Element Awakening and Ifrit's True Savior
-Whoa.
-Hidden skill popped again. lmao
-Rank 5 Saga
-This works?
-Reevaluating Isis;
-How are hiddens keep dropping? Makes sense?
-You try it too, dude. lmao
The chat exploded over the newly emerged hidden skill.
Hanbit immediately checked its details.
[Element Awakening]
Rank: 5
Grade: Saga
Type: Spirit, Passive, Active
Description: Magic refined by Isis, exhibiting two effects.
1. Passive: Enhances the element of your contracted spirit and increases its density. This ability is maintained in a constant awakened state.
2. Active: Amplifies the element within Attribute Manifestation, boosting accumulation speed and elemental assignment freedom. This ability enters an awakened state only upon use, consuming half of your current health and mana.
You might be able to advance this magic's research further by meeting a special researcher.
-Highpeak rice went insane;
-Passive and active dual track. lmao
-Does this mean Sylph moons?
-It was always good;
-Kinda overshadowed by the Spirit King bros lately.
-Roots are eternal.
"What kind of skill is this?"
"You can really refine a spellbook like that!"
This was utterly unfamiliar to Kim Jaeha and Avant-garde too. Even Hanbit, who understood the principles, was equally stunned.
...It got this good?
He'd known the spell's content would change, but the extent exceeded expectations. This wasn't mere support enhancement. It felt like it was delving into the spirit's essence to amplify its power.
"How is it? Feel that pow! impact?"
Isis's eyes sparkled as she awaited his reaction. Lebius watched quietly, while Nia stole occasional glances, both clearly curious.
Hanbit pondered briefly, then spread his hand and murmured.
"Sylph."
Whoosh-!
A breeze enveloped the area at his call, gathering above his palm to form a small bird shape.
Chirp-!
"Huh?"
"No way......"
"A real spirit?!"
Everyone's eyes locked on Sylph's appearance. A spirit moving on its own—not just a remnant of power—was that astonishing.
-Oh.
-Sylph hi
-So cute.
-Please implement daily Sylph quota.
Sylph hadn't shown since he'd started using Attribute Manifestation. It was to stabilize the immense power manifested by the Spirit King's trace. In other words, a show of will to protect her friend Hanbit.
Shing-
Hanbit drew his sheathed sword from his waist with both hands, slowly raising it. Then he activated Wind Swordsmanship.
Whoosh-!
Fierce winds whipped around the sheath, as if pre-accumulated. The power was tremendous.
This... is way too good.
Using Wind Swordsmanship required prior preparation. Shortening that process massively boosted convenience. It would apply to the new spirit skills he'd learn soon too. And no mana cost meant it could stay active constantly without burden.
More importantly, this part.
His gaze shifted to the second effect of Element Awakening. The active for handling Attribute Manifestation. Faster buildup of heat and cold, stronger power—purely beneficial. But the following line needed thought.
[This ability enters an awakened state only upon use, consuming half of your current health and mana.]
The original Attribute Manifestation drained physical fatigue, unrecoverable by potions. Changing to this altered usage completely. Half consumption based on current status.
Played right, this is broken-tier.
Various scenarios flashed in his mind. Just in Whirlwind Tower alone, the utility seemed insane.
Shk-
As he released Wind Swordsmanship, Sylph returned to her original form.
"A real spirit......"
Isis rushed right up, inspecting the tiny bird up close. Lebius and Nia had closed in too.
"Sylph, you okay for a sec?"
Chirp-!
With affirmative chirps and flapping wings, Sylph flew past the cautiously cupped hands of Isis... straight to Nia.
"Whoa!"
The girl burst into giggles as Sylph perched on her shoulder.
"Why......!"
-lmao x7
-Crisis detection SSS
-'Crazy person'
-Spirits know best.
Stunned, Isis froze solid. Watching, Hanbit offered an opinion.
"She can't help avoiding you. That monster enhancer residue, and the Holy Nation robes reek of creepy mana."
"Ah!"
At his advice, Isis shot up. Without a second's hesitation, she started stripping off her gown.
"No, not here!"
Nia panicked and rushed over. Sylph naturally returned to Hanbit.
"I have to! With this on, that adorable spirit will......!"
"Still no! Over here!"
The girl dragged the wild-eyed scientist upstairs. Isis returned shortly after, in normal clothes.
"I-is it okay now?"
She approached Hanbit cautiously. Sylph tilted her head at Isis, then spread her wings.
Chirp-!
The spirit slowly flew to her neatly cupped palms and landed.
"Ah......!"
Touching a real spirit, Isis looked on the verge of tears.
"Ahem."
Lebius watched from behind like a fan meet. Hanbit chuckled and said,
"Sylph'll visit in order, so let's finish the research talk. How to improve this spellbook more?"
"Dunno. I poured out everything—it's empty now?"
Isis replied without even glancing up from Sylph's wings. Distracted by the spirit, sure, but she'd truly given her all. Enough to rewrite a spellbook—plausible.
"Same here; that's all I had. Can't squeeze more—beyond my ability."
Lebius agreed. Regrettable, but time to accept it. Cleanly resolved, Hanbit made another request.
