Chapter 16: Enchantment (3)
As soon as Layla removed the seal, the sight of my mangled arm and the arrow embedded in it was revealed; both were radiating the energy of an Outer God.
"Ah... how can a single arrow be this fierce?"
"It is the energy of one of the most dangerous Outer Gods."
If it were up to me, I would never have gotten involved with this Outer God. Even a god considered relatively safe, like 【The Sleeper of the Underworld】, nearly drove me to madness. I couldn’t even imagine what a more dangerous god would do to me.
"But don’t those two seem a bit weaker now?"
"Don't lower your guard. They may be weaker, but they are no less dangerous."
They might fly into a frenzy again the moment they lay eyes on me.
"I’m ready. However, I must tell you this in advance..."
Layla said, looking at the bowl containing my blood.
"If you put that thing in, it will likely..."
"That is the plan."
"Really? Well, I suppose that’s better than giving in to greed."
As I nodded in agreement, Layla began reciting her spell.
<Dissolve>.
That was the spell that announced the start of any enchantment process, as it works to melt materials.
The special solution, made of molten gold, began to glow with a brilliant golden light. Then it started moving according to Layla's will, pouring over both the arrow and the arm.
"Ah... what do these things think they are, trying to corrupt me! Suppress them! <Compression>!"
But the energies of the two Outer Gods were not easily subdued.
They resisted the fusion fiercely, attempting to corrupt the golden solution while simultaneously trying to influence the surrounding magic and mana.
"Now!"
At Layla's signal, I threw the bowl of my blood directly into the solution.
In a short time, the golden liquid transformed into a near-perfect sphere. I could see my blood spreading across the surface of that large golden ball like plant roots, then gradually seeping into its core.
"It’s weakening!"
Normally, during the creation of an enchanted item, the word "weakening" is not a good sign at all.
But in my case, this was exactly what I was aiming for.
'It worked.'
Normally, blood is mixed into an enchanted item to bind it to its owner.
But this act has another effect: strengthening the tool with the owner's power.
'But in my case, it weakens it instead.'
Unfortunately for me, I was weaker than the energies of these two Outer Gods.
Therefore, mixing my blood would actually weaken the overall effect.
Raw, threatening power is meaningless.
'It must be easy to control.'
That was the top priority I kept in mind for any tool imbued with the power of an Outer God.
"Hmm... this isn't an attribute you give to a weapon. It’s also unsuitable for metal..."
Layla muttered, staring intently at the golden sphere.
The golden sphere was not the tool itself.
Rather, it had to be merged into an object to become a tool.
'And this is the first time I’ve used materials like these as well.'
Different materials produce various properties.
For example, using Eternal Ice as a material would make the tool more suitable for containing ice-type magic, and less suitable for fire-type magic.
Layla was able to assess which tools were most appropriate.
"It could be applied to armor. Something flexible rather than rigid..."
Layla glanced at the tools she had prepared beforehand and then clicked her tongue.
She had prepared various items, including weapons, but none of them were suitable for containing this magical effect.
"Ah, damn it, what a huge loss... no matter what happens, I'll have to charge extra for this!"
Was this another one of her tricks?
I looked at Layla, but it didn't seem so.
Whatever she was thinking, her face was full of hesitation. It seemed clear that this decision represented a significant loss for her.
"What do you want?"
"Three missions for my master. I promised him that when I borrowed money from him recently. You can do them on my behalf."
"Are you sure it’s right to send someone like me, who is involved with Outer Gods, to your master?"
Moreover, sorcerers' missions were generally difficult and annoying.
"You don't look like a dangerous man, but you are incredibly suspicious... nonetheless, I doubt you're the type to break an agreement with a witch!"
After a bit of thought, Layla reached her own conclusion.
"My master is not someone who can be easily overcome. So, will you accept this deal or not?"
"What do you intend to do?"
"I’m going to use one of the most expensive enchanted items in this room. I didn't want it to come to this, but it’s the only thing that can contain those materials stably and safely."
Was she going to sacrifice her most expensive enchanted tool?
What kind of tool was it?
"My robe. It’s enchanted with dimensional magic, so it has a storage function. And it is incredibly expensive..."
"A robe...?"
Seeing my confusion, Layla took off her white dress.
Underneath, she was wearing a separate red robe.
'Spatial storage magic... this really is ridiculously expensive.'
I could now understand the reason for Layla's fuss.
"Alright, I accept."
"Then, bring me more of my damn jewels..."
Layla said, looking a bit frustrated.
Only a quarter of the jewels I had given her remained.
"This is all an investment. An investment in my future. I’ll get it all back...!"
Layla muttered with grim determination as she threw in the jewels, then took off her robe and tossed it into the golden sphere.
"<Enchant>!"
I felt Layla gathering her mana and merging it into the golden sphere.
The sphere, which was glowing golden, now shone with an even brighter light. And from within that light, something fell to the floor.
"Did it work?"
"Hmm... I’m sure of it. It was a success."
I looked at the object on the floor, then looked back at Layla.
"Are you sure that was a success?"
"I think... so? Despite its appearance."
That thing is considered a success...?
What fell on the floor looked like a tattered piece of cloth.
"It’s moving."
"Yes, it is."
Even worse, it was wriggling unpleasantly.
Watching that black rag writhing on the floor gave me a very strange feeling.
