CHAPTER 15 — RAYGUST
"What do I even name it?" Zodac muttered, staring at the crimson dagger. "Now that I think about it… naming a weapon feels like a huge responsibility. Kind of like naming a pet — it needs meaning, comfort, identity."
He leaned back, lost in thought.
"There was this novel I read back home… well, one of many. I was so consumed in anime, comics, web novels — you name it. But there was one story that completely took my breath away."
He chuckled, remembering.
"It was about a boy who joined an organization that used technology from other worlds and dimensions to defend humanity. At first, he was just… average. His best friend was stronger, his little sister had more potential, everyone around him overshadowed him. It sucked."
Zodac smiled faintly.
"But he never gave up. He trained, failed, got up, trained again. Dude was called four eyes — because he wore glasses," he added quickly.
"Long, tragic story. But through insane hard work, by the fifth edition of the book he became an A-Ranker."
His eyes gleamed now — inspired.
"Someone who once struggled to stand against a single monster eventually reached a point where, whenever he fought, entire regions had to be evacuated just to protect people from his overwhelming strength. He literally leveled cities."
Zodac exhaled, nostalgic.
"But after he became that strong… it got boring, so I stopped reading. Still, it was one of the best novels of my life."
He looked down at the dagger again.
"What was the name of his weapon?"
A word surfaced — clear, powerful, final.
"Raygust."
RAYGUST Equipped.
Secondary Weapon Skills:
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"Okay, now we're done with that—how much do I owe—"
Zodac looked up.
The enchantress was gone.
He blinked. "Huh—"
"Over here."
Zodac turned and nearly jumped. She was already sitting in the chair behind him.
"How did you—"
"You were so deep in your thoughts, you didn't notice me move," she said plainly.
Zodac went silent.
"Sit. I have things to discuss with you."
"Hm." He obeyed, taking the seat across from her.
"I don't understand everything I saw in my vision," she began. "Fate is never clear — not even to me. But the little I do know, I'll share."
"So what do you know?" Zodac asked.
"I know that your natural affinity is fire."
"Wait — what?" Zodac shot upright.
His panel appeared:
ELEMENTAL — WOOD
LV 5
Affinity: FIRE
"But that makes no sense," he said. "Shouldn't my affinity be wood? I'm literally the Wood Elemental Hero."
"Yes, it should be," she agreed. "I'm no expert in system anomalies, but the glitch seems to have given you an extra ability — free of charge."
"Hm." Zodac exhaled. "Well… I'll need as many abilities as I can get. I just hope my elemental power is actually useful."
"Wood is considered one of the most powerful elements," the enchantress replied. "Because it exists everywhere around you."
"Huh. I don't believe that," he said skeptically.
"You have no idea how much latent power you carry," she warned.
Zodac's expression darkened.
"All that destruction… all that chaos. Was it really my doing?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "Even those who read fate cannot fully grasp the past."
Zodac looked away, uncomfortable.
She changed the subject.
"As a Wood Elemental Hero, you will unlock certain skills as you level up."
"And I've unlocked none," he said — then laughed at himself.
She stared at him, baffled by his humor.
"The last time I thought I'd see another book again," Zodac muttered internally, "I was sure I'd go insane."
"Wood Elemental Heroes can heal — themselves and others," she continued.
"Because most healing ingredients come from plants and trees," Zodac finished confidently.
"You are really getting on my nerves," she said, a vein pulsing on her forehead.
Zodac placed his left hand — the one with the green orb — on the book she presented. The orb emitted a soft glow.
A new panel appeared:
AlchemyBook of Healing Herbs, Plants & Toxins
Resource: Useful Asset
Equip as Main Item Slot?
YES / NO
"What is this?" Zodac whispered — then selected YES.
The book vanished.
"I'm getting tired of all these disappearing tricks," he complained.
The green orb flared again — and the book reappeared, now attached to his arm, and the green orb fused at its center.
Another panel flashed:
Alchemy Book of Healing Herbs, Plants — Main Item Equipped
"Wow… I did not see that coming," the enchantress breathed, staring.
"Thank you," Zodac said with a genuine smile.
"You're welcome," she replied.
"That'll be ten silvers."
"What — ten?!" Zodac nearly choked.
"Yes." She nodded without hesitation.
"How much for the service?" he asked reluctantly.
"Thirty silver coins."
"What?! How can you charge thirty silvers for something you weren't even sure would work?"
"It worked, didn't it?" she countered.
Zodac deflated. "…Yes, but—"
"No buts."
"…Fine."
He paid.
"Are you staying in the Melmorac capital?" she asked.
"No. I can't. Not where everyone sees me as a disappointment." His voice faltered.
"If I ever see the Fire Hero or that cursed princess again—" He stopped, sighed. "Now that I can finally wield a weapon… maybe things will change."
"Where do you think you're going?" she asked.
"Honestly? I don't know. I just want to leave. Escape my misery. And if I die fighting a monster or a wave somewhere out there… well, at least it ends."
The enchantress studied him — not with pity, but understanding.
"Hm. Then you'll need this."
She retrieved a rough-looking rolled parchment and placed it on the table, unfolding it carefully.
Zodac's eyes widened. "A map?"
It displayed the entire Sundara region — north to south — towns, villages, forests, mountains, even restricted zones. Roughly drawn, yet remarkably clear.
"Thank you," he said, truly grateful.
"Your welcome" She said with a smile,
"The price of the map will be—"