Chapter 89. We’re Leaving

Kim Do-Joon noticed the flicker of uncertainty in Vulcanus' eyes, clearly taken aback. The Fire Spirit King probably didn’t expect such a resolute refusal.

After all, besides another Spirit King, who in this world would dare to defy the command of a Spirit King? Even the elves, who scorned the Fire Spirits, wouldn’t reject him so blatantly. They might grumble behind his back, perhaps even plot with other Spirit Kings, but in his presence, they’d at least pretend to obey.

However, Kim Do-Joon was different. Expecting him to act like everyone else was a mistake from the start. He wasn’t someone from this Stem world, nor was he an elf. He was a human—a species that didn’t need to bow to spirits.

To the elves, the Spirit Kings were kings in the truest sense. However, to Kim Do-Joon, they were merely powerful beings, no more, no less.

Of course, that didn’t mean he had nothing to gain from Vulcanus. Nevertheless, he reminded himself that getting desperate would only weaken his position.

There’s no need to rush.

Vulcanus frowned at Kim Do-Joon, clearly irritated by his composed demeanor.

Vulcanus’ voice betrayed a hint of anxiety as he asked, "Is it... impossible?"

"No, it’s possible," Kim Do-Joon replied calmly.

It’d just take a lot of time and materials.

“Then...”

“Vulcanus.” Kim Do-Joon's voice lowered slightly, cutting him off.

Then, the Fire Spirit King fell silent.

“The elves with the pale skin,” Kim Do-Joon began, “they’re trying to turn my homeland into fertilizer for Yggdrasil. I hear this isn’t even the first time...”

“That’s... true,” Vulcanus admitted.

“And Naiyel is one of them, isn’t she? She even tried to kill me directly. Or am I wrong?”

“... You’re right.”

“So, why exactly should I heal someone who tried to murder me?”

“...”

Vulcanus couldn’t find any words to counter him because Kim Do-Joon’s argument was irrefutable. From the perspective of an outsider, elves were nothing less than enemies. Naiyel, among them, was one of the most formidable. There was no reason for Kim Do-Joon to restore someone he had painstakingly defeated.

Vulcanus furrowed his brow, deep in thought. Was there no other way? Should he try using force to threaten him? However, he soon realized that would be a terrible idea.

In fact, Kim Do-Joon was the only one who could heal Naiyel. Resorting to threats would be the worst possible move. As he wrestled with the dilemma, Vulcanus’ eyes fell on a necklace—one that Kim Do-Joon had given him, which enhanced the wearer’s affinity with spirits.

"Then let’s make a deal. You humans love to make deals, don’t you?"

The Spirit King finally spoke, a spark of hope lighting up in his voice.

Kim Do-Joon clenched his fist quietly, triumphant.

Perfect.

The first step was already accomplished. He had managed to get Vulcanus to mention a deal on his own, just as he had planned.

“You’re here for some elixirs, aren’t you?” Vulcanus continued.

“Yes,” Kim Do-Joon replied, his eyes narrowing.

His heart started to beat faster. Finally, he was about to hear what he had been longing for—the information on the Fire Elixir.

“Unfortunately, there’s no such thing on this land. There might be a few herbs that carry some of its essence, but no elixirs.”

Kim Do-Joon’s eyes widened in disbelief. It was the worst-case scenario. The fear that the elixir might not exist at all had just become a reality.

He almost grinded his teeth, but managed to keep his composure. He spoke in a controlled, even tone.

“...Then what exactly are you offering in this deal?”

“For starters, I’ll gather every herb that contains even a trace of fire’s essence and hand them over to you. I’ll tell Sallyon to prepare them.”

Although Kim Do-Joon appreciated it, that alone wouldn’t be enough. Herbs with barely any essence would be useless, albeit better than nothing.

“Also...”

Vulcanus was not finished. In fact, this was where the real deal began.

“I’ll give you this,” he said, extending his hand.

A small flame flickered to life in his palm, slightly larger than a lighter’s flame.

