The Contractor of the Four Elements
‘Here we go again.’
The title that had appeared once more since Sylph's evolution. Hanbit immediately checked its details.
[Contractor of the Four Elements]
All contracted spirits can wield their powers independently. This effect scales with the contractor Black Dragon's abilities, varying by the spirits' grades.
*The contractor Black Dragon can forcibly halt the spirits' power usage at will.
-Insane. lmao
-This isn't a title, it's skill-level shit?
-Spirits fighting on their own?
-Auto-hunting whoa
-You've hacked life.
-God-tier pets ;;
-And four of them whoa
The chat exploded with noise over the title's insane effects. Hanbit was just as stunned.
‘…This was a higher spirit's ability too.’
Contracted spirits fundamentally lose much of their autonomy. They anchor their existence through the contractor outside dense spirit realms. Wielding power without techniques was only possible at higher spirit levels.
Yet he'd gained it now, of all times.
“Can you all come out?”
Shruk—
Three forms materialized in the air at his call, soon sharpening into clear shapes.
A wolf Salrist wreathed in flickering flames. An otter Undine draped in water discs. A turtle Gnome of solid rock and crystal.
All exactly as Hanbit remembered.
-Check that lineup ;
-Spirits look like that, huh.
-Animal Kingdom whoa
-Black Dragon, content unlocked. Let's go zookeeper.
-Aggro magnet. lmao
Chirp—!
Sylph flapped her wings, eyeing them happily. New companions, perhaps? Unlike the competitive Shuriel, these were different elements.
‘Wielding power independently……’
Spirits fundamentally manipulated elements. Wind and fire excelled in freedom. Water spirits focused on healing, earth on defense and detection—though neither lacked in elements.
‘No need to show it off now.’
Unexpected, but he'd gained new power. Since it wasn't a skill, best to keep it as a wild card. Not everyone—Adventure A, Nessto Guild—saw him kindly.
How they interpreted spirit power was their problem.
Shruk—
Finishing his thoughts, Hanbit left the earth domain for the center.
Avant-garde, still scouting near the ancient tree, noticed.
“Where's Luna?”
“Ah, she went up the tree.”
“...Up the tree?”
-Movement on another level.
-She climbed that?
-So damn high. lmao
-Vanguards are vanguards ;
The viewers' shock was natural. The central ancient tree's top vanished into the clouds. Easily over 100 meters.
“Be right back. Sylph, lift me up?”
[Yep!]
Whoosh—!
The wind balloon and lift made the treetop quick work.
“Here to sightsee?”
Luna, perched on a branch, greeted with a faint smile. She'd been streaming.
“What're you doing up here? Nothing to see.”
“Just like high places.”
She stretched and stood, eyes slowly scanning the garden's edge.
“Not into spirits?”
“A bit jealous seeing them on your shoulder?”
Luna eyed the manifesting four elements. Bird and wolf playfully tangled. Otter watched warmly; turtle dozed, eyes closed—personalities on display.
They'd need time for speech like Sylph.
“Want to try bonding? I can take you to your element.”
“Ice, technically... not here, right?”
Her ice specialization was clear. Hanbit pondered, then asked the otter on his shoulder.
“Undine, what do you think?”
Swoosh—
The otter rose slowly, sprinkling droplets as it flew to Luna.
[Water spirit Undine gazes at player Luna.]
The spirit hovered, staring intently. Silence stretched.
Then:
[Water spirit Undine expresses curiosity.]
[Water spirit Undine wishes to take the player to her domain.]
“Hm……”
The otter conveyed her intent. Exploration would take time.
“I'm just learning skills and dipping. You? Undine's scans can drag on.”
“Curious enough to try. That's the water domain?”
“Yeah. Enter, and she'll react. Sylph, down please?”
[Yep!]
Whoosh—!
Wind enveloped them at his request, dropping them swiftly.
“See you at Bestige HQ tomorrow.”
Luna headed to the water domain, leaving a wave. Undine returned to his shoulder—consciousness shared, so fine. Curious about the outcome.
“Avant-garde, you?”
“I'm good. Tried leaving, got forced back.”
