Rio suddenly noticed a few more words had appeared on the piece of paper he had found earlier.
"If you are reading this, it means you survived the potion. Congratulations. Even though the chances of survival were only 1 percent, you showed firm and strong will. I hope you reach even greater heights. I wish you good luck!"
Reading this, only one thought came to Rio's mind:
You should have said that earlier! I could have been dead by now! How did my father become S-ranked with such a laid-back personality? Sigh~
If he had lost consciousness even for a moment during the potion's effects, he would have been finished. That was dangerously close,but he had survived.
There's a saying: if something doesn't kill you, it makes you stronger.
Rio decided to put the matter aside. There was no use crying over spilled milk.
He turned his attention to the old, rusty knife.
[A boundable artifact has been detected!]
[Artifact: Formless Weapon]
[Boundable target: Descendant of Flash bloodline]
[Description: A formless weapon. Can be turned into any weapon you can imagine. Maintains form unless instructed to change. Self-repairs using mana; grows stronger with its owner.]
[Would you like to bond with it? Warning: unbinding is impossible until you reach S-rank or die.]
[Yes/No]
"Yes," Rio said without hesitation.
I don't have a proper sword right now, and my senses are telling me I need to leave this place as soon as possible.
[Binding… merging with soul… compatibility calculation… 50%…]
[Binding successful!]
The formless substance moved into Rio's hand. For some physics-defying reason, he felt nothing as it entered his body,only a warm sensation spreading throughout him.
I can instinctively control this thing.
He tried forming a katana,it appeared instantly. He reshaped it into a broadsword, a longsword, a knife, a saber, a dagger. All forms were just as easy to summon as breathing.
And if I don't summon it, I can carry a weapon without even holding it,how convenient.
A new line appeared on the page:
If you are reading this, it means you survived the soul compatibility test. If not compatible, your soul might have suffered obliteration. All is well, though. One more thing: I left a "toy" for you to test your new strength,but be careful; it's a bit strong. Muhahaha!
Rio's normally expressionless face darkened. For the first time in this world, he felt true anger.
Damn it! Two times already! Haah… this old bastard! Fuck you!
He calmed down quickly, though.
Since my soul merged with the previous owner, that must be why I passed the compatibility test. Lucky it only checks up to 50 percent… if it had gone to 51, I'd be dead.
Just as he was cursing the old man again, danger screamed through his senses. Without thinking, Rio jumped away.
Looking back, he saw a massive snow golem where he had been standing. The ground was cracked,clearly an attack meant to kill.
Hmm… a snow golem? This must be the "toy" the old man mentioned. Tricky.
Golems weren't living beings; they functioned on mana stones as power sources and followed commands from their creator. Their speed and agility were low, making them easy targets,but high-ranked golems adapt quickly.
I can't tell its rank at a glance,golems don't have auras. We'll see in combat.
The golem launched a single, devastating punch. Rio dodged effortlessly.
If that landed… fatal.
Rio's enhanced senses and agility allowed him to evade its attacks. But the golem adapted, changing its attack patterns.
It's adapting… an A-rank, confirmed.
Golems didn't tire, as long as their mana stones supplied power.
Only one way out now.
Rio formed his formless weapon into a straight sword with a sharp, pointed tip,a "Firangi" shape suitable for thrusting and cutting. He backed up, calmed his breath, and prepared for a perfect strike:
[Concentration!]
[Body Strengthening!]
[Elemental Sword Art: Fire Thrust!]
Flames condensed at the tip, and in an instant, Rio pierced the golem's abdomen, striking its mana crystal precisely.
The golem exploded, scattering snow and broken mana stone fragments. Rio was hit by the shockwave.
Tsk… I knew it would explode, but it was unavoidable.
He caught his breath.
Phew… if I had been slower, that punch would've hit my face before I could pierce the crystal.
Rio checked his gains before leaving:
[Name: Rio Flash]
[Class: Swordsman]
[Rank: B-]
[Max Rank Potential: No limit (X)]
[HP: 3500/3500] [MP: 2400/2400]
[STR: 51/100] [SPE: 51/100] [AGI: 51/100] [DEF: 51/100] [INT: 51/100]
[Talent: Limitless (X), Sword Aptitude (X)]
[Techniques: Intermediate Swordsmanship (B-), Elemental Sword Art (B-)]
[Ultimate Skill: Concentration (?)]
[Skills: Body Strengthening (B-), Lightning Sword (B-), Sword Aura (B-), Handling (B-)]
[Passive Skills: True Immunity (X), Sword Intent]
[Evaluation: Absolute anomaly, unaffected by fate and destiny.]
[Items: An Unknown Fragment (???), Formless Weapon (bound to soul)]
Aside from the new item, nothing else changed. Time to step up my training when I return.
Rio looked for a way out,but there was none.
What's going on? Shouldn't there be a portal or something? Why is there nothing?
Is this another trick from the old man?
As he was about to curse, new words appeared on the page:
I see you are indeed strong. You have passed all trials. I appreciate your strong will. Farewell, and have a happy journey, my precious child.
A warm light enveloped Rio. He felt as if he were floating on water,strange, yet comforting.
Unseen by Rio, a certain old man smiled quietly, fading into nothingness. Before vanishing, he gently placed his hand on the now-unconscious boy's head.
"By the way, I am not that old, you silly child."
And with a relieved smile, Kevin Flash disappeared without regret.