Chapter Nine: The Second Law Weapon and the Pursuit

Chapter Nine: The Second Rule Weapon and Pursuit

“System, I want to forge this blade into a Rule Weapon.”

“Ding dong, please select growth types. Choose two from the following: Strength Enhancement, Magic Enhancement, Speed Enhancement. Please select two skills: Bloodsuck, Paralysis, Burning, Poison, Curse, Freezing.”

“System, I choose Magic Enhancement and Speed Enhancement. For skills, Curse and Poison.”

“Ding dong, please choose two curse types: Dispel, Weakening, Lower Physical Resistance, Lower Magical Resistance, Lower Abnormal Status Resistance—such as Poison, Freezing, Burning—Damage Amplification, Rending.”

“System, I choose Weakening and Rending.”

“Ding dong, host, would you like to change its appearance?”

“That’s possible too? System, change it to a katana.”

“Ding dong, generating…”

After a moment, a small, exquisite katana appeared in Shuster’s hand. The blade was eighty centimeters long, the hilt twenty-five centimeters. The streamlined, petite white-sheathed katana rested in his grip, neither too thick nor too slender, with a black handle and a golden guard highlighting its elegance. Drawing the blade, the blood-red spine radiated a murderous aura, while the blue edge shimmered with a predatory light. A peerless weapon had been born!

Holding the katana and feeling the sudden surge in speed, Shuster—already swift—became even faster. The crisp sound of the blade leaving its sheath rang in his ears, and the red arc it drew in the air sent a tremor through his heart.

“Bravo! What a sword!” Looking over, Nero stood not far away, applauding.

With a snap, Shuster sheathed the blade and hung it at his waist. His delicate figure and beautiful… features were impossible to overlook; his fair skin would inspire envy in any woman, and the gentle smile on his face lent him an irresistible charm. The breeze tousled his silver-white hair, making his visage all the more mysterious.

“That was left to me by my father. It’s called Blooddance Moonspin,” Shuster lied.

“A good name, fitting for this sword,” Nero nodded, then glanced toward the doorway.

“Ding dong, would you like to rename ‘Slaughter Blade’ as ‘Blooddance Moonspin’?”

“Hm? Yes, confirm.” The system’s voice startled Shuster, but he quickly confirmed.

“Ding dong, renaming successful. Would you like to view the weapon’s stats?”

“View.”

Rule Weapon: Blooddance Moonspin – Fifth Tier Intermediate Rule Weapon
On attack: 10% chance to break defense, causing crushing damage.
On attack: 10% chance to inflict rending injury.
Attack speed increased by 10%.
Rules: Each advancement applies Magic Enhancement and Speed Enhancement.
Rule Skills: Weakening, Rending.

Footsteps echoed at the doorway, and the next moment, a large contingent of Demon Sword Knights surged in.

“Where is that guy?” Credo asked, surveying the opera house, now nearly in ruins.

“He escaped, but I’ll catch up to him,” Nero replied nonchalantly.

“Hmph, you lot clean up the area…” Credo glared at him, instructing his subordinates. Without looking back, he said, “Nero, your weapon is repaired. Take it and your vice-captain and pursue him. Hmph!”

“Mm, mm…” Kyrie dragged in a massive case adorned with a red demon horn, a great sword, and a feather.

“Why are you here?” Nero took the case.

“Credo told me to. The Crimson Empress is fixed and I’m to deliver it to you,” Kyrie said.

“Thank you, at last you’ve returned to me.” Nero swung the case with his left hand, sealing it again with his right.

Footsteps approached. “Are you ready?” Shuster came to Nero’s side.

With a clang, Nero drew his blade. “Castle of Fate, is it? That’s what the eyewitnesses said. He’s from Hell, and he needs to claim territory. Hiss…” Nero stabbed his blade into the ground, channeling magic into it.

“You have the nerve to joke at a critical moment?” Credo snapped. “You must capture him.”

“Trust me, I will,” Nero smiled.

“Be careful, your wounds haven’t healed,” Kyrie cautioned.

“There’s no time. Besides, Shuster’s with me—I’ll be fine…” Carrying the Crimson Empress, Nero was in high spirits. His gaze lingered on Kyrie’s neck, surprised at what he saw: a golden phoenix-shaped necklace, the very gift Nero had sent earlier.

“We can’t just abandon an urgent mission,” Nero said.

“I must return to headquarters and report,” Credo said, heading out first.

Thunder rumbled—the ground trembled.

“Move!” The group rushed out the door.

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“Can anyone save me?” A pitiful voice echoed from the central fountain.

Looking over, a limping devotee staggered out. Suddenly, a scarecrow darted from behind and stabbed him in the chest, dragging him behind the fountain. A moment later, the body was tossed out.

“Ahhhh!” “Monster!” “Help!” A crowd of devotees fled from all sides, pursued by a horde of scarecrows slaughtering them.

“Are these things connected to that guy?” Nero asked.

“I… don’t know for sure,” Credo replied.

“Tch, don’t ignore us!” Shuster said, drawing Blooddance Moonspin and charging forward.

“Nero…” “Tch, Credo, take care of Kyrie,” Nero followed, filling the Crimson Empress with magic. “Let’s deal with these vermin. Buzz—”

“Cover the civilians. I must evacuate them to headquarters. You two, report back as soon as possible—and be careful.” Credo directed the crowd.

“Understood,” Shuster and Nero replied in unison.

“Kyrie, run with the crowd,” Credo shouted.

“Thunder Flash!” Shuster unleashed a sword arc crackling with lightning, clearing a row of scarecrows.

By now most people had escaped, but Kyrie looked up and saw a lone child standing, bewildered and crying, with three scarecrows closing in.

“Kyrie, you go. I’ll save the child!” Shuster’s voice stopped Kyrie just as she was about to rush in.

Shuster positioned himself between the scarecrows and the child; the scarecrows launched heavy attacks.

“Thunder Roc Soars!” He swept upward amidst crackling electricity, blasting the scarecrows away.

“Hurry! Don’t just stand there, kid! Get out!” Shuster said without turning.

Kyrie took the child and hurried away.

“Nero, you don’t have to hold back this time,” Shuster smiled.

“Tch, this will be over soon!” With that, Nero released the restraint on his right hand.

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PS: The next few chapters are simply written for my favorite two weapons inside, and to give our protagonist a level boost. Since the boss is so huge and cumbersome, I’ve decided to wrap up this world in three chapters.