Chapter 142
Chapter 142. Elf
“Please try these weapons and let me know your feedback.”
“Ah, yes!”
Min Yu-ri graciously accepted her new weapons.
Not only had the equipment’s performance greatly improved, but it also possessed special abilities, leaving her quite satisfied.
‘Even non-artifact equipment is just as useful.’
Similarly, Yoo Ji-han, who was examining his new gear, smiled contentedly.
They felt comfortable to wear, like everyday clothes, and were certainly decent items.
Soon he turned to look around and said, “It’s better to keep information about Ho-yeol hidden for a while.”
“Indeed… That seems wise.”
The fact that a blacksmith capable of creating artifacts was born was as surprising as the advent of a new Spirit Master.
Thus, they decided to keep that information thoroughly hidden until the situation stabilized.
“Ho-yeol, for now, don’t disclose this matter even to your family, and if you need any materials going forward, feel free to let us know.”
“Yes!”
“Si-hu, let’s sell the six-year-old ginseng we received as a reward this time, just as planned.”
“Got it.”
Yoo Ji-han planned to sell the six-year-old ginseng that was provided as a reward from Hero Academy.
The elixir, once consumed, would diminish in effectiveness upon re-consumption.
Above all, it was to purchase materials that would be used for future artifacts.
‘Material costs aren’t negligible.’
Artifacts receive various effects depending on the materials used.
For instance, the gauntlet that Ji Gang-seok summoned during the sparring with Yoo Ji-han earlier.
To add the ability to summon freely, specific materials had to be combined and added during crafting.
That inherently meant a significant increase in material costs.
‘But the fact that it can be made is already something.’
With the guild capable of self-sourcing artifacts through a dedicated blacksmith, they had achieved such an awesome condition that they could earn as much money as needed.
*
“I’ll be focusing on studying for a while. If you need equipment maintenance, just let me know!”
After the birth of the artifact, the guild’s atmosphere shifted dramatically.
Nam Ho-yeol decided to invest more than half of his day researching and investigating information related to artifacts.
Still unable to produce results to his satisfaction, he planned to delve through the latest papers brought by Yoo Ji-han and look for all past findings to craft another artifact.
“Yu-ri.”
“Yes?”
“Come here. It’s your turn.”
Meanwhile, Min Yu-ri, training at Hero Academy, received a request for a meeting from Instructor Lee Soo-ji.
In Lee Soo-ji’s training, it was set that each participant would have a close discussion with the instructor one by one; this time, it was Min Yu-ri’s turn.
In the small room meant for just two, Lee Soo-ji said to Min Yu-ri.
“Do you have any worries or struggles lately?”
“There is something.”
“What is it?”
“Recently, people keep asking me to take pictures…”
“Ah, I can understand that.”
Min Yu-ri, who always brought Chilla along, often received requests for photos from people.
The time it consumed had become a hassle for her lately.
Since the requests weren’t made with any malice, it was hard for her to refuse.
As a senior hero immersed in the entertainment industry, Lee Soo-ji advised her.
“You don’t have to worry too much about fan service. Just accept within a reasonable limit, and you can reject the rest. Some might be dissatisfied, but once your face is known, you have to live with that level of scrutiny.”
“Hmm, yes, that sounds good.”
“Do you have any other worries aside from that? Like concerns stemming from combat?”
“Nothing comes to mind right now.”
“Really? That’s odd. You should have a lot on your mind.”
“…huh?”
Min Yu-ri tilted her head at the ambiguous response.
Lee Soo-ji continued for her.
“You have an immense amount of magic within you.”
“I’ve heard that often.”
“And yet, you’re not utilizing it properly, knowing that.”
“…!”
“That’s the conclusion I’ve reached after observing you.”
In an instant, Min Yu-ri felt as though she’d been hit with a blunt object.
It was the first time someone pointed out such facts to her.
“Have you ever expended all your magic even once in your life?”
“No.”
“You have an enormous quantity of magic, and it likely regenerates quickly. It’s a very special condition for a hero. Yet, from the way you use magic regularly, it seems incredibly passive? Far more so than heroes with less magic than you.”
“…….”
Listening to Lee Soo-ji’s explanation, Min Yu-ri unconsciously nodded her head.
“You need to be a bit bolder for your own sake and your party members’ too.”
“Yes…”
“When using magic for a while, try to compress it much more than before. Then you’ll get a better sense of what to do next. It might be good to unleash all your magic too.”
“Unleashing magic…?”
After exchanging some short banter and concluding the trainee consultation, Min Yu-ri sighed softly as she stepped into the hallway.
There seemed to be no incorrect words in Instructor Lee Soo-ji’s blunt advice.
‘She says my methods are passive.’
Min Yu-ri kept repeating Lee Soo-ji’s advice in her head.
That incessant thought didn’t stop even after her training concluded.
And it continued as she left Hero Academy to visit her younger sister’s hospital.
“Did my daughter come?”
“Mom? When did you arrive?”
“Just a little while ago.”
In the early evening hospital room, her mother was present.
Min Yu-ri walked slowly over to her mother.
“Did you hang out with your party members again today?”
“Yes.”
“Let me meet those people sometime. I’m curious about them since I’ve only seen them on video calls.”
“They’re just like in the movies.”
As they exchanged dialogue, their gazes soon shifted toward Min So-yeon, who lay in bed.
“She looks even thinner than a few days ago, doesn’t she?”
“…….”
