[The Sword of Dawn, Gram], the sword that had been passed down from generation to generation in the Sigebehrt family until this day.
One day before they started the expedition, at the backyard of the Sigebehrt family where the soldiers are training themselves.
Rei appraised the sword for Gilbert to see.
=======================================
[The True Sword of Dawn, Grand]
Grade: Legendary
Type: Sword
STRENGTH: +500
VITALITY: +250
Durability: 100%
A sword that has been passed on within the Sigebehrt's family from generation to generation. The sword was forged by a mysterious blacksmith using the sun's power created by his own will and sacrifice to defeat the curse of this land. Finally it was completed by a renowned blacksmith, using his own flame to rejuvenate the power hidden within this sword.
Skill:
[Dawn Strike]
Active Skill
MP Cost: 200
Cooldown : 480 sec.
It grants the user the power of the sun to strike the enemy down.
[Lion Heart]
Passive Skill
It grants the user the power to calm the user's mind from mental attack. The user gains [Dawn Point] on every debuff status that was casted on the user, and increases the user STRENGTH by 10. (Max. 10 stack)
[Sigebehrt Spirits]
Active skill
MP Cost: 100 MP
Duration: 480 sec
Cooldown : 360 sec
It grants the user the power that has been passed down by the Sigebehrt ancestor from generation to generation. It increased STRENGTH, VITALITY, AND AGILITY by 75
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Gilbert, who saw the true appearance and strength of [The True Sword of Dawn, Grand], was looking at it in awe.
"A-amazing..." Gilbert gulped.
"Yes, this is the true power of the [Sword of Dawn, Grand]." Rei replied to him.
"Since the blacksmith who forged this sword doesn't have a certain skill and equipment for the material to shine...it ends up falling into [Epic] grade."
"But, due to my [Blacksmith Flame] and my [Hammer of Hephaestus, Vulcan], it awakened the strength of the Sun Stone that was embedded into this sword."
"Sun Stone??" Gilbert asked him.
"Sun Stone is a rare mineral that you can get at the top of a mountain, which is closest to the sun itself."
"It is a crystalized mana that absorbs the sun's energy which is now called the Sun Stone." Rei explained.
"I see! You are very knowledgeable, Crimson-san!" Gilbert complimented him.
Rei look conflicted with that praise, "Well I just learned it by force." Since it reminded him a bad memories.
"But you could say this particular mineral is considered as rare and a legendary one." Rei added.
"Legendary?? Why is that?" Gilbert become curious to this topic.
"There's two reason, why Sun Stone considered as legendary material."
"The first one will be, the location of this stone, because it is hard for people or even experienced adventurer could get the top of the mountain." Rei explained.
Gilbert nodded as he understood of what he meant, "I see...but what is the second one?"
"The second one, is the hardest part."
"Because....when the stone being plucked from the place it was taken, it will lose the sun's energy from within and become useless." Rei explained.
"...?!" Gilbert immediately noticed something.
Rei would smile, "It seems you know the answer, right? Why this sword is considered as Legendary grade?"
"Yeah, which mean...the one who got this material to forge this sword is an amazing person?!" Gilbert concluded it.
Rei nodded, "I think so too." While his eyes looked at the sword, 'Because the Sun Stone required a technique which is cutting and closing the energy to prevent it from leaking.'
'Which is difficult even for me...'
'Also...it means the one who got this stone had a flawless technique and not only that...'
'To forge that sword and embed that stone into it...he or she needed to be a skilled craftsman to forge this.'
'Although, the equipment and his other skill to make the Sun Stone shine...is still quite low.' Rei sighed.
"Then is the color of the blade, caused by this Sun Stone?" Gilbert changed the topic.
"Yeah, that's right, the moment the Sun Stone embedded into that sword, the color of the blade changed to match its name."
"Name?"
Rei smiled, "Yeah, when a weapon that fall into Legendary and Mythic grade, the creator who forge them can give them a name."
Gilbert tilted his head, "But why? Is there a meaning for that?"
"Of course there is, the name that you given will gave birth a new form of strength that the creator visualize." Rei explained.
"The image where the wielder of the weapons they made, created something impossible into something possible."
"And the weapon will gave birth a shape that match to it, and that's how important the naming is." Rei ended the explanation.
