Leveling Up With Skills - Chapter 223: The Wind Spirit King. Minerva (1)
[So young.]
“How long until she becomes a complete Spirit King?”
[It won’t take too long. Roughly… about a week should be enough.]
Varcaza let out a soft laugh.
[This young one will be the future protector of Arulia and the humans. To witness such a majestic moment with my own eyes, what an honor.]
“I guess I’ll just wait for now.”
A week. During that time, Taesan needed to ensure that no one could approach the orb.
Leaning against the orb, Taesan closed his eyes.
Suddenly, drowsiness overtook him. Someone was intentionally trying to put him to sleep.
Taesan didn’t resist and instead accepted the sleep willingly.
He fell asleep.
“Hello!”
The sound of a cheerful greeting woke Taesan.
A white space surrounded him. In front of him stood a girl with blue hair, tilting her head with a bright smile.
“Nice to meet you! I’m Minerva, the Wind Spirit King!”
Taesan nodded and shook the hand she offered. The girl who introduced herself as Minerva waved her hand with a spotless smile.
“You’re the protector that my dad sent, right?”
“If by dad, you mean Beatrice, then yes.”
“Hehe. Looking forward to working with you.”
[My King… this is…]
Varcaza, who had accompanied them, groaned softly. Minerva spread her arms with a giggle.
“I brought you all into my domain!”
[So, you have.]
“You’re my servant, aren’t you? Let’s get along!”
[Yes, I am indeed your servant. You may handle me as you please.]
Varcaza bowed deeply, displaying an absolute reverence toward Minerva, a respect so profound that it had not even been visible when he addressed Taesan.
[So, this is what it means that her consciousness isn’t fully developed? She’s still just a kid.]
“Wow! You’re so white!”
Minerva’s eyes sparkled as she rushed towards the ghost.
“Who are you? Why are you so white? You blend right into the background!”
[Go away, kid.]
The ghost, caught and shaken around by Minerva, pulled away in annoyance. However, Minerva continued to chase after him.
As Minerva played with the ghost, Taesan asked.
“So, why did you bring me here? I’m supposed to be protecting you.”
“Well, there’s still some time left. It doesn’t look like the humans outside are making any moves yet, so I’m bored.”
Minerva giggled and suddenly lunged at Taesan.
“So, let’s play!”
‘Does protecting her also mean keeping her entertained?’
Taesan nodded.
—
When Taesan had entered Minerva’s domain, Akien was sitting blankly in a chair inside her assigned tent, staring at the ground.
She wasn’t the only one. Ferina, Baan, and Karuin were also sitting or lying down in their respective places, saying nothing.
“Akien! You’re here? …Why is it so quiet?”
At that moment, the tent’s flap opened, and a middle-aged woman with fiery red hair entered. She was rather old, but her vibrant appearance and elaborate dress immediately caught people’s attention.
Akien forced a smile.
“Oh, Marianne. Hello.”
The woman had a close relationship with Akien’s parents. Their families were on good terms, and there were even occasional talks about an arranged marriage.
Akien had known Marianne since she was a child, having met frequently. Marianne adjusted her dress and sat down.
“So, why the gloomy face? Did you hate coming here that much?”
Akien gave a small nod, and Marianne clicked her tongue.
“I feel the same. Damn Bajuk family. No matter how powerful they are, ordering us around like this is too much. Do you know how long it took me to get here by carriage? A whole month!”
Most of the people gathered here harbored resentment toward the Bajuk family. However, no one voiced it openly because of the immense power the family held.
Marianne patted Akien on the shoulder.
“Still, try to make the best of it. Since you’re here, you should enjoy it. Aren’t you curious about who the girl inside that orb is?”
Akien’s face darkened at her words.
“…Auntie.”
Akien mumbled softly.
“What is it?”
“What do you think the girl inside the orb is?”
“Well…”
Marianne hesitated, her expression uncertain.
“I honestly have no idea. I’ve been near it, but it’s impossible to tell. Even the spirits won’t say anything about it.”
The spirits had not told the humans that the girl inside the orb was the Spirit King. It was a rule, one that the spirits were forbidden to break.
Low- and mid-level spirits were not allowed to divulge information about the Spirit King to humans. As a result, no one knew the girl’s identity.
Except for Akien’s group, that is.
