In a situation where she’s deciding whether to stick with the Orc Warrior, it’s clear that from her perspective, it would definitely be regrettable to end things as they are now.
*Tap-*
Yeon-hee lightly placed her hand on the summoning scroll she was holding.
Ancient Brown Summoning Scroll
– The first summoning scroll created by the original summoner to call forth creatures from another realm.
– Has a very slim chance of summoning a high-ranking creature.
As expected, the same configuration as last time, but with one rank upgraded. She’d hoped that the “very slim” part would change…
“Should I take a shot at it?”
Her previous experience of summoning the mid-level spirit Ran was now making her hesitate. Even summoning a mid-level spirit like Ran would still be worthwhile, as we all know that a single mid-level spirit can perform the duties of a solid supporter.
“Ugh! This is a bit tough, Il-wol.”
*Clap, Clap, Clap!!*
One option was to delay the decision.
“Okay… Let’s open the two I have right now!”
*Grr…*
With her brows furrowed and a look of anxiety on her face, she appeared more serious than ever before.
Indeed, gacha is fearsome. To put a twenty-year-old girl in such a painful situation.
After confirming that the two zombies had been unsummoned, I watched her chant her spell again.
“Anything but zombies…”
It seemed like she quickly unsummoned the zombies just so she could shout out that wish.
“I’m not hoping for a high-level creature, but at least something more varied!”
Did our humble little wish reach the cosmos?
The fifth summoned creature was a ‘Neos Harpy’.
The sixth summoned creature was a ‘Screaming Mushroom’.
Unfortunately, no high-level creatures or spirit types appeared, but given the slim chances, it was probably foolish to expect those. Spirits were bound to have low odds as well.
“How on earth did Ran get summoned? Was it a day when the cosmic energies flowed in?”
“Hiiing- But at least other creatures showed up, so I’m happy!”
As I looked back at Yeon-hee, trying hard to console herself, I noticed the mushroom, which was barely up to my knee. As I approached, its top began to split apart like an air conditioner filter.
“Uh-oh-”
*Kyyaaaahh—!*
Suddenly, the sound of scratching metal echoed throughout the small living room.
“Yaaah! Hey Mushroom! Quiet! Quiet! Shhh!”
“……”
“At least it can understand Yeon-hee’s words.”
The Screaming Mushroom, with its white base and large red spots and two little legs, was an adorable sight, completely opposite to the scream it just emitted.
Its ability was very similar to the Iron Beetle ‘Ddak-ddak-i’.
It can make a sound that resembles nails scratching a blackboard, provoking nearby monsters, with some rushing to attack and others scrambling to escape in fear.
The first spirit that was summoned, the Specter, belongs to the escaping type. I don’t know why, but that sound must be incredibly unpleasant.
It seems to have a wider provocation range than Ddak-ddak-i, but I’d have to see it in action to know if it has any additional advantages, but it definitely was a useful one.
And then there’s the Neos Harpy.
*Flap- Flap-*
A massive brown bird, lazily flapping its wings, floated in the air.
Clearly smaller and more petite than a regular Harpy, it looked about the size of a lower elementary school girl. But one should not be deceived—despite its looks, it’s surprisingly strong. Yeon-hee could likely lift it and fly high into the sky.
As higher-ranking Harpies tend to take on more human characteristics, the lowly Neos Harpy mostly retained its bird-like features.
With its chest developed to look a bit human, the Neos Harpy tilted its head and sniffed curiously by Yeon-hee’s side.
“I shall bestow names upon you!”
I didn’t know why she suddenly spoke in a historical drama tone, but I was looking forward to seeing if Yeon-hee would showcase her naming talent again.
However, contrary to expectations, the Neos Harpy was named ‘Nefie’ and the Screaming Mushroom was dubbed ‘Dotted One’.
‘… People don’t change easily. Dotted One…’
Once all summoning was done, she declared that she would make sure the Orc Warrior is summoned next time for a higher probability.
That probability was up to 2%, making it a whopping 92%. Hopefully, there wouldn’t be another incident like the one where the Lizardman was fixed, yet a regular Orc appeared.
“In truth, I was hoping a cute creature like Ran would show up, but it didn’t go my way, hee hee-”
After sending all her summoned creatures back to their original world, she scratched the back of her head, revealing her true feelings.
“I’m just going to call the zombies Zombie 1 and Zombie 2. After all… it’s a bit tough to have that appearance in a human form.”
Nodding in agreement-
She must have used quite a bit of energy summoning, as she sat down with her eyes closed, focusing on recovering her magic power.
‘With so many types of summoned creatures, I’ll need to manage them well. Rather than summoning them all, I’ll have to strategize and just bring out the ones I need.’
Including me, there were 12 types of summoned creatures. It wouldn’t be easy to utilize them all effectively.
‘Well, I guess she’ll handle it just fine.’
“Listen up, Il-wol. ‘Nefie’ is going to be used for scouting. It seems like it… looks sharp with those little nails, but not much damage can come from that tiny hand.”
*Nod-*
She began articulating her thoughts about how to utilize her newly summoned creatures one by one.
“For the Specter, uh… I actually want to summon a few more. It seems that useful, but it’s a real shame. Even in a D-rank dungeon, the monsters hardly use attack magic, right?”
