The Improvement Is a Bit Much?

It was a longsword that was entirely black and had an extremely rough appearance.

The sword looked as if it had been cut directly from a black rock. Not only was the blade completely unpolished, but the hilt was also simply formed by wrapping white bandages around it. It didn't look like an iron tool at all, but rather like a stone tool.

If Ais, Tiona, Tione, Lefiya Viridis, and the others were here and saw this sword, they would definitely recognize it.

This sword is the same jet-black greatsword used by Udaeus, the master of the 37th Floor.

Leo stepped forward, reached out, grasped the hilt wrapped in white bandages, and raised the sword.

"Whoosh!"

With a casual flick of his wrist, the seemingly rough blade sliced through the air, producing a sharp cutting sound and exuding a sharpness completely different from its appearance.

Udaeus's Black Sword was a trophy that Leo and Ais obtained after defeating the floor master.

When Leo and Ais shattered Udaeus's Magic Stone, its massive body turned to ashes and vanished. However, the jet-black greatsword, which had never been sighted before, remained and became a loot item after defeating Udaeus.

Originally, because Leo and Ais had fallen into a coma after the battle, Lefiya Viridis and the others did not pick it up immediately, leaving it in the Throne Room. However, when Leo and his group decided to return, Lefiya Viridis brought it up again, and then the group went back and picked it up.

It's impossible not to pick it up, right?

This is a drop item from the floor master, and it's a drop item from Udaeus, whose potential ability surpasses Lv.6. Moreover, no one has ever obtained it before. It is currently the only one of its kind in the world, and it is unknown whether anyone will be able to obtain it again in the future.

Just considering the item dropped by the floor master, its value is no less than that of Cadmus's membrane that Leo and his companions obtained on the 51st Floor, not to mention its many additional values.

So when Leo and his group returned to the 18th Floor with this trophy and went to rest in the rebuilt Rivira Town, the town's unscrupulous merchants all rushed over like they had stumbled upon a rare treasure. They kept bidding against each other, trying to buy it, and eventually even the people in charge of managing Rivira Town were alarmed.

The other party pleaded repeatedly, asking Leo and the others to leave the dropped item there. He said he didn't care if they didn't sell it; he could simply forge it into a finished weapon and return it. He only needed to leave some scraps for him. His earnest pleading almost persuaded Ais.

Unfortunately, Leo did not agree and rejected the request outright.

Are you kidding me? Do you really think he's stupid?

Don't be fooled by how enthusiastically those unscrupulous merchants are haggling over prices; their prices are all based on the market rates in Rivira Town.

As for the market situation in Rivira Town, those in the know understand—what high prices can they possibly offer?

As for the guy who claimed he would help build weapons and only needed to give him some scraps, Leo almost kicked him.

It's important to know that Udaeus's black sword is over six meters long. While that might not seem large to Udaeus, it's larger than several people standing on top of each other for a human.

In the original story, Ais also obtained this trophy after defeating Udaeus, but due to her overexertion, she shattered the black greatsword after the fierce battle, causing damage to various parts of it. In the end, it was reduced to less than two meters in length and much narrower in width, making the sword just the right size for an adventurer to use.

This time was different. Because of Leo's involvement, the black sword was not severely damaged in the end. It was still about the same size as when it was in Udaeus's hands, and it took Leo and the others a lot of effort to transport it back to the ground.

Such a large sword, even if forged into a weapon usable by adventurers, how many materials would it take?

The leftover scraps after crafting would probably be enough to forge several more weapons, wouldn't they?

That bastard is just after this trophy, and he's making it sound so nice.

They were all shady businessmen in Rivira Town, each one more unscrupulous than the last.

So, in the end, Leo and the others brought this trophy to the ground. When they left the Babel Tower, it caused a second sensation, attracting a large crowd of business-type and forging-type family members to watch.

These families were also excitedly bidding in the Central Plaza in front of the Babel Tower, offering prices much higher than those of the unscrupulous merchants in Rivira Town.

