Aigoo, I'm Dying
"Aigoo, I'm dying."
The process of purifying the corrupted fire spirit took a bit longer than expected.
Vulcan took no damage from its attacks anyway, so dealing with it wasn't hard—but since he had to pummel it while wrapping himself in flame attributes, one problem cropped up.
"Should've made some mana potions if I knew it'd be like this."
Mana depletion.
He had potions that sped up mana recovery, but even those ran out fast. And since his mana pool scaled with Intelligence stats—which Vulcan had invested zero points into—it dried up in no time.
Crafting and repairs did consume mana, but only a tiny amount. Blessings of Power and Judgment Strike, based on divine power, substituted life force instead—so he'd never run short before.
He didn't even have proper attack skills.
But sustaining fire power and occasionally firing off Flames of Justice? Mana vanished quick. Luckily, once purified, the demonic energy didn't recover—so he just restored mana and beat it down again, repeat.
"Ugh! What... what have I done?"
In the end, the corrupted fire spirit came back to its senses.
It must've lost its mind to the demonic energy, because it writhed in agony as reason returned. Much of its power had drained during purification, shrinking its size from before.
"Ahem. You alright?"
-After beating the crap out of it, now you ask if it's okay? Humans and their fake-ass personalities...
'No, Tud, you're the one who told me to beat it—and now you're saying this?'
Tud clicked his tongue at Vulcan's belated concern, but what could he do? He'd ordered it himself.
End result was what mattered!
"You saved me. I nearly sacrificed so many lives. Thank you, human."
"No big deal. But what happened? How'd you get exposed to this much demonic energy?"
"One moment. First, let's calm the raging volcano."
Volcanic Resonance
Thankfully, the fire spirit acknowledged his efforts and immediately began communing with the volcano suppressed by the ring of fire.
As a being born from the volcano's power, they were one and the same—allowing dialogue and resonance.
As it exerted its strength, the faint vibrations lingering in the volcano faded.
The twisted, rampaging leyline energy settled, and Hirros Volcano halted its activity, returning to dormancy.
"...Embarrassing, but I honestly don't remember. But it wasn't a demon. I recall talking to some humans, but nothing after. All that's left is that false urge to burn all humans to ash and purify the world."
"Humans?"
Humans again.
Probably those called the 'black humans'—allies of Sharon.
They'd corrupted the fire spirit already, planning to exploit its rampage to erupt Hirros Volcano—but Vulcan accelerated it.
'Anyway, not entirely my fault.'
-Hmm. You sure about that?
'Argh, enough!!'
As Tud nitpicked, the fire spirit continued.
It recounted everything it recalled. Meanwhile, the regional quest completed.
He scanned for lurking black humans with Dragon Eye, but nothing triggered.
Regional Quest 'Volcano Eruption' completed.
"I'll tell Kabura's followers. I just want to thank you again. It's not much, but please accept this. Nothing fit for a human on hand, but it'll do as a gift."
"Whoa, you didn't have to!"
◈ A flame created by the fire spirit from part of its power.
◈ Harms not those acknowledged by the fire spirit; can ignite small fires anytime.
◈ Token of affinity from the fire spirit; makes other spirits more receptive.
◈ Ignition usable
◈ Spirit Affinity ↑. [Favor] effect on all spirits expected.
An unexpected harvest.
The flame, alive-like, settled on Vulcan's palm—now an item itself.
Its power was weak, barely worthy of Rare for just sparking flames—but Vulcan valued it highly.
'Spirit Affinity' options were rare across levels, incredibly hard to get.
Plus, high enough affinity allowed Rare class change to Spirit Summoner—they sold out instantly at auction.
'Only problem is it's bound. Grr.'
Bound sucked, but better than nothing. Vulcan gratefully stowed it in inventory—ending his business at Hirros Volcano.
"One left! Heh heh heh!"
Only the main scenario quest reward remained.
Vulcan exited the cave; the fire spirit sealed the entrance with fire power against intruders.
It'd recover in the lava and asked Kabura priests not to seek it for three days—no worries there.
Black humans might return, but Vulcan just needed to complete the quest inside.
"Let's go."
Back at the crater, Vulcan spotted the Fire Covenant members resting amid docile volcano monsters.
Though aggressive by nature, their fire aura kept monsters from first strikes.
Same for Vulcan.
Thanks to the Spirit's Flame, monsters ignored him—allowing a leisurely exit from Hirros Volcano.
