Healing After Sweeping Spirits with an Almighty Skill - Chapter 34
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 34
Episode 34. Intermediate-tier Spirit
You have successfully evolved a Lower-tier Spirit into an Intermediate-tier Spirit for the first time.
Toho-gi had evolved into an Intermediate-tier Gnome.
Before the shock of learning that even spirits possessed ranks, what filled my chest was pride and a tender admiration.
Stroke—
I stroked the head of the deeply sleeping Toho-gi. Though his fur felt less fluffy than usual, as though he’d been awake all night, that only made me prouder of him still.
[O…]
Toho-gi murmured softly at my touch, clutching the Spirit Fiber Wind Cloak tighter to himself.
Spirit Fiber Wind Cloak
S+ Grade Wearable Item
A wind cloak whose form was shaped by solidifying magical power and reinforced with mithril thread. It carries within it the heart of protection and the desire to repay kindness.
Nullifies all wind-related debuff effects and greatly reduces damage taken.
Allows the wearer to conceal themselves within strong winds and is recognized as an ally by wind-attribute monsters.
No matter how many times I looked at it, this was truly an extraordinary item.
Wind debuff nullification and damage reduction. Beyond that, limited stealth effects and even non-aggression from monsters.
I had never seen or heard of a single piece of equipment that possessed effects, each one of which alone would be worth a fortune, all bundled together.
‘Even a major guild would treat this as treasure.’
Of course, I had no intention whatsoever of selling it anywhere. This was something the Gnomes had crafted through sleepless nights for the sake of a precious friend.
I stroked Toho-gi’s head once more. Watching him with a satisfied smile, his tiny form letting out small snores, I felt a genuine sense of wonder.
How remarkable—this small being carried such an enormous sense of responsibility, working through the night for a friend.
‘Truly, spirits are far better than humans.’
So I, too, had to give my utmost. I had to be a role model for these children.
‘All right. Then let me see what I can prepare from morning onward.’
I left the Workshop with eager steps. Beyond the quietly closing door, the snores of the spirits echoed like a symphony.
* * *
By afternoon, the Gnomes began to wake, one by one.
[Yaaawn—]
Supervisor Gnome, his helmet sitting askew, yawned widely—the aftereffects of the sleepless night were severe. Beside him stood Toho-gi in a posture that seemed to boast of himself.
[Ooo.]
The Gnomes gazed at Toho-gi with envious eyes, as though he were showing off. At their gaze, Toho-gi puffed out his chest even more.
[Ooo!]
It seemed that Toho-gi himself was aware that he had evolved into an Intermediate-tier Spirit. There was no way he couldn’t have noticed—his height had shot up noticeably, and his Spirit Power had deepened considerably.
‘He’s grown nearly twice the height of the new-recruit Gnomes.’
Compared to the Gnomes, each the size of a palm, Toho-gi had become two palms tall—roughly forty centimeters.
The way his head stood out conspicuously among the other spirits, like a crane standing among chickens, truly befitted a higher-ranked spirit.
‘Now that I think about it, when Toho-gi evolved, some kind of treasure storage opened.’
I hadn’t checked it this morning because there was too much to do. In response to my thought, a notification window appeared before my eyes.
Tower’s Treasure Storage has been opened.
Along with it, a large window opened. It was easily four times the size of the palm-sized notification window.
The window, which read “Tower’s Treasure Storage” in large letters, displayed photos and descriptions of various items. It was a screen much like the shops one commonly saw in games.
As a reward for evolving a Lower-tier Spirit into an Intermediate-tier Spirit, you have been granted one Coin.
Seeing mention of Coins, this seemed to indeed be an exchange shop.
I wondered if this, too, was one of the effects of the Spirit Special Zone Skill—but my admiration was short-lived. My attention was soon captured by the items in the treasure storage.
‘There are quite a few unusual things here.’
True to its name, the treasure storage housed countless items.
……
Recovery Herb Bundle : 1 Coin
B-Grade Mana Stone : 2 Coins
Planta Tree : 2 Coins
Dragon Bone : 3 Coins
Spirit Stone : 5 Coins
Thousand-Year Tree Seed : 5 Coins
……
There were relatively common items like Mana Stones and herbs, as well as valuable-looking materials and monster byproducts.
