Chapter 72 | New Weapon & Dog’s Death
[Aiden’s POV]
[What kind of banner do you want to add, Host?]
"Well, according to Codex and my own understanding, my glaring weakness is long distance. So I think it’s time I look for a weapon that can handle my ability. Last one broke after a few uses."
"So please create a Weapon sub-banner under the Resources banner," I suggested.
[Accepting host request for a new sub-banner...]
[– 400 Origin Points]
[Congratulations, Host, on creating a new sub-banner.]
[Would you like to perform a pull under this banner?]
"Is there a way to narrow it down so that I don’t get swords or spears? They won’t suit my fighting style?" I questioned.
[No, Host.]
"Hmm," I exhaled, "let’s try it and wish for the best. I hope I won’t have to spend too many Origin Points."
"Perform a transcendent-rank assured pull," I stated.
[Do you confirm to perform a Transcendent-rank Assured pull on this banner?]
"Yes,"
[Commencing Assured Pull under Weapons Banner...]
[–5000 Origin Points]
As the process of the pull got underway, I just hoped that I wouldn’t get a weapon that’s not suitable or usable by me. I was best in hand-to-hand combat and proficient with the bow and arrow.
However, I also did possess the knowledge and basics of swords and spears. According to the system, I won’t get something I can’t use, mostly.
So technically, I could use a sword and spear, but I would just have to do a complete change in combat style, which I didn’t want, especially now.
As my thoughts ran through multiple scenarios, the process was completed with a translucent rainbow-colored card.
[You have obtained a Transcendent-rank weapon.]
[Would like to check the reward now?]
"The moment of truth, yes," I answered.
– – –
[Name: Gauntlets of the Primordial]
[Rank: Transcendent]
[Type: Weapon (Growth-type)]
[Description: A pair of ancient gauntlets forged in the heart of mana. It allows the host to shape mana or owned affinities into solid constructs, primarily weapons.]
[Core Functions:]
1. Primordial Construct
– Allows the host to create solid constructs using mana or any owned affinity.
– Constructs possess physical mass and durability.
– Strength and stability scale with mana quality and control.
2. Weapon Imprint
– It can form constructs in the shape of any weapon the host understands.
– Weapon performance depends on the host’s combat knowledge and proficiency.
– Complex or unfamiliar weapons require higher mana input.
3. Soul-Bound Manifestation
– The gauntlets are permanently bound to the host’s soul and cannot be stolen, destroyed permanently, or removed by external forces.
– The host may freely switch the gauntlets between visible and invisible states. While invisible, all functions remain fully active.
4. Adaptive Affinity Channel
– It automatically adjusts internal flow to match the host’s active affinity/skill/ability.
– Switching or combining affinities causes no efficiency loss.
5. Flow Authority
– The strength and speed of all constructs and direct attacks scale with mana supplied.
– Higher mana input → increased attack power
– Higher mana flow rate → increased attack speed
– Insufficient mana will result in weaker or slower constructs. There is no fixed limit; performance depends entirely on the host’s capacity.
[Passive Effects:]
1. Construct Stability: Reduces mana loss while maintaining constructs.
2. Form Memory: Recently used weapons/constructs require less mana to recreate.
3. Will-Locked Grip: Constructed weapons cannot be disarmed unless destroyed.
4. Flow Feedback: Provides instinctive feedback on optimal mana input, reducing overextension.
– – –
"Hahaha...Jackpot! You do know the moments to choose system," I cheered.
[Would you like to bind the gauntlets to you, host?]
"Why wait? What do I need to do?"
[Drop your blood on the gauntlet.]
The next moment, the gauntlet appeared in front of me, floating mid-air. The light from them seemed like a mixture of colors too difficult to separate, but together they gave an impossible glow to it.
It looked like it was made of some kind of metal, but I couldn’t even guess. It looked very thin; even if it didn’t have an invisible state, I wouldn’t have minded wearing it all the time.
Its surface was covered with some sort of sigils and runes. They appeared to be carved into the gauntlets while forging the gauntlets.
If I wasn’t short on time, I would spend more time just watching the beautiful piece of creation in front of me; however, I was.
I pricked my finger and let a tiny drop of blood fall on the gauntlet surface. Just as it came into contact with blood, it quaked, and the light shone more brightly.
