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

Chapter 68 The Gem Shines

After Citrine was abducted by the demons, Rust and Dia were running towards Obsidian Mountain. Relying on the single clue of a “burnt smell,” they headed for a distant area. Although the distance wasn’t exceptionally far, it was quite a challenge to cover it on foot.

Rust’s estimate that “if we hurry, we might reach it by the end of the day” was somewhat unrealistic, considering their stamina. However, this assumption was based on the capabilities of an average human.

“Do you think we’re almost through the marshlands?” asked Rust.

“Y-yes, probably,” Dia replied.

The two were equipped with powerful artifacts, endowed with supernatural “blessings,” allowing them to run with enhanced agility and less fatigue. Their physical abilities were so heightened that they could run for an entire day without issue. This was especially true for Rust and Dia, who possessed high-ranking artifacts.

However, there was one key difference between them that Dia couldn’t ignore. She secretly gritted her teeth.

(…I’m slower…)

Dia’s artifact, the Immortal Great Shield, granted her significant defensive benefits. It provided resistance to poison and curses, and greatly fortified her physical body. Additionally, the shield’s durability never decreased, so she didn’t have to worry about it breaking and losing its blessings.

This artifact boasted overwhelming defensive capabilities. However, in exchange, it provided no offensive benefits. Unlike weapon-type artifacts, it didn’t enhance her divine power or strength significantly. Her agility was completely unaffected.

Name: Immortal Great Shield

Rank: A

Level: 5

Attack Power: 0

Blessings: Strength +50, Durability +240, Agility +0, Magic Power +50, Vitality +220

Skill: [Indestructible]

Durability: ∞/∞

Because of this, the difference in their power—the difference in the performance of their artifacts—became evident in this situation.

Currently, Dia was running ahead, with Rust following closely behind. Despite running at her full speed, Dia couldn’t help but feel frustrated that Rust maintained a consistent distance behind her, revealing his spare capacity. She couldn’t help but sense Rust’s remaining energy, which only amplified her feelings of guilt and inferiority. Gritting her teeth in secret, Dia spoke to Rust behind her.

“…Please, go on ahead.”

“Huh?”

“You’ll be much faster if you go alone. Leave me and go ahead,” Dia urged.

She truly wanted to go together, to fight side by side. However, for various reasons, she had judged that it was impossible. Above all, she couldn’t bear the current situation of holding him back.

Rust was visibly puzzled by her suggestion.

“But if I do that, you’ll be left alone…”

If Rust went ahead, Dia would be left alone in the area. Essentially, it would mean abandoning his female comrade. Rust seemed reluctant to do that. Although it would be risky for Rust to go alone, he had enough energy left to fight on his own for a while, which made him prioritize Dia’s safety.

However, the situation was too urgent for any such consideration, leaving no room for hesitation. Understanding this, Dia responded with a determined expression.

“I’ll be fine on my own. If you keep matching my pace, who knows when we’ll reach the Obsidian Mountain. What worries me more is what Citrine might go through in the meantime.”

“…”

Rust’s expression clouded, seemingly in agreement. He was torn between understanding and hesitation. Seeing Rust’s clear reluctance, Dia added one more convincing argument.

“So please, go ahead and save Citrine. I’ll catch up with you later, I promise.”

Hearing this, Rust’s troubled expression began to lighten. The promise that she would definitely catch up was the reassurance he needed. Dia would be fine on her own. In fact, he was usually the one being protected. Rust remembered this once more and gave Dia a firm nod.

“Got it. Be careful.”

“I will.”

With Dia’s response, Rust overtook her, moving ahead. He pushed off the ground powerfully, sprinting through the area at the maximum speed his agility allowed.

(…Fast)

As she watched Rust’s figure grow distant, Dia realized he had indeed been holding back to match her pace. She felt the painful difference in their abilities once again and clenched her teeth.

(I really can’t stay by Rust’s side anymore…)

She had secretly thought it for a long time. She shouldn’t stand by Rust’s side anymore. Conversely, Rust was no longer someone who should stand by her side. He had become so much stronger since they met. The difference was clear.

The reason was obvious. They had different levels of talent, different amounts of experience, and different levels of effort. A powerful artifact might be seen as mere talent, but wielding it effectively required experience and effort. The stronger the artifact, the more room there was for improvement. And Rust had never neglected to put in the effort despite his talent.

(…Unlike me.)

Seeing Rust begin his night training made her realize that their mindsets were fundamentally different. While she slept comfortably in the inn’s bed, Rust put in maximum effort to make the most of his talent. The difference in their abilities was inevitable.

Moreover, when Rust fought against that spear-wielding boy, supposedly his childhood friend, all she could do was watch from behind. While she could excuse it by saying she was protecting Citrine at the time, being satisfied with that meant she couldn’t be a proper partner to Rust. And in the end, despite being tasked with protecting Citrine, she had allowed her to be taken by the enemy.

It was undeniable proof that she had been complacent, relying on her shield talent and Rust’s kindness without putting in enough effort herself.

“…”

The reason they formed a party in the first place was that they complemented each other’s weaknesses. Rust couldn’t use his powerful artifact continuously, and Dia, with her shield artifact, couldn’t defeat demons. So, while Rust couldn’t use his artifact, Dia would protect him, and Rust would defeat the demons Dia couldn’t handle. That was their role distribution.

However, lately, Rust had grown accustomed to the artifact’s curse. It’s not that this was an unfortunate development—on the contrary, it was good—but the fact remained that the longer Rust could maintain the cursed sword, the fewer opportunities there were for Dia to shine. If Rust continued to grow at this pace, he might eventually be able to use the cursed artifact all day long. And knowing him, he would undoubtedly achieve that.

And if that time came, she truly…

“—!”

A nameless anxiety surged within her, and Dia instinctively bit her lip. At the same time, she unintentionally recalled the words she had said to Rust.

“Without Rust, I’m nothing but a useless failure.”

Yes, that’s entirely true. The mere thought of Rust leaving made her shudder all over. It was tantamount to admitting that she couldn’t do anything without him. If, at this very moment, she were to come across a human being attacked by a demon, and if that demon were relentless in its assault…

What could someone like her, who could only protect, possibly do?

Dia felt a painful tightness in her chest, and her young face clouded over with a somber expression. Suddenly, at that moment, she recalled not only her own words but also a memory of her mother’s voice.

“Dia, what do you think is the greatest driving force for people?”

Why was she remembering her mother’s words now? And on top of that, she couldn’t recall the rest of the conversation. Frustrated, Dia tried to piece together the dialogue with her mother as she ran, chasing after Rust.