Chapter 8: Garden of Flames (2)

"This time, there are twenty of them! Ine! Sword of Flames!" At Lee Ji-Yeon's request, Ine surrounded the sword with flames.

***

"All Elementals who want to play board games, gather around!"

"

Yaaaay!

"

***

A towering tree monster standing over five meters tall blinked its eyes.

"It's the Gate boss!"

Lee Ji-Yeon glared at the monster, aiming the tip of her sword directly at it. Ine once again surrounded the sword with flames as Lee Ji-Yeon swung it fiercely.

"

Haaaah!

"

***

⌜You! Do you know who that woman is?⌟

KKR and the Elementals were now huddled around a giant TV screen, watching a shocking revelation unfold.

⌜She's your long-lost younger sister!⌟

"

Gasp!

Oh my!"

"They're siblings! Siblings!"

"Woah! Wooah!!"

The Elementals watched the soap opera with intense concentration, their wide eyes glued to the screen. In the midst of their immersion, the video suddenly stopped and an annoying message appeared at the bottom of the screen.

⌜To be continued next time.⌟

The Queen of the Elementals, along with her Elementals, all turned toward Kim Ki-Rok with fiery gazes.

"What about the next episode? There must be another one, right?"

In response to Queen of the Elementals' demanding question, Kim Ki-Rok smiled proudly and clicked the TV remote to play the next episode.

***

Krrraaaaaa!

"

Haa, haa.

I, I..." Lee Ji-Yeon pulled out the sword that had been awkwardly driven into the core of the giant tree monster. She leaped back and clenched her fist tightly.

"I WOOON!"

The out-of-control tree monster fell backward. Lee Ji-Yeon had finally defeated the Gate boss. Ine used elemental magic to catch Lee Ji-Yeon as she fell, and they celebrated together.

"Well done, contractor."

"

Heh

,

hehe

...

hehehe

..." Lee Ji-Yeon sputtered exhaustedly.

[You have defeated the boss of The Invaded Garden of Flames, Poisoned Treeant. The Gate will be destroyed once you exit.]

***

"Miss Ji-Yeon has just eliminated the root cause." Kim Ki-Rok informed everyone.

The Queen of Elementals' gaze was still fixed on the TV screen. She indifferently affirmed, "I see."

Beep!

Kim Ki-Rok reached out and turned off the smart TV screen with the remote control.

The expressions of the Elementals grew fierce as they quickly turned their heads to look at Kim Ki-Rok. They seemed ready to launch an attack on him at any moment. However, he remained calm.

"How disappointed would Miss Ji-Yeon be if she saw this scene?"

"Ah!" Queen of the Elementals exclaimed.

The Elementals widened their eyes.

***

Lee Ji-Yeon returned confidently to the garden, though she looked disheveled, her torn clothes revealing her midriff. She turned around in surprise.

"There must have been a tough fight."

The inside of the garden was clean, but the outside was a mess. There was a deep indentation on the ground like a big collision had occurred. There were also scorch marks on the marble wall, indicating the use of elemental magic.

"Huh? I thought you couldn't use elemental magic?" Lee Ji-Yeon said as she looked in wonder at the remnants of the supposedly unusable elemental magic.

Kim Ki-Rok took out an artifact from his subspace pocket. "It wasn't elemental magic. It's from an artifact I prepared."

"Ah! I see. Good work protecting the garden."

"

Haha!

It was my pleasure." Kim Ki-Rok chuckled.

Whispers between the Lesser and Intermediate Elementals drifted from a corner of the room.

"Sister, my heart hurts every time Kim Ki-Rok speaks. Why is that?"

"Quiet.

Shh! Shh!!

"

Kim Ki-Rok hurriedly drew Lee Ji-Yeon's attention away from their conversation.

"Have you checked your status window?" he asked.

"No, I didn't have time to check. I kept running into monsters the whole time."

"Well your level must have increased, and your stats have probably improved as well."

"Status window," she requested.

Lee Ji-Yeon's eyes widened. "Wow! My level has gone up. I also gained additional stats, so my stats are higher than my level now."

"That's because you used to fight comfortably in the back lines with your abilities, but this time, you fought in the front with your sword. Your stats like strength and stamina, no, actually, all your stats have increased, right?"

"You're right. They went up by a lot."

Lee Ji-Yeon nodded in agreement, but then her smile disappeared as she tilted her head. It seemed like she had noticed something unexpected. "Oh, Hunter Ki-Rok."

"Yes?"

"My mana stats have disappeared."

"That's because your mana has been converted into elemental power."

"You are right," she replied, confirming it on the status window.

"Normally, mana and elemental power should exist separately, but those contracted with Greater Elementals are different. Their mana stats are converted into elemental power," Kim Ki-Rok explained.

"Ah, I see."

"Do you understand now, Elemental Warrior Lee Ji-Yeon?"

Lee Ji-Yeon grinned. "Elemental... Warrior?"

