A spirit’s power output varies strictly according to its grade.
This is why the few spirit magicians that exist put so much effort into contracting with higher-grade spirits.
Once a contract is made, they can produce overwhelming power without any consumption!
Although Lee Tae-sung consumed mana when summoning a spirit in reality, it was still a good thing for Ashaka to become stronger.
Ashaka flew around Lee Tae-sung with a boastful expression.
The creature’s fluttering tail had increased to two.
Originally a lower-grade light spirit, it had evolved into a mid-grade spirit after acquiring the residual essence left in the laboratory.
“It looks cool.”
Ashaka flew through the air repeatedly as if overjoyed.
It had originally been imprisoned in the Dark Spirit Realm, but its fate had changed 180 degrees upon meeting Lee Tae-sung.
Naturally, it couldn’t help but like its contractor even more!
Ashaka continued to hop around in excitement, which was also a good thing for Lee Tae-sung.
On the surface, it might only look like it had gained one more tail, but the power it could actually exert would have increased significantly.
He would have to test it, but the power of the light sword he used through his fusion with Ashaka would likely have increased as well.
However, Lee Tae-sung had too much on his mind to focus entirely on Ashaka’s evolution.
‘Spirits from Dream World exist in reality too… It could just be a coincidence, but I need to look into it.’
Dream World was a virtual reality created by Alex Caesar, a top-tier ranker from the United States.
It was so realistic that people questioned if it was a real world, and it boasted a vast environment and landmass, with a continent ten times larger than Earth.
The easiest way would be to find Alex and ask him directly.
However, meeting Alex, who was even rumored to be the greatest Hunter on Earth, was no easy task.
Furthermore, he was said to be un-sociable, rarely leaving his home except to meet close acquaintances.
Those close acquaintances were top-tier rankers he had known for a long time, so it was currently impossible for even Lee Tae-sung to meet him.
‘I need to grow the guild and increase my own skills even further.’
If he became a Hunter significant enough to catch Alex’s interest, an opportunity to see him would eventually arise.
***
Lee Tae-sung’s only goal had been to check the spirit essence, and he had succeeded.
Heo Ming and Ling Ling also completed a satisfactory investigation.
The role of the primary investigation team ended there, and they returned immediately.
From now on, a proper investigation team would be deployed based on this report.
After returning from Heukgang 7th Research Base, the people around Lee Tae-sung became incredibly busy.
They had to report on the laboratory’s condition, identify causes and solutions, and check the possibility of reactivation.
In the process, Lee Tae-sung received a medal from the Chinese government and various rewards as the person who contributed most to resolving the Gate incident.
The government provided a massive amount of compensation.
It was an amount that surprised even Lee Tae-sung, who had recently been making a lot of money selling elixirs.
Afterward, Lee Tae-sung moved to the airport to depart for Korea.
If it hadn’t been for Zhang Xuan’s invitation and the laboratory investigation, he would have returned long ago.
This time, he even called for a private jet.
He had newly acquired employees (former slaves), and above all, there was the advantage of being able to play Dream World during the flight.
Before boarding the plane, Zhang Xuan spoke with a regretful look in his eyes as Lee Tae-sung prepared to walk up the stairs.
“Now that you’re leaving, when will I see you again…?”
“The distance is short, so we can see each other once in a while.”
“Still…”
Zhang Xuan was following a schedule so packed he could use three bodies, due to the various tasks his returned father was pushing forward.
Actually, all of that was possible thanks to Lee Tae-sung, but he hadn’t been able to thank him properly.
That kept weighing on his mind, making it hard to let Lee Tae-sung go comfortably.
Lee Tae-sung, for his part, felt he had received sufficient compensation.
‘Even the Red Magic Tower elixir I got from him is enough.’
The medicine used to treat Zhang Lifeng was actually something he had made, and thanks to it, Lee Tae-sung’s mana capacity had also significantly increased.
Furthermore, the medal and rewards would be of great help in the future.
He had even become the savior of Zhang Lifeng, the second-in-command of China, so it was to the point where Lee Tae-sung should be the one feeling grateful.
“…I understand. I’ll visit you next time. Along with my father.”
“You don’t have to push yourself too hard.”
“Thanks for the concern. Well then, see you next time. Have a safe trip.”
Zhang Xuan waved his hand.
Lee Tae-sung then boarded the plane.
Peipei and the others who were now employees of the Taesung Guild had boarded in advance.
Although there were occasional looks of anxiety, they seemed mentally at ease thanks to their strong faith in their master, Lee Tae-sung.
Lee Tae-sung had no intention of treating them like slaves, so he smiled gently.
“Make yourselves comfortable. I’ll be playing the game for a bit.”
With those words, he lay down in the access device as if every second counted.
***
Back inside Dream World.
“Phew. I finally have some time.”
Lee Tae-sung, waking up in his quarters at the Flying Dragon Clan, let out a deep sigh.
He had been so anxious to log in that he felt like a game addict.
Abeson, appearing out of thin air beside him, spoke with a dissatisfied expression.
“Haha… I just happened to have a lot of work.”
Lee Tae-sung was just as rushed.
He thought back to what the Flame Emperor had told him when he had only heard his voice.
‘Jiryong Mountain. And go to Hyrax to find the Guryong Bookstore.’