“What is that?” Kim Do-Joon asked, frowning at the seemingly insignificant fire.

“This is...”

As Vulcanus explained, Kim Do-Joon’s expression gradually softened.

***

Time passed, and their conversation finally drew to a close. Kim Do-Joon received the small flame from Vulcanus, but there were two additional conditions he needed to discuss.

The first condition was straightforward.

"As I mentioned earlier, I can't heal her immediately. Gathering the necessary materials will take time, and frankly, I still don't trust her."

Healing Naiyel wasn’t something that could be rushed. It’d require a spirit affinity equivalent to level hundred. It was certainly not something he had on hand. Besides, even if he could, there was no way he was going to restore her right away.

What if she turned on him or other humans the moment she regained her strength? He needed to be certain she had truly changed, or at least ensure she was under Vulcanus' complete control before he’d consider healing her.

"I understand. Leave that to me. I’ll keep her in check until you’re ready," Vulcanus assured him.

“Alright,” Kim Do-Joon nodded.

While he felt more comfortable with a more tangible form of restraint than mere persuasion, he knew it wasn’t his place to dictate such things. Considering their relationship, it would be overstepping his bounds.

"And the second condition?" Vulcanus asked, his curiosity piqued. "You said there were two."

Kim Do-Joon hadn’t mentioned the second condition yet. The truth was, he hadn’t actually thought of anything specific. He had simply brought it up to add pressure and see what more he could get. So, he decided to delay.

“Just promise me a favor in the future.”

There was no rush to collect everything upfront. After all, the healing wouldn’t happen anytime soon.

“That’s it? You made it sound like there was something big, but it’s just a favor?” Vulcanus seemed relieved.

Kim Do-Joon thought to himself that if Vulcanus had lived in his world, he’d never let him near a contract. The Spirit King had little experience with bargaining, and unlike humans or elves, he lacked many desires. However, Vulcanus was a fool.

“May I say one thing?” the Spirit King asked, his tone suddenly serious.

“Go ahead,” Kim Do-Joon replied.

Vulcanus’ demeanor shifted, a reminder of his true nature as a ruler—a king of this land.

“Reneging or abandoning your promise will not go unpunished.”

The atmosphere around them grew heavy. The air heated up with the intensity of his presence, reminiscent of the pressure that Kim Do-Joon had felt during the earlier battle with Nereid.

In that charged atmosphere, Kim Do-Joon remained unfazed, and he nodded calmly.

“Of course. I’d never toy with your feelings for your daughter.”

To him, betraying that trust was simply unthinkable.

Meanwhile, Vulcanus blinked in surprise. “Feelings for my daughter? What do you mean?”

Vulcanus was caught off guard, and the intense atmosphere that had filled the room dissipated in an instant.

"That’s not it. Spirits don’t have the concept of parent and child."

"Then why are you going to such lengths, making deals, just to save her?" Kim Do-Joon asked.

"Isn’t it obvious? My future contractor is in a dire state. I just want her fixed."

But that didn’t seem to be the case at all. If there was no personal attachment, the more logical choice would’ve been to abandon her, just as Nereid did. Even Ayere had cast aside Luin without a second thought. And yet, Vulcanus didn’t do that. He was willing to pay the price to restore Naiyel to her former self.

Kim Do-Joon shrugged. "Alright, let’s leave it at that."

"

Tsk

." Vulcanus clicked his tongue and turned away.

Now Kim Do-Joon could understand where Sallyon got her sassy attitude. He nodded to himself, satisfied that everything had finally been settled.

"Well, I’ll be on my way then. There’s no reason for me to stay here any longer, so I’ll leave as soon as I’m ready."

"You could stay a bit longer," Vulcanus suggested.

"No. Who knows what else might happen if I do."

Having gotten what he came for, Kim Do-Joon knew it was best to return as quickly as possible. Staying longer might allow him to gather more spirit-affinity items, but that could wait since he had more urgent matters to attend to.

Or maybe, I’ll just gather some more ingredients until Sallyon brings the herbs.

