*Buzz—*
As crimson waves surged from Riezel's body like a tide, the space in the dim warehouse began to tremble faintly.
Under the cover of the crimson waves, the piles of Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand and Scarlet Ore took on the same crimson hue.
"Decompose."
Riezel initiated decomposition magic.
Instantly, Scarlet Crimson Iron Sands and Scarlet Ores covered by the crimson waves began to disintegrate—their surfaces peeled off, their shells gradually turned to powder and fell apart, and oily black substances filtered out, dripping onto the ground and seeping into the floor.
Using decomposition magic, Riezel removed impurities from Scarlet Crimson Iron Sands and Scarlet Ores, leaving only the most essential parts, causing all the ores in the warehouse to gradually shrink within the crimson waves.
Originally, the sizes of Scarlet Crimson Iron Sands and Scarlet Ores present were similar, ranging from about the size of a soccer ball to slightly larger.
However, under the effects of decomposition magic, their internal structures unraveled, impurities were continuously removed, and they ended up reduced to small pieces about the size of ping-pong balls.
Yet, despite their small size, not only did their surface colors change drastically, becoming as clear and transparent as jewels, but the sunlight energy they emitted was also purer and richer than before.
Clearly, this was because Riezel hadn't decomposed the sunlight energy absorbed by the ores but left it within, resulting in its concentration alongside the essence of the ores.
Before long, only crystalline gemstone-like essences remained in the warehouse, emitting sunlight-like radiance and illuminating the entire room.
Only then did Riezel cease using decomposition magic and begin using structure system magic.
Without delay, he fused all the gemstones into one, refining them into a single gemstone.
The process went smoothly, with all the gemstones gathering before Riezel under the influence of his magic, intertwining, converging, and merging with each other, reminiscent of the scene when his Dimensional Magic Cube was in operation.
Soon, a gemstone, about the size of two palms, appeared in front of Riezel.
It resembled a massive diamond, with sharp edges on the surface and a transparent interior, highly ornamental.
It was like a miniature sun, emitting rich energy and warmth, making one unconsciously want to cradle it in their palm.
Riezel extended his finger and touched it, finding that the temperature on the surface was higher than he had imagined.
'If ordinary people were to touch this, wouldn't their finger be burnt by now?'
Since the present Riezel was unafraid of low or high temperatures, even if he fell into magma, his body might be fine. For this reason, it was not strange for him to regard the temperature on the surface of the gemstone as insignificant.
'Such a gemstone can truly be considered a special kind of magic metal, right?'
Riezel nodded as he observed the gemstone.
Under the effects of decomposition magic and structure system magic, the gemstone formed by the fusion of gemstone-like essences was of quality and value no less than many refined metals in the world of Danmachi or many magic metals in the Akasha Continent.
It remained to be seen what kind of sword could be forged using such a gemstone.
'Hmm, there probably wasn't any blacksmith in this world capable of processing this gemstone...'
Riezel stroked his chin and began pondering.
In the world of Danmachi, perhaps advanced blacksmiths with the 'Blacksmith' development ability might have a way, but the blacksmiths in this world definitely couldn't process such ore.
Since Riezel was in the same situation, he chose to take a different path.
*Swish*
With a flick of his hand, Riezel materialized a bright silver short sword.
It was none other than Hermit.
Under normal circumstances, Riezel always used this second-class equipment with the Durandal attribute as his secondary weapon. Only when faced with powerful enemies would he resort to using his main weapon, Fool.
However, it was ultimately just second-class equipment, with slightly lower power and performance than ordinary second-class equipment. If it weren't for the Durandal attribute, Hermit's performance wouldn't meet his current needs.
Now, Riezel was not only a Level 5 first-class adventurer but also at the limit of Level 5, so his strength couldn't be regarded as ordinary Level 5 anymore.
Just do the math—other adventurers, even the most talented ones, could only reach an astonishing proficiency of S999 in all basic abilities with each level up. This meant that by the time they reached the limit of Level 5, their total proficiency from all basic abilities was less than 5000.
What about Riezel?
With each level up, he could surpass the limit, reaching a full SSS in all basic abilities, with proficiency in each basic ability reaching at least 1200 or more. This meant that when he reached the limit of Level 5, his total proficiency from all basic abilities was at least 6000.
Moreover, Riezel consistently acquired combat-type development abilities with each level-up, enhancing his status in battle and amplifying his magic attack power. As a result, his status had already surpassed that of the most talented prodigies at the same level.