……
Mage Primer : 6 Coins
Aura Inner Strength Manual : 6 Coins
Healing Scroll : 10 Coins
……
Dwarf-made Armor Set: 120 Coin
Wood Elf Staff: 180 Coin
Dragon Slayer: 300 Coin
……
Beyond that, there were plenty of equipment items—scrolls, weapons, and the like.
The Tower’s Treasure Storage lived up to its name; it seemed to contain a wealth of gear that dropped from the Tower itself.
I scrolled through the inventory list, examining each item available for sale one by one.
Among them, one thing seized my attention with particular force.
Spirit Special Zone Enhancement Voucher: 10 Coin
“Hm.”
Now I had a reason to accumulate Coins steadily.
* * *
While Jeong-ryong and the spirits burned through the night in the Workshop, Jung-jin was waging his own lengthy battle in his room.
“Done. That should do it.”
Jung-jin had been editing video through the night. Lately, in fact, he’d been living like this constantly—his days and nights completely inverted.
“Now, upload. Heh-heh-heh….”
Jung-jin hit the upload button and collapsed directly onto his sleeping bag. He hoped many people would watch it, that they’d enjoy it. With that thought, he surrendered to sleep.
“Snoooore….”
Thus released into the world of the internet, a single video began to spread slowly but steadily, word of mouth building momentum.
[Video uploaded to the Man in the Pillar channel]
(YouTube channel image)
(YouTube channel link)
Was subscribed just in case and got a notification that a video dropped. lol
─ What kind of video? Did he partner with some company or something?
└ If you’re going to post a link, watch it yourself.
└ Can’t watch it at work.
─ ??? What is this video anyway.
[Man in the Pillar video update]
(Photo of cute spirits)
No guild talk or contract stuff at all—just spirits the whole way through.
The scout teams who were on high alert and watching together all got blindsided lmaooo
─ I’m getting blindsided too. But seriously, what kind of video is this?
└ It’s just a cute video~
└ He really just uploaded a cute video to his channel?
└ It’s his channel, so he can upload whatever he wants.
└ I mean… I guess?
[Twenty minutes have passed before I knew it]
I clicked on it because everyone was losing it over a cloud pillar and the Spirit Special Zone, but I just watched the spirits and ended up seeing it all the way through.
At first I thought it was some kind of concept video, but after it ended, I realized the spirits were just… cute.
─ Cute video.
└ Just cute spirits.
─ But honestly they really were super cute.
└ Aren’t they supposed to be monsters in the Tower?
└ Lions and tigers are cute when they’re cubs too.
The video from the Spirit Special Zone, which had been trending only in communities where Hunters and Awakened ones frequented, began to gradually spread into mainstream communities as well.
[Broadcasting real… alright then]
(YouTube channel link)
Not exactly informative, but incredibly charming.
These little spirits show up and they’re so tiny and adorable.
─ I couldn’t stop smiling like a proud parent the whole time lololol
─ Is this an AI video?
└ They’re called spirits—the fairy folk that live in gates.
└ Like the spirits from fantasy novels?
└ yep
[Little spirits go thump-thump, working hard thump-thump every day]
(Photo of undines watering the field)
(Photo of sylphs eagerly turning wind turbines)
(Photo of gnomes mining ore and celebrating)
Even these tiny creatures work so hard—how can I do any less….
Alright. Starting tomorrow, I’m going to seriously prepare for employment.
─ Ten years running.
─ But does this even count as a vlog?
└ It’s just spirits working and eating over and over—that’s basically a vlog, isn’t it?
─ They said if you leave a comment requesting a spirit, they might upload a special video about them?
└ Undine’s got my vote
└ Sylph pleaseeeeeee
[Members… take a moment to relax with us….]
(YouTube channel link)
My daughter recommended this video… it’s absolutely adorable….
It brings back memories of when the kids were little…. Though those days are all behind us now…. Hehe….
Treat yourself to some healing on this busy Monday….
─ Thank you. Only Jung-jin’s dad would think to care for us like this!
└ Hehe…. You’re too kind….
─ They’re so cute. Especially that one, Sho-ho-gi—he’s the spitting image of my youngest when he was little.
└ Your child must have been adorable from a young age….
─ Hitting like and heading out.
└ Thank you…. Hehe…. Wishing you a wonderful rest of your day…. *(^^)*
In this way, spirits were gradually becoming known to the world.
