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

Chapter 4 First Battle

Three days have passed since Ruby left the village. Just in that short time, everything around me seems to have become quiet.

Without the usually meddling wake-up calls, the morning awakening feels unexpectedly lonely.

Not only Ruby but also others around my age were invited to become adventurers and left the village promptly.

Perhaps due to that, now the entire village feels strangely silent.

“Morning, Rust!”

“Morning, Mom.”

As I come downstairs, Mom is cleaning the house. I try not to disturb her cleaning and head to the kitchen. Pouring water into a glass and sitting at the table, I drink water to clear my sleepy head.

After that, while sipping water, I absentmindedly watch Mom cleaning.

Come to think of it, what does Mom think about the result of my Blessing Ceremony?

When I told her about receiving an F-rank artifact, she just said, ‘I see.’ She hasn’t said anything more since then.

Maybe she sensed that I was truly downhearted just from my expression and tone, even though I tried to hide my feelings? Despite my attempts to keep my emotions hidden, it seems like Mom noticed.

“By the way, Rust, you’ve been cooped up in your room all the time lately. Is everything okay?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah, I’m fine.”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, I respond nervously. Come to think of it, have I been spending most of my time in my room since the Blessing Ceremony?

There have been too many things happening, and it drained my energy. Before I could make an excuse, my mom voiced an absurd misunderstanding.

“Is it because Ruby-chan is gone, and you’re feeling lonely?”

“Ruby? Well, yeah, I mean, we’ve been together since I can remember, so I guess it’s a bit lonely without her. But it’s not like that’s the reason I’ve been in my room…”

“It’s understandable to feel lonely when you lose someone you love. But it’s better for you to get some sunlight.”

“I-it’s not like I love her or anything!”

I hurriedly deny it. While it’s true that Ruby’s absence makes me feel lonely, it’s not the sole reason I’ve been staying in my room. I’ve been taking some time to think about what I should do to become an adventurer. Especially after revealing the F-rank artifact, becoming an adventurer has become incredibly challenging. I need to think carefully and plan my next move. And besides…

“Oh, speaking of which, Mom.”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“I’ve been thinking, maybe it’s about time I start working in the village. Do you know of any good jobs?”

Those who undergo the Blessing Ceremony are treated as adults afterward. In other words, they are expected to find employment. I had been contemplating what kind of work to pursue. Considering our circumstances, with my father having passed away due to illness when I was too young to remember, my mother has been raising me on her own.

It’s high time I find a job. Pursuing the path of an adventurer alongside it will undoubtedly pose significant challenges, but I am determined not to give up. While silently making such resolutions, my mother unexpectedly responded.

“Oh, there’s nothing like that.”

“Huh?”

“Because, Rust, you want to become an adventurer, right?”

“Oh, yeah. That’s true, but…”

“In that case, don’t you have things to do for that dream of becoming an adventurer? You don’t have time for a regular job, do you?”

“…”

Stated so matter-of-factly, I found myself slack-jawed, unable to respond. There are things I must do, things like ‘training.’ The received artifact can be ‘strengthened’ by battling against demonic beings. According to some, battling demons is a way to receive blessings from the gods, strengthening the artifact. While I can’t verify the accuracy of this claim, adventurers indeed raise their artifact levels through battles with demonic beings.

Having received the lowest-ranked artifact, I must experience more battles than anyone else, become stronger. If I don’t dedicate myself to training during every possible moment, my dream of becoming an adventurer will remain elusive. This is precisely what I had been contemplating while secluding myself in my room – a way to balance both work and training.

However, does my mother permit prioritizing training over work? Will she give me a chance? As I grapple with these thoughts, my mother provided the final push.

“I’ve made a bento for you, so take that and do your best.”

“…Mom.”

My eyes welled up with a warmth deep within. I had believed that no one would support me, and the likelihood was almost non-existent. Becoming an adventurer with an F-rank artifact is an absurd dream. But, thanks to my mother, my spirit was revived.

I promptly packed the bento in a cloth bag, slung the ‘Rusty Sword’ over my back, and put on my shoes.

“Thank you, Mom. Alright, I’m off!”

“Yeah, take care!”

I rushed out of the house. Even someone like me has people who believe in them. My mother, who pushed me forward, and Ruby, who said she would be waiting. Despite not being blessed with the Ritual of Blessing, I’m fortunate to have these encounters with people. With a grateful smile on my face, I continue running.

