34 – Overflow – 1

“It would be best to make your next destination here.”

Signing an exclusive contract was indeed an excellent choice.

After finishing the long meal.

Viv, who approached Gi-jun as he was resting while patting his stomach, synchronized her Letaphone’s mini-map information with Gi-jun’s, then pointed to their current location and kindly showed him the best spot to target next.

“If you look here, there is a small city called Turris in the west of the Gratia Kingdom, right? It’s a city that developed based on a fortress built on a high hill, and it will be the best place for you to operate in the vicinity. Many people come and go, so it is lively, and as such, there are many quests. Naturally, there are also many hunting grounds.”

“It’s on a hill, so how?”

“They say that because the mana density is higher than other places, dungeons frequently appear nearby. Of course, most of them are discovered first by the elite soldiers under the command of the Lord of Turris, who then charge a dungeon toll.”

Gi-jun felt as if he was hearing about an incredibly absurd business.

“Then what if someone other than the soldiers discovers a dungeon?”

“Then of course they have the priority clear rights. If the dungeon is not conquered in one go and remains, they receive appropriate compensation and hand it over to the Lord. Originally, there was a noble who argued that they should hand over all artifacts obtained from the first cleared dungeon at a reasonable price, but in the end, since one could just hide them in their inventory, it wasn’t actually implemented.”

“The authority of NPCs is beyond my imagination.”

“That is because they are the owners of this land. Although there are many temporarily employed NPCs like me, most of them are natives of this world, Leta.”

Viv, who spoke decisively, fluttered the butterfly wings on her back and smiled.

“But it’s not like the summoned just live to be taken advantage of. Depending on their achievements, they can be appointed as kingdom nobles, and in the west, there is even a kingdom established entirely by the summoned.”

“I shouldn’t go anywhere near that place for the time being.”

“As expected, you are wise.”

At Gi-jun’s words, Viv immediately nodded in agreement.

After all, in this place, Leta, where humans were treated as a weak race, there was no way a kingdom established by the summoned would treat humans well.

In fact, there was even a possibility that they would treat them more harshly than the NPCs.

“Anyway, it would be best for you to go here, to Turris. The fact that many people come and go means that a lot of information gathers there. Good quests, newly discovered areas, dungeons, ruins… Besides such information, it is also a good place to hear rumors about talented individuals active here and there.”

“…Ah.”

Viv had already heard and knew that Gi-jun had companions he had parted ways with.

Realizing that she spoke with that in mind, Gi-jun nodded deeply.

Although he had somehow ended up as the Exile Ismael, wandering the desert with his contracted spirits, he had party members he absolutely had to meet someday.

Perhaps they had already formed a new party to fill Gi-jun’s empty spot, and the probability that they no longer needed him was high… but even if that were the case, he wanted to meet them at least once.

If he could meet them face-to-face and know that they were safe and doing well, Gi-jun would be satisfied and could step back.

“Actually, because it’s such a place, conversely, it is also a good place to spread rumors about you, Mr. Gi-jun.”

Ahem. Clearing her throat, Viv spoke.

“I don’t think it’s time for you to reveal your name or affiliation and act openly yet, Mr. Gi-jun. I think it would be better to use a pseudonym for now… and if possible, hide your face while building up recognition. Once you feel you have secured a stable foundation, it will be fine to reveal yourself.”

“I understand. Is it really that hard for humans?”

“There is that, but…”

Viv hesitated as if she felt sorry to say this, and then continued.

“Many strong individuals emerge from other races. However, regardless of which civilization they come from, if a strong person emerges from the human race… they tend to receive too much attention.”

“I could be suspected of being a civilization representative. Then, of course, it’s right to hide it.”

“Thank you for listening without misunderstanding.”

Viv let out a sigh of relief.

Perhaps because she had finished saying what she had to say and it was time to return, she wore a longing expression while looking at the pot where curry still remained, but Lucy and Ur, noticing her intentions, growled and blocked the pot.

Only then did Viv smack her lips and completely give up on the curry.

“Then, I will look for a magic tool to disguise your race before you enter Turris, Mr. Gi-jun. I have also registered you on my messenger, so contact me if anything happens.”

It seemed she had registered her contact information as well while synchronizing the mini-map earlier.

When Gi-jun checked, he could see that in addition to Biche, a new friend with the nickname ‘Partner’ had been added.

A chuckle escaped him.

Viv giggled and vanished from sight.

Lucy stared blankly at the spot where she had disappeared and muttered.

—Fairies have quite a lot of individual variation, Contractor.

“Humans are the same. Spirits are different too. Right, Ur?”

—Ki-it, ki!

—What! What’s wrong with me!

