Diseased’s Grip

"Npc Protectors?"

"Yeah, bunch of crazies who think that the NPC's are something to be protected. Dedicating their lives to this or something."

"That's kind of noble."

"They have a headquarters in Novemdom if you're interested in all that."

"Nah, gotta prepare for the competition."

"Ah, you're joining it?"

"Mhm, perhaps you might see me."

"I'll try to remember you then, no guarantees."

Akiol chuckled as they walked off, players were always interesting.

Shortly later Tilia walked up to him, "I'm back, ready to go?"

"Yep! What did you have to do anyway?"

"Turned in a specific quest, now let's go."

~ ~ ~

"We are here Founder."

"You have my thanks."

The servant hesitated before speaking, "I think, if I'm allowed to say so, I think it would be best if you have some patience with the Royal Blacksmith."

"Patience is not something I lack."

"Then I shall take my leave."

The servant left swiftly and Wrock braced himself. In front of him was a luxurious building. Blacksmithing materials and equipment were open to the side. Walking up to the door he knocked, the sound echoing slightly.

Wrock heard shuffling and the door creaked open. A woman dressed in greased clothing looked at Wrock with tired eyes, "What does a Founder want with me?"

"To improve a weapon."

"As if a mere Royal Blacksmith could improve something that a Founder has."

"You overestimate me and underestimate yourself."

She stared down Wrock before sighing, "I suppose I can see, if it's something I cannot handle then it will surely be a treasure. Come."

Wrock followed as she walked through the messy building. Weapons and armor lay randomly across the place, many unfinished.

The Royal Blacksmith snatched a jar from a nearby shelf, it was filled with red crystal rocks. She grabbed one and tossed it into her mouth, crunching on it.

She looked over to Wrock and tossed one, "Here."

Wrock caught it and inspected it.

[Crystalline Berry]

A tasty treat!

Wrock popped it into his mouth and chewed. It was incredibly hard at first, but soon turned into a substance similar to gum. The flavor was interesting, Wrock assumed many would find it unappealing.

They entered a room, unlike the previous room's condition this room was incredibly clean and organized. In the center a table stood, devoid of any decoration. The Royal Blacksmith motioned towards it, "Place the object on there, I wish to take a close look at it."

Wrock laid the gloves onto the table. After stepping back thhe Blacksmith snapped her fingers and the room turned dark. Suddenly several runes started glowing on the table, the gloves started hovering.

The Blacksmith's eyes darted back and forth, reading something that was not visible to Wrock.

She suddenly whistled, "This is something. I'm surprised you haven't faced any backlash from wielding it. Are you sure you want to improve it?"

"I have already faced some backlash, but have long since dealt with it. I am positive."

"I assume you have a material for it?"

Wrock brought it out and handed it over.

The Blacksmith looked it over and nodded, "Perfect match, with this the success rate is pretty much guaranteed. I'm just slightly worried."

"About what?"

"Improving this may cause more harm, got a gut feeling this may not be a good idea."

"Will it cause any harm to you?"

"No, it might to the wielder. This thing has a high chance of being a Cursed object."

"Cursed object?"

"Are you aware on how the Twelve swords work?"

"Yes, a friend wields one."

"Introduce me to this friend sometime. Regardless a person can wield only it, and nothing else. Forever bound to it. This is a mutual agreed thing, and provides nothing but benefits. But a Cursed object, it will forcefully attach itself to you. Sometimes the effects bringing more harm than good. Whatever thing this was made of, it's vengeful."

"I see."

"That's why I am going to ask you now, are you positive you want to improve it? Once the procedure is done there is no going back."

"Positive."

She sighed, "Fine, I'm going to need your assistance then. Come along."

Wrock followed her to a work station. Several objects to assist in the art of Blacksmithing were placed in perfect order. The result of constant change and nitpicking.

She tossed the gloves onto a strange pedestal and began to order, "You have to follow my instructions precisely. This is going to take a long time. Put on those goggles over there, it should help you during the process."

Wrock put on the goggles and they got to work.

The pedestal seemed to prep the gloves, infusing several magical properties into them.

