Book 1 Chapter 644

644.

"-A spirit of the deep sea, you say?"

Istar, who was the size of Leo's palm, raised her eyes.

Undine, the spirit of the deep sea.

As a great spirit of water, she vied with Istar for the title of the strongest spirit of the current era.

At first, Istar was overwhelmingly strong.

The measure of a great spirit's strength includes not only their power but also the forces they command.

Naturally, Istar, having lived for a much longer time, commanded a stronger force.

At that time, Istar had devastated Undine's territory.

"-That's why we became sworn enemies."

When Laruel made a disgusted face, Elsi looked puzzled.

"-Why did you do something so terrible?"

"-Perhaps it was a struggle for supremacy?"

As Istar murmured with a pained expression, Laruel said,

"-You acted so insolently, so that's why."

"-Spirit of Brilliance! How dare you make such slander and ruin my image of the boss-nim…!"

"-If Elsi-nim says one word, the spirits who used to be your subordinates will spill everything, won't they?"

At Laruel's words, Istar fell silent.

"-Oh dear. The spirit of the deep sea is quite unfortunate."

"-But the spirit of the deep sea is just like any other spirit anyway."

Laruel said sharply.

"-The spirit of the deep sea also torments other spirits."

"-That's right! Boss-nim! That spirit is utterly evil!"

At Laruel's words, Istar fawned.

After being subjugated by Elsi,

Istar became Elsi's sycophant.

This was due to the overwhelming difference in power with Elsi, even more so than her status as an ancient great spirit senior.

The Authority of Dominion, which allows one to exert control over lower spirits of the same attribute.

Elsi's Authority of Dominion transcends that of other spirits.

It is an authority exerted not just over spirits of lower attributes, but over spirits of all attributes.

It even has the ability to steal lower spirits from other great spirits.

Having lost all her forces, Istar had no choice but to fawn on Elsi to survive.

"-Undine's evil deeds are also unspeakable! Our great and noble boss-nim must punish that wicked spirit! I, Istar, the Spirit of Purification! I will become your sword and liberate the suffering water spirits from that malicious deep-sea spirit!"

Istar spoke forcefully.

The reason for her eagerness was simple.

'Let's die together.'

She was already ruined.

She had lost her base and had to live under the watchful eyes of her subordinate spirits.

It was unfair.

So, the deep-sea spirit, whom she hated the most in the world, also had to suffer the same fate as her.

"-To think a self-proclaimed great spirit of fire would resort to a 'water ghost' strategy."

"-Get lost, old hag."

At Istar's words, a commotion was felt from the other side.

"-Let go! I'll just kill her! Let me kill her!"

"-That anger! Can't you take it out on me? Haa… Haa…"

It seemed Ati was stopping Laruel, who was trying to burst out from where Leo's summoned beasts were gathered.

'Elsi.'

"-Yes, Leo."

'I need to catch you and educate the kids.'

"-Hmm… I'll try."

Leo sighed softly and looked at Runba.

"A fire spirit? You look unique."

Runba made a bewildered expression as he looked at the fire spirit on Leo's palm.

It was the size of a low-grade spirit, palm-sized.

It was different from the usual chubby-faced low-grade spirits.

A spirit that exposed its upper body, as if showing off its small but clearly visible firm muscles.

'If "The Power" guys saw him, they'd probably shout "Accepted!" right away.'

Recalling Lumeren's physical training club, 'The Power,' Runba shook his head.

'No matter how unique his appearance is, he's a spirit summoned by Leo… so I should be on guard…'

"-That is…!"

Just then, Undine, who had been showing an indifferent reaction beyond his consciousness, reacted sharply.

'Huh? Undine-nim?'

KWA-A-A-A-AH-!

The streams of water swirling around Runba began to converge in one place, and a beautiful girl appeared.

An upper body with ivory skin and a fish's lower body.

She looked like the mermaids from stories.

"What brings you here in person?"

Runba asked with a slightly flustered voice.

