V56C3P2 – Legendary Artifact

“Hmm.”

Weed swung each axe again.

At first, he didn’t know which axe was best, but he quickly caught on.

Weed smiled lightly and made his decision.

“I will choose the axe on the furthest right.”

“… Are you sure? You won’t regret it?”

“Yes. I am certain that this is the legendary axe that will split Kaybern’s skull.”

It was impossible to identify by looking.

Touching wasn’t any better. Maybe a master blacksmith could differentiate it.

‘I wonder if I needed to be a master blacksmith and a level 700, 800 warrior to succeed in the dwarf race quest.’

There was no extent to just how difficult this quest was and inevitably he had to choose a single axe. If he chose with greed and false hope, it would be no different from relying on luck.

Only the dwarves knew which ones were the axes of heroes and which was the legendary axe.

‘The examiners had the answer.’

Each time Weed swung an axe, their eyes and att.i.tude changed noticeably.

Their reaction for the plain-looking axe wasn’t particular.

Their eyes were fixated when he was holding the other axes and when he swung the axe on the furthest right, they were enveloped in a sense of excitement and awe.

Even when he put it down on the ground, they seemed anxious as if it was going to leave a scratch on the axe.

‘There was no trick to begin with. Dwarves are a kind that cannot hide their expression.’

Their att.i.tude towards the axe showed him the clear answer.

There was no reason for him to hesitate on the decision nor the possibility of failure.

link!

< The dwarf test is complete.

The legendary axe instilled with longing that has spanned centuries has shown itself to the world once again. Honor will be restored to the dwarves that have lived lowly on the ground!

Lead the dwarf warriors. Swing down with the legendary axe and slay Kaybern. >

< Reputation increased by 40,000. >

< You have touched the legendary axe.

Blacksmithing skill level has increased to Advanced level 4. You are now capable of refining more resources and applying traits to weapons and armor. >

< Adventure achievements increase all stats by 4. >

< Intelligence increased by 5. >

< Wisdom increased by 4. >

< You have gained the authority to command 1,000 dwarf warriors. >

The rewards were tremendous for quite an easy quest!

The increase in blacksmithing proficiency was also a precious benefit.

“As expected of the dwarf who took back the Brazier of Sacrifice.”

“I knew you would find the legendary axe. If you knew the taste of an axe, that is.”

“If you’re a dwarf, you can feel the legendary axe. It was a simple test, really.”

Weed showed no interest in the chattering dwarves. His eyes were set only on the legendary axe. The dwarf that led the conference handed over the axe with his two hands upheld.

“This is yours.”

“Are you really giving it to me?”

“Of course. You, who must command all dwarves, have the right to wield this axe.”

Gulp, gulp, gulp.

Weed was almost drooling.

‘Look what rolled right into my arms.’

The reason he came all the way to Treestub Village was to ask for a.s.sistance from the dwarf warriors.

Historically, the dwarves lived like slaves under the dragon.

Defeating the dragon was the sworn fate of their kind.

In the entire process of the race quest, they were offering so much.

Weed understood why the dragons left other races alone and specifically exploited dwarves.

< You have received the legendary Dragon Slayer Axe. >

The legendary weapon.

Emperor Geihar had legendary equipment in the past, and it was said that even among legendary items there were great differences.

“Identify!”

< You have pa.s.sed the dwarf test and the details of the axe has been revealed. >

Dragon Slayer Axe: Durability 350/350. Attack Damage 331~ 572.

An axe crafted over generations, across centuries, by the best dwarf blacksmiths who ever lived.

An unbelievable legendary weapon!

The dwarf blacksmiths from each generation imbued it with all their talent.

Unimaginable power will be transferred to the dwarf who wields this axe against the dragon.

Its tremendous power could only be wielded properly with two hands.

Divine sacrifice!

The dwarves have suffered a lot in order to craft this axe.

Each battle with this axe will result in 10-point reduction in any random stat.

Requirement: Dwarf only.

Level 990.

Attribute: Maximum health points and mana increased by 300%.

All stats +150.

Axe skill damage increased by 80% and increased critical chance.

5% lifesteal.

Radius of axe skills increased by 200%.

Grievous wounds apply additional damage for 20 seconds.

Armor penetration!

Consecutive successful attacks will reduce the target’s armor by 15.

Armor break.

Reduces monster’s spirit by 70%.

Axe skill destructive force increased by 200% and mana cost reduced by half.

Planting the axe into the ground summons Dwarven Rock s.h.i.+eld.

Strength and stamina enhancing skills are all mastered.

Rate of mastering combat skills increased by 200%.

Attack damage of nearby dwarf warriors increased by 50%.

Special attributes that activate only when engaging dragons:

Attack damage doubled.

Magic resistance increased by 49%.

Upon taking damage, health recovery is increased by 150%.

Immune to curse and physical debuffs.

Penetration, destructive force and crus.h.i.+ng damage.

When both feet are touching the earth, the user will not be knocked back by any force.

“This is insane, just utterly insane.”

Heavenly compliments sprang out of Weed’s mouth.

