When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword - Chapter 38
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- Chapter 38 - Searching for Sacred Treasures
When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword
Chapter 38 Searching for Sacred Treasures
“Wait, so you’re saying the person who requested us to find their relic actually lost it?”
I asked, as if I couldn’t believe it.
A relic is something very precious, bestowed by the gods.
It’s unique, and once lost, it can never be replaced.
It’s not like a toy that you can just get another one of.
If someone lost such a precious relic, what kind of careless person are they?
As I pondered, I asked Charm-san, and she replied with a smile,
“Exactly as you guessed~. It seems the person who made the request was sunbathing in the Seven-Colored Forest when a Snatch Thief took their relic. So, they requested us to find it.”
“W-Wait, sunbathing in the Seven-Colored Forest?”
What is that person thinking…?
To be so carefree, sunbathing in a danger zone area where monsters roam, without even realizing their relic was taken… How incredibly bold must they be?
Or are they just absent-minded?
Either way, they’re definitely “strange.”
But still, a ‘Snatch Thief,’ huh… I don’t have fond memories of them.
During our adventurer exam, we almost had our relic taken by a Snatch Thief.
They’re small devils in the form of dwarves, with a tendency to snatch things from people.
And they actively target relics. Even when we were on collection requests in the Seven-colored Forest, they tried to steal our relic several times.
If the person encountered them in the Forest without knowing, it’s inevitable that their relic would be stolen.
Here, we should consider it fortunate that they were only robbed of their relic without further harm.
“So, um, where exactly in the Seven-colored Forest was the person’s relic taken? And, um, what kind of relic does the person have…?”
I thought I should ask for necessary information before undertaking the search request.
If we don’t know where and what kind of relic was taken, we can’t conduct a proper search.
But unexpectedly, Charm-san gave an unexpected response.
“It would be quicker to get detailed information directly from the person who made the request~. Besides, anyway, the person who made the request will be joining for the search~. So please go meet them now~”
“Huh…? They’re going to join us for the search request?”
Why would they do that?
Above all, isn’t that quite dangerous?
Their relic is their only weapon against the demons.
The person isn’t equipped with their relic now, which means they don’t have any magic, skills, or blessings.
Entering the area in such a state, if they were to be attacked by demons…
“Ah!”
Immediately after pondering, I suddenly realized.
Even though they’re not equipped with their relic, if the relic itself hasn’t been destroyed, it might be better to have the requester accompany us as much as possible.
With that, the efficiency of the search request might significantly increase.
Each relic has its correct “way of equipping.”
For swords or spears, you “hold the hilt.” For bracelets or rings, you “wear them on specific parts of the body.”
Depending on the type of relic, various equipping methods are established.
However, if you equip it incorrectly, the relic goes into a “half-equipped error” state.
In this state, magic and skills may not activate correctly.
Similarly, the attack power won’t function properly either, so you can’t fight without properly equipping the relic.
And when you lose the relic, it’s also judged as a half-equipped error.
For example, if I were to try to activate the “Evolution” skill while the Rusty Sword is dropped, it would result in a half-equipped error, and I wouldn’t be able to transform it into the Cursed Sword.
Conversely, if I drop the Cursed Sword while it’s in the state of the relic, there are times when the Evolution would be cancelled due to the half-equipped error.
This applies similarly to “blessings.”
If I were to drop the Cursed Sword, the vast blessings bestowed upon me would disappear as if the heat had cooled down.
However, unlike magic and skills, blessings don’t disappear instantly when in a half-equipped error state.
Blessings fluctuate in effectiveness depending on the “distance” between the owner and the relic.
The further the owner and the relic are apart, the weaker the blessings imbued in the body become, and conversely, the closer they are, the stronger the blessings become.
In that case, if the requester’s relic hasn’t been destroyed, we might be able to “sense” the relic using this phenomenon.
As we get closer to the lost relic, bit by bit, the blessings will return.
“The exact location of the requester’s relic is known only to the owner, the requester. So, having them accompany us and searching for the relic together would be the best option, I think.”
“I see. In that case, indeed, it might be better for them to come with us. Ah, but…”
While I understood Charm’s reasoning, there was a lingering concern in my mind.
That concern was whether I could properly protect the requester.
It’s common for requesters to accompany adventurers on extermination or capture requests. This allows the requester to directly witness whether the job was done according to the request, serving as proof of completion.
Escorting the requester is also a noble duty of adventurers, and such escorting skills are essential for adventurers.
But do I have the ability to protect the requester in such a manner?
