Ultimate Level 1
Chapter 523: An Artifact Is Born

Chapter 523 - An Artifact Is Born

Max lifted the spear off the table.

Power exploded within his body as he held it.

It was as tall as him, carved entirely from the tooth of Wekime. Bands of metal were inlaid along the shaft every few inches. Each one had been absorbed, now slightly visible but unable to be felt. Runes glowed slightly, but most were inactive, requiring him to channel a slight trickle of mana according to what Zisathass had told him earlier.

He smiled. The smallest trickle of mana now infused the weapon, and it transformed into a sword. With a single thought, it became a hammer and then an axe.

“That is an ingenious trick,” the lizard said. “Smart to do when you can use all weapons.”

Nodding, Max smiled and took a deep breath.

“Let’s see what you made.”

[ Inspect Weapon ]

Artifact One of the Nine - Wekime - God of Power

Current Rank - Paragon - Tier 0/3 Unlocked

+ 100% to all Stats

+ 100% to Mana Regeneration

+ 100% Damage to gods

Shapeshifter - Able to become any melee weapon within ½ or 2x current mass.

Bound - Transfer ownership to the killer of the current owner.

Recall - Able to throw and recall the weapon.

Hidden - The System does not detect or reveal the weapon to anyone in the system.

*****

Max’s hand trembled even though he felt stronger than ever in his life.

As he detailed the information to Zisathass, the lizard said nothing, just clicking his tongue repeatedly.

We are fortunate that the system has hidden this. If word got out that you possessed such a thing, we would face an unending amount of attempts on our life.

Which begs the question, why? Why allow this? Why give us this?

Someone is playing a game. We are a pawn in it, but soon, we shall be more than that. For now, you must agree not to tell anyone, not even Tanila, the stats. You would not want to put any of them at risk by simply knowing.

“You do not understand what that is, do you?”

Max blinked and saw Zisathass leaning against the crystal table, still sweating, tapping his talons against it.

“What do you mean?”

“That is a god killer. You will learn later how that game works, but know that I need you to go.”

“I’m sorry you’re kicking me out, " Max said, confused by the sudden change in the lizard's demeanor.

“Yes. I need you to go. Others are begging for me and what I do across the system. We have been here far longer than any other time. Fear not, no time has passed in your world, but it has cost me incredible power to make that weapon. Whatever you do, be careful and remember me.”

“Remember you?”

Zisathass laughed and snapped his finger, causing the red door to open.

“Yes. One day you will understand. Just remember me. I shall wait for that day.”

Before he could speak, another snap came and he was wrenched to the side, tossed into the open doorway and then in a swirling darkness.

“Touch it already,” Fowl said. “Wait… where did it go?”

His sonar roared to life, and Max knew he was back in the crafting room with his friends.

A cry of pain came from Tanila and Max turned, seeing her grab her throat.

Pieces of her necklace fell into her hand, the heart broken in two.

“What… what happened!?” she exclaimed. “Why did this break?”

“I had to pay a price to craft the artifact. That which I treasured the most,” Max replied.

“Wait? You already crafted it? How? Where?”

Fowl’s outburst of questions made him raise his hand and Max realized that his weapon wasn’t in it.

“What in the…” He stopped himself, sensing it in his storage. It felt different, yet the same. “I… I touched the box and it took me somewhere. There I was given this.”

When Max summoned the weapon as a spear, it looked less vibrant. The same spear was there, but now only the tip kept its white bone appearance. The shaft looked to be made of black metal now, and there were no runes present at all.

“That looks… uh… unimpressive,” Fowl stated. “What’s so special about it?”

“He’s right,” Tanila said, her eyebrows narrowed. “I don’t detect much magical power coming from it.”

“The blade at the top. It’s from the tooth.”

“Holy elf tits,” Batrire cursed. “ The tooth? ”

Max nodded and smiled.

“So… you going to tell us its stats?” Cordellia asked.

Shaking his head, Max sighed.

“No. I can’t. Rules and all. Stupid system. Just know, it's nice.”

“Broken, most likely since you have it,” Fowl muttered. “Still, I’m glad you finally got to use that tooth. Now I can’t wait to see it in action.”

Everett cleared his throat and tapped the stone table.

“So, will you announce you just did the impossible?”

“No. I don’t want anyone to know and I would prefer not to have that extra attention. Ultimately, it would only put the Faction and everyone else here at risk.”

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“It was a good decision,” the older man replied. Still, congratulations. Part of me wants to throw you a party. The other part wants to cry out to Phaius; it's unfair.”

Tom laughed and slapped his friend on the back.

“We learned that long ago, when it comes to Max, nothing is fair.”

***

“So you really aren’t going to tell me?” Tanila asked.

Barely touching her cheek, Max shook his head.

“I can’t. Trust me, if I could, I would but you would understand if you knew. Everything I do is to protect you and our child.”

She sighed and rubbed her belly.

“I trust you on that. You do appear to be excited about it. Your dwarven brother is green with envy.”

“I’m not sure why, but he’s got some really good gear on the last few floors.”

“You know he looks up to you and not just because you’re taller,” she joked. “He’s always been in awe of how you handle everything and a little jealous of your growth. His commitment was shown through the brother ceremony. Give him some time. He’ll get through everything.”

“And what about Cordellia? She seems to be doing better. You two have been spending a lot more time together.”

