More importantly, the katana was actively evolving toward legendary status through combat, its pseudo-legendary rank representing a transitional state rather than a permanent limitation. Each demon eliminated brought it closer to full restoration, while the Frost Sword would forever remain exactly what it was now.
Arthur hefted the Frost Sword, testing its balance and weight distribution. The weapon felt good in his hands—well-crafted, properly weighted, designed for efficient combat application. Its frost elent would provide advantages in specific situations, particularly against fire-based opponents or enemies vulnerable to cold damage.
But it wouldn’t replace his primary weapon.
Instead, Arthur saw the sword’s true value lying elsewhere. Among his guild mbers, this weapon would represent a massive upgrade that could transform soone’s combat effectiveness. For newly awakened individuals or those still working with rare-rank equipnt, the Frost Sword would be a ga-changing acquisition.
Gates ca to mind imdiately. Whilst the man had a powerful, very-rare sword that Arthur had given him, he might appreciate having access to such a weapon. The frost elent would complent his swordsmanship and improve his combat power by a notch.
Alternatively, one of Gates’s other subordinates might benefit enormously from wielding such a weapon. Their current equipnt, while adequate for their roles, paled in comparison to epic-rank gear.
Arthur secured the Frost Sword in his dinsional storage, adding it to his growing collection of valuable items that could be distributed strategically to strengthen his organisation. Every piece of equipnt represented potential power that could be leveraged to create loyalty, enhance capabilities, or forge new alliances.
"Not bad for a practice fight," he murmured, glancing at where the Golden Beetle had fallen before being absorbed into his summoning space. The creature itself was now worth far more than any weapon it might have dropped—a superior-rank ally with news about this place and a powerful defensive capability that could serve his purposes for days to co.
Besides, he would soon be able to evolve the beetle after fulfilling so of the requirents. But for now, evolving his summons was put on hold. He had pressing matters that needed to be finished first.
Arthur turned his attention back toward the deeper forest, where the Grieving Hollow awaited.
The brief encounter had served to be beneficial on multiple fronts: testing his physical capabilities, acquiring a new summon, and collecting valuable equipnt. Most importantly, it had confird that his current strength was sufficient to handle superior-rank threats without relying on his talents.
Arthur turned towards the golden beetle and said, "I want you to tell , do you know where I can find a herb that’s hot in nature but grows in normal conditions, its petals as red as blood, and fire crackles in its core? It should be in the surrounding area."
The golden beetle tilted its massive head as it processed its master’s request, its compound eyes reflecting the forest’s bioluminescent glow while its mind searched through decades of its knowledge of the surrounding terrain. After a few seconds of contemplation, it shook its head with obvious regret at the inability to serve its master’s first request.
"I’m afraid I don’t know of such a herb, master," the beetle replied through their ntal connection, its voice carrying the deep resonance of soone delivering disappointing news.
"But I can assure you that the herb you are speaking of doesn’t exist within a one-kilotre range of this position.
I have maintained control over a kilotre of this territory in all directions for many years. Had there been such a valuable-looking herb, I would have stayed near it until it blood before consuming it myself."
The beetle’s territorial instincts were clearly strong, and Arthur could sense the creature’s pride in its comprehensive knowledge of the local area. For a superior-rank beast, controlling such a large territory represented a significant achievent and required constant vigilance against competitors. So Arthur didn’t doubt that the information that the beetle had just relayed was correct and accurate to the current date.
Besides, he wasn’t vague in his request. He had given the beetle the exact description of the herb, and the beetle was right, such a herb was impossible not to notice by nature.
Arthur nodded, processing this information with a clear mind. "Okay, since the herb I’m looking for is not in your area, it has to be either protected by another powerful creature or already consud. Let’s hope for the forr... so tell , where are the stronger monsters situated?"
The golden beetle paused for a mont, its ntal processes shifting to access different categories of information. When it spoke again, its tone carried the careful respect of soone discussing genuinely dangerous neighbours.
"The stronger monsters that even I don’t dare approach are actually not concentrated in one location, master. For example, the Golden Mane pack has taken control of the northern territories. That section of the forest belongs entirely to them—only the Golden Manes roam freely there, and anybody who enters their domain will be killed by the pack."
The beetle’s voice carried genuine wariness as it continued.
"They hold grudges very well, Master. Deep, burning grudges. Even if you manage to isolate one and kill it, that won’t be the end. The rest of the pack—no matter how far away—will sohow pick up your scent and track you across vast distances. It’s as if they share so instinctive, almost supernatural bond when it cos to vengeance.
They don’t forget. They don’t forgive. They hunt—tirelessly, relentlessly—until one side is completely wiped out.
I rember an incident from a few decades ago. My mother and I were passing through Golden Mane territory, carefully, quietly, when a powerful human adventurer appeared out of nowhere. He engaged in a fierce battle with a Golden Mane cub. The cub was strong, but the man was stronger. He won that fight and walked away victorious... or so he thought.
But even before the human’s celebration had ended, my mother turned to and said we had to leave. Imdiately."
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