As Jin absorbed Peppers' explanation, he thought that Bam and Boo, his trusted weapons, could have once been living beings from a fantastical realm was simultaneously fascinating and unsettling.
"So, if I understand correctly," he began, "these weapons are more than just tools—they are remnants of once-living entities, transformed into something entirely different...?" Peppers nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
" In the World of Living Weapons, there's a unique connection between life and weaponry. When a living being reaches a certain age, it undergoes a transformation. This phenomenon creates weapons that carry the essence of their previous life, imbuing them with remarkable abilities and characteristics." Peppers explained
"So, what does that mean for their power? Are they infinitely stronger than 'ordinary' legendary weapons?" Peppers leaned forward, her tone becoming more serious. "Yes, they possess an innate energy that can be harnessed in ways that typical weapons cannot. You'll find that they resonate with their wielder, often amplifying magical abilities or even adapting to combat situations. It's as if they have an understanding of the battle's flow."
Jin glanced at Bam, the sleek sword with a hilt that felt almost alive in his grip, and Boo, the sturdy secondary sword that seemed to pulsed with warmth when he came to learn the truth about their existence. It could be this mind playing tricks with him right now but it was how he feel.
"But there's a caveat. The transformation process isn't without its complexities. The inhabitants of that world must learn to control their newfound forms, just as you must learn to wield Bam and Boo effectively. It requires a deep bond, a mutual understanding between the weapon and its wielder." Jin's thoughts drifted to the countless training sessions he had undergone, the way he and his weapons had become in sync.
"Hmmm… if I think about it I felt there were instances where there was something special about our connection. It's like they could anticipate my moves at times, almost as if they can read my thoughts."
"That's the essence of weapons from the World of Living Weapons," Peppers affirmed. "By right they should evolve alongside their wielder but considering how you had been using them for such a long time and there was no response from them... erm sorry I am not all knowing. Maybe the System knows more about it. By right, the more you train together, the stronger your bond becomes. But beware—if abused or neglected, they can lose their potency. The relationship is symbiotic." Jin felt a shiver of responsibility wash over him.
"So, you are saying for the past few months when I was away in the Synthesis World, they might potentially lose that potency?"
"That is what I know. They could fade away, lose their original attributes, or even become hostile. A living weapon forsaken can eventually become a dangerous creature, embodying the anger and resentment of its previous life," she cautioned and was hoping a probe from the."Are there other types of living weapons?" Jin asked, intrigued. "Indeed, each one has its unique traits based on what it once was. Some might be agile and swift like animals, while others could possess the resilience of trees or the ferocity of predatory plants."
As Jin struggled to wrap his mind around the revelations Peppers was sharing. His gaze shifted between the two weapons laid out before them—each crafted with an artistry that whispered a hidden tale that Jin failed to perceived.
The swords glinted under the flickering lights, as if aware of the weight of the conversation surrounding them. "Peppers, if these weapons really do grow with their users, then it's no wonder everyone is after them," Jin finally said, shaking off the surreal nature of their situation. "But why hide their origins from me? Isn't this knowledge necessary to grow better and stronger?"
Peppers sighed, her brow furrowing. She starting to realise the danger of these weapons the more she recollect all of this knowledge about the living weapons but the System took over.
"It is, but knowledge can also be a double-edged sword. The more User learn about these weapons, the more valuable you become—both to allies and enemies. If the System were to divulge their secrets, it could attract unwanted attention from those across the multiverse who would stop at nothing to claim them for themselves. Imagine a world where everyone knows the existence of such weapons"
Jin nodded, slowly grasping the implications but in the meantime not satisfied with the answer.
"So, you're saying that if I'm not strong enough, possessing one of these weapons could turn into a death sentence?"
"Something like that" Peppers confirmed. "These weapons, while magnificent, are not just tools of destruction. They can amplify the user's abilities, but they also demand a certain level of mastery and strength. Without that, the wielder risks losing control, becoming a target for those who might want to take the weapon for themselves or simply eliminate a potential threat. Maybe even be consumed by the weapons themselves" A silence fell over them as Jin contemplated her words.
The prospect of wielding such power was tempting, but the risks were daunting. While unrelated, he thought about the countless stories and novels which he had heard or read of heroes who fell not because they lacked courage, but because they were unprepared for the burdens that came with their gifts.
"What about you, Peppers?" Jin asked, curious about the woman before him. "Do you feel ready to wield such a weapon?" Peppers chuckled with a high pitch, the sound laced with a hint of sarcasm. "Why do I need a living weapon when I have a universe worth of mana pool in my possession."
"But would it not be better if you have something to assist you in your endeavour?" Jin smiled at her proud response.
"Won't lie. I could not have done it before and such a choice would be tempting. However, Ayse and the other peeps in the System Research Department had done a lot for me to make me who I am now…as much I do not want to admit it." Peppers' eyes went to side and her cheeks slightly blushed admitting that she was grateful to them.
