Chapter 76: Kim Ji-Hee Makes Her Entrance (2)

"To start with, we need to prepare some supplies," Kim Ki-Rok said decisively.

Boom! Booooom! Boooooooom!

Explosions constantly erupted around them as mana collided against each other. On top of that, some attacks forcibly triggered mana explosions to maximize damage. Amid deafening booms and shockwaves that shook the battlefield, Kim Ji-Hee stood there yawning widely and rubbing her sleepy eyes.

"Haaaaaahm..."

After running his fingers through Kim Ji-Hee's disheveled bed hair, Kim Ki-Rok pulled a black staff out of his subspace pocket.

"Ji-Hee, here. Take this."

"Okaaay."

In one hand, she carried a stuffed rabbit; in the other, a jet-black staff. The combination seemed mismatched, somehow. Yet when a pretty model wore it—well, it just worked.

Indeed, it wasn't wrong to say that all fashion began with the face.

"Good, good." Kim Ki-Rok nodded to himself.

[

The Black Staff of Marcus (A)

]

Description: The staff belonging to Marcus the Spiritualist

Effect 1: Increases Spiritualism Skill by one class

Effect 2: Increases Spirit Contract Skill by one class

Effect 3: Mana consumption reduced by 10%

As she held the staff, her skills were raised from B to A-Class.

"Ji-Hee, can you call Mandong here?"

"Yeeees," Kim Ji-Hee replied obediently as she turned her head to look into the distance.

With his abilities as a Pegasus Spirit, Mandong had been using his flight to draw the aggro of the trolls and his recovery skills to heal the injured. But upon hearing Kim Ji-Hee's call, he quickly flew over to them.

"He's a spirit... you'd think he shouldn't have to flap his wings to fly," Kim Ki-Rok commented on the redundancy.

It was probably out of habit, but even after becoming a spirit, Mandong would still unconsciously flap his wings as he flew through the air.

Mandong neighed as he landed on the icy wall, his front hooves pawing the air.

"

Bruhuhuuh.

"

(Did you summon me, sir?!)

Out of habit, Kim Ji-Hee translated for the Pegasus.

"That's right." Kim Ki-Rok nodded. "Hurry up and lower your body. We need you to carry Ji-Hee."

"

Whiihiihiing!

" (It would be my honor, sir!)

Kim Ki-Rok hooked his hands under Kim Ji-Hee's arms and lifted her, then gently placed her onto Mandong's back. As the Pegasus rose up, his tail was swinging from side to side.

"Hmmm..." Kim Ki-Rok stepped back to inspect Ji-Hee and Mandong as though double-checking they were ready for action.

Kim Ji-Hee was holding a stuffed rabbit in one hand and a pitch-black staff in the other, but instead of the black robes that would usually come to mind when thinking of a Spiritualist, she was wearing a pure white set of rabbit pajamas.

"Ah, that's what you were missing," Kim Ki-Rok said, placing a rabbit-eared hat on top of her head. Seeing Kim Ji-Hee transform into a cute little bunny brought an involuntary grin to his face.

"Perfect. Our Ji-Hee is so adorable."

"

Heehee.

" Kim Ji-Hee giggled, burying her face in her stuffed rabbit.

Despite the layers of mana that were wrapped around her, it seemed that the constant blasts of cold wind had managed to wipe away any drowsiness.

Reaching into his subspace pocket, Kim Ki-Rok pulled out a spirit mana stone and infused it with his own mana. As he did so, thirty-one human spirits were drawn out of the stone.

The spirits were stretching their bodies after being released from the cramped confines, then turned to look at Kim Ki-Rok in question after confirming that the Hunters were still busy fighting the trolls.

One of them asked, "Hmmm? Is it over alrea—no, it seems like the battle isn't over yet..."

"Why did you call us? You were the one who told us to just leave it to you and rest because of the limits of Ji-Hee's Spiritualism Skill," said another.

"Our dear Ji-Hee has grown stronger!" Kim Ki-Rok proudly informed them.

"Oooooh! Oh my oh my. Our dear Ji-Hee really has grown stronger!"

The spirits flew over to Kim Ji-Hee and started patting her on the head.

"Really now! Our Ji-Hee is so amazing! How wonderful!"

"Because of that, with her current Spiritualism Skill, she can make thirty more short-term contracts!" Kim Ki-Rok quickly revealed.

"Isn't that more than we expected?"

Kim Ki-Rok nodded and explained, "It's because of her staff."

