"The dark fog… it originates from a tear, a wound in the veil separating our world, Aethelgard, from a realm of eternal twilight," Adamuz rumbled, its voice a low tremor in the earth. "It is drawn to despair, to weakness, to the corruptible aspects of the soul. This forest, the Eldorian Forest, is blessed, protected by the Nara Tree, a sentinel of ancient magic."
He gestured with a petrified wooden arm that creaked with the movement. "The Nara Tree radiates a purifying energy, a beacon against the encroaching darkness. It is why the inhabitants of this forest are largely shielded from the fog's influence. However," Adamuz warned, "its protection weakens during the red moon. That is when the fog bleeds into Eldorian, seeking any crack in the defenses."
"And the tree... it demands a truce?" Leo asked, piecing together the information.
"Indeed. Within the Nara Tree's aura, violence is forbidden. It is a sanctuary, a place of healing and reflection. During the full moon, the Nara Tree's power peaks, further strengthening its protective barrier. The creatures of Eldorian, even the most savage, instinctively seek its shelter then."
Leo absorbed all this knowledge, a whirlwind of information swirling in his mind. He turned his attention to Tarra, his loyal companion, his first creation. Adamuz had offered him a chance to elevate Tarra beyond her humble beginnings, a chance to unlock her true potential.
"Now, Inheritor," Adamuz said, the holographic projections shifting to display intricate diagrams of golem anatomy and crystal structures, "let us begin Tarra's ascension. I will guide you, imparting knowledge lost to time."
He disassembled Tarra piece by piece, the rough, crumbling clay giving way to superior materials scavenged from the dusty, deserted
Warehouse. He found petrified wood, strong enough to withstand immense pressure; veins of glistening quartz, perfect for channeling magical energy; and sheets of hammered iron, resistant to both physical and arcane assault.
Adamuz hammered into him the importance of magical circuits. Leo learned to weave intricate patterns of power, imbuing runes carved into polished bone with resonant energy that pulsed like a living heart. He used thin strips of bone to embed the runes within the petrified wood, creating pathways for the quartz to amplify. His hands, stained with ink created from crushed gemstones and etched with the faint lines of magical burns, grew adept at carving obsidian, shaping it into forms of unmatched resilience. Each curve, each angle, was meticulously planned, designed to not only withstand magical attack but to amplify Tarra's strength.
Slowly, meticulously, Tarra transformed. The clumsy, clay-like golem was evolving into something sleek, powerful, and almost…humanoid. Her form became more streamlined, resembling a doll of polished metal and gleaming crystal. Where once were thick, ungainly limbs, now were slender yet powerful structures of petrified wood and iron, capable of incredible speed and strength.
Her quartz eyes, once mere glowing dots, had been replaced with larger, multifaceted crystals, each facet carefully polished to focus light and energy. They now possessed an almost unnerving intelligence, mirroring Leo's own determination. When he finally activated her, feeding the magical circuits with his own mana, the quartz eyes flared with an inner light.
[System Notification]
[Tarra has reach Level 30!]
[Name: Tarra]
[Type: Advanced Golem Automaton]
[Level: 30]
[HP: 850/850]
[MP: 200/200]
[Strength: 150]
[Agility: 120]
[Defense: 200]
[Skills: Enhanced Combat Matrix, Quartz Infused Strike, Energy Shield, Rapid Regeneration, Analytical Scan, Mana Conduit]
Leo stared, his mouth slightly agape. Level 30! That was…insane. He had expected some improvement, of course, but this was beyond anything he could have imagined.
"How…?" He muttered, running a hand through his already disheveled hair. The strength score alone was higher than his own!
Suddenly, a realization struck him. The materials. The petrified wood, the quartz, the iron – they weren't just for structural integrity and magical conductivity. Each material, painstakingly sourced from the Warehouse's ancient remnants, probably retained traces of the powerful magic that once coursed through this lab. The quartz, in particular, likely held fragmented memories of battles fought long ago, knowledge of arcane defenses and offensive strategies. His crude attempts to imbue the materials with simple runes had, unknowingly, reactivated those memories.
Tarra stood tall, her new form radiating power. She flexed her metallic fingers, her movements fluid and graceful. "Master," she said, her voice now clear and resonant,
Adamuz nodded approvingly. "She is a formidable construct, descendant. But her potential is still limited. I will now perform the Legacy Transfer, imbuing her with a fragment of my own knowledge and power. This is a process I can only do once.
