Chapter 872 (2/2)

Pleased, Randidly returned to the real world. With that problem hopefully addressed, he could focus his attention on the delicate minutia of the mechanical arm: the control runes and the specific Engravings he would use.

After careful consideration, Randidly felt like he had almost no choice but to set aside the possibility of creating a functioning Engraving that could Level. He simply didn’t expect himself to get lucky enough to manage it, even with him being intimately familiar with the images that he would have to use.

He already had a pretty firm handle on the Ignition of the Emerald Essence portion, although he was well aware that it could use further refining. That was a worthwhile endeavor, but ultimately Randidly chose to focus most of his Engraving time on another image.

There were two reasons for this. The first was that Ignition of the Emerald Essence likely wasn’t extremely impactful in this type of fight. Unless he created an overwhelming offensive Skill. The second thing was that honestly, it was hard to image something that could be placed in an engraving that Randidly couldn’t do anyway with his Skills.

Instead, he wanted to focus on an image that he had spent the most time refining, yet were the least weaponized of the Skills he possessed.

Namely, his Phantom image.

Randidly’s fingers flexed; it had begun with an image of his mother, but as ash and fire had invaded and shaped it into something even more dangerous. In that image was all of the hate and implacability that he had inherited from his distant mother and Shal.

Yet before he could begin, Randidly leaned back from his work table with a sigh. Someone was coming up the hill. But his expression abruptly brightened when he realized who it was. Sam was making the slow trek up the hill.

And there was only one reason that Sam would come to see him.

His new set of equipment was ready.

In spite of himself, Randidly was excited. He already possessed Acri, who continued to grow toward becoming sharper as a plant than any metal could equal, and Sulfur, who thrived off of dispersing and absorbing force.

But that left most of his body uncovered by equipment. Many times on Tellus his arms or legs were covered in gashes as the opponent’s strikes were able to tear at his flesh. Because of that, it was easy for Randidly to receive small wounds that sapped his Health and Stamina over the course of a fight.

Of course, his monstrous regeneration was enough to smother such small concerns. But his last few fights in Tellus had taught him a valuable lesson in how important those small wounds add up to be. If he could avoid those losses, he should work toward doing it. It was slowly perfecting the small details that enabled one to grow to a new tier of ability. That was what Randidly was seeking.

The Earth would need it soon.

In typical Sam fashion, the man’s face was locked into a constant state of disinterest even as he walked calmly up the hill toward Randidly. Randidly couldn’t help but roll his eyes. Certainly, Sam wasn’t one to be swept away with emotion, but shouldn’t he be at least a little excited to reveal his new creation to Randidly?

When Sam arrived, he simply nodded. Then he waved his hand and produced a chest. “Open it. The thing functions as a set, so you’ll receive bonuses for wearing more pieces. Oh, also, don’t tell Clarissa I can add set bonuses. She will drive me crazy pestering me for the how, when I have already informed her that I do not know how to make a magician’s wand or staff..”

Interesting, Randidly thought excitedly as he opened up the chest. Within, he found an extremely heavy and dense… curtain…?

Confused, Randidly carefully reached in and pulled out the inky black curtain. It was only when he felt the material between his fingers that he realized that it was an extremely fine sort of chain mail, with extremely small and thin bits of metal looped through each other.

Grunting, Randidly lifted the chain mail out of the chest. To his surprise, it was much heavier than he was expecting. So much so that it would even affect his movements while wearing it. But for all that…

Randidly’s hands flexed as he gripped the metal links. The material rippled and flexed, but didn’t distort. Randidly raised his eyebrows. He applied more strength, drawing on the Yyrwood Flesh of Yggdrasil. There was still no response from the metal even as Randidly’s hands began to tremble from the exertion.

Not that he believed he would be able to simply crush a finely wrought armor. But to think the thin bits of chainmail didn’t even warp...

“Darksteel,” Sam said with a sniff. “There is a big push toward using the stuff these days. It has a powerful dampening effect on Skills, so it’s the best equipment for defense out there. The key ingredient comes out of East End, but if the market grows… well, you’ll see quite a bit of Equipment like this, I expect.

Randidly peered back into the chest and noticed pants and gauntlets within. Each was made with dyed leather and the darksteel, and feature short, sharp spikes that bristled from the joints.

Slowly, Randidly put the armor on. He heaved the curtain of chain mail over his head and then slid on the gloves and pants. He flexed his still free toes in pleasure. As he did so, Sam snorted. “You look like a demon king, wrapped up in black metal like that.”

“Don’t act like you weren’t the one who designed this armor,” Randidly replied. Then he considered the Stats of the armors.

Imposing Darksteel Shroud Lvl 68: An extremely powerful defensive equipment that covers the upper body of the wearer. Weaker to attacks from the side, but this weakness provides the wearer addition mobility. Due to the material, Skills will have a difficult permeating the armor. Health +1000. Strength +25. Dark Before the Dawn IV. Set of the Black Knight III.

Marauder’s Darksteel Gauntlets Lvl 62: Effective gauntlets designed to decimate and wound an opponent. Not only provides protection for the forearm, but the meticulous design increases attack speed. Stamina Regeneration +50. Agility +25. Dark Before the Dawn IV. Set of the Black Knight III.

Bloodsoaked Leather Pants Lvl 71: Leather pants that have been processed to the point of being impossibly soft. Will fit to the body of the wearer. Quite comfortable, despite the darksteel woven into the equipment for defensive purposes. Reaction and Perception +30. Agility +50. Dark Before the Dawn IV. Set of the Black Knight III.

Dark Before the Dawn IV: Forged in the moments before Dawn. Due to that, a strange grudge is present within the steel. Somehow the metal seems to understand it will never truly know the light of day. While the bearer is immune, that unwillingness will increase the wearer’s ability to ignore Skills. Resistance +100, Wisdom +20.

Set of the Black Knight III: A portion of the equipment made by a master artisan while thinking of a loner knight who seeks vengeance against the world. For each piece of the set worn, increase Endurance, Strength, and Willpower by 25.

In terms of stats and attributes, the gains were ridiculous to the point of Randidly being shocked. And yet…

Randidly shifted uncomfortably within the dense armor. He felt… isolated. Numb. When he moved his body to test out the mobility, it wasn’t so bad that it was impossible. But…

A line of text stuck out to him. Skills will have a difficult time permeating the armor. Randidly frowned.