After holding the staff, Kim Ji-Hee's Spiritualism Skill had successfully reached A-Class.

[

Spiritualism (A)

]

Description: Allows the user to control spirits

Restrictions: Affects spirits up to Level 100

Control Limit: 30/60

"Alright." The spirits immediately grasped the situation.

"And her Spirit Contract Skill now has two empty spots," Kim Ki-Rok added.

"Shouldn't that be three spots?"

"Originally, it would indeed be three empty spots due to the effect of Marcus' staff. However, in that case, Ji-Hee would have to continue carrying the staff until her skill level increases. So practically speaking, there are only two available," Kim Ki-Rok explained.

A strange tension arose between the spirits that were previously smiling as they hovered over Kim Ji-Hee. Unlike the short-term contracts offered by her Spiritualism Skill, the spirit contract lasted much longer and would bind the spirits to Kim Ji-Hee's soul.

"Setting aside the two who have already been placed in charge of escorting Ji-Hee, can I assume that it was intentional that you summoned thirty-one of us when there are only thirty short-term contracts available?"

"That's right. I would like for one of you to make a spirit contract with Ji-Hee," Kim Ki-Rok admitted.

"But aren't there two empty spots?"

Kim Ki-Rok shook his head apologetically. "I'm sorry to say this, but based on prior experience, there is a good chance that a spirit possessing great strength may approach Ji-Hee, so it is best to leave one spot open."

"So that's the case. There's no need to feel sorry. It's all for Ji-Hee's safety after all."

Although it was disappointing, the spirits could still accept this decision. On the contrary, it was a miracle that one spot had already opened up for them. They had expected their situation to remain stagnant for at least a few more years.

"In any case, that means one of us will be getting a chance to sign a spirit contract."

"That's correct." Kim Ki-Rok nodded.

"But in that case, who should get it?"

"Everyone... I know that your current state of spirithood isn't the afterlife that you were hoping for when you were alive. So I'm grateful that, as the spirits of the deceased, you are still willing to sacrifice your time left on this earth to assist us," Kim Ki-Rok said, staring deeply at each of the spirits.

"But getting back to the main point, it is with all of your help, especially Sir Kan Cho-Woo and the various knightly spirits, that Ji-Hee has been able to learn various martial arts, as well as how to handle mana. However, our dear Ji-Hee is still lacking in many ways."

The spirits all nodded their heads in acknowledgment.

"Could it finally be my turn?" One of the spirits stepped forward. It was the spirit of a knight from the Fortress of Living Armor. This spirit in particular was one who spent more time in the training room than he did in the spirit lounge.

"Ah, that is what I was originally thinking, but..." Kim Ki-Rok hesitated.

"Hm? Originally?"

Kim Ki-Rok pointed over his shoulder. "Do you think that you can deal a critical hit to those guys over there?"

The spirit of the knight turned his head. He took in the sight of the Ice Trolls and the Ice Troll Lord, then slowly began, "Well, see here, young Ki-Rok."

"Yes, Lord Ronald."

"If I sign the spirit contract, will I be able to show my full power?"

"You should be able to show your full power, but since our Ji-Hee's level is still very low, I'm afraid that it will only be for very short periods of time," Kim Ki-Rok warned.

"

Tsk.

"

The spirit of the knight stepped backward. Afterward, none of the other knight spirits stepped forward to take his place. None of the wizard spirits applied either. Since Kan Cho-Woo had already become Kim Ji-Hee's contracted spirit, the cost-effectiveness of contracting another wizard spirit would be too low to accept.

Kim Ki-Rok turned to specifically address one of the spirits. "Miss Maria."

"Y-yes? A-are you talking to me?" A young woman who had been standing quietly next to Kim Ji-Hee raised her head in surprise and stared back at Kim Ki-Rok.

"That's right. I have decided that Miss Maria is the most suitable spirit to be Ji-Hee's next partner."

"Ah...!"

Perhaps because she had never expected to be chosen, the young female spirit named Maria appeared very flustered. Meanwhile, the other spirits began to discuss among themselves.

"Hmph! Indeed, considering the young lass's ability..."

"That's true. She will be of great help to our dear Ji-Hee not only in this battle, but also in her future challenges."

Because she had been recruited at The Magus Fief Occupied by Contaminated Monsters, the other spirits had already become familiar with her abilities.

Maria glanced around, surprised by their support, and tightly clenched her fists with resolve. "Yes. I'll do it! I will work hard for the sake of our dear Ji-Hee!"

