Sword Ego

"System." Hans spoke in a clear voice.

{STATUS}

Name: Hans Sinclair

Talent: Reincarnation(???), Sword Ego (S)

Grade: D-

Strength: D

Health: E

Stamina: D-

Charm: A

Intelligence: A+

Mana: D

Judgement: A reincarnation of a hermit, thieving someone's fate and a selfish human.

A peculiar expression marred Hans face, the system's description changed and despite not noticing some changes in himself, he felt his way of thinking clearer and much more decisive.

His thoughts were shaping like a sword, not a sharp one but a cunning one.

Just like how mortals were wielded it a century ago.

He felt curious about his new talent, and though he expected it to be upgraded, it was still unbelievable in his part.

An A-Class talent by no means could compete to a S-Class talent, sure some circumstances give A-Class talent chances and even sometimes defy the standards that they could beat some S-Class talent.

But those were people could only be counted on one hand, and their talents were the only bane in their arsenal.

Their chasm could be explained like this an F-Class talent has the ability to punch or have a better mind, while the E-Class talent could use a club or could use an apparatus like an abacus to their advantage.

Well the distance between an A-Class talent and a S-Class is like the earth to the skies. The A-Class talent would be equipped with the most latest tech like a secret high-tech sniper or maybe a quantum computer but S-Class talent are a different breed.

They are not mortals anymore in fact, best way to describe is that they are transcended, instead of using a gun they are using another force altogether, a spell.

Yes a gun could defeat a spell, in terms of speed, power and ability. Not all spells are made the same, those are S-Class talents and above, anomalies that defy common logic by today's standards.

He then tapped on his talents, no change from Reincarnation(???), it is still blank. The sword ego though, a new screen appeared in his vision and it made him sigh in defeat.

[Sword Ego (S): I am the sword]

A vague description, worthy of an S-Class talent. It might appear frustrating but it signifies that it is special.

The rules of talent are the more description it has, the more useless it is.

If the vagueness of the description is short, even some containing a poem in it, it signifies that it is more than meets the eye.

The vagueness is what makes it special, the description could be interpreted in different meanings like a song or a poem.

The meaning, 'I am the sword', could be interpreted in many ways like, he is really a sword, a sword is inside of him, or even that all ego of the sword is in his talent.

The numerous complications that the last theory that he had would be of good potential, he can raise an army of swordsmen of the highest talent or have the best blacksmiths make the greatest swords and his talent could potentially evolve.

It's just that swords are human creation and is not universal like mana, imagine if someone possesses the talent Mana Ego, he could technically call upon the mana of every human being becoming an SSS-Class talent no, even further and could possibly rival his Reincarnation(???).

Numerous plans were being rewritten in his mind, he could see the possible future and goal his talent might give him.

He might even over reach and make the SMC his disciple, no that's too dangerous and would implicate me a lot.

Shaking away his thoughts, he can't help but remember the casualty for his selfishness, no it was more like he was collateral damage.

Sinking those thoughts deep in his mind to lessen his guilt, he stood up with confidence and prepared to leave the dungeon.

This dungeon is a fleeting-type so he has to leave immediately.

The previous portal he prepared was no longer needed because another one was spawned right into the inside of the boss room.

Double checking if there are any more hidden secrets that the dungeon might contain, he found some natural elixirs that would help him and even Sae a little bit.

Always be cautious and meticulous, things you might notice might be there and never be complacent.

That has been his motto and has helped him find numerous hidden pieces in the game COde of Magic.

Even in this world it helped.

Reaffirming his beliefs, he stepped into the portal while readying his artifact in his hand.

He needs to get one last thing before getting back to the Royal Castle.

_____

Hans appeared outside of a dense forest, he vigilantly looked around before hiding near a clearing.

Feeling secure, he used his watch again to look where he got ejected out from.

Not all dungeons and gates will have the beings who enter them leave in the same place.

Hans sighed in relief as he saw his location which was still in the Megaustralian continent.

The continent that is now a combination of the Antartic and Australia.

Because of the cold climate of the Antartic at the time, it managed to make the deserts of Australia flourish and theme with life.

Its new forest even rivaled the amazon in the diversity of the species that live there and the size to which it spanned thousands of miles.

Hans was away from the capital to where the mountain was from, and he conveniently also teleported near the city where the inheritance was.

He couldn't quite put a finger on it but he knew that something was definitely wrong, he put those thoughts in the back of his head.

All the more important thing now is to secure his future.

The location of this inheritance is more common and easier to notice.

He himself saw it inside the game so it would be as easy finding it.

With vigilant strides he headed for the city while making sure that nobody is following him.

_____

Hans was terribly wrong, he doesn't know where he is going, the city looked smaller and undeveloped than in the game.

Of course it was the game is set to start 15 years from now and spans from ten years.

It has been hours and he still hasn't seen that old and beaten house.

In his frustration he headed for a fast food restaurant to eat all his frustrations away.

After eating a delightful Fried Chicken thigh that was thrice the size of the one in earth, Hans felt happy.

All this days all he was eatings were rations and grain balls used for dungeons raids.

Next time he might use real food instead, there are some food out there that would make you feel full for a day or two.

