Level Up: Voidwalker

Chapter 75: Eight Runes

''You're known to some dwarves as Dûmragaz, which means the Evil One that brings doom to Astoria,'' the older dwarf explained as he stepped back with a worried expression before continuing. ''While the Runestone lot know ya as Khadun Khazkur, the Chosen Messiah.''

The old dwarf looked at Darla and then back at him before concluding, ''Which of the two are ya, boy?''

Atlas shrugged, ''I don't know, but I have no intention of being evil or becoming some sort of messiah,'' he responded while Darla stared at him with a smile.

''Legends say the Dûmragaz wields the powerful void magic that spilled the continents into what they are today during the Great War that changed the world forever, while it's told in the stories that the Khadun Khazkur uses the same affinity, which is why it is hard to tell which one you're,'' the old man said.

'What is it with all these damn names!' Atlas shook his head. 'I'm either a savor or devil according to this world.'

''My Name is Azhar'Zul; I'm no evil being or gallant hero. I want to explore the world and level up,'' he said while looking at the two dwarves.

Once Atlas finished speaking, the blades glowed even brighter before gradually dimming, leaving the older dwarf visibly shocked. Glancing at the weapons, the dwarf remarked, "It looks like those cursed things chose ya, boy. That'll be 22 gold for the pair."

"Make it 20, and throw in the sheaths for both," he countered, his tone firm.

The old dwarf scowled but eventually nodded. Atlas grinned, taking out 20 coins from his storage and handing them to Darla, who accepted them with an even bigger smile. Once the transaction was complete, he left the shop when the owner wanted nothing to do with him.

When Atlas was outside, he spotted a stall selling meat boxes with many other dishes. A few people were waiting in line. He joined the line while strapping the Gladius to his left side and the knife to his right.

'It's like the stalls back in London, tourists queuing up for mediocre food,' he internally chuckled.

Once in line, he heard the couple in front say this stall was the best food on Sea Road, which surprised him. Atlas was intrigued and wondered what kind of meals the place had to offer, causing his stomach to rumble.

It took him ten minutes to reach the front, where a young man and woman worked behind the counter. Atlas looked at the duo but then turned to the menu with several meals that caught his attention.

*Griffon Meat Box topped with Southern spices*

*Forest Boar Meat Box topped with Northern sweet sauce*

*Dragon Meat Feast topped with Thunder Peppers and Fire Salt*

*Orc's Delights seasoned with Sylvan Sage Leaves*

'So many different dishes, should I get the girls some? They might like them,' he thought.

Atlas chuckled at the names, which caught the couple's attention as they looked over the counter. The man's eyes widened, ''Little Boy! How can Hugh & Cath's Stall help you? Are you lost?''

He answered before giving them his order, "I'm not lost; I need ten separate meals for each of the first four menu items. What's the cost?"

''2 silver per meal, which comes to 1 gold, boy,'' the woman responded. ''Are you sure you've got that kind of coin?''

He chuckled before taking out the gold and handing it over with a smirk, ''Here you go. I have to buy some armor, and then I'll be back.''

The man smiled, ''Return in an hour; I'll start cooking your order now,'' he said in a friendly tone.

Atlas nodded before walking down the street to look for an armor store but couldn't find one. After ten minutes, he saw a group of Argonian city guards guarding one of the city's banks; he approached the one at the gate.

When Atlas got close, they reacted by gazing at him, but he ignored their confused expressions as he asked the closest one, ''Where can I buy armor? I'm new to the city, and my party is busy.''

''Little elf, what are you doing walking around alone?'' one of the guards questioned. ''You do know the gangs would sell you to some depraved mistress if the wrong people saw you.''

Atlas shrugged, "If they try to kidnap me, I'll kill them, which is rather simple. Besides, I'm not alone; my group is in the city, and I'll be meeting up with them soon," he said with a smile which unsettled the guards.

The one who spoke shook his head before pointing down one street, ''Dragonforge Armory is the best in the city, little elf. Though their prices are high, their work is worth it.''

He nodded before thanking the man, ''Thank you for the help.''

Following the directions, Atlas soon arrived at the store he sought. "Here we go, time to buy some armor," he mused before stepping inside.

