Chương 30: Helping the Mother Spirit

"Mommy!"

"My babies!"

The Mother Spirit gave hugs and kisses to each of the frightened little Spirits who were just saved from being taken away. She had a tearful face yet relief is clearly evident as she made sure each of her children is fine and no one was hurt from the ordeal.

Each Spirit Zone starts with a Mother Spirit and from her body, the Nature Forces create new Spirits. Every Spirit in a Spirit Zone is birthed by the Mother Spirit and will then be raised by her until they have the capability to travel by themselves. It's natural that each of them considers her as their mother and for her to recognize them as her children.

After she was done thoroughly checking each of her kids, she then bowed her head to Nex in gratitude. The little ones followed suit.

"Thank you so much for saving us."

"Thank you!"

Nex just smiled warmly.

"You're welcome."

If there is a race he will always voluntarily stand up for wholeheartedly, it will most likely be the Spirits. Almost every member of this race is a pure being that is innately good-willed. They will never hurt someone who doesn't threaten their close ones and fellow Spirits.

During his long stay in Perias, one of the very few beings that always gave him support was the Spirits. Even when the adversaries were many and the situations were bleak; his friendship with them never wavered.

Because of that, if anyone dared to harm a Spirit in front of him, it will be their last mistake that will most surely bring their demise.

For Nex, he can accept all the enmity of the world, even its thirst for his blood. He would even spread his arms wide open for a welcome. But the moment these few people whom he holds dear in his heart were wronged in the slightest, all hell breaks loose.

"Well then, I have to talk with your mommy for a bit, so in order for you not to be too bored, I will give you something to play with."

His coaxed the little ones in a gentle, doting tone that was so unlike his usual self. He then turned his back to them and extended his hand. Once again, in the Perias Spirit King's language he uttered a word.

"[Bubbles]"

Countless of round and multicolored spheres fell from the sky and they were shining in enchanting lights in all shades of colors. It was a magnificent sight to behold.

"Whoaaaa!"

"So pretty!"

"I wanna touch it!"

The little Spirits became enthralled at the sight of the falling bubbles. They got even more fascinated when these bubbles flew up again when they touch the ground. It seems that the traumatizing event that occurred just a while back didn't even happen at all. Their faces held lighthearted jubilation that every child should experience.

Seeing her kids in such a state, the Mother Spirit beamed as she encouraged few of the little ones who were a little bit apprehensive as some bubbles were bigger than them.

"Why are you still here? Mister Nex made all of those for you to play, so it will be alright. Those won't hurt you at all! Now, quickly go!"

"Okay, Mommy!"

The innocence of a child is so pure that once they were given assurance by the person they trust the most, that bit of hesitance will erase into nothingness.

The little ones set off at once and Mother Spirit watched them running with a sigh and turned back to Nex and bowed again.

"I can't thank you enough for saving my children. I thought for sure we all will be obliterated by those Merchants."

"I told you that all you need to do is just watch."

He was smiling lightly as if the situation from before wasn't even dire in the slightest. Then his expression turned solemn.

"Do you want me to check the condition of the fetuses? I think I can help."

Normally, thanks to the support of the rich Spirit Power and Nature Forces in the atmosphere of a Spirit Zone, the pregnancy of a Mother Spirit is mostly very stable and usually won't get any complications.

But this time, it is different because the Mother Spirit was soon to give birth when the Spirit Merchants first attacked. She had to overexert herself in order for them to be chased away, making her pregnancy enter a critical situation and immobilize her almost completely. This caused the lives of her unborn to be distressed.

"You can help?" The Mother Spirit became overjoyed and quickly nodded.

"Then, here I go." Nex placed his hand on the Mother Spirit's belly and then closed his eyes and muttered a chant with the same language he used when he summoned the bubbles.

"[Examine]"

The Mother Spirit stared at Nex with anticipation while a little part of her was also intrigued as to why the chants that he used made her feel familiarity and… reverence.

She didn't get to wait for too long when Nex opened his eyes and stared at her belly as he said another chant with the same language.

"[Bless]"

The Mother Spirit felt a warm sensation once the second chant started. The warmth filled her belly and after a moment, the feeling of strength flowed through her. What made her feel ecstatic though was the feeling of the life forces of the unborn Spirits going stronger.

"They were a little lost. Because of the sudden disappearance of Spirit Power and Nature Forces, they didn't know what to do and entered a state of stasis. All they needed was a little push."

She heard Nex explain as once again tears of joy filled her eyes.

"This is more than a little push! You gave them a [Bless]-ing!"

Mother Spirit was a little dense and only just realized what Nex had done. This brought her astonishment.

"Of course, I did. There are two little ones there that need to be strong enough to protect their home." Nex said casually like commenting on the nice weather they are having.

"Strong enough?" The Mother Spirit asked in confusion, only to look at Nex with a shocked face after she realized his words.

"You mean that they are going to be Guardians?! How can it be? This is too early for both me and the Spirit Zone to… Wait! Don't tell me that it was your [Bless]-ing's doing?"

"Bingo."