“There’s no mention of anything like it in the historical records or texts.”
Spirits had lifespans, but for a Spirit King, those lifespans were so long that they were practically irrelevant. The Spirit King’s existence spanned such a vast time that no human history could record it.
“Some say it’s the birth of a supreme spirit, others believe she’s the first spirit born in this world rather than the spirit realm, and some think she’s a girl meant to bridge the spirit realm and the human world… Who knows what’s true?”
“If…”
Akien hesitated before speaking again.
“If she’s someone we shouldn’t mess with, what do you think?”
“That’s possible, but… what can we do?”
Marianne smiled bitterly.
“We don’t have a choice.”
The tent flap opened again. A man in a formal suit stepped inside and bowed politely.
“Are you Akien of the Acacia family, and Marianne of the Baltika family?”
“Yes.”
“That’s right.”
“The representative of the Bajuk family, Hasak, requests your presence.”
“The arrogant one calls. Let’s go, Akien.”
Akien rose with a sullen expression.
***
“What is this, a royal palace? Why is this temporary place decorated so extravagantly?”
Marianne grumbled. The structure before them was massive, a scale of grandeur that even the most prestigious families couldn’t match.
Inside, the interior was even more spectacular, filled with ornate patterns and valuable decorations.
They entered further.
Opening a black door, they found many people seated around a round table.
Most of them were familiar faces, individuals from prominent families who owned their own lands.
Marianne glanced around and asked.
“Where’s Hasak?”
“He’s not here yet.”
“He calls us all and then shows up late? Does he think he’s a king?”
Marianne grumbled as she took her seat.
Shortly after, the inner door opened, and a man entered.
He had golden hair and appeared very young, just about twenty.
His face was filled with confidence.
He exuded the aura of someone who believed he was great, someone who thought no one could challenge him.
“You’re all here.”
He sat casually in his chair. Hasak was the youngest here, but despite that, he showed no respect for anyone present. Some people frowned at his lack of courtesy, but no one said anything. Or rather, no one dared to.
He snapped his fingers.
“Let’s skip the pleasantries and get to the point. Explain.”
An attendant stepped forward and began to explain.
“As you all know, a few months ago, a large orb appeared here on the Bruniarn Plains. Inside that orb was a girl.”
People couldn’t hide their curiosity. The sudden appearance of a massive orb was surprising enough, but there was more.
“As one gets closer to the orb, the spirits’ power grows stronger. There are even rumors that a low-level spirit evolved into a mid-level spirit.”
At that, the people around the table perked up.
The difference in power between low-level and mid-level spirits was like night and day. To think that spirits evolved just by being near the orb. It was something everyone would desire.
“But as is often the case, such power doesn’t come without consequences. Chaos is inevitable. That’s why my master, the great Hasak, personally stepped in and suggested approaching the orb. It was an excellent decision.”
“He just wants to take it for himself.”
Marianne muttered softly, but her voice was low enough that it stayed within her mouth.
“Hasak conducted various experiments. He gathered researchers and knowledgeable individuals. But all of them failed. So, Hasak made a decision.”
“That orb holds monstrous power.”
Hasak spoke up.
“We tried all kinds of methods, but none of them could break through the orb’s defenses. We simply lack the power. That’s why I’m going to create a domain.”
“A domain?”
Hasak nodded. At his gesture, the attendant unfurled a large sheet of paper on the table.
Marianne grimaced as she examined the contents.
“What is this? This domain sounds absurd.”
“I created it.”
Hasak responded without a change in his expression.
“I will gather the power of hundreds of spirits and channel it into my spirit. Then we’ll use that power to shatter the orb’s defenses.”
“The idea sounds great—if you ignore the burden it places on the spirits involved.”
Marianne spoke sharply.
“The supporting spirits will suffer. Some will be forcefully reverse-summoned, unable to bear the strain. They might not even be able to be summoned for a long time afterward.”
“And?”
Hasak shot her a look as if to say, “So what?” Marianne was furious.
“You’re saying it’s fine for the spirits to suffer?”
To them, spirits weren’t just tools. They were lifelong companions once a contract was made.
No one wanted their spirits to suffer. Especially not for such a supporting role that brought nothing but pain to the spirits involved.
But Hasak’s expression didn’t change.
“So? What do you want me to do about it?”
