Sin-Sealing Weapon 'Gluttony'

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You have won the battle.

You defeated the Special Boss, Divine Iron Armored Golem.

You are the first party to defeat the Special Boss, Divine Iron Armored Golem.

Everyone receives a special reward and 20 SP.

Your Race level has increased. You gained 1 SP.

Your Job level has increased. You gained 1 SP.

【HP Recovery Speed Up】 level has increased.

You reached the growth limit of 【HP Recovery Speed Up】. 20 SP is required to break through the limit.

【MP Recovery Speed Up】 level has increased.

You reached the growth limit of 【MP Recovery Speed Up】. 20 SP is required to break through the limit.

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Kal immediately spread his four wings to protect me, but in the end, that had not been necessary. Sebastian had blocked the blast completely.

The ultimate art he had used... that phantom fortress wall was still standing proudly, without a scratch. The Divine Iron Armored Golem on the other side had vanished without a trace, while the floor and ceiling were blackened with soot.

"You saved me, Sebastian. Thank you too, Kal."

"I am honored."

"Gwooon."

Sebastian bowed with the same expressionless face as always, while Kal happily snorted and nuzzled against me. You really are a cute one.

"That defense was freakin' tough... Are defensive ultimate arts always this damn hard?"

"No, Jigoro-sama. It is generally said that when an offensive ultimate art clashes with a defensive one, the offensive side has a slight advantage."

"Heh heh heh, so that means its conditions for use or acquisition must have been exceptionally strict?"

"As you surmise, Usuba-sama."

According to Sebastian's brief explanation, when offensive and defensive ultimate arts collided, even an attack that was perfectly blocked would inflict a small amount of damage through the defense unless there was an overwhelming difference in level. However, ultimate arts that were difficult to use and had especially strict acquisition conditions could apparently block an attack completely.

Sebastian, who had mastered such an ultimate art, was indeed an excellent shield specialist. Unfortunately, the Divine Iron Armored Golem had vanished, making it impossible to harvest anything from it. I could only hope that the special rewards made up for that.

"Once we leave the boss room, shall we go to Conrad and check the rewards? Unless we're in the same clan, shouldn't we hold an exchange meeting?"

I nodded at Usuba's proposal. Boss rewards mainly consisted of materials that could be harvested, with equipment available only as drops appearing at a low rate. Sadly, I had never obtained any drop-exclusive equipment, so I had my gear made from harvested materials and reward materials.

Apparently, most drop equipment was fairly powerful, and members of the strategy group farmed bosses in search of it. They filled any gaps in their equipment with top-tier player-made gear. They really put in the hours.

"Then let's hurry back. There's a magic circle that looks like an exit."

"Let's do that."

"Izamu, promise me. Don't forget."

"Of course I remember."

"Izamu-sama, please wai—"

I felt as though Sebastian had tried to stop us, but we had already stepped into the magic circle, and we were instantly teleported to the entrance. Just as I had thought, quite a lot of time had passed, and it was already growing dim outside. It had been a long haul... I was exhausted.

There were still a few people gathered around the entrance to the Dungeon. Some of the merchants who had been there when we entered appeared to have stayed behind. I wondered if they were making much money.

"Aren't we getting stared at more than when we came in?"

"You're right. What on earth is—gah!?"

"Gwooh?"

As Jigoro had said, the moment we emerged, I felt the eyes of everyone present turn toward us. I wondered why, but then it hit me: Kal was with us!

A party with a lineup that stood out even in a Dungeon was coming out with a Dragon in tow—of course it would attract attention. We had grown so used to being together that I had forgotten this was an event area and let my guard down.

Seeing me clutch my head over my own carelessness, Jigoro scratched his head awkwardly. Usuba was too busy looking down and trying not to laugh, while Akane paid no attention to the stares and happily patted Kal's hide.

"I apologize. I intended to warn you before we moved, but I was too late."

Sebastian emerged after us and apologized as though the mistake had been his, but this was entirely my fault. Worse, I had made him go out of his way for me. I felt pathetic. Sigh...

