Chapter 7 - Young Titan Talon (Edited)

Liam took a deep breath, choosing to ignore Trick's playful antics. He checked his status again. 

His eyes quickly settled on the "Young Titan Talon" engram among the list of abilities, items, and information. Trick, perhaps sensing his interest, remained quiet for a rare moment, allowing Liam the space to read without interruption.

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Young Titan Talon

The remains of the young Titans that Liam killed, this engram captures not just the energy of the Titans but also the condensed abilities of the formidable creature he faced.

Though originally it channeled the might of the young Titan, the fusion with the monster's energy has lent it a unique radiance, a combination of primeval strength and the gleaming power of the crystal.

Titans, the behemoths of yore, ruled the lands with unmatched prowess. Their very steps caused the ground to tremble, and their roars could split the heavens.

The "Young Titan Talon" represents the phase when these Titans were still learning to harness their raw, unfathomable power. It's said that even at their youngest, a single swipe of their talon could carve mountains and redirect rivers.

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Strength Augmentation: Increases the user's physical strength for a short duration, allowing them to perform feats of great power.

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Endurance Boost: Enhances the user's stamina, allowing them to endure prolonged physical activities without tiring.

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Seismic Stomp: Channels the essence of Titan's mighty footsteps. When activated, a powerful stomp can cause minor tremors in the immediate vicinity.

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Reading the description, Liam feel smiled. He feels satisfied. It's worth it. He doesn't just kill the titan to survive. He got a good reward for it. He then asked Trick how to use the Engram.

"Simple! Just wish for it to be equipped. Though, a word of caution."

His voice took on a more serious note, "Your current body capacity allows only one engram at a time. Overloading might bring about... consequences I believe you'd rather avoid."

Liam raised his eyebrows, hearing the word 'consequences,' but knowing Trick, he knew it would not answer directly. So he instead asks, "Is that something more I need to know?"

"Yes, You can't use the 'strength augmentation' or the 'seismic stomp' just yet. You need to learn control over arcane energy."

Liam's interest was piqued. "Arcane energy? What's that?"

"Something that can shift, change, and transform from many sources. It's the essence, pure and so fine, of all energies that intertwine… Once you unlock its power, you'll clasp."

Hearing trick Answer, Liam felt his head throb. He massaged his temple as he complained. But his mind still ran, thinking of the answer to Trick puzzle.

"Why can't you give a straight answer? So, from what I gather, arcane energy is essentially a purer form of energy. Great. Now, how exactly do I get and manipulate it?"

Trick responded with a tease. "Ah, but where's the fun in making things too easy? You seek the method, and that, my friend, is wrapped up in the ascension paths."

"Find one, complete your trial, and the way will become clear."

Getting another roundabout answer, Liam snapped, "As if things are not hard already, Cannot you tell me more about what the ascension path is?"

"You'll know an ascension path when you come across one. Until then, it's like describing a color you've never seen." Trick answered in his mind. Liam swore he could feel Trick swaying his finger if he had one.

"Ah, right! Since you already know about the Adaptive Form Change feature, you can utilize it to create various weapons or pieces of armor. Remember, you have to work within your current limit, which allows for a maximum volume of one cubic meter."

"Only one design can be registered at the moment, so choose wisely. Once it's set, the design becomes permanent. There's no erasing or doodling over it."

Hearing Trick's suggestion, Liam agreed. He felt that the weapon was more important since what use is armor if he got pummeled to death? Just like before, if there were no sharp crystals around, Liam would not be able to kill the Behemoth.

As he thinks about it, Liam feels he should make the weapon to be versatile, something that can adapt to any situation. Something that can be used in any range.

 "Ah, thinking big and varied! I like it. But a small, teeny-tiny reminder for you - if you're going for something that shoots, you'll need something to shoot with." 

Trick's voice lilted in his playful tone. "Unless you've got a stash of arcane energy lying around, you might want to think about that."

 "I mean, a gun without bullets is just a fancy stick, right?"

Listening to Trick inputs, Liam's brain starts to sparkle with creativity. He begins to piece together the parts to create a weapon that is suitable for him.

He remembers back in high school, he had learned how to use a staff, he's familiar with its weight and how to use it. In the past, he even joined the national competition and almost won. 

Staff is also versatile; it's more suitable for middle range, but it doesn't mean it's useless in close range. He then taught me how to modify it more. 

A staff is good for blunt damage, but he needs something that could cut or slash. Liam believes in the future, he will need to kill a lot, and slashing someone to death should be easier than pummeling them.

"But a long weapon could be a disadvantage in close combat," he pondered. "What if... what if I could split it right in the middle? That way, it offers versatility."

Liam thinks if it can split in the middle, he can make the length shorter, allowing it to be more effective in close combat. Then, the only range left is if the enemy is far away.

He then remembers playing a video game before where the main character was using a gun with a blade coming out from it. Taking inspiration from it, he decided to create a gun mechanism.

A grin spread across his face. "Yes, that's it! A ranged attack option. And the trigger? Right there in the handle! Alright, let's work on this."

"I want the staff to be lightweight but strong. The blades should be sharp but also capable of channeling arcane energy when I learn to use them."

"The gun mechanism needs to be seamless, so it doesn't interfere with the staff's other functions."

After a few moments of further deliberation, they had created the weapon's design in detail. Liam started materializing the weapon.

The staff took form, stretching to a length of 1.8 meters(70 inches). Its body shimmered with a dark, lustrous color reminiscent of moonlit night skies. 

If we look closer, we will be able to see faint pulses of blue arcane energy moving like rivers across its surface, giving a feeling that the staff is alive.

A beautifully curved blade, reminiscent of the young titan talon, comes out from both ends. Measuring roughly 30 cm, its sharp edge promised deadly slashes.

The blade is suitable for slashing and thrusting. A concealed barrel was integrated into the blade's side, allowing Liam to use it as a gun.

And the trigger for the gun? It's crafted subtly, embedded on the staff's handle, almost invisible, and easy for Liam to press.

Looking at the created weapon, Liam feel excited. He grasped it, feeling its cool weight in his hands. 

The grip seemed to meld into his palms as if it's custom-made for him. The subtle engravings on the handle provided aesthetic beauty and tactile feedback, enhancing his hold.

Want to test the weapon, he separated the staff at its midpoint. 

With a firm twist at the staff's midpoint, It effortlessly transformed into dual weapons, each equipped with a blade and shooting mechanism.

He balance was perfect, he start doing slashes.. The wind whistled with each movement as he thrust and spun, trying horizontal and vertical slashes.

Liam also wants to try the shooting mechanism. He tries to shoot it, just feeling curious about how it feels.

But knowing what Liam's doing, Trick feels amused, "You're getting ahead of yourself. In due time, Liam, in due time."

Liam smiled wryly, "Yes." Pausing, he continued, "It feels right. This weapon... it's an extension of me. I think I'll name it Talonstrike."

He then continues to practice some combat stances, remembering how he did it in the past…

Liam would stop and admire his weapon between the practice, running his finger along its shaft, feeling the potential hidden in it.

After a few hours, his muscles start to feel sore. His body is covered in sweat. Trick then reminds him he needs to take a break as he will return to the trial soon.

"Alright, just a short nap." Liam feels reluctant, but he knows what Trick says is true. He then lies down, sleeping, as the weapon is beside him.