Chapter 52 : Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Meeting the Spirit Creature (2)

What I felt upon entering the cave was a density of mana so immense it couldn't even be compared to the outside.

“This is…….”

“It's good, but it feels somewhat suffocating.”

It was mana I usually felt as naturally as breathing, but with such a high density, even breathing became difficult.

It felt as if the air itself was pressing down on them.

Come this way.

Just then, the two of them felt a powerful will penetrating their minds.

“What is this?”

Artier unknowingly touched his head with his hand.

It was on a completely different level from the spiritual communication he had with Collie.

There was an eerie feeling that if the will were to command him, his body would move on its own immediately.

There is no need to be afraid.

However, as the voice was heard again, the eerie feeling vanished in an instant.

It felt as if someone had forcibly removed the emotion of fear.

“Master…….”

“Let's go.”

With their skills, they couldn't even defeat the wolf named Kerr who had guided them initially.

Artier wasn't even considering the option of fighting.

“If it's the leader of the Spirit Creatures, it's your great senior, isn't it? We shouldn't keep it waiting.”

“……Understood.”

As they moved a little further forward, the dark cave began to brighten with a blue light of unknown origin. The strongly condensed mana had started to become visible to the naked eye.

At the end of that cave, a giant creature that Artier had never seen before lay prostrate on the ground.

‘……What an overwhelming presence.’

If one had to classify it, it was close to a tiger.

Its stripes, shaped like lightning, glowed faintly in response to the mana, and its fangs, protruding from its mouth, were covered in strange tattoos.

“…….”

The creature opened its eyes when Artier and Collie arrived.

A gaze of deep indigo, one you could get lost in forever, stared at them.

“Spirit Creature of the new generation and your contractor, I am the First Beast and the First Spirit Creature.”

The beast's mouth did not open.

However, Artier knew that the beast's words were spreading throughout the entire space.

“Did you say you wanted to see us?”

“That is correct.”

[Lv.?? ???(Super Large)]

As expected, no information could be confirmed.

It was even a Super Large size, something I had never seen before.

‘It would be a relief if it's because it never appeared in the game.’

If it was invisible due to my lack of skill, just how high would this being's level be?

“New Spirit Creature who has set foot on the path of nature, show your true form before me and close your ears.”

As the First Beast spoke to Collie, Collie froze like ice and nodded his head.

“Ah, understood.”

Poof!

With a puff of smoke, Collie returned to his dog form and bowed his head deeply.

The First Beast, after looking at him for a moment, closed its eyes.

The moment a small soundproof barrier formed around Collie, a low and solitary thought pierced Artier's mind.

It is as I expected, yet unfortunate.

……What do you mean?

Your companion has failed to become a complete Spirit Creature.

What was this about?

Artier looked at Collie.

But Collie was already in a state where he couldn't hear anything.

This child received the help of impure mana to gain intelligence.

What?

The fact that he made a contract with you is the proof.

To think that Collie wasn't a complete Spirit Creature.

I was worried about the boy, but in truth, it wasn't that Artier hadn't considered such a possibility.

‘If a Spirit Creature could be created artificially, I figured there would be side effects.’

A Spirit Creature is born when a beast receives mana.

However, if Spirit Creatures could be easily created in the same way Collie was born, it wouldn't explain why they became extinct so easily in the game.

Had you not been the protagonist, this child would not have survived after escaping. Thank you.

The First Beast said so and lowered its head slightly.

From just that simple act, a gentle breeze blew through the cave.

Artier immediately opened his mouth at one word that caught his ear.

What does 'protagonist' mean?

Ever since hearing it from Collie, I had been curious.

Did they really know his situation? Did they know that he wasn't the real Artier, but a person who had entered a game?

The chance to solve a question that had remained unresolved since he came to this world was right before his eyes.

Protagonists are the prophets of destiny who appear periodically.

However, the remark that came from the First Beast did not match any of the answers Artier had been thinking of.

If a protagonist is born in an era, the fate of the world automatically clings to that existence.

What?

There have been many protagonists in this world. Before you, and even before that.

The beast yawned languidly and scratched the floor with its forepaw.

Is it not truly fascinating? That the world wishes to entrust its fate to a single living being.

How do you know that I am that protagonist?

It is not a difficult task for me. Because the flow of fate, which should flow smoothly, is swirling only before you.

The beast lifted its paw.

Then, beneath the beast's paw, where it seemed to have drawn a straight line, geometric patterns were engraved.

Those characters were only translated into a strange language that even Artier could not understand.

Besides, it seems you already know.

Artier, who was scanning the characters, felt his blood run cold at the beast's single remark.

I had forgotten. The fact that the being before me was an existence that far transcended ordinary Spirit Creatures.

‘Lies won't work.’

Artier reminded himself of that fact and nodded.

How fascinating……. A protagonist who is aware of being the protagonist.

Has there been no case like mine?

Not as far as I know.

Indeed, to think he already knew he was the one who would control this world.

It wasn't Artier, but he didn't even want to imagine what would happen if that being's alignment was evil.

