Chapter 407: Growth
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 407: Growth
I had assumed this new power could also be made more efficient using a weapon as a medium, but I was a little flustered when Levatain spoke to me so directly. Her voice sounded as if she was already certain I would pour my emotions into her.
In the first place, I didn't even know if Levatain was capable of evolving through emotion.
- It’s definitely possible, darling. That flame is incredibly compatible with me.
‘Is that so.’
- Besides, this body was powerful to begin with... This isn't an evolution like Gram's.
I felt like I’d heard that explanation before. The story that it had lost its former power over a long period of time. It was clearly written in the item description. If what Levatain said was true, and it really could evolve, this would be a huge gain for me as well.
All the weapons I used frequently had undergone various evolutions and refinements, establishing themselves as top-tier items.
Dain, powerful but with a heavy penalty.
Levatain, capable of summoning the flames of ruin.
Ridil, which granted me high-speed movement and dragonoid transformation.
Mystletainn, responsible for restoring my health and mana.
Isaac, which allowed me to use magic, though it had been a while since I’d last held it.
And the Great Tribe Leader’s Hammer, which I had yet to use properly.
Among them, the one that could be called overwhelmingly superior was, of course, Gram of Sorrow, which had recently completed its explosive evolution. It still hadn't acknowledged me as its master, but it was nonetheless the most powerful of them all. Of course, it had the drawback of consuming the emotions I had gathered for its evolution, but compared to the power Gram could unleash, that penalty couldn't even be called a flaw.
If I could raise Levatain to the same level of performance as Gram...
- What? Same performance? Don't make me laugh. There's no comparison.
‘Jealousy?’
- Jealousy? Please. In the first place, that mutt and I are in completely different leagues... I’m only in this state right now. Gram is just a stuck-up... This is why you can't trust the nouveau riche.
‘You two don’t get along?’
- The only thing I hate more than that crazy bitch is Gram. Hmph. Just because she’s been used from the beginning, she acts like she’s something special. And she hasn't even gone through the master’s ritual... Isn't that hilarious? To use Isaac's words, it's like she's acting all experienced and skilled when she hasn't even spent the first night with you yet! If she’s going to be like that, I don't know why she's so proud. Ha. She plays so hard to get, it’s ridiculous.
‘...............’
It seemed there was some hidden story here. Levatain’s words made me want to enter the space where the weapons existed by themselves, just once. Seeing them converse with each other even when I wasn't around made me feel like some serious drama was about to unfold there, too.
- You’re right, darling. Dain is throwing a fit every day, and Ridil and Mystletainn just watch nervously. And Gram acts like she’s some kind of higher being. Honestly, I'm the most normal one. It's tough just living among them... I envy Isaac for being so far away. Of course, it's a pity he can't see you often...
She didn't exactly seem normal, but compared to Dain, Mystletainn, and especially Isaac, Levatain was certainly a lady. As I was mulling things over, Levatain’s voice came through again.
‘By the way, how are you even talking to me?’
- I could always do it. Ever since we first integrated. We were just holding back so we wouldn't give you a headache. Ahem... But now that I've done it once, the others will probably start coming to you one by one...
‘I’m not exactly thrilled about that... Are we connected even without integrating?’
- Of course. We've been connected ever since the master’s ritual. Integration just brought us close enough to be able to talk...
Being able to communicate with my weapons was due to my unique ability, but I was a little surprised to learn they were being considerate of me. More than that, I found it hard to believe that Dain was capable of self-restraint.
- We're holding that crazy bitch back... Anyway, hurry up and do it, darling.
‘Wait a minute.’
I was still in the middle of something else. It was a hassle to travel all the way to the Item Shop. Evolving Levatain wasn't an urgent matter, and I figured I probably hadn't gathered enough rage yet anyway.
- No, this is enough.
‘What are you talking about?’
The amount of emotion flowing into me certainly wasn't small, but it was trivial compared to the amount I used to awaken Gram.
- You don't need to go into that Item Shop and entrust me to that weird goblin, either.
‘But there isn't enough emotion.’
- What did I just say? I'm not evolving, I'm reawakening my former self, darling. The emotion that's gathered now, and that flame over there, is enough.
I glanced ahead. The massive flame continued to burn. I had no idea what to do.
- I'll help you. Let's become one, darling.
‘Here? And why do we need to integrate in the first place?’
- It'll be more convenient. After we integrate, you just accept that flame, and then we separate again. It’s done. You'll also be able to see my new, combined form with my restored power much faster, so it's good for you too. I'll be even more magnificent than before. I guarantee it.
My appearance wasn't that important. But with Levatain hyping it up this much, I started to feel a sense of anticipation.
I glanced around. The apostles were offering prayers to me as I stood staring blankly at the fire. Baek Ahyeon and Choi Seulgi were also holding some ambiguous positions. Something about it didn't sit right with me. For some reason, I felt that if we integrated here, another legend of Blood Dagger would be born.