"You're an Elemental Warrior since you're an Elementalist fighting in the front with a weapon."

"Elemental Warrior, huh...?"

A satisfied smile appeared on Lee Ji-Yeon's lips, perhaps because she wasn't just an ordinary Elementalist anymore.

Watching her, Kim Ki-Rok applauded. "Good work."

"Good work to you too, Hunter Ki-Rok."

"

Ha ha!

" Instead of replying, Kim Ki-Rok burst into laughter.

"Did your level go up a lot like I did?"

"My level?"

Kim Ki-Rok was still at Level 1.

"Oh, maybe your level didn't go up because of your knowledge about monsters. You could evade their line of sight and scout the forest without getting into a fight."

He hadn't fought, so he was still at Level 1.

Kim Ki-Rok merely smiled and replied, "Yes. Unfortunately, my level didn't go up."

"Unnie, unnie[1]. My heart hurts again."

"

Shh! Shh!

"

"Oh, by the way, what was the reward?" Kim Ki-Rok needlessly asked, knowing it was an opportunity to contract with an Elemental. The Queen of the Elementals, watching over the young Elementals while sipping her iced chocolate, was taken aback.

"Oh, right, there was a reward!" Lee Ji-Yeon exclaimed, having only entered the familiar Gate partly out of curiosity and partly to sightsee. She had ended up contracting with the Greater Elemental and destroying the Gate, so she was naturally curious about the reward.

Lee Ji-Yeon looked at Kim Ki-Rok, then at the Queen of the Elementals.

"Oh, right. There was a reward," Kim Ki-Rok said.

"Oh, that's..." The Queen of Elementals stammered.

Although the reward was the contract with the Elemental, it had been given to her in advance because of Lee Ji-Yeon's exceptional potential.

"It's a contract." the Queen of the Elementals admitted after some hesitation.

"What?"

"It's the opportunity to forge a contract with an Elemental."

"Oh? Oh," Lee Ji-Yeon said, sounding disappointed.

In that case, she had received the reward before even defeating the boss. Lee Ji-Yeon's sparkling eyes faded, her expression now replaced with an awkward smile.

"Uh... so I've received the reward in advance."

In the end, Lee Ji-Yeon forged a contract with the cute girl Elemental and received "significant" help in destroying the Gate, so it wasn't a problem.

"

Haha.

" Kim Ki-Rok gave her a dry laugh and was quick to retort. "You can't call it a reward in advance. It was the Elemental, after all, that had approached you first and proposed a contract due to your talent."

The Queen of the Elementals slightly pursed her lips and stared at Kim Ki-Rok.

"Queen of the Elementals," he called.

"Yes. Mr. Ki-Rok."

"What is the reward?" Kim Ki-Rok asked again as if nothing was wrong.

The Queen of the Elementals stared at Kim Ki-Rok before sighing softly, her hand reaching out into the air. She removed a flower ring from the void and handed it to Lee Ji-Yeon.

"This is a ring that enhances your affinity for nature more quickly. When worn by an Elementalist, it also increases elemental power."

"Appraisal," Lee Ji-Yeon said.

[

Flower Ring of Flames (B)

]

Description: A ring made of flowers nurtured with the affection of the Queen of the Elementals

Effect 1: Generates the natural affinity skill

Effect 2: Increases the proficiency of natural affinity at a faster rate (small)

Effect 3: Elemental Power +5

There were three effects attached.

Lee Ji-Yeon was so surprised that her eyes widened and her mouth was slightly ajar.

As she was gawking, Kim Ki-Rok interjected, "What about me?"

"I'm sorry?" the Queen of Elementals carefully asked.

"What about me?"

"You!"

The Queen of the Elementals wanted to shout that he hadn't done anything. However, she had just played with Kim Ki-Rok and was equally complicit. If Lee Ji-Yeon found out about this, she would be disappointed.

"

Haha!

Then, can I have the usual reward?" Kim Ki-Rok asked.

"The usual reward?"

"The contract."

"Oh, uh... Mr. Ki-Rok?"

"Yes."

"Uh, your talent..." the Queen of Elementals trailed off.

"Yes. I don't have any. If I were to compare it to a flower, it would be like

this

sunflower seed."

"What do you mean by 'this'?"

"I'm saying it because I know I have no talent with this cursed sunflower seed of a body.

Haha.

"

Kim Ki-Rok solemnly looked at his own body, then back at the Queen of the Elementals, keeping up his charade with a grin. "Well, at least it's enough for something, right?"

The Queen of the Elementals was speechless.

"Are you hesitating because you're worried that I would be in a bad spot after contracting with an Elemental when I have no talent?"

"Honestly, yes."

Elementals who contract with talentless Elementalists had suffered greatly. This was because they had to use the limited elemental power of the Elementalist to use elemental magic to protect their contractors.

"Well, even if I form a contract, it would only be on rare occasions that I need combat assistance from the contracted Elemental, so don't worry."

