Chapter 136
Chapter 136: Ta-da
“Wow.”
Kim Si-hu glanced down at his mobile phone, letting out a short exclamation.
The application that appeared on his phone was for the bank where their guild account was held.
And the amount displayed on the account inquiry screen was…
[1,601,021,080 won]
A total of 1.6 billion.
This was the sum of all the existing earnings and recent incomes.
Sales from the Rank 4 Monster Bullfrog and Rank 3 Monster Bullfrog.
Actor fees paid according to the view counts of the movie made by Ha Seong-tae based on the footage of them hunting the Bullfrog.
Money received for agreeing to include scenes from that movie in the Hero Academy promotional video.
Additionally, the accident compensation from the Hero Department due to incidents during the promotion exam…
On top of that, several miscellaneous incomes were added, resulting in the birth of an account with over 1 billion.
‘The movie’s actor fee is quite substantial.’
The largest amount among the earnings was, in fact, the actor fees.
After deducting various fees from the movie payment, about 70% was to be paid to Yoo Ji-han’s party.
The incoming amount had turned out to be greater than expected.
“Hyung, I’ve never seen an account with over 1 billion all at once in my life.”
“Wasn’t our father a Rank 3 Hero?”
“I have no business looking at Dad’s account.”
Even with just being a Rank 3 Hero, it was entirely possible to earn over 1 billion if one dedicated time to it.
But that was still their father Kim Geon-oh’s money, not the son Kim Si-hu’s.
“This means we can upgrade our equipment now.”
“Hmm.”
Yoo Ji-han was actively agreeing with the suggestion to replace equipment now.
To take on monsters that harness magical power at MA Rank 3 and above, more thorough preparations were needed than now.
“Ho-yeol, the day to properly repay you has indeed come.”
“Right! We need to treat him to something nice with this money.”
Nam Ho-yeol.
The blacksmith who willingly provided equipment to heroes who had nothing, no money or recognition.
Until now, they had merely mentioned him in interviews or made suitable custom equipment orders.
But with an amount like 1 billion, they could create something quite decent.
“I’ve thought carefully about how much money to give you. Instead of mindlessly splitting the money like last time, I’ll give you dividends based on your shares from now on.”
“That sounds good.”
“Phew… By the way, I’m curious about what Dad will say tomorrow.”
The two then had various conversations in the office.
With just one day left until the announcement of their party’s successful Rank 3 advancement.
They were organizing the guild’s income and handling other administrative tasks.
“Oh! There’s something important today.”
“Something important?”
“I’ll teach you spirit magic. All the usable stuff.”
“…?!”
Just a day ago.
Yoo Ji-han had learned a new spell called [Blessing of the World Tree] before sparring with Ji Gang-seok.
But to say he would teach multiple spells the very next day…
“I thought I just needed buffs.”
“I’m also quite focused on that buff. But it wouldn’t hurt to know something else.”
“You once said, ‘Magic, like food, needs time to digest slowly.’”
“I had a change of heart seeing you yesterday.”
Kim Si-hu could somewhat understand that Yoo Ji-han had easily learned previously established magic.
But after mastering the buff magic he was researching just moments ago—
Kim Si-hu couldn’t emphasize the basics of being a mage to him anymore.
*
Entering the personal training room, the first spell Kim Si-hu taught Yoo Ji-han was Wind Arrow.
It’s a representative spell of the projectile magic type.
Since Min Yu-ri joined, its usage had significantly decreased, but it was still a magic Kim Si-hu had used the longest and was confident in.
[Wind Arrow]
Yoo Ji-han looked at the Wind Arrow he created.
Compared to Kim Si-hu’s, it was a magic that had a very rough surface and was slightly twisted in shape.
It resembled a broken twig more than an arrow.
“The shape doesn’t matter. Just pick the ones you want from what I’ve taught you today and get accustomed to them.”
Swish!
Kim Si-hu licked his lips and rubbed his palms together.
He was determined to make a definitive progress today since he had changed his mindset.
‘At least he should be able to learn 5, right?’
How many magic spells could a talented spirit master learn at once!
It was quite an intriguing topic.
[Wind Arrow]
[Wind Cutter]
[Wind Wave]
[Air Rush]
[Roar of Breeze]
…
In the personal training room with just the two of them.
A splendid display of wind-based magic and widely used public magic was unfolding.
Yoo Ji-han was busy trying to replicate those spells while listening to Kim Si-hu’s explanations.
“This is surprisingly difficult.”
The Wind Arrow he had initially created was passable.
But without equipment like a staff to assist in channeling magic, his spells began to twist further as he continued to cast.
Every single spell he was using became increasingly inadequate for practical application.
“Can I start calling you a mage from now on?”
“Don’t joke.”
“No, I’m serious…”
From Kim Si-hu’s perspective, what mattered now was that Yoo Ji-han had succeeded in shaping magic with the spirit’s power.
And in just one hour, Yoo Ji-han had mastered 7 magic spells.
He was moving further away from the ordinary hero standard.
“Anyway, right now you’re just going through trial and error for training, and later consider relying on Sylph more.”
“For example?”
“Just let Sylph handle the calculations for the magic. You can only use the outcomes from that process.”
Until now, Yoo Ji-han had only borrowed the power from Sylph as a hero of the warrior class.
But a spirit master’s true power lies within the spirit itself.
Just as Sylph had once saved Yoo Ji-han of her own will.
The spirit could take on even more important roles than now.
‘Though it might be a bit early… it should be okay.’
Kim Si-hu had faith that Yoo Ji-han could do it.
“Do you know Julian Weiss, the Rank 1 Hero from Germany?”
