Chapter 46: Sapling Shovel and the Vanished Shield

Otolc’s festival concluded without any unexpected incidents.

And as the festivities ended, one word was deeply etched into everyone’s minds.

“So what’s going on with Elysia?”

Whenever someone spoke, ‘Elysia’ would slip from the nobles’ lips, leaving a definite impression on the people.

“Really… You sure know how to play this game.”

That was Kruwa Sang’s honest impression after watching the whole process.

Ever since the New World opened, she had played as a merchant, witnessing all kinds of personalities and roleplaying concepts.

But she could say for certain she’d never seen anyone tackle the game in such an absurd way as Jaeho.

“Even just the idea of opening a Flower House in New World… I’ve never seen anyone try that concept before…”

“But it worked out, so that’s all that matters.”

Jaeho replied nonchalantly.

“More than that, I’m disappointed I didn’t get to see Samantha.”

“It’s fine. We trade goods back and forth almost daily anyway. I’ll have to head to Elysia soon myself.”

After Giant’s city-building plan had progressed to a certain point, Samantha’s Guild had promised to construct a branch there as well.

The Goraeso was one of the essential elements for a city’s growth.

Not only would it attract Player customers, but the taxes generated from that Goraeso would also be collected as extra income.

Relying on Kruwa Sang for proxy sales like now was cumbersome, and the shipping fees made it all too inefficient.

“If only designated transactions were possible at the Goraeso, I could sell flowers so much more easily…”

Unfortunately, the Goraeso was set up so that both sellers and buyers remained anonymous.

You registered your goods, and whoever needed them would purchase them directly.

What’s more, if designated transactions were allowed, merchant classes like Kruwa Sang wouldn’t even have a place in the world.

“Well then… I should get going now.”

“Be careful, okay? See you soon!”

After exchanging farewells with Kruwa Sang, Jaeho left Otolc.

***

“Now then, let’s go.”

As soon as he left the city and entered the mountains, Jaeho called out to someone.

Rustle—

Emerging from the brush was none other than the Demonic Spirit, Jingjing-i, who was now the Spirit of the Hearth.

— So, is it time to go now?

“Yeah. But you know, right? Jingjing-i, from this moment on, you’re the Spirit of the Hearth, okay?”

— Understood.

He looked downright unhappy, but the guy didn’t have a choice.

If he didn’t want to be immediately kicked out to the Spirit Realm, he’d have to crawl on his knees if Jaeho told him to.

“So, what can I even do with a materialized spirit like you?”

Jaeho asked as he walked.

“Fonda at least helps with Spiritification, you know.”

[ <Spirit of Vitality> says, ‘Didn’t I help in plenty of other ways too?’]

“Nope. Not really.”

Jaeho replied flatly.

— I can do that much, too. The contract itself is proof you’re qualified to borrow my power.

“Wow, really?”

At that, Jaeho checked the skill.

He scrolled to the bottom of the roster, filled with spirits of flowers at 100%, and just as Jingjing-i said, the Demonic Spirit was listed.

[*Currently Usable Spirits]

[(omitted)]

[ Demonic Spirit:

1. Magic attack power is added.
2. <Magic Addiction> The class skill is applied, and upon reaching 10 stacks, you can use <Magic Explosion> . The higher the stacks, the more the damage increases. (Cooldown: 3 minutes)
3. Depending on the situation, your notoriety may increase. ]

[ <Magic Addiction> : Inflicts sustained damage by instilling Fear into the target’s mind. ]

[ <Magic Explosion> : Unleashes a large area explosion centered on a target who has succumbed to extreme fear, dealing great damage. Simultaneously inflicts for 3 seconds. ]

“…Hey, you sure you’re not an actual demon?”

— My homeland is the Spirit Realm, through and through.

“But just by reading the description, you seem like a demon…”

Not to mention, just using the skills would increase notoriety.

— That part’s out of my control. Even if I don’t want it, my post has been assigned to the Demon World. What am I supposed to do about that?! You think I wanted this?

Jingjing-i shouted in frustration.

Jaeho quickly added, feeling sorry for him.

“Well… But the abilities seem pretty good!”

