LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 48
What appeared on the altar was a serpent made entirely of pitch-black darkness.
“Shiiik!”
It was a snake.
[『Shadow』]
●Category: Equipment/Weapon
●Grade: Masterpiece
●Description: A snake born from a great workshop. It holds the power of the constellation. Within its night sky-colored darkness lies countless possibilities.
●Effect: Its form changes according to the user’s will.
Very simple explanation.
However, a short description means there are fewer restrictions.
“Shiiik?”
The ‘Shadow’ turned its small head this way and that, surveying its surroundings.
Then it spotted me and began to wag its tail like a puppy.
“Shiiik! Shiiik!”
It coiled up my arm and started licking my cheek with its thin tongue.
“That tickles.”
“Shiiik~ shik shik~.”
What could be so enjoyable that it rubbed its body against my face affectionately?
‘Am I being recognized as a parent?’
The power of the constellations has various effects.
While they can all be seen as extraordinary, such powers come with their own costs.
For example, the power of ‘Sagittarius’ guarantees that anything will hit, but the durability significantly drops.
‘Scorpio’s’ poison is potent but also affects the user.
‘Libra’ has the absurd ability to ‘split damage between the user and the opponent.’
‘It could be attractive if you build a specific build.’
Yet, for my current focus on swords, it’s merely a double-edged sword.
Thus, I chose the ‘Serpent Master Constellation.’
The ability of the Serpent Master Constellation is.
“Shik~ shiiik~.”
Equipment ‘Self-Granting.’
In other words, it can be made into an Ego Weapon.
In fact, within the ‘Valdeon Saga’ community, it isn’t regarded as a particularly good ability.
[Who the hell recommended the Serpent Master Constellation?]
This damn sword bastard killed me during combat.
I’ve never died from being hit by my own weapon before. That’s just absurd;;
ㅇㅇ(11.34): LOL another one got caught
ㅇㅇ(34.1): A woodcutter who got stabbed in the foot by the axe he trusted…
ㅇㅇ(12.45): Ego Sword romantics got scammed by salesmen LOL the Serpent Master Constellation is pure trash.
Even though it has a self, it doesn’t move as I desire in the situations I want.
It often sulks, betrays me, or even goes on strike without warning.
‘But how am I supposed to endure this?’
A weapon with a self.
Isn’t that a theme that resonates with otaku?
I was one of them.
So, I researched ways to utilize the Serpent Master Constellation.
Eventually, I discovered a fantastic piece of equipment.
『Shadow』
I gently scratched its head.
“Nice to meet you, Shadow.”
“Shiiik~!”
“Hmm… it might be a bit uncomfortable to keep calling you Shadow. Maybe I should give you a name?”
This is my theory.
Giving such creatures a name usually fosters a bond quickly.
‘Since it’s a beautifully colored black snake.’
Rather than using complicated English, two elegant Chinese characters should do.
“…Decided.”
I stroked the body of the creature wrapped around my arm.
“Black Lotus(黑蓮). From now on, your name is Black Lotus.”
“Shiiik…?! Shiiik shik!”
Whether it was happy about getting a name or not, Black Lotus danced around, wriggling its body.
*
“A snake… huh.”
The next day, in the Training Hall.
Elma looked at Black Lotus, which was clinging tightly to me, and said.
“I’ve never seen a snake that looks like this. It resembles a serpent shaped from the night sky.”
When she cautiously extended her hand toward Black Lotus, it swiftly smacked her hand with its tail.
“Shiiik!”
“…It seems to have a bit of a temper.”
“Shiiik~.”
Black Lotus gently tickled my hand, as if seeking praise.
“Haha… I guess it’s a bit jealous.”
Having spent the night together, I felt that Black Lotus seemed to have a strong affection for me compared to the other ‘Shadows’ obtained in previous cycles.
Some ‘Shadows’ are easy to befriend, while others don’t build bonds beyond a certain point until the last moment. I knew each cycle had a different personality.
“Shiiik~.”
Black Lotus liked me a bit too much.
It didn’t feel like just recognizing me as a parent…
‘Anyway.’
This works out well for me.
There’s no better partner than a ‘Shadow’ with high affinity.
“Even if it’s you, Ran, bringing an animal to Polaris might be difficult…”
“Don’t worry. This child isn’t an animal.”
