Chapter 270 - The Second Tier
It grows and evolves alongside the player—the soul's other self, the [Anima].
It has always been whispered that they possess a will of their own.
An Anima observes its master and manifests a form befitting them. The key is that it's a 'befitting form,' not a 'desired form,' meaning it's not always what one hopes for.
Therefore, predicting the direction of its growth and evolution is exceedingly difficult.
Depending on the path a player has walked with their Anima, even from the same type of 'infant vessel,' a myriad of different branches can emerge—
Now then, what about my other self, the [White-Flawed Straight Sword]?
My [Anima], which originally began as a pickaxe… has, though it's not for me to say, been subjected to thoroughly 'unfortunate' circumstances thus far.
The only battles that could be counted as proper achievements were mostly against common mobs.
Against bosses and strong enemies, it was basically just deflected… The only things resembling highlights were the mysterious system-level favoritism during the [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King] fight, and being kicked around to be slammed into an unmoving target (a pillar) during the Four Pillar War.
Looking back at its dramatic origin makes it even more poignant. Having never once been blessed with a true chance to shine, it's easy to imagine the dissatisfaction it must have accumulated.
Based on these facts—I'll say it anyway.
"How did it come to this???"
"Hmph…"
Hey, 'hmph' isn't going to cut it…
Even I didn't expect it to stop being a sword.
Unlike its creation, evolution doesn't seem to take much time. The boss, who had disappeared into his workshop with the [White-Flawed Straight Sword] and the [Spiral Crimson Ring] he'd confiscated from me, returned 'empty-handed' in just a few short minutes.
And what was placed before me as I searched for my beloved sword was a single ring.
—Its name: [Everquartz, the Sky-Soaring White Crystal Sword].
A ring of matte white, embedded with a glittering crimson gemstone. That was the second-tier form of my [Anima].
Faced with the completely unexpected and incomprehensible evolution of my 'beloved sword,' I couldn't hide my considerable agitation—
"—Ha, haha… What is this?"
A few seconds after slipping the ring onto the middle finger of my right hand, where the [Spiral Crimson Ring] used to be, I was hit by [Arcadia]'s trademark brain-install barrage. Faced with the flood of information pouring in, all I could do was laugh.
What is this ridiculous evolution? It's like it fed on all its complaints about me.
There are a mountain of things to comment on, but for starters—
"Uh… so… like this?"
Unlike the quick-change skills I was used to, I didn't 'envision' it, but 'called out' to it. As I did, the glittering ring vanished from my hand, and in its place appeared the familiar white sword.
A crimson gemstone was embedded where the hilt met the blade, in place of a guard. Other than that, its shape hadn't changed much, except that it now had a semi-transparent, ethereal appearance.
At any rate, what was more noteworthy than its appearance was—the fact that it was floating lazily in the air beside me, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
From a ring to a sword, floating in the air—there's only one thing that comes to mind, isn't there?
"What the heck… Were you mad that I was jealous of Sora's [Anima]?"
When I teasingly tried to poke its blade, the white sword dodged my finger as if in a bad mood. What's with you, trying to defy your master?
I'm sorry, okay? Let's get along, partner.
From [White-Flawed Straight Sword] to [Everquartz, the Sky-Soaring White Crystal Sword]—despite being an evolution to the second, an even-numbered tier, its main enhancement was apparently the acquisition of a new ability.
That ability, in short, is 'autonomous movement'—just as it dodged my meddling, this thing has become a 'living sword' that moves on its own according to the situation.
"If you won't use me, I'll just go make myself useful," is that it?
Well now… this direction of evolution is just too unexpected.
"It's become an unconventional item, just like its owner."
"Heh… I like it. Anything that looks interesting is welcome."
I returned the white sword, which was flying around me as if to display its accumulated complaints, to its ring form on my right hand. Based on the specs floating in my head, it doesn't seem like it'll be easy to handle, but—
After everything, I'm used to stubborn weapons.
It seems to have developed a rivalry with my 'ultimate Swiss Army knife,' which has now become my main weapon, and has acquired several convenient abilities of its own… but well, I'll master them in due time.
"Come again. I'll take a look anytime."
"Right. Thanks!"
With that, one of my tasks is successfully complete. My next destination is—
[Nier]—'Might you be free at the moment?'
The atelier of my personal crafter, who's been acting strange since yesterday.
The kind of [Anima] that evolves out of pure rage from not getting enough screen time.