Break at a single touch, the loose rust layer peels away like a thousand-layered pastry. The core has retained a small amount of metal, but the overall strength is completely lost.
"What a pity."
"There are a few Elite Level weapons in relatively good condition here."
Sorin, being of Dwarven descent, leapt onto the stone platform and scanned around. In just a few glances, he instantly spotted the few Elite Level weapons.
Elite Level weapons, whether in craftsmanship or materials, far surpass ordinary items. Although they are also dust-covered and corroded, with an inevitable layer of rust on the surface, the core structure remains intact and can be restored to their former glory with a little polishing and repair.
If it were a Master Level weapon, it might not even change in appearance after several centuries.
"Everyone, choose what suits you best first," Sorin generously suggested to Gauss and the other two.
"Then I’ll take you up on that." Gauss didn’t stand on ceremony.
After days together, although the three didn’t reveal their specific identities, Gauss could feel they had significant backgrounds. The Elite Level weapons, which are highly cherished by ordinary people, weren’t as precious to them.
Gauss first took a liking to a Longsword.
The Fine Steel Longsword he was currently using was merely a weapon emitting a white glow under appraisal, thus classified as an ordinary weapon. It had no other effects except for slightly reducing wind resistance.
In fact, it was time to upgrade to a new weapon.
A good Longsword would greatly enhance his melee combat capability.
He picked up the sword.
This was a sleek and slightly curved Swift Sword.
Even covered in dust and rust, one could tell its extraordinary material, not ordinary steel, but mixed with a certain silvery-white special metal, making the sword blade emit a cold shine even under faint light.
The handguard was intricately crafted into a winged design.
Overall, although it also had rust stains, the structure was intact, and the strength was hardly affected, highlighting its exquisite craftsmanship.
Gauss took out a soft cloth and gently wiped the accumulated dust and rust marks on the sword hilt, revealing a few tiny Dwarven craft runes that soon hid again.
As he grasped the decayed leather-bound hilt, a peculiar sense of resonance instantly spread from his palm throughout his body. The length and grip felt just right.
Once Gauss held it, he was reluctant to part with it.
The Fine Steel Longsword, which felt handy before, now felt somewhat stiff in retrospect, too rigid and not fluid in use.
"Oh?" Sorin noticed Gauss’ choice and raised his eyebrows. "Nice pick, Gauss. If I’m not mistaken, this seems to be crafted from Wind Speed Steel, known as ’Zephyr’. I didn’t expect such an excellent item here. It’s not common but a custom design by Dwarves exclusively for the kingdom, suitable for agile officers or special Scouts."
"Only later, the main source of Wind Speed Steel was occupied by Demons, reducing the material supply and leading to a decrease in weapon forging. But in terms of quality, it’s among the best within Elite Level weapons, especially the earliest batch not yet compromised by shortcuts."
Sorin clicked his tongue in admiration.
"This weapon significantly accelerates the wielder’s swing speed. Looking at these forging runes... hmm, it should be [Chain Attack] and [Wind Pressure]."
"The former, when the rune is activated, allows you to increase your attack frequency in a short time, while the latter adds a strong wind pressure to your next attack, further repelling enemies or deflecting incoming objects."
Sorin carefully examined the faintly visible runes and provided a professional analysis.
Despite his knowledgeable explanation, according to his own admission, he had no actual forging skills and was merely theorizing.
However, his analysis was quite accurate due to his family background knowledge.
As Sorin said, Gauss smoothly performed a sword flourish, finding the weapon incredibly fluid, much more handy than his previous standard Longsword.
Concentrating on the sword runes, he felt a slight drain in physical strength, followed by an almost imperceptible hum from the sword blade, with the surrounding air slightly distorting, as if an invisible airflow was circulating around the sword.
Was this [Wind Pressure]?
Gauss pondered.
The invisible wind pressure had a deceptive nature.
On the surface, the sword blade seemed merely a thin line, but actually, once the active effect was triggered, its striking or blocking range would greatly increase.
Moreover, if he wasn’t mistaken, [Wind Pressure] and [Chain Attack] could be used together.
Gauss willed it, attempting to simultaneously activate the power of both runes.
Suddenly, he felt his stamina draining more rapidly.
Activating two runes together consumed more than activating just one.
The "Zephyr" in his hand emitted an even clearer humming sound, the previously invisible air current became more solid, transforming into pale cyan, high-speed rotating sharp wind blades, resembling a small whirlwind swirling around the sword blade!
And he also felt his arm as if propelled by the wind, becoming extraordinarily light, seemingly ready to unleash a speed beyond limits at any moment!
"Can it be like this?" Gauss was both surprised and delighted.
He forcefully swung a sword towards a nearby half-human tall abandoned stone material on the open ground.
As the sword blade swung out, the effects of [Wind Pressure] and [Chain Attack] were simultaneously triggered!
Swish, swish, swish!!!
A series of teeth-gritting dense cutting sounds abruptly erupted.
Although he intentionally slashed sideways, skimming the edge of the stone material, the cyan wind blades swirling around the sword blade seemed to possess life, swiftly eroding the stone, cutting through in crisscrossed sharp wind lines, passing through the material.
In the next moment, dozens of deep, several-inch cutting marks suddenly appeared on the near-sword side of the hard stone, with stone powder falling down!
Fast to the extreme! And intensely incisive!
And this was the result of wind blades acting on stone; one can imagine how horrifying the effect would be if the slash hit flesh and blood solidly.
Gauss held the Zephyr, vaguely sensing a certain power within him was about to emerge.
The already well-mastered Basic Swordsmanship seemed to have many new inspirations surging up.
Basic Swordsmanship proficiency +1
Basic Swordsmanship proficiency +1
...
[Basic Swordsmanship] lv4 (13→25/100)
In a short duration, Basic Swordsmanship gained a total of 12 experience points.
Regrettably, the sensation of imminent emergence only lasted for a moment before retreating.
Yet Gauss wasn’t disappointed, as where there’s one, there will be two, and then endless possibilities.
"Hiss..." Sorin, witnessing from the side, couldn’t help gasping in surprise, his eyes widening.
"Is this... a combination of rune effects??"
He scratched his head in confusion.
Generally, even if a weapon has multiple effects, only one can be used simultaneously. At most, with proficiency, one can switch seamlessly with almost no downtime.
Combining rune effects, is it possible? Of course! But, the precondition is having a high degree of weapon compatibility and investing significant time practicing to adapt, which few people can achieve, at least within his known acquaintances.
People with such talent often upgrade to higher stages, using better weapons long before achieving that training amount.
Gauss clearly doesn’t match the criteria since he just acquired the weapon!
But if not a combination, why was the power so exaggerated?
For a moment, Sorin fell into deep puzzlement.
In another direction, others also found their favored weapons at this time.
Aaliyah chose a golden dagger, Serdur picked a silver Small Round Shield.
Nancy and Elton each had their gains too.
Just as everyone felt elated, a distinct sound suddenly echoed.
The statue guardians, originally integrated into the walls, corners, and ceilings, almost blending with the rock wall and almost ignored by everyone, suddenly had their eye sockets light up with chilling red lights.
"Click... click... click..."
The grating sound of mechanisms turning could be heard from all directions, and many statues began to shake violently!
"Not good!"