CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED FIFTY-FIVE

New Threads Fit for Demigods, Part 2

ITEM: Armor of the Odyssey QUALITY: Unique TYPE: Chest Armor DESCRPITION: Armor made for the Apollonian Guard and reforged with the Nemean Lion’s Fur is meant for one who would challenge ancient myths and become a legend that will rise to the heights of the constellations. BOON/S: All stats +1, increases defensive rating the lower your health becomes with a maximum of 20% at critical levels, increases HP by 10%, increases speed when attacking at full health, passive ability [Impenetrable], passive ability [Uncuttable], passive ability [Elemental Ward], passive ability [Indomitable] POWER: Impenetrable LEVEL: Alpha (α) DESCRIPTION: This ability makes the [Armor of the Odyssey] impossible to pierce through. However, the hero will still take reduced impact damage from piercing attacks with high thrust power. Impenetrable will affect the entire body when the complete armor set is equipped. POWER: Uncuttable LEVEL: Alpha (α) DESCRIPTION: This ability makes the [Armor of the Odyssey] impervious to cuts. However, the hero may still receive reduced impact damage from cutting attacks made with strong force and speed. Uncuttable will affect the entire body when the complete armor set is equipped. POWER: Elemental Ward LEVEL: Beta (β) DESCRIPTION: This ability makes the [Armor of the Odyssey] highly resistant to elemental damage. A portion of damage taken may also be absorbed and then transfigured into added life force. Absorption rate grows with complete armor set equipped. POWER: Indomitable LEVEL: Alpha (α) DESCRIPTION: With this ability, the hero has a low chance of surviving a death blow once per long rest. Chance for ability activation will grow with complete armor set equipped.

“It’s got a unique rating,” Sam said in surprise.

He wasn’t complaining or anything, but he was hoping that a myth-rated material like the Nemean Lion’s Fur would give his armor a similar mythical rating too. Sam’s disappointment would be short-lived though after Mr. Moonday explained the significance of unique-rated gear.

“Considering who your master is, I’m not even surprised anymore that your ability to inspect items is at such a high level,” Mr. Moonday smiled genially. “I assume you’ve also checked the status of your other equipment?”

“Yes.”

“And the Mask of the Argonaut, what rating did your inspection give it?”

“It’s got a unique rating too.”

“And do you know what makes it different from a legendary relic like Gram?”

It took Sam a second or two, but he eventually saw where Mr. Moonday was going with his inquiries.

“The Mask of the Argonaut’s got more abilities I can unlock.” Then he frowned. “Gram’s kind of like that too though. I can unlock its full power when I’ve grown stronger.”

“Unlock its full power,” Mr. Moonday repeated. “Meaning Gram can’t grow with you as its final state is already set, right?”

“Hold on, you’re saying unique-rated equipment can get stronger over time?” Thunder asked.

Mr. Moonday nodded. “It’ll depend on your rate of attunement, but essentially, as your stars shine ever brighter, the potential of unique-rated equipment grows with you… To myth and legend, some might say.”

To test Mr. Moonday’s theory, Sam inspected his Mask of the Argonaut once more and discovered [Rate of Attunement: [22.5%]] at the bottom of the item’s description.

“Whoa, I didn’t notice that until now,” Sam whistled.

“Do I also…” Thunder began, but Mr. Moonday was way ahead of her. “Every piece in the ‘Set of the Bright Lady’ is also unique-rated just like the ‘Hero of the Odyssey’ set. The items I’m making for Farsight, Jackboot, and Dr. Hearthstone will also share this same boon when I’ve completed them.”

“Every piece?” Sam repeated, sounding surprised. He glanced back at the male mannequin and belatedly noticed that each piece of his new suit now came with its own stats. “Whoa…”

In addition to the cuirass, Sam’s new armor included leather shoulder pauldrons. The right pauldron had a simple round shape with a short lining of black fur while the left pauldron had bronze plating shaped into a lion’s head over its dark blue leather.

ITEM: Lion’s Pride QUALITY: Unique TYPE: Shoulder Armor DESCRPITION: The soul of a lion still beats within these pauldrons that are meant to help a hero carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. BOON/S: 10% increased attack damage, new ability [Lion Roar], the hero will never again be caught off guard from rear attacks, nullifying backstab damage. POWER: Lion Roar LEVEL: Gamma (Γ) DESCRIPTION: A lion’s roar emanates from your pauldrons, spreading up to a ten-meter circle around you. This roar spreads fear into the hearts of your foes, leaving them panicked, while also giving your allies the strength to fight harder. It can be used once per short rest. [Damage bonus: 10%, Defense Bonus: 10%

Sam’s new bracers resembled his old bronze-plated leather bracers and still carried the mechanisms that powered his grappling hooks. Their bronze plates were shinier now though, and there was just a bit of black fur lining the top end of each bracer.

ITEM: Brave One’s Bracers QUALITY: Unique TYPE: Hand Armor DESCRPITION: A lion cannot fly, but its leap will prove mighty indeed. BOON/S: New ability [Grappling Chain], 10% increased attack speed, 10% increased critical chance, 10% increased hit rate. POWER: Grappling Chain LEVEL: Gamma (Γ) DESCRIPTION: The Arachne Spider Silk attached to the hook has been reinforced with thread from the Golden Silk Worm, giving it a five-hundred-pound test monofilament and doubling its maximum length to thirty yards. With its new capabilities, the hero can now use the hook as a weapon that pierces enemies from a distance to draw them within striking range of a melee attack. [Can pull any enemy with a weight limit of five hundred pounds toward you from a distance of up to ten yards.

That increased hit rate’s something you’re in desperate need of, kid, Chiron chuckled. To which Sam replied, Why don’t you go back to hiding from Mr. Moonday.

