Yet Another Caparace

The Wyvern's Fate was truly a beautiful sight to behold. Something remarkable.

The largest scales were used to form the initial shell around the chest and thighs. Each of them was razor-sharp and reflected any incoming light everywhere around.

What was really eye-catching was the fur appearing from inside the scales. It started as a fine - almost unnoticeable - weaving, but it started to grow. Eventually, it ended on a beautiful fingerless gauntlet for the usage of your Elemental Ability.

And the boots? The boots were nothing short of majestic.

The fur shimmered in the light, reflecting a range of violet colors that seemed to shift and change with each tiny movement. It was as if the boots were alive, imbued with a magical energy.

"I think I have never seen such art and precision in an armor… ever." Zenon muttered.

Aurea, still lost on the new sensation from the Wyvern's Fate, could only nod in response. Making slow movements, she analyzed every scale. Every fur. Every tiny detail.

There Zenon could see the layer of tiny scales placed right under the bigger ones. He could've sworn to have seen his reflection on one of those.

"There is no way I can explain what I'm feeling right now…" Aurea said, "The warm sensation, insulation, the softness… it makes me forget I'm wearing armor."

Wyvern's Fate protection ended right at the neck, forming a small bending to the outside. Mixing it with Aurea's white neck warmer, they appeared from the same piece.

Out of nowhere, she took her shield out and began bashing and punching, using the same combo she always fought with.

Zenon remained still as he leaned on the wall, with his eyes wide open. Her precision and agility went up by twofold at least, every movement seemed more refined and faster than the last.

The Wyvern's Fate - somehow - made no sound whatsoever, no matter how abrupt the speed change is. Comparing it to her old armor, it was a massive increase.

With a last bash, Aurea stopped on her feet while panting. Dismissing the shield, she took a last look at the armor before saying.

"The flexible joints, the warmness and comfortableness, the sturdy soles from the boots, the grip of the gauntlets…" She turned around, "I can't even believe I got a Tier-IV Carapace."

Zenon walked from the wall while saying,

"First of all, we got. You wouldn't have found it if I weren't here. Second of all, what about the Attribute?"

"We'll check it out when we reach the next Link then. Since we have nothing else to do here, we might as well leave now."

Zenon sighed and began walking towards the exit… until Phoenix appeared out of nowhere passing by him. He landed on Aurea's shoulder with a loud "Eeeee!"

He screamed several times actually, which made Zenon a little bit cautious. There were two possible outcomes, either he found an army of walking mushrooms reaching the hidden house… or something completely unrelated to it.

Aurea nodded, making Phoenix fly away yet again inside the tunnel.

"I made him go through that little tunnel inside the room. And for the first time in some weeks, I have good news. We are close to the surface."

Zenon blinked and muttered, "Really…?"

"Yeah, but Phoenix couldn't find a tunnel that marked the exit. So we still need to walk and fight for some more time. Are you ready?

"As long as I get out of here, yes."

—

2 weeks later…

[Void Sacrifices: 245/1500]

"Haah… hah…" Zenon heavily panted as he dropped to the ground. To the surprise of no one, he landed on top of a Frenzied Fungi body, already stabbed by his Sharp Fang.

His muscles felt extremely sore since he's been fighting non-stop for five hours straight, with little breaks in between. The entire link was even filled with mushroom bodies. Literally.

Looking in front of him, Zenon met the three eyes of the Fungi Mother, still alive. Sighing, he got up and stabbed the stalk multiple times until a set of Runes appeared in front of him.

[You have slain a Third-Rank Mindful: Fungi Mother.]

[You have received a Carapace.]

'Hmm?' Zenon's eyes brightened up in midst of the fatigue when he read the second set of Runes.

Just as he wanted to check them, he heard some movement behind him. Without wasting a second he rotated completely and quickly stepped inside a fight stance.

Only to find Aurea walking towards him.

"You improved your reflexes… I'll give you that…" She muttered before lowering her neck warmer - revealing some purple bruises - and spitting blood.

The Wyvern's Fate was covered in blood, but it still did nothing to affect the beautiful effect it had. Ironically, it made it even stronger. Zenon felt - for a mere second - mesmerized by the patterns formed as the blood slid down.

Not only that, its scales seemed to be tightly shut to Aurea's body. If the scales used to move whenever the wielder moved, this time they were frozen in place.

Zenon looked behind Aurea and stared at the alive Frenzied running towards her. Before he could even alert the girl, she swiftly turned around while summoning her shield.

Suddenly, all the scales began loosening up one by one and the moment Aurea dodged the attack and bashed against the mushroom?

*BAM!*

It was sent flying all the way to the wall, splashing blood everywhere.

"I still can't get used to that Attribute." Zenon muttered.

After checking that the Frenzied was indeed dead, Aurea dismissed her shield and began walking towards the next tunnel.

Zenon quickly followed behind him, putting all of his hair backward. They have spent five weeks and three days inside the First Layer already, so his hair grew noticeably.

Enough to cover half of his face but not enough to be a problem. Aurea's hair was also settling down on her shoulders, showing the effects of time.

Strangely, she told Zenon to only cut her turquoise hair and leave the white hair growing… Not like he was going to say anything about it.

"I got a Carapace by the way, I'll check it once we reach the hideout." Zenon casually said.

Aurea just looked at him and said, "Lucky… I have gotten nothing ever since the Frenzied Shield."

After some more casual chatting and walking, they finally reached the hideout. It was smaller than usual but enough to work with.

Aurea began preparing the campfire, and Zenon just let gravity do its job and dropped dead to the ground.

'Let's check what this Carapace is all about…'

[Carapace: Divisible Spore.]