“Eh?”
It would be faster to show than explain.
“Black Lotus.”
“Shiiik!”
At my signal, Black Lotus wrapped itself into my hand like a shadow.
Swish!
In less than a second, the snake transformed into a single sword.
『Shadow Sword』
Like Black Lotus, the sword was completely black from the blade to the hilt.
However, if there was one feature of the ‘Shadow Sword.’
It was that ‘the constellation was embedded in it.’
The constellation of the Serpent Master was brilliantly set on the side of the sword.
“A snake into a sword…!”
Elma took a step back in surprise.
But I hadn’t shown its true nature yet.
Swish!
I transformed Black Lotus into various ‘swords.’
Greatsword, rapier, dual swords, dagger…
One thing is for sure, Black Lotus can transform into more than just swords.
Swish! Clang!
The shadowy gauntlet covered my hands.
The constellation of the Serpent Master shimmered on the back of my hand.
“Can you step aside for a moment, senpai? I need to test something.”
“Oh, sure.”
I clenched my fist, recalling a past incident.
‘During the duel with Reina.’
When I attempted to use martial energy without wielding a sword, there were times when I struggled due to lack of talent incorporation.
Of course, the sense to handle the energy itself is something the body remembers, so I could perform better than others my age.
‘But it was indeed disappointing compared to wielding a sword.’
So I intended to make up for that deficiency with this.
Whoooosh!
I concentrated my martial energy into my fist.
Then, the constellation of the Serpent Master resonated with the energy and shone brilliantly.
‘Black Lotus is, in itself, a masterpiece-level piece of equipment.’
The true nature of 『Shadow』 comes from here.
By creating this equipment alone.
‘It’s as if I’ve acquired every kind of masterpiece weapon.’
Swish!
A fist made of martial energy.
Unlike when used barehanded, the form of the fist appeared to be much more stable.
Crack!
I applied power to my fist.
And smashed down hard.
「Martial Fist(罡拳)」
A massive fist struck the ground.
BOOM!!
The impact shook the earth as if a meteor had fallen.
The solid ground shattered into countless pieces.
“Wow… Ugh…”
I did it, but even I couldn’t help but admire the unexpected power.
This is why having good equipment is important.
‘The technique changes entirely.’
A slightly arrogant thought crossed my mind.
If I had used this 「Martial Fist」 on Reina, it would have been her going to the hospital, not me.
“Shiiik~!”
As if sensing that I was finished, Black Lotus, now back in snake form, climbed back up my arm.
One of the advantages of 『Shadow』 is its absolute flexibility, which is indestructible.
‘It literally cannot be destroyed.’
It’s no wonder that this was my most favored equipment in the game.
“…Each time we meet, I become a monster, making it hard to save face.”
Elma approached with a grin.
She took a quick glance at the hole in the ground and then shifted her gaze to me and Black Lotus.
“Shiiik!”
Black Lotus proudly puffed out its chest.
As a snake, I couldn’t tell where its chest began and ended.
“Well, I understand that this snake isn’t an ordinary one. There are many weapons that can change their form. It can be classified in that way.”
Elma nodded, seeming convinced.
Afterward, she stared into the distance and murmured softly.
“Next week is the festival.”
Just one week until the Star Festival.
The atmosphere of the festival already hung over Polaris.
Perhaps because this festival was on a larger scale, preparations began well in advance.
“It’s a bit cheesy, but this festival’s main characters will be us.”
“Wow, Elma-senpai, saying something like that. You must be pretty confident?”
“Rather than confidence, I have faith. In the efforts I’ve put in until now, as well as in you, Ran.”
Elma smiled ruefully.
“I have to win.”
I’d seen that expression before.
Whenever Elma had that face, it was always during moments related to her family.
“I’ve been curious since the last time. Why do you dislike your family, senpai?”
“Um, that is…”
“Oh, you don’t have to tell me if it’s uncomfortable. I’ve just been curious every time you make that face.”
I sat down roughly on the broken rubble and spoke.
“Why would someone like you be tied down by family?”
“…”
Elma sat quietly beside me.
“I’ll tell you.”
“If it’s something that burdens you, it’s really okay…”
“No, that’s not it. I think it’s alright to tell you, Ran.”
And so, Elma’s story began.