Chapter672 148.3 - Armory


    In the game, this armory had been a significant moment-entering the Emberheart mansion, gaining ess to this storied ce once the yer''s affinity with the Emberheart family had grown. Back then, the Matriarch had only opened its doors after the yer had resolved certain conflicts within the family, earning her respect and trust. ess to the armory wasn''t simply given; it was earned through blood and sweat, through proof that the yer understood and upheld the values the


    Emberhearts lived by.


    And even then, only the first section of the armory was open.


    This wasn''t the entirety of the Emberheart collection. They couldn''t-and wouldn''t- disy their most powerful artifacts here, even within these walls. Epic-grade artifacts and beyond demandedyers of protection that went beyond a simple barrier or a locked door. They were relics of a different ss, weapons, and tools that could shift battles, maybe even affect the course of entire wars. A family like the


    Emberhearts, with centuries of history, would have protocols, vaults, and more secure ces to contain such rarities.


    ''They''d never keep anything higher than Unique-grade just lying out in the open like this. Items ranked Epic and above are kept under watch, only to be used for the most extreme reasons."


    I recalled that in the game, most of the families were notorious for their guarded nature regarding their artifacts, and rightly so.


    Epic artifacts were exceedingly rare-most kingdoms didn''t even have one to their name. They were far beyond what could be acquired by even wealthy merchants or the highest-ranking nobles, Legendary artifacts were mythical, with only a handful existing across the world. It was no exaggeration to say that the possession of even a single Epic or Legendary artifact could elevate a family''s influence to staggering heights, a power no one would leave unprotected.


    But... does everything in this world work wlessly?


    Is there a single method that''s foolproof, a system immune to error? The answer, of course, was a resounding no. Every structure has its ws, and every safeguard has its weaknesses.


    And in a world where artifacts were ranked and categorized, these ssifications weren''t as irond as they might seem. ssifying an artifact as Mythic or Legendary?


    It worked well enough for bounded weapons, those that carried set attributes linked directly to the user''s status window. But when it came to other artifacts, the process was less precise.


    After all, what happens when a grading system fails to fully understand an artifact''s hidden potential?


    In the game, this ambiguity created hidden paths, secrets buried deep within the world''s structure. Some yers, those who were tireless in their search for every achievement, had uncovered a particr w in this armory. They''d discovered that by systematically testing every piece of equipment, they could uncover an artifact that didn''t fall under its apparent ssification.


    ''A hidden artifact... one that slipped through the system''s categorization.''


    It was something most yers would miss, dismissed as a typical Unique or Rare-grade item. But for those who explored every option, digging beyond appearances and defaultbels, there was a reward-a piece that held properties above its apparent grade.


    The grading system had failed to properly measure its potential, allowing it to hide in in sight, overlooked by most who saw it.


    And that was what the developers in the game exploited. In a sense, this was something that enabled them to include an easter egg in the game.


    The developers had always been obsessed with realism,mitted to building a world that felt immersive, detailed, and almost alive.


    They left a few loopholes, crafted environments that reacted to yer choices, and- whenever possible-addedyers that made the game feel like a living world.


    "Though knowing that I am in the game itself.....It is indeed questionable.''


    Easter eggs, they reasoned, were part of this philosophy, subtle nods for yers who were meticulous, who pushed beyond the obvious paths.


    This artifact was one of their more ingenious creations, intentionally crafted to appear as a Unique-grade item, something valuable but ultimately modest. In truth, it. was an Epic-grade artifact, its potential hidden by design. A system w, they justified it as, one that could feasibly ur in a real world, where even magical ssifications might not grasp the true nature of certain relics. A rare find, meant only for those who looked deeper.


    Just then, a sharp voice broke into my thoughts.


    "So, what do you think?" Irina stepped forward, her eyes bright, her usualposed gaze reced with a fiery curiosity. Her intensity caught me off guard, her expression openly interested as she nced between me and the armory. "Is there a particr item you''re after?"


    For a moment, I considered telling her about the hidden artifact, letting her in on what I was searching for. But something held me back, a small spark of curiosity of my own. Watching her stand there, visibly invested, eager to see me take something valuable- something worthy of her family''s armory-was unexpected. It wasn''t just about duty or family pride. She wanted to share something meaningful, a gift that went beyond the Emberheart name.


    ''Interesting... she''s really invested in this."''


    I kept my expression measured. "Nothing specific," I replied, letting my gaze linger over the shelves. "I''m just... getting a feel for the options."


    Her eyes narrowed slightly as if trying to read into my words. "You''re not going to settle for just anything," she said, crossing her arms with a smirk, "I can tell you''re sizing everything up, assessing. I thought you''d be more direct with what you


    wanted."


    She wasn''t wrong, but I wasn''t about to give her the satisfaction of knowing that. I shrugged, keeping my tone light. "I''m not in a rush. There''s a lot to consider here."


    Her smirk softened into something more genuine. "Good. Take your time, then. There''s no point in picking something unless it truly resonates with you. I will also guide you."


    I nced at her, noting the way she watched me, the quiet enthusiasm in her gaze. She truly wanted me to find something worthwhile, something that would suit me in a way that went beyond practicality. And it wasn''t just because I''d endured the Chamber of Emberheart or proved myself. She cared, a rare warmth underlying her words that spoke of more than just family duty.


    "So," she continued, leaning in with a conspiratorial grin, "I have to ask what exactly are you looking for in a weapon or artifact? Something shy? Something subtle?"


    I tilted my head, meeting her gaze with a calm expression. "Maybe something a little... unexpected," I replied, allowing my tone to drop just enough to hint at mystery. I watched her eyebrows raise in intrigue, her curiosity only deepening. "Just try to


    guess."


    Her eyes glinted. "Figures. You always keep me guessing."


    Irina moved beside me, her gaze roaming over the artifacts with a thoughtful intensity. Being in the Emberheart armory, surrounded by the legacy of her family, she seemed almost at home. The artifacts here reflected the Emberhearts'' specialty, their mastery over fire magic evident in nearly every piece. From the finely crafted staffs to enchanted amulets, almost everything here had a tie to me-a signature trait of her


    lineage.


    I watched as she lingered on an ornate staff, its surface adorned with crimson and


    gold runes that pulsed faintly with dormant energy. "This one increases fire magic output," she murmured, almost to herself. "An artifact like this could maybe double or even triple the potency of a me spell ording to its rank if low, amplifying the caster''s reach and intensity. Though the same wouldn''t be said for higher rank spells." Her hand moved to another piece-a slim, obsidian bracelet etched with symbols of dancing mes. "And this," she continued, "enhances one''s affinity with fire psions. It makes fire feel like an extension of the user''s will, effortless and intuitive."n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om


    As she spoke, I noted the subtle pride in her voice. These artifacts were crafted not