"Woah..." Gilbert was astonished due the new knowledge he received.
"And that's also why the color of the blade turned into vibrant colors like the color of the sunset." Rei explained.
"I see!" Gilbert couldn't help but get excited like a kid getting his first toy as he lifted the sword.
But then he stopped and looked at Rei.
"But...I wondered what is the name of the weapon you forge?" Gilbert muttered softly.
"Hm? What do you mean?" Rei asked as he couldn't hear it quite clearly.
"W-well, I heard that you were forging another weapon for yourself, Crimson-san." Gilbert spoke.
Rei tilted his head while folding his arms, "So you knew?" Rei replied.
Gilbert laughed awkwardly, "H-hahaha, sorry about that, it just that my father is curious about what kind of weapon you just forged." Then he replied.
Rei sighed while looking at him, "You guys really asked the same question, I guess like father like son."
Gilbert laughed once more, "Ahahaha..."
Rei smiled, "But...I cannot reveal it yet."
"Yet? Does that mean you planning to show me the weapon?!" Gilbert leaned closely with his eyes sparkling.
But Rei pushed his face away, "Yeah, but not right now."
"Huh?? But why?" Gilbert asked.
Then Rei smiled.
"Because..."
.
.
.
.
.
"The moment this weapon is unleashed...there's no going back."
******
Just like he said...there was no going back.
*CLANK*
The moment he revealed that weapon, all of the pressure and fear went towards him instead of the army of the frost skeletons.
'What is that...' Garon thought.
'How ominous...' Gilbert thought.
They all couldn't help but to think the same, because that axe that he's holding was similar to what they called...
[Cursed Weapons].
[Cursed Weapons], were weapons that gave the user an immense power that could overwhelm their enemies.
But there's a price to pay for it, and it could be anything. They could demand your blood, your sanity, your soul, your friends, and anything that could negatively affect the user who held that weapon.
And now this weapon was being held by him, Kiritsuka Rei, who was also the one who forged this weapon.
=======================================
[Axe of the Abyss, Behemoth]
Grade: Legendary
Type: Axe
STRENGTH: +250
VITALITY: +300
Durability: 100%
An axe that was forged using the core of a fallen templar who had become a monster that could overwhelm its enemy with fear and destruction. Combined with the imagination and the will of the one who forged this axe, it created a strength of abyssal being which devoured everything it touches and strengthened the user, with the price causing the user's enemies and the user himself unable to use any magic.
Skill:
[Abyssal Domain]
Passive Skill
The moment this weapon is out, it releases an [Abyssal Aura] approximately 10 m of the user, which causes all the enemies, allies, and the user, [restraint] them from using any skill related with MP. The user cannot use any skill and the MP will be [locked] during that moment until the weapon leaves the field. (At the same time, all magic skill that have been shot at outside the range of this skill, it will be [erased] the moment it entered the range of the skill)
[Abyssal Feast]
Passive Skill
Using the will of the blacksmith that put his imagination and the grudge coming from the core of the monster he killed. It gave the user a tremendous power by devouring anything in their path and giving them their strength. This skill can be triggered every time the user kills something with no cooldown and gives the user [Abyssal Heart] state. During this state, the user will gain STRENGTH +50 and VITALITY +50 (max. 10 stack.).
[Abyssal Wave]
Active Skill
MP Cost: 0 MP
Cooldown: 60 sec.
Using the power of the abyss, each time the user reaches 10 stacks during [Abyssal Heart], the user can unleash all the power that has been stacked and crush their enemies with it. (When the user use this skill, it reset the stacks back to 0)
=======================================
'To think it ends up like this...I guess the will of the monster that has lived for more than 100 years is this strong.'
'Enough to affect everyone around me, whether they are enemies or allies.' Rei thought.
Then he slowly lifted the axe and gave it a swing, 'I don't like this feeling but...it gave me tremendous stats, which I am grateful for.'
Afterwards, he continued to approach the army of the Frost Skeletons alone.
The atmosphere around him became heavier the moment he lifted his axe.
'Now then...let's start the first debut, [Behemoth]!'
'[Abyssal Domain].'
Then it began, a dark aura surrounding his body, spread widely around him and shaped like a sphere.
"....?!"
They were surprised when they saw that, while the Frost Skeletons and the Frost Lich didn't react towards it.
