CHAPTER 530

FLAMES OF DESTRUCTION (I)

Lino held onto the hammer tightly, his breathing even and calm. Incandescent fire churned and boiled inside the furnace, its golden sheen cascading along the ridges of the stoned walls. The heat it exuded was nigh impossible to bear for anyone except Lino since it was the fire he himself had created – [Divine Flames]. The flames were so strong they escaped the framework of Noterra’s levels and reached the so-called Cosmic Frame. Though weakest still there, the concept of mythical flames was far more corrupt, making the [Divine Flames] unparalleled in a way. Being Tier 0, far from the potential height of Tier 9, was more than enough for current Lino.

They could melt and purify every material that Lino was aware of, and as Ion's campaign was slowly coming to a close, the number of materials that were being sent back to the Empyrion was beyond measure. The Empire's treasury was expanded at least ten times in the past month, yet it was still inadequate in size to contain everything. Lino plundered only the best, ready to create the best.

He grabbed the blazing steel beneath his fingers tightly; the fires that could melt through the reality itself sizzled and wept underneath his pressure. One strike. Two strikes. Three. Four. The hammer in his hands descended time and again, perfectly aiming at the precise points of pressure, slowly molding the strongest steel possible on Noterra – [Divine Steel]. The nigh-indestructible steel slowly bent under his will, each strike of the hammer shaping it into a stainless blade.

The Edge and the Slayer were both indispensable tools, but that was only within the confines of Noterra. Beyond, they carried little weight. He would never leave them; rather, both always remained either in his void world or at his person, but the sentimentality couldn’t blind him. He needed something bigger, something better, something that transcended the limits of this small world.

Pouring the heated blade into the barrel of water, he began heating it up again. He had already been at it for nearly five days, but the progress was visible. It shouldn’t be too long before the first part was done.

Unlike before, where he mixed all kinds and sorts of supportive materials, he didn’t add anything to the [Divine Steel]. While the options will probably be limited, the raw strength of the sword born of its pure origins would overwhelm the shortcomings.

He settled on a simple design, extending the blade to be roughly a meter and a half in length, no wider than three fingers, three and a half centimeters thick. At first glance, it would seem no more extraordinary than the common swords found in every army in the world. It was fine; the blade was meant to kill, rather than to be an ornament. Eggor’s teachings never left him, though his instinct still wished he would decorate the blade at least a bit. Uhm, there’s… right, there’s nothing wrong with adding a tiny bit of a personal touch. I’ll make the guard slightly eye-catchy…

The sounds of the hammering echoed throughout the small smithy. Sweat gripped tightly at Lino's skin, dripping like a river. His black eyes glistened in the momentum of joy, of the rekindled fire in his heart. Each time he took a swing with his hammer, his muscles tensed and relaxed, bulging, as though reborn with new vigor.

You will be a protector…

His mind whispered to the blade yet to be born, the blood in his veins trailing from his heart to his fingertips, embodying the blade with the will of its maker.

Yet you will shed blood beyond measure…

Each strike hummed, forming a melodic symphony that echoed against the awoken walls, the song that would never be heard outside this small room.

The burden will be great…

As though responding to his will, the blade cried out with each strike; it wasn’t a cry of pain, but the cry of resonance.

So great even I can’t imagine it…

The fire raged stronger, the elements combining beneath the might of the hammer. It was a completely ordinary hammer, made out of purified iron, yet, at the moment, it seemed to have the capacity to craft the world itself.

But you won’t crumble…

The sparks flew out like fireflies, crackling and chuckling during their flash-in-the-pan existence.

Because you are a protector…

The pieces started coming together as the blade, the guard and the handle slowly became one beneath the gaze of their maker.

You are bigger than pain…

The resolute cry shook the room as the [Divine Flames] swept over it, seemingly baptizing the newly-born creature.

Bigger than this old man’s regrets…

Topless Lino held onto the blade tightly, his eyes emotional. Slightly grayed hair fluttered in the invisible wind, wrinkles on his face relaxing.

Bigger than the world itself…

A pillar of light flashed brilliantly across the room as the sword lifted itself from Lino’s grip, floating holistically in front of him for a moment.