Finally, Leo sold the jet-black greatsword to the highest-paying clan for 300 million Valis, on the condition that they cut off a portion for him to use in future weapon crafting.

Leo originally intended to split the 300 million Valis equally, but Tiona, Tione, and Lefiya Viridis all refused.

"We didn't even lift a finger against Udaeus, so we can't take the spoils!"

"This trophy belongs to you and Ais; you two can share it."

"I... I can't have it either!"

The three refused to accept the money, claiming that they had only dealt with the summoned Earthborn and should only take the money earned from the spoils of those Earthborn.

Even Ais refused the money.

"Udaeus was your prey to begin with. You forced him to use a weapon he hadn't used before in a one-on-one situation, so—he's yours."

Unlike Tiona and the others, Ais was not in debt. Her initial goal was simply to save Leo, defeat the powerful enemy, and gain enough experience points to advance to the next stage.

Now that her wish has been fulfilled, Ais is already very satisfied and naturally will not use the money obtained from exchanging the spoils of war.

Leo tried to persuade her several times, but Ais refused to compromise.

Left with no other choice, Leo could only accept this unexpected windfall and the next day received the portion of material cut from Udaeus's black sword that had been sent to the Familia's headquarters.

That was the extremely rough-looking black longsword that Leo was holding in his hand at this very moment.

He originally intended to use it to create new weapons.

Before Leo could head to Finn's office, Loki brought him some news.

"We've contacted a craftsman for you. Based on your requirements, they're currently working hard to forge a custom weapon for you. They've prepared all the materials; you just need to prepare the money."

In other words, the rare forging materials that Leo had specifically saved for his next weapon are now useless.

"In that case, I'll use you as a temporary solution until I get my own dedicated weapon."

Leo looked at the black longsword in his hand and murmured this softly.

Although this sword has not been polished, it is still a weapon, and it is the weapon used by the floor master at category level Lv.6. Its quality is by no means inferior to the level 1 equipment crafted by a senior blacksmith.

Leo has already tested it; its power is different from the rough surface, and its sharpness is definitely no less than Ais's Desperate.

Therefore, even without polishing, it can be used as a weapon.

At the very least, it's much stronger than the Dragon Fang Sword.

Leo now needs high-quality weapons, the higher the better.

The higher the quality of the weapon, the stronger the effect of his [Crossed Star Swords] will be, giving him as much boost as possible.

Leo then rewound the white bandage on the hilt, found a scabbard, put the black sword away, and hung it on his waist.

Feeling the weight around his waist, Leo nodded in satisfaction.

"It's a good thing to take this opportunity to get used to the new weapon."

Before this, the small straight swords and the Dragon Fang Sword that Leo used were all different types from the ones he used now.

The small straight sword is considered a short sword, while the Dragon Fang Sword is only a medium-length sword. The former is no more than 40 centimeters long, and the latter is no more than 80 centimeters long. Neither of them can be considered a longsword-type weapon.

The new weapon currently being developed by Leo is a longsword, with a length of at least 100 centimeters.

Therefore, by using this black longsword to get used to it, you can seamlessly switch to a new weapon in the future without having to spend time getting used to it.

Twilight Manor, atrium.

Fully armed, Leo left the tower where his dormitory was located and entered the atrium.

Along the way, all the group members they encountered greeted Leo warmly and respectfully, just as they had before.

Although Leo felt that there was no need for everyone to act this way, he didn't say anything in particular. After responding a few times, he walked towards the gate.

Coincidentally, Leo encountered a girl who was fully armed, just like him, and was preparing to leave the base camp.

"Ais?"

Leo stared blankly at the blonde girl, who, like himself, had a long sword at her waist and was also lightly equipped.

"---- Leo?"

Ais seemed surprised to run into Leo, who was also getting ready to leave, and stopped in her tracks.

--

The two looked at each other, and finally spoke at the same time.

"You're also planning to go to the Dungeon?"

After they finished speaking, they both fell silent. The last one couldn't help but chuckle softly, and the other relaxed his expression.