The next second, the gauntlet suddenly broke into particles of light and attached itself to both of my arms.
I felt something touch my skin but also something deeper, like a bond had been established.
The metal skin on my hands was just a manifestation of the true weapon that had bonded to my soul.
My thoughts ran wild as I thought of the uses to solve my long-distance problem. And this was the most perfect answer to it.
However, before I could put my thoughts into action, a knock on the door broke my attention.
"Master, I have assembled everyone," Damien’s voice reached me.
Opening the gate, I saw everyone’s faces slightly confused and worried. They must have seen the commotion too, especially if the news reached the arena.
"Nice, mister, you beat the bad guy. Yay! Can Felicia fight with you if you fight against someone next time?" Felicia beamed as she settled herself in her comfortable space, my shoulder.
"Are you sure you want to fight? You don’t have to if you don’t want it," I answered, remembering her description.
At the time, my hands were bound and a pirate attack was imminent, but now I had more time to prepare as we reached our destination.
"Yeah, it’s okay. Felicia wants to fight if you are with her. Fighting together with you is fun."
"I freeze, you punch, and bad guys break into little ice boxes hehe..." She gave her reason to fight while looking at me with her big beautiful ice-blue eyes as she floated in front of me.
"Okay, but you have to stay with me, and you can stop whenever you feel like it," I decided. I just couldn’t stop looking into her eyes.
"Master, I would also like to come. I know I am of no use currently, but I would like to be there, and I promise I won’t become a liability," Seraphine pleaded.
"Don’t worry, you can come. We will be taking our boat anyway," I answered.
"Regalia and Donald, do you know any place that is a bit secluded and big enough, like an arena ground?" I questioned.
"There is an open training ground south from here and at about 5 minutes walking distance, Lord Aiden," Regalia answered.
"Okay, you two go to the betting office and see if it’s still open and get my winnings. Even if full payment is not available, bring at least 100 S-rank stones and meet us at the training ground you mentioned," I ordered.
Both bowed their heads and then looked at Damien, likely asking for permission; they didn’t know I was the highest-ranking vampire yet.
"When Master Aiden orders you something, it should supersede any command, even if it was given by me. Now scram," Damien spoke in an authoritative tone.
They left in a hurry. "We will talk about the destination during our travel. Let’s reach this training ground as quickly as possible," I addressed.
Seraphine led the way; I stopped for a second and communicated mentally. ’Damien, finish the job.’
He nodded and simply disappeared while I walked towards the training ground to start our journey to the nearest opened rift.
– – –
[3rd Person POV]
<A Mansion in Roxaban City>
A young man was sitting on the ground with the end side of the bed as a support. The room was in disarray, as many items were broken and scattered across the floor.
Even during the day, there was a darkness in the room that matched the thoughts going inside the defeated young man, Marion Moonken.
"Damn it, damn it! All that preparation and planning gone to waste because I couldn’t defeat a human," he spat on himself.
BAM! He threw a punch in anger, destroying what remained of the lamp post near him.
"The fucking council is always wailing about rules. What if I broke a few rules? How could they let a human become champion in demon land? That’s just pathetic," he sneered.
"If I had won, I could have fulfilled my wish to gain access to the treasury of the Federation and boosted my cultivation further. What would that human ask for besides money or a succubus? Hmm," he spoke, fuming with anger.
"And that damn coward Solkar, always boasting about how he can do this and that. He couldn’t even lift his damn head, a piece of shit. I shouldn’t have trusted that spineless bastard."
"I don’t care what punishment they give me or how long it takes. I would show them their place, just beneath the paws of genius Marion." He vowed as he clenched his fist.
"You made a freaking mistake, human. You should have killed me; just you wait if I don’t make your life a living hell."
"Haha... I would hunt your loved one first, then I would...." A slight distortion in the shadows as his voice was cut off midway, his eyes widened.
The next moment his head rolled down to the floor. His eyes still wide open, the remnant of his consciousness visible in his flickering eyes, like searching for the reason behind this sudden event.
But it was fruitless, as Marion the genius wolf died a dog’s death and didn’t even get to know who killed him.
There in the darkness, two red eyes shone with the silhouette of a man; he spoke few words before disappearing in smoke like he was never there.
"Waste of space."