Chapter 165 36.7 - The Forge [Interlude]
'Status.'
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?Name: Astron Natusalune
?Occupation: Weapon Master (level 1)
?Talent Limit: 6
?Passives:
- Vengeful Bane
?Attributes:
Variable Attributes:
- Strength: 2.36 --> 2.80
- Dexterity: 2.85 --> 3.45
- Agility: 2.89 --> 3.76
- Constitution: 2.12 --> 2.75
- Intuition: 3.01 --> 3.95
- Magical Power: 3.15 --> 4.2
- Mana Capacity: 2.79 --> 3.13
?Traits:
- Perceptive Insight (Unique)(Unchanging)
- Lunar Enigma (????) (Growth Type) (Stage 1)
- Shadowborne (Legendary) (Growth Type)(Stage 1)
?Arts:
- Lethal Arsenal Ascendancy (????)(%13 --> 20)
?Skills:
- Dash
- Eyes of Hourglass
?Body Imprints:
?Bonds:
- Aurora Raven (Rare)(Growth Type)
- Celestalith, the Transcendent Eclipse (????)(Growth Type)(Stage 1)
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Looking at the panel shown right before my eyes, I nodded my head.
'As expected, my stats increased quite a lot.'
It wasn't for only one reason that I came to this place and went through this process. One reason was to get a weapon, but the other one was to improve my stats.
Generally speaking, the moment the player finds their bonded weapon, their stats will increase. This was how it was in the game, and seeing the results in front of my eyes, I knew that was true for the general case as well.
'But, there are a lot of changes other than stats.'
There were countless changes and messages coming from the status window with explanations. I wanted to explore everything, but Vorgvir's impatient cough broke my concentration. "Enough staring at your reflection, kid. If you've got what you need, leave. The cavern isn't a place to admire your newfound powers."
He had a point. With Celestalith in hand and a transformed status, I nodded in acknowledgment. But of course, that didn't mean it wasn't annoying.
'Sigh….Stubborn old man.'
I knew why he was doing this. He was a guy who disliked showing weakness to others, and that seemed to include me. After all, I could easily see the signs of tiredness on his body. His shoulders, his posture, and most importantly, his mana circulation were a mess.
"Thank you, Vorgvir. I won't forget what you've done for me." But that didn't mean I wasn't grateful. Even if I had stimulated his feelings and opened the past wounds he buried, at the end of the day, it was his choice to create such a weapon using his own divinity.
He was the giver, and I was the receiver.
Standing up, I locked my eyes with him.
"Your revenge….I will get it for you with the weapon you made."
Vorgvir met my gaze with a gruff nod. "Do as you will," then averted his gaze, a silent acknowledgment of my resolve. With a gesture, he urged me to leave the workshop, and I decided to leave as well.
The time I had spent in this place was already long, and the week had already passed. Today was Sunday, and I needed to be in the academy before it was too late.
As I turned to leave, the echoes of my footsteps resonating in the cavern, a sudden voice broke the silence.
"Wait, kid. What is your name?"
Surprised, I pivoted to find Vorgvir addressing me. I hadn't realized he didn't know my name.
'I guess I forgot to introduce myself.'
It was weird, knowing I had spent a week in this place, but never once he asked my name.
"It is Astron."
Vorgvir grunted in acknowledgment. "Astron, huh? Well, take care of that weapon. It's a reflection of your choices."
With those words, I left, masking my presence once again. At that moment, suddenly, I felt a weird feeling.
The moment I activated [Shadowborne] to mask my presence, something unexpected happened.
As if something inside the [Unknown's Armor] changed, it sucked mana from me for a second, and following that it merged with my clothes.
I would normally wear the armor underneath my clothes, but it was quite uncomfortable. However, now it seemed different as if the armor blended within my clothes.
'The heat disappeared?'
Turning my eyes to my clothes to check the armor, I saw it had disappeared.
'Hmm?'
No, my Perceptive Insight picked the small traces of mana around. Then I realized the armor didn't disappear but changed its form. From the looks of it, the armor was enchanted, and some daily life easers to itself.
'Old man.'
It was evident whose work this was, and I couldn't shake my head in the response.
'I guess I need to use it well.'
With those thoughts, I left the dungeon.
*******
WOOO!
In the slowly moving train, I was sitting in my seat.
'It is fairly empty.'
Since it was fairly late and the Hikama Mountain range wasn't a place for frequent visitors, not many people were there.
And that worked for me better as well since I needed some time to look at my stats and the changes in other things. There were many things that needed to be looked at, but one thing came before others.
'The bond section.'
The weapon appeared in the bond section defining.
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?Bonds:
Type)(Stage 1)
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'The grade part is missing, again.'
It was the same as my trait [Lunar Enigma]. The part where the grades normally showed up was now filled with question marks.
'As if they are related.'
