049 – Nymph Punk 20XX # 1
“Hey Inoi, it seems like we’ve found another nymph. I wonder if this nymph will be able to get along with you guys.”
After returning home, I explained to Inoi what had happened today. I shared the story about a nymph named “Illinois” that Inoi had discovered before, and how it might really exist.
Soon, Inoi, who had been crouched in front of the golden apple tree watering it, stood up with a tremendously proud posture, puffing out their chest.
“Just as I had said…! The moment I saw the name Illinois, an intense sense of familiarity surged within me…!”
“That’s amazing.”
“This Illinois character—clearly has a name that points to a nymph! This Inoi also wants to establish a city called Inoi someday…!”
A city named after oneself? It was an incredible dream.
I felt an urge to create a region named “Haildo,” like Gyeonggi Province or Chungcheong Province.
The Republic of Haildo, Inoi City—
I imagined it, and in many ways, it was an uplifting thought.
While I was pondering this, Inoi spoke up as if they were a persuasive politician.
“Just as Inoi thought of nymphs upon seeing the name Illinois…! Nymphs who might still be rummaging through trash on this land would surely come swarming when they see the name Inoi…!”
“That’s wonderful!”
I decided to support Inoi’s dream.
Building a city with their own name—what a noble ambition.
For that, wouldn’t they first need to become a power figure?
“Inoi, your dream is to become a politician.”
A nymph politician. It was hard to imagine in many ways.
But it wasn’t entirely impossible either.
Recently, the number of elves had increased, and many Koreans married to elves had entered the assembly.
In an era where elves could become lawmakers, was there any reason a nymph couldn’t?
“Anyhow, there’s a problem, Inoi. This Illinois seems to be with some bad actors. Is that okay? Are there bad nymphs too?”
Not all humans are good.
There are plenty of villains called ‘villains.’
Like the gangs in Makcheon City, and Lee Joon-Hun, who had been an S-class Awakened.
Could there be bad ones among the nymphs too?
Inoi soon seemed to be deep in thought, murmuring, “Hmm…”
About five seconds later, they spoke again.
“There are indeed nymphs with bad hearts…! Especially sea nymphs enjoy a wicked game of singing and causing ships to crash against the reefs…!”
From my experiences with Inoi and Coris, I had thought all nymphs were inherently good, but it seemed that bad nymphs existed as well.
I had looked into myths and found nymphs that used bees to shoot eyes and a nymph that became dumb after lying.
“Especially nymphs filled with resentment and hatred become terrifying…! Homeowners must be cautious…!”
“Terrifying?”
Did Inoi also become terrifying if they held a grudge?
Would they turn on the faucet while I was asleep and give me a water bill shock?
Or would they blast the speaker to maximum volume every time I tried to sleep?
But Inoi warned me very seriously.
“If Illinois is a nymph harboring resentment against someone, they might use a terrifying curse…! It’s sure to be extremely tricky to deal with…!”
Curses.
I had never truly believed in curses.
Just superstitions about not writing names in red ink?
Or the feeling that if you eat miyeokguk on the day of a job interview, you might slip and fail?
But my body was genuinely being oppressed by a ‘curse,’ and thanks to Inoi, I was able to lift that curse and regain my skills.
“Are you saying nymphs who harbor resentment can use curses like what I experienced?”
“That’s right…!”
I see.
Should I perhaps avoid getting too close to Illinois?
But I had already accepted the request.
Including work costs, the upfront payment was ten million won.
I had received it in advance.
My bank account was healthy.
They promised another ten million once the job was successful.
Twenty million.
It was a great opportunity to earn such a large sum with just a photo.
If a powerful technology like “Bifrost” fell into the hands of a gang and was misused, it would truly lead to a horrific disaster.
It would be best to resolve this quickly.
Therefore, isn’t it a priority to train the gaming spider, Kkungkkungi?
# # #
“Is Kkungkkungi around?”
Swoosh.
I checked the pile of firewood that the gaming spider Kkungkkungi had made its home. Kkungkkungi wasn’t inside and seemed to have gone somewhere else.
It seemed like it should be nearby.
“Kkungkkungi, where are you~?”
I wandered through the fields searching for Kkungkkungi.
Weren’t we friends now?
Not long ago, Kkungkkungi had come to my room and alternated lifting its front legs.
After researching spiders, I learned that it was their way of greeting.
It was like saying, “I’m harmless, so please take care of me from now on.”
“Should I give it a try?”
I sat down on a path where Kkungkkungi might pass by, focusing on my breathing.
Warm spring.
The weather was one of sunset.
“Magic Deployment.”
Sssss—
As I unleashed my magical energy, an area about 20 meters around me became my domain. Over the past few days, while training my magical power, I noticed that animals liked this space I created.