Ur let out a cry, saying that he did not want to be compared to Lucy.

Gi-jun, who picked the fellow up in his arms, checked the state of the curry in the pot once more, closed the lid, nodded, and spoke.

“Alright, then let’s leave this guy to sit like this and go to sleep too.”

—Kihihit.

—Ugh, that guy, using the excuse of being an animal to so easily get into the Contractor’s arms…

The first day of entering Leta, which had been filled with so many events, finally came to an end.

They washed up briefly and went to sleep.

There were no blankets, but sleeping while hugging the fire cat in his arms was very warm and cozy.

Since he looked cute like a cat, did not shed fur, and was even warm, was Ur not the perfect life companion—?

Falling asleep with those thoughts, Gi-jun dreamed of being embraced by something entirely warm, fluffy, and cozy.

“Yawn.”

Of course, on the next day as well, Gi-jun woke up at six in the morning sharp.

After washing his face with the water he had brought in a bottle from the stream yesterday, he took out some of the flour Viv had brought him in abundance along with brown sugar, mixed it with warm water and salt to make a dough, and did some light morning exercise while letting it rest in a cool place.

By the time he ran about a hundred laps around the cavity where Ur had been sleeping, Lucy and Ur, who had been sleeping in a corner, woke up while hugging each other.

—…Ack!

—Keeee!

The two spirits, who had been staring blankly at each other with half-asleep expressions, soon realized what they were hugging and pulled away in disgust.

—Contractor!

“Did you sleep well?”

—This morning is curry udon, right? Right? The day after eating curry is always that, without fail!

“Normally that would be the case… but it was a bit of a shame that we couldn’t have rice yesterday, so let’s go with something a bit special today.”

It was none other than curry tteokbokki and fried snacks.

He rolled out the rested dough, cut it into pieces about the size and thickness of a thumb, and cooked them in boiling water with a pinch of salt.

Once fully cooked, rinsing them in cold water completed the wheat rice cakes, which boasted an exquisite, soft, and chewy texture.

Then, he put half of them directly into the curry pot to simmer, and for the other half, he melted a whole chunk of thick fat obtained from the wild boar caught yesterday in a pot to deep-fry them in the boiling lard.

Since he was using oil anyway, he seasoned various chopped vegetables, potatoes, and even meat with salt, coated them in flour and fried them.

It was said that even a shoe sole would taste delicious when fried, and were curry and fried snacks not famous for making a perfect match?

Although food made with lard was said to smell gamey once it cooled, there was no way any of these fried snacks would be left over.

“Alright, let’s eat.”

—Wow! What is this? It’s even more luxurious than yesterday! I feel so sorry for the moth who couldn’t eat this!

—Keeeee…

While claiming to feel sorry, the fried foods tossed in curry were sucked into Lucy’s mouth one after another like a black hole.

Ur also quickly realized on the first day of their journey together that his share would only be taken if he stayed still, so he greedily devoured the curry fried tteokbokki.

For reference, although Ur was in the form of a small cat, because he was obviously not a real cat, he could chew and eat even quite large fried pieces without any problem.

“We will depart immediately after eating.”

Gi-jun spoke, once again confirming the truth that the combination of curry and fried food could never go wrong.

Lucy, who was stuffing fried snacks and curry into both cheeks, nodded and asked.

—How many days will it take?

“Well, they said it would take about ten days for a Common grade, so if we hurry a bit, we might be able to get there in a single day, but…”

—Do you want to hurry?

“I’m conflicted. Since I have the ability to explore dungeons and ruins, I think it might be fine to take it slow without speeding up and search the area.”

However, he also had a strong desire to quickly settle down in a small city, establish a stable foundation, and find out news about his party members from the first round.

Since the Earthlings in the safe zone had probably started taking action by now, he also wanted to move faster than them.

“The problem is that I want to conceal my identity before entering the city. Viv spoke of it lightly, but there’s no way a tool that can hide one’s race can be obtained so easily. It will probably take a few days, and in the end, it will be safer for me not to enter the city until then.”

Once he said it, there was nothing to worry about.

Ultimately, after concluding that they would not slow down but would hold out outside until he could enter the city with his identity hidden, they left the ruins where they had stayed the night.

However, something he had not seen when entering yesterday was hanging at the entrance of the ruins.

—Isn’t that a mask?

—Kee…

While Lucy raised her voice in wonder, Ur let out a low cry as he looked at it.

It was a plain half-mask made of red metal that perfectly covered everything from the bridge of the nose to the forehead.

Instead of holes where the eyeholes should be, unique orange-colored pupils were drawn, and since wearing it like this would block one’s vision, it was impossible to know its purpose.

—Kee, kekekit.

