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

Chapter 44 The Limits of Sacred treasures

“Li… Limit line?”

Those words from Gem made me unexpectedly tilt my head.

Limit line.

It’s not that I didn’t understand the meaning of those words and tilted my head.

I recognize those words.

But… does that mean…?

“Is it when the level of an artifact reaches its limit and stops rising?”

“Yeah. It’s called hitting the level cap.”

Asking to confirm, Gem nodded repeatedly.

Level cap. In other words, the limit of an artifact.

So adventurers call that state ‘Limit Line’.

What does it mean for my artifact to have reached that limit line?

Above all else…

“Isn’t the Limit Line just gossip?”

I ask Gem again.

As an artifact’s level rises, its growth rate decreases.

If it took three years to go from level 1 to level 10, it wouldn’t be enough time to go from level 10 to level 20.

You would need nearly twice that time.

Plus, you would need to fight strong enemies according to your growth, aiming to maintain that growth rate.

So all adventurers worry about the decrease in their artifact’s growth rate.

It seems common for levels not to increase for nearly ten years.

That’s why I heard they started calling it the artifact’s limit on their own, the Limit Line, and began to talk about it carelessly.

“No, no, there’s a proper ‘criteria’ for the Limit Line. At least, that’s what I’ve heard.”

“Criteria? What kind of…?”

Furrowing my brow, I asked, and Gem once again looked pleased to answer.

“Originally, it’s said that human lifespans aren’t enough time to reach the Limit Line of an artifact. Levels achievable within a human lifespan are at most around level [40], and the approximate Limit Line is said to be around level [50].”

“Oh, I see.”

That was news to me too.

I’ve never heard before that the approximate Limit Line for artifacts is around level [50].

She seems to know a lot about it. Well, whether it’s true or not, I don’t know.

But if it is true, certainly reaching level 50 for an artifact would require more time than a human lifespan.

At most, 40… no, it might be doubtful to even reach the late 30s.

“But you know, in the past, apparently only one hardworking person from Gray Village managed to reach the Limit Line with their artifact.”

“Huh, really!?”

“Yeah. At that time, it was exactly level [50]. And according to that person…”

Gem smiled meaningfully and continued.

“At the moment the artifact reached level 50, the level displayed in the properties ‘disappeared.’ It seems like the artifact told them, ‘No more leveling up from here.'”

“Huh…”

The level disappeared?

That’s just like the property of a ‘cursed magic sword.’

Just as artifacts don’t display levels when they can’t level up anymore, cursed magic sword also don’t display levels.

“The person’s artifact indeed never leveled up further. The level that disappeared from the properties never reappeared, and no other changes occurred. So that’s supposedly the ‘proof’ of reaching the Limit Line.”

“…So, does that mean my ‘Cursed Magic Sword’ has also reached the Limit Line? But my ‘Cursed Magic Sword’ never displayed its level from the beginning.”

“Mmm, maybe it’s more like your artifact has reached a state equivalent to level [1] as its Limit Line? While most artifacts are said to rise to level [50], yours seems to be somewhat special, and the level cap for the ‘Cursed Magic Sword’ might just be [1].”

“…Hmm.”

…If that’s the case, it does make sense.

My ‘Cursed Magic Sword’ is effectively at level [1] right now.

And if that’s considered the Limit Line for the ‘Cursed Magic Sword,’ then it makes sense why it never displayed its level from the beginning.

It fits… I think, but somehow it still doesn’t quite sit right with me.

Even if it’s said that my artifact has reached the Limit Line, I don’t feel particularly happy about it.

In reality, all I’ve done is raise the weakest ‘Rusty Sword’ to level 10.

Anyway, at least I’ve solved one mystery about the ‘Cursed Magic Sword’ now.

I feel a bit clearer about it.

Hmm? Wait a moment…

Name: Rusty Sword

Rank: F

Level: 10

Attack Power: 10

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

Skill: [Evolution]

Endurance: 20/20

I’ve raised the ‘Rusty Sword’ to level 10.

And its level is still displayed.

So, the level of the ‘Rusty Sword’ can still increase…

If what Gem said holds true, it’s likely it can rise to [50] eventually.

But I don’t think it’s realistic for it to level up beyond that, so I’ll just keep that in mind.

And belatedly, I’m amazed at Gem’s profound knowledge.

“You seem very knowledgeable about artifacts, Gem-san. Is there active research on artifacts in Gray Village?”

Gem vigorously nodded her head.

“I’ve said it many times, but unfortunately, Gray Village doesn’t have much. It’s just that there are a lot of overly knowledgeable old folks. So, apart from listening to them, I didn’t have much else to do, and before I knew it, I ended up with all sorts of weird knowledge.”

“I see…”

“And well, personally, I’m quite a ‘fan of artifacts,’ so my knowledge leans that way too.”

“Fan of artifacts?”

It’s the first time I’ve heard that phrase.

Does it refer to someone who likes artifacts?

Or rather, what does it mean to like artifacts? Can you even like or dislike artifacts?

