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The garden remained the same. Spirits frolicked, playing tricks on each other as they flitted above the flowers. Upon seeing Edelin approach, they joyfully soared up, only to notice us lurking behind and quickly hid among the flower beds, peering out cautiously.

─Wow, there are so many baby spirits here…

Changsik, who was only at the beginner level himself, looked down from above, clearly fascinated by the beautiful garden. He wasn’t flustered, having come here once before, yet he felt a twinge of disappointment as the spirits didn’t approach him at all. Shione shared his sentiment, looking slightly downcast.

As I followed Edelin around the outskirts of the garden, I noticed the High Elf casting glances behind her, prompting Elvis to hide behind me. It seemed she couldn’t help but smirk, as if she had been waiting for this.

“Ray, how about summoning some other friends besides that little one over there?”

“Is it okay to summon more?”

“Of course! That little guy seems lonely all by himself.”

Indeed, on the way here, I had keenly observed Changsik playing with the lower spirits, while Edelin seemed concerned for him, as he was left out. I had no choice but to respond to her kindness.

“Sure, I’d be happy to.”

And so, I summoned Tania and Orna after quite some time.

A gentle breeze carrying warmth danced through the garden, and soon the forms of the two spirits appeared.

─Ah.

─Meow!

Orna and Tania surveyed their surroundings.

“Hey, Changsik!”

─Meow?

The moment their eyes met, Tania pounced at astonishing speed, as if no brakes existed.

“Where did you learn to suddenly back out of a penalty game?”

“N-No, sis, Dad called for me─”

“In any case, you have to continue the penalty! Right?”

“Eeek…!”

Tania chased after Elvis, who was hiding behind me.

Changsik, trying to evade his sister, twirled around me and, without realizing it, slipped behind Orna.

“D-Don’t come near!”

“Didn’t you hear your sister?”

“But you’re going to pinch my cheek again…! I don’t want to be hurt!”

“Sigh… Changsik, I’m tired. I’ll count to three, so come quickly.”

“No way!”

“One.”

“…Orna, can you help me just a bit?”

“Two.”

“Hey.”

“Half─”

“Orna…?”

Orna shook her head while smirking, looking at Changsik, who felt a hint of unease.

Changsik gazed blankly at Orna, only to freeze in shock at her sudden move.

“Meow!”

Orna swooped in with gusto, landing safely in Tania’s arms.

Elvis could only stare helplessly at Orna’s betrayal, looking despondently at her retreating figure.

“Meow!”

“Orna is on my side~”

“Hey.”

“Good job, good job. Oh, my precious little sibling~”

As Tania stroked Orna with a tempestuous smile, she turned to Elvis, her expression suddenly triumphant.

“Then how about we have another penalty game, Changsik?”

“EEEK!”

A chase and betrayal unfolded rapidly, leaving Shione and me, as well as High Elf Edelin, all smiling at the lively antics.

“Then I’ll show you the flower I mentioned nearby. Shall we pick up the pace?”

With a lighter mood settling, I walked alongside Edelin, sending her quiet spirit over to Tania’s group as we strolled through the garden. At the garden’s edge, starkly different from the well-tended center, I spotted a cluster of wildflowers, with Shione’s much-anticipated flower catching my eye.

“What’s this─”

Shione squinted her eyes.

In the sunlight, a group of small flowers shone with a delicate white hue. While they may seem unremarkable to others, to Shione, they appeared remarkably unique and filled with significance.

“Could it be…?”

She rubbed her eyes, quietly and carefully observing the flowers.

“Is that the Moonlight Flower?”

Moonlight Flower? What’s so special about it that she’s so astonished? I quietly nodded along with Edelin, waiting for the explanation.

“There are countless flowers named Moonlight Flower across the continent. However, this one is the most special Moonlight Flower of all. It’s the one you’re thinking of, Hero.”

“I didn’t expect… this flower would still be around…”

“Well, it’s difficult to find such flowers in human lands. You recognized it right away, Hero.”

As Shione carefully examined the flower, lowering her posture, she lifted her gaze to meet Edelin’s again before gingerly placing her finger on a petal.

“I was merely curious about the history and traditions of the family.”

At that, Edelin closed her eyes and nodded slowly.

“This flower was handled with great care by the Count’s House and the elves of the Great Forest during the war. I can still vividly recall those memories when I close my eyes.”

“By night, it emits sunlight accumulated during the day like a gentle moonlight, I’ve heard this flower is weak but possesses anti-magic properties.”

“Indeed. Depending on how it’s used, it can provide emergency aid when affected by magic or suppress monsters that have just begun to succumb to magic─”

As I listened to their conversation unfold, I quickly summarized the flower’s properties.