"...There's no hiding it now. Everyone, climb onto Kal's back. Let's take a flight and escape reality."

"Sure thing, bro."

"This should be fun."

"Yay!"

"If you please."

"GROOOOOOOOON!!!"

The five of us, including me, quickly climbed onto Kal's back. Kal let out a delighted roar toward the sky, spread his four wings, and shot straight upward. I could hear the commotion below. There was no doubt that the information would spread across the forums.

This was exactly why I had hidden Kal's existence whenever possible... But this was my own colossal blunder, so I had no one to complain to. Just because we had cleared the Dungeon, I had let myself become far too careless!?

"Easy, easy. Don't get so down, bro. Try looking at it positively."

"Positively?"

"Yeah. Now that things have come this far, let's just own it and bring little Kal along to events from now on."

"Gwooh?"

Apparently thinking he had been called, Kal turned his head slightly toward us. I stroked his neck to convey that everything was fine, and he rumbled happily in his throat.

Jigoro had a point. If the leaked information spread overnight, then we could simply act openly together from now on. Looking at it positively, nothing could be more fun. All right, I would think of it that way!

"Thanks, bro. I feel better now."

"Sure thing. Your caution has saved our asses plenty of times, but every once in a while, let's keep it simple. Right, bro?"

Jigoro said that with a grin and slapped me repeatedly on the shoulder. It was a little embarrassing, but I was fortunate to have gained such a good-natured friend... no, a brother-in-arms. I was truly grateful.

"Oh... The sky is nice. I want a flying tamed monster too."

"You're putting it indirectly, but what you really mean is that you want a Dragon, right?"

"Yes."

"I see. Is there anything you can do about that?"

As I was admiring the view by myself, Usuba turned toward me and asked that. Was he asking how to tame a Dragon? Even if he was, I wouldn't know how to answer. All I had done was receive the egg Kal had hatched from as a quest reward.

My method had been far too unusual, so telling him about it probably wouldn't help. However, I did have one lead. Perhaps I should tell him about that.

"In my case, explaining it would be difficult, and recreating it would be nearly impossible. However, I do have one lead."

"What do you mean?"

"Try visiting Vettus Floating Island, and then visit the 'Dragon Sanctuary' deep within it. If you win over its master and behave respectfully... you might be given a chance."

My lead was to visit Almardelx-sama. I did not know what conditions Almardelx-sama might set or what trials might be imposed, but I felt that if I asked sincerely, Almardelx-sama might at least give me an opportunity.

"Hey, bro. Was it okay to tell him that?"

"I don't mind. Neither of you is likely to spread it carelessly... Right now, I want even one fellow player who considers a Dragon a friend."

Even though I had gotten over it, I still wanted to avoid attracting the attention of an unspecified number of players. At least until our own clan was strong enough that we no longer needed to keep the information secret, I did not want to draw attention for no reason.

Besides, it was not as though there was no chance of taming one. If it were Almardelx-sama, I thought that Almardelx-sama might tell us to take that Dragon along as long as we convinced it. Of course, if we tried anything unreasonable, we would be sent back to respawn in an instant.

"Vettus Floating Island... You mean the land rumored to float in the sky? From the way you speak, it sounds as though you've been there before."

"It happened by chance. It seemed like a place where all sorts of secrets were sleeping."

"So that's all you're willing to tell me?"

I confirmed Usuba's question with a nod. It was too extraordinary a place to explain in a single sentence, and, more than anything, there was still too much about it that I did not know. It was not that I did not want to tell him; there was simply no way to talk about what I did not know.

Usuba stroked his mask as though pondering something, then removed the sword from his waist, still sheathed, and held it out toward me. What was he planning?

"Payment for the information. Try appraising it."

I appraised the sword Usuba was holding, as he had instructed. The result read as follows.

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Sin-Sealing Weapon 'Gluttony' Quality: Good Rarity: L (Legendary)

A weapon that seals away part of the ancient weapon 'Gluttony' and harnesses its power.