“That magic swordsman who uses fire magic?”
“I think one day you might be called a magic swordsman like him.”
Despite being an ordinary warrior, he was famous as a magic swordsman because he could use magic.
Given time, Kim Si-hu was sure that Yoo Ji-han wouldn’t fall behind him at all.
And an hour passed more.
As Yoo Ji-han mastered around a dozen spells, Kim Si-hu said,
“That’s it! I’ve taught you all the public magic that might be useful to you.”
“Thanks for your hard work, Sylph.”
Whoosh!
Surprisingly, Sylph had not exhausted herself at all during the hour.
She had grown significantly unlike before when she would collapse after casting a few spells.
But it seemed that with just a little more consumption of magical power, her condition might worsen.
Swish, swish.
Yoo Ji-han gently patted Sylph as if praising her for her hard work.
Sylph began to tremble, seemingly pleased by the affection.
‘Indeed, Sylph also has feelings.’
Even if she couldn’t speak.
The spirit Sylph possessed an intellect similar to that of a human.
“Actually, I think I see a few decent spells among the ones you just told me.”
“Just focus on practicing the spells you think are good.”
As always, when mastering magical skills, selection and concentration were essential.
Ignore what is unnecessary and take what helps.
For Yoo Ji-han, who had at least a little grasp of magic, this process would be much easier.
“Just one more spell, would you like to learn?”
“What is it?”
“This is my unique magic.”
Not a standardized spell that would be written in textbooks, but a unique magic created by Kim Si-hu.
He pointed his wooden staff towards his chest.
[Air Suit]
Swoosh—!
Kim Si-hu’s bangs blew wildly, and a gentle wind enveloped his entire body.
It resembled the speed magic Haste, yet was distinctly different.
“Watch closely.”
Kim Si-hu jumped as high as he could into the air.
His body rose and slowly sank back down.
Then, to show off to Yoo Ji-han, he started spinning in the air.
“This is a magic that applies [Levitation]. It extends the hovering time and allows for a bit more freedom in controlling the body in midair using the wind.”
“This is cool!”
“It’s still in the development stage, but it should be pretty usable, right?”
Kim Si-hu had devised new unique spells by processing Levitation.
Yoo Ji-han stared in awe at him spinning like a carousel.
No longer was there a magician who had shouted in incompetence at gravity magic.
Whoosh!
At that moment, Yoo Ji-han’s mobile phone vibrated.
‘Here it comes.’
Yoo Ji-han recognized who was calling without even checking the phone screen.
Since he had changed his number that morning, very few people knew his contact info.
He pulled out the phone from his pocket and pressed the call button.
“Long time no see, reporter.”
—Yoo Ji-han!
As expected, the caller was the reporter Lee Wan from Hero Daily.
He had conducted the promotion interview when Yoo Ji-han’s party advanced to Rank 4.
—Thank you for reaching out to me first.
After the movie’s success, many reporters had tried to contact them.
But Yoo Ji-han had chosen Lee Wan, with whom he had a past connection.
“It’s more comfortable to meet someone I’ve already talked to before.”
—Hehe! I’m really glad we did that interview back then.
“Can you meet this afternoon?”
—Anytime! Even if it’s in the dark of dawn, I’ll rush over like a bullet.
“Your assurance really makes me feel secure.”
After chatting with Lee Wan for about 3 minutes, Yoo Ji-han confirmed where they would meet today and hung up.
Next to him, Kim Si-hu said,
“Are you really going to reveal Sylph?”
The reason Yoo Ji-han had contacted Lee Wan first.
Along with the Rank 3 advancement celebration interview.
It was finally time to reveal the spirit.
“It’s about time. I don’t think we can hide it anymore.”
“Hmm… Should I reveal myself too?”
Kim Si-hu fiddled with the black beanie he was wearing on his head.
He was contemplating whether to reveal his race alongside Sylph.
The guild master being a different race would certainly have just as big of an impact as revealing Sylph.
“That’s something you should decide entirely on your own.”
“Okay.”
Kim Si-hu nodded as if he understood and looked up at Sylph gliding gracefully.
Yoo Ji-han, who was also looking at Sylph, thought,
‘I thought it would take at least a year or two.’
As a hero affiliated with a small guild with no substantial backing, to avoid getting entangled in troublesome incidents.
Yoo Ji-han had planned a generous timeframe to reveal Sylph.
But thanks to the unexpected recognition gained through the hero film.
And with the sudden promotion to Rank 3.
It was only natural that their guild and party’s names would spread.
Given that the circumstances had come to this, he wished to ride the momentum and reveal everything in the most extravagant fashion.
“If it becomes known that Sylph is still on Earth, my mom’s acquaintances will be happy.”
“Acquaintances? Who are they?”
“There are people who managed Florun along with my mom who are still active today.”
Elves who managed the tree known as Florun, which was used in artifacts along with Erna Hass.
They were also aware of the existence of the spirit Sylph.
“There are also those who crossed over from the same world as us. I occasionally keep in touch with them.”
“Hmmm… I should have met them earlier.”
“I can arrange a meeting if you’d like.”
Sylph, originally a spirit contracted by elves, might be known even better by Yoo Ji-han than by him.
As Yoo Ji-han, he didn’t want to miss any helpful information.
“Let’s plan to meet those individuals. Now let’s clean up here.”
The two began to tidy up the chaos brought about by magic in the training room.
After completing the training, about 4 more hours passed…
And soon, the time they had promised to reporter Lee Wan was approaching.
‘Is there about 20 minutes left?’
The time left until Sylph’s revelation was.
20 minutes.