However, the question was, could these prodigies reach a full S999 proficiency in all basic abilities with each level up?
Impossible.
According to Riezel's understanding of the original work, even Level 7 Ottar, known as Orario's ultimate weapon, only had four of his basic abilities reaching S-rank, and not all four of them could reach 999 in proficiency either.
Even Ais, the prodigy who held the record for the fastest level up before Riezel appeared, only had about one or so basic abilities reaching S-rank with each level up.
In summary, even though Riezel was still Level 5, he could compete with low-middle Level 6 adventurers under normal circumstances, even without using magic or breathing styles, he had a way to defeat them.
However, now, Riezel possessed the capability to consistently surpass one level in combat power.
What does 'consistently surpass one level' mean?
It meant that regardless of the level, Riezel could have the combat power to ignore one level above him.
If Riezel's combat power was at low-middle Level 6, then he could challenge someone at low-middle Level 7.
Yes.
After three months of relentless effort, his strength and combat power were now almost equal to low-middle Level 7. Of course, this was under the assumption that he didn't use magic; once he used magic, his strength would increase even further!
For someone like Riezel, a special equipment slightly inferior in power to regular second-class equipment, its performance naturally couldn't keep up with him anymore. If it weren't for Hermit having the Durandal attribute, it might have been discarded by him by now.
Because of this, Riezel had the idea of rebuilding Hermit and intended to turn it into his own Nichirin Sword.
'Sun Breathing is a breathing style that emphasizes comprehensive enhancement and power of the swordsmanship.'
'Fool belongs to a lighter, more agile weapon, focusing on attack speed rather than power. Using it with Sun Breathing, although not impossible, ultimately doesn't match well.'
'On the other hand, weapons like Nichirin Sword are most suitable for this world's swordsmanship, such as Sun Breathing.'
With such thoughts, Riezel no longer hesitated.
'First, use decomposition magic to slightly disassemble the structure inside Hermit. Then, without destroying its Durandal attribute, integrate the gemstone into it.'
In the next moment, Riezel activated decomposition magic again, this time covering Hermit with a crimson vortex.
Right now, he controlled it very carefully, fearing that if he exerted too much power, he would destroy the Durandal attribute.
Since it was the most useful weapon attribute for him, if it were destroyed, he would be better off continuing to use the original Hermit. Consequently, he controlled his magic very carefully and meticulously, letting Hermit gradually dissolve in the crimson vortex, turning into a pool of molten steel.
At this point, Riezel threw the gemstone he was holding, letting the crimson vortex cover the silver steel and the crystal-clear gemstone.
Before long, the two merged quickly and soon became a pool of molten iron.
Surprisingly, this pool of iron was crimson, emitting a super high temperature. Once it dripped on the ground, it would definitely burn a big hole in it instantly.
"Refine."
Riezel made a prompt decision.
He stopped using decomposition magic and switched to structure system magic to shape the pool of molten iron into a sword.
As for the style of the sword, he had already thought about it.
In his previous life, Riezel had a very favorite sword, known as 'Thousand Demon Daggers'.
This was a powerful weapon in 'Scissor Seven', known for its offensive nature and uniqueness. Its blade comprised numerous fragments with a black handle and a single-edged blade. It had blue stripes depicting evil spirit patterns near the sword guard, emitting blue or purple light.
Riezel planned to create his own Nichirin Sword according to the style of this sword.
And so, while recalling the appearance of Thousand Demon Daggers, he used his magic to construct, allowing the scorching hot molten iron to begin to take shape. Under the brilliance of his magic, the molten iron gradually elongated into the shape of a sword.
After ten minutes had passed, a sword identical to what Riezel had imagined emerged.
It had a black handle and a single-edged blade, and the blade indeed looked like it was made up of countless fragments, covered in crack-like textures.
However, unlike Thousand Demon Daggers, the texture near the guard of the sword was not an evil spirit pattern but a divine spirit pattern, emitting a fiery red light like flames.
Seeing the sword take shape, Riezel had another idea and added a word to the top of its handle that read 'Hermit'.
Yes.
Riezel still intended to name it Hermit—still Hermit, yet no longer Hermit.
Soon, as the brilliance of magic dissipated, Riezel's exclusive Nichirin Sword was also completed.
As Riezel gripped the new Hermit, a sense of heaviness and heat immediately transmitted to him through his palm.