[Notice!]
[All Skill that related with MP will be temporarily "Restraint" until the effect of "Abyss Domain" ceased away and when all Magic Skill that have been fired from outside the range, entered the range of the skill, all magic will be "Erased"]
That moment, Rei felt he was invincible and could take anything. But while filled with confidence despite facing such forces in front of him alone.
His comrades who stayed behind him, still nervous whether how they approach this.
"Crimson! What are we supposed to do?!" Gilbert shouted at him to remind him that he wasn't alone.
Rei glanced at him, "Right, then make sure to support me from behind!"
"And do not get near me for around 10 meters, or you'll get affected by my skill!" Rei warned while swinging his axe.
Gilbert gritted his teeth, "You guys heard him! We shall give him support while he leads us! Do not get near him!" He looked over his shoulder and repeated his swords as he took the second command.
All of them were snapped out of it due to their confidence in this crisis. Gilbert who's just a mere 15 years old boy was now slowly growing and learning due to the influence of this young man in front of them.
"We shall follow him! Do not get seperated! Tank and Warrior, protect our only Archer, Priests and Mages! Mages keep our side safe with barriers and fire your magic!" Gilbert commanded them one by one.
Rei, who heard it, smiled because Gilbert was trying to imitate what he did. Which was good.
They were in formation while Rei took the lead.
In that moment, The Frost Skeletons and The Frost Lich immediately reacted towards their presence and began to march towards them.
"They are coming!—" Gilbert warned them but then, his eyes were fixated towards this man.
'[Agni] + [Hell Flame].'
Rei activated his skill, black flame flared around his body that turned into a cape and covered the part where the armor didn't cover.
[Notice!]
[Skill "Berserker" has been activated]
As the self-injuries skill activated, causing his [Berserker] skill automatically activated.
"Now then, shall we start." Then Rei tightened the muscle on his legs and lifted his axe.
Then...
*BOOM*
He rocketed himself from his spot, causing the ground to crack as his body flew through the air.
*CLANK*
Then lifted his axe as his body slowly fell towards them.
'[Smash].'
Using the weight of his body and the gravity pulling him down. He swung his axe and crashed himself right in the middle of the Frost Skeletons army.
*BOOM*
When his axe hit the first Frost Skeleton, it immediately crushed it down while his axe went through it and hit the ground.
Causing devastating destruction, just right after the sound of the battle starting.
[Notice!]
[Skill "Abyssal Feast" have been activated]
[You gained "Abyssal Heart" 10 stack]
From the notification itself, it can be seen that Rei did not kill 10 skeletons but more than that.
As he stood there with the ground charred due to the heat, the Frost Skeletons immediately surrounded him and marched towards him.
[Notice!]
[Skill "Abyssal Wave" is ready!]
'Then...' Rei lifted his black axe again, 'Devour them all!'
Then he swung his axe, spinning his body 180 degrees.
'[Axe Art: Spinning Wheel] + [Hell Flame] + [Abyssal Wave]!'
Using his skill that doesn't require any MP but only pure force and stamina, added with Berserker skill that buffing his strength and the Abyssal Heart that had been fully stacked by his kill.
He created an enormous force, a swirl of black flame wave added with dark aura which caused more destructive power.
*CRACK* *CRACK?*
The Frost Skeletons that ran towards him didn't notice the wave of the black flame.
*SHATTERS* *SHATTERS*
Their bones immediately scattered into pieces when they met with the skill.
The bones that had been reinforced with their icy armor which gave them strong durability, were being crushed by him, as if they're just children's toys.
His skill ended and the ground was scorched once more due to his destructive force.
From the way they see it, the number of enemies that had been reduced were roughly around...
400 Frost Skeletons.
Gilbert who's approaching in the midst of the battle, amazed by what happened before his eyes.
'No way...he killed hundreds of them in just a few seconds?!' Gilbert thought while his eyes fixated towards the axe that he's holding.
'And that axe...compared to mine, it's as if I'm the one who holding the small knife here!'
The strength of the black axe that Rei wielded was definitely of a higher level than that of Gilbert's sword.
And the others who saw that, had the same reaction.
'What the hell is he?!' Garon thought as he fought together with Gilbert and had to witness what happened.