Just remembering the crispiness of the skin, the juicy chicken meat and finishing it up by eating the liver on the thigh, the taste of it was like never before and Hans felt like previous earth foods were trash.

Tallus Saikyo!

Oh no his inner weeb spilled out for a moment.

But his outer appearance heavily contrasted his inner thoughts, he was walking with a stern and serious expression like he was searching for a public restroom that has a bidet for hours.

The people knew to not mess with this type of person and just gave way, forming a unique sight around the street.

His mind cleared up and although the apple filled his appetite, it was only a physcological aspect of it.

Hans headed for a seat nearby, he ignored the man reading a newspaper on the left side of the bench and sat down.

He closed his eyes for a minute trying his hardest on remembering the appearance of the location.

The appearance of it was an old rundown house that was left abandoned in the slums, but now there wasn't a slums and although a house that was rundown was easy to spot.

Finding it in a city the size of New York was not.

Out of options, he sighed.

Just before he gave up, his sight caught view of the old man reading a newspaper.

Someone this old might know a thing or two right?

Clearing his throat, Hans said politely, "Excuse me sir?"

The old man with his wise yet clear eyes looked up and responded with a,"Yes?"

Hans smiled and scratched his head, "Do you by any chance know of an area where squatters are rampant?"

The old man pondered with suspicious eyes, holding his chin with his left hand and his eyes sparkled,

"Oh I do know one!"

"Where??"

"I remember that a subdivision near the Leafer Mall on the west side of Underpond, there has been a news that it might soon turn into a slum because of a recent dungeon outbreak."

The old man spoke gravely, an outbreak is the worst outcome a dungeon could have.

It was an event where an unsuspected dungeon was left in its own and cause a population explosion, they need more resources and space hence they would leave the dungeon under the command of a boss-class monster.

Hans thanked the old man who just smiled and waved like it was nothing.

He then used an app on his watch and typed on the search engine 'Leafer Mall'.

Using the location of Leafer Mall he tried to find news about the outbreak, and there it is, it was even headlined a week ago.

It looked like the subdivision was destroyed, and this place now looked familiar.

He then called for a taxi, it arrived within ten seconds and headed to a location near it.

Hans was itching to have this weapon.

_____

So what was the weapon Hans was lusting for without interfering with the plot?

It is the weapon that can be found on a side-quest in the game, even if the SMC later found it, he would 10-10 would just sell it in an auction because of its feature and how useless it is for him now.

Though it was bought by a collector and was never used, only wasting its potential in a shelf of some greedy guy.

But it is far valuable than 99.9% of swords out there, like it was made for him.

It was a sword left behind a failed talented blacksmith, he was often ostracized because of his eccentric obsession over making a growth-type weapon.

Though common in most novels and games, undeniably the most op sword that you could get.

Only some legendary blacksmith could do it, with years of preparation, and this guy with his obsession and lady luck smiling upon him.

He managed to make one, even a high-ranking one at the cost of his life.

And even though t a growth-type sword is in the royal treasury, the council members would disagree and say it would be a waste.

Even the king would agree, he was not even permitted to have one.

Because a growth-type weapon can only grow once, and that is with its first user.

He plan to make this sword the best sword out there in the universe.

So why did the SMC refused to have it, because he already has a better one that he already have since he was young.

And how did all of this would go unnoticed?

Because such an insignificant death such as this guy were not so uncommon in the blacksmithing industry.

And even if he died, the workings of fate is real in this world, making most people just never using this house.

Having a random rumor that a monster lived there was what attracted the good hearted SMC.

_____

Hans reached the house, it looks the same in game, a rugged old chimney atop the house and a classic bricked western house.

If not for its old and abandoned state, it would've been a nice home.

But the fact that houses around here were destroyed made it look a bit eerie.

The pungent smell of rot and decaying flesh were wafting around, the fried chicken that he ate earlier threatened to throw up.

Hans kept it in, he got in the house and slayed a stray goblin living in there for a random reason.

It was laying down on a sofa languidly like a lazy kid.

He just slit its throat before it even got the chance to open its eyes.

Hans proceeded to the back end of the house.

It was a reinforced steel door, a classic for blacksmiths.

But due to being neglected, it was half as weak as before that even he who only had D-Class strength could kick it down.

Hans kicked it and it fell down with a thud.

Inside the room was an anvil and on it was a white sword, it looked like a plain Jian Chinese sword, the hilt only had plain ornamental designs but Hans could feel that the edge of the sword was sharp.

He grabbed it without hesitation, used the tip of the sword and pricked his hand.

Hans used a spell.

[Bounding Ritual]

The sword emitted a faint red light before disappearing.

A new description entered Hans eyes and he felt satisfied.

It wasn't named yet so he was going to give it a fitting one.

"It's color is white, its plain and simple and its design is of Chinese origin. I think the name Autumn would fit you, in Chinese culture, autumn represents the metal element, the white tiger and sadness."

It vibrated excitedly and glowed a faint white color, it appears to have liked its name.

Hans threw his A-Class artifact in a storage ring, he sheathed Autumn in his saccarb and headed for home.

It was time to make final preparations.