After departing from the conversation outside of the opera house, Livre led the group on a series of errands to collect extra parts to use in rebuilding the commissioned dragonfly toy. They had to place a new order with a blacksmith as it had to be custom made.
After learning, at least on the surface, who the toy was for, Carman made a few adjustments. Adding two loops where chains or string could be hooked/clipped into place to drag banners or carry things.
By working together with Livre when they got back to the workshop, they managed to get the new power core assembled and fix it into place in the new chassis. Wanting to ensure it's durability, Carman fixed the loops to the metal frame.
As Livre stepped out to get supper, Carman took spare parts out of his inventory and assembled a few annihilation bombs and stored them in his inventory after filling them up with the necessary energies.
After Livre came back and they ate dinner together, Carman bid Livre goodnight and reminded him not to experiment with new reacors while he was gone. Livre laughed sheepishly and waved him off.
"Goodnight kiddo"
Carman and Ryuzu left and back to the apartment. Having gotten some better quality parts whilst out shopping, Carman opened up Ryuzu and continued repairing her. By the time he was done he still had not fully restored her to her previous capabilities. But instead of the 40% she was previously at, she could now draw on 70% of her original power.
He removed the broken scythes from her spider like subarms, and spent the better part of an hour realigning them, having to use a saw in order to slowly cut out the bent bolts so he could replace them. He made sure to pocket all of the metal shavings and scraps he could collect and store them in his storage for later.
Finally, he sent Ryuzu out to purchase a few weapons from blacksmiths. She came back with a few 2 star weapons, and she came back with two Silver swords and an Old Merc's Pal. The first two were fresh-ish from the forge and hadn't seen battle yet, but the Old Merc's Pal had been purchased from a second hand equipment shop. There were numerous scratches all over its side, it was well used, but well maintained, the edge had had any dents or chips faithfully delt with by the previous owner.
There was something else about it too. Something that Carman couldn't place. It looked old, the Old Merc's Pals that he remembered were silver and black in color, this one's back was a rusty brown. It wasn't until he ran a finger along the back that he realized.
That's not rust... That's the design change it goes through after it's second ascension! Those guys on r#$$it weren't lying.
Tossing it into his inventory, it was Lv.61 and had 220 in its atk. Unfortunately as a 2* it didn't have any special abilities, but it would do for now.
With some macgyvering, Carman was able to attach the Old Merc's Pal to one of Ryuzu's newly realigned subarms. He did the same with one of the silver swords on her other. Ryuzu kept the last one in a sheath strapped around her waist. After that he went to bed, as he had school in the morning.
[The next Day.]
Carman got up, did his daily routine, changed into his school uniform, and walked with Ryuzu to the academy. It was more of the same, sit behind a desk, exercise, eat lunch, sit back down.
When he got back, he asked Ryuzu to take him back to the ruins where they had been beaten by the Ruin Guard.
Ryuzu was reluctant, but Carman promised that they would quickly retreat if the experiment failed.
With a sigh, Ryuzu agreed but only if Carman agreed to keep a distance from the machine, which he did.
After packing a few things to go, they set out. After an hour of Ryuzu running while carrying him, Carman spotted the cave.
As they drew closer, they could see the Ruin Guard was still walking around scanning for intruders. Hiding at the top of a cliff in the Cavern, Carman activated his elemental skill and aimed his Hydro crossbow at the eye of the Field Tiller. He held his stance, waiting patiently, carefully drawing more of the hydro energy in the surrounding area and compressing it into the bolt made of Hydro energy. Eventually he reached a point where he could no longer press any more energy into the bolt, it was glowing a deep blue color.
Carman watched as the machine turned towards them again and fired.
The bolt soared through the air, widening and lengthening as it couldn't contain all the energy Carman has stuffed into it, when it penetrated the eye of the machine it was the size of the average spear. After it pierced the eye, the bolt exploded causing significant damage and causing it to temporarily short circuit.
As it fell onto the ground Carman dropped the Dragonfly that was about to explode from us inventory and said, "Ryuzu, take that and chuck it at the thing."
Ryuzu quickly picked up the toy mine and did as Carman asked. It soared somewhat gracefully through the air, it's wings fluttering in the wind.
And then it hit.
KA-BOOM.
As soon as it made impact with the Ruin Guard, the internal components lost their stability and the core went critical, causing a large amount of energy to be created from the annihilation reaction. If he hadn't been shielded by his elemental skill, Carman would have had to duck to avoid being hit by shrapnel.
As the shield generator lowered it's output, Carman was able to see what was going on with the Ruin Guard. As the dust cleared, the guard was standing back up, though it looked like it had been hit by a truck.
"Damn they really wanted to make sure Livre was gone." Said Carman. As he started to compress another bolt of hydro energy.
The Ruin Guard had managed to locate their position from the angle of the attacks and was slowly walking towards them.
Carman fired another boy, which hit the Guard in the eye again causing it to fall to the ground once more.
Then he pulled out another annihilation bomb and handed it to Ryuzu. Who promptly chucked it at the Guard, and watched as another explosion occurred.
In all they had to use three bombs to take down the Ruin Guard, each one compounding on the damage and weakening it's armor. Sometimes though, Carman and Ryuzu would have to hide behind a wall as the Guard tried to shoot missiles at them.
Finally, it was Carman who made the final blow, as his Hydro Bold smashed into the partially caved in eye and caused something vital to explode from within the Guard.
As it toppled over, the shimmering blue light blocking their path disappeared and a large chest with golden trim appeared.
Carman rubbed his eyes. "Ryuzu, pinch me, I think I might be dreaming. Ow."
Ryuzu had in fact pinched him, which assured him that he was in fact, not dreaming.
As Ryuzu hopped down to the level with the now open archway, she put Carman down. Carman and Ryuzu worked together to open the lid.
Inside there was a Bow, a Spear, and a Skyrider Greatsword. There were also many chunks of purple crystals and a few small goblets and an hourglass. There was also a large amount of Mora, but the biggest surprise were the star shaped crystals buried at the bottom, 10 Primogems.
Carman just sent everything, including the chest I ti his inventory for later sorting.
He and Ryuzu walked towards the large double doors and after looking at one another, they pushed the doors inward, showing a large swirling darkness.
-to be continued.