By infusing it with mana, you can freely control the sealed portion of 'Gluttony'.

Equipment Effect: 【Gluttony】

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Sin-Sealing Weapon 'Gluttony'... a part of the ancient weapon 'Gluttony'... and to top it off, its equipment effect was 【Gluttony】 too. This was what they called one of the Seven Deadly Sins, wasn't it?

That mass of flesh and tentacles must have been part of 'Gluttony.' The appetite with which it devoured the Divine Iron Armored Golem's shield had certainly been worthy of the name 'Gluttony.'

"A part of 'Gluttony'... Does that mean we should assume the main body is somewhere?"

"Most likely. Conrad is investigating the whereabouts of the main body right now."

"Hmm..."

"Usuba-sama, I have some information regarding that matter that may be of interest."

Sebastian joined our conversation. Since I had asked Conrad to gather information, it was hardly surprising that Sebastian knew about it too. The fact that he could obtain the information we wanted was proof that he was a first-rate merchant.

"I do not have any confirmed information yet, but I will give you a report as soon as we return."

"Heh heh heh, could you give us just the gist here? It sounds more interesting that way."

Usuba said that to Sebastian with an amused smile. If he was going to discuss it here, that meant he was also giving me a summary. Perhaps he intended to compare it with the information I had and uncover something new.

Maybe I was being conceited, but even if that was his intention, he was overestimating us. We had certainly visited places no other players had reached, but that was all. I could hardly imagine that we would be of any help regarding information about ancient weapons.

"Understood. 'Gluttony' was one of several powerful strategic-class weapons used in an ancient war. Apparently, there were also weapons bearing names such as 'Envy' and 'Pride.'"

"So it really was the Seven Deadly Sins?"

"Yes. And the enemy nations of the country that created these weapons apparently produced weapons named after the Seven Virtues to counter them."

"So there were at least fourteen strategic-class ancient weapons? That's an incredible story."

But strategic-class ancient weapons... A civilization capable of creating such things would have to be from the era of the First Civilization, which Almardelx-sama had told me about. Strategic-class weapons from the civilization that had built our floating battleship, 'Shiratsuki'... It was terrifying even to imagine. There might even be a quest in the future to completely destroy the ones that had been excavated.

But what would happen if a player got hold of one and used it however they pleased? Even a mere fragment, if used by someone as skilled as Usuba, would become a weapon that powerful. If things went badly, it could become a disaster unless someone like Almardelx-sama appeared. Heaven forbid.

"Some of the weapons were apparently destroyed so thoroughly that nothing remained, but many are said to have been sealed away. Usuba-sama's 'Gluttony' is one of those sealed weapons."

"Heh heh heh, I see. And where is it sealed?"

"I apologize. The records contain no clear description. They said only, 'It is imprisoned in the depths of the earth.'"

The depths of the earth... Did that mean it had been buried deep underground? That only told us that it was somewhere on one of the continents. Besides, the place where it had been buried was probably difficult to reach in the first place. Its exact location must have been concealed to prevent it from being excavated easily, but... with this little information, it was like trying to grasp at clouds.

I had not a single piece of information regarding this matter. It was unfortunate that I had come up empty-handed, but I would have to tell Usuba honestly that I had no idea.

"Ah! That's right—I remember!"

"What is it, Jigoro?"

Just then, Jigoro, who had been gripping his horn and groaning as he thought, suddenly shouted. When I asked what was wrong, he shook my shoulder and insisted that I had seen it before.

"Seen what? Where?"

"That creepy sword's tongue! Isn't it exactly like that tree that came out of the weird spell you used outside the building where we first met Towa, bro!?"

"That weird spell... tree? Could 'Gluttony' be sealed there...!?"

The magic I had used outside the building where I met the android Towa came back to mind. Thanks to Jigoro remembering it, a hypothesis about the location of 'Gluttony's' main body began to take shape in my mind.