When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword - Chapter 26

When I Tried Strengthening 【Rusted Sword】, It Evolved Into An Overpowered Magic Sword

Chapter 26   I’m weak

The cat demon, with a dumbfounded expression, fell to the ground powerless.

Despite boasting a talkative personality, she now silently gazed up at me.

Perhaps she had no strength left to speak.

Instead, she continued to direct a gaze filled with hatred and anger towards me until the end.

Eventually, the bisected body of the cat demon turned into particles of light and disappeared.

A momentary silence descended upon the scene.

“…”

The joy of victory, unfortunately, was nonexistent.

Only an indescribable frustration lingered in my heart.

Unbridled anger with nowhere to go, an inexpressible regret, an indescribable emptiness.

Afterward, I found a partially destroyed claw in the place where the cat demon had fallen just a while ago.

And absentmindedly, I picked it up.

Name: Black Cat’s Claw

Rank: B

Level: 15

Attack Power: 200

Benefits: Strength +180, Endurance +80, Agility +280, Magic Power +130, Vitality +180

Magic: Dark Thunder Cry

Skill: Stealth

Durability: 0/150

Indeed, the properties of this artifact are quite formidable.

Similar to the demon known as Kuroinu, it was a considerably powerful demon.

Such demons still exist in the world.

It goes without saying, but thinking about it again is terrifying.

Moreover, I’m a little curious about the legion, Region, to which it belonged, and its leader.

“To the ends of the earth, we will chase you and give you all the suffering imaginable before killing you for sure, nya.”

I wonder what kind of place the legion Region, to which it belonged, was.

And what kind of demon is the leader who leads that legion.

Well, thinking about such things here won’t yield any answers.

After thinking for a moment, I brought the claw I held in my left hand closer to the cursed magic sword in my right hand.

Since the enchantment of the Black Flame Hellflare has already been dispelled, it has returned to its usual black blade.

However, suddenly, the cursed magic sword began to emit a purple light.

A unique reaction of artifacts, as I have seen before.

As if being absorbed by the cursed magic sword, the Black Cat’s Claw began to move on its own.

Then, when the two artifacts collided, the claw disappeared as if melting into the air.

Name: Cursed Magic Sword

Rank: S

Level: –

Attack Power: 500

Benefits: Strength +500, Endurance +500, Agility +500, Magic Power +500, Vitality +500

Magic: Black Flame Hellflare, Dark Thunder Cry

Skill: Sacred Treasure Synthesis

Durability: 485/500

The skill of “Sacred Treasure Synthesis,” which allows the synthesis of artifacts imbued with the blessings of a malevolent god.

It seems that even broken artifacts can be synthesized with this skill.

Honestly, I didn’t want to synthesize the artifact of that demon if possible.

Nevertheless, the undeniable utility of its power had to be acknowledged.

And from now on, I might encounter similar situations again.

If I keep hesitating every time, I won’t be able to become stronger.

The power held by the demon’s artifact is formidable. It’s too precious to discard in a moment of emotion.

So, having successfully completed the artifact synthesis, I tried to leave the scene.

But…

“Gu…!”

I felt a sudden fatigue and unintentionally dropped to my knees.

My body felt heavy. I was out of breath as if I had just sprinted at full speed.

Upon inspection, the Cursed Magic Sword had reverted to the Rusty Sword.

Perhaps my stamina had depleted, and I couldn’t sustain the Cursed Magic Sword any longer.

Looking back, I had frequently used the Cursed Magic Sword up to this point.

Although I had taken breaks and paid attention to stamina management, the accumulation of unseen fatigue might have caused the evolution state to unravel.

I had also used the enchantment magic twice, consuming a large amount of magical power.

I secretly praised myself for enduring well until defeating the cat demon.

However, my current appearance, kneeling on the ground, gasping heavily, and unable to stand up properly, was quite embarrassing.

Even if I had triumphed in battle against a formidable enemy, my current state made for an unsightly aftermath.