At Runba's question, Undine curled up the corners of her mouth.

"Because a sworn enemy to be punished is before me."

CHWAAAK-!

As Undine stretched out her hand, a trident made of water was created.

CHUK-!

Holding the trident in one hand, Undine aimed it at Leo.

"Are you the renowned Leo Flobruta?"

"Are you Undine, the spirit of the deep sea?"

Leo chuckled and looked at Runba.

"I didn't know you had a pact with Runba sunbae?"

Honestly, it was unexpected for Leo that Runba had summoned a great water spirit.

If Runba had a contract with Undine, it would surely have been known long ago.

At Leo's words, Undine snorted.

"Hmph. Runba Tes and I are not bound by a pact. He helped me once before. To repay that debt, I merely promised to help Runba Tes just once."

"A temporary contract, then?"

"Indeed, you're quick to understand."

Undine curled up the corners of her mouth.

"In that sense, I'll give you a piece of advice, Leo Flov."

CHWAAAK-

The surrounding water streams formed a throne.

Undine, seated on the throne, said,

"It would be best to break your contract with that lowly great spirit of fire."

Undine narrowed her eyes and looked at Istar.

"For some reason, that lowly spirit lost her base not long ago. What a pity. It was something I should have done. I suppose it was divine retribution for harming me long ago."

Undine openly mocked Istar.

"That lowly great spirit must have lost her base and sought refuge with you. But that pact is a flawed one."

"A flawed pact?"

"Yes. The very act of making a pact with Istar means you've made an enemy of me, the spirit of the deep sea."

"Will it change if I break the pact?"

"It will change. Furthermore, I, Undine, hold you in very high regard. I am also well aware that you are the pactmaker of the three great phantom beasts. So I propose something."

"A proposal?"

"Yes. Break your pacts with those phantom beasts as well. Then I will give you the chance to serve me, the spirit of the deep sea."

Undine, seated on the throne, curled up the corners of her mouth.

"I don't like the fact that you've made pacts with other spirits and phantom beasts… but for a pactmaker of your caliber, I suppose I'll have to tolerate it."

CHWAAAK-

The water throne Undine was sitting on rose high.

Creating a pillar of water, Undine looked down at Leo and said,

"This is by no means a bad offer for you. I, Undine, am literally the ruler of the ocean. Making a pact with me also means you will become the ruler of the ocean. Moreover, I have never made a pact with anyone until now. It means the strongest great spirit will be with you. It will surely be of great help on the path you are taking. What do you intend to do?"

"-That fellow, how insolent! Leo! Chick! Turn him into grilled fish!"

"-Peep! Peep!"

"-To try and steal the Master's rough touch from me! I cannot forgive you! I'll roast you with electricity!"

Excited Kirian, Fiona, and Ati reacted wildly.

As a result, Leo's head began to throb.

"-Everyone, shhh."

At Elsi's gentle voice, the three phantom beasts became silent.

"-Boss-nim! Look! That insolent fellow's nonsense! We really need to teach him a lesson!"

"-Didn't you hear Elsi-nim tell you to be quiet!"

"-Quack!"

Laruel, who had opened a space and emerged, flew at the speed of light and landed a dropkick on Istar's chest.

"Spirit of Brilliance?"

Undine's expression changed dramatically.

Seeing Undine's reaction, Laruel crossed her arms and snorted.

"-You're still the same, aren't you?"

"Are you also Leo Flov's pactmaker? Hahahaha! You acted so haughty and superior, only to share a pactmaker? How pathetic! Spirit of Brilliance!"

"-I'm tired of hearing that. This fellow already said it all."

Laruel firmly stepped on Istar's head, which was at her feet.

"Well. I do need to have a conversation with you."

"What did you say?"

Leo spread his palm and aimed it at Undine.

ZUZUZUZUZU! FLASH-! KWA-GA-GANG-!

The ray of light extending from Leo's hand blew Undine away.

Leo, using Laruel's power, looked at Runba.