The axe was so huge that it had to be held two-handed, and it was heavier and more powerful than a sword.

It was a weapon solely for offense!

Its base attack damage was three times the damage of the Loa sword and had enhanced attack skills and additional power transfer when fighting a dragon.

“The only thing that bothers me is the Divine Sacrifice…”

Each battle would cost 10 stats!

By simple calculations, just 5 battles would cost 50 random stats.

Needlessly acc.u.mulated stats in Dignity, Charm, Mentality and Fighting Spirit could decline, but it was the same case for Strength, Agility and Stamina which were vital.

“It’s not a weapon I can use all the time. Still, compared to the Loa sword it will have 5 times more attack damage. I suppose this is for boss raids. As I thought, the dwarves were the answer.”

The Savior quest, as grand as it sounded, would only provide for one or two heroes.

When they combine their power against the dragon, just how much help they would prove to be was unknown!

The dwarf race quest not only gave him experienced warriors as allies but provided him with the best weapons.

‘With this axe, I could inflict some serious damage on the dragon.’

Weed was confident that this weapon could cut down 10% of Kaybern’s health points.

He would have to use the Brazier of Sacrifice without question, but he could do a flurry of attacks while the dwarf warriors bought some time.

‘Even so, I can’t guarantee a victory.’

The dragon’s style of battle was the concern.

No matter how powerful they could get, if the dragon bombards magical spells from the sky the dwarves had no way to attack.

‘Kaybern thinks so lowly of these dwarves to begin with and now that he was robbed, he would be furious. With no other variables, the battle has to be on ground level. We need to draw him into it. If the other dwarves create a diversion, it will buy me some time but it will still be difficult.’

Weed simulated the battle scene against Kaybern.

Even if he were to be very tactical with these dwarves, it still seemed a bit extreme to fight the dragon.

It wasn’t as if the dragon was going to just swing its paws.

‘The probability is just too low. If I enhance magic resistance radically the dwarves won’t die as easily but…’

The dwarves shouted and announced their fighting spirit.

“Let’s fight!”

“We won’t even get a chance to get at Kaybern if it wasn’t for Weedhand.”

“It only makes sense that he will lead us. Though he may be young, he has shown us courage and strength.”

“But a dragon is a dragon. We won’t win the battle.”

“The treasure of our race. The Crown of Lightning will do the trick.”

“You mean the legendary gear crafted by Somhand, the most brilliant dwarf in history?”

Weed’s ears were hooked.

His heart fluttered at the story of another equipment.

The dwarf that brought him the Dragon Slayer Axe spoke again.

“Weedhand. If it’s you, I know you will be able to find the Crown of Lightning. It is another treasure crafted to kill Kaybern!”

Blink!

Crown of Lightning.

The dwarves are valiant warriors and will follow you, the hero.

Lead the thousand warriors and uncover their treasure, the Crown of Lightning!

It will be worth every sacrifice.

Difficulty: Race quest.

Requirement: Dwarf.

Reward: Crown of Lightning.

< The quest, with the fate of the race at stake, has been activated!

You must command the courageous dwarves and defeat Kaybern.

The wicked dragon will ridicule its challengers and destroy them.

The dwarves however, will not back down and the clash with the dragon is inevitable.

Return true freedom to the dwarves of the high mountains!

The legendary gears hidden by the dwarves will aid you in your battle.

Warning:

The dwarves prohibit other races from entering the secret location where their treasure is kept. If one who is not a dwarf enters the quest, the warriors shall reject the hero.

Should the quest fail, the relations.h.i.+p between the dwarves and Kaybern will turn for the worst. Thor will be annihilated by the dragon. >

The destruction of Thor.

This Kaybern mission determined the fate of the dwarves.

‘Why is this race quest so extreme?’

One wrong move and the entire race could be erased off the planet.

‘The Crown of Lightning…’

The legendary gear kept by the dwarves!

Weed asked the dwarf who gave the quest to him.

“What is the Crown of Lightning?”

“It’s a crown that wields the most powerful element, lightning. It’s a legendary item that could turn anything in sight into ashes. If you wear it, you can lead an army with great charisma. It’s a crown crucial for leading our warriors.”

“Oh… What an incredible treasure. So where is this crown?”

“That’s up to you to figure out.”

“…”

“The young dwarf warriors will a.s.sist you. Wherever you go.”

– Mapan: I have never heard of the Crown of Lightning! There isn’t any record of it in historical books nor quest logs.

Weed imagined that it was an invaluable item if it was on par with the Dragon Slayer Axe.

The legendary artifact of the dwarven race! They have prepared it for hundreds of years in order to kill the dragon, so there was no doubt that its powers would be immense.

‘This is a jackpot of items!’

– Chase: So, a legendary gear hidden by the dwarves. Weed-nim just might slaughter them all before we finish our quest.

– Spenson: Given the trait of the crown, it seems there is a big boost of command ability. I bet there’s various protection spells to use against the dragon. If Weed-nim equips it and leads the army, the effects will be enormous. Since it’s a crown, it will also help him in his governance as the emperor.

(To be continued…)