Chapter 23: Second-Grade Armament, Target
The blade was sharp, yet the body was battered.
Even for the strongest smith in the Labyrinth City Orario, this was a miracle Tsubaki had never seen before.
If this short sword were given to another adventurer to use.
Including herself.
Even against the lowest-level Goblins in the Dungeon, this weapon would probably shatter instantly. But the user was Liam…
It could absolutely retain its current sharpness!
"For this weapon to have lasted until now is indeed a miracle."
Looking at Liam again, Tsubaki's eyes were filled with disbelief. Even Ais Wallenstein, known as the "Sword Princess."
She couldn't achieve this.
Due to her fighting style and the uniqueness of her skills, the weapons she used were frequently damaged. Finally, she had to commission the Goibniu Familia, a forging faction,
to tailor-make "Desperate," a sword with an unbreakable attribute, to avoid the problem.
Liam Moon…
He, however, could ignore the limits of weapon durability and extend the weapon's lifespan.
"You are also the most special swordsman I've ever seen!"
Even though she was intensely curious about the young man before her, the crucial matter at hand was still to help him repair his weapon.
It could also be considered a case of a hunter's delight upon seeing prey.
Tsubaki lifted her calm gaze, her attitude much more serious, "Leave the weapon repair to me. You don't need to pay any compensation."
"I simply want to verify something."
"Whether your weapon... has growth potential!"
"Thank you."
Liam could clearly feel the gravity in Tsubaki's tone. He couldn't possibly ask her to finish the repairs as quickly as possible, could he?
As Orario's strongest smith.
For her to seriously focus on repairing his weapon – to put it crudely, he didn't know how much it would cost to even request her services!
"It might take a little while."
Completing the weapon repair wasn't difficult for Tsubaki.
The key was figuring out the real reason the weapon hadn't shattered. This would take a lot of time, but she felt the final result.
Would definitely be full of surprises!
Tsubaki said casually, "See if there are any weapons in the room that interest you. You can borrow them temporarily and return them after your weapon is repaired."
Of course.
She naturally had her own selfish reasons for doing this. The returned weapon would have residual sword aura, making it convenient for her future research.
She held a pure vision for forging.
Her forthright and straightforward personality meant Tsubaki didn't hide her thoughts, "A weapon you've used has research value for me."
"Each takes what they need."
"Thank you."
Learning her true thoughts, Liam decided to be frank as well, though he spoke with a hint of embarrassment, tentatively asking further.
"I actually use a dual-wielding sword style... Can I pick two weapons?"
"...No problem."
Tsubaki replied immediately after a moment's silence. Borrowing one weapon versus two made no difference to her.
She was just curious about his statement.
Dual-wielding sword style – that was definitely something very new in Orario.
Watching Liam take out two short sword weapons from the cabinet, after talking for so long, she still didn't know his real name.
Before asking, she didn't forget to introduce herself, "My name is Tsubaki Collbrande."
"And you?"
"Senior Tsubaki, just call me Liam Moon."
Feeling the considerable weight of these two short swords, when Liam left the "Hephaestus" weapon shop, he felt as if he were in a different world.
Weapons forged with Mithril as the raw material.
Their entire bodies presented a dark gray color. With the help of the light, one could see the clear Damascus-like forging patterns on the sword bodies.
According to weapon ratings.
They could at least be classified as having the top-tier power of "Second-Grade" armaments!
"I can't imagine..." "How easily I'll be able to clear Dungeon monsters with Secret Sword Art paired with these two short swords."
Leaving the upper area of Babel.
Liam headed towards the Dungeon passage. Due to the time that had passed, the number of adventurers heading to the Dungeon had noticeably increased.
Both short swords were concealed by his cloak.
An innocent man gets into trouble because of his wealth.
A top-tier Second-Grade armament in Orario's ordinary weapon shops would often cost no less than a million Valis.
Since he was borrowing them…
He naturally had to take good care of them.
Arriving again at the upper labyrinth area, the special magnetic field interference made it impossible to use a compass here.
But after adventuring for this period, Liam was already exceptionally familiar with the current area.
Due to the diversion at the starting floors, he encountered fewer adventurers along the way.
Moreover, after being cleared by other adventurers, he hadn't encountered any situations where monsters blocked his path so far.
"Today's target is the 7th floor..."
"With dual-wielding Secret Sword Art, the speed of clearing Killer Ants should be faster?"
Without hesitation, he headed to the 6th floor.
Just as he stepped into this area he had grinded in before, the perceptual ability honed through long battles allowed Liam to instantly detect danger.
He raised his hand and instantly drew a Mithril short sword.
And the War Shadow monster leaning against the wall, almost blending into the dim environment, would be easily overlooked if not observed carefully.
It raised its slender wrist, paired with sharp hooked claws, and launched an all-out attack without any warning towards the passing adventurer.
Knowing the weaknesses of this type of monster, and no matter to what extent…
Liam was not a novice adventurer.
With a fluid sword swing upwards, accompanied by a flash of sword light, the sharp sword aura instantly sliced the War Shadow monster in half.
The sword aura slash, not yet dissipated, heavily struck the cave wall!
It left a shocking mark. Stones collapsed and smashed onto the ground, dust continuously rising from the ground, finally obscuring his vision.
"A weapon of higher grade and quality."
"Will affect the final damage caused by the sword aura?"
Waiting for the dust to gradually settle, Liam looked at the final landing point of the sword aura. He could clearly discern the increase in damage.
This point was something he hadn't expected.
Weapon quality affecting the "Secret Sword Art's" sword aura damage – to some extent, this also proved that to become a Sword Soul.
One must have enough money to forge powerful weapons.
Thinking of this…
He felt inexplicably fortunate that, thankfully, there was no concept like equipment enhancement in the DanMachi world. Otherwise, all the money he saved would probably have to be spent on fodder materials!
"Let's try out the dual-wielding sword style on this floor first."
Currently, Liam was more accustomed to fighting with a short sword in his right hand. Suddenly switching to the dual-wielding style of Secret Sword Art.
Testing it on a floor with a lower risk factor.
Verifying that both short swords could unleash sword aura attacks, and after becoming proficient in this fighting style, heading deeper would be safer.
There were no other adventurers around.
Liam didn't conceal the demonic hand on his left arm. After gripping a sword in both hands, the basic moves of the dual-wielding Secret Sword Art.
He gradually mastered them thoroughly.
And the specific combat method was also easy to understand: his right hand as the main force, and the demonic hand holding a sword for auxiliary attacks.
Complementing each other.
Achieving a multiplier effect in combat.
"Facing a large number of Killer Ants, the faster offensive of the dual-wielding sword style... the clearing speed should increase."
Liam's gaze swept over the complex tunnel environment of the 6th floor. After selecting his final target, he decisively strode towards the monsters.
He couldn't hide the anticipation in his eyes, murmuring softly, "The theory is feasible."
"Then... next is the practical application!"
(End of this chapter)