Chapter 111: Fairy

Shortly after speaking with Ian, the Emperor immediately spread word of mankind’s victory—just as Ian had said. Or rather, to let the news reach the ears of demon spies hiding across the continent.

When people heard that one of the Four Heavenly Kings had been easily defeated by the pincer attack of the 4-star summon Ifrit and the 5-star summon Artia, with only minor casualties, they held a grand festival in celebration.

Of course, Ian and his group, who had nothing to do with the festivities, returned straight to the academy.

“…Ian, are you okay?”

“What?”

“Are we just leaving like this?”

On the way back, Noah asked with concern in her voice. It was the tone of someone who thought it would have been fine to receive some recognition before departing.

But since Ian seemed genuinely indifferent, her concern felt almost misplaced.

“It’s fine. I’ve already been rewarded.”

“…Rewarded?”

“That’s right.”

This time, Ian had been promised certain perks—information, wealth and most importantly, the essence of a summon. Unlike before, when he chose without disclosing any information, he was now given the option to access detailed records about each essence.

‘It means they truly acknowledge me.’

The Emperor’s previous refusal to reveal the nature of the essences in the Imperial Treasure Vault had stemmed from a fundamental issue with the summoning system. Without sufficient talent, summoning a creature using an essence often produced results completely unrelated to the essence’s potential.

Naturally, summoners never assumed they lacked talent. And in such cases, high-grade essences would often be wasted. So, until now, the Emperor had kept the nature of each essence hidden.

‘But that no longer concerns me.’

Ian could now discern the true nature of the essences he handled and identify the summon that would result. If the right resources were available, the exchange could be entirely fair.

Of course, for the people of this world, who lacked the proper knowledge, acquiring such resources was impossible. It made summoning high-tier beasts en masse to repel demons an unachievable feat.

Unfortunately, Ian faced the same limitations—but—

‘Now that I’ve cleared Chapter 2.’

When a player clears story chapters, completes quests, or even checks in daily, soul power is occasionally granted as a bonus. Naturally, the game developers weren’t generous about handing out power to free players, so the available resources were extremely limited.

‘I’ve managed to collect just enough for two summons.’

Even after going through everything as a high-level player, only two summons. In the original game, this would be laughable—players were usually rolling the summoning gacha in the triple digits by this stage.

‘But the number doesn’t matter.’

The key difference between Ian and other players was that he had access the essences of deceased summons. He didn’t need to rely on chance. He just had to use the right essence.

Ian recalled the two essences he had seen in the Emperor’s Treasury not long ago—summons he needed now more than ever.

***

If he had the luxury of unlimited resources—or even just what he’d had left in the game—Ian would have set all his summons as 5-star summons.

Of course, there were some 4-star summons with abilities on par with 5-star ones, but overall, 5-star summons had superior base stats.

The Four Gods, Dragon Series, Zodiac Gods, Demigod Series, and more—summoned beings with powers that resonated and synergized.

Obtaining even one of them was hard enough. Collecting them all without spending in the triple digits was nearly impossible.

‘Well, I didn’t manage to collect them all either.’

Still, there were always beginners who couldn’t (or wouldn’t) pour hundreds of dollars into the game. For them, special low-cost combinations existed.

“You’re the first person to have entered this treasury more than once in a lifetime,” said Artia, her golden eyes gleaming.

Even though her entire body was wrapped in bandages, her dignity remained untarnished.

Hearing her words, Ian smiled and brought up a name that might be an exception.

“Didn’t His Majesty the First Emperor come here as well?”

“Oh—no, that’s, uh…”

“Wow, what an honor. To take something even the First Emperor couldn’t. May I record it and pass it down as an heirloom?”

“Hey, that’s a bit much…”

[Ian, stop teasing that pure-hearted dinosaur and just go inside already. I’ll help you pick something good.]

As Ian continued to poke fun at Artia, the Empress, who claimed to be her old comrade, stepped in to defuse the situation.

Thanks to her, Ian ceased his teasing and stepped into the treasury.

He had been here before, but it still took his breath away.

It was a space of awe-inspiring magnificence.

Hundreds and thousands of Essences and Artefacts collected over centuries—what a spectacular sight—!

“Yes? Why are you following me?”