――Once again, I feel it. I am still weak.

I have almost no stamina, and my combat experience is shallow.

Now, I’m temporarily saved by the extraordinary performance of the Cursed Magic Sword.

Of course, this victory was not something I personally seized. I’m not strong myself; I just surpassed the enemy with the capabilities of the artifact.

I must not misunderstand that point.

Above all, if I encounter stronger enemies or crisis situations, I will surely be defeated this time.

I can’t keep relying on the Cursed Magic Sword forever.

I should seriously undergo “training” to master the Cursed Magic Sword properly.

Learning how to use my body, improving combat skills, and overcoming the curse.

“…There’s a lot to do.”

I smiled quietly while catching my breath.

Afterward, I tried to get up and walk somehow.

But…

“Gruuu…!”

“――What!?”

I heard the growl of a beast from behind in the bushes and instinctively turned around.

From there, a wolf-like monster emerged.

It had the same appearance as the monster I encountered right after entering this forest.

Why, at a time like this…?

“E-Evolution…!”

I quickly poised the Rusty Sword, attempting to evolve it.

However, my words echoed in emptiness, and the appearance of the artifact remained unchanged.

I couldn’t evolve the Cursed Magic Sword.

My stamina still hadn’t recovered.

At this rate…

“Gugaa!”

Faced with the terrifying reality, the wolf leaped at me without hesitation.

Caught off guard, I barely defended with the Rusty Sword.

It attempted to bite my head, but instead, it clamped onto the Rusty Sword.

However, the force of the leap knocked me to the ground, and the wolf ended up on top of me.

The frightening wolf-like face loomed dangerously close.

“Th-this!”

I used the Rusty Sword to block the wolf and kicked it with all my might.

Surprisingly, the kick pierced the wolf’s abdomen.

I thought so, but the wolf only staggered slightly and quickly regained its footing.

Without the benefits of increased strength, I couldn’t significantly stagger it.

The wolf kicked off the ground and leaped to bite me again.

I managed to sidestep the attack and counter with the Rusty Sword.

“Haah!”

The rusty blade slammed into the wolf’s flank.

“Gyaaan!”

Such a cry escaped, but the wolf didn’t fall.

On the contrary, I grimaced at the sensation transmitted through my hands.

It was tough! The cutting feel was as if I had struck a rock.

In fact, the Rusty Sword was just too weak.

Especially after easily slicing through that fearsome demon, the contrast became painfully apparent—the difference in performance between the Cursed Magic Sword and the Rusty Sword.

Name: Rusty Sword

Rank: F

Level: 10

Attack Power: 10

Benefits: Strength +0, Endurance +0, Agility +0, Magic Power +0, Vitality +0

Skill: Evolution

Durability: 8/20

If only I could become somewhat proficient with this Rusty Sword…

No, now is not the time to think about that. I need to somehow break through this situation.

To defeat a demon but be defeated by a monster—I can’t accept such a bitter end.

But…

“Ugh…!”

Perhaps due to reaching the limits of fatigue, my consciousness blurred for a moment.

As a result, I found myself once again kneeling on the ground.

I had depleted my stamina to the extreme in the battle against the demon, and it had taken a toll on me.

And it was in that moment of vulnerability…

“Gugaa!”

The monster in front of me didn’t overlook it.

For the third time, the wolf-like creature lunged at me.

Caught off guard, my reaction was delayed, and I could hardly block with the sword.

I’m done for! I involuntarily thought at that moment—

A white figure jumped in front of me.

“Rust-san!”

In an instant, a sharp sound resonated.

It took me a brief moment to realize that it was the sound of the wolf-like monster colliding with a shield.

Before me, silver short hair gently swayed.

A sweet scent that I was familiar with tickled my nostrils.

A delicate yet reliable small back covered my field of vision.

“…Dia?”

As if to confirm, I asked the girl in front of me.

And she, holding a large shield, turned to me with a childlike smile.

