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

Chapter 3 Rusty Sword

“Heh…”

Someone burst into laughter, as if unable to contain themselves.

“Hahaha! What the heck, Rust! You got that filthy, worn-out sword! It’s blatantly the worst F-rank artifact! Oh, my stomach hurts!”

Prompted by Helio’s laughter, people around also let out small chuckles.

Amidst the continuous appearance of high-quality artifacts, with expectations rising, I presented this dilapidated sword.

It wasn’t unreasonable for them to find it amusing.

Had I not been directly involved, I might have laughed along.

However, I was undeniably the one directly involved, and, of course, this wasn’t a laughing matter.

I cast my eyes once again on the bestowed artifact.

Name: Rusty Sword

Rank: F

Level: 1

Attack Power: 1

Blessings: Strength +0, Endurance +0, Agility +0, Magic +0, Vitality +0

Skills: None

Durability: 10/10

The blade, from tip to hilt, was thoroughly rusted. It seemed like a sword incapable of cutting through any demons. No, it was more like debris than a sword. One might believe it had been picked up from some trash bin somewhere. Naturally, its rank was F, the weakest of artifacts. Without magic or skills, and all blessings for the wielder being zero, possessing such an item wouldn’t make anyone even the slightest bit stronger. My Blessing Ceremony had unquestionably ended in failure.

“Well, well, you really gave us a good laugh. Thanks for the great punchline at the end, Rust. Alright, let’s go, everyone!”

As I was the last one, Helio said this and everyone left the temple. Naturally, not a single adventurer approached me. No one had any interest in me anymore.

“…!”

I instinctively fled from the scene.

“Ah, Rust!”

Just at that moment, I passed by Ruby, who had returned to the temple. However, I didn’t stop; instead, I distanced myself from Ruby. I ran through the village, reaching the edge of the forest, but even then, I kept running to distract myself from the bitterness.

(Damn it, damn it, damn it!)

I wanted to become an adventurer. I wanted to become a hero. However, that dream has now become unattainable. The sword gripped in my right hand tells the story more than anything else. I’ve never heard of anyone becoming an adventurer with an F-rank artifact. Even with an E-rank artifact, it’s considered difficult to fight against monsters, so trying to become a hero with a sword like this is nothing but a pipe dream. I’ve been determined to be someone protected for the rest of my life.

“Haa… haa… haa!”

Eventually, as I reached the heart of the forest, I stopped, panting for breath. I collapsed on the spot for a while. After a moment, when I lifted my face, I noticed a woman standing in front of me, quite late to the scene.

“Ah…”

Her hair shining down to her waist, transparently pure white skin, and a well-proportioned face—it was Hero Parlti. She was about to depart, riding a horse tied to the forest. Probably having found a promising individual, Ruby, she was heading back to a large town. When our eyes met, I felt like I should say something—maybe something like, “Take care of Ruby.” However, words didn’t come to mind, and I fell silent. Instead, she initiated the conversation.

“Ruby Blood’s childhood friend, right?”

“Huh?”

… Why would she know that?

“When we talked about recruitment, I heard that you both pledged to become adventurers together. If it’s alright with you, would you like to join our party Rust Stone?”

“…Ruby.”

So, Ruby had requested that from Hero Parlti. Certainly, we made a promise to become adventurers together, but she didn’t have to go out of her way like this. Besides, I ended up with an F-rank, the weakest artifact.

As I dropped my feelings once again, Parlti in front of me continued speaking.

“I was considering it depending on the results of the ritual, but it seems you don’t have the potential for it.”

“Huh…”

“You can’t become an adventurer. If you force yourself to fight, you’ll surely become food for demons and monsters.”

The Hero spoke bluntly upon seeing my rusted sword in my right hand. To be told that by the adventurer I admired, I felt a shock as if I had been hit on the head. I can’t become an adventurer. If I push myself, I’ll end up as food for demons and monsters.

“Due to your friendship, Ruby Blood will probably give you words of encouragement. However, I think it’s more cruel to give you false hope. So, on behalf of Ruby Blood, I’ll tell you. It’s better to accept it gracefully. There are plenty of other paths to take.”

“… Indeed.”

Certainly, what she said is correct. I can’t become an adventurer. It’s earnest to search for other paths. If I force myself to fight, I’ll just die like a dog. And Ruby encouraging me as I expected is mostly correct. In place of Ruby, this woman—Hero Parlti —cruelly asserted to me. I can’t become an adventurer.

Hero Parlti then rode her horse and disappeared into the depths of the forest. I remained sitting on the ground, powerless. Eventually, from somewhere, a familiar voice reached my ears.

“Ah, Rust!”

Ruby’s voice.

I glanced over and saw a girl with long red hair running towards me.

“I was getting worried, wondering where you went. What are you doing in a place like this?”

“N-no…”

I didn’t say anything.

About meeting the Hero Parlti here.

And about what was said here.

I remained silent, and eventually, Ruby asked awkwardly.

“Bu-but, Rust, more importantly, what was the artifact you received like? I wasn’t there at that time, so I didn’t see Rust’s ritual…”

“What was it like…”

As is evident by looking.

I raised the battered sword in my right hand and said with a voice lacking vigor.

“It’s an F-rank artifact. No skills, no magic, no benefits—called ‘Rusty Sword.'”

“R-right…”

An awkward atmosphere settled in.

It turned out just as I had said before the ritual.

Ruby is A-rank. I am F-rank.

The strongest and the weakest.

Ruby was invited by the strongest adventurer, and I went unnoticed by anyone.

Considering we had promised to become adventurers together, this situation was truly pathetic.

Without saying anything and falling into silence, Ruby uttered words that couldn’t be ignored.

“T-though the results of the ritual were disappointing, it doesn’t mean you can’t become an adventurer anymore! If you work hard, you’ll surely become an adventurer! Rust, you’re a patient boy, and, besides, I can help… so!”

“……!”

Help?

Are you saying you’ll lend a hand for me to become an adventurer?

In other words, it means she’ll spend time for my sake until I become strong enough to be an adventurer.

Then what about the invitation from that hero?

It’s decided. If Ruby is kind and caring, she’ll refuse the invitation for my sake.

Even though she was invited by the most powerful party, because of someone like me, she would be tied down.

Absolutely not. I will never allow that.

“Go ahead and wait for me.”

“Eh?”

“I wasn’t invited by any party, but I’ll surely become stronger, pass the adventurer’s exam on my own, gather comrades strong enough to surpass even the Hero Party someday, and catch up to Ruby. So, Ruby, go ahead and wait for me.”

“……Rust”

I thought that words alone might not be enough, so I pleaded with my eyes.

I want her not to worry. I want her to go ahead. I’ll be fine on my own.

Above all, I don’t want to embarrass myself anymore.

I do have some pride.

And I haven’t given up. Despite being laughed at by Helio, having my dreams denied by the hero, and Ruby being considerate.

Nevertheless, I haven’t given up on becoming an adventurer.

Rather, my determination has grown stronger.

No matter how much time it takes, I will become an adventurer… a hero.

“If that’s what Rust says… Yeah, I’ll go ahead and wait. But definitely, Rust, do your best to become an adventurer too. Catch up to me. This will be our next ‘promise.'”

“Yeah, it’s a promise.”

Even though we couldn’t fulfill the promise to become adventurers together.

But we made another promise.

I will surely catch up to Ruby and show her.

The next day, Ruby, aspiring to become an adventurer, left the Red village to begin her journey.