* * *
A few days later.
The day had come for the Sylphs to depart from Spirit Castle.
Pa-ra-ba-ra-bam~.
Music blared from a Bluetooth speaker across the Plaza. All the spirits of Spirit Castle had gathered there, and five Sylphs stood at the front with quiet confidence.
I stood before them with a solemn expression. Today was the day of the Sylphs’ departure ceremony.
“Today, our Spirit Castle transcends being merely a place and takes a leap toward becoming something far greater in meaning.”
“It is so that Spirit Castle may become not just a home for us alone, but a sanctuary for all spirits wherever they may be beyond the Wasteland.”
“Therefore, I offer boundless respect and gratitude to these five Sylphs who have willingly undertaken this greatest of duties.”
I bowed slightly to the Sylph standing farthest to the right—Exploration Captain Sylph, the first to volunteer to cross the Boundary.
As my words concluded, applause erupted from all sides. The spirits stood with solemn faces, mouths pressed shut, clapping earnestly. Among them was Pung-ho-gi.
– What are you talking about? Obviously I should be going!
Pung-ho-gi had wanted to join the expedition, but Exploration Captain Sylph had objected.
– That won’t work.
– Why not?
– Besides the one at the Lighthouse, you’re the strongest here.
– That’s exactly why I should go with you!
– Without you, who’ll guard this place?
– But I—!
– With great power comes great responsibility. Your responsibility lies here.
Once again, I was struck by how well Exploration Captain Sylph could turn a phrase. In the end, Pung-ho-gi had no choice but to accept it, pouting his lip despite himself.
Amid the deluge of applause, I personally fitted each of the five Sylphs with a Spirit Fiber Wind Cloak. The Gnomes had painstakingly completed these over the past few days.
The Exploration Captain Sylph’s cloak came with an additional cape—a cape symbolizing her rank as captain.
“These five Sylphs must remember that they depart on a distant journey carrying the hopes and worries of all who dwell in Spirit Castle.”
“Remember always that our spirits’ first wish is your safe return, and their second is the arrival of new spirits—proceed with caution, take no unnecessary risks, and conduct this expedition safely.”
[Yes! We shall remember!]
[We shall remember!]
With the Sylphs’ resounding affirmation, the ceremony came to an end. We gathered at the Castle Gate for our final farewell.
“One more time—you must come back safe. No exceptions.”
I held each of the five Sylphs close, one by one, and personally drew the hood up over their heads.
Sho-ho-gi, Toho-gi, and Pung-ho-gi, along with the other spirits, exchanged embraces with the departing Sylphs, wishing for their safe return.
Whoooosh—!
A fierce flame shot up from the Lighthouse like a signal fire.
It was Romance Salamander’s farewell—a salute to the Sylphs who had chosen the path of hardship.
[All right, we’re off!]
[Gnomes! Thanks for the clothes! We’ll wear them well!]
[We’ll bring back ice cream when we return!]
[Once this expedition ends, I’m definitely proposing to her!]
The expedition Sylphs chattered merrily among themselves as always, joking as they crossed beyond the Boundary.
[Leaving the castle~]
[Wind cloak on~]
[Off to the Wasteland we go~]
No one left their spot until the Sylphs’ backs were hidden by the wind and their song had faded to a whisper.
* * *
Spirit Castle’s population had dropped by more than ten percent in an instant. The very air grew heavy with worry for the friends embarking on such a perilous journey.
But there was no time to grieve that loss before something arrived.
“We’re holding a Great Castle Lord Portrait Painting Contest!”
It was the biggest of big events.
Constructable Structures
┼ Main Castle Level 2
└ Material: Stone (10kg/10kg)
└ Material: Cement (10kg/10kg)
└ Material: Castle Lord’s Portrait (0/1)
The final gate to expanding into a Level 4 Spirit Castle, the final ingredient. A last grand event to create it themselves.
The Great Castle Lord Portrait Painting Contest, they called it.
“The grand prize is the ‘Outstanding Employee of the Week’ title!”
[What?! The Outstanding Employee title?!]
“And snacks worth 1kg!”
[Oh, ohhhhh!]
“The contest starts this afternoon! May the best artist win!”
[This time, I’m definitely going to win!]
Sho-ho-gi, who had seen little action lately, burst into flames—or rather, began bubbling with excitement.
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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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