"Rare occasions?"

"Yes. There are two reasons why I want to contract with an Elemental."

"And what would they be?" The Queen of Elementals demanded to know.

"First, as a method of communication."

"Ah!"

Kim Ki-Rok had previously requested help when Earth fell in danger. From his perspective, it was necessary to have a method of communication at any time.

"What's the second reason?"

"It's to make a deal."

"A deal?"

"Yes. I want to purchase herbs, fruits, and candles that can only be obtained here at the Garden of Flames. The method of purchase is barter."

The Queen of the Elementals' eyes sparkled. "For desserts, right?"

"Yes. Delightful desserts."

These were reasonable terms. However, whether or not one could successfully form a contract was another issue. The Elemental contract depended on the autonomous will of each Elemental.

The silence that followed was heavy with suspense. Lee Ji-Yeon bit her lips as she was stuck between them, caught in their standoff. She understood that this was a crucial moment.

"Alright. But I wonder if there are any Elementals interested in forming a contract with you."

Kim Ki-Rok laughed confidently and stood up, extending his hand. "

Haha!

Don't worry about that."

The Elementals eating dessert turned their heads reflexively to look at Kim Ki-Rok.

"I'm looking to make a contract with an Elemental."

"Uh..."

"Uh, um..."

"Wow... This is a little..."

No one raised their hand, but Kim Ki-Rok's confidence did not waver.

"This damn body of mine has the minuscule talent of a rat's tail. But...!" Kim Ki-Rok lightly tapped his chest with a clenched fist and looked back at the Elementals. "If you form a contract with me, you can come to Earth."

"And? What about it?" asked one of the Elementals.

Kim Ki-Rok smiled as he explained, "You can eat Earth's sweets anytime."

"Me! Me!"

"I want a contract!"

***

On May 23 at 9 a.m. in front of Exit 1 at City Hall Station, Seoul.

A beautiful woman was awkwardly touching her red-tinted hair. She was a stunner. People passing by the subway station reflexively turned to look at her beauty, yet no one approached her. To be more specific, they couldn't approach her. Ordinary people stopped at the sight of the sword that was tied to her waist. As for the Awakened, they lost the courage to approach due to the subtle energy emanating from her.

"Oh, you're here early," a man from the subway station bravely approached her. He was an ordinary man that one would find anywhere. Their combination was that of a beauty and a beast. People glanced around and watched with keen interest. What would be the reason for this absurdly unharmonious pairing?

"Oh, Guildmaster."

"

Aha.

"

Those who understood nodded their heads. It made sense if the man was higher up than the woman.

The man showed no apparent strength in his slender physique and it seemed like ordinary people could easily overpower him. Even so, no one underestimated him. It was not just combat power that allowed one to sit in the seat of a Guildmaster. Many Guildmasters had abilities unrelated to combat.

"Okay then, let's get going."

"Right."

Lee Ji-Yeon moved, following behind the humming Kim Ki-Rok.

Kim Ki-Rok turned around abruptly, commenting, "Your hair color has already changed."

"Yes. When I woke up this morning, it started tinting red."

"By the way, Elementalists who have contracted with the Water Elemental have a slight blue tint, and those who have contracted with the Wind Elemental have a slight green tint."

"What about those who have contracted with the Earth Elemental?"

"Their hair turns brown. It's just like a common dye job.

Haha.

"

"Oh, then what about you, Guildmaster?"

"I have talent the size of a sunflower seed, so no natural hair dye job for me.

Ha ha ha!

"

Kim Ki-Rok was strangely bright and possessed an abnormally vast amount of information. He was an extraordinarily fascinating specimen, yet she felt no awkwardness with him.

𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

Lee Ji-Yeon let out a chuckle and proceeded to ask him questions about Elementals. Kim Ki-Rok answered each one as they headed toward their destination: the building next to City Hall.

Ding.

Having arrived at their destination, Kim Ki-Rok entered through the main gate.

"Welcome to the Hunters Association."

"Oh, thank you," Kim Ki-Rok replied. As a habit, he took a rejuvenation drink from his subspace pocket and handed it to the Association staff who had just greeted him.

"Please take this, if you don't mind. You can enjoy it while you work."

"Uh, thank you." The Association staff quickly displayed professionalism and greeted the guest with a smile despite the shock of receiving a rejuvenation potion from someone they had just met. "May I know the purpose of your visit?"

"To establish a guild, and—"

"Yes, to establish a guild. And?"

"To register as an Awakened."

"Yes. To register as an Awakened... Excuse me?" the Association staff questioned.

Lee Ji-Yeon, who had been somewhat embarrassed but amused at the situation, suddenly widened her eyes in surprise at Kim Ki-Rok.

"Yes. I came here to establish a guild and register as an Awakened," he repeated.

"Guild leader."

"Yes, Miss Ji-Yeon."

"You haven't registered as an Awakened yet?"

"No."

1. A Korean term of endearment used by women to address older women. ☜