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"Everyone keeps on running, passing everything, all while complaining about what they could not have, failing to see that what they wanted- was was walking on the same path" - Author
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
Finn, Gareth, Riviera and Loki stared dumbstruck at what was presented before their eyes.
"This… you sure this was made in two hours?"
Loki asked, her gaze directed at Hephaestus who gave her a silent nod.
"Crazy…"
She muttered as she stared at the items presented before her.
On top of the table were four boxes, one had two spears, a crimson spear measuring up to 1.7 meters and a shorter spear at 1.3 meters long.
The two spears were placed inside a single silver case, which, by the way, could only be opened by Finn or Loki. One could also use either of their blood to open it or break the case but-
'The case itself is an artifact that… runs on falna'
Nevermind the weapons, the cases were treasures in and of itself. They ran on a special spell that prevented damage. The only way to destroy them was to kill the mortal bound to them or send the God's whose Falna powered them back to heaven.
Which meant that the cases were virtually indestructible unless Loki or its owner were killed.
If that weren't enough, Loki could feel the terrifying nature of the weapons, they did not exude as much power as the top grade equipment but they had a mystical air about them.
"Finn"
Loki called out to her familia's captain and without any other world, Finn understood what he had to do as he extended his hand and held the shorter yellow spear. As he grabbed the spear he felt the familiar feeling of "soul binding" as Loki described but-
'This is-'
Loki's eyes opened wide in shock as she found the difference between the "Imp Staff" brought back by Riveria and the "Gae Buidhe" that was an artifact made specifically for Finn.
While the Imp Staff bound itself to its user, the Gae Buidhe bound itself not only to its user but also the users falna-
She felt the connection form and as it did-
The spear pulsed with…
'Life… this is… a true artifact'
It was still far from the level of a true divine weapon but- the nature it had was just a few inches away at this point.
While Loki was shocked to witness what could only be described as a miracle, Finn was currently experiencing something he had never felt before.
His mind was being flooded with information as he felt a connection form between him and the yellow spear in his hands.
'Weight manipulation, Reinforcement, Recall, Magical Mass…'
What he learned about the spear made him speechless, even just one of the spear's abilities could give it a price tag in the hundreds of millions and this single spear had… four.
But not only did it have four inherent abilities it also had one key power-
'Cursed Wounds?'
The ability to inflict curses on an opponent, moreover it was a curse that prevented healing magic.
Curses existed in the world of Danmachi and it was a power that was feared by many. Finn himself had experienced the terrifying power of Curses and now-
He had access to this power, without the need for abilities, he could use the power of curses and if combined with the ability of magical mass-
'Magical mass allos the infusion of magic into the spear, this imbues each strike with a magical explosion proportional to the amount of magic infused… for this curses spear… an explosion that inflicts cursed wounds…'
The prospect was frightening but also…
'It could also affect me'
Finn realized one weakness of the attack, although he is immune to the spear's attacks, when the cursed nature of the spear is imbued into its magic explosion, the effects of the explosion would still affect him.
'With proper control…'
Finn realized that the spear not only gave him more variety in his combat, it also improved his abilities significantly.
What was even more astonishing was the fact that the spears abilities did not consume magic but stamina.
'Which means I need to improve my endurance and strength…'
Finn felt a sense of loss as he realized that the only way for him to maximize the two new spears was through the use of his skill.
For the first time, he lamented his focus on his Dexterity, Agility and Magic.
But at the same time, who would have expected a craftsman capable of creating "artifacts" that would even make the Gods greedy to appear?
His choice was something Loki approved, but now, as he stared at the artifact in his hands, Finn felt a sense of loss.
Loki noticed this change in Finn as she asked-
"Something wrong?"
His Gods words snapped him back to reality, Finn returned a helpless smile as he shook his head and explained.
After hearing his explanation, Ryuta added-
"Unfortunately, that's the best method for these artifacts to stay strong. While magic is something that could reach untold heights, it is still not something everyone has access to. Stamina on the other hand is something inherent in all beings and it could be improved even without Falna"
Ryuta's answer did not sit well with Loki as she responded.
"Magic is inherent as well though?"
But Ryuta shook his head.
"Falna gives everyone access to Magic but even then, talent still plays a pivotal role in determining whether an individual would have great magic or none at all. Even if one without magical talent does acquire magic after obtaining Falna, it's highly unlikely for them to focus on improving it as they would instead prioritize their talents right?"
Ryuta's explanation made Loki shut her mouth.
Indeed, Falna gave everyone equal access to every power and ability but even then, in order to not fall behind, most would focus on their strengths.