The shop greeted him with scattered dummies across the floor and a bored-looking young man seated behind the counter at the rear. Atlas approached, causing the worker to look up with wide eyes.

''Young Master, I'm Terrence. How can I help you?'' the man said professionally.

''I'm Azhar'Zul; I've come here because I need some armor that won't affect my movement as I use speed,'' Atlas answered.

Terrence jumped up and commented, ''There are a few pieces on show that you may like, Young Master. Follow me.''

The young man led Atlas around the store and showed him many armor sets, ranging from cloth to metal and everything in between, but Atlas was uninterested in all of it, and Terrence could see that.

He sighed before revealing, ''There's a piece that my Grandfather created, but it's expensive, and many adventurers have said it gives them a bad feeling.''

Atlas beamed, ''Show me it. It may be the one for me,'' he said.

Terrence nodded and led him towards the back. As they entered, Atlas spotted an armor dummy adorned with a set of black armor over a black gambeson. The central part resembled overlapping dragon scales covering it, offering robust protection with white trimming along the edges.

The armor covered the neck, chest, shoulders, arms, and all vulnerable spots on the legs. It included a helmet that concealed the face, leaving only the eyes visible. Atlas said, ''Have you got this in a smaller size?''

The young man laughed, ''It will refit itself when you put it on; the owner added a few perks to the armor, which included extra defense with a Shield Rune, the Refitting Runes, which I just mentioned.''

Atlas grew interested and questioned, ''What other Runes are on it?''

''Vitality, Camouflage, Speed, Deep Sea Adaptation, Repair and a Flame Ward, which will protect you against fire spells,'' Terrence answered.

'Seven Runes that will be useful for my adventurers,' he mused. 'I bet it's stupidly expensive, though.'

Atlas shook his head before asking the price, ''How much? And what is it made from?''

''105 gold coins, Azhar'Zul; the price is so high because of the rare materials used along with the Runes, which will last for centuries,'' Terrance answered honestly.

''The gambeson underneath is made from a combination of Elderhorn Ram and Giant Mammoth wool, while the armor is made from the scales of a Swamp Behemoth known for its perfect defense alongside extremely rare and expensive dragon scales Grandfather bought from the Thalassia Empire.''

When hearing the man's explanation, Atlas became excited, causing him to ask, ''Can I try it on before purchasing it?''

Terrence nodded, ''Yes, Young Master. Father told me to try to sell it, but the price tag scares a lot of adventurers and guards away.''

Without a word, Atlas approached the armor and reached to touch it. As his hand made contact, a jolt of energy surged through his body, but he held firm, refusing to release his grip.

The young man rushed to help him take it off the display and held it while Atlas put the gambeson on. Once he put it on, the soft armor instantly refitted itself to his body until it was perfect, causing him to smile.

Atlas grabbed the armor and slipped it on, only for it to glow and fit perfectly, causing Terrence commented, ''It seems to be made specifically for you, Young Master. Most people can't approach it due to the aura it gives off, but it seems you don't share the same problem.''

Then, he put on the rest of the armor, including the arm, shin, and thigh pieces that refitted to his body. Once all the armor was on him, a bright glow radiated, causing the white trim to turn blue, just like his eyes, which shocked them both.

Terrance looked at him with wide eyes full of shock, ''This is the first time I've seen armor react like this.''

''What does it mean?'' Atlas questioned.

''All armor and weapons bonded with their owners. For example, only you could take off your armor, but if you wished, others could do it,'' Terrance explained. ''You've already bonded with the blades you're carrying, so now it's the armor's chance.''

When Atlas heard this, he remembered he could use Void Sight on the new gear. First was his armor, then the Gladius, and last was the knife.

[Nightfall Armor]

[Rank: Rare]

[Level: 5]

[Night Blade]

[Rank: Rare]

[Level: 2]

[Blood Knife]

[Rank: Uncommon]

[Level: 5]

'Oh, they have names,' he mused. 'Looks like I've got some gear that will last until I level up even more.'

Following that, Atlas left the shop, and as he did, he got an idea. He imagined the armor being sucked into his Dimensional Storage before he thought about it appearing on his body, which it did within seconds.