He had said there would be something helpful for him at Jiryong Mountain and hinted that there was a sword technique at Guryong Bookstore.
A fortuitous encounter bestowed directly by the Flame Emperor!
Surely no one would have snatched it away, but he wanted to obtain it as soon as possible.
‘Calm down. It won’t make a big difference whether I go early or late.’
The Flame Emperor was a figure from hundreds of years ago.
He didn’t know how the man was still alive, but if the fortuitous encounters he mentioned were going to be taken, they would have been taken long ago.
Going quickly now didn’t have much meaning.
Because of this, Lee Tae-sung went to find the Chief Overseer to ask if there were any requests heading toward his desired destination.
Since he had used up all his Skill Points while fully learning the Heavenly Fire Holy Law Art, he needed to perform at least one more Quest.
The Chief Overseer did not disappoint him.
“There’s nothing near Jiryong Mountain, but there is one heading toward Hyrax.”
“Oh. Can I perform it?”
In fact, Lee Tae-sung was confident even as he asked.
In the Flying Dragon Clan, the position of a Special-class Disciple was the highest among ordinary members, just below the Elder class.
Excluding designated requests for Elders or those meant for the Vice Sect Leader or Sect Leader, there was almost nothing Lee Tae-sung couldn’t do.
Rather, at this point, Lee Tae-sung was the one in a position to choose.
If the reward wasn’t to his liking or the location was inconvenient, he could refuse!
“Hmm. I think this one might be difficult for you.”
“Huh? Why?”
“They’re looking for a magician. You… are a martial artist.”
The Chief Overseer spoke in a regretful tone.
Lee Tae-sung’s qualifications were more than enough, but this was impossible from the start.
However, Lee Tae-sung shrugged his shoulders.
“I am also a magician.”
“…I didn’t think you were the type to enjoy joking.”
“Yes. I am being serious. To be precise, I’m a spirit magician. Is a spirit magician not allowed?”
“…Of course they are.”
The Chief Overseer muttered in disbelief.
A spirit magician was even harder to find than a regular magician, so when on earth had this guy even formed a contract with a spirit?
***
The client for this request was, unexpectedly, someone Lee Tae-sung knew.
It was a request from Kelson of the Dragon Knights, one of the major powers on the West Continent.
His connection with the man consisted only of a few words exchanged in front of the infirmary during the war with Mortu Nocturn, but knowing the client made him feel quite at ease.
“Oh! If it isn’t the war hero!”
“Kelson. It seems you’ve fully recovered.”
“I got out of my sickbed long ago.”
Kelson thumped his chest.
“By the way… a spirit magician?”
“Yes. If you doubt my skills…”
“No, no. It’s not that I doubt you. It would be proven as soon as you summon a spirit, so why would I? I’m just saying it’s hard to believe. To think a man I knew to be a martial artist contracted with a spirit, which are so rare.”
The first time Kelson had seen Lee Tae-sung was during the battle with the Mortu Nocturn branch.
It was a war where the Flying Dragon Clan took the lead and the Red Magic Tower and Dragon Knights provided support, and Lee Tae-sung, who was a First-class Member at the time, had unexpectedly distinguished himself.
Hearing that news, he had become curious and, after happening to meet him in front of the infirmary, had even suggested he join them.
It was a half-joking proposal…
‘I didn’t know he would get this strong this fast.’
His skills, even at a glance, were considerable.
On top of that, as a rare spirit contractor, his pure combat power would be even greater.
“Why are you going to Hyrax?”
“We aren’t going exactly to Hyrax, but rather patrolling the roads leading there and the surrounding area. Maintaining public order is one of our important duties.”
A major power isn’t recognized simply for having great strength.
They have to continue managing the land where their influence reaches and maintain order so that people look up to the organization.
“The power I received from my contract with the dragon is specialized for close combat. How could I patrol that entire wide road alone? That’s why I hire a magician to travel with me and handle things together. It ends much faster than you’d think.”
‘So that’s how it was.’
It wasn’t a bad request for Lee Tae-sung either.
Since it was a request from a major power, the Skill Points upon success would be substantial, and beyond that, couldn’t they form a deeper connection?
‘Since I succeeded in contracting with a spirit, there’s no law saying I can’t contract with a dragon too.’
If they became close, might he not get at least one chance for a contract?
“Can you do it?”
“Yes. If it required magical knowledge, it might have been difficult, but if you simply need long-range attack capabilities, you’ve found the right person.”
“It’s good to see your confidence. Then, from this moment on, I’ll give you the chance to be a dragon rider.”
Kelson grinned.
Immediately, he began to transform.
Kelson was already a large man, but he grew to about 3 meters tall as small wings appeared on his back, a tail popped out, and scales covered his skin.
Kelson grinned with a face that had turned lizard-like.
Sharp teeth glinted.
“How is it? Cool, right?”
“I see. Is that the power you gained from the contract?”
“That’s right. I can transform by accepting a portion of the dragon’s power.”
Kelson turned around and got down on all fours on the ground.
Then, he tapped his back with his tail.
“Get on!”
“…Excuse me?”
“I’m going to fly around like this. While doing that, if you see any monsters or bandits that stand out, you can just shoot them with magic. Easy, right?”
“……”
A dragon rider…
So that’s what he meant?