However, Ur suggested that it might be a ‘reward’ sent to Gi-jun and urged him to check it.

At the word ‘reward,’ something came to Gi-jun’s mind as well.

“Then could this be a quest reward from the flame ghosts… no, from the newly born fire spirit boy?”

—Kee.

When Ur nodded vigorously, Gi-jun could not help but be touched.

He had thought that because he had not officially received the quest, the reward would be completely withheld, but to think that fellow had cutely prepared such a gift behind his back!

Of course, since its shape was merely a half-mask, it would be a utility-type artifact rather than something that helped in direct combat…

However, judging by the fact that he had cleared a quest that was already not easy in a hidden way, that he had even grown the boy into a spirit, and that the title effect obtained as an achievement reward had the effect of upgrading all quest rewards, this half-mask was something he could dare to look forward to.

[Persona — Ignis (Unique)]

[Durability — 3,000/3,000]

[Defense Power (U) — 99]

[Option 1 — Fire attack power increased by 20%]

[Option 2 — Flame Eyes Awakening]

[Equip Restriction — Possession of the title ‘One Who Lifts the Veil’]

[As the remnants of a foolish past cast off by one who lived without knowing themselves were carved, a minor miracle and the power of flame dwelled within. The wearer will conceal their original self, and no one who meets those burning eyes will be able to doubt him.]

[Persona — Ignis (Unique)]

[Durability — 3,000/3,000]

[Defense Power (U) — 99]

[Option 1 — Fire attack power increased by 20%]

[Option 2 — Flame Eyes Awakening]

[Equip Restriction — Possession of the title ‘One Who Lifts the Veil’]

[As the remnants of a foolish past cast off by one who lived without knowing themselves were carved, a minor miracle and the power of flame dwelled within. The wearer will conceal their original self, and no one who meets those burning eyes will be able to doubt him.]

Gi-jun, who opened the item information window with a bit of tension, was lost for words.

Indeed, it was a massive jackpot!

Despite being of the same Unique grade, what was this dignified description that felt like the difference between heaven and earth compared to the King of the Well obtained in the tutorial!

Although he had expected a little, Gi-jun was extremely excited when a Unique grade actually popped out, and what was even more surprising was that, looking at the item description, there was a high possibility that the ability he wanted dwelled within this mask.

“Well, that flame ghost guy did disguise himself as a human all his life. I guess this does the reverse.”

—Keeee.

Whether he had some thoughts about the creation made by the former follower he had brought into existence, Ur rubbed his forehead against the mask for a moment and then backed away.

Gi-jun took a deep breath and placed it on the bridge of his nose.

The mask adhered perfectly to his face even though there was no particular fastening device.

When he closed and opened his eyes, he could see clearly ahead of him despite the fact that his vision should have been blocked by the mask.

It felt as if he was not even wearing a mask.

—Wow, the Contractor turned into something like a burning flame human!

—Kee, keeeeee!

At the same time, Lucy and Ur shouted in excitement.

Ur, in particular, was jumping up and down in joy, as if Gi-jun’s changed appearance was exactly to his liking.

—Moreover, those eyes are like a type of mystic eyes, aren’t they? To allow you to open mystic eyes, even if only temporarily, with just a Unique grade… that rookie is quite something.

—Kit, kee-it.

—You say he made it by scraping together all the residual heat remaining in this forest? Well, I suppose he did that because he wanted to erase the traces of the spirits and ghosts. In any case, it’s a good thing for the Contractor!

“Just what do I look like for you to react like that?”

—I’ll show you.

For Lucy, who was the Spirit of Light, reflecting Gi-jun’s appearance as it was in the light to reveal it nearby was not a difficult task.

Gi-jun was surprised upon checking his appearance clearly reflected on the wall.

Just as Lucy had said, he had only put on a mask, but his skin was flushed slightly red, and a haze shimmered around him, giving the impression that he would be hot to the touch.

His hair was also dyed red, and it looked as if actual flames were attached to the tips.

The highlight, above all else, was his eyes.

The mask, which had no eyeholes when he first put it on, surprisingly revealed Gi-jun’s two eyes clearly, and for some reason, they were glowing red.

Pupils that literally burned as flames.

Although Gi-jun had no way of knowing what kind of power dwelled within these pupils yet, one thing was certain.

As long as he wore this mask, he would never be thought of as a human.

[Partner (Leta): You already obtained a race disguise artifact? It was a quest reward?!]

[Partner (Leta): No, I mean, it’s a good thing, but if you do it all on your own, my reason for existence…]

As a bonus, the newly acquired Partner had slightly lost motivation due to his excessive luck, but in any case, he was now ready to leave for the small city of Turris.