But it's not one-way; both parties must know each other.]
"No problem."
[Then visualize the target.]
I closed my eyes. Focusing, a black cursor appeared in the darkness like typing.
Fwoosh-!
Small flames sparked around Yeomhwa-ryeong's wings.
Send Yeomhwa to Jin-su?
I nodded, and whoosh…! With a wind-like sound, my darkened vision brightened instantly. My consciousness hurtled toward Jin-su at incredible speed, like my soul had detached.
[Can you hear me?]
[…W-What the?!]
Opening my eyes, Jin-su's voice echoed in my head, our minds linked.
[…No way, is that you, Do-hyun?]
[Yeah. Success, I guess.]
[Crazy… What is this? Learned magic? No, no high-class mage past 5th class exists yet—best is message magic. But this allows real-time talk… Totally different!]
His voice brimmed with shock.
[And what's that red moth flying around?]
[M-Moth?!]
Yeomhwa-ryeong yelled in outrage.
[Details later. Where are you now?]
[Left Deus Union, in a small village below the plateau. Just arrived, waiting as you said.]
I nodded.
[Good. Nam-gung Yun?]
[Yun's still there. Said he had a separate quest to tackle.]
Found the Spirit Seeker quest, huh.
[Got it. No need to climb the plateau. Head inward—you'll see a foggy forest.]
[Oh yeah… Saw it on the way. Looked suspicious. Go there?]
[Wait there first. Enter when the fog clears, or you'll get lost. Your village… Deus Union side means Nias Village, right?]
[Yeah.]
[Good. Just a bit lo—]
The connection cut before I finished.
Divine Power reached 0; cannot maintain Yeomhwa.
The flames on Yeomhwa-ryeong's wings vanished as divine power hit zero during the talk.
Long conversations are tough for now.
Just contracted one subordinate god. I'd need to meet more and raise divine power.
"What about the Torong tribesmen?"
[Scattered; most froze to death in the plateau cold.]
"Plateau cold?"
Yeomhwa-ryeong's power hadn't vanished, but the heat blocking the cold was gone.
[Even unconscious after absorbing it, your body kept transforming as a vessel. Once stabilized, this little god melted all the plateau's eyes.]
[All thanks to you, Master.]
"It held…."
Relief mixed with rising emotions; I sighed unconsciously.
"Good…."
I'd thought arrogance caused a mistake, but I'd not only blocked Midnight but gained Yeomhwa-ryeong too.
"U-ryu-ga?"
[He escaped.]
"…Regrettable. Needed him for True Chilya 2nd Sword."
[There's a way for that.]
"…Hm?"
Black Eye handed over the hilt of the shattered greatsword he'd taken from U-ryu-ga.
[If it's just reading the sword's memory, you're sufficient now.]
"You kept this?"
[Of course. You must learn it.]
"What do you mean?"
[U-ryu-ga's a fine swordsman. Great talent. Second only to Amur among my disciples in swordsmanship. But he never—couldn't—use 2nd Sword before me… If he failed to grasp the sword's essence, I hoped you'd learn it and teach him.]
"In the end, concern for your disciple."
[Hmph. No. Just irks me a novice who doesn't grasp Chil-ya judges my art.]
Black Eye spoke indifferently, but seemed not displeased U-ryu-ga lived.
Whether letting him go profits or costs… we'll see.
I'd already resolved my feelings for U-ryu-ga on the plateau. No lingering on past memories.
Grip-
I clutched the crude hilt of the shattered greatsword.
◈ Durability: 0/100
◈ Equip Level: 50+
◈ Hilt bestowed upon U-ryu-ga, second of War God Gulak's Five Heroes. But U-ryu-ga mainly used his original twin swords over the master's greatsword. Destroyed; unusable as weapon.
The greatsword's destruction broke all seals, unlocking True Chil-ya 2nd Sword.
Awaken the sword style dormant in the sword?
I hit [Accept] without hesitation.
War God Gulak - True Chil-ya 2nd Sword Lv1
Mythic grade
Comprehension: 0%
Inheritance process beginning.
Vrrrrm…!!!
The sword's energy flowed from the shattered hilt, slowly seeping into me.
"That makes three."
Opening my eyes, I noted the once-empty skill slot now filled.
[Celebrate too soon. Two left. With U-ryu-ga gone, can you find the rest?]
"Hm…."
Unlike Black Eye's worry, I smirked leisurely.
"Not impossible."
[Hm?]
"Don't know where third hero Suzuro is, but there's a place to trace her."
[Where?]
"Geshutalt, the fairy king's repository of knowledge. Her traces will be there."
I looked up.
"Yeomhwa-ryeong."
[Your command, Master.]
"As a god who once blanketed the plateau, you should know where it is."
[Heh, of course.]
Undeterred by my jab, it grinned and flitted about.
"Lead the way."