As I pondered anxiously, it seemed my thoughts must have shown on my face because Diamond suddenly spoke up.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be okay.”
“Huh?”
“I’ll definitely protect the requester. After all, that’s what my shield relic is for. So, Rust, just focus on what’s ahead and rest assured.”
“…Hmm.”
…Impressive. No, downright cool. The lack of confidence I saw when we first met is now completely nonexistent.
Yes, right now, I have a reliable companion by my side.
Dia, who possesses a shield relic that is impervious to poison and curses and absolutely unbreakable.
There couldn’t be a more suitable person to guard the requester.
If I entrust the requester’s protection to Dia, I can focus solely on defeating monsters.
With such a division of roles, the search might proceed smoothly.
Having realized this once again, I decided to accept the request from Charm.
“I understand. Please let us take on that request.”
“Yes, indeed! Then, please present your adventurer’s handbook guild book.”
As instructed, we presented our adventurer’s handbook guild book. Charm then proceeded to write down the details of the accepted request and completed the acceptance process for us.
Impressed by her familiar and adept movements, Charm informed us once more.
“Most likely, right now, they are in room 203 of an inn called ‘Traveler’s Rest.’ Please visit them there. The name is Gem.”
“Got it, thank you.”
Location and name. With the necessary information obtained, we decided to promptly visit the requester.
Since Charm went through the trouble of preparing this request for us, I’m determined to make it a success.
It seems Dia shares the same sentiment, as she tightens her cute, youthful face beside me.
And on top of that…
“Then, off you both go!” Charm’s words felt like a push from behind, further firming up our resolve.
With synchronized “We’re off!” we left the guild behind.
Shortly after leaving the guild…
We arrived at the inn called “Traveler’s Rest,” as Charm had directed us.
Having seen an inn with the same name before, we already knew the location. So, without hesitation, we made our way to the room supposedly occupied by the requester, Room 203.
But as soon as we reached the door, I froze.
Visiting people’s houses had always been something I dreaded. Knocking on a stranger’s door was something I found terrifying. Even when I went to a friend’s house to call out for them, I couldn’t muster the courage to even say, “Is Ruby there?”
Now, visiting a stranger’s room was a whole new level of difficulty for me. And the requester seemed a bit odd too.
But I couldn’t stay like this forever, especially with Dia looking even more anxious behind me. It seemed like she wasn’t comfortable with this either. So, I had to take charge.
With a gulp, I swallowed my nerves and steeled myself.
Knock, knock.
“Helloooo!”
A young woman’s voice echoed from inside.
It was a clear and lively voice with a hint of buoyancy.
Then came the rapid footsteps approaching the door, followed by it swinging open.
Click.
“Hmm? Who might you two be?”
Stepping out from the door was a slender and cute woman.
She was slightly taller than me, probably around seventeen or eighteen years old.
Despite appearing mature due to her height advantage, her round black eyes and pink cheeks gave her a distinctly adorable youthful look.
Her black hair, straight and reaching just above her shoulders, was adorned with small hairpins on the sides.
At first glance, the hairpins looked like crosses, but upon closer inspection, they were two hairpins crossing each other, one gleaming gold and the other silver.
She wore a navy sweater over a white inner shirt, paired with a black and white checkered miniskirt.
Her attire had a somewhat temple-like color scheme, but it leaned more towards a school uniform style.
It was an outfit you wouldn’t typically see around here.
I wondered where she was from as I absentmindedly pondered, and she, too, seemed to be gazing at us blankly until suddenly her eyes widened in realization.
“Oh, could it be!”
“…?”
“You’re the adventurers who are going to help me find my relic, right!?”
“Um, well…”
Being pressed by someone I just met, I couldn’t help but shrink back.
I wasn’t confident enough to stay calm when approached by such a cute older sister figure.
Especially considering my shyness around strangers.
Dia seemed even more surprised, gaping with her mouth wide open.
Unaware of our feelings, the woman continued excitedly.
“Wow! Thank you for coming! Oh, you’re so young! I couldn’t tell you were adventurers at first glance! There are adventurers as young as you too!”
She grabbed my hand and vigorously shook it.
My mental endurance was already close to zero.
Or rather, she seemed very eager for adventurers to arrive.
That means… I thought, and I asked the woman again to confirm.
“Um, are you Gem, the one who placed a search request at the guild?”
“Yes! My name is Gem! Gem Alexand!”
Her smile, as radiant as Diad’s, despite her youthful appearance, seemed cool and mature like that of an older sister.