Chapter 116
A faint unease lingered—knowing our target was a being capable of conversation and friendliness toward humans, yet wielding power surpassing even dragons, had cast a palpable tension over our group.
"Here we are." "Here...?" "It's a hot spring, right?" "Yeah. A natural one, shaped by the land itself."
Conversation had dwindled since we set out. Even during breaks, words felt sparse.
Now, at our destination, Nell and Amina tilted their heads in confusion.
"A hidden hot spring, perhaps? But there's no sign of animals using it." "Nor any disturbance."
Claudia scanned the area while Ingrid noted the unnatural cleanliness for an untouched natural site.
"This is a hot spring frequented by spirits. Even the human-faced tree didn’t dare touch it."
I’d seen monkeys lounging in natural springs before, but this place was pristine—as if guarded by something sacred.
"It feels... strange. Warm, almost gentle?" "I get it. Like being watched over by a parent."
Calling it *ominous* would sound alarming, but the truth was simpler: the land here was saturated with a spirit’s power, marking it as a sanctuary.
Just as no fool approaches a dragon’s nest, monsters avoided places spirits gathered.
The warmth Nell and Amina sensed was merely the lingering aura of that power.
"The atmosphere matches. This is definitely the place."
I’d visited this location in the game, but geographical discrepancies—like the swamp dragon’s lair—had taught me caution.
Luckily, we weren’t mistaken.
With that settled, we began unloading the mule.
"First, we’ll set up camp *away* from the spring. And absolutely *no* bathing, littering, or cutting trees. Treat this place as sacred." "Understood."
Ingrid scanned the area, spotting a clearing—conveniently open, as if *made* for camping.
"Ah, no. That’s the spirits’ banquet ground." "Banquet... ground?" "Yeah. They gather here periodically. Less a raucous party, more a... meeting spot." "‘Assembly area’ might fit better." "Nah. The spirits called it a banquet, so banquet it is."
Convenient spots always had meaning. Ingrid accepted this and pointed to another location—a shaded space encircled by three trees.
"That should be safe."
No residual energy, no maintenance. Just an ordinary patch of forest.
I nodded, and Ingrid carried the tent over.
"Liberta, I’ll gather firewood." "Get plenty. We’ll need it." "Leave it to me." "I’ll assist."
Nell hefted a pack and left with Claudia. Between the two, they’d manage fine.
"Now, *we* prepare to summon the spirit. Amina—you’re the key." "I’ll do my best!"
While the others handled camp, Amina and I began the summoning ritual.
"Hey, Liberta?" "Hm?"
Most of the mule’s load was ritual gear.
"Will this *really* call a spirit? Isn’t there another way?" "There *are* alternatives."
Summoning mid-tier spirits actually had several methods.
"One’s ritual summoning. Draw a magic circle, use a pile of spirit stones, narrow the attributes—standard stuff." "Yeah, I’ve heard priests do that." "Problem is, spirits *hate* it." "Hate it?"
As I laid out tools on a cloth, I explained the obvious approach.
"You’re yanking them from their world without consent, then demanding help. Imagine being dragged from bed or a fun outing just because someone *needs* you." "That *does* sound awful." "Exactly. People who use this method only care about themselves—*save the world, become the strongest, my life’s in danger*. To the spirit, it’s just *‘Screw off.’*"
Ritual summoning had style, but it was brute force—piercing the spirit realm with a magic fishing hook and reeling one in.
"I’d *definitely* kick someone who interrupted my singing!" "Right? Even top summoners can’t bypass this. You *can* force a contract, but the spirit’s power gets neutered."
Post-summoning, spirits either challenged you to prove your worth or bolted immediately.
"And even if you win, becoming friends is *hard*. The summon starts you at *negative* affinity, with barely any growth."
Worse, losing points was *easy*. Only masochists or completionists bothered.
It was like those *‘Summoned Hero’* tropes—except the spirits weren’t impressed.
"So... the candy method you used before? Spirits love sweets, right?" "That’s hit-or-miss. Only works on specific spirits, and most won’t contract—just take the offering and leave."
Spirits weren’t pushovers. Just because you summoned them or paid a price didn’t mean they’d obey.
This was why spirit-users were rare in FBO. The effort rarely matched the reward.
"So... your way is safe?" "Safe-ish. If we don’t mess up, they won’t get mad." "And if we fail?" "Instant rejection. Next attempt starts with negative affinity." "Yikes!" "Oh, and if it bottoms out? They *attack*." "That’s *dangerous*!" "Hence why the first try matters."
The few skilled spirit-users I knew all shared one principle:
*Be equals.*
Not master and servant, but allies who help each other.
Never rely solely on their power. Never look down on them.
Strive to be comrades who grow together.
In FBO, this meant treating spirits—mere data—as real beings with wills. Some players mocked this as *‘taking games too seriously.’*
Those people *never* advanced in spirit-related quests.
Only those who genuinely connected with spirits succeeded.
And the key to that connection?
"A ball, a shuttlecock, ropes for a court and ring..."
*Toys.*
Adults bond over drinks. Kids? Over play.
Ever approached a stranger in a park with a *‘Wanna play?’* and a ball? That’s the idea.
The gear was simple: a leather ball (crudely made), a battledore set, and ropes to mark boundaries.
"And prizes for the winner—sweets." "Of *course* there’s candy." "They love it. But the point isn’t just giving it—it’s sharing *after* playing together."
The pastries I pulled from a pouch would taste better split post-game.
Amina grinned. "Eating together *is* more fun! Especially after running around!"
She helped stake the ropes, forming a lopsided court and ring.
"But... will this *really* lure a spirit?"
As the hammer struck the last peg, her doubt surfaced. Her mental image of spirits was likely one of solemn majesty.
"Ever seen kids playing? Looks fun, right?" "Yeah!" "Now imagine being *invited* to join. Feels good, doesn’t it?" "*Really* good!" "That’s the idea." "So we just... have fun and invite them?!" "Exactly. The hard part? *Actually* keeping up with them."
Amina paled as realization struck.
"Wait... they can *fight dragons*." "Yep." "And we’re challenging them to *games*?!"
The thought of a high-stakes, full-power match made her blood drain.
"Relax, Amina." "Y-You’ve got a plan, right?!" "The toys are enchanted. They won’t break." "*That’s* your concern?!"
Laughing nervously, I wiped a bead of sweat.
This *would* be interesting.