I went at a brisk pace on the way there, but I returned on foot. Partly because I wasn’t quite back to my best, but also because I still had some concerns about Body Enhancement.
That technique I used to defeat Golgol… I think it was a situation where Body Enhancement went out of control. It consumed a lot of mana at once and put a considerable strain on my body.
I had never heard of such a phenomenon from my master, but perhaps Galbas, who is knowledgeable about weapons, might know something?
When I arrived at the large town for the first time in a month, I noticed that the number of guards had increased, probably as a measure against the Orcs.
Since it wouldn’t be lifted until it was confirmed that the Orc threat was gone, I didn’t pay it much attention and headed towards the gate. I was given suspicious looks because of my tattered cloak, but when I showed my Adventurer’s Guild tag, I was easily allowed inside.
The town was the same as always after a month. I bought some of the wild plants I had run out of at a stall along the way.
Normally, I should go to the Adventurer’s Guild first and give a brief explanation to that receptionist, but I didn’t go to the Guild and headed straight to Galbas’ workshop.
As usual, I entered the back alley and moved silently with Stealth activated. After being wary of my surroundings and confirming that there were no “eyes” from the Thieves’ Guild, I lightly knocked on the door of Galbas’ workshop.
“Galbas, are you there?”
I could hear the sound of a hammer from inside, so I assumed he was there, but he probably couldn’t hear me because of the noise. Just in case, I called out and entered. Galbas, who was making something at the forge, noticed me and his eyes widened.
“Ash-covered… you’re a mess.”
The armor made by Gelf was only dirty, but the cloak, being just leather, was so damaged that I would have to buy a new one.
“I had a fight. Is the weapon ready? And here, a souvenir.”
“This is…”
I handed over the Demon Iron Hexagonal Rod, which had been my “baggage” slung over my shoulder. Galbas took it and looked at it intently, muttering to himself.
“Hmm… it’s quite old. The technique is crude, but it hasn’t bent or warped despite being used extensively, which means it’s made of very pure Demon Iron.”
He could tell that much at a glance?
“Can you make weapons with this, Galbas?”
“It’s a lump of Demon Iron, so I can make all sorts of things… hey, Ash-covered. Where did you get this?”
“An Orc General was using it.”
“…Huh!? An Orc General!?”
“I’ll give it to you, so I want you to tell me something.”
First, I briefly explained what had happened so far and told him about the runaway Body Enhancement. Galbas was beyond stunned and held his head in his hands, letting out a deep sigh.
“You idiot!! I know it’s impossible to tell an Adventurer not to be reckless, but… take care of your body a little!”
“Sorry…”
“…So, about the strange Body Enhancement. I only have the strength of about Rank 2 when it comes to combat, but I’m confident that I’m knowledgeable about weapons.”
Galbas glared at me as if scolding me, poured some liquor into a cup, and gulped it down before starting to talk.
“When making weapons, I make them on the premise that Combat Arts will be used. That’s why I researched various things when I was younger. The current Combat Arts have been around for about two thousand years, but there were Combat Arts before that too. What you used was probably the ‘Primordial Combat Art’.”
What I used was apparently the basis for what is now systematized as [Body Enhancement] and [Combat Art], before it was systematized.
The “heat” of the runaway Body Enhancement enhances my power, but it is a double-edged sword. By controlling that heat with Non-Attribute Magic and releasing it at a single point, it becomes [Combat Art].
If that’s the case, could I create a new Combat Art by using this? It’s not that simple.
Combat Arts are said to be monosyllabic Non-Attribute Magic, but the words used are not “Spirit Language” but “Common Language” used by humans. Monsters like Orcs used Combat Arts with just “war cries” instead of words.
In other words, it’s no different from “Fire Arrow” or “Stone Pebble” used in normal Magic, which are just ‘activation words’. But why is it necessary to say it out loud? Because the “meaning” of the activation word itself becomes Magic.
If the [Spirit] recognizes that meaningful word, it gains power as the “Spirit Language” of this world. Just as Magic can be activated even without chanting if you understand the correct meaning, if you correctly understand the technique of close combat Skills and the effect of the Combat Art itself, you can use it as a magical structure, and even a war cry can activate [Combat Art].
The predecessors spent many years repeating trial and error to somehow deal with the runaway heat, and as a result, the current [Combat Art] was created by the Spirit recognizing it.
Just as you can’t make a weapon just by finding an ore, it would take decades for me to repeat trial and error in my spare time to turn it into a Combat Art. Even if I managed to complete it by luck, it would probably never surpass the existing Combat Arts.
By the way, the reason why the power of the Combat Art used by Golgol was so high is said to be because the Spirits created Combat Arts of Rank 5 or higher for the “Hero” who maintains the balance of the world.