Kkungkkungi and Ahn Ahn, as well as sparrows flying around, seemed to enjoy it.
Could it be that there’s a wavelength in my magic that attracts animals?
“Kkungkkungi, come here.”
I poured out my magical energy with hope. After the battle with Troll King Kurlish, I had learned a bit about how to emit my magic.
Indeed, gaining experience through practical situations is the best—I thought while concentrating deeply.
Swish—
Just as the bushes rustled, a colorful spider appeared.
It was a gaming spider with the ability to freely set the RGB values of its body.
Kkungkkungi…!
“Oh!”
At the creature’s peculiar cry, I stood up. I moved my left and right arms alternately while shifting my waist before Kkungkkungi could escape.
Sway sway.
This was the greeting of spiders.
It was to show, “I am harmless to you, too.”
Khi-iik…!
Then something marvelous happened.
Kkungkkungi mirrored my movements, alternating its left and right front legs!
“Are you following me? You’re greeting me, aren’t you?”
I truly felt like we were communicating.
It was a strange feeling, and I felt a sense of accomplishment.
“From now on, we’re friends, right?”
Just as I thought that and stepped forward, Kkungkkungi took a step toward me.
A perfectly symmetrical gesture.
The timing was incredible.
It felt as if Kkungkkungi read my mind!
I raised my right arm out of curiosity.
Swoosh—
Then the gaming spider Kkungkkungi also lifted its right front leg.
Seeing that, I was taken aback.
“Is this real?”
I raised and lowered my hands, repeating various movements. Each time, gaming spider Kkungkkungi copied exactly what I did.
It was a marvelous and astonishing thing.
“It’s like I’m controlling it, isn’t it?”
No, saying controlling was weird.
It felt like our minds connected and intertwined.
Yes, it felt like we were linked.
Should I say it felt like I was moving a remote avatar?
“I never knew I had this talent. Is my magic a manipulation type? Can I possibly connect with any animal?”
Swoosh.
I glanced at a sparrow hopping around within my 20-meter mana territory. Focusing on it, I raised my left leg, but the sparrow just stood there.
Chirp! Chirp!
Perhaps sensing my presence, it flitted away with a flap of its wings.
It seemed I couldn’t connect with just any animal.
“What could be the criteria?”
Could I possibly link with Kkungkkungi or Ahn Ahn as well?
In my thoughts, I felt like I had returned to my childhood, exploring my potential.
Kkungkkungi climbed onto my shoulder.
I headed back home with it.
“Kkungkkungi! Ahn Ahn! Are you there?”
I called out to my friends.
Then Kkungkkungi, sitting on the cushion, raised its body and tried to scamper up to my lap, but upon seeing Kkungkkungi on my shoulder, it appeared to pause.
Grrr—
Grrr—
Soon, the two stared at each other and let out terrifying growls of warning.
Two territorial animals.
Could they not tolerate each other?
“Kkungkkungi, just stay calm.”
I spread my magical energy and focused on Kkungkkungi. However, my magic seemed to bounce off something, and Kkungkkungi suddenly dashed out the window.
Kkungkkungi…!
Looks like Kkungkkungi is a no-go.
Ahn Ahn was the same.
Zzzii—
Ahn Ahn bobbed its head sideways.
That movement seemed to say, “Don’t try to control me, the emperor that I am, just because you’re human.”
Ahn Ahn was surprisingly independent and autonomous, a honey ant.
“Are things that can be linked and those that can’t be differing due to individual traits? Watching the sparrows, it seems factors like likability or intimacy also influence it.”
In any case, being able to control Kkungkkungi was fantastic. I attached the previously purchased body camera to Kkungkkungi’s body securely.
The camera on its back might be a bit uncomfortable, but Kkungkkungi appeared to like it.
Khi-iik…!
Was that the sound made when it’s happy?
If Lee Jin-A were here, I would’ve asked her.
I deployed my magic once more and connected it to what could be called my heart or mind with Kkungkkungi. I then moved Kkungkkungi to climb on the desk or hang upside down from the ceiling.
“It’s harder than I thought.”
The sensation of moving eight legs was very unfamiliar, and the connection time was only about ten seconds. Beyond that, my concentration wavered, causing Kkungkkungi to move uncontrollably.
“With the amount of mana I have now, I can deploy my domain for about ten minutes in full condition. And I can link for ten seconds within that time. That should be enough, right?”
Overall, things were going surprisingly well.
At dawn tomorrow, I should take Kkungkkungi to the gang, “Fairy Tale Gang.”
Then Inoi said to me,
“This Inoi also wants to be taken to this ‘Fairy Tale Gang’…! This Inoi believes that nymph sisters can resolve incidents through communication…!”
Although Inoi had warned me about the bad nymphs, it seemed they were looking forward to meeting a new nymph.
