Huh? Huuuh?

Seo Jun-Sik whipped around upon hearing the Frost Queens muttering.

Whats wrong

Shoop.

The Frost Queen lost strength, and she suddenly collapsed to the ground.

Stop it. Its not funny at all, he said, pretending to be mad.

He walked over to the Frost Queen and put his hand on her forehead.

...!

He found that she was as hot as fire.

Seo Jun-Siks face fell. He picked her up and ran to the infirmary.

***

It had already been a few days since the Frost Quen collapsed.

What did Overflow say? Seo Jun-Sik asked Yeon.

- They informed me that they would send me their entire inventory of items that are good for a Spirits health. On top of that, they are also in the midst of researching the potential side effects of Fires Whisper.

Good

They had already brought in doctors and healers. However, they couldnt give a proper diagnosis.

Its probably because theyre dealing with a Spirit.

Seo Jun-Sik himself had gone down to the lower Floors to dig through books and documents regarding Spirits. Still, he couldn't find any records of a Spirit falling ill in the past few decades.

Not just in the past few decades. Frontier has records about spirits that date back centuries ago, but I couldnt find anything there, either.

At their core, Spirits were a part of nature itself.

In other words, they shouldnt fall ill like living organisms.

...Our little princess always manages to find trouble no matter where she goes, he muttered. They could always count on her to make them feel worried. After all, she was the best in that field.

Seo Jun-Sik sighed and glanced at his watch.

Its today? he asked.

- Yes. His Majesty will awaken today.

Good. She might start feeling better once Original wakes up.

A few hours later, Seo Jun-Ho woke up as expected.

[Absorption rate 99.9999%...]

[Absorption rate 100%.]

[Congratulations. You have completely absorbed the Modified Tepes Nucleus.]

[You have obtained the new skill Wheel of Time (S).]

Seo Jun-Ho slowly opened his eyes and sat up.

He rolled his stiff neck a few times.

Then, he saw the concern plastered all over Seo Jun-Siks face. Youre acting like I caught a disease or something. Whats up with that look?

...Original, theres something you need to know.

Seo Jun-Sik explained the situation.

Seo Jun-Ho leaped out of bed and headed over to the Frost Queens room.

She was as still and quiet as a mouse.

Seo Jun-Ho looked at her closely and asked, Youre saying that she just collapsed?

At first, I thought it was because she pushed herself too hard while fighting, Seo Jun-Sik said. However, it wasnt possible. If anything, Seo Jun-Ho would have been the one who should have fallen ill, not the Frost Queen.

So theres only one possible answer Seo Jun-Ho pointed out.

Yeah, its because of the Fires Whisper.

So, it was because of an item that boosts a Spirits power by a large amount.

Seo Jun-Ho sat by the bed. Sigh. In that case, shes probably fighting it off right now.

...Fighting what?

Thats just how it is with these types of items. Just because you take them doesnt mean that that theyll help you readily, he explained.

Sometimes, they werent compatible with the consumer.

It was likely the same with the Frost Queen and the Fires Whisper.

Its pretty obvious once you think about it, Seo Jun-Ho added.

I didnt think that far. She just gobbled it up Seo Jun-Sik grew glum. He was definitely thinking that the Frost Queen fell ill because he gave Fires Whisper to her. Just send me away.

You just want to disappear? Is that it?

I just gave it to her without even thinking, you know?

Seo Jun-Ho chuckled. Surprisingly, Seo Jun-Sik was pretty spineless. However, he remembered that Seo Jun-Sik was his clone and pursed his lips.

Well, I would have done the same, so dont blame yourself. Its not your fault that your original is like this.

...

Stop worrying, you little twerp. Shes stronger than you think, so shell be all better in a few days, Seo Jun-Ho reassured. In fact, it was likely that she would become even more energetic and cause even more trouble.

Seo Jun-Sik looked at him with vacant eyes and muttered, ...You may be right.

What did you say?

Its nothing.

They were technically the same person, but Seo Jun-Ho would always make him feel reassured at times like thislike he was an older brother.

All right, then. Well leave Frost here for now, but I heard that theres another thing we have to handle, Jun-Ho said.

Seo Jun-Sik realized what he was saying and nodded. Follow me.

***

The room was completely empty aside from a single chair.

A man was sitting on a chaintight magic chains were binding him.

Is this the guy?

Yeah. Hes the Spirit user at the Star Destruction Stage. He was working under Hak-Do.

