Book 2 Chapter 46 - Danger At Sea (1) (2/2)

”Anyway, I've done what you've asked and all is set.”

”You just need to be there for the in person test tomorrow.”

When Woohyuk announced that he would be recruiting players for his group, volunteers rushed over like a swarm of bees.

There were just five skilled players that had pa.s.sed the screening.

The standards Woohyuk had set were higher than they'd expected, causing the majority to be eliminated half way through the test.

”Good work, let's just have fun for tonight though.”

Only four of their original ten had survived. It was nice to have this kind of relaxed meeting, especially because he hadn't seen them since his time in the Twilight Tower.

As they chatted among themselves, Woohyuk examined the Undine that was seated next to Song Anna.

The ability to have a spirit as a companion and give them a body to walk on this plane. It was on a completely different level that simply contracting with a spirit to borrow some of their power.

With their own bodies, the spirit could grow like any other players and learn new skills.

What could  the other six abilities be?

While Woohyuk  was lost in his thoughts, the Undine spoke to him.

”Well…”

She seemed hesitant to speak.

”What is it?”

”Can I ask you something?”

”Go ahead.”

Woohyuk then heard the Undine's voice in his mind.

[Do you have a Demon inside of you?]

Since the Undine was a spirit, she was sensitive to mana and had detected the Demonic Energy inside of him.

”Yes”

[Why did you join hands with one?]

Elemental Spirits were a pure form of magic, and  natural enemies of Demons.

It seemed that he would have to explain himself.

”Let's go talk somewhere else.”

Woohyuk took the Undine by the hand and left the Tavern. The rest of the party watched them leave with a look of confusion.

”What happened?”

”Is it because she's new?”

An awkward silence hung in the air ever since the two of them had left.

Jung Sanghoon forced a cough and looked between Leifina and Irene.

”Why don't you two drink some more, look we even have snacks….”

Naturally men were animals that didn't know when to give up.”

Before the two women had even responded, Lee Jaesung was filling up their mugs.

”Let's have some fun tonight, since we don't have anything scheduled for tomorrow.”

The banquet went on, but the two bachelors weren't able to score that night.

* * *

After a lengthy explanation, Woohyuk finally managed to convince the Undine. In fact she had only been worried about Song Anna's safety.

Although Woohyuk seemed to have some Demon Energy within him, he didn't appear to be hostile.

Now that the confusion had been settled, Woohyuk focused on picking out some new talent.

The recruitment of new members went on throughout the day, and a total of ten were selected. Compared to the maximum of ten thousand that he could now lead, it was indeed a small number. However based on his past experiences, it would suffice.

'I don't need to gather too many in the early stages anyways.'

If your group was too big, they wouldn't all be sent to the same starting location.

The higher the number, the more time it would take to gather everyone together.

He would much rather head to the Eeth Continent, than wait for his team to a.s.semble because his group was too big.

Soon after the Grace Period had come to an end, and Woohyuk was in a hurry to get going.

”Hey… is this goodbye again?”

”We have little choice since this is how the system operates.”

Hong Yuri looked at Woohyuk's group enviously.

She likewise had obtained a tier 10 Gold Crown and led a large group of people.

Considering her position and responsibility, it wasn't possible for her to join Woohyuk's group.

”Can I truly just go along with what you've told me?”

”Yeah, don't worry about it.”

Woohyuk told her what her best path forward was. Unless she encountered an unexpected variable, she should be able to quickly take control of a small area.

”Okay… then until next time.”

Hong Yuri waved her hand, full of regret.

The other members of the Red Faction shared the same sentiment.

They watched as Woohyuk walked away, looking forward to meeting him again in the future.

'It's quite different from last time.'

Back then Isaac had been that star that everyone wanted to join. Woohyuk's group however had been larger than this time, but it had been filled with weak players.

He now had a start that simply couldn't be compared to back then, so things would be different.

While thinking of his future plans, Woohyuk stepped through the Dimensional portal.

* * *

”Ugh…”

”This place…”

Woohyuk's party opened their eyes, disoriented.

They were on an uninhabited island filled with lush plants. Looking around, there was nothing but an expanse of blue sea and sky.

'As expected.'

There were several starting locations, but the most common ones were uninhabited islands.

The waters were teeming with rabid cannibal sharks, so swimming out of here wasn't an option.

If it were in the past, their party would have to cut down some logs and do their best to make a seaworthy vessel.

”Hop on.”

Woohyuk however already had his own sailboat.

After climbing up on the deck, Woohyuk ordered Drake to set sail.

”Head to Landium in the Arpen region.”

Landium was a rather large port city, so sailing in with a s.h.i.+p that flew a pirate flag would be suicide.

Fortunately they could just capture another vessel on the way.

”You heard the Captain!.”

As Drake went to hold the wheel, the Abyssal s.h.i.+p began sailing ahead.

The weather was ideal, no clouds and a nice breeze at their backs.

As the rest of the party stayed on deck and stared at the glistening sea, Woohyuk pulled out the Dragon egg from his Sage's Pouch.

'I should take the chance to raise it during this voyage. '

He wondered what type of dragon it would be.

After waiting for some time, cracks began to form across the sh.e.l.l's surface and a naked girl with blonde hair jumped out.

Anyone who saw her would know it was a Gold Dragon.

'Did it give me it's daughter?'

He hadn't expected that they would hatch in human form however, causing him to be a bit embarra.s.sed.

”Fa...ther?”

A tiny pygmy like girl, s.h.i.+vering from her wet body.

After wrapping her up in a cloth, Woohyuk called Aris over.

”Why was it born in this form?”

”A Dragon recognizes their guardian while they are still in their eggs. Maybe that's why it naturally a.s.sumed a human form.”

A convincing explanation.

Now however he would have to name here. He thought about it for a while and then decided.

”I'll call you Lia”

”That's a pretty name. Take good care of her, she seems to like you.”

Lia stared at Woohyuk with a twinkle in her eyes.

Woohyuk played with her for a little while before handing her over to Leifina.

”Here, think of her as your daughter. Take good care of her.”

”Mo...ther?”

Hearing Lia mumble, Leifina couldn't help but be surprised.

She had no idea how to deal with children.