Chapter 35
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 035
Chapter Title: Monster and the Junk Dealer (5)
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The conditions for the flames to spread were pretty lenient.
The spreading flames didn't care if the initial strike missed the primary target. As long as it hit something, the fire could jump to nearby enemies. It was a bit underwhelming to call it an area-of-effect spell, but it was still miles better than nothing.
And that wasn't the only advantage of this magic.
My magic power increased by 100!
The spreading flames cost 50 magic power to cast. But learning it had boosted my total by a whopping 100. That brought my overall magic power to 335. Subtracting the cost to maintain Smooth Skin and Gilbert... I had 230 left to play with. Not bad at all. That was enough for nine Lightning Bolts.
"Did you learn a new spell, sir?"
Bear asked me at that moment. As he spoke, he tapped the mana soil with his clenched right fist. Even that casual motion shattered the earthen restraints that had bound my body so tightly. He must have used the same trick to crack the soil covering my face. The more I watched, the more astonishing his power seemed.
"Yeah. Pretty powerful stuff."
"Congratulations."
"It's all thanks to you, Bear. Without you, I'd have suffocated right after learning the spell."
Bear averted his gaze shyly at my praise. Then he quickly asked me something.
"But why the sudden formality with 'sir'? You usually just call me by name."
"Can't treat my lifesaver casually. It's my way of showing respect—to you, I mean, sir."
"Heh, I like the sound of that. Though... I'm a bit worried too."
"About what?"
"Do you have to go through something this dangerous and troublesome every time you learn a new spell?"
"Nah. Each grimoire has its own demands. This one's just particularly picky."
I nodded toward the book on the ground. It was the Little Flame Grimoire. I'd left it outside before jumping into the fire to prove I'd completed its task.
I wonder what it's saying now.
Thinking of it, I checked what the Little Flame Grimoire had to say.
"Excellent! You've successfully become the master of fire."
Was it happy that I'd fulfilled its request? The Little Flame Grimoire's voice brimmed with energy. But its praise did nothing to lift my spirits. I was too worried about what ridiculous demand it'd make next. Meanwhile, Bear finished pulverizing the mana soil clumps that had pinned me down.
"So, what's the third request?"
I brushed the dirt off my body and asked. The Little Flame Grimoire's reply came right away.
"You weren't content to merely borrow fire. You claimed mastery over it."
The Little Flame Grimoire spoke in a calm tone—a complete reversal from before. For a moment, I wondered if the speaker had changed. But that didn't last.
"However! That's not enough!"
Soon enough, it was bellowing like before.
"You must go further! Further still!"
Its booming voice made my head throb. Honestly, I wanted to mute it right then. Too bad I couldn't until I'd heard its third request.
So what is it already?!
As I grew impatient, it finally revealed what it wanted.
"Burnt-out firewood! Plunge your entire body into the flames and erase the boundary between you. Become the fire itself!"
In short, throw my whole body into the fire? Hand first, then upper body, now the whole thing. The demands were getting tougher. But I'd come this far—I couldn't back out now.
"Got it. If I roasted my upper body, I can handle the whole thing. I'll burn myself up good."
I racked my brain as I replied. The method I'd used so far wouldn't cut it for the final request.
If I stuck to the same approach? I'd have to coat my entire body in mana soil first. Fine up to that point. But then...
Can Tree Bark protect my whole body?
Coating my entire body with Tree Bark would strain my current magic power. And even if I managed it, that wouldn't solve everything. Tree Bark had a limited duration. If I needed to endure the flames longer than that, wrapping myself in bark wouldn't help. Sure, I could recast it once it wore off... but...
I'd need way more magic power than I have now.
And even if I somehow met all those conditions, if I couldn't hold my breath longer than the grimoire demanded, it was pointless. Total deadlock. No immediate solution. So I decided to take it easy. I'd pick up a spell to solve this eventually by studying more grimoires.
"Before the roaring flames die down, hurry and throw your body in! Become one with the fire!"
The Little Flame Grimoire shouted excitedly, oblivious to my thoughts. I muted it immediately. No reason to listen anymore.