In short, the current [Combat Art] is the stabilization of the primordial, unstable ‘Body Enhancement technique’, and if I want to become stronger in a stable way, using the current Combat Art is the fastest way, he said.
In conclusion, I can’t create Combat Arts. But, in that case, wouldn’t it be possible to control the runaway heat itself as it is…?
“If it’s about Magic, ask someone else. You have a Magic master too, right?”
“Yeah… I’ll do that.”
“More importantly, the weapon production and repairs are finished. First, here’s the Demon Iron Knife I was holding. Try gripping it.”
“Okay.”
The Knife I had entrusted my life to for the past two and a half years returned to my hand. When I gripped it, I was surprised that it was no longer a thin handle that a child could use with both hands, but a thick grip that I could handle with one hand, and the way it clung to my hand was amazing.
“…Can I swing it?”
“Try cutting that firewood over there.”
I tossed the firewood that was placed there into the air, stepped forward in one motion, and swung the Knife. The firewood was split vertically as if it had been cut with a Hatchet.
There wasn’t a single cloud on the black Blade, which was as good as new, and the center of gravity was slightly forward, increasing the power while maintaining the sharpness.
“Yeah… it’s really good. Then, about the Dagger I borrowed…”
“Oh, I’ll service that one too. Just wait one more day.”
“…Isn’t it a replacement weapon?”
When I said that, Galbas frowned as he pulled the Black Dagger from its sheath.
“It’s quite scratched up after just one month… well, it’s only natural if you fought an upper-class Orc… Listen, Ash-covered. This Demon Iron Dagger is a ‘power’ weapon that I made on the premise that it would be used together with that Knife. Didn’t you like it?”
“No, I would have lost without it.”
I think I was able to withstand that last blow because of this weapon.
“Then, keep using it as it is. It’s a sibling weapon to that Knife. It would be a shame for these guys if you didn’t use them together, right?”
“…Yeah.”
…He’s really a good-natured, eccentric old man.
“And then, take a look at the new weapon you asked for, this is it!!”
Galbas’ eyes sparkled like a child who had received a toy, and he spread out the package he was holding on the table.
“…Four?”
For some reason, there were four types of new Blades for the Pendulum that I had asked Galbas to make.
“You’re changing the way you use it according to the purpose, right? I tried making various things according to the purpose of that usage.”
[General-Purpose Type]. A rhombus-shaped Blade with a certain amount of weight. It can be used for cutting, but it is basically used for stabbing, so you should be able to use it in the same way as before.
[Slashing Style]. A circular Blade like a Chakram, which tears like a razor and cuts like an axe due to the speed of the centrifugal force that rotates when swung around.
[Blade Scythe Style]. A scythe in the shape of an anchor, which can kill a living creature in one blow by swinging it around and pulling it out, just like the Slashing Style.
[Ball-Shaped]. The shape of a thick cross becomes horizontal when swung around, and if you use the slightly pointed corners like a hammer, you can even crush a skull.
“You know how to use them, right? I’ve made the molds, so I’ll make spares eventually. I’ve got the materials too, gahahaha.”
Galbas said that and tapped the Demon Iron Hexagonal Rod with his hand.
“…Thank you.”
“You idiot, it’s a hundred years too early for a kid to be reserved!”
A slight smile leaked out at Galbas, who was deliberately acting gruff.
“Also, I want some Throwing Knives, anything will do…”
When I said that and turned my attention to the shelf where the weapons were lined up, I sensed a “gaze” from behind and an “unnatural Stealth” at the entrance. I pulled out a Knife from the slit in my skirt and shot it. The presence wavered slightly, and the thrown Knife was dodged.
Sensing that the person was quite skilled, I took a stance to protect Galbas. The presence seeped out of the scenery and raised its voice in a fluster.
“Wait, wait, that was close! After finally finding you, are you trying to kill your ‘Master,’ Aria?!”
“…Viro?”
The man who appeared was Viro, a Rank 4 Adventurer who took me from this town and trained me in the art of scouting.
Why is he here? But… just now, he said he “found” me.
In that instant, I activated Body Enhancement to its fullest and pointed the Black Knife at Viro, filled with Killing Intent.
“Was it the ‘Organization’ that requested it? Or the ‘Thieves’ Guild’?”
As I quietly muttered that, Viro frantically shook his head.
“Listen to me! The reason I was looking for you was because I had a Personal Request!”
“…………”
A request? …It feels like more trouble.
Viro makes a long-awaited appearance. What is the reason for his appearance? And why was he looking for Aria?
The new Pendulum’s blade is filled with an unusual amount of murderous intent as a result of incorporating Aria’s wishes…
The next update is scheduled for Sunday.