Chapter 910 (2/2)

Grimacing, Randidly redoubled his efforts to find a way for the two images to coexist in the same spot. If he could combine his two most offensive images…!

Yet at one meters distance, the smoldering piece of ash had started to glow with a blinding light and the spear phantom had begun to clack its jaw constantly. Both seemed like a warning, although Randidly couldn’t tell if it was to him or to each other.

Either way, Randidly let the pressure drop and sighed. His eyelids flickered for a second before he could leap from the deep darkness of the prison to his hut once more. The brown wooden walls looked surprisingly drab after the vivid world of images. Sitting up slowly, Randidly took stock of the situation.

At the very least, his head felt much better than it had previously. A lot of the strain had worn off. But Randidly could tell it would come back quickly if he pushed himself right now. Randidly’s smile was sardonic; he had gained quite a few Levels in Visualization and in the two spear based Skillsets, but he had made no progress on his actual goal.

As such, Randidly couldn’t help but be disappointed. It wasn’t like he could miss either of the two unities, either. Both were necessary. He needed his Skills to be complimentary so they could be used together. And the images needed to be united so he could shift between them quickly.

Missing either of those prerequisites would be enough to sink this plan altogether and make it a rather large waste of time.

Shaking his head, Randidly stood and stretched. His shoulder popped lightly and his back cracked in a very satisfying manner. Then he calmly strolled over to his workbench for Mana Engraving.

Randidly had a strange idea, as he lay in the darkness waiting for his images to arrive earlier. What if he could unite Mana Engraving with one of his images? To empower his ability to engrave without relying on Mana. And also give him some assistance in the finer details of Engraving.

Likely either Yggdrasil or Ignition Essence would work, but Randidly was leaning toward Yggdrasil. It made sense that the emerald energy would be the one to actually inscribe the engravings, but then Randidly had this image that the entirety of the World Tree was covered in extremely small, golden engravings that-

Randidly paused and looked up from his work. Then his face split into a grin.

Sam was early.

By the time Randidly had washed his face and walked out of his hut, Sam had made it up to the hill and was waiting. This time, Sam’s smile was filled with easy confidence. “I’m early, but more practice is better. Here, there are four pieces. One for each of the Blessings you gave out to us.”

With a flourish, Sam produced a box. That set Randidly to chuckling; it seemed like Sam was in quite a good mood. Then his attention turned to the lovely oak box. It only took a touch with Grasp of the World Seed to reach into the wood of the box and ease it open to reveal the pieces of equipment laying within.

As promised, there were four pieces of equipment. The first looked like a white grey hoop of charcoal. The second “piece” was two gloves made out of spider silk with a long, draping sleeve. The third item was a belt that burned golden, even in the afternoon light.

The final item looked like a pair of greaves that spread down from just above the knee to the top of the foot but left the bottom bare. The metal was the color of moonlight and several long blades ran along the side of the leg equipment.

Randidly’s eyes scanned back and forth. The gloves were Mrs. Hamilton’s Blessing and the belt Sam’s. That meant… the greaves were Annie’s, and the hoop Alana’s...

Sam’s eyebrow quirked up. “Something wrong?”

“I don’t know which to examine first,” Randidly said. Despite the fact that he hadn’t actually seen the stats for any of them, this equipment already felt very different from the formless blob that Sam had presented with him previously. Each of these was a piece of something.

Each of these pieces of armor had a story woven into them. And for that… they were powerful.

Snorting, Sam waved a hand. “Fool, this is not such a magical thing. Just pick any. And if you insist on being troublesome… why not start from the top?”

With a small smile, Randidly reached out toward the hoop of charcoal. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that there were some reinforcement struts on the sides. Rather than a hoop, it was a piece of defensive equipment that would wrap around the head and provide vital defense for the brain.

Mostly a hoop, Randidly thought with amusement. But with some other bits thrown on for good measure...

Ancestral Circlet of the Broken Ridge (A) Lvl 69: A defensive equipment of the highest quality, worn by a legendary warlord. With his strength, the warlord was able to unify the entire surrounding area and ruled for one hundred years. It was not until his death that his empire fractured into pieces and his treasures were lost. Even now, descendants of his loyal valkyries wander the plateau, seeking a sign that the Warlord’s successor has come. Health +300. Vitality and Endurance +20. Without Flinching IV. Warlord’s Knack III. Heritage of the Broken RIdge V.

Without Flinching IV: Many called the Warlord a fool when his only defensive equipment for his head was a few pieces of a strange, charcoal-like metal that wrapped around the forehead and temples. Yet not even God can argue with results. The Warlord didn’t look away, even at the end. Resistance +40.

Warlord’s Knack III: Although the defensive bonuses aren’t anywhere near that of a true helmet, the Warlord made up for that by having a sense for ambushes and sneak attacks. While wearing the Circlet, Perception +20.

Heritage of the Broken Ridge V: As this was one of the core items used by the Warlord, to wear this circlet is to inherit a fraction of his will. As such, Paths will open to you that were previously closed. Strength, Agility, Reaction, and Willpower +25.

Randidly slowly blinked. Three hundred Health? Two hundred Stats?

And this was just the first of four equipment?!?