This scene was also witnessed by an acquaintance who happened to be passing by on the skywalk.

"I have to say, aren't you two being a bit too diligent?"

"You've only been back a short while? And you're already planning to go back into the Dungeon?"

A pair of twin sisters leaned half their bodies out of the sky corridor and shouted at the two people in the courtyard.

Who else could it be besides Tiona and Tione?

The two glared at the boy and girl in the courtyard, their eyes filled with resentment.

Their expressions were as if they were saying, "Are you trying to crush us?"

Leo and Ais exchanged a glance, both smiling slightly.

"Don't look at me like that. I just want to get used to my current level of strength." Leo shrugged and said to the two people above him, "This improvement is quite significant. If I don't get used to it properly, the problem of my mind and body becoming disjointed will be very serious."

Ais didn't say anything, but you could tell from her expression that she thought the same thing.

Having just leveled up to Lv.6, the increase in stats is definitely significant. My combat habits from Lv.5 are certainly not applicable to my current body, so I need to adapt and adjust to prevent my mind and body from becoming disjointed.

This is a common phenomenon encountered by newly leveled-up adventurers. Both Leo and Ais will need to deal with it sooner or later, so it's not entirely a coincidence that the two meet here.

On the contrary, Tiona and Tione were somewhat sensitive.

"Is that a bit too much of an upgrade?" Tiona asked without hesitation. "How much?"

Leo was taken aback by Tiona's question.

However, he did not hide it.

"Probably even bigger Ais?"

Leo's words not only piqued the curiosity of Tiona and Tione, but even Ais looked at him.

"Really?" Tione asked with some skepticism. "You leveled up to Lv.5, Ais leveled up to Lv.6. How could your improvement be greater than Ais's?"

It's obvious that going from Lv.4 to Lv.5 is a much greater improvement than going from Lv.5 to Lv.6.

The problem is, Leo this time is more than just an upgrade.

"I've also acquired new skills and new development capabilities; the improvement has been quite significant."

Leo's remarks elicited the same reaction from Lan Xiao in all three girls present.

"A new skill?" Tiona asked, surprised and curious. "What kind of skill?"

Ais and Tione were also staring intently at Leo, while Haolan concealed his curiosity.

"How so?" Leo scratched his head, and finally said, "It's similar to my [Star Soul Eternal], except this time it's applied to a different ability."

Leo's [Star Soul Eternal] was stolen during the last expedition, and the information has already been revealed to the expeditionary force.

Therefore, the existence of this skill was already a secret. Almost everyone in the Loki Familia knew that he possessed such a magical amplification skill, which surpassed Riveria Ljos Alf's [Fairy King's Seal] and Lefiya Viridis's [Fairy Warmth]. The skill's effect was extremely powerful.

Under these circumstances, Leo claims to have learned a new skill, and this skill is also related to [Star Soul Eternal].

Chalando, everyone still believed that what Ma Mingjiu had said about "great improvement" was probably truly extraordinary.

"----You're stronger than all of us now, aren't you?"

Tione's eyes twitched as Lanyoude uttered those words.

A few seconds of silence fell over the room, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

"Um—I'll head out first."

Seeing that the two seemed somewhat provoked and looked like they were questioning the meaning of life, Leo tactfully changed the subject.

"Don't worry, Lan went there specifically to plan the route; she'll be back after dark."

Leo left those words behind and quickly turned to leave.

Ais followed, while Lan stared at Leo's retreating figure, knowing what he was thinking.

Only Tiona and Tione remained, standing there in silence for a very long time.

"---- Tione."

"What."

"On our next expedition, we must make a profit."

"----You say you'll repay the disaster."

A fierce flame of resentment, fueled by Lang Gan's feigned weakness, secretly ignited in their hearts.

They, Jue Lan, could no longer remain stagnant.

Many others share the same thoughts as the two.

For example, a fairy girl with a complicated expression walks past on another empty path.

For example, a werewolf youth who was sunbathing in a tree in a secluded courtyard overheard this conversation.