The Sword's History

Staring at the dwarf's serious expression, Hans realized there must be something off about the sword.

Urs lent it to him in the Gathering and after a few days, Hans didn't have any leisure time to go to an appraising expert.

His schedules were busy and he also kinda forgot it.

"I haven't but I was planning to when I have time." Hans truthfully answered while maintaining a calm tone.

Blacksmith Jack hurriedly rushed towards the front door seemingly making sure that it was locked and no one could break in. He reduced the lights in the ceiling before sealing the barrel bolts for additional protective options.

Hans gently sat on a wooden chair near the fireplace and observed the dwarf staggering movements. Though he appeared calm and collected outside, his body was already prepared for any sudden attacks.

After all, the dwarf's restless actions made him a little suspicious and uncomfortable.

'I just hope he won't murder me here.' Hans thought.

Dwarves are master artisans in the art of blacksmithing. Some of them even have knowledge about engraving runes and adding buffs to their works.

However, because of their dexterity and strength, they were also formidable in battles.

Who knows what Blacksmith Jack could do?

[You're overthinking too much.]

'It's part of survival.'

As soon as Jack was certain that all doors, windows, and any gaps that sounds could escape were sealed, he deeply sighed and sprawled Hans' weapon on the ground.

Wondering what was going on, Hans crossed his arms and asked.

"I'm still confused. What… what's going on?"

"Follow me…" Jack said as he started unlocking a metallic gate hidden beside the fireplace.

"Again?" Hans asked. He stood up and grabbed the sword sprawled on the ground.

In fact, Hans knew this wasn't his weapon at all. However, its quality won't go below S-rank in his estimate so this type of weapon is like gold in his eyes.

The dwarf who was still unsealing the door stopped and turned towards Hans.

"You knew?"

His eyes sharpened. The moment Hans arrived and claimed the sword, he quickly switched it, trying to test if this guy is even worthy of possessing such a priceless sword.

"From the start. Why did you do that?"

"Greed." Jack nonchalantly said.

"I see…" Hans shook his head and suppressed the urge to smack this dwarf.

Click—!

Shrumm—

The metal door opened with a thud.

Jack entered and Hans followed suit.

'It's even hotter here.' Hans thought.

If put into numbers, the temperature in this dark place should be around 200 degrees Celsius.

Of course, that's not the exact number.

What's more, the temperature rose even further as they stepped towards the staircase.

Flick—!

Jack opened the lights and said, "This is my most private workplace. This is where I placed my greatest works."

As they descended the staircase leading to another smithy, Hans could see all equipment brilliantly shimmering in golden glitters.

They are rowed in a glass case and hung on the walls. Accessories like necklaces, rings, and many others were kept inside a special wooden box which was displayed near a large collection of extremely rare raw materials.

Hans felt a sense of familiarity with some of them. Perhaps, his subconscious is recognizing them from his million lives but doesn't have the ability to remember them.

'What a sight to see.'

[Damn, this old dwarf is rich af.]

Unlike the items displayed he saw earlier, the items here were in a league of their own.

Swords, spear, scythe, bow, glaive, ax, hammer, mallet, and other weird-looking weapons are all here. Hans could even see a sniper rifle in a dark corner.

'They are all SS-rank items.'

If not for the skillful control of his emotions, he might have robbed this dwarf and already ran away.

These equipment aren't items that could be found in today's Earth generation. These items could only be mined in the future after numerous raids and relic research.

For the blacksmiths of Earth, it might probably take several breakthroughs in metallurgy before they could even try to make these kinds of items.

'Jack huh?'

A blacksmith with this skill shouldn't be unknown unless he's hiding from the spotlight.

"Your weapon is there. To be honest, I quite like having it displayed there."

Jack stopped in his tracks and pointed towards a twin pillar across each other with Hans' weapon floating in the center.

It was an ordinary-looking sword with a black hilt and handguard. However, its blade was tinted in a deep purple that made one even think what material the blade was made of.

Even then, although its appearance looks appealing, the sharpness it's exuding was rather ordinary. In just one glance, one couldn't really tell if it was special or not.

But just like the old saying, 'Looks can be deceiving', this sword might not be ordinary at all.

"First and foremost, the sword's name is Arondight."

At that moment, as if the sword heard someone calling him, it floated towards Jack.

Grab—

Jack grabbed the sword and handed it to Hans carefully.

Hans received the sword and inspected its appearance. Aside from a few scratches, the sword remains the same with no marks of altering.

However, it seemed like the sword was heavier than what he could previously remember. For Hans, it doesn't really matter as long as he could wield it perfectly.

"Arondight huh?" Hans muttered as he gently caressed the scabbard. He looked at Jack and asked, "...like Sir Lancelot's sword in the Arthurian Legend?"

Back on Earth, the Arthurian Legend isn't even a legend anymore after the existence of Merlin's tomb was released to the public. What's more, some books were found there having journals of Merlin the mage and his adventures.

Some parts in there mentioned the Knights of the Round Table.

'Didn't Urs help the UK a few years ago?'

This might be the only explanation he could come up with as to how Urs got this sword.

"No, not 'like', 'that' is his sword." Jack said as he put stress on some words.

As Hans inspected the sword, information about it was presented to his eye.