He meant it—the effects really were impressive.

Except for the notoriety…

— Then just don’t use it!!

“Ahem.”

[ <Spirit of Vitality> says, ‘Use me instead! I’m pure!’]

“Well, unless the opponent’s got a special vulnerability to demons, your efficiency isn’t much… But why don’t you get fame when I use you?”

[…]

— Heh, heh, don’t get cocky.

Apparently, Jingjing-i was feeling better, as he broke out into a sly grin.

“So, is there anything else you can do?”

— I mean, I have a body, don’t I? I can fight with you, scout, give you a high five, even dance if you want…

[ <Spirit of Vitality> says, ‘I can cheer you on, not follow you around and annoy you, and even sing…’]

“…You’re kind of on the same level, but Jingjing-i might have a bit of an edge?”

— Of course! Naturally, a spirit with a physical body, harmonized with the Regent of Spirits, is far more efficient!

[ <Spirit of Vitality> says, ‘I didn’t want to go this far, but if I ever materialize, I could tell the Divine Tree the whole truth!’]

“?!!!!”

Jaeho froze as if he’d been struck on the head.

“Th-that’s…”

That was a threat he couldn’t ignore.

The only reason he could brazenly lie to the Divine Tree was because Fonda was bound exclusively to Jaeho’s consciousness.

“Damn, I didn’t even consider that problem…”

— Wait! That’s not the problem right now!

“No, you don’t understand, I’ve already told the Divine Tree so many lies…”

— Someone is sending killing intent!

Jingjing-i shouted urgently, but Jaeho had already noticed the enemy suddenly appearing in front of him.

“Uwaaah!!! You bastard—”

“Damn! What the—”

Swoosh—!!

The enemy lunged at Jaeho with a thrust of his sword!

Dash—

Jaeho quickly rolled aside and drew his Legendary Sapling Shovel.

“Is it the Brown Bear?”

Roar—!

At Jaeho’s shout, the attacker grew even more agitated.

“Don’t lump me in with that bunch of trash!!!”

“Really? There’s nobody else who’d attack me like this, except those guys.”

“Damn it! You’re the one who stole my Shield!!!”

“Hey!”

Only then did Jaeho remember.

Who the man before him was.

“I don’t know your name, but—”

He didn’t know the name, but this was Usster!

Ever since he’d lost his Shield a few months ago, Usster had been plagued by nightmares every night.

Nightmares of some terrifying monster stealing all that was precious to him.

Guild leader Jugjang had said to trust Samantha and wait, but… he couldn’t stand it anymore.

Samantha didn’t seem to care at all about his Shield, and the Guild’s leadership was even talking about building friendly relations with Elysia…

Kruwa Sang was even planning to open a Guild branch in the Elysia Garden.

And at that point, Jugjang and the other Guild higher-ups wanted to arrange a meeting with Jaeho.

“No one’s on my side!”

From Usster’s perspective, it was only natural that his insides were boiling.

So, having learned that Jaeho would be meeting with Kruwa Sang, he set out alone.

He wasn’t going to be defeated so helplessly like last time.

Even though he’d lost his Shield class, it didn’t mean he’d lost his skills!

The most important thing—there was no Elf with him this time!

“This time will be different! <Storm Charge> !!!”

Usster’s class was close to a tank, but he also had decent offensive skills.

<Storm Charge> was his signature skill.

Rumble—

With a thunderous sound, Usster charged at Jaeho, leading with a cheap Shield.

But a direct attack like that was actually easy for Jaeho to dodge.

Crash!!!

However, just as Jaeho dodged, Usster’s Shield slammed into the ground, unleashing a powerful shockwave.

It came at him without a single gap—there was no way to dodge such an attack.

[<Elbo Spiritization> Selected <Rock Flower Spirit> .]

[All types of defense are increased.]

[Enemy movements are slowed.]

Thud—

A layer of light enveloped Jaeho’s body, absorbing the damage from the shockwave.

“Is that your confidence in your defense? Let’s see how long you can last!”

Usster swung his sword at Jaeho.

“!”

The heavy sword almost pierced the air, but Jaeho moved smoothly, letting it slip by.

