◈ Everyone Else is a Regressor (32)

Chapter 7. Entering my Own Dungeon (3)

In the spirit's memory, the first sensation KiJun felt was intense anger, a dreadful and intense anger towards those who had made it this way.

As he accepted the spirit's images and emotions, KiJun thought it must have once had the power to set the world aflame.

However, even such a being was betrayed, by other spirits it trusted. Feeling its deep sorrow, KiJun extended his own spiritual power, trying to comfort the spirit as best he could.

"The images aren't clear, but it seems there was something guarded with other spirits, which was stolen through betrayal and a surprise attack, leaving it severely wounded."

The rest was a familiar story.

The spirit fled to a remote forest, hiding and sleeping to heal its wounds, dreaming of a big family that would never betray it. This was why the forest was overrun with ghosts.

The spirit, expending its own power to continuously create ghosts, could not heal its wounds. Ironically, the self-aware ghosts sought to become spirits themselves, consuming each other.

KiJun thought, "I should have hit that bastard harder before killing it."

Then, feeling KiJun's healing spiritual power, the long-slumbering spirit awoke, letting out a cry like a wild animal wary of danger. Having lost much of its power over time, it could no longer speak like a human. KiJun, based on his spiritual power, could understand the spirit's intentions, so there was no problem.

"It's okay, I'll heal you," KiJun softly spoke, stroking the spirit's head again, and looked at Lucy for confirmation. Lucy nodded vigorously, ready to help.

Even while making a weak crying sound, the spirit, realizing KiJun was there to help, did not resist and let itself relax.

The Flame Ghosts, including the boy, who were bound by the chains of light's spirit power, were shocked to see the awakened spirit.

"How...?!"

"We'll release you now. We can't waste our spirit power on you. You must have figured it out by now. Just watch quietly."

Awakening a deeply wounded spirit, without causing it to go berserk, was not an easy task. KiJun would not have been able to do it without a decade of spiritual power training.

"Eat slowly."

KiJun took out ghost cores from his pocket, the energy supplements for the spirit. All the Flame Ghosts originated from the spirit. Naturally, their cores contained pure elemental spirit power.

"Lucy."

—Leave it to me.

The warm light of healing enveloped the spirit's wounds. The flame cat, aware of Lucy's intervention, narrowed its eyes and then closed them again.

The terrible wounds, neglected for so long, began to heal slowly.

"Lucy, once more."

—Okay.

KiJun divided his spiritual power into two, boosting Lucy's spirit power with one half and using the other to restore the faint flame cat's energy.

As the spirit regained consciousness, it eagerly consumed the cores offered by KiJun. The spirit's wounds visibly began to heal, and the Flame Ghosts, initially flustered, gathered around to watch.

The reinvigorated spirit stopped eating to lick KiJun's finger. Its flame tongue warmly wrapped around his finger without harming him, showing gratitude. KiJun smiled in response.

"How about it, Lucy?"

—Yeah, just feed it this last one.

KiJun, feeling like an enlightened sage, took out the last core.

"Here, eat this and recover."

The spirit gobbled down the core. KiJun's spiritual power and Lucy's spirit power completely enveloped it, and a bright flame burst forth, symbolizing the gathering of all the heat that dominated the space. The spirit's wounds were fully healed.

—You've magnificently healed a deeply wounded spirit. Although its immediate power is greatly diminished, its large soul vessel has been perfectly restored, so it may eventually regain its full power. Your Spirit Power (L) has increased by 2.

—You have achieved a great and unique feat! You have obtained the unique-grade title 'Spirit Guardian.' This title makes you more beloved by spirits and other spiritual beings, and all your healing spells are 20% more effective. Your Charisma (L) has increased by 3. As a reward for this achievement, you have gained 10,000 RP.

KiJun had anticipated growth in his spiritual power through interacting and healing a different spirit from Lucy, but he hadn't imagined achieving such a feat. Maybe this spirit was significant not only in the past but also for the future. And the points were pouring in more than he thought - is it usually this hard to earn them?

The fully recovered flame cat stood on all fours and let out a loud cry. It wasn't very imposing due to its size but was very cute. KiJun diligently petted it, and it seemed to enjoy the attention, pressing its head into his palm.

"Master, Master."

The Flame Ghosts, including the boy, who had managed to maintain their human form, kneeled before their master. The spirit, finally noticing others besides KiJun and Lucy, tilted its head with a questioning "Ki?" then blinked its jewel-like eyes as it seemed to realize what had happened.

Confronting one's own folly and naivety is tough. The ghosts symbolized the spirit's betrayed past.

The spirit had several paths to choose from.

It could live in the forest with the ghosts it created, who would never betray it, fulfilling its dream. Or it could abandon its foolish attachments, reclaim all the ghosts into its body, and regain some strength for revenge.

The spirit chose neither.

"Ki?" The spirit, looking around at the ghosts, then turned to KiJun, locking eyes and crying out, seeking his decision. Understanding its meaning, KiJun hesitated but then decided after seeing Lucy's firm nod.

—Why hesitate when a powerful and promising spirit offers a contract? Just nod.

"I was just worried about you," KiJun replied.

—I always put you first. Don't worry, just make the contract.

KiJun then asked the flame cat spirit, "Sorry to keep you waiting, but if you're okay with it, shall we join hands?"

"Ki!" The spirit yipped affirmatively and placed its small paw on KiJun's hand. At that moment, a strong flow of fiery spirit power surged into KiJun, establishing a spiritual bond.

KiJun successfully contracted the flame spirit, gaining a new Rare grade skill, "Flame Spirit Technique." This skill, imbued with significant bonuses due to the spirit's deep wounds, leveled up significantly.

"Take care of me," KiJun said to the spirit, who responded with a happy cry. The spirit then climbed up his arm and settled on his left shoulder, much like Lucy did when they first contracted.

KiJun named the spirit "Ur," and it briefly yipped in acknowledgment. Ur looked at the Flame Ghosts with a deep, complex emotion in its eyes before letting it fade. Ur, now KiJun's contracted spirit, had decided to leave its past behind and start anew.

KiJun, feeling the spirit's appreciation for his gentle guidance, was moved. Ur, understanding KiJun's heart, released the Flame Ghosts from their binding.

"Are you abandoning us, Master?" the boy asked.

"Ki," Ur firmly denied, and after a few more cries, the boy realized they were being granted freedom.

"We will seek true freedom on our own," the boy reflected. "Even if we forget your commands, is that really okay?"

"Ki," Ur responded, confirming it was fine. Ur, having no more interest in them, snuggled against KiJun.

The boy, accepting this new freedom, stood up and transformed into a complete human form. "Thank you, Ur, and our savior! We will never forget you!" he said, smiling brightly before disappearing with the other humanized ghosts, probably returning to the villagers who didn't know they were ghosts.

In a secluded village deep in the forest, they would continue to live together, learning about freedom and life.

—You have earned a Rare Grade Title, Unveiler of Veils. This title makes it easier to uncover hidden elements in quests and enhances rewards. Your level has increased.

Amazed at earning back to back titles so quickly, KiJun felt bewildered. Without his expertise, the presence of Lucy, and their prior preparation, none of this would have been possible.

"Thanks, Lucy, and Ur," KiJun expressed his gratitude.

—I'm always here for you, Contractor.

"Ki," Ur chimed in.

As Ur looked at Lucy, who often sweet-talked KiJun, it seemed to learn something but went along with it, enjoying the praise.

"Knock, knock. I came to update you on the situation... What's this, a dungeon? You found it in a day?" A fairy appeared at that moment, reminding KiJun of one thing he had forgotten.

He hadn't yet made the curry.

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