"It's without ta doubt my finest work, Yur Highness," Vargan grinned as he led me into a smithery deep within what used to be the Land of Iron. "Sorry it took so long, but I really put my heart inta it, y'know?"
"It wasn't that long," I just chuckled in response, waving my hand, "Don't worry about it."
I was heading with the former Dwarven King to finally get my new set of armor and sword, which despite his words about it taking 'so long,' it had only been about two weeks since my old set had broken.
I guess that was a 'long time' when you were not just a dwarf, but also the former Dwarven King. For me, it'd been a surprisingly short wait.
I had expected to be left without a weapon for a couple of months at least, considering Vargan had previously told me that he would ensure my new set of gear was 'unmatched by any armor ever created,' but he had finished it already.
Sufficient to say, I had high expectations, especially after my previous gear had been so powerful. If Vargan was going to one-up it, then he better have made something crazy overpowered.
"This is it," Vargan continued as he pushed open a wooden door, stepping into a large stone-walled room. I stepped in after him, quickly spotting my new set of armor immediately.
It was set up on an armor stand this time, standing menacingly in the middle of the large empty room as if someone were already within it. Compared to how Thrain had delivered my last set of armor wrapped loosely in some cloth, this was a much grander first impression.
The first thing I noticed was the stylistic change, as while my old armor had been pretty slim and slick, this one was much broader and thicker. The color was also different, as instead of the previous purple, it was now pitch-black, looking as if it were made of obsidian.
The helmet itself was rather imposing, being oval in shape and crowned with jagged, horn-like protrusions, keeping the beast-like features that my old one had, even if the sharp teeth-like spikes were gone.
It had a smooth oval shape overall, looking almost like an knight's helmet, with a slit for where my eyes would be. The entire thing was made with dark metal, featuring a full faceplate with a pretty menacing, expressionless visage. While the overall shape looked smooth, the surface texture appeared rough and uneven, looking as if it were made of a material that even Vargan had struggled to mold.
The chest plate of the armor, in a similar way, was composed of numerous overlapping plates, each with a rough, almost volcanic texture that looked like Vargan had struggled with as he created the shape. But, with its pure-black coloring, I think that only added to the image.
The leg guards were equally imposing, constructed with similar jagged and scaled elements, and looked very thick. My legs felt a bit heavy just looking at them, as I imagined a normal human wouldn't even have the strength to walk in them.
The arm guards, looking similar with their overlapping plates and thickness, were massive, looking as if just one punch with the metal-coated end could crush someone's skull. The arm guards around the hand area and the end of the arms were even thicker, and spikes flared up and curved backwards towards the chestplate.
I was starting to wonder if I'd need to pick up hand-to-hand combat over using a sword while I looked at the gauntlets, as the spikes looked rather painful to be punched by. I wouldn't actually, as I enjoyed using a blade far too much, but at least I could do some serious damage with a punch now.
At the waist, a heavy golden-like ring went around the waist, looking almost like a belt. It was adorned with intricate metalwork in the middle, which looked almost like it had narrowed eyes.
Finally, there were huge spikes shooting out of the shoulder guards, which were thick and burly. There was also a long black cape hanging off the back, which almost reached the ground, but I assumed that was Vargan being dramatic and not actually part of the armor. I wasn't sure if having a cape was my style, so I would have to think about removing it.
Overall, where my old armor had made me look like a slick, predatory, and hunter-like beast, this one was actually a fair bit more intimidating. The huge, thick, and burly armor looked like it was more fit for a giant than a human, and gave off more of a conqueror vibe than a hunter vibe.
It was kind of fitting, as I had changed a lot since Vargan gifted me with my first set of armor. Back then, I was more like a hungry beast, having just taken down Ragnar and being eager to take more power and land for myself.
Now, I was definitely still a hungry beast, but I was a bit more dignified. I wasn't a hunter - I was a King. I was a conqueror who had legions of troops under my command.
"It's big," I just smirked lightly as Vargan looked at me expectedly, a proud look in his eyes, "I was already pretty intimidating, but I think Hades might shit himself if I show up in this."
"That's ta point, ain't it?! HA!" Vargan laughed loudly, a proud undertone in his voice, "If yur gonna conquer ta whole world, ya gotta look good doing it, no?!"
