Return to the Spirit Garden
“Is that really Luna and Rapina? The vanguard team?”
“Didn’t you watch the stream? They were talking with the sound muted.”
“What the hell is Black Dragon even up to?”
At the northwestern cliff edge of Edlen, murmurs rose from the crowd as Hanbit’s group arrived.
“Looks like a ton of people followed us here.”
Avant-garde glanced back at the packed masses and commented. The larger-than-usual turnout was no doubt thanks to the two vanguard members beside them.
-Packed as hell;
-I'm there too. lol
-Huh? You too?
-Seeing Luna is insanely rare.
-Info) Rapina only came to Edlen once recently.
-Fr, unless you're vanguard, you won't catch 'em.
The viewers, being players themselves, were buzzing over the sight of the two hanging with Hanbit. Especially Luna—she rarely showed up on Yeonhwa Gaming’s channel or anyone else’s streams.
“Never thought I’d come back here.”
“Oh, right, you’ve been before. This is my first time.”
Rapina and Luna peered down the cliff, chatting casually. They paid zero attention to the gawkers. Probably used to the stares by now.
“We dropping down again like on the stream?”
Luna recalled the broadcast memory. The first entry had been a plunge off the cliff with Yeonwoo. It’d been the only way back then.
“Nah, we’re going legit this time. Sylph.”
Cheep!
Calling her name summoned a bird-shaped form on his shoulder.
“Ah……!”
Rapina reacted instantly to the spirit’s appearance. She communed with wind spirits too, but this level of manifestation was on another plane. It was just a friendly show for her pal.
“Right, the owner of that space was here.”
Luna leaned in close to inspect the spirit. Sylph fluttered her wings, showing off proudly under the attention.
-So cute. lmao
-Flirty as hell;
-Sylph fan meet when?
-How do you even bring spirits out?
-RP is reality for me.
-You got this;
The viewers, bonded through long watches, seemed even chummier with Sylph now. A fan meet was probably pushing it, though.
“First, let’s form the party.”
Hanbit invited everyone. To share the spirit power Sylph would link them to.
“Let’s go.”
Cheep!
After nuzzling his cheek, the little bird dispersed into wind. Then, like tugging an invisible rope, she pulled the group into the air.
Whoosh!
Floating up came with a teleport sensation. The landscape shift hit quick.
“Whoa!”
Along with Rapina’s gasp, a massive cave structure unfolded before them. Sunlight filtering in from cracks added harmony to the space. Same spirit domain as before.
“Straight here, huh?”
Luna tapped the floor lightly. They stood atop a spiral stone tower. Straight ahead loomed a white-haired elder, frozen in place.
“……”
Asla’s gaze landed on the three besides Hanbit. They’d all cleared the Edlen episode, so they weren’t strangers anymore. Even so, he turned away without a second thought.
Thud!
Hanbit shot forward and grabbed Asla’s shoulder.
“Where you headed?”
“Sudden errand came up.”
“You don’t have those.”
-lololol
-Master, hi
-Same old;
-Consistency GOAT
Asla’s discomfort was obvious. He knew the three superficially, but no deep bonds. Unless they became disciples like Hanbit, closeness was off the table.
“Hoo.”
He sighed, glancing at his disciple.
“What brings you? Not long since you left for Ifrit.”
“Wrapped things up there. And I’ve got updates……”
Hanbit briefed him on Ifrit: new spirit king traces and skills, Holy Nation’s Isis, monster waves—plenty to share.
“……Those bastards are getting bolder.”
Asla furrowed his brow, recalling the shadowy intruders in Edlen. World politics aside, they’d threatened spirits.
“That Isis scientist?”
“Sent to the capital. Like I said, she’s spirit-friendly, so we’ll use her as support. Sylph warmed up to her by the end.”
Cheep!
Sylph chirped agreement. Asla nodded slowly.
“If the spirits felt that, it’s fine. So, why here? Not just for reports.”
His eyes flicked to the three behind Hanbit.
Hanbit stroked Sylph on his finger.
“Heading to the Spirit Garden. And I want the next swordsmanship lesson.”
“……How’d you learn about the Spirit Garden?”
“Old tomes came up. You know the way, right, Master?”
“Hm……”
Asla stroked his chin, pondering. Then shook his head.
“Too soon. Even mid-tier spirits dwell there. Could piss them off.”
“Sylph would’ve warned me if it was risky. Plus, two spirit king traces? Power from a hidden one—they’ll be curious.”
