The Complete Ksitigarbha Statue, A Crucial Item

Chapter 25: The Key Item - The Complete Ksitigarbha Statue

[Tennen Rishin-ryū (Novice 230/500)]

[Effect: Solid foundation, concise and practical, flexible and versatile]

[Due to your Tennen Rishin-ryū Novice level, your Physique +2!]

[Due to your Tennen Rishin-ryū Novice level, you have learned new sword techniques!]

[Uesugi Tetsu]

[Physique: 8]

[Willpower: 8]

[Charm: 9]

[Spirit Arts: 1]

When Uesugi Tetsu opened his eyes again, the first things that greeted him were various stats and Ririko's small face.

Unfortunately, blocking his view wasn't the ceiling of the dojo, which he could only see half of, but rather a large pillow.

"This is fine too, it won't interfere with my sword practice."

Ririko:?

With a sigh, Uesugi Tetsu detached himself from Ririko's lap without any lingering attachment.

In his eyes, Ririko was a good buddy, and a good buddy's lap was nothing to be nostalgic about.

Although Ririko's thighs were indeed more comfortable than a pillow—the muscles, honed by long-term high-intensity training, were only as hard as iron when tensed, but as soft as cotton when relaxed.

"Uesugi-kun, how are you feeling?"

"Very good, better than ever."

Uesugi Tetsu's answer stunned her, and the words "Do you want to come over to my place for a medicinal bath?" that were about to leave her lips were naturally swallowed back.

Ririko's thoughtfulness was actually quite thorough.

For a normal person, the body would definitely be weak after pushing past its limits during high-intensity training, and a medicinal bath at such a time would have excellent restorative effects.

But was Uesugi Tetsu a normal person?

What normal person could go from having decent physical fitness among ordinary people to becoming comparable to a national-level athlete after a single night's sleep?

The increase of two points in Physique not only swept away the fatigue and damage from his body but also made Uesugi Tetsu feel explosive power surging through him at all times.

Now, whether it was running a 100-meter dash in 10.5 seconds, a 10,000-meter run in 29 minutes and 45 seconds, or bench pressing 200 kilograms, Uesugi Tetsu believed he could accomplish them with ease.

This was the comprehensive improvement brought about by the increase in Physique, an improvement that defied all logic.

In addition to this, new sword techniques from Tennen Rishin-ryū had also flooded into Uesugi Tetsu's mind.

But that was a story for another time; he couldn't possibly display them in front of Ririko.

After tentatively moving his body, and seeing that the dojo was still empty, Uesugi Tetsu asked, "How long has it been since I passed out?"

"A little over two hours, and school should be ending soon." Ririko stood up and smiled, "What, you still want to train?"

Uesugi Tetsu looked at the pale-faced girl and, thinking that she must have been kneeling on the ground motionless for so long, said, "No, let's try to relax for a bit occasionally."

"Hmph hmph..." Ririko let out a hum of unknown meaning, then said, "Your phone rang during that time. I saw the other party call several times, so I took the liberty of answering for you."

"Was it Nanjō-san?"

"No, the other party said they were that cop's subordinate and told us to wait at the entrance after school."

Uesugi Tetsu: "That's perfect then. I'll go take a shower and change clothes. How about I treat you to some yakiniku tonight, Teacher Ririko?"

"I don't mind."

Ririko's expression was impassive—if one ignored her hands tightly gripping her abdomen to prevent it from making noise.

Although he was showering, Uesugi Tetsu didn't forget to enter Tokoyo to retrieve the weapons the Blacksmith had finished.

However, when Uesugi Tetsu arrived at the blacksmith's shop, he found that the once dazzling storefront was now completely empty of weapons.

It was deserted.

Uesugi Tetsu frowned and walked in quickly. He scanned the surroundings and found that the Blacksmith, who had been dozing behind the counter, had vanished.

In his place was the small figure who had stood beside him earlier, the one he hadn't seen before.

