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Chapter 672 148.3 - Armory

And even then, only the first section of the armory was open.

This wasn\'t the entirety of the Emberheart collection. They couldn\'t-and wouldn\'t- display their most powerful artifacts here, even within these walls. Epic-grade artifacts and beyond demanded layers of protection that went beyond a simple barrier or a locked door. They were relics of a different class, weapons, and tools that could shift battles, maybe even affect the course of entire wars. A family like the

Emberhearts, with centuries of history, would have protocols, vaults, and more secure places to contain such rarities.

\'They\'d never keep anything higher than Unique-grade just lying out in the open like this. Items ranked Epic and above are kept under watch, only to be used for the most extreme reasons."

I recalled that in the game, most of the families were notorious for their guarded nature regarding their artifacts, and rightly so.

Epic artifacts were exceedingly rare-most kingdoms didn\'t even have one to their name. They were far beyond what could be acquired by even wealthy merchants or the highest-ranking nobles, Legendary artifacts were mythical, with only a handful existing across the world. It was no exaggeration to say that the possession of even a single Epic or Legendary artifact could elevate a family\'s influence to staggering heights, a power no one would leave unprotected.

But... does everything in this world work flawlessly?

Is there a single method that\'s foolproof, a system immune to error? The answer, of course, was a resounding no. Every structure has its flaws, and every safeguard has its weaknesses.

And in a world where artifacts were ranked and categorized, these classifications weren\'t as ironclad as they might seem. Classifying an artifact as Mythic or Legendary?

It worked well enough for bounded weapons, those that carried set attributes linked directly to the user\'s status window. But when it came to other artifacts, the process was less precise.

After all, what happens when a grading system fails to fully understand an artifact\'s hidden potential?Nôv(el)B\\\\jnn

In the game, this ambiguity created hidden paths, secrets buried deep within the world\'s structure. Some players, those who were tireless in their search for every achievement, had uncovered a particular flaw in this armory. They\'d discovered that by systematically testing every piece of equipment, they could uncover an artifact that didn\'t fall under its apparent classification.

\'A hidden artifact... one that slipped through the system\'s categorization.\'

It was something most players would miss, dismissed as a typical Unique or Rare-grade item. But for those who explored every option, digging beyond appearances and default labels, there was a reward-a piece that held properties above its apparent grade.

The grading system had failed to properly measure its potential, allowing it to hide in plain sight, overlooked by most who saw it.

And that was what the developers in the game exploited. In a sense, this was something that enabled them to include an easter egg in the game.

The developers had always been obsessed with realism, committed to building a world that felt immersive, detailed, and almost alive.

They left a few loopholes, crafted environments that reacted to player choices, and- whenever possible-added layers that made the game feel like a living world.

"Though knowing that I am in the game itself.....It is indeed questionable.\'

Easter eggs, they reasoned, were part of this philosophy, subtle nods for players who were meticulous, who pushed beyond the obvious paths.

This artifact was one of their more ingenious creations, intentionally crafted to appear as a Unique-grade item, something valuable but ultimately modest. In truth, it. was an Epic-grade artifact, its potential hidden by design. A system flaw, they justified it as, one that could feasibly occur in a real world, where even magical classifications might not grasp the true nature of certain relics. A rare find, meant only for those who looked deeper.

Just then, a sharp voice broke into my thoughts.

"So, what do you think?" Irina stepped forward, her eyes bright, her usual composed gaze replaced with a fiery curiosity. Her intensity caught me off guard, her expression openly interested as she glanced between me and the armory. "Is there a particular item you\'re after?"

For a moment, I considered telling her about the hidden artifact, letting her in on what I was searching for. But something held me back, a small spark of curiosity of my own. Watching her stand there, visibly invested, eager to see me take something valuable- something worthy of her family\'s armory-was unexpected. It wasn\'t just about duty or family pride. She wanted to share something meaningful, a gift that went beyond the Emberheart name.

\'Interesting... she\'s really invested in this."\'

I kept my expression measured. "Nothing specific," I replied, letting my gaze linger over the shelves. "I\'m just... getting a feel for the options."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as if trying to read into my words. "You\'re not going to settle for just anything," she said, crossing her arms with a smirk, "I can tell you\'re sizing everything up, assessing. I thought you\'d be more direct with what you

wanted."

She wasn\'t wrong, but I wasn\'t about to give her the satisfaction of knowing that. I shrugged, keeping my tone light. "I\'m not in a rush. There\'s a lot to consider here."

Her smirk softened into something more genuine. "Good. Take your time, then. There\'s no point in picking something unless it truly resonates with you. I will also guide you."

I glanced at her, noting the way she watched me, the quiet enthusiasm in her gaze. She truly wanted me to find something worthwhile, something that would suit me in a way that went beyond practicality. And it wasn\'t just because I\'d endured the Chamber of Emberheart or proved myself. She cared, a rare warmth underlying her words that spoke of more than just family duty.

"So," she continued, leaning in with a conspiratorial grin, "I have to ask what exactly are you looking for in a weapon or artifact? Something flashy? Something subtle?"

I tilted my head, meeting her gaze with a calm expression. "Maybe something a little... unexpected," I replied, allowing my tone to drop just enough to hint at mystery. I watched her eyebrows raise in intrigue, her curiosity only deepening. "Just try to

guess."

Her eyes glinted. "Figures. You always keep me guessing."

Irina moved beside me, her gaze roaming over the artifacts with a thoughtful intensity. Being in the Emberheart armory, surrounded by the legacy of her family, she seemed almost at home. The artifacts here reflected the Emberhearts\' specialty, their mastery over fire magic evident in nearly every piece. From the finely crafted staffs to enchanted amulets, almost everything here had a tie to flame-a signature trait of her

lineage.

I watched as she lingered on an ornate staff, its surface adorned with crimson and

gold runes that pulsed faintly with dormant energy. "This one increases fire magic output," she murmured, almost to herself. "An artifact like this could maybe double or even triple the potency of a flame spell according to its rank if low, amplifying the caster\'s reach and intensity. Though the same wouldn\'t be said for higher rank spells." Her hand moved to another piece-a slim, obsidian bracelet etched with symbols of dancing flames. "And this," she continued, "enhances one\'s affinity with fire psions. It makes fire feel like an extension of the user\'s will, effortless and intuitive."

As she spoke, I noted the subtle pride in her voice. These artifacts were crafted not