Chapter 45: Stronger Weapons For Everyone
-----
Using Freyja’s help, I let my friends see the detailed information within their evolved weapons.
“Wait, what is this information? Wow, so detailed... But I don’t know how to read too much yet...” Sigrid said. “Still, bigger numbers means it’s better, right?”
“Haha, yeah,” I giggled.
“Now it’s our turn, right?!”
“Can you do the same with our bows?!”
Ulf and Kara were bursting with excitement after seeing what happened with Sigrid’s bow.
“Okay, okay, calm down,” I said. “One at a time, alright?”
The results were as follows:
-----
[Ulf’s Fire Spirit Bow]
[Item Type]: Spirit Weapon, Bow
[Item Grade]: C+ Grade
[Item Requirements]: None
[Item Parameters]: Physical Attack: 4,000 | Magic Attack: 3,000 | Durability: 4,000
[Item Bonuses]: +12% Agility, Dexterity, Mana, Spirit
[Item Skills]: {Fire Spirit Arrow} {Blazing Volley}
[Item Description]: A bow crafted by Ulf, further evolved by her best friend Brunhild.
-----
-----
[Kara’s Fire Spirit Bow]
[Item Type]: Spirit Weapon, Bow
[Item Grade]: C+ Grade
[Item Requirements]: None
[Item Parameters]: Physical Attack: 3,000 | Magic Attack: 4,000 | Durability: 4,000
[Item Bonuses]: +12% Agility, Dexterity, Mana, Spirit
[Item Skills]: {Fire Spirit Arrow} {Giant Flame Shot}
[Item Description]: A bow crafted by Kara, further evolved by her best friend Brunhild.
-----
“Awesome,” Ulf said in disbelief. “This is so cool! They’re like super weapons now.”
“They’re a little different too, right? Mine’s more magical than yours,” said Kara. “And it has this... Giant Flame Shot? Ohoh, that sounds deadly!”
“Yeah,” I nodded. “I cannot really control the exact result of the evolution, but I tried my best, and it seems it worked well enough. I know Ulf has more Strength while Kara has more Magic Power, right?”
“Yeah, these are great,” Ulf said with a nod. “Can’t wait to see what Blazing Volley is!”
Sigrid smiled at her friends and nodded before turning back to me. “I guess with this we can finally fight from afar without worrying you or your family too much.”
“It’s not like that. Once you gain a few more levels, you’ll become much stronger,” I said. “Also, I should probably do the same with your equipment, everyone. Can you give me your weapons?”
Although they didn’t want to bother me, I insisted it was fine. They clearly felt bad about relying on me so much. In the end, they let me proceed. I evolved my father’s axe, my mother and sister’s broadswords, and my brother’s bow. I also modified Krarlak’s clothes into cute fluffy armor to keep him warm and better protected.
His clothes looked as adorable as ever, but now they were secretly packed with stronger defense and protective skills, including one named “Always Warm” to keep our cold-blooded baby comfortable.
-----
[Ragnar’s Burning Beast Axe]
[Item Type]: Magic Weapon, Axe
[Item Grade]: B+ Grade
[Item Requirements]: None
[Item Parameters]: Physical Attack: 10,000 | Magic Attack: 3,000 | Durability: 20,000
[Item Bonuses]: +25% Strength, Vitality, Endurance, Agility, Dexterity, Mana, Spirit
[Item Skills]: {Ragnar’s Fury} {Wrathful Evisceration} {Fire Blast Attack}
[Item Description]: Ragnar’s axe, which he has repaired, polished, and enhanced using magic stones since he was six years of age. Evolved through the divine power of his daughter.
-----
“Incredible, it’s as if they’ve been completely reforged!” my father said. “Are these messages some kind of info?! Look at those numbers! And the Skills too!”
-----
[Frigga’s Magisteel Broadsword]
[Item Type]: Magic Weapon, Broadsword
[Item Grade]: B+ Grade
[Item Requirements]: None
[Item Parameters]: Physical Attack: 9,000 | Magic Attack: 4,000 | Durability: 16,000
[Item Bonuses]: +25% Strength, Vitality, Endurance, Agility, Dexterity, Mana, Spirit
[Item Skills]: {Frigga’s Wrath} {Magic Slash} {Mana Burst}
[Item Description]: Frigga’s broadsword that had accompanied her since she was a child. Evolved through the divine power of her daughter.
-----
“Indeed, it’s amazing,” my mother nodded. “My sword has become even better at storing Mana! I had no idea it had such potential... Thank you, baby.”