Finn for example, with his Pallum heritage, found it extremely hard to improve his strength and endurance. No matter how grueling his training was, improving those two stats were so slow that he had already maxed out his dexterity and yet, both his strength and endurance remained at E and F tier respectively.
Even as he continued to push himself, his agility and magic were slowly and steadily increasing while his Strength and Endurance had remained- stagnant.
This was a similar problem encountered by Ais, and Loki, with her large Familia, was aware of these limits.
Although Finn had the benefit of having a skill that could remove this weakness, it wasn't always efficient to use it.
Moreover, as Ryuta said, although Endurance and Strength were related to Stamina it was not completely based on those two factors.
Stamina had a more "mental" component to it, much like magic but closer to will power. While endurance was the limit of physical activity that could be sustained, Stamina was the will to push on despite the pressure and fatigue.
It was the will power to continue moving forward no matter how battered and bruised one was-
But this power-
"Isn't that dangerous?"
Loki asked, to which Ryuta answered with a smile.
"If one is unable to have the will to push forward, how can they claim the right to wield power?"
Hearing those words, Finn realized his mistake, he thought that stamina was alluding to physical energy but after he heard Ryuta's words-
"So… it runs on my will?"
"Strength and endurance of your will to be exact"
"And how does it consume my will?"
Finn asked, to which Ryuta replied with a sly smirk.
"Try to reinforce it as much as you can"
Seeing the expression on Ryuta's face, Finn knew that this was a trap but-
'Let's what consuming my will feel like'
Finn immediately willed the spear to start reinforcing itself and as he did-
'This…'
The blue green veins that extended from his hands turned crimson as Finn felt his mind start flooding with various negative emotions such as desire, grief and weakness…
'I see… it amplifies my own negative thoughts… by "consuming stamina" it consumes my will power, my strength of self…'
Finn felt it, the constant battle he had in his mind, the desire to turn his back on fighting, to run away and live. It was the feeling all adventurer's have, it was the desire to- survive.
At least, that was what he felt but Finn knew, what he was feeling was his own "version" of "consumption". Others may feel something else, after all, the inner battle one faces is different for all.
While others struggle against a desire to run from overwhelming force, others struggle to keep up with their friends, some struggle against their own laziness and some struggle with their own sense of self-worth.
'Too much… if this is used too much…'
Finn could already see the dangers this weapon brought. Although it brought power, some "weaknesses" could feed the weapon "too much". The artifact- it brought great strength but also an equal amount of danger-
A double edge sword but-
'All we need is training'
Finn sighed as he laid the weapon back in the case, his eyes focusing on Ryuta as he asked.
"Do you mind if we test it at the outskirts of Orario?"
"Hm? Sounds interesting enough~"
The pallum's eyes sharpened as he tried to make out the thoughts of the man before him but he still did not see through him.
"Could we request you to accompany us? In case we need adjustments"
Hearing Finn's request, Ryuta did not reject, instead he showed them a brighter smile while giving them his answer.
"No problem"
But at that moment, Hephaestus raised her hand as she said.
"Sorry but I have another appointment"
Everyone turned to her, Finn, Gareth and Riveria showed a look of understanding meanwhile Loki and Ryuta gave her a look that said-'You were still here?'
(ꐦㅍ _ㅍ)
Seeing the expressions of Loki and Ryuta, Hephaestus felt a sense of deep annoyance as he staired at the duo but held it in. Unfortunately for her, the twisted look on her face was not repressed.
This made Ryuta and Loki both respond in the same way-
₍ ˃ ⤙ ˂ ₎
The two idiots had expressions that looked as if they were suppressing their laughter further increasing Hephaestus' annoyance but she held back. Her mind calmed as she thought of what she was about to do-
"You won't be laughing later'
Ryuta and Loki did not know that Hephaestus was already thinking of ways to "return the favor" but only one of the two clowns would suffer.
"Well… then we will be leaving now"
Finn decided to change the topic as he could see the rising tensions, with almost practiced efficiency, he and Maria quickly sealed the containers. Gareth and Riveria helped them carry the silver cases while Finn turned to look at Ryuta who carried a single case that was different from those carried by the Loki familia members.
Ryuta noticed his gaze as he answered-
"This is a commission, you really don't think that you're the only ones who noticed right?"
His words caused the Loki familia, even Loki herself to turn to Hephaestus, with questioning looks but the Goddess of Smithing, showed a confused expression which made them turn back to Ryuta whose response to them was-
"Do you really not want to join my familia?"
Loki asked but before Ryuta could answer, Hephaestus cut in already knowing what the answer would be-
"You really do fit well into the Loki familia"