"Any chance for basic spells of other elements?"
***
About two hours later.
Leaving the magic lab, Hanbit headed to the walls under repair with his group. A new wall of sturdy materials was rising fast there. Citizens and adventurers helped too.
"Ah, you're here!"
Kudran approached hammer in hand, mid-work. Always upbeat, but extra cheerful now.
"This pace, it'll finish soon."
"Yes! His Highness already planned it, so we're just building. Probably done in a week!"
Ifrit's outer walls were long. But with everyone's help, the dwarves could give their best.
Clop-clop-!
Hoofbeats echoed from beyond the gate. Turning, Leon led knights and soldiers back.
"You're here."
Spotting Hanbit, she dismounted immediately. Jinook, who'd gone for aid, followed.
"Investigation go well?"
"Confirmed artificial nests and vial contents. We'll report to the capital first, then assemble experts for a full probe."
Monster wave evidence was tough for laymen. Could leave it to Isis, but kingdom experts were needed anyway.
"More shocked by the yeti battle traces. Taking down rampaging Bares too—you're seriously skilled."
Searching woods with Jinook, Leon had noted fight remnants everywhere. As an expert, she gauged the power well.
"Thanks to good mentors and comrades."
"Humility's a fine virtue. Using that strength for the weak... as a knight, I'm grateful......"
Crack-
Something shattered from the wall.
"Watch out down there!"
An adventurer assisting above yelled a warning. Below, three kids gawked.
Thud-!
Hanbit and Leon kicked off simultaneously. Hanbit's speed surprised even him—thanks to Element Awakening on Wind Movement.
Boom-!
Hanbit's leaping strike sent the falling rock crashing into empty corner ground. Leon, diverting, already shielded the kids.
Confirming the rock, she looked down tenderly.
"You okay?"
Her unusually gentle voice eased the startled kids instantly.
"Y-yeah!"
"Thank you!"
"Sis, you're super fast!"
Leon smiled at their chattering praise, taking their hands.
"Watching's fun, but not in dangerous spots. So what should you do?"
"Um, watch from far!"
"I'll bring Dad!"
"Bored now anyway, not watching!"
-lmao x6
-Hot filial dude;
-Bored quick. lol
-Kids gonna kid.
Age-appropriate safety lesson continued a bit. Moving the kids inside, Leon returned to Hanbit.
"Thank you. You covered my shortfall."
"Speed's my edge. Can't match Vice-Captain's power."
Mid-convo, Leon's departure prep finished. By their return tomorrow, Hanbit would be gone.
"Ugh, wanna research more......"
Isis, being escorted, looked full of regret. She'd envisioned her own death.
"Vice-Captain Leon, one request?"
The awaited moment—Hanbit met her eyes.
"Anything. Black Dragon, you've earned it."
"...Thanks."
Leon, bound by ironclad justice, accepted without hearing details. To Hanbit, that felt like huge reward.
"What can I help with?"
"Protect Isis until I arrive. That's the request."
Her newly awakened talent refining the spellbook. All those loops, he'd underrated her. For the future, she couldn't be lost.
"Protection including up to execution judgments? Info volume might speed trials."
"Yes. She's guilty, but no deaths in Ifrit. We'll use this scientist's power beneficially. Raven can't match Holy Nation's pace now."
"I see."
She mulled it over. Protecting criminals usually opposed 'justice.' But Leon wasn't blindly dogmatic.
Soon, she nodded.
"We can buy time. Proving Isis's value—even briefly—would help."
"Ah, that method......"
Hanbit quickly shared capital-applicable verification ways.
"Understood. I'll handle responses."
Leon vowed certainty, not possibility. Mounting up, she gazed at Hanbit.
"Then we're off. Await your request and our capital meet. Hope we talk more then."
Neigh-!
Leon spurred out beyond the walls. With her receding figure, alarms rang.
Ding-
[Completed Main Quest #13.]
[Progress increased.]
[Progress reached 100%.]
[Episode 2 completed.]
[Achievement: True Savior of Ifrit unlocked.]
[First achievement: Rewards maximized.]
[Received 3,000,000 gold.]
[50 stat points added.]
[1,000,000 EXP gained.]
[Leveled up 8 times.]
[8 stat points added.]
-ㅅㅅㅅㅅ
-For real
-Com-
-True savior whoa
-This is Black Dragon.
-Rewards f*** lol
-Admins, reward multiplier bugged.
-One ep clear, 100+ stat points;
-Total bug char;
-Next msg quick.
-Another coming?
-Go go
Chat fixated on one thing. As if knowing, change hit.
Vrrr-
Screen shook lightly. Golden text etched atop soon after.
[Black Dragon's party succeeded in Ifrit's true salvation.]
[First to Episode 2 truth: Special privileges granted. Contribution-based privileges to inventory.]
Up to here, like Episode 1. But next was wildly different.
[48 hours later, Field Boss: Snow Drake content unlocks.]
[First entry rights to Black Dragon's party.]
[Upon Snow Drake subjugation, players who cleared prior Episode 2 get reset and replay chance.]