With a gesture, Adamuz channeled his fading power into Tarra. Energy coursed through her frame, causing the glyphs etched on her surface to blaze with light. The transfer was complete. Tarra now possessed a flicker of ancient wisdom, an understanding beyond her programming.
Now it was Leo's turn. Using the knowledge and materials within the lab, he began to craft his own equipment. He worked tirelessly, fueled by determination and the lingering echoes of the ancient golem makers.
He focused on creating a ranged weapon, something that would allow him to fight from a distance. He fused ancient metals with polished crystal, channeling his mana into the intricate design. Finally, he held it aloft – a sleek, elegant gun powered by quartz crystal. It required no bullets; instead, it drew energy directly from Leo's own mana reserves, converting it into concentrated blasts of pure force.
[System Notification] New Item Created!
[Quartz-Powered Energy Rifle: A custom-crafted weapon that channels mana through a focusing crystal to unleash potent energy blasts. Ammo: Mana. Damage: 30 (Energy). Mana Cost per Shot: 2 MP.]
With the knowledge Adamuz taught him and the materials inside the lab, Leo crafted his armor.
[System Notification] New Item Created!
[Resonant Aegis: A complete set of reinforced armor, meticulously crafted using advanced composite materials and mana-conductive matrices. Channels ambient mana to bolster protection and sustain the wearer. Defence: 60 (Physical). Resistance: 30% (Energy). Passive: +1 MP/sec (Mana Regeneration). Special: Perfectly fitted & balanced for the wearer.]
Leo let out a long, shaky breath, a wide grin spreading across his face. The Resonant Aegis. It was done. He felt the strength radiating from it, a tangible assurance of durability and resilience. He had the offense of the rifle and the defense of the armor. Adamuz's lessons, the countless hours, the dwindling materials in the lab – it had all led to this. He was ready.
[System Notification: Golem-Making Skill Maxed!]
[System Notification: New Job Unlocked: Golem-Mancer!]
[System Notification: New Skill Acquired: Golem's Dimensional Pocket (Level 1): Allows the Golem-Mancer to store golems within a personal dimensional space. Capacity: 1 Golem (expandable).]
[System Notification: New Skill Acquired: Summon Golem (Level 1): Summons a basic golem to aid in combat.]
[System Notification: New Skill Acquired: Golem Enhancement (Level 1): Temporarily enhances a golem's stats.]
[System Notification: New Skill Acquired: Golem Repair (Level 1): Repairs minor damage to golems.]
[System Notification: New Job Unlocked: Artifact Smith!]
[System Notification: New Skill Acquired: Artifact Making (Level 1): Craft basic artifacts with minor magical properties.] [System Notification: New Skill Acquired: Enchantment (Level 1): Add minor enchantments to weapons and armor.] [System Notification: New Skill Acquired: Repairing Artifacts (Level 1): Repairs minor damage to artifacts.]
[System Notification: Title Acquired: [Jack of All Trades]: Grants a small bonus to all job skills.]
[Jack of All Trades:The ability to swap between various job at will]
[Golem-Mancer: Focuses on summoning, controlling, and enhancing golems in combat.]
[Artifact Smith: Specializes in crafting magical items with unique abilities.]
Leo opened his character screen, marveling at the changes:
Name: Leo Makjin
Race: Human
Class: Unspecified (Selectable: Golem-Mancer, Artifact Smith)
Title: Golem Maker, Jack of All Trades
Level: 2
HP: 135/135
MP: 80/80
Strength: 12
Agility: 9
Intelligence: 19
Vitality: 15
Luck: ?
Skills: Survival Instinct, Golem Crafting (MAX), Golem's Dimensional Pocket (lvl 1), Summon Golem (lvl 1), Golem Enhancement (lvl 1), Golem Repair (lvl 1), Artifact Making (level 1), Enchantment (level 1), Repairing Artifacts (level 1)
Adamuz watched Leo finishing crafting his weapon and armor he then slowly look at Leo and said " Inheritor my energy is fading i may no longer exist in Aethelgard , i belive you will bring the light to all of Aethelgard Inhabitants" and thats his last word the Ancient Golem disappear like dust.