Next they worked on disassembling the pair, slowly and carefully taking it apart. After several hours the process was complete, they then prepared the material through several tempering processes.

The Blacksmith wiped away sweat, "Now the tough part."

They spent over ten hours slowly reforming the gloves with the new material. Fusing both old and new, making sure the glove went back to its original shape.

The moment the final piece was returned to normal a powerful energy released.

Wrock shielded himself and frowned. A horrible feeling crawled up his spine. When he looked at the gloves it seemed to be surrounded by a foul energy.

The Blacksmith clicked her tongue, "As expected, but to think the curse is this strong. Give me a bit and I can put it in a containment box, perhaps you could-"

Wrock interrupted her, "No need."

She looked at him with surprise, "You're not planning to-?!"

Wrock walked up to the pair, "Let's see who's stronger, your curse or my will."

Wrock reached out, like a desperate parasite the gloves extended sickly black and green strings onto his hands. The gloves immediately latched on and melted into his skin.

A burst of foul energy began to escape Wrock's body. A painful feeling covering every inch of his body. He grit his teeth and fought it.

It seemed to realize that Wrock was fighting it and doubled its efforts. Wrock collapsed onto his knees in pain.

The Blacksmith cursed, "Continue to fight it, I'll get someone to-"

"Don't!"

The Blacksmith stopped in her tracks, she spat the remnants of her treat into the grass, "Your confidence will kill you."

Wrock ignored her words and fought. His veins started to glow a sickly green. Lines of black covering his dark skin.

"Don't get overconfident." Wrock warned.

A flash of blue arose, a blue flame crackling with electricity forming at his arms. The curse reacted swiftly and retreated. Unwillingly to face against the powerful flame.

A series of notifications appeared in front of Wrock.

<Player has successfully suppressed Curse of Disease!>

<Warning!!! Player has fused with a Cursed Item! is permanently bound to the item and it unable be dropped, traded, or unequipped.>

<Player has received Title: Dominator of Curses>

<Due to the effect of Heaven's Blessed Body, any negative effects from curse has been completely suppressed!>

Wrock looked at his hands, yet they were bare and empty. Yet once he looked at his status screen he saw an object Equipped in his hands slot. He then inspected the item.

[Diseased's Grip]

Rarity: Legend Creating (Growth Type)

After fully integrating with its flesh, the disease grows stronger. It forever eats away at the user until their inevitable death...

Attack:

+1000

x2 Strength Stat

Requirements:

???

When Equipped:

- Wielder becomes permanently diseased(suppressed)

- All stats +30%

Extra Skills:

{Untouchable Power - Triples the user's strength for two seconds.}

{Evolving Disease (Passive) - The effects will grow alongside the user.}

{Diseased (Passive) (Suppressed) - At random intervals temporarily weaken a certain stat by 20% for 10 seconds.}

Wrock breathed out with a steady pace. This was good, really good.

The Blacksmith popped a Crystalline Berry and began to chew, "So... how's the curse?"

"Suppressed."

"Oh? That's quite impressive."

"I'm incredibly pleased with the outcome of this. What do I owe you?"

"Ha, just bring along that friend of yours that wields one of the Twelve. I wish to take a look at it."

"Will do."

"Now shoo! I'm exhausted."

"Rest well."

"Planning on it."

Wrock left the Palace, the outcome from this trip was pleasantly fruitful. He obtained a lot in exchange for a bit of time.

He opened the group chat.

Wrock: @Kan'na

Wrock: Got something for you, meet me at our house in ten minutes.

Kan'na: I'm already here, just knock when you arrive.

Wrock: All right.

Wrock pulled out the accessory he obtained from the Treasury Vault. It was a beautiful hairpin made of mysterious materials.

[Thriving Life]

Rarity: Legend Creating

A pin of unknown origins, it holds a unique affinity with mana...

Requirements:

400 Intellect

When Equipped:

-MP regen increased x5

-MP cost decreased by 20%

Extra Skills:

{Mana's Affinity - Draws in nearby mana, rapidly replenishing the wearer's MP.}

Wrock placed it back into his inventory, he did not know much about sorcerers or proper equipment for them. However he hoped that this was good enough.