34. Set Items (Part 1)

The item Logan handed me was a document infused with magic.

'An item that removes class-exclusive effects.'

A document that lifted class restrictions on items. It was exactly what I needed right now. With this, I could finally use the heroic-grade crossbow I'd obtained from that Orion employee.

'Must've been hard to get.'

I knew about these items, but they weren't easy to come by. The reason was simple: hardly anyone sought them out. In truth, removing class restrictions held little meaning for most people. Would a swordsman benefit from using a crossbow? Or a mage or summoner? They wouldn't need it much either.

With no demand, supply was scarce too. But it was different for me. As a Weapon Summoner, I could put it to very good use.

"Your handling of this job was quite impressive. I've hired many contractors before, but no one quite like you. So... consider this a bribe."

Logan flashed an awkward smile as he spoke.

'A bribe,' huh. Just as I'd expected.

'He wants to be my sponsor.'

Well, I might do the same in his shoes. I'd protected the real document he was hiding, after all. And I'd handled the job perfectly. Sure, the president's office had been blown to bits... but if things had gone as planned, the entire Esteno Company would've vanished. I'd stopped that.

"I understand perfectly. Here's my card. I'd like to maintain a good relationship going forward as well."

"Hahaha, thank you for understanding. Here's mine."

Our relationship with Logan might change from here on out.

"No misunderstandings, please—this is just me hoping to offer some help as we build a good partnership. Is that alright?"

Hm. We hadn't formalized the sponsorship yet, but he was offering preemptive service? No reason to refuse.

I left Logan's mansion and returned to the hotel. I'd secured the first set item; now for the second.

I hadn't pinpointed the second set's location originally, but while handling the company quest, I'd gotten a message from the merchant guild president, Jeston.

The underground auction. A place selling items through shadowy channels. It opened in two days. That gave me some time.

Normally, once you acquire a set item, subsequent ones from the same set link up with the existing effects. Meaning the set item at the auction would match the first one.

'A Weapon Summoner set item, though... first time for everything.'

I examined the ring Logan had given me.

The set effects were confirmed. A set made for Weapon Summoners. These options were insane.

'Even the first effect is overpowered.'

It summoned a clone of the weapon's wielder—one that used my skills too. And... it enlarged weapons, plus a [Ancient Weapon Arsenal] summon I'd never even seen. A whole arsenal of rare ancient weapons. How many were inside?

'Gotta hunt down the rest of this set fast.'

Set items varied wildly by class, with unique effects per set. I might have to pay Jeston extra to speed things up.

'And then.'

With the set effects confirmed, another task awaited. I pulled out the item Logan had given me.

A4-sized parchment inscribed with a magic spell. Applying it to an item lifted the class exclusivity. No need to hesitate.

I immediately pulled out the crossbow and used the document.

Shhrrk.

As I recited the incantation, light poured from the document, enveloping the crossbow and seeping into it completely.

A change had ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠occurred. "(Removed)" now marked the exclusive message. I could equip and use it now.

'Let's check.'

Massive stat changes. Just equipping the ring and crossbow had boosted my strength and agility by over 20 each. That alone was a huge gain, but it didn't stop there.

'Piercing, destructive power, and reload speed all up.'

For other classes, those were crossbow-only buffs. But not for me. As a Weapon Summoner, they applied to all my weapons. Attack power aside, these options alone transformed my arsenal.

'Add the set effects, and I could take on Descartes.'

I was steadily preparing to face him. Once Descartes fell... I glanced at [Yodo, Barseto].

'I'd claim the second fragment too.'

Whatever the second option was, no doubt my power would surge.

The next day. I'd head to the auction city tomorrow. With some time left, I decided to check the tattoo artist's traces again.

Screeech.

Still no gear detected in Brockton, so I revisited the tattoo artist's mansion... Good call.

'The traces have changed.'

The place was even more wrecked. Blood soaked the floor and walls now—traces that hadn't been there before. Meaning these were new.

'...That.'

Right then, I spotted a sword on the floor. Not something the tattoo artist would use. The attackers'? Either way, worth checking.

Swish.

As I picked it up, memories flooded in. I skipped the trivia and dove into the core ones here.

'...The tattoo artist was captured.'

Descartes had made another move. He wouldn't normally target this place now. His hordes had overrun it, and the tattoo artist fought back. The sword's owner died just before the capture.

'Hurry.'

The tattoo artist's whereabouts were confirmed. He'd been dragged to the tattoo artist's lab.