SSS-Rank Talent: Super Upgrade System-Chapter 144: The Widow’s Myth!

The next morning, Daniel drove through Astralis Academy’s spotless halls in his Voidshadow, its quiet hum standing out against the noise of the Combat Techniques School he’d just left.

Vice-Principal Travis Standen was left completely speechless after watching Daniel flawlessly perform the S-Grade [Dance of the Trident Assault] just hours after learning its A-grade version.

His scarred face had cycled through disbelief, shock, and finally, a kind of terrifying joy.

True to his word, he had granted Daniel unrestricted access to the entire A-rank assassin skill vault, an act that had sent shockwaves through the Academy’s faculty.

Now, it was time for his scheduled visit to the Weapons and Armaments School.

The school sat in an industrial part of Rivernorth, a vast complex of dark metal and glowing forges that released harmless, filtered smoke into the artificial sky.

The air smelled of hot metal, ozone, and a faint, almost magical trace of cooling oil.

The rhythmic sound of hammers striking anvils, both physical and energetic, was the school’s heartbeat.

He found Vice-Principal Robb Naharis in the main forge, a vast chamber centered around a massive glowing anvil and a swirling vortex of contained plasma that provided the heat.

Robb, his usual aloofness replaced by deep focus, carefully examined a piece of dark, pulsating metal with high-tech calipers, his rough, practiced hands moving with the precision of a master craftsman.

He didn’t look up as Daniel approached.

"Vance," Robb said, his voice as sharp and precise as the tools on his workbench.

"You’re punctual. I appreciate that. Punctuality is the first step towards precision."

"Vice-Principal Naharis," Daniel replied with a polite nod. "I was told my education in the finer points of weaponcraft begins today."

Robb finally looked up, his cold eyes scanning Daniel with a new, appraising light.

The rumors of Daniel’s impossible feat in the Combat Techniques School had clearly reached him.

"So, the prodigy comes to the forge. Tell me, boy, what do you know of true weaponcraft?

Not crude rock-smashing or wild energy blasts. I’m talking about the art, the science, the very soul of creation.

"I know that a weapon is an extension of the wielder’s will," Daniel answered thoughtfully.

"And that the rarest, most powerful materials are needed to create something truly legendary."

A trace of genuine, barely noticeable approval appeared in Robb’s cold eyes.

"A passable answer. Most impulsive young talents would have spoken of damage outputs and kill counts. You speak of will. Good."

He placed the pulsating metal he was examining back into a stasis field.

"You’re right, materials are crucial. The Verge holds a wealth of rare alloys, dimension-shifted crystals, and the remains of fallen star-gods.

But they’re extremely rare—almost too rare to use. My school has been in decline for years, held back by limited access to top-tier materials."

Daniel felt a rush of sympathy for the stern Vice-Principal.

He had an entire school dedicated to creation, but lacked the fundamental ingredients. It was like being a master chef with an empty pantry.

Robb seemed to read his thoughts. "But," he continued, a strange, almost eager glint in his eyes, "a talent like yours... an SSS-Rank with a proven aptitude for... acquiring... high-level resources... you could change everything, Vance.

You could usher in a new golden age for this school."

He then seemed to catch himself, his aloof mask slipping back into place.

"Ahem. But that is a discussion for another time. As a gesture of goodwill, and in recognition of your unprecedented potential, the Academy has authorized a gift for you.

A full set of B-rank equipment, to be chosen from our stores. It is... a significant investment. Do not waste it."

Daniel felt a genuine warmth towards the reserved master.

A full B-rank set was incredibly generous. He knew from the exchange post that such a collection was worth a fortune.

"Thank you, Vice-Principal. I am grateful."

He mentally reviewed his own gear. His S-Grade Blade and Bow were peerless.

His handwear was a dual-layered A-Grade masterpiece. His only real weakness was his D-Grade Deflector Vest.

A full B-rank set would be a massive defensive upgrade. However, he also knew that with his [Soul Assimilation], any B-rank item was simply fuel for creating something A-rank, or with enough charges, even S-rank.

This was a gift of immense potential!

"The academy’s Treasure Room is through that corridor," Robb said, gesturing with a pair of glowing tongs.

"The quartermaster will assist you. Choose well, Vance. A warrior is only as strong as his armor."

Daniel made his way to the Treasure Room, a vast, heavily protected vault lined with rows of gleaming armor, humming energy weapons, and radiant artifacts.

An old quartermaster with a mechanical eye looked up from his datapad as Daniel entered, raising his one natural eyebrow in surprise.

"The golden boy himself. Here to pick up your welcome present, are you?" the quartermaster grumbled, though his tone held a note of respect.

"B-rank sets are over there. Try not to break anything just by looking at it."

Daniel browsed the available sets. There was the [Sunstone Guardian Plate], a heavy set of golden armor that offered immense physical defense but would severely hamper his agility.

There was the [Storm-Weave Raiment], a set that boosted lightning attacks but offered little physical protection.

Then, his eyes fell upon a sleek, dark set of hardened leather armor, almost black, that seemed to absorb the light around it.

It looked perfect for a stealthy, agile warrior.

[Widow’s myth (7 Pieces)]

Grade: B

Set Bonus (2 pieces): +10% Agility

Set Bonus (4 pieces): Reduces sound of movement.

Set Bonus (7 pieces): +5% Critical Strike Chance.

"This is the one," Daniel said decisively.

The agility boost was nice, the sound reduction synergistic with his skills, but it was the full set bonus that sealed the deal.

A flat 5% increase to his critical strike chance, on top of the 20% from his S-Grade Blade of The Night and his 10% base chance from Night Ranger class, would push his crit rate to a staggering 35%. One in three of his attacks would be a devastating critical.

"The widow’s myth, eh?" the quartermaster grunted, making a note on his datapad.

"Good choice for a sneaky type. Fast and lethal. It’s yours."

Daniel took the seven pieces of the set, helmet, chest piece, gauntlets, greaves, boots, belt, and a shadowy cloak and returned to the quiet sanctuary of his Voidshadow sports car.

The time for the true upgrade had arrived.

He laid out the seven B-grade pieces on the luxurious passenger seat.

He focused his will, his Tier 2 [Soul Assimilation] talent humming with eager power. One by one, he began the process of reforging.

He started with the chest piece. <Assimilate?> Yes.

"BOOM!"

A soft pulse of shadow energy.

The B-grade leather hardened, darkened, faint shadow runes appearing on its surface before fading.

[ Chestplate (B-Grade) has evolved into Shadow-Bound Carapace (A-Grade)! Defense +400, Agility +20.]

He moved to the gauntlets. <Assimilate?> Yes.

[ Gauntlets (B-Grade) have evolved into Gloves of the Silent Blade (A-Grade)! Defense +200, Critical Hit Damage +10%.]

He continued, piece by piece, the interior of his car flickering with pulses of contained, transformative energy.

The helmet became the [Cowl of Unseen Paths], the greaves became the [Leggings of the Ghostly Stride], the boots became the [Slippers of the Swift Phantom], the belt became the [Sash of Hidden Daggers], and the cloak became the [Mantle of Deepening Shadows].

Each piece evolved from B-grade to A-grade, their stats multiplying, their properties enhanced.

Finally, with all seven pieces transformed into A-grade masterpieces, his Nexus Interface chimed with a final, triumphant notification.

He had successfully created a full A-rank set.

He eagerly checked the new set bonus, his heart pounding with anticipation.

The old B-grade bonus was good. The new A-grade one... it was going to be terrifying.

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