The key point is that it holds precious anti-magic power. It could be vital against incoming monsters infused with magic, helping us repel enemies who are damaged or vulnerable.

Additionally—

“Moreover, I have successfully found another use for this flower, which wasn’t possible back then.”

“Really?”

“Yes, you heroes will have the chance to see it at the most nearby place when the time comes, so please wait patiently until preparations are complete.”

With the new use discovered, Shione and I left with small hopes embedded in us, continuing our stroll through the garden.

The talk about flowers had come to an end, and now what remained was a conversation about me. As I had prepared a Spirit Stone, they had mentioned they would make arrangements so it could be used solely for me.

“Alright, now let’s head to the center of the garden where I’ve prepared the Spirit Stone.”

I followed behind Edelin, filled with anticipation.

The flower-filled path stretched on, shrouded by the tall World Tree, as I moved closer to the center fragrant with butterflies and flowers. Paradoxically, amid what should be a lively atmosphere, not a sound from the mischievous spirits could be heard.

Soon, as Edelin’s spirits returned alongside mine and the surrounding area fell unexpectedly silent, I expressed my puzzlement. Edelin began to explain expertly.

“The Spirit Stone I’ve prepared is quite a treasure. If naughty spirits cause trouble or hide it, it could become quite a headache. Therefore, I’ve taken measures to ensure that uncontracted spirits cannot enter this space.”

After simply explaining the lack of spirits, we moved forward, and gradually a thick energy began to permeate the atmosphere.

The intense, enveloping power was leagues apart from that feeble spirit mistake that Siabel had snatched earlier.

At that moment, Tania’s gaze shifted completely.

“Hey, Shinwoo.”

“……?”

“About the self-destructing thing that protected you last time. How about using that Spirit Stone to repay me?”

“……”

I couldn’t help but feel tempted over such a fine treasure.

Even if Tania hit my back with her little fist, I quietly ignored her and approached the Spirit Stone where Edelin had come to a stop.

“Here it is, the Spirit Stone. So, Hero, you shall─”

The Spirit Stone exuded a powerful aura of nature spirits. I’ve hardly seen such an outstanding Spirit Stone throughout my hunter days.

“What do you intend to do with this Spirit Stone?”

The options were to enhance the spirits or to advance my own abilities.

Both options had distinct pros and cons, leaving me unable to decide quickly, I simply closed my eyes again.

I pondered my situation as objectively as possible. Am I lacking support from spirits, or is it my own strength that’s more insufficient? If I strengthened my abilities with this Spirit Stone, which would provide greater effectiveness for me in the long run?

After some time, when I finally opened my tightly shut eyelids, I voiced my resolution.

“I will─”

*

In the northern part of the Great Forest City lies a beautiful spring.

A spring that was hidden away in a remote area, unknown even to most residents of the Great Forest, had played its role as a treasure for watering the throats of wild beasts for decades. Yet today, it was disrupted by two uncommon guests, instead of the usual visiting rabbits or deer.

“We’ve finally found it.”

A woman dressed lightly yet with a clearly sheathed sword at her waist leaned casually against a tree, her eyes rolling as she awaited her incoming guest.

It was Friel Arielte, welcoming her long-awaited visitor.

“Airiine.”

The guest was none other than her childhood friend, Airine.

However, unlike Friel, who appeared more relaxed, Airine was fully armed as she approached the spring.

“……”

“It’s been quite a while since we’ve been here, hasn’t it?”

Friel detached herself from the tree and slowly approached the spring.

“The last time we met here, you were holding a sword, and I was left bleeding and lying in this spring.”

“……”

“Back then, the world seemed so crimson, much like your hair. But now it’s so clear.”

“Friel, we didn’t come here to reminisce over that time.”

“Why, when you think about it, isn’t it interesting and poetic that we met here again?”

The reflection of Friel in the spring appeared cold.

“The reason we’re here now is the exact opposite of the time we came before, isn’t it?”

“……”

“Back then, you were sent to stab me in the back under your family’s orders, and now you are here according to what I wrote in my letter—”

A subtle tension hung between Friel and Airine.

The first to back down was clearly Airine, who was more equipped and in better shape than Friel.

“Just like in my letter, you have also come because you sensed something from your family, haven’t you?”

“How did you notice that, Friel?”

“Let’s see, I think it’s best to take care of the tails you brought along first before delving into the important topics.”

Ting!

Friel cheerfully flicked her sword, making a sound as she raised it.

“I think it’s best to handle those hanging around you first before talking slowly.”

Friel, who had once sustained great injuries, now brandished her sword with determination.

As mana coursed through her body, she gritted her teeth slightly, feeling a bitter pain in her side caused by her unhealed wound, while giving a scoff.

“You have particularly sharp ears around you.”

 

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