*Nod-*
“The zombies can have the same role as Ddung-i, right? Ddung-i always stood on my left to guard me, so we can have them stand on the right and behind…”
“Oh, and the Orc Warrior… it’s in the same position as the Lizardman, so… one?”
*Chuŭrak?*
“Are you gonna let the Orc Warrior squad overshadow you? Got it?”
‘Wait? Yeon-hee is really trying to provoke like that?’
She outright intends to pit them against each other, something I didn’t expect from this life cycle of Yeon-hee.
The Lizardman 1 seemed to assertively raise its arms high in the air, prominently displaying its body, signifying clearly that it wouldn’t be overshadowed.
Growing spines like those of a fish began sprouting cleanly down its back, starting from its crown, and overall, its physique had increased by over 10%.
Now, if it stands straight, it seems like it would nearly touch the ceiling, so it’d be commanded to bow its head while moving. As its physique grew, its stats surely must have developed beyond that… I wonder if it’s gained new skills or abilities as well?
Like that, the Lizard Squad evolved, with only the 19th and 20th remaining unchanged.
‘I want to switch to a better weapon.’
It was still a bit disconcerting to see it carrying around a clunky machete.
“Wow, I’ve lost track of time. I need to visit the Guild today. I’ll apply for D-rank while taking the test and even sell some runes.”
‘Promotion test. D-rank should be easy.’
Up until E-rank, one only needs a sufficient amount of magic and hunt records for approval, but from D-rank onward, a promotion test must be passed to advance.
It’s not even that serious of a process. It’s just about showing a little talent in front of the examiner.
“I’ll just change my clothes and be ready!”
‘She could easily change here. Hmmm…’
Yeon-hee went into her room and quickly changed.
‘Jeans and a long padded coat… and on top, a gray robe… what kind of fashion is that?’
She pulled her robe down low and told me, “Ready! Haha-”
With her body covered as best as she could, she grinned and signaled the start.
‘… Maybe I should have left a note at Helen’s shop? something like: [This letter started in England and if you don't take Lee Yeon-hee shopping in a department store for pretty clothes, she'll be cursed.]’
I thought about whether to just buy her clothes, but I didn’t really feel like it. The people showing interest in her wasn’t that delightful, but grabbing attention like that wasn’t preferable either…
“It’ll only take about 40 minutes to reach the Guild! Can you stay in stealth like yesterday?”
*Nod-*
‘Now that maintaining stealth is possible, though won’t someone say anything when we enter the Guild building? What should I say?’
*Click-*
With worries churning, we exited outside hand in hand.
*Greee-*
She casually grabbed my hand.
What kind of feeling would it bring to hold hands? It must feel cold even with gloves?
I gazed at her gloved hand gently.
“Going for a stroll with Il-wol~ Hmph-”
Since yesterday, she’s been in high spirits. Her smiling face truly…
‘… I also feel good, Yeon-hee.’
And so, we held hands and walked toward the Guild as if on a stroll. People passing by looked at her funny as she waved her hand in the air, but she seemed oblivious to their gazes.
She said it would take 40 minutes, but it actually took us an additional 10 minutes to reach the Guild’s main building.
‘That was short… tsk-‘
Even just walking together felt like a dream as I savored the moment.
Regretfully licking my lips, I released my stealth as I entered the Guild building for the first time in a while, looking around in wonder.
As I stepped into the lobby, the people inside all gasped, immediately drawing their weapons.
*Woosh—*
In an instant, numerous spatial openings burst open, creating a stunning scene. It felt like a movie.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!! Hold on there-! First, please explain what that thing next to you is. Please relax, everyone! Put your weapons down!”
‘A C-rank Hunter, an assassin type perhaps.’
A sharply dressed man in a blue suit rushed over to calm us down and Yeon-hee handed him her Hunter’s license.
“Lee Yeon-hee Hunter… I know your abilities are special, but please restrain yourself from provoking others. Goodness- especially bringing such a friend in here…”
“I-I’m sorry…”
“Wouldn’t it be better to release the summon?”
“Uh… I heard from the White Knight Guild that the person taking the promotion test can showcase their abilities right from the lobby.”
“Hmm- Well, we’ve had a few unfortunate incidents leading to that regulation. Just a moment, let me ask someone for confirmation since I don’t have experience with this.”
The suited man seemed to check around before approaching us and guided us toward the front desk.
“We did announce related news for Hunters below. But be cautious; the moment you go down, they might jump at you right away.”
Bringing me along must have already been approved, and they had likely set up measures in the testing area already. He seemed to handle affairs efficiently just as he looked.
Yeon-hee skillfully logged in her entry and walked toward the elevator going underground.
*Beep—*
“Isn’t it strange? The tests are always held underground! A long time ago, there was chaos when they conducted tests on the higher floors, with entire floors becoming wrecked and glass scattering outside, causing havoc. Ever since, they’ve been doing it this way.”
“Clap, clap, clap!”
I knew that story well too.
Back in school, a classmate who had bullied me came in to take the promotion test, and the examiner used all their power to completely mess him up.
‘That would have been my reaction too.’
But what’s funny is that that person didn’t end up in jail for that incident; instead, they became an inspector handling promotion tests. Rumor has it, they had some backing from the Guild, meaning they were a prized talent.
Anyway, having that person as an examiner means it wouldn’t end up just being a simple test. That was already a well-known tale by this time.
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