“Believe it or not, I’m actually quite fond of artifacts. I mean, artifacts are fascinating, right?! They have mysterious powers, they can defeat demons, and above all, they’re cool! And you know, artifacts are said to be chosen by the gods based on a person’s talents and personality, perfectly tailored for them! That’s why artifacts are said to reflect the person’s heart, like their true feelings taking shape! Isn’t that interesting!?”

“…Um, yeah.”

Interesting… maybe?

I couldn’t quite empathize deeply.

Certainly, artifacts are intriguing, but ultimately, artifacts are weapons for defeating demons.

I’m more interested in the heroes wielding those artifacts and fighting.

But when you say that artifacts reflect the person’s true feelings, it does make them seem a bit more interesting.

Wait, if you like artifacts so much, is it okay for your own artifact to be taken away so easily?

“Someone like Dia-chan is very straightforward, right? A shield artifact that can protect against any attack is perfect for Dia-chan.”

As I said that, Dia looked down at her shield and for some reason muttered with a slightly dejected expression.

“S-So, does that mean I’m like a person who has built a wall around my heart, like… ‘someone who has closed themselves off in a shell’?”

“No, no, not at all! Why are you being so down on yourself! It’s because you’re a kind-hearted girl who can protect others with your shield!”

“K-Kind-hearted?”

Surprised by the unexpected evaluation, Dia froze in place.

A person who has closed themselves off in a shell, huh? It seems Dia evaluates herself that way because she received a shield artifact.

Well, she clearly has low self-esteem, so it’s understandable to think it’s a manifestation of her timid personality.

But from my perspective, Dia received the shield artifact precisely because she has a very kind heart.

It’s because she’s a girl who would protect someone else that Dia was bestowed with the ‘Immortal Great Shield’ by the gods.

“If Dia-chan received the ‘Immortal Great Shield’ because she’s kind-hearted, then what does that make me, who received the ‘Rusty Sword’?”

An F-rank artifact, the weakest of all, but when I tried to strengthen it, it turned into an enigmatic cursed artifact? What kind of person am I who was bestowed with that? The one who answered that question for me once again was Gem.

“Maybe the gods thought you were a ‘persistent child’,” Gem said.

“Persistent?” I asked.

“Yeah, you received a rusty artifact and still want to fight demons with it. I think there’s probably no one else but you, Rust-kun, who would do that. Probably no one else could have evolved that ‘Rusty Sword.’ So maybe the gods thought, ‘Only you can unlock the seal of this artifact,’ and entrusted it to you.”

“…”

…Is that so?

Did the gods really think of me as someone who doesn’t give up easily?

If that’s true, it makes me feel incredibly happy.

If they thought no one else could do it except me, then it means it’s my unique talent.

Oh, but if that’s the case, there’s just one strange point.

If I’m considered a persistent child, then there’s Ruby Blood, the tough-as-nails girl who received the ‘Blessing Ceremony’ before me.

She possesses not only perseverance but also a strong sense of justice.

If it was her indomitable spirit that determined the owner of the ‘Rusty Sword,’ then logically, the ‘Rusty Sword’ should have been given to her.

If we’re talking about persistence and determination, she’s definitely…

“Well, this is just my hunch, so you shouldn’t rely on it too much.”

“…I-I see.”

Hmm, I wasted my time thinking so seriously about it.

Well, yeah.

It would be absurd if I were recognized by the gods and bestowed with the ‘Rusty Sword.’

It’s probably best to consider it just a coincidence.

Besides, Ruby currently wields the formidable A-rank artifact ‘Flame Dragon’s Great Sword.’

Compared to receiving the flawed ‘Cursed Magic Sword,’ it was probably a much more appropriate outcome.

Thinking about it that way, could it be that the gods really do pay close attention to what happens in the mortal realm?

…Hmm, artifacts really are profound.

“As for the ‘reason’ why you received that artifact, Rust-kun, let’s put that aside for now…”

Glancing briefly at the sword on my back, Gem returned her gaze to me and continued, “There must be a ‘meaning’ behind receiving it, so please believe in that child as well.”

“…Y-Yes.”

Just like with Dia, I felt oddly encouraged. The ‘reason’ for receiving the ‘Rusty Sword’ wasn’t clear, but there must be a ‘meaning’ behind it, right?

Yeah, that’s right. I might not know why I received the ‘Rusty Sword,’ but the meaning behind it is something I will create from now on.

Depending on how I use this artifact in the future, the meaning of receiving it will surely change significantly.

So, I’ll believe in this child too, and I’ll try to wield this artifact for someone else’s sake as much as I can.

I gently stroked the handle of my beloved sword as if to say, “Let’s continue working together.”

Then, I reset my feelings to resume my quest for artifacts… I mean, searching for artifacts.

I hadn’t made much progress because I got so caught up in the conversation.

From here on out, I’ll tighten my focus and concentrate on finding artifacts.

…And just as I was about to start walking again, I faintly heard Gem mutter something from behind.

“But you still haven’t mastered that artifact yet.”

“Huh?”

When I turned around, Gem was no longer there.

Realizing she had already walked ahead of me, sniffing around like a dog with her nose twitching.