Hasak, the eldest son of the Bajuk family. The only human in the world to have a contract with a high-level spirit.
“If you don’t like it, leave. But if you do, your family will be destroyed.”
“Y-You…”
Marianne clenched her teeth but kept quiet.
Hasak had more power than even a king. If he wanted, he could easily crush her family.
“Then it’s settled.”
Hasak clapped his hands.
“I’m going to rest now. Get everything ready.”
It wasn’t a suggestion. It was an order. As he left, sighs and curses filled the air.
Akien, however, remained quietly staring at the floor.
“Weak fools.”
Hasak clicked his tongue.
Pathetic people.
Those who couldn’t even reach his feet dared to resist him. He wanted to crush them all.
But for now, he had to endure. He still had a little time before he could achieve his goal.
“Once I accomplish my goal, I’ll kill them all.”
[Master.]
Next to him, a high-level spirit sighed.
It was the earth spirit contracted with Hasak.
[It’s not too late to stop. Truly. That being is not something we should touch.]
“Shut up. Just follow my orders.”
[Master…]
The high-level spirit sighed deeply.
[Master, is that truly what you desire?]
“Of course.”
Hasak grinned, baring his teeth.
“I won’t be satisfied with this small world.”
To him, Arulia was a weak world. He wanted to become something greater. He wanted more power. He wanted to surpass the limits of humanity and become stronger than even the spirits.
“That power is just a stepping stone. I’m going to absorb the orb’s power, become great, and go there!”
Hasak shouted, unable to contain his excitement.
“The place where the great ones gather, where the gods reside. The Labyrinth!”
[So that’s your wish.]
“Exactly!”
The Labyrinth, where heroes and warriors gathered. The place where gods who could trample the world with ease resided.
Hasak had heard stories about the Labyrinth years ago from a nameless storyteller who had come to him.
At first, he had dismissed them as legends, but the evidence presented by the storyteller gradually convinced him of the truth.
Hasak fiddled with the small blade in his pocket.
The blade had been given to him by the storyteller. Initially, he had scoffed at it, thinking it was a rusted piece of junk. But the more closely he examined it, the more shocked he became.
The decayed blade contained power enough to upend the entire world.
Though it had faded and nearly disappeared with time, Hasak could tell that, at one point, this sword alone had been enough to dominate the world.
And the storyteller had said that there were countless treasures like this in the Labyrinth.
The Labyrinth, a place created by gods and wizards.
The deeper one descended, the stronger one became. Eventually, it was even possible to transcend mortal limits.
Though many had perished while attempting to descend, dying inside the Labyrinth, Hasak couldn’t care less.
It was a place where he could surpass his limits and grow stronger.
Hasak wanted to go there. He wanted to become so powerful that he would no longer be a mere mortal. That was his wish.
“Once I absorb the power of that orb, I’ll go to the Labyrinth. I’ll descend faster than anyone, conquer it, and…”
Hasak’s face was filled with madness as he shouted.
“I’ll become the great god the storyteller spoke of!”
[Master…]
The high-level spirit fell silent.
Hasak had become obsessed with power.
The uniqueness of being the only human to contract with a high-level spirit had consumed his ego.
He had lost the purity he once had when he first made the contract and had become a madman, obsessed only with strength.
But there was nothing the spirit could do.
Once a contract was made, the spirit was bound to the human.
Until Hasak died, the spirit had no choice but to follow him.
[May you one day find peace.]
The high-level spirit quietly stood by.
—
The next day arrived.
The people, wearing gloomy expressions, began creating the domain. They were preparing to attack the very being that was meant to protect them, not even realizing it.
Meanwhile, at that moment, Taesan was playing catch with the Wind Spirit King.
“Wow!”
Minerva shouted, her face drenched in sweat.
“This is fun!”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Taesan nodded as Minerva wobbled to her feet.
“I want to keep playing, but… I can’t anymore. They’re coming.”
She smiled brightly.
“They don’t know who I am. So, I’ll forgive them. After all, they are the ones I’m supposed to protect. They are the lives I must safeguard.”
The white world began to fade away. As the Wind Spirit King’s final words echoed, Taesan returned to reality.
“So just teach them a little lesson.”
Taesan opened his eyes.
In front of him, a large group of people was approaching.
“Time to get to work.”
He stood up and drew his sword.