Vargan didn't even give me a chance to respond, just stepping forward excitedly as he gestured to the suit of armor, "Does the material look familiar ta ya?"
I blinked at his words, my eyes glancing over the armor again, "...No?"
It was pitch-black and jagged, but that didn't really mean much to me. If I had to take a guess, I would've said obsidian.
"It's made o' dragon scales!" Vargan surprised me as he grinned widely, tapping the armor with a smug grin, "Dragon King scales to be exact!"
My eyes widened slightly at his words. Dragon King scales?
"Tiamat sure has some sturdy scales," Vargan continued as he glanced up at the armor again, "Even I had some trouble shaping them! It's a bit uneven in some parts, but I'm sure ya will adjust to it pretty quickly!"
The overlapping plates suddenly made a bit more sense, as did the uneven spikes on the gauntlets and shoulder guards. I thought it was to make the armor look more beast-like, but it seemed even Vargan couldn't easily mold Tiamat's scales.
"How'd you get so many?" I asked with a raised eyebrow, as while Tiamat was huge in her dragon form, the armor still looked like it would've taken hundreds of scales to make.
"Ta fairies healing can regenerate her scales," Vargan explained, and I was a bit impressed that he thought of this, "Tiamat wasn't ta happiest to have her scales ripped off, even if they were healed after, but once she heard it was for ya armor, she didn't complain all that much!"
I nodded appreciatively, and decided that I'd have to thanks Tiamat for that - which really meant I'd have to fuck her brains out, as that was surely what the Dragon King would want in return.
"Try it on!" Vargan continued eagerly, and I nodded. I reached up, taking the helmet off the armor stand, and pulled it onto my head.
[You have equipped [MYTHICAL] [Beast Monarch's Helmet]]
[MYTHICAL] [Beast Monarch's Helmet] - A magical helmet created by the Dwarven King Vargan for the Beast King and Underworld Monarch Valon.
You have been granted buffs by [Beast Monarch's Helmet]!
Your AGI has been temporarily increased by 50%
Your END has been temporarily increased by 50%
Your STR has been temporarily increased by 50%
Your [Presence] has been temporarily increased by 5 stages!
You have been granted [A-Tier Magic Resistance]!
You have been granted [A-Tier Physical Resistance]!
You have been granted [A-Tier Ice Resistance]!
You have been granted [A-Tier Fire Resistance]!
You have been granted [A-Tier Light Resistance]!
You have been granted [A-Tier Demonic Resistance]!
You have been granted [A-Tier Holy Resistance]!
You have been granted [A-Tier Earth Resistance]!
You have been granted [A-Tier Poison Resistance]!
Due to [Morph] being applied to [Beast Monarch's Helmet], [Devour] has enhanced [Beast Monarch's Helmet]!
[Aura of Devour] has been applied to [Beast Monarch's Helmet]!
[Aura of Devour] - Release an oppressive aura, raising your presence by 2 stages and causing nearby non-[Subordinate] or [Ally] creatures to slowly be drained of their stats.
Due to [Morph] being applied to [Beast Monarch's Helmet], [Devour] has enhanced [Beast Monarch's Helmet]!
[Helmet Devour] has been applied to [Beast Monarch's Helmet]!
[Helmet Devour] - Upon devouring a helmet of [RARE] tier or above, the stats and abilities will be added to the [Beast Monarch's Helmet]
Due to [Morph] being applied to [Beast Monarch's Helmet], [Devour] has enhanced [Beast Monarch's Helmet]!
[Devouring Monarch's Guard] has been applied to [Beast Monarch's Helmet]!
[Devouring Monarch's Guard] - A percentage of incoming attacks will be negated and turned into stats.
I grinned lightly as I glanced over the buffs. It was pretty similar to my former helmet, but on steroids. The stat boosts were over doubled, the presence raise was increased, there were a lot more resistances - which were also a higher tier - and I maintained my former skills, and even got a new one.
[Devouring Monarch's Guard] only increased the blatantly overpowered gear I had, as instead of just gaining stats from being near my opponent or landing a blow, I even got some from them hitting me.
There was even a new rarity for the helmet, as it said [MYTHICAL] instead of [LEGENDARY]. I didn't know what the difference was, but I assumed it was good.
It was really a good move to let Vargan live all those months ago, huh?