“I made it in time, thank goodness.”

Despite the sweat on her forehead and the shortness of breath, her appearance was remarkably beautiful.

I couldn’t help but wonder if I was hallucinating.

But it was reality.

Dia had come to my rescue.

It wasn’t a mistake or a dream. It was the real Dia.

“Gruuu…!”

The wolf, having its attack blocked, slightly distanced itself from us and directed a sharp gaze at Dia.

Dia, without hesitation, raised her confident voice in response.

“I’ll buy some time. During that, Rust-san, please rest.”

“Ah, thank you, Dia.”

Behind Dia, I took a slow breath.

It was pathetic to rest while being protected by a girl, but it brought a tremendous sense of relief.

Being behind this person, I felt no fear, no matter what might come our way. Such feelings naturally welled up within me.

“Gugaa!”

True to that sentiment, Dia deftly fended off all of the wolf’s attacks.

She shielded against charges, scratches, and bites as if nothing were happening.

This exchange continued several times.

While Dia’s shield seemed impenetrable, the wolf persistently tried to bite us.

Then, finally, the tightness in my chest began to ease.

Now, I can use it.

“Dia!”

Perhaps she understood from that single word.

Dia responded to my call, pushing back the leaping wolf with her shield.

Swiftly, she dodged to the side, leaving only the image of the wolf recoiling in mid-air before me.

“Evolution!”

In an instant, the Rusty Sword emitted a deep black light.

The rust on the blade vanished in the blink of an eye, revealing the hidden jet-black form within.

Name: Cursed Magic Sword

Rank: S

Level: –

Attack Power: 500

Benefits: Strength +500, Endurance +500, Agility +500, Magic Power +500, Vitality +500

Magic: Black Flame Hellflare, Dark Thunder Cry

Skill: Sacred Treasure Synthesis

Durability: 485/500

I swung the jet-black sword with all my might.

“Haah!”

This time, I successfully bisected the wolf-like creature.

A completely different sensation from the Rusty Sword.

The blade smoothly cut through the magical being as if slicing through the air.

The wolf creature fell to the ground and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

Simultaneously, the Cursed Magic Sword quickly reverted to the Rusty Sword.

Overwhelmed by fatigue once again, I sat on the ground and let out a deep sigh.

Then, I turned my tired gaze towards Dia beside me.

“Thank you, Dia. You really saved me.”

“No, this is my duty. I apologize for being late.”

With these words exchanged, I once again became aware that I had been saved.

I could hear Dia’s voice again.

The moment the monster appeared, I truly thought it was the end.

In a silent relief, I belatedly realized something.

“Oh, and what about Amethyst and the others?”

“Don’t worry, Rust-san. Everyone is safe. But for now, please take care of yourself.”

Upon hearing that, I felt it again.

Come to think of it, my body ached all over. I was so tired that my head felt hazy.

If I let my guard down, I felt like I might lose consciousness at any moment.

Dia seemed to sense my fatigue and immediately made a suggestion.

“Since we’re here, let’s go back to town first. We can talk about everything there. It seems like the ‘Adventurer’s Test’ is about to end too.”

“Eh? Oh, right…”

Come to think of it, I was currently in the middle of the Adventurer’s Test.

I had been so focused on the battle with the demon that it completely slipped my mind.

Now, recalling the Adventurer’s Test, I silently pondered.

Finding another ‘Test Doll’ and passing the test together with Dia was nearly impossible at this point.

I had hardly any time or energy left.

I had a bad feeling, and it turned out my initial intuition was right.

What if I couldn’t obtain more than one ‘Test Doll’? That was the bad feeling I had.

Well, when we return to town as planned, I’ll hand over the doll to Dia and let her be the one to pass the test.

That seemed like the right decision.

“By the way, can you move, Rust-san? If you’d like, I could carry you on my back…”

“N-no, that’s fine! I can move properly!”

Don’t make me look any more pathetic!

With that said, we decided to return to town after concluding our intense battle.