Meanwhile, Blossom is curiously sniffing around the display of daggers. Her sensitive nose twitches as she carefully inspects each weapon with intense focus. I’m not entirely sure what kind of information she can gather from their scent, but I’ve learned to trust Blossom’s instincts.
Despite her thorough investigation, none of the daggers seem to catch her interest. She sniffs one, then another, but there’s no sign of the excitement that usually lights up her entire existence when she finds something she likes. I begin to wonder if we’ll have to look elsewhere when Blossom’s body tenses abruptly.
Then, suddenly she dashes across the shop, her nose leading her to another display. This one is tucked into a corner and features a selection of more unusual weapons.
The weapon that’s caught her attention is a lightweight gauntlet made from dark, tempered steel and sturdy black leather. It’s sleek and unadorned, designed for practicality rather than show. The gauntlet covers the hand and forearm, with a snug fit that wouldn’t hinder movement. What makes it truly special, however, are the retractable blades.
When inactive, the blades are concealed within the gauntlet, making it appear as a simple piece of armor. But thanks to its imbued spell, three slender, razor-sharp blades can extend from the knuckles, ready to slash or stab with lethal precision.
Blossom carefully sniffs around the edges of the weapon, as if confirming something to herself, then she snaps her neck towards me, and although her eyes are veiled by her mask, I can tell that she is looking at me with a determined and excited expression. This is her chosen tool to conduct mass murder.
I step closer and examine the parchment next to the gauntlet, which reads:
[Shadow Claw]
[Rarity: Rare]
[Skills: Retractable Blades]
The skill, Retractable Blades, allows the user to extend and retract the blades at will, giving them the element of surprise in combat. It’s a perfect match for an assassin who wouldn’t want to walk around with the claws out all the time, only when it’s finally time to strike.
I don’t exactly know why she got so excited about this type of weapon over the daggers, but I suppose it has something to do with her beast-kin nature? I would’ve expected a cat-kin to like the clawed weapons more than a dog, though. Well, I’m happy if she’s happy.
“Looks like you’ve found your weapon,” I say, smiling down at her.
“Yes, Master! Ghost can feel that she will do better with these than with knives!” Despite her rather airheaded nature, her intuition has been on point thus far, so I’m confident that she’d made the right choice.
Also I must take a moment to appreciate that she didn’t forget her criminal alias, what a welcome surprise. Though she didn’t call me by my own- Devil, Master also works in hiding my identity so I will let her keep calling me as such.
As Blossom excitedly inspects her newfound weapon, I turn my attention back to the rest of the shop’s offerings. There’s a wide array of weapons displayed on the walls and in wooden cases, each one finely crafted and meticulously maintained. Swords, axes, spears, and maces- all designed with a singular focus on function over form. Yet, with so many options, I find myself unsure of what to choose.
My thoughts drift back to the conversation I had with Ayame not too long ago. She mentioned that if I were to fully embrace the path of a Wizard, it would be wise to arm myself with a staff or a wand. Such tools would greatly enhance my control over spells, allowing for faster casting and more precise manipulation of magical energy.
But with that added focus on spellcasting, I would need a reliable one-handed weapon to defend myself with, especially when casting complex spells that leave me vulnerable.
“A weapon that’s good at deflecting and protecting me…” I murmur to myself as I scan the shelves.
As I continue to scan the various weapons, my gaze is drawn to a shadowy corner of the shop where a peculiar and unsettling saber-like sword rests. The blade is slightly curved with a jagged edge, the metal a deep, unnatural black that seems to greedily drink in the light around it.
The hilt is wrapped in worn, dark leather, rough and frayed as if it has seen countless battles. The material has an eerie texture that is cool to the touch, and seems to pulse faintly as if alive with a subtle, malevolent energy. There’s a sense of foreboding about the weapon, a silent promise of danger to anyone who dares wield it.
The saber doesn’t just appear menacing; it feels as though it was crafted with a darker purpose in mind, as if it’s not just a weapon but a tool that is meant to instill fear as much as it is to deliver death. The air around it feels slightly colder, as if the saber itself carries a lingering chill from whatever grim history it possesses. freēwēbnovel.com
I step closer, intrigued by the weapon’s unusual appearance. As I get nearer, I notice something odd about the label next to it. Unlike the other weapons in the shop, which have their names, rarities, and skills clearly listed, this one is marked only with a simple – horizontal line for name, rarity, and skills.
What a mysterious weapon…
I’m about to reach out and examine it further when the blacksmith behind the counter speaks up for the first time since we entered the shop.
“I wouldn’t recommend that one,” he says, his voice gruff but with a hint of caution.
I turn to face him, surprised by his sudden interest. “Why not?”
He sets down the sword he’s been polishing and walks over to where I’m standing. “I bought that saber off a strange fellow who came through town a while back. Though I could identify its properties with my appraisal spells, it reveals nothing- not even a name.
It’s admittedly made from a metal I’m not familiar with, but it’s not particularly sturdy or sharp, just a somewhat well crafted blade with no abilities imbued in it. I’ve tried every spell I know, but it’s like the damn thing is sealed.
Either it is as mediocre as it seems but due to some unknown phenomenon can’t be evaluated or some strange limiter has been placed on it that I can’t even sense, let alone identify or unlock.”
I smirk inwardly, I’ve honestly felt a bit depressed that my primordial eyes could be matched by a simple Blacksmith class’s spells, but finally my superiority became evident.
Old man, you are right on the money.
[Sealed Weapon]
[Name: ???]
[Rarity: ???]
[Skills: ???]
To break the seal:
Bathe in the blood of a worthy adversary.
Submerge in the waters of a cursed spring.
Sharpen on the bones of a dragon.
The options for breaking the seal are rather unsettling, each one requiring something specific and extremely dangerous. It’s clear that this weapon is far from ordinary, despite what the blacksmith may believe.
Also, the last two options are very objective in their requirements, but the first one is subjective. I’m also wondering if I have to fulfill all three to gain full access to the saber or if only one is enough…