Chapter 87 – Blooming in the Swamp (4)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The low-ranking forest spirit, Nymph.

The expression of the Nymph fluttering her butterfly wings was serious.

“It became strange.”

Due to an unfamiliar scenery being overlaid on the Swampland of Predators.

“It still looks like a forest though…….”

The Nymph frowned and tried her best.

Even if she was a low-ranking spirit, she was a proper forest spirit.

Even if it looks unfamiliar.

That forest must also be a forest existing on the Arcana continent.

If she communes with the forest, she should be able to know what this situation is about.

“……Huh?”

However, no matter how much she listened, no sound came.

Let alone communion, even conversation was impossible.

Bewilderment surfaced on the Nymph’s face.

“I don’t know what’s what anymore.”

Droop

The fluttering wings drooped.

A sigh naturally popped out.

How did things end up like this?

Right, everything was because of the demons.

‘By now, the forest where I was born…….’

The Nymph believed without a doubt.

That the forest is stronger than anything else.

Even if animals break branches and humans cut down trees.

The forest did not groan.

Even while suffering from natural disasters worse than that.

What endured silently was precisely the forests of the Arcana continent.

But.

“I’m sorry, everyone.”

The forest being burned by the demons screamed.

A terrible scream as if it was truly burning in hellfire.

The Nymph fled from such a forest to avoid the demons to the Swampland of Predators.

Because if she had stayed in the forest, she would have also been corrupted and become no different from a demon.

Even knowing it was inevitable, her heart couldn’t be light.

“If it’s the Swampland of Predators, I wouldn’t need to worry about demons but.”

Forest, wind, water, fire…….

Nature exists everywhere on the Arcana continent.

The spirits dwelling in such nature knew the news of the Arcana continent well.

In which direction the demons are expanding their power too.

The demons were cunning.

The demons only invaded places they could destroy.

In that sense, the Predator Zone.

This Swampland of Predators was not an easy place even for demons.

“……No matter how much I try to get attached, I can’t get used to it.”

Understandably so!

The Nymph’s lips protruded sullenly.

Because in the swampland, truly, battles never ceased day or night.

If I knew it was a place like this…….

I should have flown a little bit further.

“Even if flying to the Zero Mountain Range is too much.”

Why, a place better than here.

She could have found a place that is even a little bit quieter.

However, she didn’t have the confidence to fly to another area now.

“Because I don’t know the news outside.”

The demons must have expanded their power further.

In that process, the demons must have become even stronger.

There was a high probability that places that were safe in the past have now fallen into the hands of the demons.

“And the swampland has also become strange somehow.”

That alone was a headache but.

A forest mixed with the swampland.

An unidentified scenery.

Just what else happened.

The Nymph gently shook her head.

“I don’t know. I’m going to rest now.”

I should get some sleep under the Four-Colored Mistletoe.

The mana consumed due to trying her best to commune with the forest.

Because she could replenish her mana with the energy of the Four-Colored Mistletoe.

However.

“……?”

The Nymph’s sweet sleep didn’t last long.

Click

Because the footsteps of a stranger that shouldn’t be heard were heard.

The Nymph, waking up from her sweet sleep, thought half-asleep.

‘I’ve never heard footsteps like this in the swampland before…….’

No, wait a minute.

Before that, how can footsteps be heard this loudly?

‘This is the top of a tree?!’

That question didn’t last long.

Soon, because the owner of the footsteps revealed himself.

It was a man with silver hair.

It was the sound the man made while climbing the stairs floating in the empty space.

Although she didn’t know the reason.

It was a human she saw for the first time in a while.

‘What, I got startled for no reason.’

However, an ordinary human cannot see spirits.

Nor can they hear the voice of a spirit.

Well, back when she was a spirit without a name or rank.

She used to talk to humans who visited the forest without knowing that fact.

However, not once had an answer returned.

‘I’m going to sleep more. I’m tired.’

That is the common sense of spirits.

She probably wouldn’t be visible to that man.

Right, it definitely should have been like that but.

For some reason.

A gaze was felt.

As she sneakily opened her eyes, it wasn’t an illusion……!

The man was clearly looking at her.

For some reason, with a very cold gaze at that.

The Nymph opened her mouth, thinking ‘No way’.

“By any chance, can you see me……?”

*

Spiritology.

As one of the schools existing in the Mage Tower.

Its Senior Mage was Feiyan Lot.

I remembered her.

‘I don’t know about other things, but her appetite was considerable.’

After the Bangrit Tom incident.

The breakfast shared with all twenty Senior Mages.

The one who silently focused on her meal among the Senior Mages who were just picking at their food was Feiyan.

Naturally, the Spiritology school also presented their research at the regular academic conference. It meant that I also knew about Spiritology at the level of scratching the surface.

So.

‘……Why is this visible to my eyes?’

I couldn’t help but flinch upon seeing the spirit.

Because a spirit was a rare ‘existence’ that only a very small minority among mages could see.

I roll my brain.

Did I read so many various magic books that.