It was as if I were watching an insect I had never seen before in my life.
"But its specs are very good."
"Really?"
"It completely absorbs low-level magic or miracles and converts them into mana. It can even withstand mid-level things."
Layla said, her eyes—which had turned blue from the mana—fixed on the rag.
"It’s a tool that responds to your will. It will block basic attacks automatically, but..."
Layla's expression darkened.
"It’s a cannibal. If it doesn't eat someone periodically, it will go out of control."
What kind of effect is this...?
"Fortunately, it likes the energy of Outer Gods as well. Feeding it tools related to them should solve the problem to some extent."
'So it possesses both the traits of demanding human sacrifice and cannibalism.'
I felt somewhat disgusted and reached out my hand.
I poked it, but it barely reacted.
"It’s like a living being, but it doesn't possess a clear self. Its intelligence is close to that of an insect."
So it moves based on instinct, but it isn't a conscious tool that thinks for itself.
When I picked it up, it was much longer than I expected.
It had been wriggling, but when I wanted it to stop, it seemed to read my intent and its movement ceased.
"Be careful. If anyone other than you wears it, they might be eaten alive. Oh, the storage magic is still intact!"
I placed the robe over my body.
It was lighter and thinner than I expected.
But it didn't feel like clothing; it felt like a living creature clinging to my body.
'Improving my defensive capabilities is good. I can't rely solely on <Forbidden Transformation>.'
On top of all that, it possessed expensive storage magic.
Regardless of its periodic cannibalism, it was a truly good tool.
'I'll have to find a way to remove this cannibalism part later.'
The robe was not decorated with specific patterns and looked old.
It reached my ankles, but since it responded to my will and moved on its own, it didn't seem like it would hinder my steps or be uncomfortable.
"Layla, a light spell—"
"Hah!"
I was about to ask her to test its abilities, but I didn't expect Layla to swing a dagger at me.
Although my reaction was a bit slow, the cloak blocked the dagger on its own.
"Wait, that’s an enchanted tool."
"This is all part of the test."
In the next moment, the dagger burst into flames.
But the cloak didn't burn at all.
"Yes, it performs well."
"It’s certainly not bad."
She had tried to cut it with the dagger, but it wasn't even scratched.
For something so thin, it felt incredibly durable and tough.
'Does this mean I'll have to target villains, like bandits?'
If only it didn't have that cannibalistic effect.
"I’m going to rest now. It’s been a long time since I’ve drained my mana to this extent."
Layla said, not bothering to hide her exhaustion.
She had also made the longsword for Ander and created some other enchanted tools as tests before that, so she had every right to be exhausted.
"So both of you, get out now."
"Wait, at least you should provide us with a room and food for one day."
"Fine, whatever... one day."
Layla grumbled but agreed.
Perhaps she wanted to maintain a good relationship for the future as well.
'Now that I’ve taught her fusion enchantment, she’ll start gathering money.'
I just hope she doesn't overdo it and attract the attention of the Sorcerers' Union.
"Dinner is a soup made of potatoes and bird meat. That won't be enough, so I'll have to bring some bread and other things."
Layla grumbled as she headed upstairs.
As for Talia, perhaps due to the exhaustion of travel, she had fallen into a deep sleep with her head on the table.
"Hey, you."
Layla, who was making the kitchen utensils move on their own with magic instead of cooking herself, turned to look at me.
"What exactly are you?"
"I don't know either. I have no memory."
"That’s a weak excuse... how can someone with amnesia not mention even once their desire to find their memories? Especially in front of a witch?"
"If you know it's an excuse, then simply ignore it."
"Is your situation that complicated? Then, what are you going to do now?"
Layla crossed her arms and looked at me.
"You use the miracles of an Outer God without a second thought, and now you're wearing a tool imbued with his miracle. You will continue to be involved with them."
"Unfortunately, yes."
Layla didn't know it, but my talents were also biased in that direction.
"Honestly, other than planning to go to a coastal city to investigate some matters, I really don't know."
It would be great if I could find a trace of "Doll" somewhere, but all I can do is visit one of the cities I remember.
"Are you not trying to break free from the influence of the Outer Gods?"
"That’s likely impossible."
Layla nodded in agreement on this point.
Once someone gets involved with an Outer God, it’s not easy to cut that dangerous tie.
"If we maintain a friendly relationship, I'll give you a valuable piece of information. Honestly, I feel a bit strange about how perfectly things are aligning."
This perfect alignment... might not be just a coincidence.
With the way all the events are linked, it’s logical to suspect that "Doll" orchestrated this.
Although many questions remain, this path will undoubtedly be the relatively safer one.
"What is it? Of course, I want to maintain a good relationship."
Layla seemed somewhat hesitant before she spoke.
"First, my master will be heading to the coastal city. In about two weeks."
Is it a striking coincidence?
"And the reason he’s going to the coastal city is something related to an Outer God."
"What? An Outer God in the coastal city?!"
As I stared at her in shock, Layla nodded.
"Has a tool or an artifact related to an Outer God reached the coastal city?"
"It arrives more frequently than you imagine. In the coastal city..."
Layla stopped talking, hesitating for a moment.
She seemed to be reconsidering whether she should give me this information.
"...there is a black market where collectors buy and sell tools related to Outer Gods."
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