I didn’t want to make a bicycle… it was too clichéd. Those weren’t popular in snow-covered areas. I saw some of them in Ironcliff, but they slipped too much thanks to snow and frozen ice. Still, I had to consider... maybe I could make a bike or even one that can be used for combat. I suddenly recalled the scene in a movie where the MC stored a bunch of swords in his bike. That was really cool.
“Enchanting the tires with Emberstep would do the trick to avoid a slide on the snow or wet ground. Since I will increase my strength, I will be able to pedal faster too… but maybe I can make a small engine for the bike. I want to make one that consumes mana cores.”
I guessed that the central parts would have to be the parts that needed to be replaced often since they would be enchanted and would be working all the time while I used the bicycle… I drew some blueprints for the night but soon decided to rest properly.
When the next morning arrived, somehow, Nimir already had some medicine. He showed me some ointment in a small bottle. It seemed pretty well made if anything.
“What is it for?”
“To prevent and make people recover from frostbites.”
“Good job. Although we don't need it that much… you should use it in your hands and feet since you are more susceptible to the cold than me.”
Nimir nodded. The herbs in the area weren't good for that for no reason… The ointment was a bit smelly, but it seemed to be of decent quality. He was getting quite good with his hands.
After breakfast, we checked some shops again and then I bought the magic items that I needed. Their effects were good, but I wondered why they only had one... possibly because those that could have more would cost a small fortune.
Ring of Arcane Wellspring - Increases the wearer’s maximum mana pool by 25%. Additionally, it regenerates 5% of the total mana pool every ten minutes, ensuring a constant supply of magical energy.
Ring of Mystic Amplification - Increases the magical power of the wearer by 20%, amplifying damage, healing, or defensive magic depending on the spell. This bonus applies across all forms of magic, including elemental and arcane spells.
I read that by using gems, one can make items like that grant the user an elemental boost. Still, only the Jeweler class could give them the shape necessary without risking wasting valuable gems.
Each gemstone is associated with a particular element, enhancing the wearer's magical abilities and offering various resistances or boosts. For example, rubies are connected to fire, increasing the potency of fire spells and offering protection from heat, while sapphires amplify water or ice magic, making water-based spells more powerful and granting resistance to cold.
Other gemstones focus on different elements. Emeralds, tied to the earth element, strengthen spells involving stone, plants, or nature, improving both defense and durability. Topaz, linked to lightning, enhances storm and lightning-based magic, boosting attack speed and reaction times. Likewise, amethysts are attuned to arcane and shadow magic, boosting illusion, necromancy, and dark spells, while providing protection against mind-altering effects. Each gemstone brings unique benefits based on its elemental affinity, empowering the wearer according to the type of magic they specialize in.
These gemstones can be combined or used individually in magical accessories to create tailored enhancements. Moonstones amplify lunar magic and illusionary abilities, aiding those who rely on deception or subtle magic. Garnets enhance blood magic or vitality-based spells, increasing life force and regenerative abilities. Meanwhile, diamonds strengthen light and holy magic, boosting healing powers and warding off curses or shadow attacks. This system of gemstone-enhanced enchantments allows for a wide range of elemental magic boosts, making accessories crucial tools in harnessing and defending against various magical forces.
“Aren't those enchantments a waste to us?”
“Only for now.”
They were the only ones that I could find in the town that raised one's parameters. Besides, the other reason I bought them was because I needed a ring to make the best misinformation ring for Nimir. With my Dexterity this high, I didn't think that I would fail to understand the enchantment. Perhaps I would need to do the exchange a couple of times, though.
In any case, my funds were quickly being drained… perhaps I would have to find a job in less than three months to buy the things that I needed. Having the enchanter class was useful, but it was expensive to obtain the knowledge of new enchantments, and I was using a shortcut for that.
“Are you going to fight at close range again?”
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Nimir asked while we headed to the dungeon. I considered the idea… I needed to get used to it, after all. However, I couldn't imagine myself being challenged by the snow golems. The frost lizards could be a bit of a challenge, though.
“Why? Do you have something in mind?”
“It would be faster if you could just destroy their legs from a distance and then I would finish them off.”
“That is true, you wouldn't be challenged by them for quite a while either, so we should focus on speed instead. All right, let's do that.”
I wouldn't have to focus too much on the dungeon for a while and that could give me time to learn the new enchantments, so I couldn't ask for more.
Already inside the dungeon, I used my bolts enchanted with earth magic. The snow golems tried to defend themselves, but the bolts pierced through their limbs with ease. When I aimed a bit higher on their legs, even a part of their torso was blown off.