“Part of that is the blood bond. With my father gone, it’s a natural thing. Since I don’t hide my hair or eyes anymore, no one in our party and even at the Faction really comments, but the random elves we encounter all unconsciously move toward me.”

“What can I do to help her?”

Cocking her eyebrow, Tanila glared at him.

“Not thinking about finding a skinnier elven woman, are you?”

Groaning, Max winked and kissed her, putting his hand on hers.

“No. I’ve never been that guy who wants a bunch of women to take care of. One’s hard enough.”

Grunting, she poked him and shrugged.

“Ask her yourself. She feels like a third wheel. That’s why she stopped knocking on the door. She complained that someone was snoring when we all slept together.”

“See, when you say it, that sounds bad, but if I say that, I get in trouble.”

Tanila poked his chest again.

“Because you and Fowl have dirty minds.”

***

“So this is what you like to do?” Max asked. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

“Because it’s not easy to talk about what I went through. I found out that others have endured pain similar to mine. That’s why I come here.”

Max nodded, trying to ignore the stares of every woman, man, and child on the property Cordellia had taken him to.

There were various houses, many of which were being repaired and upgraded. Their ranger recently gave them some gold, which he discovered was needed to start all the repairs.

Different groups were outside, some working on crafting, others reading or meditating. A few were off doing drills.

Yet Max could see the pain behind the eyes of many he encountered.

Each of these people has been abused in some way. Where was all this? How come I never saw it?

People do not go looking for these. You saw it with your sister and family when you returned home. I have access to memories of when you were younger. You saw them. There was a boy you gave food to one time.

As Bob spoke, a memory was pulled from his mind, and the moment played out before him. He had just finished baking, practicing his skill, and coming home with a basket full of muffins. For whatever reason, he had gone home a different way and through a part of town he had avoided. The homes weren’t as nice, and the road wasn’t as well-kept.

There was a kid who looked about nine in an alley, wearing dirty, ratty clothes and digging in a barrel.

His eyes had locked upon each other, and he felt the pain somehow.

Without thinking, he had simply reached in, pulled out a muffin, and offered it.

The boy didn’t wait a second, scurrying over and plucking the warm treat from his hand.

In seconds it was gone and those big blue eyes looked up at him longingly.

Max hadn’t given it a second thought, holding out the basket.

“Take them. There’s eleven more.”

Tears appeared, creating clean streaks on his dirty face, as the boy came forward and hugged him.

He hadn’t squeezed back, unable to react.

Then he patted the dirty blond hair.

“Thank you,” the boy replied as he snatched the basket and looked around the street. Without another glance, the child was off, weaving through the alley he had come from.

That moment is one of the many that forged the man you are.

“It makes me cry, too,” Cordellia said.

Max blinked and touched his cheeks, surprised at how wet they were.

Turning, he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her into a hug.

“You’re an amazing woman and I’m thankful every day that you’re part of our family,” Max whispered. “Never stop being you.”

Her rigid form turned soft in his arms, and she hugged him back, sobs starting to come as he held her.

Neither cared as they both cried.

Only Max knew that no one seemed to think it was strange, not looking in their direction. Seeing two people crying as they hugged was apparently normal in this place.

***

“We are honored by your kindness. Thank you again.”

Max nodded and bowed slightly as the headmistress of the home for all these people gazed at the ring he had given her.

“Inside is one thousand gold. Do what you do best.”

Her hands trembled, and the ring fell to the dirt.

Cordellia bent down and picked it up, brushed off the silver storage ring and held it out.

“It’s ok Mrs. Britton. Max is just that kind of guy. He’s one of the few who helped me with what I endured.”

“But… It’s a thousand gold!” she whispered. “A thousand!”

Nodding, Max pointed at a few of the houses.

“There are still more that need repair and you can use that to get some real help. I will speak with my Faction leader and see if he can’t get some of the craftsmen and women from our home to come and do some work as well. We can get this place spruced up.”

“But why? I mean… I understand why Cordellia gives back… but… only those who truly know pain usually help us.”

Max took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“People think the songs and stories they hear about me are the real me. They’re not,” he replied. “All the songs are about one or two things I’ve done. No one talks about the pain or loss. Like you and everyone else here, I’ve had moments where I thought all was lost and alone. It was through people, random people who were kind and helpful, that I made it through. Ask Cordellia, she’ll tell you. I’m no different than anyone else.”

Their ranger snorted and rolled her eyes, giving him a poke to the side.

“Yeah… the guy who defeated the elven king is like us.”

Both women laughed and Max groaned.

“He’s right, though,” Cordellia said. “He knows hur,t and he’s made it through. In all my life, I’ve never met a man like Max. His wife is lucky because I’m pretty sure they broke the baking mold when they made him.”

“Well then, thank you,” Mrs. Britton said. “I… we are all grateful for your support and example.”

***

Max smiled as Cordellia chewed on the kabob they had picked up on their walk back through the street.

“What’s got you in such a good mood?” she asked.

“Oh, for a moment, I realized you like me. If only Fowl were around. I could have made a few gold.”

She grunted and pointed her half-eaten stick of meat at him.

“Keep it up, and I’ll lie about everything that happened today. Then no one will know about how the great Max Hoste helps those in need.”

“Please lie for me. I can’t stand any more songs about me.”

Cordellia laughed and shook her head.

“We both know that’s not true.

‎