kscans

Chapter 270 - The Second Tier

It grows and evolves alongside the player—the [Anima], a fragment of the soul.

It has long been whispered that they possess a will of their own.

The [Anima] observes its master and manifests a form befitting them. The key is that it is a 'befitting form,' not a 'desired form'; it does not grant a creation that aligns with one's hopes.

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 variations will branch out—

Now, what about my own other self, the [White-Flawed Straight Sword]?

If you trace it back, my [Anima], which originated from a pickaxe… has been subjected to a thoroughly 'unfortunate' existence, though it's not really my place to say so.

The only noteworthy achievements it can claim are mostly from fighting mere grunts.

Against bosses and powerful enemies, it has basically been batted aside… The only moments that could be called highlights were the mysterious system-level favoritism during the [Angalta, God-Wedge Sword-King] fight, and being kicked around and slammed into an unmoving target (the Pillar) during the Four Pillar War.

Considering its dramatic origin, it's easy to imagine how much frustration it must have built up, having never once been given a chance to truly shine.

Based on these facts—I must still be allowed to say this.

"How did this happen???"

"Hmph…"

Hey, don't you 'hmph' me…

Even I didn't expect it to stop being a sword at all.

Unlike its creation, evolution apparently doesn't take much time. It was only a few minutes before the craftsman, 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.

And what was placed before my searching eyes was a single ring.

—Its name: [Everquartz, Sky-Soaring White Crystal Sword].

A ring of matte white, embedded with a sparkling crimson jewel. This 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 bewilderment—

"— — —Ha, haha… What is this?"

A few seconds after slipping the ring onto my right middle finger, where the [Spiral Crimson Ring] used to be, I was hit by [Arcadia]'s trademark brain-install bombardment. The flood of information that poured in left me with no choice but to laugh.

What is this absurd evolution, as if it were fueled by all its complaints against me?

There are a mountain of things to comment on, but for now—

"Ah… um… ah, like this."

Unlike the quick-change skills I was used to, I didn't 'envision' it but 'called out' to it—and as I did, the ring flashed and vanished from my hand, replaced by the familiar form of a white sword.

The crimson jewel was embedded where the blade and hilt meet, in the diamond-shaped guard. Other than that, its shape hadn't changed much, except that it now had a semi-transparent, spirit-like existence.

Above all else, the most noteworthy thing, more than its appearance, was—the fact that it was floating casually in the air beside me.

From a ring to a sword, floating in the air—there's only one thing that comes to mind, isn't there?

"What the… were you mad that I was envious of Sora's [Anima]?"

When I tried to poke its blade teasingly, the white sword dodged my finger as if in a foul mood. What's with you, you trying to defy your master?

Sorry, sorry. Let's get along, partner.

From [White-Flawed Straight Sword] to [Everquartz, 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 simple terms, is 'Autonomous Action'—just as it dodged my poke, it seems to have become a 'living sword' that moves on its own according to the situation.

Are you saying if I don't use you, you'll just make your own spotlight?

Well, now… this is just too unexpected a direction for an evolution.

"It's become as maverick as its owner."

"Hah… I like it. I welcome anything that looks interesting."

I returned the white sword, which was zipping around as if to show off its pent-up complaints, to its ring form on my right hand. Based on the specs popping into my head, it doesn't seem like it'll be easy to handle, but—

I've gotten used to unruly weapons, for various reasons.

It seems to have developed some convenient abilities, probably out of a sense of rivalry with my 'ultimate utility knife' that has now become my main weapon… Well, I'll master them bit by bit.

"Come again. I'll take a look anytime."

"Yeah. Thanks!"

With that, one of my tasks is successfully completed. My next destination is—

[Nier]—'Are you, by any chance, free right now?'

—the atelier of my personal artisan, who has been acting strangely since yesterday.