After all, the items he made back on Earth were usually of much better quality than anything he could create here, in this temporary workshop.

With that, Kim Do-Joon decided to leave and stepped out of the fortress. Vulcanus watched him go, letting out a deep sigh. His gaze then shifted to Naiyel, who was still lying down.

"

Mmm

..."

Moments later, she slowly opened her eyes.

"This place is..."

It was a familiar sight—the walls and ceiling she had seen every day as a child. And there was a familiar figure standing beside her.

"Are you awake?"

Tears welled up in Naiyel’s eyes and began to pour out uncontrollably.

***

— Vulcanus! Why do you live alone? — Because it's peaceful and quiet to live alone. — Nah, but I like it better when it's noisy! — Thanks to you, I've had a constant headache lately, you little rascal. —

Heehee!

Why was Naiyel suddenly dreaming about this? She felt so tired, even opening her eyes was a struggle. The first thing she saw was the familiar ceiling she’d just seen in her dream.

"Are you awake?" asked a voice she knew all too well. "I told you, didn’t I? That Nereid wasn’t someone you could trust."

Suddenly, something welled up inside her, and tears began to flow. She wasn’t sobbing nor wailing, just silently shedding tears without end.

Why am I like this?

She didn’t know why she was crying. Her vision blurred until she could barely make out her surroundings. Yet, oddly enough, her mind was clearing. It felt as if the fog that had clouded her thoughts was being washed away by her tears.

And the one who had dispelled that fog was the human she had fought.

Human...

She didn’t know his name, but she was certain it was him.

"Are you aware that your Spirit Affinity has plummeted?" Vulcanus asked.

She flinched, her body trembling. Vulcanus was right. The spirits she always saw were nowhere to be found. The emptiness in her heart, as if a hole had been punched through her chest, was almost unbearable. The broken contract with Nereid—it was all because of this loss.

"Stop crying already. I made a deal with that human. He promised to heal you someday."

She suddenly wondered why Vulcanus was still by her side. He was a spirit, like all the others who had forsaken her.

Her gaze drifted to the large window behind Vulcanus. The scene outside was nothing like it was when she was a child. The desolate plains and barren forests were now filled with life.

Monsters were catching prey and holding small festivals, forming circles to test their strength against each other. It was a sight unlike any typical monster behavior. And above all, their hustling and bustling even reached the tall fortress.

They are so loud.

"...Vulcanus," Naiyel called softly.

"What is it?" he responded gruffly, as he always had.

He was like this when she was a child, when he visited on Nereid’s orders, and even now—unchanging.

"Why did you gather monsters and create a village?" Naiyel asked the same question she had once asked when the Baku Tribe first settled here.

"I told you before that I was lonely," he answered, just as he had back then.

However, this time, the words carried a different meaning to her.

— Because it's peaceful and quiet to live alone.

Vulcanus had lived alone for hundreds of years. Did it really make sense that he would suddenly find it lonely now?

Ah...

The tears still would not stop. However now, she could understand why.

"I’m... home..." Naiyel murmured softly, her voice barely audible, as if she was embarrassed to say it out loud.

Vulcanus remained silent for a moment, then finally spoke.

"You’re late," he said, his voice just as it had been every time he welcomed her back.

***

"We’re leaving."

"What? Already?"

That day, Kim Do-Joon announced to his companions that they were heading back. His sudden decision puzzled the group, filling their faces with confusion.

"Not immediately, but very soon. It won’t take long, so start packing your things," Kim Do-Joon added, promising to explain more later before stepping out of the tent.

He was itching to get started on something important. Soon after, he found a quiet clearing on the hillside behind their camp. Once there, he opened his palm, and a small flame flickered to life. It was the same size as the one Vulcanus had shown him earlier.

Perhaps it was likely that this flame was far more valuable than any ordinary elixir.

"This is the Fragment of the Heart of Flame," Vulcanus had explained. "A rare shard left in my body after I concealed my true power by hiding the Heart of Flame. I shall give this to you.”