It was absurd that the world's fate could be decided by a single being, but for that being to realize it was also something that should never have happened in the first place.

I have answered your question, so now I shall ask you a question.

The First Beast said so and thrust its face towards Artier.

O long-awaited protagonist, what do you intend to do? What is your goal?

I…….

I have to answer well here.

After slowly composing his breath, his mouth opened.

I intend to create the most perfect end to this war, in my own way.

A perfect end…… is that annihilation?

No. It is another cycle.

…….

I will save as many lives as possible so that not everything returns to nothingness.

Everything circulates.

When one life dies, another is born, and when one story ends, another begins.

So, even if the game ends, history never truly ends.

As long as the characters remain.

I see. So the end is inevitable…….

The First Beast fell silent.

The moment its gaze landed on him, Artier almost fell to his knees under the unbearable pressure.

‘The air is heavy.’

It wasn't an attack with hostile intent.

Just by this beast feeling sorrow, the mana in this space was being affected.

Understood.

A moment later, the First Beast lay down in its spot again.

In that case, I, the nameless beast, propose a deal to the modern contractor.

……To me?

Artier wondered if he had misheard.

His opponent was a Spirit Creature whose level wasn't even displayed.

What could it possibly ask of someone as weak as him?

You are the one at the center of the vortex. Whether you wish it or not, you will come to hold the world's fate in your hands.

Whoosh!

“Whoa?!”

The First Beast lightly took out a claw and scraped the ground.

Then Collie, who had been sitting still, floated into the air and was dragged before it.

In the world you know, do we Spirit Creatures exist?

With Collie before him, Artier couldn't say a word.

The First Beast nodded as if it had expected this.

I have seen countless vortexes until now. Each time, many lives were lost, and some lives disappeared forever.

However, the flow of fate the beast confirmed this time was rougher and stronger than any other vortex it had seen before.

If things went wrong, not just many lives, but all life could perish.

You call the newly appeared beings Hellmorphs. Those monsters are outsiders who have never existed in this world before, and their very existence disrupts the rules of this world.

Beings that weren't originally in this world?

That's right. For you who has declared to protect life, a battle with these beings is inevitable. However, among them, the one you must be most wary of is the being called ‘Gortera’.

Ah, I know of Gortera.

……You already know?

Artier nodded.

It was a name he could never not know.

‘Because it's the final boss of this game.’

The head of the Hellmorphs, who looked like a giant kraken, but was far more nauseating and repulsive.

If Artier's memory served him right, that thing was a mother-like existence to all Hellmorphs.

If they couldn't kill it, humanity would not be able to survive.

Are you hoping for me to eliminate it?

Is it possible right now?

Gortera was the final boss that could only be met after about three years had passed in terms of timing.

Catching it right now was out of the question.

Do not worry. Even if it were possible, I would not make such an urgent request.

Fortunately, the First Beast closed its eyes and showed a faint smile.

However, you must defeat Gortera before all life burns. That is my first condition.

Understood.

Artier nodded. It was something he had to do someday anyway.

To see the true ending, he had to defeat the final boss.

The second condition…… before I state it, there is something I must confirm.

What is it?

You became a summoner not by your own will, but by the will of another.

As it spoke, Collie's floating body rose even higher into the air.

The startled puppy's paws flailed in all directions, but nothing changed.

“M-Master!”

Although it was a kind of survival instinct, it can be said that it was an unfair contract for you.

No change in emotion could be seen from the First Beast.

It raised a claw the size of a house over Collie's head and asked a question.

If you wish, I will forcibly terminate that contract. What say you?

As the echo of the voice faded, Collie's complexion instantly turned pale.

Even if he couldn't hear the conversation, he could roughly grasp the atmosphere.

The small puppy immediately started trembling in fear.

“What is it……? What is happening?”

There is no need to worry. As long as this child stays within our territory, he can live without a contract.

Artier was lost in thought for a moment.

This was a choice.

To release Collie from being a companion, in exchange for being able to abandon the summoner class.

‘I did invest stats in intelligence, but even a pure warrior has to invest that much in the late game anyway.’

This proposal had no risks; it was a turning point determined solely by Artier's choice.

It's okay, please put him down now.

However, Artier cleanly gave up on that proposal.

Is that your choice?

The First Beast asked again, but there was no change in Artier's eyes.

Yes, because Collie is my little brother.

It had been that way since the day he heard the full explanation.

When the border collie under the moonlight voluntarily offered his own leash.

He could feel the sorrow of a puppy who had lost its master, and for some reason, he wanted to be the one to fill that void.

You have made your decision.

The First Beast, having confirmed Artier's will, wore a satisfied expression and set the tearful Collie back down.

We welcome the summoner of the new era. Artier, from now on, you shall be a friend of the Spirit Creatures and a guardian of nature.

Then, with a fanfare, a spectacular information window appeared before Artier's eyes.

[Your class has been changed to ‘Wild Summoner (Hidden)’.]

[You have learned the class-exclusive skill ‘Soul Share (Hidden)’.]

[You can now check Collie's information.]

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