"What's the problem, sir?" Elliot asked.
Francoise shook his head, seemingly disappointed. "The metal does not compliment with any of my handles. The extreme mana that was embedded by the Dragon Obsidian seem to repel other materials."
"Any of your handles, so you mean we can get another handle from somewhere?"
Francoise was surprised that Elliot could keep up. He thought that this boy was only a wimp that was blessed with a rare metal. Maybe he was too shallow with his perception of the boy.
Interesting. He thought.
"Not exactly," the old man replied. "I can use any of my current handles, but I need something that would stop the metal from refusing to work with them. The material I need is located somewhere–"
"I'll get it," Elliot said, cutting the old man from what he was saying. "Where can I find the material?"
The missing material was a Weapon Suppressing Gem. The metal Elliot had rejected any other object that Francoise used for the handle.
The Suppressing Gem was located by the lagoon inside the Forest of Gray Lake. Inside were monsters that Elliot couldn't handle for now. The minimum level to enter the forest was 5, the recommended was 10.
Even so, Elliot wanted to find the gem and finish the weapon. The trip was three days long, enough for him to level up to 5. His Crimson Phantom Set gave him a heads up that he could par a level 5 user, making it enough for him to enter the forest.
"Are you sure about this?" Francoise asked the boy.
Elliot simply nodded and smiled. His determination was what Francoise admired the most. For someone who doesn't have an affinity, he became and Adventurer. His magic blood was even questionable.
It was a question how this boy survived in a world where most citizens rely on affinities to survive.
With a strong willpower, Elliot went home to gather what he needed. Francoise lent him a temporary sword. There were level restrictions on items every Adventurer can equip.
There are 6 Level Tiers on each item. Common items was the ones any beginner can use, Fine items were the ones equipped by level 10 and above, Rare items can be equipped by level 25 and above, Sacred items for level 50 and above, Legendary items for the levels 75 and above, and finally, Godly for the ones only level 100 can use.
The Crimson Phantom Set was considered as a premium grade beginner set, the reason why Elliot could equip it. The weapons however were quite tricky.
In Francoise's shop, his weapons were usually Fine or Rare. His Common weapons were way below the quality of Elliot's equipment. He looked like he was a high-level Adventurer. A poor looking weapon would not match his outfit.
Francoise had always believed that a proper style was better than function. He knew it caused a lot of trouble before, but he still stood by his principles.
"Ah!" Francoise cheered. "This should be enough for a temporary weapon."
Elliot inspected the weapon Francoise handed to him.
<< Ruby Shortsword >>
Attack: 1.5
Rate: 1
Charisma: 2.25
Buffer: 1
Weapon Potential: 1
Elliot wasn't disappointed at the weapon. Although he was sad because he wasn't able to get a good enough weapon, he was still satisfied that he was able to get one.
Weapon attributes are different from equipment attributes. While the equipment attributes are measured to add with its user's own attributes, weapon has a different set of attributes.
It is measured by levels. 10 would be the highest and 1 is the lowest. The weapon attributes show how the weapon can influence the user by multiplying their basic attributes– the ones before adding the other equipment.
Apart from Rate – which shows how often a user can attack – the other attributes equal to the user's attributes. Attack for Strength, Charisma for Magic, and Buffer for Defense. The Weapon Potential, meanwhile, refers to the level of the weapon. 1 would be Common, 2-3 is Fine, 4-5 is Rare, 6-7 would be Sacred, 8-9 is Legendary, and 10 would be Godly.
Regardless of his weapon being Common, it was the only thing he could equip. Bolts of electricity would light in his hands if he tries to hold a weapon above his level tier.
When he got home, Elliot went on to pack the things he needed. He made sure to pack plenty of food and money. He returned his mother's money to its bag and placed it under his bed.
It was in the middle of his packing when he heard whispers from their backyard.
"Come closer," the voice said. It was a deep male voice that intoxicated the boy in an instant.
Like he was enchanted, Elliot walked into their backyard.
"You're ready."
He stood in front of the old tree and placed his hand on the trunk of the tree. His body was slowly sinking inside the tree as if it was absorbing him.
With a loud thud, Elliot awoke and found himself inside an unfamiliar forest. He stood and checked himself. His bag was left behind but other than that, he was okay.
"Where am I?" Elliot asked himself.
Looking at the surroundings, he didn't had to be a high-level Adventurer to know where he was. The trees were gray, everything was gray. There was a thin fog that surrounded the forest. It wasn't thick that Elliot couldn't see anything, but it still hindered his vision.
"What am I doing in the Forest of Gray Lake?!"
His scream scared the birds nearby. He instantly regretted his actions when a pair of glowing green eyes lit up from nowhere.
Elliot brandished his sword and prepared for battle. He still hadn't learned any skill yet, so he was at a big disadvantage. His physical strength is all he had. This wasn't part of his plan.
It was never part of his plan.
The three-day travel was the time he would use as training to enhance his combat skills. The secret his mother told him about the tree didn't help him at all.
The creature showed itself. A large stag with branches of trees that formed a circle as its horn. It was the creature Elliot was about to face.
'Beast Detected.'
<< Woodring Stag >>
Level: 5
Strength: 3,500
Speed: 4,250
Magic: 3,700
Defense: 3,250
The boy was relieved that the equipment Francoise gave him was far superior from the stag. Although he still yet to know how it fights, he was confident that he could win this battle.
Taking a deep breathe, Elliot readied himself. He knew that the stag would attack him first. With a slight bent of his knee and a lift of his sword, he was prepared to fight.
"Let's do this, stag!"