The man was none other than Gilburtthe Contractor of the Flame Drake. He was still alive. More precisely, he couldnt be killed.

Seo Jun-Sik couldnt kill him.

Ooh, are you twin brothers? Gilburt snorted as he stared alternatingly between Seo Jun-Ho and Seo Jun-Sik. Gilburt was tied up, but he looked like he didnt care. Just because there are two of you doesnt mean you can kill me, you know

Tsk. It pisses me off, but hes right, Seo Jun-Sik muttered.

A few days ago, the Frost Queen and Seo Jun-Sik had tried to kill Gilburt after taking care of Geum Hak-Do. However, they failed. The Flame Drake avoided fighting, but it didnt leave its contractor to die.

Theres a spell covering his entire body, Jun-Sik explained.

And you couldnt break through it?

Couldnt even make a dent...

My Elemental Shield cant be broken by the likes of you. Now that you know that, how about you let me go? Gilburt said coolly while staring at Seo Jun-Ho.

...We have a few questions we want to ask you regarding the Fires Whisper that Hak-Do was carrying with him, Seo Jun-Sik said.

Ill tell you if you let me go.

Answer me first.

If you dont want to let me go first, then just break through my shield. I have all the time in the world, you see. Im unemployed now, and its all because of you.

God, you little Seo Jun-Sik scowled at the audacity.

He looked at Original with helpless eyes. What are we gonna do?

Well, Id like some answers first.

[Dignity of an Emperor (S) has been activated.]

The air around Seo Jun-Ho abruptly changed.

Seo Jun-Ho made a chair of ice and sat in front of Gilburt.

What is he doing?

Had he been using an ability to hide his power? He was actually at a higher Stage than his brother.

Alarm bells went off inside Gilburts head. If hes that strong

Then, he could easily break the Elemental Shield whenever he wanted.

Gilburt gulped. In the meantime, he decided to uncross his legs and sit properly.

Are you ready to talk now? If not, I could always just break your shield, just as you wanted, Seo Jun-Ho bluffed. Even though he could intimidate Gilburt with Dignity of an Emperor (S), breaking an Elemental Shield was a different story.

Fortunately, it worked.

...Well, I was starting to get lonely out here. I suppose itll be nice to have someone to talk to, Gilburt said. He decided to give in. I think you said you wanted to know about the Fires Whisper, right?

Tell me everything you know.

Its a really valuable item. I became Hak-Dos escort because I wanted it.

If Gilburt had to save Geum Hak-Dos life, then Geum Hak-Do would give him the Fires Whisper in exchange. That was their agreement.

Its a dream item for a fire spirit user like me. If Flame Drake had taken it, I bet he would have become an Arch spirit instantly, he said.

Does it have any side effects? Seo Jun-Ho pressed.

I dont knowI guess itll take a while to absorb it because of how powerful it is...

Seo Jun-Ho thought the same. He nodded and moved on to the next question. I heard that your Flame Drake refused to fight with my Spirit. Why?

Hell, if I know. Gilburt scowled, but he quickly composed himself and continued. ...I swear, Im more curious than you are.

Bring him here, he said tersely as he undid the magic bindings.

Seo Jun-Sik grew shocked as he watched.

Hey, are you sure its okay to do that? he whispered.

Its fine.

Gilburt gulped under Seo Jun-Hos emotionless gaze.

He thought for a moment and sighed.

Come, Flame Drake.

The fiery dinosaur was summoned.

Seo Jun-Ho looked at the spirit.

I heard you refused to fight Frost. Why is that? he asked.

- ...You are referring to the Frostbringer of Worlds. Then, I have a question for you. What are your real intentions for asking that?

Answer me first.

- Hm. Must I need a reason for avoiding her? I simply do not wish to die.

Shes not that strong. Are you sure youre not mistaken?

- Ha!

Flame Drake snorted.

- I do not know if you are mocking me or if you are the one being mocked.

What do you mean by that? Jun-Ho asked.

- Are you blind? My eyes will never fool me. I definitely saw the ruler of Niflheim, the Frostbringer of Worlds. Of course, I would fear for my life.

...

Indeed, the Frost Queen was the ruler of Niflheim, and she did freeze worlds. She had been bragging about it herself, and several Administrators had verified her identity as well.

But I didnt expect that even a powerful High spirit would be afraid of her... The Frost Queen was only a Common spirit at the moment. She claimed that she was a Grade 3 Arch Spirit, but it was a ridiculous claim

Seo Jun-Ho ended his train of thought and asked quickly, Is there a Grade 3 Arch ranking for Spirits, by any chance?