Has there been an error in my knowledge?

No, if it was Lee Ho-yeol’s brain maybe.

But such an error doesn’t exist in Granfel’s brain.

Then the story is simple.

It meant that Granfel can see spirits……!

Upon admitting that fact, my mind felt distant.

Right, because the condition to witness a spirit came to mind.

It is the introductory book to Spiritology.

First page.

The phrase described in the second paragraph.

『Humans who can witness a spirit in an uncontracted state are only an extremely small minority.

Because an outstanding mana sensitivity and an incomparably pure mind are required.

That is the very reason why the majority of spirit contractors come to form a contract with a spirit at a relatively young age.』

An incomparably pure mind.

And a relatively young age.

To put that bluntly.

It means you must be immature to see the spirits of nature.

I realize it once again.

That Granfel is my school days, my dark history.

Right, whether it’s a Demon King or a Great Evil.

Considering them all as trivial demons.

It would be safe to say Granfel’s mental state is practically a flower garden.

Anyway.

‘It means I’m not seeing things.’

The spirit tossing and turning under the Four-Colored Mistletoe.

Naturally, because my knowledge is shallow and merely scratching the surface.

I couldn’t guess its true identity just by staring at it intently.

However.

“By any chance, can you see me……?”

Even so, Granfel wouldn’t just quietly listen to informal speech.

Moreover.

‘An elixir herb I managed to find, and a Four-Colored Mistletoe at that.’

I, Lee Ho-yeol, had no intention of yielding it to a spirit.

So I spoke in a frigid voice.

“I am the Mage Tower’s Chief Co-researcher, Lee Ho-yeol.”

“……Mage Tower?”

“State your affiliation and identity. Nameless spirit.”

It seems you are half-asleep.

The spirit seemed unable to grasp the situation.

However, that cannot be a reason to remain silent.

The knowledge from the introductory book to Spiritology coming to mind again.

Second table of contents.

First paragraph.

First sentence.

-Ranks exist among spirits.

Low, intermediate, high.

And the Spirit King.

That a strict hierarchy exists among spirits.

Because I knew that fact.

I had something to say.

“I will ask once again.”

Just like the spirits.

Because ranks also existed in the Mage Tower.

‘Feiyan Lot.’

The reason she came to occupy the position of a Senior Mage?

That is because the spirit she formed a contract with was a high-ranking spirit.

Its exact name is the High-ranking Fire Spirit, Fire Drake.

So I stated the unexaggerated fact.

“I am a rank higher than the contractor of the High-ranking Fire Spirit, Fire Drake.”

“……!”

Indeed, a hierarchical society is good.

Your eyes widen as soon as I bring up the name of a high-ranking person.

Of course, one must listen to Korean until the end.

“Senior Mage, Feiyan Lot.”

“She was Feiyan Lot-nim……!”

“A Chief Co-researcher of a rank one step higher than her.”

“……Y-Yes?!”

“State your affiliation and identity. Little spirit.”

Me and the Nymph.

If you strictly look at the relationship, we were strangers.

However, there are things that communicate between similar hierarchical societies.

‘People don’t just bring up ‘your police chief’ in movies for nothing.’

I am this proficient in a hierarchical society.

At the moment I, myself, was admiring my social skills.

An answer returned from the spirit.

“I am called the Low-ranking Forest Spirit, Nymph.”

The effect is amazing.

To think she would even bow her head politely and greet me.

By the way, somehow the Nymph’s expression was unusual.

The Nymph continued her words with her head bowed.

“To Lee Ho-yeol-nim, the Mage Tower’s Chief Co-researcher of a rank one step higher than Feiyan Lot-nim, who is the contractor of the High-ranking Fire Spirit, Fire Drake-nim. Would it be alright if I risk committing a discourtesy and ask for one favor?”

……Wait, why is this modifier more long-winded than the main point.

This is the harmful effect of a hierarchical society.

However, I would consider it satisfying rather than showing my embarrassed inner thoughts.

I answered shamelessly.

“I shall listen.”

Why is a forest spirit in the Swampland of Predators?

That primal curiosity was resolved while conversing.

Actually, even without listening, I could guess to some extent. Considering the current situation of the Arcana continent, the culprits of all incidents are mostly demons.

“In the midst of that, like right now.”

“?”

“The scenery of the swampland suddenly changed. Since a forest seemed to overlap with the swampland, I tried to commune with the forest but……. Is it because I am incompetent? It was in vain. I, Nymph, couldn’t hear any voice.”

It was a story about the rift.

The Nymph blamed herself for her incompetence, but it couldn’t be helped.

Asking the forest of Scandinavia in Europe about the situation of the Arcana continent wouldn’t bring an answer.

“I was so discouraged that I was taking a rest…….”

Even while conversing.

The Four-Colored Mistletoe was emitting gentle mana. The vicinity of such a Four-Colored Mistletoe must be a suitable place for a spirit to take a rest.