Min Yu-ri silently took out the lotion that Kazimir had gifted her and carefully applied it to her hands.
When she touched her younger sister’s wrist with those hands, it indeed felt thinner than before, just as her mother had said.
“So-yeon needs to hold on until she wakes up.”
“If it’s the So-yeon I know, she will hold on. For sure.”
Showing faith in her sister, Min Yu-ri covered her younger sister’s emaciated palms with her own.
Her mother, quietly watching that scene, spoke up.
“Yu-ri, do you remember the day So-yeon first collapsed?”
“……I remember.”
“You touched So-yeon’s body at the hospital, and her skin turned black, leading you to cry uncontrollably.”
At that time, when she was unaware of the existence of Magic Discoloration Syndrome, Min Yu-ri mistakenly believed that she caused her sister’s suffering, collapsing to the floor in tears.
“Since that day, you’ve gradually changed.”
“…….”
“I guess I should say you’ve matured a lot.”
Just a few years ago, she was bright and feisty.
After her only sister fell ill, her personality noticeably shifted.
Her single goal was to wake up her collapsed sister again.
As a hero and the remaining protector, she carried the responsibility to safeguard her family.
Along with various other significant and trivial elements, they weighed heavily on the small girl, giving birth to the current Min Yu-ri.
“I understand that you worry about So-yeon, but taking on too much isn’t good.”
“I know.”
“Now’s a good time to reduce how often you visit the hospital too. Maybe just once a week.”
“What? Why not?!”
“Why? Because you need to work harder to find treatment for your sister.”
“……!”
“Just because you come here doesn’t mean So-yeon will wake up immediately. Your mom will visit the hospital more often, so you should focus on your own work. Got it?”
Min Yu-ri was about to argue against her mother’s insistence to drastically cut down her visits to the hospital, but for some reason, the seriousness in her tone and expression felt stronger than usual.
“Ha… Alright.”
In the end, she bobbed her head in agreement.
“Oh! By the way! There’s a guy named Ji-han in your party; he seems really cool.”
“…Is he?”
“I heard he doesn’t have a girlfriend?”
“I’m not sure about his personal life… but probably not.”
“If he doesn’t, then you should totally go for it.”
“Mom!”
Min Yu-ri exclaimed, flustered by her mother’s casual comment.
“What? You’re the one who’s raising your voice.”
Her mother, witnessing her daughter’s lively reaction after such a long time, wore a small smile as if realizing something.
*
Yoo Ji-han and Kim Si-hu moved to a café in Seoul.
As they stepped inside through the entrance, a strong grassy aroma hit their noses.
“It truly feels like a flower shop.”
“It makes sense why it’s popular.”
The café was decorated like a giant flower shop, filled with wood and plants throughout.
According to a famous internet blogger, it was known as one of the most popular tourist destinations among the elves settled in Korea.
“Where did they say they’d be?”
Kim Si-hu glanced down at the message on his mobile phone, looking around.
Today, he was supposed to meet someone at this café.
At that moment, a staff member approached them.
“Excuse me… Are you Kim Si-hu?”
“Oh, yes! That’s me. Would you like me to sign something?”
Whoosh!
At the call from a stranger, Kim Si-hu instinctively pulled a pen from his pocket.
It was a reflex, much like a puppy.
However, the staff member smiled kindly and said, “There are people waiting for you inside.”
“……!”
Yoo Ji-han and Kim Si-hu followed the staff member into the deeper part of the café.
It was an area not easily accessible to regular customers.
Only those with special permission from the café’s owner could enter.
“Welcome.”
“Miley noona!”
The three elves they were set to meet were waiting there.
Kim Si-hu approached his mother’s friends first, whom he hadn’t seen in a while.
‘All of them are so good-looking.’
Yoo Ji-han gazed at the elves sitting around a round table.
With hair in every color imaginable, they all had looks that wouldn’t be out of place on the cover of a fashion magazine.
Since they were in a section with no other people, everyone had removed their hats.
“It’s been really long since everyone gathered!”
“Exactly. I’ve been wanting to get together for a while.”
“You know Si-hu’s been busy, right? You can’t just call someone who’s busy like that.”
“Si-hu is definitely better looking in person than in the movies.”
…….
…….
After months of not seeing each other, they expressed their joy at being reunited.
Soon, their gazes turned to Yoo Ji-han, who was waiting in the back.
“And this is….”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Yoo Ji-han.”
“Don’t stand awkwardly; come sit here.”
Yoo Ji-han followed Kim Si-hu and took a seat.
Squeak—
The three elves stared intently at Yoo Ji-han as he sat down.
‘This person…’
‘He is the second contractee of the Sylph.’
‘I can truly feel that special magic from him.’
The Spirit Master who made a new contract with the Sylph, whose contract had ended with the death of Erna Hass.
Having already seen the photos on Hero Daily, the elf with lavender hair spoke with an expectant look in her eyes.
“Could you show us the spirit?”
“Of course.”
Pwoosh!
Without hesitation, Yoo Ji-han summoned the spirit.
And…….
Srrr!
Srrrr!
Srrrr!
The three elves, who had told Yoo Ji-han to sit down comfortably, all suddenly pushed their chairs back, standing up.
Then, they bowed at a 90-degree angle toward the Sylph and shouted.
“We meet the great spirit!”
“We meet the great spirit!”
“We meet the great spirit!”
“……?!”
As Yoo Ji-han blinked in surprise at their sudden behavior, the Sylph that had settled atop his head shimmered silently in a beautiful green light.