[Divine Blade of Protection – Soul Artifact]

Special Effect [Absolute Protection] – will block 3 attacks in succession regardless of their strength; if the attacks overwhelm the sword’s Ego, it will enter forced slumber for a week

Special Effect [Absolute Defiance] – born of the strongest Will, sword's Ego is indomitable; it will never crumble, no matter the obstacle

Special Effect [Will of the Maker] – the sword inherited its Maker’s stats; so long as it’s wielded by the Maker, it doubles the Maker’s prowess

Special Effect [Indominable Ego] – the sword’s Ego will never serve another besides its Maker; so long as the Maker lives, so will the sword

Special Effect [The Protector] – the Ego is sensitive to the threat toward its Maker; it will disregard all orders if the Maker’s life is threatened

Special Effect [Divine Will] – the sword purifies either the targeted area or up to 10 billion individuals, removing all negative effects imposed

Special Effect [Dissever] – though a Protector, it is a child of the Destroyer; the sword's Ego has an inherent capacity of disregarding limitations of reality, striking anywhere at any time within the Maker's field of view; each strike has a high chance of severing the target's Will temporarily

Note: We are Eternal… Father…

Lino stared at the sword kindly, his lips curling up into a smile. The sword floated around Lino on its own. It was perfect, just as Lino imagined it being. An ordinary-looking blade will be his companion until the end of his life, however long or short it may be.

Grasping at the handle, Lino chuckled as he swung it around a few times. It felt perfect, as though it was an extension of his being.

“Hm, wait a second now,” Lino said, letting the sword float next to him. “I’ve gotta create a few brothers and sisters for you. I can’t have you feeling lonesome.”

Lino, once again, began shuffling through the materials. What kind of armor did he want? It was hard to decide. He was incomparably difficult to kill, but it didn't mean he was invincible; the largest problem would be if the other side had a way to prevent his regenerative properties since that's where the majority of his survival was invested. If he failed to keep up with the rate of inflicted wounds, not only would he have to focus more on healing the wounds, but he'd also be put in a passive position which would be a death sentence.

In the first place, Lino was hardly a defender. Rather than taking hits on directly, he preferred dodging or parrying. Because of this, he knew the armor couldn’t be cumbersome; it had to be fitting, but also loose enough for him to move his limbs at will and at any angle. In addition, it would have to sustain the pressure akin to the singularity’s direct pull during the direct confrontations. His idea for the sword was simple since he had a clear vision of what he wanted out of the sword. With armor, however, it was different. If it would slow him down, he’d rather fight with his flesh.

“Hmm…” he grumbled as he sat onto the stool, stroking his ever-graying beard. His gaze dulled slightly as he began thinking, recalling Ella’s armor. It felt like it was the extension of her, but in a different way from my sword, his thoughts raced, like it’s a part of her skin. That’s a wrong way to go about it, however, he shook his head, limitations would be too grave. Despite the stats, I can easily damage her if she takes a direct hit. The more I think about it, the more it seems it was built to project dignity rather than to provide protection.

He didn’t intend to rely on vanity when it came to crafting the armor, which is precisely why he was so indecisive. Armguards are out of question, he quickly concluded. Breastplate can be full, but limited in depth, while I can make leggings somewhat cumbersome halfway down my thighs. Shoulder-pads… hmm, too tricky. Even if I thin them out, I have to restrict the full area of my arm’s movement too much.

Lino got up from the stool and started pacing around the small smithy, humming all along. One-piece? It is feasible. I can fashion conduits in the form of a belt, and lessen the burden around the collarbone, turning it into ordinary wraps around the shoulder. I won’t be able to connect it as a neck-guard, but it is unnecessary. It would be too obtrusive anyway, just like the helmet. Rather than focusing on the direct protection, he slowly sat back down and took out several dozen parchments, ink, and a quill, I should make it so that the strikes easily slide off. The problem is that too large of a burden will easily crack it, but I can deal with it. It will be in charge of dealing with the smaller strikes anyway.

His fingers slowly traced straight and curvy lines along the rugged canvas of the parchment, cleanly depicting a few potential designs. There’s no need to make it in one piece then, however. It will just burden the internal framework too much and make the durability even worse. The belt can be independent, while the breastplate’s focus should be more on the back rather than the front. I’ll shave some weight off from the front to make the back more durable. As I thought, I’ll have to use some simple cloth armor with attributes for the other exposed parts. It will tear quickly, but the cloth’s effect should persist so long as it’s not destroyed completely.

As he repeatedly broke down the designs and rebuilt them, he slowly settled on the final concept. It will take some time… he thought, stretching. But, it will be worth it.