"I didn't do anything! The naginata just suddenly ranked up all on its own!"

Seronia says "What do you mean by ranked up?"

"It went from a minor artifact to a lesser artifact."

Seronia says "That shouldn't be possible! Are you playing with divine power again?"

"No! I swear I didn't do anything!"

Seronia says "Then what have you been doing?"

"All I have been doing lately is hunting shadow demons."

Seronia says "Using the artifact? Didn't it say something about absorbing ranks?"

"Yeah, it added damage for every rank of demon killed."

Seronia says "And just how many shadow demons did you kill with it?"

"Um, around two hundred or so, I think."

Seronia says "That many? That is a lot of power, maybe that's why it evolved. I am not sure, all I really know is strange things always happen around you."

"So, is it safe to keep using it?"

Seronia says "It should be, it's still a Holy item after all."

"What if it continues to evolve?"

Seronia says "As long as it remains Holy, then it getting stronger should be a benefit. Just make sure not to lose it or let it get corrupted."

"Alright, thanks. I will be careful."

Reassured that I'm not going to get in more trouble I fly back towards the capital. As I am looking for another group to wipe out I head the sounds of combat. Out of curiosity I fly over to take a look and find Justin's group fighting a group of shadow demons.

As I fly closer I can see that they are holding their own, but only by the skin of their teeth. To see them struggling so much, despite having great teamwork, makes me realize how strong I have gotten. I hover and watch them fight for a bit, but then I notice another group of demons approaching.

"Justin, you have another group of six closing in. Can you handle it or do you need help?"

Justin says "Help, please!"

So I fly over and drop into the group of six, a few swings of the naginata and they are all dead. Then I fly back to watch the rest of the group's fight while keeping an eye out for more enemies. From what I can see the main problem they are having is that their weapons don't do much to the demons.

6 Rank 1 Shadow Demons defeated! 6,000 Exp gained!

Then I recognize the weapons, they are the same ones that they picked up in the mines. If I remember right they only have basic enchantments on them. I am surprised they haven't found better by now, but then again they have been with the army this whole time.

Now that I think of it, they really haven't had much chance to improve their equipment. It makes me feel kind of bad for them, but I gave all the elven gear to Pol so I have nothing on me. As I am trying to think of ways to help them out they finally finish their fight.

Justin pants and says "Thanks, if that other group had joined in we would be dead."

"No problem. I was out here hunting them anyway."

Koko says "Fast?"

"I can kill them so fast because this naginata is a Holy artifact."

Koko says "Cheater!"

Justin says "Where on earth did you get something like that?"

"My blacksmiths made it and then I enchanted it. Before you ask, no I can't make anymore. The goddesses already chewed me out for making this one."

Rachel says "How come?"

"Because I used divine power when I can't fully control it. They said I was extremely lucky not to have killed myself. They made me promise not to play with divine energy again."

Justin says "Too bad! I would love a weapon like that!"

"Speaking of weapons, how come you are still using the ones from the mines?"

Emelia says "We haven't found anything better."

Giles says "We know we need better gear, but we can't find any!"

"Do you have funds to buy stuff?"

Justin says "Sure, but there is no where we can buy anything better."

"Sure there is, and it's just a portal away."

Rachel says "What? In Illium?"

"Yeah, the summoned crafters are all there."

Justin says "I heard they couldn't make anything because they couldn't get any materials?"

"I've already taken care of that. Now they make the best stuff in the city, and it only gets better as time passes."

Rachel says "I'm pretty sure Mercy will give us a few days off, what do you think Justin?"

Justin says "If there is any chance of getting better gear, then let's go!"

"Alright, damn I gave away my desk. Anyone have writing materials?"

Emelia says "Here."

"Thanks! Okay, once you are through the portal ask the mage guild to guide you to the Happy Traveler Inn. Give this note to Sarah, she will give you a place to stay and also have someone guide you around."

Justin says "Thanks! We really appreciate the help!"

"No worries."

They then head back to camp, probably to request some time off to visit Illium. While I launch back into the air and go looking for more demons to kill. It doesn't take me long to find my next victims and I quickly kill several groups in a row.

27 Rank 1 Shadow Demons defeated! 27,000 Exp gained!

1 Rank 2 Shadow Demon Defeated! 2,000 Exp gained!

'Huh? I didn't notice a rank two! Well, whatever, he died just as easily as the rank ones.'

As I am looking around for the next group I spot something different, a group that is mounted. There are only five of them but they are all riding shadow beasts, so they must be something special. As I fly towards them I get the odd feeling that I have seen the leader somewhere.

The shadow beasts they are riding are all lizard types and they feel like rank threes. As I land a little ahead of them I again get the feeling of familiarity as I look at the leader. It is finally the lance that I recognize more than him, since it has a shadow demon in it.

"Wait, aren't you the guy who ran away that one time? Didn't you have a wolf last time?"

Marcadus says "This time I will kill you!"

"I doubt it, your wolf was the only thing that kept you alive last time."

Marcadus says "This time my mount is even stronger!"

"Ha! You call that a mount? Summon Mount!"