Good, at least someone was here.

Uesugi Tetsu pondered for a moment and asked in as gentle a tone as possible, "Where is the old Blacksmith?"

"Master has already left."

The small figure, who was entirely hidden within his cloak, spoke. He took a weapon from under the counter with some effort and placed it on the table. "This is the weapon Master forged for you, Mr. Brahma. He said you would definitely like it."

"Please accept it."

On the old wooden tabletop lay a uchigatana in a vermilion scabbard.

Misunderstanding resolved.

"Thank you."

After offering a solemn thanks, Uesugi Tetsu picked up the uchigatana with both hands.

His fingers first touched the scabbard.

[Regenerating Sheath]

[Quality: Fine]

[Effect: Slowly restores the durability of the equipped sword.]

[--A matching sheath crafted by an unnamed blacksmith for Kaga Kiyomitsu Replica]

Good stuff.

Durability is crucial for any cold weapon.

For example, his woodcutting knife had already worn down significantly from clashing against farmer's bones and crowbars, its edge dulled and chipped, making it less lethal than when he first got it.

If he used it any longer, the blade might even snap.

But with this sheath, those problems would cease to exist.

--This blacksmith is truly an honest man!

Uesugi Tetsu beamed inwardly. The sheath was already so satisfactory; what surprises would the main piece bring him?

Slowly drawing the blade out, Uesugi Tetsu began to carefully examine the entire uchigatana.

The blade was seventy-two centimeters long, its body as clean and sharp as a windless lake, devoid of any complex textures or patterns. The blade was thin yet exuded a chilling aura like the dead of winter. The entire sword was far heavier than his woodcutting knife, but Uesugi Tetsu found it remarkably comfortable to wield.

He then looked at the pop-up weapon panel.

[Kaga Kiyomitsu Replica]

[Quality: Super Fine]

[Effect 1: Pierce Enhancement. Deals significant bonus damage when using thrusting sword skills.]

[Effect 2: Soul Slayer. When Kaga Kiyomitsu Replica is used to slay demons, ghosts, and monsters, its quality will gradually increase.]

[--An uchigatana recreated by an unnamed blacksmith from his memory of Kaga Kiyomitsu, but this time, he poured his heart into it.]

Uesugi Tetsu fell silent.

He wondered what he had done to deserve such an overpowered weapon from the blacksmith.

Was it simply because he helped eliminate the noise from the workshop? That seemed unlikely, as the blacksmith had already left Arakawa Ghost Village, and the workshop's existence was no longer important to him.

Then it must be...

Uesugi Tetsu looked at the little one behind the counter. "Shorty, your master asked me to look after you?"

The gray cloak rustled, and a timid voice came from within. "Master said it depends on you, Mr. Brahma. He just made you an ordinary weapon, and there's nothing else."

"How could there be nothing..."

Uesugi Tetsu sighed and slid the blade back into its sheath. "From now on, if you need anything, just come find me."

The cloak rustled twice more, as if the little one inside was nodding.

Then, Uesugi Tetsu saw him take out a...

miniature Ksitigarbha statue?

"Master also said that if Mr. Brahma, you, were to offer me protection proactively, I should give you this statue."

"And if I didn't offer proactively?"

"Then, using this statue as a price, I would ask you to protect me."

Uesugi Tetsu paused. He leaned closer to the counter, wearing the mask of the Laughing Brahma. "What if I intended to take it by force?"

The cloak trembled even more violently, but the little one said, "Master said you wouldn't. He said you're not like those demons and monsters."

"Tch."

Uesugi Tetsu cursed inwardly.

That old man had said all the good and bad things, making himself seem so honest while being so cunning.

"Give me the statue."

The little one obediently complied.

The moment Uesugi Tetsu took the miniature Ksitigarbha statue, his eyes sharpened.

[You have obtained a key item for Side Quest 1--the complete Ksitigarbha statue!]