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It was then the System also reminded Peppers and gave Jin the second reason why it had not revealed the information of the Living Weapons to him. "If the System were to interject another reason, acquiring such weapons is deemed illegal, and the laws surrounding them are unforgiving."
"Ah…yes. You are right." It triggered Peppers' memory and also explained to Jin. "The infamous Living Weapons Enforcers—those tasked with maintaining order with regards to Living Weapons—are relentless in their pursuit of anyone who dares to smuggle these weapons beyond the confines of the World of Living Weapons without any approval or special exception permit."
"Death to those who are caught?" he muses, his voice uncertain yet inquisitive.
Peppers chuckles darkly, "Death? That's just a fleeting dream for the smugglers. The fate they face is far more insidious. Rather than a swift end, they are subjected to torment that transcends the limits of human endurance. Every nerve in their body becomes a conduit for pain, amplified a thousandfold. The duration of such agony depends on the severity of the capture—and trust me, the enforcers do not shy away from making examples." The revelation sends a chill down Jin's spine.
The allure of wielding a Living Weapon is overshadowed by the grim reality that surrounds it.
"So, if I were to seek out these weapons, I would essentially be courting death—or worse, torture—if I stepped into that territory?" he asks, struggling to comprehend the risks involved.
"Precisely," Peppers replies, her expression grave. "If they refuse to allow export, what makes you think they would welcome anything crossing their borders? It's a closed system, fiercely protected by the enforcers who will stop at nothing to keep their secrets intact." Jin's mind races as he tries to piece together the puzzle of the World of Living Weapons.
"But how do you even know about this world? How do the rumours spread?" he questions, seeking clarity in a realm shrouded in mystery. Peppers leans back, contemplating his response.
"Other multiverses have learned to navigate the coordinates that lead to this place. Some have ventured close, only to find themselves ensnared, unable to return. The stories of their failure act as beacons, drawing the bold and the desperate alike. Informants take incredible risks to gather intelligence, driven by the tantalizing potential of wielding a Living Weapon. The benefits are immense; the power these weapons provide can tip the scales in any conflict. It's a dangerous game, but the promise of such strength is hard to resist."
"In fact, one particular Celestial had been renowned to own a living weapon from that world; guess who it is?" Peppers teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Uh, I don't know, Zeus or something? That thunderbolt weapon that I heard of seems rather alive," Jin suggested, trying to connect the dots. Peppers shook her head, unable to suppress a smile.
"No. It's actually his son and their Pantheon's one and only talented smith, Hephaestus." She paused for dramatic effect, allowing the weight of this revelation to sink in.
"It was not documented, but the war between the Celestials and the World of Living Weapons was so intense that no one could ever imagine that even the Higher Celestials had a hard time getting out of it alive. If you are not in cahoots with the Celestials, I would even recommend asking you to ally with the World of Living Weapons so that you might actually be able to fight with the Celestials" Peppers commented while Jin mulled in his thoughts.
The idea of Hephaestus, the master craftsman had become the famous because of his living weapon? This information was revolutionary that it might break the traditional storytelling from his world.
"So, what happened? Did they win?" he asked, eager to learn more about this ancient conflict that was shrouded in mystery. "It was a stalemate, for the most part. The Celestials were powerful, yes, but the living weapons had a will of their own. They were not merely tools; they fought back, guided by a drive for survival that was unmatched," Peppers explained, her voice growing serious.
"But the true horror lay in the fact that the Celestials underestimated their adversaries. They thought they could easily dominate the living weapons, but the reverse was true. The weapons fought back with a ferocity that shook the Celestials to their core. It was not until the living weapon working with Hephaestus had decided to willingly work with the Celestials to reduce any more bloodshed on both sides. That compromise made the Celestials withdraw their forces as well and the enforcers continued to keep an eye on him if they were to abuse the living weapon." Jin pondered this information, the implications curling around his mind like smoke.
"Well… if you have the right tools and weapons against the Celestials…the Celestials would not be someone we will be scared of." he mused, his fingers tapping restlessly against his knee. Jin recalled the Anti-Celestial Serum he had developed was no ordinary concoction; it was an accidental marvel of science and alchemy, designed to strip the Celestials of their powers.
He couldn't help but wonder why Vishnu chose not to eliminate the Celestials completely when the serum was so potent it could thwart their invasions with devastating precision. "To him, it must have seemed that every action carried weight beyond mere strategy," Peppers chimed in, sensing Jin's turmoil. "Perhaps, Vishnu believed in the potential for coexistence or had a vision that extended beyond the immediate conflict."
Jin frowned, grappling with the complexity of celestial politics. "That's all well and good, but if I knew my enemy had such a powerful weapon against us, I would do everything in my power to ensure their annihilation. That's the most logical thing to do." He felt a surge of frustration, recognising the primal nature of his emotions.
Yet he was just a human, tethered to his instincts, and the actions of the Celestials were wrapped in layers of ancient wisdom and unfathomable motives. One could never truly grasp the workings of the Celestial minds, and while he felt the heat of resolve burn within him, he also understood that the game being played was far beyond his comprehension.
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