-----
[Astrid’s Beast Bone Broadsword]
[Item Type]: Magic Weapon, Broadsword
[Item Grade]: B+ Grade
[Item Requirements]: None
[Item Parameters]: Physical Attack: 11,000 | Magic Attack: 5,000 | Durability: 14,000
[Item Bonuses]: +20% Strength, Vitality, Endurance, Agility, Dexterity, Mana, Spirit
[Item Skills]: {Astrid’s Fury} {Bone Blade Spirit Call} {Bone Blade Spirit Rampage}
[Item Description]: Astrid’s broadsword built using both Magisteel and hard monster bones, capable of tearing through flesh and bone with ease, but has low durability. Evolved through the divine power of her little sister.
-----
“No doubt about it, Brunhild, you did a good job, heheh,” Astrid smirked. “Now watch your big sister slaughter some monsters.”
-----
[Magnus’ Beast Spirit Bow]
[Item Type]: Spirit Weapon, Bow
[Item Grade]: B+ Grade
[Item Requirements]: None
[Item Parameters]: Physical Attack: 6,000 | Magic Attack: 8,000 | Durability: 10,000
[Item Bonuses]: +15% Strength, Agility, Dexterity | +20% Mana, Spirit
[Item Skills]: {Magnus’ Volley} {Elemental Beast Arrow} {Explosive Spirit Arrows}
[Item Description]: Magnus’ bow made of beast parts and enhanced with magic items over the years. Now evolved by the divine power of his sister.
-----
“My bow that I’ve been enhancing with magic stones has suddenly evolved...!” my brother exclaimed in shock. “I never thought I would see the day... Weapon evolutions are so rare. You usually have to pour energy into them for many years.”
“Oh? I had no idea it was a thing,” I said.
“Yeah, that’s through the Ancient Soul Weapon Binding Method,” my father explained. “It’s a special cultivation technique for warriors where they bind their soul with their favorite weapon and nurture a soul within it. After years of fighting, repairing, and improving it, the Soul-Bound Weapon can evolve into a special Soul Treasure. Only the strongest warriors in the bigger barbarian clans have them though...”
“Soul Treasure...” I muttered, thinking about the possibilities. “Sounds incredible... I want that too! Do you think the evolved weapon is one?”
“It has improved drastically, but I don’t feel any soul connection,” my brother said. “So I guess not... sorry.”
“Ah, no, it’s fine,” I nodded. “I guess you will reach that eventually... Now I could probably evolve my own axe, but I’ve already upgraded it plenty earlier. I think I’ll leave it for now and do it later.”
It didn’t take us long to reach our destination. We descended into the frozen swamps, landed, and slowly made our way toward the frozen lake.
“Wow, it’s completely frozen over here, huh?” Astrid wondered, scanning the area with sharp eyes.
“I heard you mention something about Swamplings living here? People?” my mother asked. “What’s that all about?”
“Yes, from what I saw, there are people living in this swamp, but... look, it’s all frozen solid,” I said. “They’re probably hibernating down below. They will suddenly revive once the temperatures rise and the swamp melts.”
“Well, that’s a pity. I wanted to meet them!” Sigrid said.
“Me too. I wonder what they look like?” Kara asked.
“Are they friendly though?” Ulf asked. “If they’re aggressive like the lizardmen, maybe it’s not even worth trying to befriend them...”
“Don’t say that in front of the boy,” I sighed, noticing Krarlak had heard but didn’t fully understand.
“Ah... sorry...” Ulf sighed.
“But you’re not wrong, son. They may be aggressive, aside from the child we’re raising,” my father said. “Do you know anything else about them, Brunhild?”
“I know they’re covered in vines and algae at all times, and they’re like a hybrid between humans and frogs!” I said. “They’re milder mannered than lizardmen but still not very friendly... which is why it’s better to come now while they’re inactive. Anyway, follow me.”
“Is the swamp dungeon even going to be there if the swamp is... you know, frozen?” my sister wondered.
“Calm down and see for yourself,” I smiled. “Dungeons don’t disappear. They just change depending on their environment... And can even become completely different places.”
We reached the center of the frozen lake by walking across its thick ice and arrived at a large frozen mass of roots and trees that led into an underground cave.
“Wooow, what is this place?!” Sigrid gasped.
“Waow!” Krarlak’s voice echoed.
“It’s huge inside!” Ulf said.
“Waaahh!” Kara suddenly tripped and began sliding down. “Heeelp!”
“Kara!”
I jumped toward her and, using the Winged Boots, caught her before she could fall onto the mass of sharp icicles waiting below.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-Yeah... um, what are those?”
“Eh? Ah.”
My eyes widened. We were surrounded by monsters. Specifically, giant eels, catfish, and other fish monsters now covered in hard ice crystal armor. Thanks to the dungeon’s change, the swamp monsters had transformed into tougher ice variants, which promised more EXP and hopefully more Soul Points.
-----