- What foolishness is that?

...

Yeah, there wasnt

Seo Jun-Ho hid his bright red face and stood up. Fuck off.

Y-Youre sparing me?

I can kill you as well if thats what you want.

Of course, he wouldnt be able to kill Gilburt.

However, there was no way Gilburt would know. He bowed slightly and said, ...I, Gilburtthe Wanderer of Roadswill remember your mercy. I will repay your generosity, I swear it.

With that, he left Neo City with his tail between his legs.

Seo Jun-Sik finally let out the breath that he had been holding back and started scolding Seo Jun-Ho. You idiot. What were you gonna do if he decided to fight once you untied him?

If that happened, I was planning on testing out my new skill.

Unfortunately, it didnt happen. Seo Jun-Ho had to find another way to test it.

Oh, Wheel of Time? What does it do? Seo Jun-Sik asked carefully.

Well

Seo Jun-Ho grinned.

***

The Frost Queens long lashes slowly opened.

She blinked and stared at the ceiling before turning her head.

Youre finally awake.

...Jun-Sik. How many days was I asleep for?

Many days.

Eugh. The Frost Queen looked like she wanted to cry as she muttered, Do not tell Contractor. I do not wish to cause him unnecessary worry,

Wow. Whos worried about who now? Seo Jun-Ho scoffed and said, Youve been out for ten days. I woke up a long time ago.

...! The Frost Queen was stupefied. She looked like she had woken up in another world as she exclaimed, Y-Youre Contractor?!

Yes. Your Contractor.

...

The Frost Queen hurriedly pulled the covers up to her nose and muttered, Let me tell you now. Cough, cough. Ah, I feel sick.

Can Spirits catch a cold nowadays? Even the great Frost Queen?

Who knows? I feel ill.

Well, get better soon. We havent been able to go up to the 7th Floor because of you

...Is that all that matters to you?

Was he too harsh? Seo Jun-Ho held up the plastic bag he was holding and said, Ahem. I went all the way to the 1st Floor to get you medicine because I was worried, you know. Are you hungry? I bought some congee, too

I have no appetite because I feel sick. I do not know where it went.

Then, just take this.

However, Seo Jun-Ho hesitated once he had taken out the medicine he had bought from the pharmacy downstairs.

Wait. Do they even work on Spirits?

They were probably made with humans in mind.

He thought for a moment and checked the description on the back.

- For ages 7 to 18.

Oops. He had bought medicine for children. The Frost Queen had been growing steadily, but she was still acting like a child, so he kept on treating her as a kid.

Seo Jun-Ho blinked and asked, Hey, how old are you?

One hundred and f

One hundred and what?

Seo Jun-Ho whipped around and stared at her.

She made a hm sound, looking all groggy.

However, her eyes abruptly grew wide as she jerked her head toward him and exclaimed, W-What did I say just now?

H-Huh? I asked how old you were, and you said one hundred and something. A hundred and five? Wait... Are you actually a hundred and fifty maam?

No! The Frost Queen turned beet red and hurriedly improvised. O-One hundred horses! I simply meant to say that I am so hungry I could eat one hundred horses!

You just said you werent going to eat because you feel sick. Im sure you said you didnt have an appetite

Ugh, whatever! Im hungry now, so bring me the congee!

The Frost Queen then quickly chased Seo Jun-Ho out of her room.

Seo Jun-Ho scratched his head outside the room.

She definitely said one hundred and fisomething.

Tsk, tsk. You should be ashamed of yourself, Original. Seo Jun-Sik leaned on the wall and clicked his tongue. Dont you know that its rude to ask a woman her age?

A woman? Does Frost look like a woman to you?

Then, is she a man? Seo Jun-Sik said flatly. Then, he fell deep into thought. Wait. Since shes a Spirit, does she even have a gender?

I guess not.

Then, I suppose it wouldnt be rude to ask her for her age.

Exactly.

Okay, I take back what I said about how you should be ashamed of yourself, Seo Jun-Sik quickly apologized.

Okay, I take back what I said about you eating dinner tonight.

Oh, come onnnnnn! I have meal coupons! exclaimed Seo Jun-Sik. He proceeded to cling to Seo Jun-Hos leg and begged for forgiveness. However, Seo Jun-Ho didnt even spare him a glance as he heated up the Frost Queens congee.

The idiot should have known better than to insult his great Original.