While the enemies were falling, Nimir charged and then stabbed their hidden cores. That was a pretty good way to advance, actually. I was planning to enchant a boot for him with the Swiftstep enchantment, but perhaps that wouldn't be necessary. Something like that could hinder his growth more than anything.
In no time, we reached the fourth floor and then we found the unmapped areas. Still, while the snow golems had become sturdier and stronger, they still didn't pose a problem to us.
After doing that a few dozen times, I actually managed to finally pull up… I managed to create another misinformation ring… with that kind of tool, I could obtain a steady flow of money, but now that I thought about it, who would have that much money saved aside from nobles?
“I guess this won't work in the end…”
I felt like crying a bit… my plans to become filthy rich were being derailed faster than light. In any case, I decided to give the ring to Nimir.
“Here, this one will do a better job. Are you planning to ever learn how to use the bow?’
“Thank you… I don't think so.”
I stopped to think for a moment… asking for the bow back seemed the best option. Still, while mastering one weapon was better than trying to master two, I decided to let him keep it just in case. It could be useful in a bind. I didn’t need the bow anyway… the best I could get from it would be fifty or so Terra coins.
“You need to update the ring a bit at a time every day. Still, it is better not to exaggerate by making people think that you are too strong or too weak.”
“Alright.”
From that point onward, we used Nimir’s senses to find the right path without wasting more time with the dead ends. I avoided that before since the floors were short and we needed more battle experience against the snow golems, but things were different now.
In the middle of the afternoon, we found the boss chamber. At that point in time, the snow golems that blocked our path were three times stronger than the ones on the first floor, but they still couldn’t resist my bone bolts enchanted with earth magic.
By then, I also had finished making another hand crossbow, but it was a simpler one. It was made with the bones and hide of the giant ice salamander. I used the hide as an experiment, but things ended up quite nicely.
Cold Hand Crossbow (Rare)
Enchantment Slots: Windy - Increases the attack speed and flying speed of projectiles by thirty percent.
Earth - Increases the durability of the weapon by 50%.
Bonus Effects: Eagle Eye - Provides an increase in range and accuracy of 20%, allowing the archer to shoot from great distances with little penalty.
Cold Tolerance: Decreases the effects of ice, water, and cold environments when equipped with this weapon by fifty points.
Durability: 150/150
“Equip this and keep it hidden in your sleeve. You can use it in a bind or when you need some extra power. Reloading and shooting is pretty simple. You stock the bolts here, and when you use this trigger, they will reload automatically. This trigger here fires the bolts, so make sure not to keep his fingers on them all the time.”
“But I already have the bow…”
“It will be good to fool the enemies, they will never think that you have another hidden weapon. You have some dexterity, so make sure to carve bolts periodically.”
I could tell by the look on Nimir’s face, that he liked the gift, but he also didn’t like the situation… Adding with the ring, the crossbow, and the final class of the dungeon, I won’t have any more reason to help him and he knew that. Still, he wasn’t self-centered enough to insist on working with me.
He kept working hard for the last few weeks to show that he could be a good ally, but since I didn’t show that he had convinced me, he felt like he wasn’t good enough to be my ally. He kept a sad expression for a while, but soon his expression changed for whatever reason. He seemed determined.
“Let’s go. Stick to the same battle plan, got it?”
“Okay.”
Nimir had my short swords in his hands, it was a boss battle, so there was no time to waste or take our chances while not doing our very best. Soon enough, we reached the boss chamber and found the place covered in snow to our waist. There were no signs of the boss anywhere, but we kept our guard up.
Still, it didn’t take long for the creature to show up… the chamber began to shape and then the snow began to gather in the middle of the place. I felt like sighing since that confirmed that even the boss wouldn’t leave materials behind. Regardless, in no time, the monster became ten meters tall.
In any case, it was not time to feel like that… I already knew that the monster here could absorb all that snow to repair itself, so I soon fired bolts at the legs of the beast. Fire explosions happened and they melted the snow around the boss… at the same time, the creature stumbled since its legs were destroyed.
Nimir charged through the path created by the bolts ready to attack the monster, but soon a lot of snow approached the monster and blocked his way. He jumped to the side and then changed directions, but before approaching again, two more explosions took the monster by surprise when it was trying to get up… those were other bone bolts enhanced by the Flames enchantment.
The creature fell again and then Nimir jumped toward the beast and slashed the short swords furiously… his attacks melted the snow on the monster’s body with ease. Still, the creature raised its arms and then tried to smash him, which stopped Nimir and forced him to jump backward.
The massive snow fist hit nothing, but the impact made the chamber shake… if were to get hit by those, we would turn into red pancakes.