"Wow~ Seriously. A great spirit of light and a great spirit of fire. I heard great spirits hate summoners who cheat! That must have been a lie too!"

Runba scratched his head.

Leo chuckled, looking at Runba.

"They don't like it, though."

"Then how did you make a contract?"

"Aren't I just a little charming?"

"Haha."

Runba burst out laughing.

"Well, is it good for me? I was just planning to borrow troops from the spirit of the deep sea. Since the spirit of the deep sea herself came… I might be able to buy some time until those guys are ready?"

"Will buying time change anything?"

"I won't fall for such a provocation."

Runba smiled faintly.

"I'll try my best to live up to your expectations. So, feel free to expect great things."

CHWAA-A-A-A-AH-!

On both sides of Runba, gigantic gates made of water appeared.

The gates swung open, and water spirits began to emerge from them.

They were water spirits under Undine's command.

The army of the deep-sea spirit, known to be the most powerful among the great spirits.

'It's overwhelming, even more so than with Istar.'

Even more surprising was Runba's potential to continuously summon such a large number of spirits.

It wasn't just summoning, either.

He reinforced the spirits with his spiritual power.

'Is this what it means to be the second strongest in 5th grade after Elena?'

Moreover, his eyes had changed as well.

Leo curled up the corners of his mouth.

'I want to fight them, but…'

It was clear that Undine, who had been blown away, would soon attack him.

"Elsi."

At Leo's call, his shadow began to grow enormous.

And from it, fire spirits appeared.

Runba looked puzzled at the sight.

'The summoning method is a bit peculiar?'

Runba had no idea in his wildest dreams that their master was not a great spirit of fire, but a great spirit of shadow.

"-Water spirits, huh…"

"-I expected we'd have to fight… but I never imagined we'd be fighting as subordinates of the Shadow Spirit, not the Purification Spirit."

"-So you're displeased?"

"-No, rather, it's good."

"-Because it's an opportunity to prove that the Shadow Spirit is the strongest."

The fire spirits grinned.

"-…How can their morale be higher than when they were under me?"

"-See, I clearly told you and the deep-sea spirit? To treat your subordinate spirits well."

Laruel took care of the spirits of light, even if she didn't care for subordinate spirits of other attributes.

"-Old hag! I am sad!"

"-Who are you calling an old hag!"

Laruel kicked Istar in the side.

Finally, from within the shadows, the fire spirit Alsia emerged, supporting Elsi with both hands clasped together.

"-Elsi-nim, your command."

Alsia asked respectfully, and Elsi smiled faintly.

"-If you all get tired, hide behind me."

"-Ooooooh!"

The bodies of the fire spirits began to burn intensely.

Leaving that sight behind, Leo walked in the direction Undine had flown.

He had to defeat Undine first before dealing with the 5th and 4th graders.

KWA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GA-GANG-!

Just then, a gigantic tidal wave crashed from afar.

"Leo Floooove! How dare you!"

Undine's furious voice was heard.

Leo, with an unimpressed expression, raised his palm.

HWA-RU-RUK-!

Istar began to burn on Leo's hand.

Istar, transformed into blue flames, soon changed into the form of a spear.

"-Such a spirit art existed?"

At Istar's surprised voice, Leo chuckled.

"It exists, doesn't it?"

"-Pactmaker, is that your spirit art?"

"No."

Leo took a javelin-throwing stance.

"I'm imitating the strongest spirit user."

KWA-AK-!

The blue spear of fire that flew from Leo's hand traced an arc and flew towards the tidal wave.

PHEONG! SHWAA-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-A-!

Lukewarm rain began to fall from the sky.

Leo said, looking at the surroundings filled with steam,

"If they don't want to make a pact, I'll have to make them want to."

"-It won't be easy."

"Yeah. But I also learned how to persuade disobedient spirits from the strongest spirit user."

"-What's that method?"

Laruel's eyes gleamed.

Leo laughed at that.

"Violence."