Chapter 49
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Dominion over the Water Demon Ghost
-----------------------------------------------------------------
‘This should be enough.’
I had proven to the guy named Kang Mu-hyun that I was a merchant, at the Ice Queen’s request.
I’d told her that if she granted my favor, I could take command of the operation.
‘Did they make some kind of bet or something?’
Anyway, aside from proving it so easily, the Hero Party and I kept ascending the labyrinth.
Got the Water Demon Ghost core. Grabbed Volos's heart while I was at it.
That evening, Channel 7's Yoo Hyun-min delivered the Water Demon Ghost core I'd requested.
Got it. But what's Volos's heart?
Kind of a doping agent? Think of it as a drug that massively boosts your physical abilities for a short time.
Something you take in emergencies, huh.
Effects last about 30 minutes? But watch out— you'll collapse from exhaustion once it wears off.
Having received the Water Demon Ghost core and Volos's heart, I next contacted Otil from Channel 5.
Requesting 1:1 chat with friend 'Otil'.
Opponent has accepted the 1:1 chat.
Something wrong?
No. Actually, I have a favor to ask.
I explained the Water Demon Ghost from Channel 7 and asked if it was possible to control this monster.
An amorphous monster made of water... I might need to ask another witch.
Too difficult for you, Otil?
...It's not ideal to say this, but I'm one of the younger witches.
‘Ah.’
From what I knew, Otil was 201 years old.
By witch standards, that was indeed young.
My skills are still lacking. So I need to ask the others.
But aren't those witches busy with research?
Only those over 500. The younger ones are handling various tasks in the forest.
In other words, ask witches under 500.
Satisfied that a method existed, I made one more request to Otil.
Then I'll leave it to you.
Since it came up, I'll go ask now.
I waited quietly, and soon Otil replied.
She wants to see it. Just hand over the Water Demon Ghost core now.
Got it.
I transferred the Water Demon Ghost core to Otil via 1:1 trade.
But recalling what Channel 7's Yoo Hyun-min had said, it didn't seem like an ordinary monster, so I warned her to be careful.
And be careful. It can revive by absorbing water.
No need to worry.
Otil ended the 1:1 chat with those reassuring words.
1:1 chat has ended.
‘All that's left now is waiting, huh.’
At least as far as the Water Demon Ghost went, there was nothing more I could do.
“Let's call it here for today and rest.”
With that, Elisicia announced we'd rest after reaching the 7th floor of the labyrinth.
Judging by our pace, we'd reach the beastkin territory tomorrow or the day after.
Channel 5.
Vienna, a 477-year-old witch this year, conducted various experiments on the Water Demon Ghost core Otil had brought her.
“Lady Vienna. Is it possible?”
“Huh? Oh. Yeah. It's simple.”
A monster left with only instincts was easy to control as one pleased.
But Vienna was more interested in the properties this monster possessed.
“But this thing is fascinating, isn't it? Pour any liquid on it, and it filters out all impurities, absorbing only pure water.”
For reference, the Water Demon Ghost was the size of a finger and sitting obediently.
There was no water nearby, and it had absorbed all the water Vienna sprinkled, so it stayed still.
“It could be useful in many ways.”
“Yeah. As a purifier, or to separate impurities.”
Vienna mentioned a few uses, but Otil wasn't particularly impressed.
“But that's something magic can do too.”
“True. Still, more research might reveal new applications.”
Even so, studying this monster would just be self-satisfaction.
Preserving their race was more important now, so she shelved the idea of researching the Water Demon Ghost.
“The guy who gave this is from Channel 2, right? With his help, we might get some clues.”
Channel 5 had already done extensive research and experiments on dimensional travel.
Experiments sending special magic items to other channels and using them to pinpoint coordinates.
Or using return magic on items to pull the holder into this dimension.
Unfortunately, all had failed.
“Haven't all methods using otherworlders failed?”
“That's why I said 'clues.' Especially since he can communicate? That alone reduces errors and variables massively.”
If the castaway followed their instructions precisely, pointless errors and variables wouldn't arise.
Plus, it would save on experimental materials, so it seemed helpful.
“As long as it's not a dangerous request, I think he'll agree.”
“Yeah. Especially since I'm using my break time for this.”
Vienna soon told Otil what items were needed.
“Ask for a necklace, ring, or bracelet with a gem. The better the gem, the easier it is to work with.”
‘Gems, huh...’
I pondered Otil's request for any necklace, ring, or bracelet with a gem.
Since type didn't matter, the gem seemed key, so I checked Modern Item Purchase.
-Natural Red Ruby Necklace: 21 points
-Aquamarine Natural Stone Bracelet: 35 points
-Sapphire Bracelet: 37 points
-Emerald Gem Ring: 15 points
············
······
‘Huh? Cheaper than I thought.’
