Wolves of Hader

Chapter 32

More members of the Iki Tribe appeared.

It was only natural. After all, I was the first person to discover and visit this place.

Their height couldn't have been more than 1 cm.

They were so small, I could barely see them.

Their appearance closely resembled that of humans.

Back during my time in the game, Rac, I communicated with them through elementals, but as it turned out, their language was the same as that of humans.

Because of this, I became curious.

They were far too small to be considered a proper race.

I began to wonder if there might be some connection to the unique magic they possessed.

Anyway, these little beings were the reason this place came to be called Fairy Island after humans happened to catch sight of them.

Six members of the Iki Tribe were watching me.

They whispered among themselves.

Then, the oldest Iki spoke.

"You said there are many magic power stones?"

"There are a great many magic power stones that can be mined, in addition to the ones I brought today."

"Hm..."

Long ago, the supply of magic power stones in the Iki Tribe's village ran dry.

They must have had to rely on gathering nature's magic power, which would be pretty restricted and frustrating.

"I heard that you wish to exchange for some of our possessions. How did you know what we need?"

"As a tribe of magic, you must require magic power not just for magical devices, but for many aspects of daily life. With a shortage of magic power stones, it must have caused a lot of inconveniences."

"So you came here knowing about us?"

"My father once came to this island and met the Iki Tribe. He predicted that the village would eventually run out of magic power stones, and asked me to help you in the future."

"Is that so..."

It was a plausible story.

There'd been more than a few missing members of the Iki Tribe.

Aside from the danger posed by large insects, they could also be swept away by a suddenly swollen stream.

Whisper, whisper. Murmur, murmur.

The Iki Tribe's chatter was adorable, especially coming from such tiny bodies.

"How many magic power stones do you currently have?"

I showed them the pack on my back.

"It's full to the brim."

"That many?"

"At this rate, these supplies could last you for a hundred years—assuming you store them without shrinking them."

"You know of our magic, then?"

"I've only heard stories."

Whisper, whisper. Murmur, murmur.

The Iki Tribe held a meeting. After all, this could solve a major problem for their village.

"What do you wish in return?"

"I want spirit stones of light."

"High-rank spirits are precious to us as well, you know."

"I'd like to trade one spirit stone for five magic power stones. As you probably have little use for low-rank spirit stones, I'd like to purchase as many as you're willing to sell."

It was a fairly reasonable offer.

Spirit stones were a kind of sanctuary crafted by the Iki Tribe for the spirits of light.

There seemed to be some secret between the Iki Tribe and these spirits, but this was all I knew.

"What do you intend to do with the spirit stones?"

"If the Iki Tribe and the spirits could work together in harmony, humans could communicate and connect with elementals as well. That would allow for the development of a new technology system. That's why I wish to seek permission from the Iki Tribe and the spirits, who share a common destiny."

"Hm..."

The elderly Iki pondered for a moment before speaking.

"It puts us in a difficult position, having a human discover our location. What guarantees do we have that your people won't attack our village?"

"I hope to maintain steady trade with the Iki Tribe. I also know well how closely the spirits are connected with you. If we ever attacked you, the spirits would surely leave."

"Good. I'm pleased you understand."

Once more, the Iki Tribe held a discussion.

They weighed all the factors—whether we would be a help or a threat.

At last, after a lengthy meeting, they reached a decision.

"We've decided. We'll accept your proposal. But no one else must learn of our existence."

"Of course. I promise."

"We have another problem—could you solve that as well?"

"Is there some danger to the village?"

"Yes. A landslide occurred a few years ago, and whenever it rained, the village would flood. Please help clear away the dirt so the water can flow elsewhere."

"I understand."

"I'll be sure to reward you generously."

"Thank you, elder."

/ / /

There was an area to the east of the village covered in loose earth.

Apparently, rainwater would flow down from above and follow the earth mound directly into the village.

Urald surveyed the surrounding flowerbeds.

"I suppose the Iki Tribe's village is under this flower garden."

"Yes. The flowers likely acted as a barrier. Once the earth accumulated on top, it must have prevented the barrier from stopping the water from flowing down."

Together with Urald, I set to work clearing away the earth.

Once it was all cleared, a wall of brambles, which served as the village's protective wall, was exposed.

I then transplanted nearby flowers to hide the brambles from view.

"Do you need anything else?"

"This is enough. I've learned that knowing humans isn't a bad thing at all. I can't believe we struggled for years over something this simple."

"Where should I put the magic power stones?"

"Put them in that hollow tree."

Next to some yellow flowers stood a tree with a hole in it.

Inside was a spiral slide, which the Iki Tribe used as an emergency entrance to the village.

I dropped the magic power stones in, one by one. Forty in all. I tossed in one each of gold, silver, and iron ore as well.

What you give, you also receive.

"Oh, here it comes!"

One Iki Tribe member emerged from beneath the small flowers, carrying a box.

Behind them, several dozen more Iki joined forces to carry out four broad, rectangular stones.

The box and the four flat stones were set before us.

Urald looked puzzled, as the box carried by the Iki Tribe was absolutely tiny from our perspective.

The elderly Iki placed something on the box—which immediately emitted a glow. Suddenly, the box popped! and expanded.

Urald was so startled that he fell straight backward in shock. The box had increased in size to match the ratio of Iki to a human.

"Truly marvelous."

Smiling at the shocked and confused Urald, I opened the box.

Inside were round, flat stones, about the size of Olympic medals.

The elderly Iki said, "Twelve high-rank spirit stones and 120 low-rank spirit stones."

"You gave me even more than I expected."

"It's a reward for helping our village. As for those stones with magic symbols, they're my personal gift."

