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

Chapter 29 When I tried strengthening my rusty sword, I found a friend I could rely on

“Congratulations on passing.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

Dia and I clinked glasses filled with fruit juice.

Together, we emptied our glasses in one gulp, letting out a sigh of relief.

After the adventurer exam concluded, Dia and I went to a nearby restaurant.

It all started when I suggested we celebrate.

As we waited for our ordered dishes while looking at the ‘Adventurer’s Handbook Guild Book’ we both received, we raised our glasses once everything was ready.

“Thanks to you, I was able to become an adventurer. Thank you, Rust-san.”

“No, thank you, Dia. If it weren’t for you, I think I would have been done in by monsters by now, and I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy this delicious meal.”

I replied while chewing on the meat.

Honestly, I’m grateful that Dia is here. When I think about what would have happened if Dia weren’t here, numerous chilling scenarios come to mind. So, I’m the one who should be saying thank you.

As I thought about it, Dia started showering me with repeated “thank you.”

“Not just about the adventurer exam, but above all, being able to reconcile with Amethyst-san and the others, I have nothing but gratitude for you, Rust-san. So please let me say ‘thank you’ throughout today.”

“…”

Dia exuded a subtle joy. It seemed she was truly at ease after reconciling with Amethyst and the others. While it was a good thing, I tilted my head.

“Um… about reconciling with Amethyst and the others, did I do something?”

“Huh? Do you not remember?”

Unfortunately, not much… We had a good division of roles during the adventurer exam, so expressing gratitude to each other made sense. However, regarding reconciling with Amethyst and the others, I didn’t think I deserved to be thanked. I didn’t have any clear memories of doing something specific.

“You comforted me when I was feeling down, and you also gave me advice on how to reconcile with them, didn’t you?”

“Ah, is that what you’re talking about?”

But that advice was quite vague, I believe. Dia was the one who really worked hard. So when Dia thanked me, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of discomfort.

“That, and you also helped Amethyst-san.”

“Huh?”

“When Amethyst-san was about to be attacked by the demon, you moved faster than I did and came to her rescue. I’m sure if it weren’t for you, Amethyst-san would be in a terrible situation by now.”

A bad premonition hit me as Dia in front of me trembled for a moment. Indeed, just recalling that scene sent shivers down my spine. If we had been even a few seconds late… the thought was still terrifying.

“So, let me say it again. Thank you for saving my friend.”

“…You’re welcome.”

We ordered juice again and clinked glasses, sipping from them. Amidst the spreading sweet and sour flavor, I glanced at Dia and casually asked,

“By the way, Dia.”

“Yes?”

“Why did you decide to become an adventurer?”

“Huh?”

It had been bothering me for a while.

Why did Dia decide to become an adventurer, making a living by fighting against the demonic forces?

Being an adventurer is fundamentally a harsh occupation. It’s purely merit-based, always accompanied by danger, and lacks any glamorous impression.

Despite this, why did the kind and gentle Dia choose to aim for a bloody path as an adventurer?

Curious, I asked her about it, but for some reason, Dia froze in surprise.

“Oh, um, if you don’t want to talk about it, it’s totally fine. By the way, since you took the adventurer exam, I assume you weren’t recruited after the Blessing Ceremony. Even though you’re equipped with top-tier A-rank gear.”

In a rushed attempt to change the subject, I mentioned this.

Was it something I shouldn’t have asked?

Despite my concerns about changing the topic, Dia unexpectedly answered nonchalantly.

“Come to think of it, I wasn’t recruited. Well, the village we lived in, Caramunt, was an extremely rural village, and very few people came to observe the ceremony. In recent years, no one in our village has received a high-ranking artifact, so we didn’t attract much attention at all.”

“Ah, I see.”

In the case of Red Village where I lived, the temple was large, and people from other towns and villages came to participate in the ceremony. As a result, there were many adventurers visiting, and recruitment efforts were active.

It seems there was no adventurer recruitment race in Caramunt Village.

“Well, even if adventurers had come to observe, it’s not like I would have been definitely recruited.”

“Huh, why not? Dia, your ‘Immortal Great Shield’ is an A-rank artifact, though.”

“Even if the rank of the artifact is high, there were probably few who saw a use for a shield-type artifact. Even if there were, I doubt anyone would consider taking a weakling like me on an adventure. Well, Amethyst-san would have definitely been recruited, though…”

I agree with that.

If someone has the potential like Amethyst, the probability of being recruited by adventurers is likely quite high. Well, with her pride, she might not accept recruitment and aim to pass the exam on her own.

“So, when you invited me to be your companion at the start of the exam, I was genuinely happy and surprised. Better late than never, thank you very much.”

“…This is the first time I’ve been thanked so much in one day.”