The Mother Spirit looked at Nex like he was the most difficult puzzle to solve in all the existing worlds. Her gaze was full of curiosity which was natural as she had been feeling such from the very first time she had seen him use his powers.

"Nex, tell me honestly. How can you do all of these? You obviously are a human and not in a contract with any Spirit, not to mention that your body and soul strength is just at the middle of First Awakening. So how can it be that you have defeated those Spirit Merchants easily?"

She pointed out the basic anomalies in Nex. He was just too overpowered for his level. She then pointed out the things that he shouldn't be able to do.

"Furthermore, you used a Spirit-Man unification technique that is only possible for high-level pair of a Spirit and Spiritualist. In fact, the proficiency and quality of all the chants you showed should only be possible for high ranked Spirits!"

"Indeed, I am only a human and yes, I don't have any contracted Spirit. My body isn't all that strong. But for what I did, all the things you have mentioned are not as necessary as you have stated."

Mother Spirit became more puzzled.

"What do you mean?"

"Simple, what I used is something that is in great quantities and qualities here."

Nex spread his hands.

"Something that wants to protect this place just as you do. Normally, it can only use its power through you."

Mother Spirit's eyes widened.

"You don't mean…"

Nex nodded.

"Yes. I used the Spirit Energy and Nature Force that is inside the Spirit Zone. The reason that I can do it is that I have a special trait that allows me to have a high affinity with them and can easily communicate with life forms that are based on those powers. As they have a will of their own, however small that is, this Spirit Zone is considered a living being."

"But that still doesn't explain how you know all those chants and techniques! It only explains how you had the power to back them up!"

"Oh that?" Nex's smile turned mysterious.

"Let's say that I spent a lot of time in a distant place with super-strong Spirits and I managed to learn a few things from them."

The Mother Spirit sighed, understanding that Nex probably won't explain about this subject any further and what she already asked isn't appropriate. In fact, it is considered rude to ask the one who saved her and her children from a horrible fate.

"If you say so…"

Thinking back to when she saw Nex communicating with the voice in the ring, she knew that the person he talked to is probably the mastermind behind this incident. He should be far stronger than the subordinates that he sent and she couldn't help but feel worried again.

"Nex, what should I need to do about the man you have talked with? The power I sensed from him is greater than me at my peak condition and the two children probably won't be strong enough if he comes here sooner."

"Oh, that man?" Nex said placidly.

"That fool was stupid enough to link his soul to a ring and then let a weak subordinate carry it around. A simple [Soul Art] was enough to make him pay for it. He will probably hide somewhere, licking his wounds for a while."

This brought another wave of shock to Mother Spirit before she understood why the silver-black flame she saw caused her so much fear. She didn't let go of the main issue though, which was the safety of her kids and their home.

"A [Soul Art]? But what if he sends other people to do the job for him? What should I do then?"

"This is very simple." Nex said and walked up to her and then placed his finger on her forehead.

"[Transfer]"

Instantly, the Mother Spirit felt pieces of knowledge and memories flow into her head. It was about how to cultivate and install arrays on Spirit Zones, raising Spirits and increasing personal strength.

"Inside those memories, you will find how to make an array that will make the Spirit Zone completely invisible and sealed off to those who don't get your approval. Even if this fool will come himself, he will never be able to find this place as long as you will it."

She slowly digested the new pieces of information as Nex explained them.

"So now that I helped you…"

She lifted her head and saw him going towards the young Spirits which were in the middle of playing with the magical bubbles and joins them.

"Make sure to raise these children well."

♦♦♦

"I sure played with those kids for a long time."

Nex muttered as he ran in high speed towards the Dwarf Settlement. He played with the little ones and taught Mother Spirit how to use the memories he gave her well. Before he knew it, it was already two hours until the deadline. So after hastily saying goodbye to the Spirits, he began to run straight for the Settlement.

*Bzzz!*

When he was halfway through his destination, the tattoo began to glow and vibrate as if signaling something.

"You want me to go faster?" Nex asked in confusion. At the speed he was going, he was sure he could reach his destination with forty-five minutes to spare.

*Bzzz!*

"Emergency, you say? How do you know--- never mind for now. I wouldn't want something to happen to them. It may affect my mission and mess things up for me."

Agreeing to the tattoo's request, Nex began to run at his fastest speed while executing a breathing technique that replenishes his stamina and mana. He wouldn't want to enter a battle with empty stamina. Only idiots would do that.

After a few more minutes, Nex found himself in front of a battlefield right at the entrance of the settlement.

There were a few dozen Dwarves desperately fighting even if they were outnumbered. These creatures they were up against were slightly taller than them and with vicious faces. They have black and red scaled skin, a red horn, and sharp teeth.

"Damn it! Why did these bastards appear here?"

He pulled his sword and charged to help the Dwarves that seemed like they were about to lose at any moment.

Those vile creatures were beings he knew all too well. It was the race he fought and killed the most during his stay in Perias. Even though they looked a little different than the ones he knew, there was no way that he wouldn't recognize them.

Those creatures were Demons.