These were the flat rectangular stones the Iki Tribe brought out together.

Strange symbols were engraved onto them, but it seemed they were not enchanted.

"What are these rectangular stones?"

"They are stones inscribed with shrink and restoration magic. It is an embodiment of the essence of Iki Tribe magic, specially chosen for you because you possess magic power."

"How do I use them?"

"Place the one embossed with the red symbol on the object you wish to shrink. Then pour your magic power into it until it glows—the spirit will manage the rest."

"Only those who possess magic power can use them, then."

"That's right. Judging from the magic you possess, there's no telling how large an object you could affect."

"Can they be used on people, too?"

"It is very dangerous—never use it that way."

"I won't."

Shrinking and restoration magic.

This was the unique magic of the Iki Tribe.

That was why the question arose: perhaps the Iki Tribe had, for some reason, shrunk themselves and become unable to return to their original size.

I packed the spirit stones and the Iki Tribe's gifts into my backpack. The stones were thin and flat, leaving plenty of space left in my pack.

"Well then, come visit again."

"It was a pleasure to meet you, elder."

"Take care, now."

I bowed in thanks and turned away.

A long-awaited bond was forged.

After four long years, I finally met the Iki Tribe.

/ / /

I was climbing a mountain.

I'd come to this mountain in the central government of the island to gather materials.

A magical crystal.

A peculiar substance that manifests a lasting effect when endowed with magic power and an ability.

In a way, it could be said that magic power stones changed due to a certain cause. The magic held in these is weak.

If you keep one on your person, you gain an ability boost.

Embed it in equipment, and it provides an added effect.

Store a skill in it, and it functions as a skillbook.

Come to think of it, something must have happened long ago in Ta-iki.

The same goes for the Iki Tribe, the presence of the light spirits, and the bizarre crystals.

I took a short break at the mountain's mid-slope.

Now that I had spirit stones, there was no reason to wait any longer. Right here and now, it was best to unite with a spirit.

Grasping a spirit stone, I sat down on the ground.

It had been a long time since I'd done this.

I made a conscious effort to be as respectful as possible.

"O spirit of light. You have come to me at the call of the Iki Tribe elder, and henceforth, you will be with me. I ask you to connect deeply and coexist with me."

The stone began to glow.

Everyone watched me and the stone with fascination.

"I hope that there is not a single barrier between us, that we communicate perfectly. In that hope, I wish to forge the pact of light with you. I beg you to grant my wish."

The stone shone even brighter.

A ray of light drifted forth, circling around me as if to greet me.

After a short wait, the light began to seep into my chest, circulating through my body before reaching my heart and brain. There was nothing discordant about it.

The spirit seemed to be reading my mind—quickly understanding why I sought it out, why I wanted to merge, and what I intended to do upon uniting with it.

My consciousness and spirit were becoming one throughout the process.

Who knows how long I sat there?

A haze of light began to appear before my eyes.

It looked as if grains of light were gathering and dispersing repeatedly.

My companions couldn't see this.

Only I could perceive the communication and communion with the spirit.

The more my thoughts fused with it, the more defined the contour of the light became.

Its shape, its manner of communication—all of it began to take form, establishing standards and systems.

At long last, it was complete.

A system that people in Rac could never have imagined.

The Level System.

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《Base Index》

Strength: Rank 10

Speed: Rank 10

Stamina: Normal

Magic Power: 1,000/1,000

《Battle Capability》

Attack: Rank 10

Defense: Rank 10

《Main Techniques》

《Support Techniques》

《Equipped Gear》《Equipped Accessories》

《Passive Effects》《Additional Effects》

------------------------

A status window made of light.

I've omitted unnecessary things and focused on skills. It's for assigning ranks based on the present.

To be honest, there was no real need to make a status window like this. Skill registration was the real purpose.

I just made it this way because I'm used to it from before.

For these locals, a natural communion with the spirits would be better.

An unfamiliar system like this would only confuse them.

"Excuse me, young master."

"Hm?"

"Will you sit here much longer?"

"No, I'm done. Let's go."

I got up and started walking again.

My party just thought I'd spent a moment meditating.

I'll give them spirit stones too—once I've fleshed out the system a little more myself.

"Donnie. Go take a look around with the captain."

"Okay. Let's go, Captain."

"No! Why is it always me?!"

/ / /

Thunk—thak-thunk—

I dug out strengthening materials diligently.

Crystals of pure white.

"Are these the magical crystals?"

"Yes. Just infuse the stone with magic power and an ability."

"How, exactly?"

"Could you give me two strength potions?"

"Here you go."

I received three strength potions.

I took out a magic power stone and placed the potion bottle on top of a magic crystal.

Then, invoking the spirit, I asked that the strength and magic power from the potion be imbued into the crystal.

"Oh! The crystal's color is changing!"

The crystal turned red.

It was laughably easy, but without a merged spirit, even this couldn't be done.

Now, just carrying this crystal provides a slight boost in strength.

For those with no magic at all, it's as good as useless—the magic in the crystals is just too weak.

Creating skills works the same way.

With the spirit's assistance, I use the four elements, or test out the manipulation of magic power, until the skill is actually manifest.

Once the spirit clearly recognizes the skill and my handling of magic power, the skill becomes registered.

Plus, if I imbue a newly created skill into the magic crystal I'm mining now, it becomes a skillbook, letting me grant the skill to others.

The spirit merely needs to recognize it as such.

Of course, this applies when creating something from nothing.

As for me, my head is already filled with countless systems of skills and ways to use magic power.

I've even documented it all.

Now, all that remains is to make it real—

All it will take is a bit more time.