[Soulbinding Armor Set Blueprint]
[Grade: Elite ~ Legendary]
[Armor that adapts to the user's abilities, enhancing defense without restricting movement.]
[Adaptive Alloy (150 units)
Soulthread Weave (20 meters)
Runestone Core (5 fragments)
Mana-Infused Leather (30 units)
Obsidian Dust (20 units)
Optional Enhancements:
Dragon Scale Shards (5 shards)
Frost Core (1 crystal)
Shadowsteel (10 units)
Stormcore Fragments (10 units)]
[Requirements: Master Blacksmith]
Atlas skimmed through the blueprint he had just obtained, and a lump formed in his throat as he took in the sheer complexity of the materials and processes required.
But what stood out most was the blueprint's potential—it could produce items ranging from Elite to Legendary grade, far surpassing the Epic grade armor Atlas was currently using.
He quickly shared the details with Baldric and Edrik.
"Ha ha ha!" Baldric laughed heartily, studying the blueprint. "This is going to be a real challenge, no doubt about it!"
Edrik nodded. "As expected for an item with such immense potential. It's no surprise the requirements are this demanding."
Atlas crossed his arms, his brow furrowed. "Do you think we can get our hands on the materials listed here?"
Baldric chuckled. "Let me break this down for you. I'll sort out what's most feasible to obtain first. Then, we'll figure out the trickier components."
They started with the first material: Runestone Core. These fragments would serve as the armor's core, channeling the user's energy to amplify its defensive properties.
"These can be found in dungeons… but not just any dungeon. Only ancient ones, or perhaps volcanic ruins," Baldric explained, stroking his braided beard. "Runestones react to high heat and mana density, so they often form naturally or get altered in volcanic terrains infused with magic."
"But!" His eyes twinkled as he raised a finger. "Lucky for you, I'm also a Rune Master. I can craft these myself, ha ha ha!"
"That's a huge relief."
Next on the list was Obsidian Dust, a material that added durability and resistance to extreme conditions, making the armor nearly impervious under pressure.
"We'll need crushed obsidian rocks, typically found near volcanic terrains," Baldric said.
Edrik chimed in. "Flare Peak should be a reliable source for that. I'm certain we'll find plenty there."
Atlas nodded. "Good. That's one step closer."
The next material on the list was Adaptive Alloy, a rare and versatile metal capable of adjusting its density and composition to suit the user's movements and needs.
"We can get this by smelting Chameleonite Ore," Baldric explained. "But let me tell you, this ore is ridiculously rare. It only forms in adaptive biomes or regions with fluctuating elemental activity."
"Adaptive biomes?" Atlas murmured, unfamiliar with the term.
Edrik stepped in to clarify. "They're dynamic environments that alter their elemental or physical properties in response to external conditions. Rare, highly unstable, and notoriously difficult to locate."
"Do you think we can find an island like that?"
"Yes," Edrik replied confidently. "If luck is on our side, we can. I'll keep observing the nearby regions. If I spot a floating island or anything that shows potential, I'll report it immediately."
"Good. Thanks."
There were still two critical materials left to address.
Next on the list was Soulthread Weave, an extraordinary magical fiber that binds directly to the user's soul, allowing the armor to adapt its abilities and form seamlessly.
"We can get it by harvesting it from Ethereal Spiders."
Edrik chimed in. "Another massive homework assignment."
"Yeah, but it makes sense," Baldric said. "If we manage to find an adaptive region, there's a good chance we'll encounter these creatures there. Let's hope we're lucky enough to complete the collection."
"Ethereal Spiders," Atlas repeated.
"That's a type of spirit beast," Edrik explained.
Atlas nodded slowly, piecing it together. "Lyrassa is a Nature Spirit, so these spiders must be related to similar entities. Like the spirit beasts summoned by Soren that day?"
"Exactly," Edrik confirmed. "Those were also spirit beasts."
"Understood," Atlas replied.
The final required material was Mana-Infused Leather, essential for providing a flexible yet durable layer that offered both comfort and resilience in combat.
"These come from magically enhanced beasts," Baldric explained.
"Magically enhanced beasts?" Atlas repeated.
Edrik elaborated. "They're creatures that have absorbed elemental or magical energy over time, usually from prolonged exposure to mana-rich environments or natural anomalies. Their hides develop unique properties as a result."
Baldric chuckled, his voice booming. "If we're lucky, we might find some on that volcanic island we talked about earlier, ha ha ha!"
Edrik added thoughtfully. "The next four materials on the blueprint are optional enhancements. But if incorporated, they could add exceptional effects to the armor."
Dragon Scale Shards: Boosts fire resistance and physical strength.
Frost Core: Enhances cold resistance and endurance in icy conditions.
Shadowsteel: Adds stealth capabilities, making the wearer harder to detect.
Stormcore Fragments: Adds chain-lightning effects to attacks and improves resistance to paralyzing effects.
This wasn't just any armor set—it was an extraordinary item, with the potential to become Legendary-grade armor.
If Atlas could focus on harvesting all the required materials, the possibilities were endless. With Baldric's unmatched expertise, the dream of outfitting his entire team with the Soulbinding Armor Set felt closer to reality.
At the very least, he could aim to equip his Elite Subordinates first, ensuring his strongest allies were ready for anything. After that, the most critical troops could follow.
With the discussion concluded and a solid strategy in place, Edrik and Baldric began working together to secure sources for the necessary materials. Their primary focus was locating the adaptive region floating island.
The next four days were a flurry of activity. Atlas and his troops remained dedicated to their training, pushing themselves to unlock their full potential. Their sessions were intense but interspersed with leveling efforts to ensure their strength kept pace with upcoming challenges.
Meanwhile, the queued construction structures were completed, transforming the island's layout into a more fortified and well-organized stronghold. With eight Flame Beacons now fully operational, they had a robust defense system ready to incinerate any enemies that dared to invade.
The Elite Subordinates worked alongside Atlas to devise advanced strategies for the future, planning meticulously for the next four rounds of defense.
Baldric, while taking the time to explore Flare Peak, also diligently worked on adjusting and upgrading the armor of the troops. He infused each piece with runes, enhancing their capabilities where possible. However, there was one significant issue:
Most of the troops, no, but… almost everyone, in fact—hadn't yet developed an elemental affinity. This meant the runes couldn't be optimized to their full potential.
Every Awakener who had reached Level 50, undergone Class Advancement, or even those nearing these milestones could begin cultivating an elemental affinity.
This process was pivotal, as it allowed individuals to significantly enhance their potential. By aligning with an innate element, they could unlock tailored skills, choose artifacts, and utilize other resources designed to complement their elemental strengths.
This synergy between affinity and abilities could lead to exponential growth in power, adaptability, and efficiency.
Damn!
The sheer amount of work ahead felt overwhelming. With so little time, he needed to prioritize carefully. His immediate target became clear: unlocking his own elemental affinity while guiding his team toward achieving theirs.
And so, the Reinforcement Phase came to an end. Atlas once again found himself facing the pivotal decision: choosing one of the four challengers whose attack he would accept on his island.
But this time, as Atlas scanned the faces of his team, he could see it in their eyes—resolve, focus, and readiness.
They were more prepared than ever!