—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Mod7
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The world teemed with countless types of spirits.
Beyond the well-known elemental spirits of fire, water, earth, and wind, there were those with special properties like light, darkness, lightning, and poison.
The list was endless, and even now, unknown spirits could be coming into existence.
With the right conditions, you could summon specific spirits of your choosing.
Random summoning was an option, but I wanted to avoid calling forth a useless spirit.
‘Especially since I need a specific one right now.’
That’s why I drew the spirit circle with black powder instead of stone dust.
Summoning a specific spirit required appropriate preparations.
‘Time to call it forth.’
With the spirit circle nearly complete, only the summoning remained.
The surge in mana flow during the process might give me away, but I had a plan ready for that.
‘The incantation…’
Drawing on all my knowledge, I recalled the spirit summoning spell and began.
“O spirit.”
Starting with the standard summoning address, what came next was crucial.
The words spoken would determine the spirit’s personality and direction.
At this point in time, I was likely the only one who knew this.
This wouldn’t be discovered until the Spirit King’s birth and subsequent redefinition of concepts.
Even the fact that having special mana made spirit summoning easier was still hidden knowledge.
“Become my blade, grant me the power to burn and incinerate the enemies before me!”
– Woong woong woong
With each word, the black powder began vibrating as mana gradually emerged.
At that moment, I used a spider silk connected to my pinky to trigger the explosive I’d planted at the main gate.
With most soldiers out searching for me, security at the gate would naturally be lax.
They’d be scattered around outside trying to catch me.
– Boom!
“The main gate exploded! A human! A human must have infiltrated through the main gate!”
“Everyone to the main gate!”
They wouldn’t think to check the armory, believing no one would waste explosives just to catch one human.
This gave me the opening to complete the summoning.
“O spirit of parched screams, raging bulls, and relentless tenacity!”
With each phrase, the black powder rose and flowed into the spirit stone.
Seeing the signs of imminent summoning, I approached the spirit stone and infused it with a trace of Natural Mana.
This crucial step improved compatibility and suitability between summoner and spirit.
“Come forth, Pephais.”
I whispered the spirit’s true name.
The spirit stone, having absorbed both the black powder and my mana, pulsed as if about to explode before slowly cracking.
Like a chick hatching from an egg, cracks spread across the shell as the spirit emerged.
[Spirit summoning successful.]
[True name of spirit spoken.]
[For being the first to discover this spirit’s true name, an immediate contract will be formed.]
[You have perfectly recreated the method for summoning a specific spirit for the first time. As a reward, mental energy consumption when using spirit powers is halved.]
Perfect.
The messages confirmed my success before I even saw the spirit’s form.
[Are you the one who called me?]
“I am.”
A round form made entirely of flames with what looked like a bomb fuse extending from the top—
Confirming I’d contracted with exactly the spirit I needed, I clenched my fist in silent celebration.
[How do you know my true name?]
“It shows how deeply we’re connected.”
[I see. I believe you.]
Before the contract, I would have needed complex persuasion to explain my knowledge of its true name and win its trust.
But the first discovery reward made that unnecessary.
Once contracted, spirits showed absolute trust in their summoner except in truly dire circumstances.
‘They probably figure there’s no reason for their summoner to lie to them.’
This made spirits renowned as helpers who assisted their partners without hesitation.
‘This worked out perfectly.’
To make absolutely sure I hadn’t summoned a different spirit, I checked its status window.
[Name] Pephais
[Description] Though a low-rank fire spirit, it is preparing for an unusual evolution.
Has developed powers of gunpowder and explosions, which prove extremely effective in chaotic battles.
[Contract Effects] Grants power over explosions in addition to normal fire abilities.
Fire resistance increased by 10% and explosion damage received reduced by 30%.
Damage dealt with explosives increased by 20%.
‘Perfect.’
The absolute ideal outcome.
This gave me everything I needed for a solo run.
‘Time to move.’
Spirit summoning took about a minute.
I’d blown up the main gate to buy time, but that distraction wouldn’t last much longer.
A quick investigation would reveal where the explosives came from, which would bring out the officers.
I packed all the remaining explosives into my spatial pouch and escaped through the armory’s roof.
“Pephais, create a loud explosion in the direction I’m looking.”
[Understood.]
What set Pephais apart from ordinary low-rank fire spirits was its control over explosions.
As its status showed, this spirit hadn’t limited itself to just fire.
The power to create explosions using fire.
Though its power was limited as a low-rank spirit, the sound of its explosions was another matter entirely.
In a peaceful fortress, such noise would definitely draw attention.
Moreover…
“See that fence on the left? Set it on fire.”
[Understood.]
Being fundamentally a fire spirit, it excelled at causing chaos with flames.
Since this was a jungle fortress, most materials were highly flammable.
Even a small spark would quickly set the fortress ablaze.
‘Having a spirit certainly makes things easier.’
The mental connection meant no need for detailed instructions—perfect understanding with minimal communication.
You couldn’t ask for a better partner.
After creating a small fire and loud explosion in the distance, I lay flat on the armory roof to assess the situation.
Being able to control and observe distant areas while solo running was a huge advantage.
‘Here they come.’
Enraged at failing to catch one human and alarmed by the fire and explosions, the officers wouldn’t stay put any longer.
The fortress’s elite officers gradually emerged from their barracks.
Unlike the wooden-armored grunts, the officers wore crude but metal armor and had impressive builds.
Orcs around two meters tall wielding massive wooden clubs poured out.
These were the Jungle Orcs, pride of the Tustosta Fortress.
Unlike regular orcs, they moved with surprising agility, skillfully climbing trees and traversing the jungle.
‘And they have excellent eyesight.’
While not quite named monster level, they were well above normal monsters and not to be underestimated.
Of course, I had no intention of facing them head-on.
‘Time to move.’
The moment I confirmed all the Jungle Orcs had left their barracks, I launched myself toward their quarters.
Surprise attacks were most effective when dealing with multiple enemies.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“Making us come out because you couldn’t catch one human! Useless trash!”
“Please! Please spare meAAAARGH!”
Uberak, the Jungle Orc chief, violently tore apart the orc and goblin guards with his bare hands.
If word of this failure reached the general, punishment would surely follow.
“If you don’t bring me that human’s head immediately, you’ll end up like them!”
After threatening the Jungle Orcs, Uberak headed back to the barracks.
He had no idea what fate awaited him there.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
