Nexus Awakened (An Isekai LitRPG Gender Bender Story)

The next object of interest belonged to Res. It was a conducting wand shaped like a paintbrush. Its length was encased in five golden rings which floated in place and followed the wand as if they were locked in space.

This was the first object Frost plucked from the table. Thankfully, Enoch didn’t seem to mind that Frost had ruined her arrangement. Kissaria on the other hand, frowned since when she did this, she received an hour-long monologue from Enoch.

“Res’ original Atelier Item was the Atelier Lens. Samyaza – the Artificer of Alteration – altered it to become the inverse of what it was originally. She used it to shield her eyes from the colors of the world. Now, she has the power to force people to see the world in both the ugly and the beautiful.”

< EFFECT: Tear down the veils that your target sees the world through. Alternatively, you may construct a veil to blind them of certain colors of the world >

< ADDITIONAL EFFECT: Shapeshift the weapon into alternate forms >

< ATELIER EFFECTS >

< The Amalgam: Reverberating Toll | Significantly increases its potency. ATT and MAG ATT stats are dramatically increased >

< CogitO: CognitO Filter | Amplify the effects of Uncensored >

< Inflow Direct: One for All | Upon taking damage from an opponent’s Skill/Magic, transform it into a liquid state. It becomes usable as a [Medium]. Inflict [Mana Drain] onto the target >

< Oboros Infinitas: Nex Accumulation | Accumulate environmental Nex >

< CORRUPTED EFFECTS >

< CENSORED: Surgical Administration | Strip the target of a selected organ. If the target fails to heal within 52 hours, then they permanently lose the organ >

< S.C.E.N.T.E.D Thoughts: Scented Propagation | Impose your presence into the mind of those who breathe your scent. It will alter their sense of reality >

< Black Dahlia: Colors of the World | When a target’s sanity is brought low, reveal the colors of the world they desperately avoid >

< Asterism: Stardust | Paintings apply [Stardust] stacks to allies. [Stardust] grants additional health regeneration and Overheal >

The weapon ejected a silver liquid at a thought. It had a slime-like consistency and hung suspended in the air before whipping into the shape of a gladius. It melted again and transformed into a sword, then a polearm, a bow and arrow, and even a shield.

This weapon heavily utilized her blood. Mixed within were metal powders as well as liquid mercury. Frost’s blood was an unbelievable medium that allowed materials that should not mix well to blend like instant coffee and boiling water.

Any temperature or voltage changes caused the item to hold a specific shape. But when it was left at room temperature, then it returned to a suspended liquid state. It was another weapon Joy was not fond of despite it having defensive capabilities. She could never get used to how it constantly altered her center of gravity.

Frost placed it down precisely how it was arranged before moving to the next item.

The next item was not an Atelier Item, but was a personalized item created by Frost for a friend who already possessed an Atelier Item. This was Nav, of course. She was still fond of the cupcakes so there was no need to replace them.

Lying in front of Frost was a childish pin. It was a chibi version of Nav’s face which held a neutral expression. But when it was worn, the expression could change to reflect how the user felt, albeit inaccurately. It used liquid metal-blood technology to smoothly animate the pin, which was suspended in a transparent layer of fascia and glass.

This device was also the first time Frost dabbled in infusing magic into an object. Reverberating Toll allowed her to create an Amplification Crystal containing [Light Barrier] and [Protection Ward].

The pin was tiny, so the effect was not as strong. This was where another dozen fist-sized Amplification Crystals infused with similar magic came into play. They were going to be attached to Nav’s apparel, likely at the hem of her skirt. That way, she would have up to six layers of [Light Barrier] and another six of [Protection Ward].

“She can’t use a weapon well. Defense is the best call for her.”

“Even I know my weaknesses. I hope they will not weigh me down.”

9.8 Quants of Gravity will keep it light.

This item was the one that fascinated Joy the most. She loved the concept of barriers, and some of her fondest memories of Frost was the lingering warmth she left after placing a [Protection Ward] to protect her.

But at the same time, Joy wanted something offensive. A weapon, but also a shield. After days of back and forth with Joy, Frost eventually landed on the item that sat beside Nav’s.

The weapon was an arrangement of twelve bladeless sword handles. Embedded into the center of each handle was an Amplification Crystal. At first glance, one may believe it to be an incomplete set of items and may even reach to pick one up.

But that would be a mistake. If one were to reach anywhere near those handles, then they’d lose their hand. In the best case, they’d only be repelled.

Indeed, Joy’s items weaponized barrier magic. The blades were invisible to the naked eye. Not only that, but they could also assume a shield-like form. Joy had twelve hidden arms that she could sprout out to assist her.

In dire situations, she could create a testudo formation using the shields to protect her against all incoming attacks.

Alternatively, the barriers could also be used to crush targets.

When the barriers did make contact with something, they would reveal their black, flame-like form.

“The Joyful Morning… because none of us could come up with a better name.”

“Gam!” Joy hopped on her toes, her eyes dazzling as her ears flapped.

Needless to say, she adored the name.

It didn’t have any special effects. Its function was kept simple, since it would end up becoming too bulky if they added Atelier items, let alone Corrupted Material.

In any case, Frost’s Aspects of Technology could make up for what this weapon lacked.

The next few items were more or less gifts she had prepared for many more. They were not as elaborate as the others but were certainly not less valuable. She skimmed through them until she arrived at a long hairpin which had a beautiful, sapphire-encrusted butterfly on one end.

“I was curious as to who this belonged to. I never received a name.” Enoch asked.

“It’s for a girl I like to consider a sister than a friend.” Frost vaguely said, not wanting to reveal who this person was. “It’s the most peculiar of the bunch. It doesn’t have anything else added. It’s a regular Atelier Item, huh.”

< EFFECT: When used against a specific target, it will bypass every defense and reach its target, no matter what, to deal a sliver of physical damage. May it be enough to cast them from paradise >

The Effect was ominous. If she was a paranoid person, then she’d believe this was referring to her.

But she knew in her heart that this could only be referring to one person.

“This will be kept in the Floor of Judgement, right next to the miniaturized Icon of Judgement. It’s nothing like Longinus. But I’ve seen enough miracles come true to believe in its potential.”

“Longinus?” Kissaria raised a brow. “Now where have I… Nah. Never heard of it. We done here?”

Frost moved to the last few items. These belonged to none other than Frost and Jury. Among them was a container that held the item Jury had been working on for the last fifty days. It was a small, simple wooden box that Frost had nearly mistaken for a music box.

Jury had repeatedly urged her to not open it or inspect it until dinner time. Why dinner? Frost had an idea. If history served her well, then it was likely a certain type of device that could only be used in private.

But given that Jury was so secretive about it said otherwise.