Chapter 81 Mythical Beast (4) (1/2)
『Thank you, human.』
“No problem.”
『But what happened to those pathetic humans who took my child?』
“They’re dead. I burned their corpses just in case there was someone behind their actions.”
『That is a shame. I should have ended their lives myself.』
As it turned out, the Phoenix was going to go after the treasure hunters once her eggs had hatched.
But that being the case, the treasure hunters could have run off to a different floor and she would not have been able to find them. And even if she found them and retrieved her lost child, the hatchling would have had a hard time recognizing her as its mother.
In many ways, it was lucky for her that Yeon-woo was there to help her bring her egg back before it hatched.
『But that does not matter for my child has returned to me and it was all thanks to you.』
The Phoenix stared at Yeon-woo with attention. Yeon-woo’s figure was reflected in her large yellow pupils.
『Now, it is time to fulfill the promise I made. I will grant you what you need. Is it the Flame of Life what you need?』
“Yes, it is.”
『But do you know what that is?』
“I know that it’s the power of your very existence.”
The Phoenix is a creature that both originates from the fire and withers in it. The flame symbolizes the Phoenix’s resurrection and regeneration.
That is the Flame of Life, also commonly known as ‘Holy Fire(聖火)’.
『Also, if you have a god or a demon that you serve, you must say so before I grant you my flame. It will harm you if you are serving any of them.』
“I don’t have any.”
It was also the reason why Yeon-woo had refused Hermes’ offer.
The Holy Flame holds holy energy that cannot coincide with that of a god’s. Because the energy of the Phoenix is ‘raw’ whereas that of the gods is ‘complete’.
『Good. Is this for the beast egg you have?』
“Yes.”
『I see. Now, I have to test all those who want the Flame of Life. but since you have already proven yourself to me, I will grant you the flame directly. Besides, I believe you would have passed the test with ease even if I gave you one.』
“Thank you kindly.”
[You have received ‘Phoenix’s favor’.]
[Intimacy with the Phoenix has increased by 200. The Phoenix will be less cautious towards you.]
[You have received ‘Qualification for the quest Flame of Life’.]
[Hidden quest (Phoenix’s test) completed.]
[You have made an achievement that is not easily accomplished. Additional Karma will be provided.]
[You have acquired 1,500 Karma.]
[You have acquired 1,000 additional Karma.]
···
If things were the way they were supposed to be, Yeon-woo would have had to complete a difficult quest.
Though the quest, as Phoenix said, wouldn’t have been too big of a deal for him, it would have still consumed a considerable amount of time.
Being able to skip such unnecessary quest was very welcome news for him.
『But if you wish to receive the flame, you will need to craft a suitable vessel to contain it.』
[You have received a new quest]
[Hidden Quest / Fireworks of Life]
Description: The Flame of Life, the source of Phoenix’s unlimited power, requires a special vessel to carry befitting its inextinguishable property. Gather materials from monsters scattered around the dream world and complete the vessel to carry the Flame of Life.
* List of required items
1. Albatross’ Egg (0/5)
2. Shadow Snake’s Apple (0/80)
3. Lesser Dragon’s Heart (0/1)
···
Time limit: None.
Reward:
1. Phoenix’s favor
2. Flame of Life
Yeon-woo clicked his tongue as he looked at the list.
‘So it’s true that it’s harder to make the vessel than to pass the test itself.’
There were about 50 different items required for the vessel. All of them were obtainable on the 11th floor, but some of them were quite difficult to acquire.
Still, if he could get the Flame of Life, it was worth the effort.
『Now, if you are finished, let me be alone with my children. Come back when you are ready.』
It was now time the egg should hatch.
Yeon-woo silently stepped back with a bow.
* * *
Yeon-woo set up his base camp not far from the Phoenix’s nest.
Then, he began to make a ‘nest’ for his beast egg.
Although it was just an egg, it was somehow sensitive to external influence and could be affected by it. So in order to hatch a good beast, the first thing I did was to create a quiet, comfortable, and stress-free environment.
Yeon-woo gathered all the best ingredients available written in the diary and built the nest.
He built a solid foundation out of twigs of Alkas Trees and laid leaves of Airy Bushes on its floor. To prevent other beasts from approaching, he spread the sap of carnivorous tree on the ground around the nest and washed the egg with the water he drew from a nearby spring.
And he made all these efforts in hopes of hatching a great Mythical Beast.
‘Can’t believe I’m doing this.’
Yeon-woo drew a heavy sigh from doing something he wasn’t cut out for.
Just then,
*Woong*
He felt his egg trembling for the first time.
Surprised by the sudden reaction, Yeon-woo flinched a little, but he soon got back to building the nest.
A faint smile rested on Yeon-woo’s lip.
* * *
Yeon-woo placed the nest on the edge of a giant tree so that his egg could feel the breeze.
Though he couldn’t read its thought, he felt like the egg also liked the place.
‘Well, that’s enough for the egg.’
Yeon-woo shook the dirt off his hands and stood up.
At last, It was time to check the artifacts from his rewards.
‘There should be… eight items if I remember correctly.’’
Ring of Ice, Skull Crest, Kratuca’s Bamboo Spear, and so on.
Yeon-woo took out the rewards and started examining the artifacts with Draconic Eyes.
A few minutes later.
‘There’s nothing useful… except for this.’
Yeon-woo grabbed an earring with small skulls attached to its bottom.
The fingernail-sized skull was holding a tiny piece of jewelry in its mouth.
[Skull Crest]