Opening the description of the weapon, I started reading its contents.
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? Celestalith, the Transcendent Eclipse ?
Type: Weapon
Grade: ????? (Growth Type - Stage 1)
Description: Celestalith is a unique, ethereal weapon created through the masterful craftsmanship of Vorgvir, the legendary blacksmith. It is a manifestation of the bond between the wielder, Astron Natusalune, and the essence, infused with the essence of Forbidden Mana Nucleus.
The weapon has five different forms, each form containing a different ability, outline, and type of mana that is used by Astron Natusalune.
Each mana type has its corresponding weapon outline specialized in the form of utilizing the effects to the maximum.
Celestalith is the epitome of the weapons precisely crafted for Astron Natusalune, and it is highly related to the user's traits.
Properties:
Nocturnis, the Twilight Gaze (Green Moon): A ranged form that condenses energy into bullets, allowing precise and powerful long-range attacks.
Solstice, the Solar Ignition (Blue Moon): Transforms into a bow, creating explosive bursts with each arrow shot, suitable for versatile mid-range combat.
Lunaris, the Moon's Embrace (Red Moon): Dual blades that slash through the air, leaving a trail of crimson energy capable of withering anything in its path.
Astra, the Celestial Discs (Silver Moon): A pair of spinning discs connected by threads of silver energy, displaying graceful and mesmerizing movements for both offense and defense.
Umbralith, the Darkened Nebula (Black Moon): Utilizes a set of rings to control dark forces and crush the surroundings, demonstrating overwhelming gravitational power.
Celestalith is the epitome of the weapons precisely crafted for Astron Natusalune, and it is highly related to his trait [Lunar Enigma]. Since it is the manifestation of the user's inner essence, the growth of the weapon is linked to the growth of the user to a large extent.
Every time user experiences growth related to their traits, the weapon Celestalith will also experience growth.
Current Stage: Stage 1
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As I delved into the detailed properties of Celestalith, the Transcendent Eclipse, a sense of fulfillment washed over me. 'It is not a bonded weapon for a reason.'
Each form of the weapon seemed intricately connected to a specific aspect of my being, and the description unveiled a depth of connection between the weapon and my traits.
This was what I was expecting while making the weapon itself since bonded weapons were directly connected to the player's essence, the route, and the stats allocated; everything would affect the weapon manifesting.
Of course, I needed to test the weapon first to see its effects, but that would need to wait for a while.
'Aside from that…..'
Aside from the weapon, there was one other major change in my stats.
'My trait's stage has increased.'
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?Traits:
- Shadowborne (Legendary) (Growth Type)(Stage 1)
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Finally, after all this time, I saw a change in my traits.
'Is it related to moonstone?'
I pondered. Aside from that, I couldn't see any other thing I did differently. I trained with mana and tried to master it as much as I could, but I had never seen any changes inside me.
However, now it was different, as if I had passed a certain milestone.
'Even without looking at the changes, I can feel them.'
SHINE!
As I slowly drew mana into my hands, I felt the energy compressing over there. It looked the same as before, but there was one thing that was significantly different.
If before I could only cover my hands, now the energy felt as if it could manifest around me.
'As if it is materializing.'
If it was before, I could only cover the projectiles with my mana and enhance them in the process, but now things seemed to be different.
'Let's see the effects.'
SWOOSH!
The moment I threw the mana to the seat before me, as if like a small needle, the mana pierced through the seat.
'Indeed it is as I felt.'
Opening the panel, I started reading the changes on my trait.
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Trait: Lunar Enigma
Description: Lunar Enigma gives the user the ability to harness the powers of the moon, granting the user enhanced lunar-themed abilities and effects.
It is a growth type of trait, and with each stage it develops, the trait will unlock more abilities.
Requires a medium to use lunar skills and lunar enhancement.
Stage 0 Gives the user the ability to enhance the projectiles and imbue them with the power of the moon.
Stage 1
The enhancement capabilities of Lunar Enigma have evolved, allowing the user to go beyond mere augmentation of projectiles.
Now, the trait offers the ability to materialize and control lunar energy more tangibly. The moon's influence extends beyond mere enhancement, enabling the user to manifest lunar-themed constructs.
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It was just as it was explained in the panel, and I knew I had finally reached the point for the start.
'It now begins.'
Finally, I obtained the strength I needed for the sake of my revenge.
"It is time to start."
--------------------Author's Words----------------------
This brings us to the end of volume 1. I knew this chapter contained info dumps, but it was necessary.
After this point, rather than focusing on his powers, I am planning to focus on events more, and I will try to put more actions in the second volume.
My schedule is getting tighter, but I also want to write quite a lot, so I am planning to post more than one chapter in some days of the week if I can.
I hope you are enjoying my novel so far.
New novel chapters are published on fr(e)ewebnov(e)l.com