“You need an explanation? If you already have the kind of summon you want in mind, just tell me.”

Ian, who had been examining the scene alone, tilted his head when he noticed Artia entering the Treasure Vault behind him. She looked at him with a peculiar expression, as if to argue about something.

Ian asked, “Is there anything you’re looking for?”

“Then, the essence of a 5-star summoned beast.”

“…Sorry, but that doesn’t exist.”

“I figured as much.”

If there were an essence of a 5-star summon, it would be from a fusion or from possession to begin with. Unfortunately, the only 5-star summon that had ever been summoned was Artia herself, so such an essence didn’t exist.

But that didn’t matter. Ian hadn’t expected to find one anyway. It wasn’t like crying over missing a pheasant—he had known there would be no pheasants in the first place.

[Summoner! Hey, what about him? I’ve seen that kid before—he fights really well behind the scenes—!]

“Then, I’ll take the essence of the Tomboy Fairy and the Timid Fairy.”

[Summoner? Can’t you hear me? Excuse me?]

Ignoring the Empress’s chatter, Ian called out the names of the summons he wanted. 

Artia looked at him in surprise.

“Hey, you’re more knowledgeable than I thought. Those two never appeared in history. Very few people even know their names.”

“I’ve read a lot of books.”

“Really? There’s a book that actually lists their names?”

Saying this, Artia told him to wait for a while and disappeared into the back of the Treasure Vault.

While waiting, Ian silenced the Empress, who was shouting loudly inside his head, and looked around. He had already called out the names of the summons he wanted. But maybe there was something he missed? 

Perhaps there were even better summon essences…

‘Huh?’

As he turned his head, Ian spotted an essence with a striking pattern in the distance and approached it.

It was the essence of a Paladin’s shield with wings embedded in it.

‘This is Anna’s…’

Since Anna had been summoned through a random selection, it made sense that her essence would remain in the other world.

However, at that moment, a surge of intense curiosity overwhelmed Ian.

In the game, summoning the same creature twice wasn’t allowed. If the same summon was drawn, it simply turned into experience points and disappeared.

But what about in real life? What if Ian didn’t summon Anna again, but instead gave her essence to Noah or another summoner?

‘Is it possible to summon two of the same being at the same time…?’

He wondered, tempted to take the heirloom out of pure curiosity. But in the end, curiosity didn’t win out over reason.

“What are you doing?”

“…Nothing.”

Soon after, Artia returned with the heirloom he had requested. Ian reluctantly tore his gaze away from Anna’s essence.

Artia handed over two essences. 

Just to be sure, Ian checked the system—both essences were correct.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it. But didn’t you already have three summons? What do you need those essences for?”

“What if?”

Receiving her curious question, Ian crushed both essences without hesitation. Regardless of whether Artia looked horrified, he activated the system right away.

‘Summon.’

Come—twin fairies.

***

A pillar of light shot down from the sky, piercing through Artia’s subspace, and landed in Ian’s left hand.

This left Ian with summon marks on both hands, a clear indication he could no longer hide his identity as a hero.

‘Should I start wearing gloves…?’

While he mulled over that thought, tiny fairies flew around in front of him and came into view.

“What is this? This scumbag?”

“Oh, don’t say that… to the master…”

“What!? You mean you like this skinny guy!?”

A Tomboy Fairy with pink hair and a Timid Fairy with blue hair.

The two were twin sisters. When summoned together, they produced a vast number of synergistic effects.

“I don’t like the way he looks!”

“W-Well… thank you, Master…”

Watching the two summons appear before him, Ian muttered in amusement.

“You two are closer than I expected.”

“What? That’s obvious! She’s my little sister…”

The pink-haired fairy, who had started to say more, suddenly paused as if something dawned on her.

Although the sisters had appeared at the same time before, they had never been summoned by the same person.

After all, the default rule was one summon per person.

“…What are you?”

“I’m your master.”

“Th-That’s amazing, my Master…!”

Unlike the pink-haired fairy who pointed accusingly at Ian, the blue-haired fairy—who seemed more socially adjusted—quickly composed herself and praised him with grace.

Ian, still unsure what to call them, simply watched as the fairies floated about. Then, they introduced themselves.

“…name’s Pink.”

“My name is Sylphy, Master.”