“...Ah.”
Simple: spirits restricting him. Normal—he couldn't bond. Rare like Luna or Rapina.
“Let's head out then. Those two'll take time.”
“Sure. He's coming back.”
Avant-garde nodded toward the inter-domain space. Asla approached.
“Out already? As I said, reaching mid-tier spirits is quite diffi—...”
Asla, about to lecture his early-returning disciple, froze. His eyes hit the four animals on Hanbit's shoulder.
“...All spirits responded?”
“That's how it went.”
-lmao "That's how it went."
-Disciple too OP.
-Master hitting the wall ;
-Asked for one, got all.
-Prof would love this scene.
Asla paused in shock but bowed to the spirits. Hanbit turned to the exit.
“The other two are still in domains. We'll go first.”
***
Hanbit returned to the whirlwind tower's peak with them. One task left: learn swordsmanship infused with mid-tier Sylph's power.
“I know you're watching.”
Asla exhaled shortly, sensing it. Normally post-long training, but this disciple was abnormal. Spirit contracts, mastering his swordplay so fast.
“Prep for the next is storm. Easy for you.”
Ding—
[Hidden Quest]
You've been taught Asla's next swordsmanship.
Prep: Wind Amplification. Achieve with Sylph.
Goal: Create a gale beyond threshold.
Rewards: 600,000 gold, Asla's secret manual, 25 stat points, 300,000 EXP
The golden quest window was familiar now.
Shring—
Hanbit drew his sword, assuming stance. Sylph flapped eagerly.
“Ready?”
[Ready!]
The spirit chirped from his shoulder. Gripping tight, Hanbit breathed deep, focusing.
As he called Sylph's wind:
Whoosh—!
A massive gale engulfed everything.
Kwa-gwagwa—!
The vortex blasted outward. Element awakening, spirit space, title—all combined.
“...Hah.”
Asla had expected much, but this exceeded. Force to hurl bodies, vast range.
He closed then opened eyes, murmuring low.
“Stop. Enough.”
Shruk—
Hanbit dispersed the wind instantly. Asla approached, handing a green book.
“My disciple, yet astonishing. Train diligently again.”
Ding—
[Quest completed.]
[Omitted hidden quest rewards applied retroactively.]
[Received 1,000,000 gold.]
[Received Asla's secret manual.]
[40 stat points granted.]
[500,000 EXP gained.]
[Level up by 4.]
[4 stat points granted.]
-?
-Rewards glitched again?
-This clears an episode, right?
-Give up thinking, relax. lmao
-You tracking his stacked stats?
-Skill check first go go
-Big one's coming.
-Whoa whoa
Amid surging chat, Hanbit took the green book. Flipping the cover summoned a gold-bordered hologram.
[Use? (Yes/No)]
Tick—
Yes tapped, hologram vanished.
Poof—!
Book dissolved into smoke. Messages followed.
[Hidden spirit skill Wind Leap (3-rank Epic) added.]
[Hidden spirit skill Gale Slash (4-rank Epic) added.]
[Hidden spirit skill Storm Barrage (5-rank Epic) added.]
-Whoa.
-Three at once?
-Skipped to 3-rank?
-Insane cheat, nerf it.
-Balance patch urgent.
-Jealous? Learn it yourself. lmao
-Skill names tho.
-Gale Slash whoa
-Barrage AOE?
-Wind Swordsmanship. Good work all this time.
Three skills at once—all familiar to Hanbit, no need to check. Names revealed contents.
“Never forget gratitude to spirits. You're not one to take lightly.”
“Yes. I'll cherish and use wisely.”
Sincere. He'd relied on them past and present. He'd risk life to save them.
“Where next?”
Asla asked while sheathing.
“Edlen, then back to Ifrit. Maybe Kantepa after.”
“Kantepa... Long time. Stay vigilant everywhere. Holy Nation could strike anytime.”
“Got it. I'll return stronger.”
Hanbit bowed, exiting the wind domain with scouting Avant-garde.
Back in Edlen, an furious yellow-haired girl Liora waited at the gates.
“Why didn't you come straight here!”