Chapter 21 Part2 (2/2)

[I feel free!]

[Me too!]

[Aw. I was freed, but the trees weren't, so I feel so sorry for them.]

It didn't take much time before all of the Dryads in the clearing were cleansed of the curse.

They cheered, and even clapped, but also mourned for the trees that couldn't be saved, as they were already dead. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo removed his hand from Jin's back and clapped his hands.

”Don't separate yourselves from me even when you get outside! Remember that!”

[Yes!]

[We'll stick to you like glue!]

Their responses were reliable. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo felt like he had become a teacher leading kindergarten students around.

”Good. Then shall we go?”

[Before that, Paul Zero.]

The Dryads' representative, Sinea, who looked the youngest amongst the living Dryads and wasn't corrupted at all, as well as seemingly being the highest ranked Dryad here, opened her mouth.

[We don't need them, but there are things inside that other people might need. You see, the belongings of the original owner of this dungeon are still there.]

”Ah, now that you mention it.”

Obviously, the Dryads hadn't made this dungeon. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo had decided to put off thinking about the message he'd seen when he entered the dungeon, as it seemed like this Mellonia figure made this dungeon so that spirits could live in it as they pleased.

But after listening to Sinea, it seemed as though Mellonia's belongings were still inside this dungeon. It was unexpected news for him as he had been so focused on the Dryads that he had completely forgotten about the dungeon itself.

[We thought you might want them, so we brought them. How about it?]

”Mm...”

Sinea's green eyes brightened (if someone couldn't tell that she was a Dryad from her green eyes, then her hair was also a light green as well) and Lee s.h.i.+n Woo turned his attention to the loot she'd put on the floor.

There were a few gems and gold nuggets, earrings enveloped in a cold magic, and finally, books that Mellonia seemed to have personally wrote. Sinea watched as Lee s.h.i.+n Woo examined the loot. She must be checking to see if he liked her present. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was indeed satisfied and replied.

”Thanks. They're exactly what I wanted.”

[That's a relief.]

[Oooh!]

[Skeletons like the same stuff humans do!]

Sinea smiled in relief and simultaneously, the Dryads behind her cheered.

Honestly, he didn't need gold or gems, or even earrings, as he didn't have ears to put them on, so half of the presents were meaningless to him. However, acting as though he loved the presents was an important step in solidifying a good relations.h.i.+p with them. Even now, Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was still acting.

'However, her handwritten books might be useful later. Though the use would differ based on what she did as a human.'

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo carefully placed the precious metals, the pile of books, and the earrings into his inventory. However, the moment his hand touched the earrings, they transformed unexpectedly.

[The Lv6 Silver Ice Tiger's Cold Whisker Earrings has been modified through Bone Reinforcement. You have acquired the Lv6 Silver Ice Tiger's Canine Tooth.]

d.a.m.n it. He only briefly touched the chilling, hair-raising earrings, yet their original shape disappeared in an instant, and in their place was only a tiny silver tooth. It was ridiculously light, and the tooth was so cold that it felt like it would freeze the air. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was dumbstruck.

'The earrings were changed by my skill, but the form completely changed this time. Whiskers can change into teeth?'

He knew there was nothing more stupid than questioning how Bone Reinforcement changed the material of something, but even so, he couldn't help but be surprised.

When a piece of equipment changed in the past, it would change into another piece of equipment. But this time, an accessory was changed into bone (through Bone Reinforcement), so how could he not be surprised!?

[What's that?]

It seemed like she was equally surprised, as Sinea questioned Lee s.h.i.+n Woo. Lee s.h.i.+n Woo pondered for a moment, but decided to ask her honestly.

”It seems like it's an Silver Ice Tiger's tooth, but do you know what a Silver Ice Tiger is?”

[A Silver Ice Tiger is a spirit!]

[A Silver Ice Tiger!? They were still alive?]

[You idiot. They're all dead. That's why there's only a tooth of them left.]

A spirit...? Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was wondering, so he asked Sinea.

”Was the dungeon's original owner an Elementalist?”

[Yep. As I thought, fellow Elementalists can tell each other apart! She was friendly with Dryads. She let us use this s.p.a.ce, even when she was dying.]

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo decided to reflect on his previous thoughts of them occupying the dungeon without permission. To think they'd been allowed in here!

”Do you guys contract with Elementalists too?”

[No? Spirits only form contracts with Elementalists when they need mana... Mm, so basically, only the aggressive spirits form contracts. We just need trees.]

He didn't understand what she was saying in the least, but he could at least understand that not all spirits form contracts with Elementalists. Perhaps the books he'd recently acquired would explain that.

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was satisfied that he had unexpectedly procured knowledge regarding a field he knew little about. He was indeed satisfied, but bones were different.

'Bone Reinforcement!'

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo soon reinforced himself with the Ice Tiger's Canine, as the Dryads watched with great interest with their brightening eyes. The best way of knowing more about this bone was to absorb it!

[Executing Bone Reinforcement by consuming a Silver Ice Tiger's Canine. Strength and Magic have increased by 8. You have acquired a basic knowledge of spirits. You have learned Intermediate Ice Lv1.]

'Mmmm...'

Lee s.h.i.+n Woo thought he'd be able to acquire the Ice element sometime soon, as he possessed the Elemental Reversal ability, and because of that, he wasn't very surprised or happy about it. What he was surprised about was the vast basic knowledge on spirits.

'This is more like the Elementalist Mellonia's memories than the Silver Ice Tiger's.'

This clear knowledge regarding spirits or elemental techniques was like a welcome rain for him. So much so that he felt that he could've been an Elementalist had the curse not befallen the Empire, causing everything to die.

[The canine is gone!]

[No, Paul Zero absorbed it! How strange!]

[I feel more elemental power coming from Paul Zero!]

[How's that possible? Can he use ice spirits as well?]

The Dryads were in awe. They adamantly believed that Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was an Elementalist.

”I'm done with the Silver Ice Tiger, so let's go.”

[Ok!]

[I'm excited!]

That's how the ma.s.s migration of spirits and skeleton began. Anything involving Lee s.h.i.+n Woo was always like this; if another hero saw this, they wouldn't believe their eyes.

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