Eventually, I leave the village and reach the nearby forest.

“The Whispering Forest…”

The wind causes the grass and trees to rustle, creating a whispering sound as if someone were gossiping. This forest is said to harbor monsters in its depths, and I was warned not to approach it since I was a child. If I recall correctly, the name of those monsters is ‘Treant.’

These tree-shaped creatures immediately attack anyone they see, capturing them with their vine-like arms and draining their life force. It seems they particularly enjoy human life force, considering it their primary source of nutrition.

While they sound terrifying, these creatures aren’t particularly strong in terms of combat abilities. They don’t employ special attacks and merely use their vine-like arms to strike. They are known as weak monsters. If I’m going to train, they might be the perfect opponents.

With that in mind, I ventured deeper into the Whispering Forest.

“Ah, there it is.”

Immediately, I spotted a Treant. It moved its thick root-like legs, wandering around the forest.

Conveniently, it seems there’s only one.

Seeing the monster again, a subtle cold sweat broke out. But there’s no time for hesitation.

I firmly gripped the Rusty Sword on my back, slowly drawing it.

Once again, I checked the details of the divine instrument.

- Name: Rusty Sword

- Rank: F

- Level: 1

- Attack Power: 1

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

- Skills: None

- Endurance Value: 10/10

No magic, no skills, no blessings—just a Rusty Sword. Quite an unreliable property, but for now, it should be fine. At least, it has an ‘Attack Power’ of 1.

Demons possess ‘Magic Armor,’ a tough skin that ordinary weapons can’t scratch. However, a sacred treasure with ‘Holy Power’—which is essentially its Attack Power—can pierce through the magic armor.

In other words, even this Attack Power 1 Rusty Sword can effectively defeat monsters.

“So, it’s okay…”

I reassured myself and tightened my grip on the hilt of the Rusty Sword. At that very moment, the Treant noticed me and started approaching, moving its root-like legs.

“Gigigig!”

“It’s coming!”

The Treant swung its vine-like arms like a whip. Instinctively, I bent down to dodge. With the Treant’s vulnerable body in front of me, I swung the sword recklessly.

“Haa!”

I struck the Treant with the Rusty Sword. Rather than saying I cut, it would be more accurate to say I smacked it.

Thunk!—A sound that didn’t resemble a cut at all echoed, and the Treant slightly recoiled.

“Gigig…!”

It’s working. While I didn’t manage to cut it, the Rusty Sword, with its Attack Power, dealt some damage. There’s hope for victory. Discovering hope for victory, I silently felt a sense of joy. But then, the Treant swung its vine again.

…It’s effective. Although I didn’t manage to cut it, hitting it with the Rusty Sword, which had some Attack Power, inflicted damage. I can win somehow.

Feeling a glimmer of hope for victory and secretly rejoicing, the Treant attacked again. This time, its strike was faster than before. Moreover, it aimed slightly lower, making it difficult to dodge by bending down.

“Kuh!”

The vine whipped like a whip, and I couldn’t block it with the sword.

Unsurprisingly, I was struck by the vine, and, due to the lack of footing, I was blown back all the way to a large tree.

“Itttsu…!”

I involuntarily gasped. It hurt a lot. Really hurt. I hurt everywhere, and it was almost enough to knock me unconscious with a single blow.

This is what it means to fight. Experiencing for the first time the tension of being on the verge of death.

Even though it’s considered weak, it’s truly a monster. Moreover, with no ‘Blessing’ on me, my current physical abilities are purely no different from those of a weak twelve-year-old boy.

Name: Rusty Sword

Rank: F

Level: 1

Attack Power: 1

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

Skills: None

Endurance: 10/10

A special power called ‘Blessing’ resides in sacred treasures.

It enhances the wearer’s physical abilities such as strength and endurance. Thanks to this, skilled adventurers can achieve superhuman movements.

This power is considered more crucial than magic or skills.

For D-rank artifacts at levels 10 to 20, the average value is around 100. Just having this much allows for extraordinary physical capabilities. When the value exceeds 300, it is believed to grant transcendent power beyond human understanding.

The Rusty Sword completely lacks this. Its Blessing is entirely zero.

This applies to its attack power as well.

The average attack power is roughly 100. When it exceeds 300, it can usually defeat most demons. If it surpasses 500, it is considered a legendary artifact and goes down in history.