I wonder how many more times I’ll hear it. Of course, I don’t mind. I’ve heard that words of gratitude become lighter the more they’re repeated, but each ‘thank you’ from Dia feels fresh and pleasant.

“So, the reason you wanted to become an adventurer, right? It’s not something I need to hide, so I’ll tell you. The reason I wanted to become an adventurer is to search for my dad and mom.”

“…Dad and mom?”

I furrowed my brows involuntarily.

Searching for her dad and mom – are they currently missing or something?

“My mom and dad have been adventurers since a long time ago. They became friends during the adventurer exam and started forming a party. After I was born, my mom retired, and my dad continued earning a living as an adventurer.”

In households where parents are adventurers, it’s not an uncommon story. Wait, were Dia’s parents adventurers?

“My mom always told me stories about how cool and reliable my dad was when they adventured together. I’ve loved hearing those stories since I was a kid. Also, welcoming my exhausted dad home with a ‘welcome back’ together was really enjoyable.”

Watching Dia speak so joyfully, I found myself naturally smiling. She really loves her mom and dad. It conveys the warmth of a loving family.

“But one day…”

Suddenly, a shadow fell over Dia’s face.

“My dad didn’t come back from an adventure.”

“Huh?”

“We waited for a day, a week, a month, but my dad didn’t come home. Both my mom and I started worrying if something had happened. Then one day, a guild staff member who was close to my dad came to our house and told us that he went to a ‘certain area’ and hadn’t returned.”

“A certain area?”

Where could that be? Was there a place nearby where you needed to wait for an extended period for an investigation, leaving your wife and daughter at home?

“It’s an area called ‘Shiragane Kutsu’ – a pure white cave-like place. Have you heard of it?”

“Oh, if it’s that one, I know it too. I think it’s a special alert area where people who enter become strange, and the guild strictly prohibits entry. There are rumors about gold and silver treasures sleeping inside, but the entrance is heavily guarded, and only adventurers of Platinum class or higher are allowed in, right?”

Even someone like me with shallow knowledge knows that it’s a considerably unique area compared to others. Could it be that Dia’s dad went to that area?

“Both my mom and dad were Platinum-class adventurers, so they could enter the area. But my dad never came back after entering. So, my mom left me with the village chief of Caramunt Village and went to look for my dad. Even as a child, I could sense that she couldn’t stay calm. She said she’d bring my dad back soon…”

“…And then, what happened to your mom?”

When I asked, Dia’s expression darkened even further as she answered.

“She said, ‘I’ll bring your dad back soon’… but…”

“…”

Just like her dad, it seems Dia’s mom also went to Shiragane Kutsu and never returned. It’s only natural to think that something happened to her mom as well. What that might be is completely unimaginable…

Listening to the story so far, I came to one conclusion.

“So, Dia, you wanted to become an adventurer to search for your mom and dad in Shiragane Kutsu?”

“Yes. If I reach Platinum class or higher, I’ll be allowed to enter, giving me the chance to search for my dad and mom who disappeared seven years ago. Even if I can’t find them, I want to find out what happened there.”

That was Dia’s reason for wanting to become an adventurer. To search for her parents. At first, I thought she aimed to become an adventurer to change her timid self, but I never imagined such a noble motive. Moreover, seeing her confidently declare, “Even if I can’t find them,” suggests she has resolved herself to some extent.

Dia is a strong girl, yet incredibly kind.

“Thank you for sharing this with me, Dia. To entrust such an important story to someone like me…”

“No, it’s because you’re Rust-san that I talked about it. So please, don’t make such a troubled expression.”

Even though she said that, the guilt of prying into such a personal matter doesn’t fade away. For Dia, this story is likely a significant part of her “conviction.” It’s a profound belief that propels her, a seemingly timid girl, onto the challenging path of an adventurer. Prodding her with mere curiosity is incredibly rude. I’ve done something wrong…

“Well then, it’s your turn now.”

“…?”

“Why did you decide to become an adventurer, Rust-san?”

With guilt weighing on me, I lowered my gaze, and Dia asked me.

It was almost like we were both smiling at each other to say, “We’re even now.”

Dia is truly kind. Although her kindness doesn’t erase the sense of guilt, I decided to lean on her warmth, if only a little.

“After hearing Dia’s story, mine might sound childish, but I’ve always admired the heroes in adventure tales. I’ve always dreamt of becoming an adventurer someday and fighting for various people.”

“That’s a very honorable motive.”

Dia smiled and spoke those words. On the contrary, I continued with a clouded expression.

“But when I was twelve, the artifact I received was this beaten-up ‘Rusty Sword,’ and I felt like giving up on my dream of becoming an adventurer right away. It had no blessings, magic, or skills. At one point, I was so disheartened that I nearly gave up on the dream. It’s really pathetic.”

“Huh?”

Dia let out a surprised voice.

Well, I guess this is quite exasperating.