At the same time, his Legendary Sapling Shovel stabbed toward Usster’s chest.

“Not so fast!”

Usster thought,

Tanks are the counter-class to assassins.

Their attacks shouldn’t be able to pierce a tank’s Shield or armor…

Clang—!

“?!!”

A powerful blow shook even his firmly set Shield!

“!”

“What, what the—?”

It sounded like a skill, but the name made no sense!

Crack—

Suddenly, the surrounding plants grew gigantic, wrapping around Usster’s body.

“What’s with this useless trick?!”

But contrary to his words, he couldn’t move at all.

Thunk, thunk, thunk

Jaeho’s Legendary Sapling Shovel kept striking Usster’s wide-open chest, but as expected of a tank, his defense was overwhelming.

“Then…”

May as well do a little performance test!

[<Elbo Spiritization> Selected <Devil Grass Spirit> .]

Jaeho’s body was wrapped in an ominous red smoke.

The vines restraining Usster turned pitch black, starting to inflict a continuous curse and damage.

“You bastard!! What is this…!”

“You think I’ll let go?”

Jaeho quickly unleashed a barrage of attacks.

Crack—

As soon as the duration of ended, Usster broke free from the vines with brute force.

“Not anymore!”

Usster set his Shield in front to block Jaeho’s attacks.

But Jaeho abruptly stopped his assault and moved back a good distance.

“Running away, are you!!!”

Instead of answering, Jaeho lightly snapped his fingers.

[ <Magic Addiction> has reached 17 stacks.]

[ < Magic Explosion> has been activated.]

BOOM!!

A dark explosion erupted from Usster’s body!!!

“Aaaaargh!”

In an instant, his health was cut in half.

A fearsome power!

And it wasn’t over yet.

[The target has been afflicted with for 3 seconds.]

“There it is.”

Usster’s vision went dark, and the world spun around him.

“Dammit! A status effect for three seconds?!”

At this level, it was a top-tier debuff.

“!”

Unable to see, all Usster could do was raise his defense as much as possible and endure.

Thunk—

He lowered his posture, Shield over his head, just like a turtle.

It was the best defense he had, but there was a penalty—he couldn’t move at all, let alone attack.

Still, in this situation, it was the optimal skill.

Thunk, thunk, thunk

As expected, the feeling was amazing, and Jaeho couldn’t help but click his tongue.

“The timing’s tricky…”

Three seconds might feel like forever for Usster, but for Jaeho, it was just a fleeting moment.

He couldn’t restack the Magi in time due to the cooldown, so if he didn’t find a solution now, things could quickly take a turn for the worse.

Was there really no way to break through this ironclad defense?

“…Ah!”

Suddenly, Jaeho remembered.

A killer skill that could maximize his attack power.

“The problem is, can I really use this on a person?”

He had no choice but to try.

Meanwhile, the three seconds passed, and Usster finally managed to get up on his knees.

“You’re dead n—”

“!!!”

“?”

, a skill sealed within the !

Jaeho had always wondered where it could be used, since it never really worked on demonic plants.

But what if he used it on a person?

Thunk—!!

A strike landed right between the brows!

[Critical hit!]

Unfortunately for Usster, it even turned out to be a critical hit.

“Gah!!! No…!”

Usster coughed blood and collapsed.

[Death]

A cold notification lingered before his eyes.

[You have killed a person.]

And for Jaeho, another alert appeared, announcing victory in the duel.

“…Is that what ginseng plucking really means?”

Jaeho brushed his chest in relief, looking at Usster as he scattered away to ashes.

“Swinging a sword before saying a word… What a guy.”

Usster would’ve gone mad if he’d heard that.

“And… Where’d that guy go?”

Jaeho looked around warily.

In the distance, he spotted a bright red creature in the bushes.

“…Hey. Come out.”

At Jaeho’s call, Jingjing-i, shivering, returned!

—A-hem… As expected of the Regent of Spirits. What skill!

“You talked big, but when the fighting started, you vanished.”

—It’s just… it’s been too long since I fought, that’s all!

It was a flimsy excuse that no one would believe.