The price varied greatly depending on whether the setting around the gem was gold.
Fortunately, the gem was what mattered, so I bought around 30 visible accessories and sent them over.
Pick the best one to use.
Lady Vienna is surprised. Why so many gems?
Was that too many?
No. Oh, she asks if she can have the leftover accessories.
Vienna seemed to be the witch Otil had consulted.
It wasn't much in points anyway, so I readily agreed.
Feel free to use them all.
She says thanks. And she'll send the Water Demon Ghost soon.
That fast?
The core was in good condition, so easy. And the gems were great too.
Even so, Rubyel had struggled without facilities or equipment.
Yet this Vienna witch finished in no time, suggesting magical superiority.
It's done. Made it prioritize commands while suppressing its instincts.
Sounds simple just hearing it.
It's actually delicate and difficult. I couldn't do it. Oh.
Otil relayed Vienna's words once more.
Lady Vienna wants tea she can drink and some sweet snacks... Possible?
Of course. Hold on.
I immediately loaded up Modern Item Purchase with various teas, breads, sliced cakes, snacks, and the like.
Done.
Then Otil and I traded items via 1:1.
I received the sapphire necklace and Water Demon Ghost core from Otil and asked how to use them.
Wear this necklace, and it obeys my commands?
Yes. Command the Water Demon Ghost, and the necklace reads the wavelength, relaying it.
Uh... Sounds super complicated just hearing it.
That's how it works regardless of language.
Since we were from different worlds, it was made language-independent.
But since instincts are suppressed, you have to command it manually for everything.
How?
'Absorb water.' 'Attack enemies.' Like that.
No command means it can't even absorb water—a minor drawback for controlling a Channel 7 monster.
Other commands might be tricky too. Like 'move in 1 hour' or 'attack approaching enemies.'
Only immediate-action commands, then.
Yes. The Water Demon Ghost lacks intelligence. Command it to return to the core, and it will.
Usage wasn't too complicated.
Now I just needed to test it and hand it to the Ice Queen.
Thanks. Let me know if there's anything I can help with.
Help... Might come up soon.
Oh?
Yes. But it won't be hard.
Not hard, so I replied I understood and ended the chat.
I took the sapphire necklace from my inventory, put it on, and pulled out the Water Demon Ghost core.
“Huh? Castaway, what's that?”
Rubyel noticed the items and asked.
“The Water Demon Ghost core I mentioned before.”
“Water Demon Ghost core? You can control it now?”
“Yeah. Asked a Channel 5 witch.”
“...No way. That fast?”
Rubyel seemed shocked by Channel 5's magic prowess, but I had nothing to say about it.
Plus, judging whose magic was superior based on this alone felt premature.
‘Let's start by pouring some bottled water.’
Focusing on the Water Demon Ghost again, I bought 2L bottled water via Modern Item Purchase and poured it on the core.
‘Absorb.’
The necklace responded, relaying the command, and the core absorbed the water.
It absorbed it, but...
‘Why's it so small?’
The Water Demon Ghost took form exactly matching the 2L absorbed.
I bought 10 more bottles and fed them all; it reached near my thigh.
“That's the Water Demon Ghost? Kinda cute.”
“Seems it needs a lot of water.”
I figured it needed at least a swimming pool's worth.
‘Tens of tons at least?’
For reference, it had an elongated body and two arms.
No legs, so when I commanded it to walk forward, it moved sluggishly.
‘Hard to pre-make and carry like this.’
Would it even help sending this to the Ice Queen?
‘Find an awakener who can dump water, or...’
Or summon from a river.
Still better than nothing, I thought. I reverted it and contacted the Ice Queen.
Channel 3.
The Ice Queen, Han Soo-yeon, finished preparations and headed to Anyang City with her group the next day.
Thanks to space-mover awakener Lee Jung-woo's ability, they arrived instantly, spotting 7-8 meter walls first.
“Wow. They even built walls. Thought it'd just be car barricades.”
Jeong Ye-rim, who came with Han Soo-yeon, admired the walls.
They were completed so quickly due to many related awakeners.
“Oh, sis! Those are catapults over there! And those boxes look like Molotovs?”
Zero tension in her demeanor.
Han Soo-yeon sighed softly at Jeong Ye-rim's attitude.
‘But I need to find him.’
Han Soo-yeon had asked Incheon Alliance leader Lee Gun-woo beforehand.
To find a water-element awakener, ideally one who could make rain.
‘This defensive line looks too good to abandon.’
Fighting here seemed best.
With that thought, Han Soo-yeon gently gripped the sapphire necklace from the castaway yesterday.