Talking about admiring heroes and then almost giving up immediately doesn’t really sound like conviction or anything.

Just as I was thinking that…

“Isn’t that ‘Cursed Magic Sword’ something you could use from the beginning?”

“Huh? ‘Cursed Magic Sword’?”

For some reason, questions about the artifact came my way. It wasn’t disbelief in my pathetic state but a reaction to the fact that the ‘Rusty Sword’ had no power at all.

Feeling a bit relieved, I answered Dia’s inquiry.

“No, it’s different. At first, it truly had no power—a weak F-rank artifact with an attack power of 1. I was utterly surprised. I thought if it were a F-rank artifact, I could manage something if I tried hard enough. I never expected to be so let down.”

“…”

I scratched my head with a wry smile.

I was genuinely shocked at that time. I never thought I’d be the one to receive the lowest-ranked artifact.

“So, so, Rust-san, you’ve been using that ‘Rusty Sword’ all this time?”

“Oh, yeah. For about three years… I guess? It was a worn-out F-rank artifact, but I thought, ‘Let’s try strengthening it as an experiment.’ I believed that maybe someday it would gain enough power for me to become an adventurer.”

I recalled the three years of tirelessly defeating Treants. Well, those days weren’t bad at all. Putting effort towards a goal is quite satisfying. Towards the end, though, my spirit was starting to crumble…

“Indeed, Rust-san, you’re quite admirable.”

“Huh?”

“To dedicate three years to enhancing the ‘Rusty Sword’ and calling it an ‘experiment,’ I think only someone like Rust-san would do that. Moreover, because you were probably more determined to become an adventurer than anyone else, I believe the length of those three years didn’t weigh heavily on you. You’re likely the only one who can casually refer to three years as an ‘experiment.’”

I hope that’s the case. I would be happy if it were. I didn’t realize that at all.

“Well, I don’t think it’s solely because of that.”

“Hmm?”

“Helping various people and wanting to become a hero someday are reasons, but the main one is… there’s someone I want to catch up to.”

“Catch up to someone?”

I continued, envisioning the delicate, beautiful, yet reassuring figure of the person with a red back.

“I have a benefactor who became an adventurer before me and is doing great things. From the past when I was a weakling, she gently pulled me along, protected me when I was bullied with a strong sense of justice.”

The hero I initially admired—Ruby Blood.

There hasn’t been a day when I forgot about her. I think I was able to continue strengthening the ‘Rusty Sword’ for three years because Ruby said, ‘I’ll be waiting ahead.’

“…She sounds like an amazing person.”

“Yeah. That’s why I absolutely want to catch up to her. As an adventurer. As childhood friends. I want to stand by her side and fight together.”

After expressing my determination, Dia spoke with a confident tone.

“Rust-san, you can definitely do it. I guarantee it. I know you’re more determined than anyone else.”

“Yeah. Thanks, Dia. I’ll work hard to catch up to her. I’ll become stronger and show her that.”

To catch up to Ruby, to become a hero.

And now, Dia is also pushing me forward.

There’s no other support as reassuring as this.

Then, I remembered one thing.

“Oh, by the way, Dia. If you’re okay with it…”

I was about to nervously ask if she wanted to form a party together from now on.

The invitation to dinner after the adventurer exam was also for this reason.

I want to continue adventuring with Dia. Not only because she is a reliable ally, but also because I want to witness her growth up close.

Dia is filled with talent. She will undoubtedly become a hero who saves many people.

If possible, I want to witness her heroics up close.

Of course, I also hope to support her without getting in the way.

Since we share the goal of growing as adventurers, how happy would it be to work towards that together?

With that in mind, I decided to invite Dia to the party once again.

“U-um, if you’re okay with it, would you consider teaming up with me?”

However…

“If it’s alright with you, could you join a party with me?”

“…Huh?”

Interrupting my words, Dia took the lead.

“Just like you said you want to get stronger, I also want to become stronger. So, if it’s possible, could I watch your journey of becoming stronger up close? Of course, I don’t want to be a hindrance. I’d like to help you in any way I can. So, would you consider forming a party with me?”

Caught off guard by this unexpected proposal, I stood there in amazement. I never expected Dia to express something like that.

It’s unbelievably heartwarming.

But, overwhelmed by joy, I found myself frozen. Dia, as if giving the final push, spoke to me.

“Because I think we might have a really good synergy!”

“…”

Surprised, I burst into laughter. Dia joined in, amused by my reaction. I never thought that the embarrassing line from that moment would be returned to me just like that.

After laughing together for a while, I finally responded to Dia’s proposal.

“Looking forward to working with you, Dia.”

“Yes!”

With beaming smiles, Dia and I exchanged our commitment.

And so, I was finally able to become the adventurer I had dreamt of.

And…

When I tried enhancing the Rusty Sword, I also encountered a reliable companion.