"It's great," I grinned as I pulled the helmet off, causing Vargan to match my grin with a wide one of his own, "It's perfect, even."
"I'm glad ya like it!" Vargan nodded, quickly turning around as he speed-walked over to a small chest in the corner of the otherwise empty room, pulling open the top as he gestured back at me to follow, "I think you'll like this even more!"
I put the helmet back on the armor stand and followed him, peering down into the chest. It was what I expected he was about to show me - a sword.
As the blade lay in the chest, it somehow managed to be even bigger than my last one. It had a rather long hilt, which looked like it could easily fit both of my hands. There was a small sharp point on one end, as well as two sharp points on the edge of the guard between the handle and the blade.
The blade itself was long, very long, as the entire sword looked to be nearly 10 feet in length overall. It was pitch black, with a smooth, slightly lighter outer ring around the whole blade. The edge was smooth, but the blade slimmed down to an ultra-sharp point on the end.
Overall, the sword was definitely made more for power than slicing, but it looked like it could stab through even a dragon's scales with ease.
I reached down, casually grabbing the handle.
[You have equipped [MYTHICAL] [Beast Monarch's Blade]
[MYTHICAL] [Beast Monarch's Blade] - A magical sword created by the Dwarven King Vargan for the Beast King and Underworld Monarch Valon.
You have been granted buffs by [Beast Monarch's Blade]!
Your AGI has been temporarily increased by 100%!
Your END has been temporarily increased by 100%
Your STR has been temporarily increased by 100%
Your [Presence] has been temporarily increased by 5 stages!
Due to [Morph] being applied to [Beast Monarch's Blade], [Devour] has enhanced [Beast Monarch's Blade]!
[Devouring Stab] has been applied to [Beast Monarch's Blade]!
[Devouring Stab] - Utilize the power of the Devourer in your attack - upon making contact with an enemy, drain their stats depending on the severity of the blow.
Due to [Morph] being applied to [Beast Monarch's Blade], [Devour] has enhanced [Beast Monarch's Blade]!
[Weapon Devour] has been applied to [Beast Monarch's Blade]!
[Weapon Devour] - Upon devouring a weapon of [RARE] tier or above, the stats and abilities will be added to the [Beast Monarch's Blade]
Due to [Morph] being applied to [Beast Monarch's Blade], [Devour] has enhanced [Beast Monarch's Blade]!
[Devouring Monarch's Block] has been applied to [Beast Monarch's Blade]!
[Devouring Monarch's Block] - A percentage of incoming attacks will be negated and turned into stats.
[A condition has been imbued in [Beast Monarch's Blade]!
Condition imbued: [Predator's Instincts]
[Predator's Instincts] - When outside of combat, [Beast Monarch's Blade] will point toward the nearest perceived prey.
I just grinned as I lifted up the blade, easily holding it in one hand despite how large and heavy it was. It was similar to my new armor in the sense that it maintained all the buffs of my previous sword, but had a bit of extra juice.
[Devouring Monarch's Block] was even more powerful than the version on my armor, as I didn't even need to take the damage from an attack to get the stats. Just blocking an incoming blow with my sword would give me a boost.
I was really starting to feel invincible now, which I knew was probably too arrogant of me to think, but my combination of gear really was overpowered. I could still slowly drain stats and increase my own just by stalling out a fight, and now I'd get even more just for blocking and fighting defensively.
"Good work," I nodded to Vargan, my lips twitching up into a large grin again, "You've really outdone yourself. I didn't think anything could surpass my old blade, but you managed to do it."
As I glanced down at my blade, then over at my new set of armor, I felt a small urge to say 'fuck it' and go charge into the Greek's domain by myself. I wasn't sure there was anyone outside of a Dragon God who could take me down with my recent stat boosts and my new armor.
But I knew that arrogant desire was a bit stupid, so I didn't actually plan to charge in alone. Instead, I would test out my new gear a bit in a safer environment.
I had planned to enter the first F-Rank world once my gear was finished, but I was feeling like I at least wanted a bit more action.
Tomorrow, I'll enter the first E-Rank world.
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AN: Thank you for reading! There are pictures of Valon's new armor and sword on my Patreon for those who are interested!
The next chapter will be posted tomorrow, but you can also read the next 7 right now on Patreon.com/Koyon !