“By any chance. Do you, Lee Ho-yeol-nim, the Mage Tower’s Chief Co-researcher of a rank one step higher than Feiyan Lot-nim, who is the contractor of the High-ranking Fire Spirit, Fire Drake-nim……. know anything about this forest. No, about this situation?”

Of course I do.

However.

‘Before that, can we do something about that title?’

However, as always, inner thoughts cannot be revealed.

I replied with a shameless face.

Well, the explanation about the rift ended simply.

Since the Nymph would also have known to some extent.

“Disappeared villages or forests. Mage Towers too, all like this……?”

“That is right.”

“Th-That means. Will I also go to the same world as the Chief Co-researcher-nim?!”

“No, that will not happen.”

That was a story for when an area is added.

Or when a rift collapses.

The Swampland of Predators.

No matter how strong the appearing monsters are. Considering the potential of the Players gathered here, the probability of the rift failing to be cleared would be low.

But, wait a minute…….

Suddenly, a possibility came to mind.

If the Swampland of Predators is cleared.

The space of 『Phenomenon』, the rift, disappears.

And the Swampland of Predators returns to the Arcana continent again.

Suddenly, I shifted my gaze and looked at the relieved Nymph.

“Phew. That is a relieeeef.”

I harbored a thought that would make that relief pointless.

‘Information about the Arcana continent.’

The information I knew about the Arcana continent was extremely limited.

The wretched scenery I witnessed at the [Quirnberg Mechanical Tower].

And the fact that the Arcana continent can be interfered with through the space of 『Phenomenon』, the rift.

It was merely about that much.

Still, my situation was relatively better.

Because the other Players were entirely dependent on the new update details.

But.

‘If there is an existence on the Arcana continent I can communicate with like this…….’

The specific situation of the Arcana continent.

This means I can get information, isn’t it?

Depending on what that information is.

I might be able to set up various plans.

I could prepare fully depending on the situation.

However, a realistic problem existed.

Even if there is an existence I can communicate with on the Arcana continent.

‘Because I had to consider the probability of meeting again.’

The Arcana continent.

How can I promise a next meeting not knowing which place will be swept up in a rift?

Relying on coincidence, the probability would be lower than winning the lottery.

‘But if that existence is a spirit, the story changes.’

I might be able to overcome that probability.

Right, if I form a 『Contract』 with the spirit.

I remembered the top priority task of the Spiritology school.

『Overcoming Severed Relationships』

Reality and the Arcana continent.

Two completely severed worlds because they are entirely different.

Even if one formed a contract with a spirit.

They couldn’t summon a spirit of the Arcana continent in reality.

However, I knew.

Because I saw the possibility.

I even arrogantly babbled at the regular academic conference.

-“Verification will be needed, but it seems worth researching.”

That’s right.

If it’s in the space of 『Phenomenon』, the rift.

I might be able to summon a spirit.

Granfel’s brain was saying.

‘The possibility is sufficient.’

That means if I form a contract with the Nymph.

I will be able to summon the Nymph in the rift.

In other words, it means I can get information about the Arcana continent.

So I said confidently.

“Low-ranking Forest Spirit, Nymph.”

“Ah, yes, I am listening.”

“I wish to form a contract with you.”

I realize it anew.

I really laid an iron plate on my face.

In this contract, the one with the upper hand is the Nymph, and the one on the lower end is naturally me.

As I said before, a spirit is an existence not anyone can see.

The proof is that there is no Elementalist class in Arcana where thousands of classes exist.

Because the abilities of spirits were another realm of {Nature}, different from [Skills] or 『Magic』.

‘Considering my level.’

It wouldn’t be strange to be rejected by the Nymph.

Because the spirits had nothing to lose.

But.

“A-Are you being serious? T-To say such words to me……?”

Somehow the Nymph’s reaction was unexpected.

The Nymph was on the verge of tears with a moved expression.

At the continuing words, I realized the reason.

“To think Lee Ho-yeol-nim, the Mage Tower’s Chief Co-researcher of a rank one step higher than Feiyan Lot-nim, who is the contractor of the High-ranking Fire Spirit, Fire Drake-nim……! Why would you form a contract with a low-ranking spirit like me……? Naturally, for me, Nymph, it is a great honor but!!”

A contract with a spirit.

I should be happy but.

Why is it.

I am really, incomparably embarrassed…….

.

.

.

The stairs floating in the empty space.

Even while hunting the lunging monsters.

The interest of the Players was focused on Ho-yeol.

“What exactly is he doing going up there?”

They couldn’t guess at all.

Yet, they couldn’t just follow Ho-yeol either.

However, the anxious wait wasn’t that long.

“!!!”

Because something popped up in their vision.

That was the Swampland of Predators rift.

A message that popped up for all Players who entered.

[Someone has formed a contract with a spirit.]

[The Spirit King of the Forest, Dryad, blesses the contract.]

[In the Swampland of Predators, the blessing of the Forest Spirit King, Dryad…….]

Although the messages were popping up continuously.

The Players’ interest remained the same.

“L-Lee Ho-yeol again!!”