As a reference, the artifact of a guard from Red Village, who was once a mid-tier adventurer, is as follows:

Name: Heavy Bone Battle Axe

Rank: C

Level: 20

Attack Power: 150

Blessing: Strength +170, Endurance +120, Agility +80, Magic Power +0, Vitality +150

Skill: [Strength Enhancement]

Endurance: 200/200

I once casually asked about the properties of the artifacts, and I was kindly told.

With properties like these, one can significantly contribute as an adventurer.

According to rumors, the artifact of the previous hero had an attack power exceeding 600, making it the highest attack power artifact known.

Its name was Heavenly Sacred Sword.

At any rate, I now understand just how weak my artifact is. Fighting without any Blessing is indeed challenging…

“But, I have no choice…!”

I stood up and tightly gripped the rusty sword.

On the other hand, the Treant extended its tendrils to entwine around me.

Quickly, I moved behind a large tree.

Its tendrils got caught on the branches of the big tree, conveniently entangling them.

“Alright!”

Saved by chance, I seized the opportunity.

In that moment, I closed in on the Treant.

Slipping through its side and circling to its rear, I struck the vulnerable back with the rusty sword.

“Haaaaaa!”

One strike, two strikes, three strikes!

I relentlessly continued my onslaught.

“Uraaaaaa!”

With all my might, I swung the rusty sword onto the Treant’s immobilized back.

After an intense series of strikes, I could finally see a change in the Treant.

“Gigiii…!”

The Treant fell to the ground, powerless, and it became silent.

Curiously watching, Treant’s body began to emit a faint light.

In an instant, the entire body turned into tiny particles of light and vanished.

“Did I… win?”

I tilted my head as I gazed at the empty ground.

This was the phenomenon of a magical creature disappearing.

I had heard that magical beings, whose life force was depleted, would turn into light and disappear.

In other words, I had defeated the Treant.

With the weakest 【Rusty Sword】.

“Phew, I’m tired.”

Feeling relieved from the victory, I sat down on the ground as if collapsing.

I took a small water bottle from the cloth bag tied to my waist, drank a little water, and took a breath.

It was quite tough after all.

I thought I could fight reasonably well if I had attack power, but struggling so much against a single Treant wasn’t good.

It seemed challenging to pass the adventurer exam that is known to be tough.

Maybe I should defeat magical creatures diligently and gradually strengthen the 【Rusty Sword】.

Speaking of which, did the level of the artifact increase?

Thinking about it, I checked the properties of the 【Rusty Sword】.

Name: Rusty Sword

Rank: F

Level: 1

Attack Power: 1

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

Skill:

Durability: 6/10

“Geh! The durability has already decreased so much!”

Involuntarily, I raised my voice.

I had a vague idea that the level hadn’t increased, but I never thought the durability would have already decreased by nearly half.

At this rate, it seemed like fighting one more time would be the limit.

After defeating the next Treant, it would be wise to go to the temple and restore the durability.

In the temple, it was possible to restore the durability of the artifact. Additionally, it was possible to repair a completely damaged and broken artifact.

By placing the artifact or part of the artifact on the altar and offering a prayer, the gods would supposedly restore it to its original state.

If the artifact broke, all its effects would be nullified, so it was better to fix it before it completely broke.

With no functioning attack power, blessing, magic, or skills, I wouldn’t be able to fight magical beings anymore.

At this rate, I would probably have to rely on the temple many times in the future.

Moreover, it was inefficient, and fighting with this 【Rusty Sword】 was undoubtedly reckless.

“But, it’s not like I can’t fight.”

There is indeed a way to become stronger.

Mom is still supporting me, and I’ll take my time to gradually become stronger. Besides, everything is a ‘test.’

I gaze at the 【Rusty Sword】 in my right hand and renew my determination.

Since then…

I continued my days hunting Treants deep in the forest.

Rainy days, windy days – with Mom’s packed lunch and the 【Rusty Sword】, I would go to the Whispering Forest. Occasionally, I would come home in tears after being defeated, and there were times when the durability was completely depleted, and the artifact was broken.

Nevertheless, I continued my training.

To become the admired adventurer, to meet Mom’s expectations, to catch up with Ruby.

As I repeated those days, I realized that three years had passed.

Even now, I struggle with a single Treant, and my strength hasn’t changed from three years ago.