Garon couldn't help to gulped down his dry saliva? "Who the hell are you...Crimson?!'
The same question appeared within their mind after witnessing such a miracle, such destructive power that was never seen before in this world that was based on an Otome Game.
The irregularities of this one man alone, might cause a drastic change in their life.
His blazing black flame that covered his entire body, and the ominous large battle axe that he held.
The way he was right now...
As if the God of Destruction himself had descended.
*CRACK*
The Frost Lich reacted when its eyes met his.
*?!!!!*
All of sudden, The Frost Lich shuddered as it looked on his own skelly hands, trembling.
Rei, who was surrounded by the army of the Frost Skeletons, focused his gaze towards their leader instead of them.
*CRACK*
Then, the Frost Lich responded to this feeling it felt by creating a magic circle on its hands.
*[Ice Lance]*
The Frost Lich spoke, and the numbers of these icicle lances that he created…
…was more than hundreds lances, and they're flying above its head.
*[Death Aura]*
Added with blackish aura surrounding the sharp icicles, its magic became deadly.
And on top of that
The Frost Lich raised its hand again, causing all the remaining Frost Skeletons to charge at him without fear.
*RISE AND FIGHT!!*
Such a grotesque voice, which commanded this army alone.
It definitely sent fear towards these foolish people who raided this place.
But somehow...
"Haaaa!!!" Gilbert swung his sword, "[Dawn Strike]!" Crushing down several skeletons with sunlight aura that came out from his sword.
"Hmmm!!" Garon swung his giant sword, using his overwhelming strength to destroy all the Frost Skeletons that appeared before him.
The Adventurers team didn't back off, Ashley used her red-lightning aura to create after images that cut down every Frost Skeletons.
Hilbert, who used his body to tank all of the attack, along with Sharon and Hiba who supported him from behind with her magic and his arrow.
Alicia and the other Priests who continue to chant their prayers to give them strength.
And the armies of Mages and Warriors who followed them from behind.
All of them didn't back down in fear and the main reason was...
This one man who's standing there, continuously plowing down every Skeletons with his giant black axe which didn't fit his size body.
Rei lifted his axe, and swung it straight towards one skeleton.
*BOOM*
With just a single strike, another hundreds of skeletons were reduced to nothing but ashes.
But that didn't stop them, they raised their swords and spears, then charged at Rei who just stood there.
*CRACK* *CRACK*
But this time...
Rei did nothing but walked forward while dragging his axe.
Then the Frost Skeletons took this chance and began to swing their weapons at him.
When the tip of their weapons was about to reach him.
*PSHHH*
It melted down.
*CRACK?*
The Frost Skeletons were confused when their weapons were gone without a trace.
The only one who knew what happened was Rei himself.
"If your weapons are made of iron, I have armor that could withstand the heat of Hell itself." Rei muttered and walked forward.
*PPSHHH*
"Have a taste first."
Not caring that he set his body in Hell Flame, during his walk, all the Skeletons that approached him immediately could feel their icy bones begin to melt.
"Move away."
*SWOOSH*
Not only that, he swiped a few of them with his axe to clear the path.
None can stop him at this time, and because of all his kills that was caused by the heat
[Notice!]
[You gained "Abyssal Heart" 10 stack]
The stack was ready again.
"Huff—!"
Rei lifted his axe with just one hand, '[Wide Swing] + [Hell Flame] + [Abyssal Wave].' Then swung in a horizontal way, followed by a black flame aura wave.
*BOOM*
Reducing the numbers of the skeletons again.
*YOU DARE*
The Frost Lich who saw it, immediately fired his magic that have been prepared towards him.
Hundreds of icicles lances that were covered with black aura, were now flying towards Rei.
But unlike the weapons, when the icicles were not too far from him.
*PSHHHH*
It immediately vanished into thin air.
*....???*
The Frost Lich confused at first.
*Disappeared? No...it was erased?*
Until he noticed that his magic didn't vanish, it's more like it was erased by something unknown.
But what more, the Frost Lich could felt the fearsome atmosphere coming from this one man.
No...
A human, the being that he thought was weak.
Made the Frost Skeletons realized late...
*What are you...?*
That they're not the predator here.
.
.
.
.
.
But it was none other than him...
"Just you regular knight, who want your head."
Rei stated.
To be continued...