Moved by her enthusiasm, Kim Ki-Rok responded in a loud voice, "Good! In that case, let's proceed right away with the spirit contract! Ji-Hee! Create a spirit contract!"

"Yeees! Spirit! Contract!" In response to her invocation, a magic circle appeared beneath her and Maria's feet.

After taking a moment to briefly count down on his fingers as he sorted out his thoughts, Kim Ki-Rok turned to look at Kim Ji-Hee and warned her, "Ji-Hee, repeat after me very carefully."

"Yeeees!" Kim Ji-Hee nodded seriously.

"I, Kim Ji-Hee," Kim Ki-Rok began.

Kim Ji-Hee quickly followed along. "I, Kim Ji-Hee."

Kim Ki-Rok continued, "Do invite Raident von Schutzendier Huntvar Agnilli Arghan Kashmaria.[1]"

"Do invite Rai... aaah?" Kim Ji-Hee tried to copy him, only to stumble at the very first syllable of the long name.

Kim Ki-Rok repeated himself, "Raident von Schutzendier Huntvar Agnilli Arghan Kashmaria."

"Ra-Raident Von Schu... Schu... eeeh?" Kim Ji-Hee tried her best, but was left tilting her head in confusion.

The young female spirit was the runaway daughter of the Raident clan, a family of vampires. She had been caught up in a monster invasion while vacationing in the Magus Fief and ended up losing her life. Her full name was Raident von Schutzendier Huntvar Agnilli Arghan Kashmaria, or Maria for short.

The lengthy name was proving too difficult for Kim Ji-Hee to process.

Kim Ki-Rok patiently spoke to her, "Now now, calm down Ji-Hee. Let's just take it slowly. Very slowly."

***

What in the world are they doing?

Jang Bo-Hyun had announced Kim Ji-Hee's arrival on the same frequency that everyone was using to communicate. Because of that, no one had batted an eye when Kim Ki-Rok had left the front lines to go meet with her.

But the problem was that he was taking far too long. In his absence, the pressure everyone was under seemed to have quietly doubled. This just proved how timely and valuable their Guildmaster's support had been.

When the Hunters glanced back over their shoulders to see what was taking them so long, they saw that Kim Ki-Rok had summoned dozens of spirits and seemed to be discussing something with them.

The Hunters wondered just how much longer was their conversation going to take.

Groooooar!

The Ice Troll Lord was drained of mana, its body covered in wounds from the Hunters' continuous assault. Then something seemed to cause its muscles to swell, and the faint wisps of mana that had been covering its body grew dense. The now thick clouds of mana were concentrating around the iron club in its hand, which was practically shimmering with an aura.

Rooooooar!

Ignoring the Hunters' attacks, the Ice Troll Lord raised its iron club high into the air. It began to emanate a terrifyingly murderous killing intent that, when mixed with the clouds of mana, transformed into a heavy pressure which immensely weighed down on the bodies of the surrounding Hunters.

Whooooosh!

"Fuck, this is insane." A few Hunters who were unable to escape the field of pressure surrounding the Ice Troll Lord unconsciously let out curses as they stared up at the iron club that was falling down onto their heads.

They were about to die.

As their bodies were frozen in terror, they all saw their lives flash before their eyes. Some closed their eyes as if they had given up all hope, while others wrapped their mana around their bodies in a desperate struggle to survive. But just then, two men came forward to shield the frozen Hunters.

"Captain Ji Cheol-Hyun!" Kang Seh-Hyuk called out.

"Got it!"

Responding to the urgent cry, Ji Cheol-Hyun conjured multiple Transparent Shields around them. Kang Seh-Hyuk, who had just cracked his bones back into alignment, raised his shield as well. He inhaled deeply, bracing himself.

Booooooom!

"

Gaaaaagh!

This is... crazy..." Kang Seh-Hyuk groaned in pain.

Despite the multiple layers of Transparent Shields stacked on top of one another, the club still smashed through them like glass. Kang Seh-Hyuk, who had poured every last scrap of mana into his own shield, felt his arms fracture on impact as he was hurled away.

Rescuers quickly to help the Hunters evacuate. "Retreat!"

"Take care of Seh-Hyuk!" Ji Cheol-Hyun ordered them.

The small opening that Kang Seh-Hyuk had created by blocking the blow was so short that it literally only gave them enough time to catch their breath. However, their elite special forces team had been trained in subduing high-level monsters. The rescuers from that team were able to pull all the wounded Hunters out of harm's way.