Still a long way to go.
As I thought that, Bear cautiously asked from beside me.
"Is the conversation over?"
"Yeah."
"Amazing. Hearing a book's voice and all."
"Your superhuman strength impresses me more."
As I replied, a sudden thought struck me. Bear couldn't hear the grimoire, right? So what had I looked like to him? Like some lunatic talking to himself?
"Sir Bear."
"Yes."
"When I was talking to the grimoire earlier... you must've thought I was just mumbling to myself, huh?"
"That's right."
"Figures... Ah, don't get the wrong idea—I'm not a weirdo. The grimoire just makes me look like one. You get what I mean?"
"Well... Master Heros."
"Yeah? Speak freely."
"Who else would burn themselves just to read a grimoire? Only a total eccentric would do that..."
So, I was a weirdo, then? I tried to argue back, but nothing came to mind. Logically, he was right. Jumping into fire for one spell was downright insane.
Can't even refute it.
That fact grated on me fiercely.
The fire I'd lit to become a human pot. I put it out and cleaned up the area. By then, night had fallen. So I started preparing camp. Which just meant laying out a blanket. I'd planned to stay here overnight anyway, so no hesitation.
"What now?"
After setting up, I chewed on jerky and asked Bear's opinion. I was pondering how to deal with the Pyeonbok Church.
"Only option's a frontal assault, right?"
"Stealth too tough?"
"Once Rabbit Farm fell, the whole area's their territory. The moment we approach, word'll spread. They might've already spotted us."
"Hm... Frontal it is, then."
Not ideal. They outnumbered us. Regular followers plus those monster-mutated believers. And their mage leader on top. I'd learned Spreading Flames, so I was confident of victory—but I wanted it efficient. Minimize our losses.
Take out the leader first, and it'll end quick. Problem is getting to him safely.
Without the leader, the Pyeonbok Church would crumble. He was the one directing the followers—and controlling those transformation monsters. Did he not know that? Of course he did. He'd guard himself fiercely. Multiple escorts, no doubt.
Any bright ideas?
As I mulled it over, I remembered something I'd forgotten. Spoils from the black mage with the barrier—Eremus's insignia.
The thought sparked a hypothesis.
What if the Pyeonbok Church is tied to Eremus? Then I could impersonate an Eremus black mage and get a private audience with the leader.
I was tempted to use Thought Body Summon on the black mage I'd beaten for intel on their connection. But that'd destroy the insignia, ruining the impersonation. And no guarantee the thought body would spill everything. Slim chance of gain.
No Thought Body Summon, then.
Back to square one. Frontal assault it was. But now I had a backup.
Head to Rabbit Farm first. Claim I'm an Eremus black mage.
If it worked, great. If not, oh well. No downside.
Feels promising.
A cult and a black mage group. They just screamed "connected."
The next day.
We set out at dawn and finally spotted our destination.
"That it?"
"Yes, Rabbit Farm."
Bear answered as I peered ahead.
Doesn't look good.
My eyes were drawn to the palisade. Like Big Plain, Rabbit Farm sat in open plains, vulnerable to attacks. The fence was meant to fix that. But what should have solidly enclosed the village was barely holding shape—charred, smashed sections everywhere. Not a single intact log.
Yet the guards look fine.
Two guards at the entrance. Posture straight. Eyes vacant, though.
"Who goes there."
As we approached Rabbit Farm, one guard demanded. Expressionless face, flat voice. And that wasn't all. They didn't even blink at skeleton Gilbert.
Just a facade, then.
Eerie. But no turning back.
"From Eremus. Here to see your leader."
I held up the necklace with its scythe emblem. The guard's unfocused eyes drifted to it.
Ugh, heart's pounding.
Was my hunch about Pyeonbok and Eremus right? I tensed, ready for a fight. Had to prepare for failure.
Finally.
The guard spoke.
"I'll take you to the leader."
The guard turned and led the way. I glanced at Bear to my right. He looked my way at the same time; our eyes met. He said nothing, but his expression said it all. It worked?
Tell me about it. It worked.
I hurried after the guard, hope swelling that this might go smoothly.