But the eternally burning flame itself was already a myth to them. Providing this little bit of service probably wouldn't hurt.
- Good thinking.
I sighed and slowly opened my mouth.
“There is something I must do. My apostles, for a moment, clear the area around the eternal flame.”
“Y-Yes, O Savior.”
As expected, as if sensing I was about to do something, Baek Ahyeon and the other apostles began to look at me with eyes full of expectation. No other explanation was needed. I slowly reached my hand toward Levatain, and the integration began.
[ Weapon Integration ]
[ Target - Levatain ]
Flames erupted from Levatain and swallowed me whole. I could never get used to this sight. For some reason, there was no pain this time.
- That’s because we've grown closer.
Flames began to rise from my tail and back.
“O-O Savior...”
“Kim Taesung? Why are you suddenly... integrating?”
“There’s just something I need to do.”
Before I could even hear Baek Ahyeon and Choi Seulgi’s murmurs, Levatain spoke through me.
- Just walk right in.
“A miracle... It’s a miracle!”
Hearing a voice from somewhere, I let out a smirk. That line, which I’d heard so often in the Land of Brothers and the Land of Glory, was "He has truly inherited the blood of Blood Dagger." The phrase I heard most often here was "It's a miracle."
When Laveua and Lapura drank water, they would shout, "She has truly inherited the blood!" When they slept, "She has truly inherited the blood!" When they ate, "She has truly inherited the blood!"
It was the same here.
If I drank water, it was a miracle. If I took a short nap, it was a miracle. If I ate a meal, it was a miracle. If a god who actually performed miracles were to look down upon this place, they would surely laugh in disbelief. But this time was different from those trivial things. My followers wore expressions as if they were witnessing a myth with their own eyes.
Of course, the actual content was completely different.
- Get ready. This will hurt a little.
‘I won’t pass out, will I?’
- It's not that bad.
Simultaneously, the flame that had been burning itself with rage as its fuel began to pour into my body. As the fire started to enter me as if it had a will of its own, another commotion erupted around me.
“O Savior! Ahh...”
“A miracle! It’s a miracle! A miracle of the Savior!”
“He is accepting the Eternal Flame!”
I could never get used to the sight of them shedding tears as they prayed. But when I considered how I must appear to them, I figured their reaction wasn't so unreasonable.
The savior who willingly walked into the eternally undying fire, engulfed in flames to gain a new body and a new form. That's undoubtedly what they were thinking. Even as these useless thoughts crossed my mind, the flame continued to flow into me.
Lately, I’d become quite accustomed to entrusting my body to fire. Just as Levatain had said, it wasn't very painful. No, in fact, my body began to feel incredibly at ease.
- Our compatibility is even better than I thought.
‘Because it doesn’t hurt?’
- Yes.
As time passed, I could clearly feel my body changing.
‘Heh...’
My hair was turning into fire. Just like Jung Hayeon, who had hair like plant stems, my own head was beginning to be covered in flames. That wasn't all. The horns on my forehead were also wreathed in fire.
If someone saw me now, they would probably think I was a fire demon.
After some time, what I began to feel was immense power. When I lightly placed my hand on the ground, the same flame as before covered the earth.
‘Is it over?’
- Not yet.
The moment she finished speaking, another massive wave of fire swept over me. It didn't feel like my body itself was becoming fire.
Grit...
I bit my lip without realizing it. The flame that had entered my body was now circulating through me like blood. No, it truly felt as if my blood was made of fire. I could clearly feel Levatain in my heart.
A moment of pain passed, and as I let out a breath, Levatain’s incredibly satisfied voice rang out.
- We did it, darling! Hehehehet!
‘I can't tell if I should like this or not. But I know I've gotten stronger.’
After speaking, I slowly looked over my body as various pieces of information flooded my vision.
[ Weapon Integration ]
[ Mode - Levatain - Sword of the Enraged Surtr. ]
[ Through the effect of Weapon Integration, the user gains the fire attribute. You will gain horns of undying flame made of rage.
You will gain perfect resistance to the fire attribute. Your fire attribute attack power will increase dramatically. You will be able to consume the emotion of rage as flame. You will gain dominion over fire and heat without using mana. By consuming all of your mana, you will create the flames of ruin that will burn the world. By consuming all of your emotion, you will summon the undying flames of rage. ]
[ STR+10, VIT+10, MAG+20 ]
‘Heh...’
In Gram's case, the vitality stat was +20, and its only function was to strengthen my body with the emotion of sorrow. It might have been because it still didn't acknowledge me as its master, but Levatain's current integrated form was superior to Gram's.
- Just superior to Gram? Ha. She's not even a worthy opponent. You worked hard, darling. Now that I've evolved, you have to call on me before Gram next time you swing your sword, okay?
Her voice was brimming with confidence. I smirked at her words and immediately released the integration with Levatain.