Once they were safe, Captain Ji Cheol-Hyun approached Kang Seh-Hyuk, who was busy getting his broken bones pieced back together via a combination of recovery skills and health potions.

"Are you alright?" Ji Cheol-Hyun asked.

"I'll make do... somehow," Kang Seh-Hyuk said through gritted teeth, downing another mana recovery potion.

These two were the only ones capable of blocking that monstrous blow from the Troll Lord. Ji Cheol-Hyun let out a quiet sigh as he glared at it.

They had been fighting for what felt like half an hour by now, yet reinforcements still hadn't arrived.

If reinforcements haven't arrived, either the 30 minutes isn't up yet... or something caused a delay...

So which was it?

At the very least, Ji Cheol-Hyun might be able to easily rule out the first answer by checking the wristwatch on his left hand. But right now, his attention was locked on the Ice Troll Lord that could forcibly paralyze their movements with its killing intent. If he looked away for even a moment, it might be the end for several Hunters.

Fortunately, Kang Seh-Hyuk quickly healed and returned to the battle line with a shout, "Healed!"

Right at that moment, a very familiar male voice was heard shouting something behind them.

"Amongst men!"

Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh! Fwoosh!

The sudden eruption of light that followed froze not only the Hunters in their tracks, it even affected the trolls. It wasn't magic, but technology. There was no mana in that glow, so even the trolls were taken aback.

In disbelief, Captain Ji Cheol-Hyun had to ask, "About your Guildmaster Kim Ki-Rok..."

"Ah, yeah?" Kang Seh-Hyuk awkwardly replied.

"Why exactly would he be carrying stage lights on him?" Ji Cheol-Hyun asked.

Kang Seh-Hyuk hesitated. "Ah... that's... he says that he carries them around because monsters don't have any experience dealing with scientific or technological things. So the first time they encounter technological items they often become very flustered, but..."

Kang Seh-Hyuk didn't believe that was the real reason for it.

The Hunters stared up at the circle in the sky that was now being illuminated by the stage lights.

The shouting continued. "Ji-Hee is the greatest!"

Kim Ji-Hee appeared within the circle of light, riding on Mandong's back and waving her staff with a bashful smile.

"Amongst horses!"

"

Whihiihiiing!

" Mandong reared his front hooves high in the air and spread his wings dramatically.

"Mandong is the greatest!"

"Haiyah..." With a quiet war cry, Kim Ji-Hee swung her staff, and fifty-two spirits promptly arrayed themselves in formation before her.

Standing on top of the railing that topped the ice wall, Kim Ki-Rok held up the loudspeaker that he had borrowed from Jang Bo-Hyun. Raising his index finger to point up at Kim Ji-Hee, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Amongst men, Ji-Hee! Amongst horses, Mandong![2]"

"Ah... um... hmmm?" Kim Ji-Hee, who had been struggling to remember what she was meant to say next, smiled brightly as she finally recalled the lines that Kim Ki-Rok had given her. "Shall we head back before our wine gets cold?![3]"

"Is he insane...?"

"That's a line from Guan Yu, right?"

"Must be nice enjoying life like that."

By now, the level of absurdity had reached such a high peak, it was impossible for the Hunters to even laugh at it.

Kim Ki-Rok roared once more, "The! World's! Cutest! Girl! Ji-Hee! Is! Now! Setting! Off!"

As the final words echoed across the battlefield, the spirits all charged forward. After crouching down to let Kim Ji-Hee climb down off of his back, Mandong also leaped off the ice wall and flew after the charging spirits.

1. Although the name appears Western, Kim Ki-Rok is following the Eastern convention of surname first and given name last. Perhaps the dimension where Maria comes from simply follows Eastern naming conventions? ☜

2. In case anyone needs to refresh their memory on this, it's a parody of a famous line that is used to describe one of the strongest heroes of the Three Kingdoms Period in China. Lu Bu was famous for being undefeatable in single combat and his steed, and Red Hare was rumored to be the fastest horse alive. Writers have coined a phrase to describe the famous duo: "Amongst men, Lu Bu. Amongst horses, Red Hare." ☜

3. This is actually a reference to another hero from the Three Kingdoms Period. Guan Yu, a mighty warrior, left the camp he was resting in and easily slew the enemy army's champion, returning to camp before his warmed wine even had a chance to cool. ☜