I don’t hide from anyone, wise guy, Chiron neighed in annoyance.

Like Thunder, Sam also got a pair of dark blue leather boots with adjustable bronze greaves that matched the motif of the rest of his new suit.

ITEM: Mighty Hunter’s Boots QUALITY: Unique TYPE: Leg Armor DESCRPITION: These boots belong to a hunter in pursuit of prey far greater than any ever felled. BOON/S: 10% Increased movement speed when in full health, increased dodge speed against frontal attacks, new ability [Mighty Step], increases SP by 10%. POWER: Mighty Step LEVEL: Gamma (Γ) DESCRIPTION: A hero’s mighty stomp cracks open the earth with a shockwave that batters enemies caught in its path, leaving those who cannot resist knocked down for a short period. [BOONS: Increased damage to targets that are knocked down.]

It was the belt on the mannequin’s waist that caught Sam’s attention the most though as it shone with a brilliance that none of his other new gear possessed.

“You got rid of my old utility belt?” Sam couldn’t help sound just a little sad. He loved that belt.

Seriously, there’s a bonafide relic in front of you and that frayed old belt is what you’re concerned with? Chiron commented.

“I didn’t throw it away…” Mr. Moonday sounded almost uncomfortable. “That is your old utility belt, Mr. Shepard.”

Sam cocked his head in confusion “I’m sorry… did you say this was my original belt?”

Mr. Moonday nodded, and Sam couldn’t detect a hint of sarcasm in his expression.

His gaze focused on the new belt that looked nothing like his old belt. It was made of a combination of shiny bronze and dark leather and was twice as thick as the previous one. The many pouches attached to the belt were gone too. They’d been replaced by these round nodes that were about the size of a silver dollar.

Out of curiosity, Sam pressed on the node to the left of the belt’s round buckle. A second later, Gram materialized in Sam’s hand as if he’d been holding the sword this whole time.

“Whoa,” Sam breathed, to which Thunder added, “Okay, a belt with its own artificial storage space is pretty cool.”

“I believe that’s not all it can do,” Mr. Moonday supplied.

ITEM: Belt of the Heraclid QUALITY: Mythical TYPE: Belt Accessory DESCRPITION: A tool that had once been worn by the Olympian God of Strength that helped him carry the spoils and burdens of his many mortal adventures. This belt was one of the treasures passed down to his descendants, but its powers were sealed by the centaur Chiron at the god’s behest until one chosen to carry his legacy arrived in a time of great need to take on the duty that cannot be forsworn. BOON/S: Strength +100, new ability [Adamant], 50 pounds of extradimensional storage space per storage node not exceeding a total capacity of 500 pounds. Number of nodes: 10. POWER: Adamant LEVEL: Alpha (α) DESCRIPTION: One must have trained hard to earn the right to wear this belt of myth, and now the hero knows how to make the most of whatever armor they’re wearing, increasing armor rating by 10% with a low chance of activating [Invulnerability] for 3 seconds when receiving continuous damage. This ability can activate once every long rest.

Sam shared this information out loud with both Thunder and Mr. Moonday, but he faltered at the end because a lump had grown in his throat.

The old utility belt he’d worn throughout his days as a failed hero was the one item to survive among his father’s gear when Steven had died. It’s why the belt was so precious to Sam. What he didn’t know until now was that Peacemaker’s belt must have been a gift from Sam’s mother as it was Adele’s family that belonged to the line of Hercules.

She didn’t know its significance… or maybe she did and she gave it to him anyway, Sam guessed.

“Chiron,” Sam whispered. “You…”

Sorry, kid, but I promised Hercules I’d keep his relics safe until someone worthy came along, and I already messed that up with the damned lion’s fur and that stupid club. Not to mention the bow, spear, and greatsword which are all missing somewhere in this mortal realm, Chiron sighed. I had to be sure you were the one worthy of his legacy… and I honestly didn’t know it would be you until he promised to send you one of your family’s relics. I knew then that the belt was yours, and so I unlocked its powers before Moonday could tamper with it.

“I… I’m not mad. I just wish I’d known sooner…” Sam’s fingers brushed against the belt’s shiny buckle.

“Are you okay?” Thunder asked.

“It’s not just dad’s legacy… It’s mom’s too,” Sam said.

He didn’t bother explaining it in full to her. Thunder didn’t need one to understand Sam’s feelings nowadays. She’d become more attuned to him. Probably since the moment they’d shared their kiss. Or maybe even before that. Back when Sam caught a glimpse of her inner self while he healed Thunder from the Blight.

“It’s your legacy now too,” Thunder said.

She wrapped an arm over Sam’s shoulder, and they just stood there for a long while until their bittersweet moment was broken by Sam’s ring tone, which, to his embarrassment, was the theme song from Thunder’s last sneaker commercial.

“I knew you were a fan, Sam, but…” she gave him a teasing look.

Sam was too embarrassed to stare back though. Luckily, the name on the caller ID was enough to distract him. It read ‘Marie Shepard’.

“Why’s she calling now?” he wondered.

“Better question.” Thunder turned her eye on Mr. Moonday. “How do you have reception down here?”

“Who do you think I am?” he asked, chuckling afterward. “Best take her call now, Mr. Shepard. I know from experience that Marie hates to be kept waiting.”

Sam placed the smartphone to his ears. “Hello?”

“Are you done with your fitting?” Marie asked, her tone serious. “Well, better get ready fast, Samuel. I told you I would find them, and I have.”

Sam nearly dropped the phone from surprise.

“Y-you found them? A-already?” he sputtered. “It hasn’t even been an hour yet!”

“As I’ve said before, this is my city, and my little birds are everywhere,” Sam could hear the confidence in Marie’s voice. “It’s time for Herculean to suit up.”