[Arondight (SS)

Description: One of the Legendary swords of King Arthur's reign. It was wielded by one of his trusted knights, Lancelot. It has a black hilt and handguard and its blade has a deep shade of purple.

Status: Half-Awakened

Owner: Sir Lancelot (Previous)

Horus Hassan (Previous)

Hans Luther (Current)]

"If you want to see more of its description, you have to find a master appraiser but they are quite rare these days so it might take time for you to find one." Jack said.

Hans closed the screen and placed the sword on his right hip.

"It's fine. At least, I know what sword I'm using and its history. I feel like I took a step forward in my understanding with swords." Hans calmly said.

The two went out of the kitchen for some tea and converse more about the sword. According to Jack, the blades were chipped so he had to repair its sides.

Fortunately, Jack didn't ask for payment but instead just offered his gratitude to Hans for making him witness such a finely crafted blade.

Of course, before leaving Hans didn't forget to try the weapon.

He rested his hand on the hilt and…

Shing—!

Hans pulled the sword out of its scabbard. The deep purple blade showed off its intricate designs as the rays of light shone on it.

The previously chipped edges were already repaired, without even signs of it being repaired.

'Jack's truly a one of a kind blacksmith.'

Slash—

Hans threw a paper crumpled in a ball and slashed it with one stroke. The blade swished through the paper like it didn't even exist.

Tap—, tap—

The paper was cleanly cut in half and fell to the ground. Not satisfied with his test, Hans took a mana stone from his storage pouch and threw it in the air.

Slash—, slash—

Thud—, thud—

Before the mana stone fell with a thud, it was cut into 3 pieces in mid-air. Finally, a satisfied smile surfaced on his lips.

"It's not much different but I feel like your stronger Arondight."

Even without using magic, it managed to cut through the high-quality mana stone like soft tofu.

Shrumm—

The purple sword trembled in response.

Seeing the sword as if it was alive, Hans smiled, "Let's take care of each other in the future then."

At that moment, Hans' system screen flashed into his eye.

[Sword proficiency increased by 10%]

His understanding of swords grew further. Additionally, his sword skill, 'Constantine Sword Style' also grew in proficiency and already reached 77.2%.

At the speed rate of his sword proficiency, it might not take a long time before it reaches 100%.

'Regardless, I still have a long way to go.'

Hans picks up the trash he made before he sheathed the sword back into its scabbard. Now that Arondight is Half-Awakened, his strength even grew further.

"Now that you got your sword, leave. I still have a lot of work lined up."

Jack took a sip of a beer and stared at Hans.

"Uhm, thank you, uncle."

"Who's your uncle? Get lost! Don't think about robbing those items around."

As Hans turned around to leave, he asked for some directions.

"Do you know where I could buy alive beasts?"

Jack stopped and held his chin, "Then go to the black market. It's in…"

Jack started explaining the complex ways to get to the black market.

After a short exchange of words, Jack led Hans back to the surface, and eventually, Hans left the smithy. As his figure appeared outside, Hans took off towards the uncrowded streets.

Confirming no one noticed, Hans immediately went to the place called the black market.

Before going back to the Harisan Empire, he needed to do something first.

.........

8:42 am.

Hans appeared in front of a place that, unlike the village market, wasn't overcrowded. The atmosphere is dreary and every once in a while, the wails of creatures could be heard from afar.

'Jack said it's here.'

Arriving at a dimly lit place, Hans swept his gaze around. Cages containing monsters inside were displayed in a row and some buyers wearing robes got to have their picks.

Walking forward, Hans saw various monster hybrids he didn't even know exist. Even then, he's not really here to find an exotic one.

Any of these is fine.

In the end, Hans picked a small slime, the size of an average-size melon. Not only it wasn't aggressive but also didn't have a trace of killing intent.

Still, Slimes aren't the weakest monster out there.

Even then, a regular human could probably kill them using a regular Awakened weapon.

However, holding it barehanded made him uncomfortable. The slime in his hand continuously absorbed his mana like it was some orange juice.

Swish—, Swish—

Hans leaped through houses until he sneakily arrived in front of the inn. The slime on his hand was now covered to prevent others from being startled and also to prevent unwanted attention.

The moment he entered the room, his eyes saw Gab practicing.

"Did you get your swords?" Gab asked as he hacked the scythe in the air.

Hans didn't answer and just tapped the sword hanging on his waist. He placed the slime on the table and watched it move around like a snake.

"Alright, that's enough."

At that moment.

Shing—

Swish—

Hans unsheathed the sword and slashed the slime in half, immediately killing it. Gab turned his head towards Hans and tilted his head.

'I thought he bought a pet, why did he kill it?'

Although confused, Gab just shrugged his shoulders. It's not like it's his business anyways.

Meanwhile, Hans flopped down on the bed and stared at the floating screen in front of him.

A smile bloomed on his lips.

[You have killed a slime.]

[Do you wish to plunder the skill, 'Physical Attack Resistance (E)'?]

[Yes / No.]

After picking yes, another system message rang in his head.

[Your race, ???, have reached 30%.]

[Reconstructing…]

[Altering…]

[Evolution requirements met. Do you wish to proceed?

Yes / No

Warning: The process will last for a day. At this period, all skills or traits related to your race will be locked.]

'Yes.' Hans inwardly said without hesitation.

Shrummm—

An unknown energy deep inside his blood exploded.

[Evolution Commences…]