“……”
Irrefutable logic. Asla met his gaze, sighed deeper.
“Can’t be helped. Necessary, I suppose. But swordsmanship’s separate.”
He pointed to a distant boulder. Stepping aside, he said to Hanbit:
“Not long since my last lesson. You need proof to claim the next.”
“Of course.”
Simple intent: prove sword skill proficiency. Hanbit, anticipating it, drew his blade.
Whoosh!
Wind gathered on the edge with his will. Boosted by Element Awakening.
“……!”
Asla’s eyes widened at the ominous flow. Then Hanbit swung.
Shiiik!
A fierce wind blade traced the diagonal arc, slicing air sharply toward the front.
And—
Screech!
It cleanly bisected the boulder.
“What in the……”
Asla was stunned. From wind gathering to result—flawlessly ideal technique. He knew his disciple had talent, but this much?
‘Proficiency maxed ages ago.’
Wind Movement and Wind Swordsmanship stars shone full. Skills he’d wielded like limbs before, so they leveled fast. But the boosted power wasn’t just that.
“Non-spirit mages made that Element Awakening?”
Asla eyed the split rock quietly.
“Yeah. Both experts in magic and science.”
“……The world’s changed. The novice spirit mage coming too?”
He nodded at Rapina. He’d observed her during the episode, despite minimal talk.
Did NPCs log player relations like records?
“Her bond’s still weak. Barely any aura.”
“Y-Yes……?”
Rapina flinched at the blunt critique. Hanbit had clocked it early too—reason she’d wandered ten months.
“That’s why the garden together. Her two elements got offers.”
“Two elements… I see.”
Asla nodded understanding, drawing his own sword.
“The other two?”
“Sylph’ll protect them.”
Cheep!
The listening spirit flapped to Luna. She cradled the bird gently in open palms.
-Sylph, protect her
-Flew right over.
-Tank mode.
-Avant-garde snubbed meanwhile. lol
Sylph settled cozily, clearly liking Luna. Avant-garde watched enviously—low priority.
“If Sylph wills it, so be it.”
Asla bowed to the spirit, then turned.
Whoosh!
Fierce winds surged, blanketing the space. Not just Asla—local spirits responding.
“Sss.”
Asla braced, inhaled deep.
Shiiik!
Sword slashed empty air sharply.
Hwoom—
Winds converged on the downstroke, forming a green oval portal. Asla stepped in.
“Stick close.”
Shruk—
He vanished. Hanbit turned to the trio.
“Let’s go.”
***
“Whoa……”
“First time seeing something like this.”
The iridescent path to the Spirit Garden. Like a translucent turquoise tunnel studded with twinkling stars.
Rapina and Luna marveled, eyes wide as they walked.
-Epic af.
-Spirit path whoa
-Screenshot done.
-Black Dragon share original? +1
-Nah, Avant-garde got it.
“Truly wondrous implementation.”
Avant-garde, world-traveler, and viewers alike gawked at the novel sight. Beauty beyond words, pure mystery.
‘First time bringing others.’
Leading Hanbit savored the familiar-yet-fresh path. Overused before, but the awed voices made it new.
“This way.”
Asla veered right to a rippling wall.
Shruk—
Passed through like a fluttering curtain, vanishing.
Hanbit eyed the followers.
“In here.”
“Thanks!”
“Yep!”
Rapina’s sparkling eyes and Avant-garde’s eager camera dove through the exit.
“Something over there?”
Luna, following, paused at Hanbit’s halted gaze down the dim path.
“Who knows.”
Vague words, clear truth. Beyond lay a high spirit’s abode—the sanctuary. Not reachable by mere walking. Qualifications tied to future tangled events.
“Let’s head out.”
Done pondering, Hanbit led Luna through.
Shruk—
Portal shift to vast space. The two ahead stood rigid, staring front.
“Spirit Garden. Lives up to the name.”
Luna sank into the vista.
Five paths branched from a central ancient tree. Beyond the exit, four symbolized water, fire, wind, earth. Sparkling particles and shimmering lights amplified the mysticism.
“All good? This way.”
Asla checked them, guiding to the tree. Peering down paths revealed elements starkly.
“I’ll inspect the garden. Move carefully.”
Short warning left, he headed outward. Entry protection over—now under spirit influence.
“Rapina, with me. You two, hang by the tree.”
“Yes!”
Hanbit went with Rapina. To the rippling green destination. Gentle wind whispers beckoned them onward.