Chapter 10 – Armed to the Teeth
The clang of steel echoed in Goldbear Manor's training yard. Rows of guards and militia stood under torchlight, their leather armor patched, their shields dented, their weapons dulled from years of wear. They were loyal men, but poorly equipped—merchants' guards, not soldiers.
That would change tonight.
Glic stood atop the stone platform, his cloak drawn tightly around him. His gaze swept over the assembly. Behind him, crates of newly-forged equipment gleamed faintly with runes, still warm from his workshop.
The guards straightened nervously. They had never seen their lord call them together at night, let alone with such solemnity.
"My family," Glic began, his voice calm but resonant, "has survived through trade, coin, and wit. But coin alone will not shield us from the blades of bandits… or the schemes of nobles."
He raised his hand. A glimmer of runes danced across his palm. "Therefore, I give you more than coin. I give you power."
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The Forging
The day before, he had locked himself in the workshop, the System humming in his mind as he worked through his plans.
"System. Initiate equipment merge. Base: Guard armor set. Spell: Blade Ward."
> [Processing…]
Compatibility: 85%
Result: Blade Ward Armor – reduces incoming physical damage by 25%.
The armor gleamed faintly, its leather toughened by shimmering threads of warding magic.
Next, the shields.
"System. Merge: Standard steel shield + Blade Ward."
> [Result: Blade Ward Shield] – On impact, projects ward barrier that absorbs first strike. Cooldown: 1 minute.
Satisfied, he turned to the crossbows.
"System. Merge: Crossbow + Fire Bolt."
The weapon vibrated, the bowstring glowing faintly. When fired, a bolt ignited mid-flight, streaking like a comet before striking the target dummy. Flames licked across the straw man, reducing it to ash.
> [Result: Fire Bolt Crossbow] – Each bolt carries spell essence, dealing fire damage on impact.
But fire was not enough. He thought of the original frog experiment—the corrosive power of acid.
"System. Merge: Crossbow + Acid Splash."
The bolt whistled through the air, striking another dummy. Acid erupted across its surface, hissing as it ate through straw and wood alike.
> [Result: Acid Bolt Crossbow] – Each bolt explodes with corrosive acid. Armor reduction effect.
Glic's smile deepened. "Perfect for breaking defenses."
For melee weapons, he reached for swords and spears.
"System. Merge: Longsword + Shocking Grasp."
When he swung it, sparks leapt across the blade, humming with power.
> [Result: Stunning Sword] – Melee strikes deal lightning damage. On hit: chance to paralyze for 2 seconds.
He repeated the process for spears. The training dummies had no chance—split, burned, corroded, shocked. His workshop was a battlefield of destroyed targets.
Finally, he turned to supplies. His men would bleed, and he had no desire to waste them.
"System. Merge: Cloth Bandage + Mending."
The bandage pulsed with faint light. When wrapped around a shallow cut, the fibers knit themselves together, sealing the wound instantly.
> [Result: Mending Bandage] – Automatically repairs flesh and cloth up to minor injuries. One-time use.
By dawn, crates of weapons and armor filled his workshop. A private army's worth of enchanted equipment.
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The Revelation
Now, under torchlight, the crates were opened.
The guards gasped as Glic's steward drew forth armor that shimmered faintly, shields that glowed, crossbows with runes etched along their limbs.
"This… this is wizardry," one guard whispered.
"No, more," another murmured. "It's… it's a miracle."
Glic raised a hand, silencing them. "From this day, the Goldbear Guard will no longer be dismissed as merchants' watch dogs. You will be warriors clad in magic."
He gestured, and the steward began distributing the equipment.
A veteran named Harrin donned the Blade Ward Armor first. At once, a ripple of warding energy shimmered over his body. He struck his chest with his fist, the sound ringing like iron.
"This… this is stronger than plate," he said, awe in his voice.
Another guard tested the Fire Bolt Crossbow. The bolt ignited mid-flight, striking a target with a blast of flame. The men shouted in astonishment, some even cheering.
When a young recruit swung a Stunning Sword, the sparks lit up the night. He struck a practice dummy—lightning arced across it, leaving the straw blackened and smoking.
Even the Mending Bandages stunned them. A man deliberately cut his palm to test it, then gasped as the glowing cloth sealed his flesh within moments.
"Impossible…" he muttered, his eyes wide. "Even the Tower Wizards don't sell things like this!"
Glic's expression remained composed, though pride burned in his chest. Yes… kneel in awe. But never know the truth. Let Aurelius take the credit. Let the phantom master be the source of your reverence.
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Seeds of Power
By the end of the night, his guard stood armed to the teeth. Rows of armored men gleamed under torchlight, weapons humming with spell essence.
The militia that once looked like simple merchants now appeared as a small army—disciplined, enchanted, dangerous.
Glic looked upon them and thought of the future. With such weapons, even rival nobles with pureblood wizard backers would hesitate to provoke him. And when the bandits saw these creations unleashed, terror would spread like wildfire.
The System chimed softly in his mind.
> [System Notice: Equipment Merges Complete.]
Combat Assets Enhanced: +32 units.
Host Progression Bonus: +4% Affinity (Composite).
Warning: Risk of exposure elevated. Concealment Protocol advised.
He dismissed the warning with a smirk. Yes, exposure is a risk. But power… power is worth it.
Raising his hand, he addressed his men one final time.
"From this day forth, you are no longer common guards. You are the Iron Fangs of the Goldbear family. Together, we will hunt bandits, defend our lands, and carve our name into history."
The men slammed their weapons against their shields in unison, the sound rolling like thunder.
And in that moment, the Goldbear household guard transformed—from mere protectors of merchants to a force of war, armed with the impossible.