'Non-agro's perfect for farming...'
Tempting, but deramped levels meant meager EXP anyway.
He arrived at Shunel Village thrilled for main scenario completion and tiered rewards.
"Hooray! Hooray!"
"The heroes who saved the village!"
"Thank you! We lived thanks to you!"
"I was heartbroken losing my home... Thank you! Truly!!"
Shunel Village reputation reached maximum.
Major shop discounts granted.
The village welcomed them like conquering generals.
Heroes of the village—max rep was natural, with shop discounts to boot—but Vulcan shrugged it off.
Up to 30% off was huge, but bound consumables only—no resale value.
Useful for disposables, but Vulcan self-supplied via legendary alchemy and planned to leave soon anyway.
'Hmm, none around?'
Smiling at them, Vulcan activated Dragon Eye to hunt someone.
The five who'd attacked him—maybe lurking.
He could crush them head-on now, but they might call guildmates and hassle him.
Better to spot and prep.
"Looking for someone?"
"Huh? Nah."
"If it's those scumbags who attacked you, don't worry. We contacted the village via communication orb—they can't set foot here."
"Oh?"
"Immortals respawn, but far away. Safe for now. If they show, visit any temple—our siblings will help."
"Thanks. That's reassuring."
A Fire Covenant member beamed proudly.
They'd alerted via orb; guards killed the respawners, banning them from Shunel Village.
'Nice.'
Vulcan relaxed.
He'd figured banishment at worst—but instant death on respawn and village ban meant revival in distant cities.
Even rushing, he'd be gone by then.
They might guess and wait, but four tertiary cities from Shunel—hard to predict.
'Worst case, hop to another secondary, then unlinked tertiary.'
Easy to shake them.
Long-range teleports needed quintary cities; even tertiary to quaternary had eight options—no standout moves meant no encounters awhile.
'Quest clear first.'
Grinning at their headache, Vulcan focused ahead.
Stall long enough, same-level foes wouldn't match him.
Smirking triumphantly, he reached Kabura Temple.
The Fire God Kabura bestows a blessing upon you.
Title 'Blessed One' effect enhanced.
"...Huh?"
-This crazy god bastard?!
Welcomed by the high priest into the temple, an unexpected reward descended from the heavens.
Epic
You wield divine power without serving a god—proof of someone's favor.
Effects:
◈ Divine skills usable
◈ Divine skills substitute life force
◈ All temple quests available
◈ All stats +12%
◈ Blessed by: Roona, Kabura
A god's blessing—not a priest invoking the name, but direct favor and token from the god itself.
'It stacks...'
Vulcan knew from Roona, but multiple gods stacking? New info.
Not as impactful as first acquisition since it was stacking reinforcement—but the potential!
Stack more gods beyond Roona and Kabura for superior title effects.
-These fuckers trying to mooch?! Scram! He's my incarnation!!
'Hey, me getting stronger's good for everyone, right? Not like I'm going anywhere.'
Tud, dangling over Vulcan's head, raged skyward—but good was good.
Unexpected reply:
-Hmph! You clueless fool. Know what these shameless bastards are after? They'll slyly make you their apostle!
'Apostle?'
-Yeah. Humans call 'em saints or whatever. They'll shower gifts, then claim you as proxy! Filthy lot.
Tud flailed at empty air, growling—hilarious, but intriguing info.
Vulcan Dragon Eye'd the title—hidden info revealed.
Hidden Class Change Condition
Those blessed by a specific god meet conditions to class change to that god's 'Apostle (Epic)'.
'No worries. Who'd swap for a mere Epic class?'
Vulcan smirked.
God's apostle—saint class—was just Epic.
Craftsman downside aside, he'd reaped huge benefits—no shaking for Epic.
Why dragon incarnation Legendary but apostle Epic? Connection depth, probably.
Tud's incarnation inherited all; apostle just borrowed power.
"Aaaagh!!"
"Vulcan, what's wrong?"
"Nngh. Nothing."
Thwack!!
Suddenly, Tud whipped his tail, smacking Vulcan's head.
Arms crossed, short arms twisted, glaring fiercely.
-Sounds like you'd swap if it was Legendary?
'No, that's not— Aaaagh! Don't bite!!'
Not sated, it chomped Vulcan's head and arms—priests eyed him weird, but main scenario quest succeeded anyway.