Chapter 214: A Disguised Level-Up, The True Idea: Inscribing the Body Armament
While digesting the power of the dragon blood within him, Tang Zheng seriously stared at the changing values on his status panel.
Thump!
Thump!
His heart beat with extreme power. The might of the dragon blood seemed to have greatly quickened the flow of blood throughout his body.
With every breath.
A stream of hot air exhaled from his nostrils, though it was not very noticeable in the already high-temperature environment.
At irregular intervals of ten to twenty-odd seconds.
His HP, Physical Defense, and Magic Defense stats would all increase.
However, compared to the increase in his HP, the other two attributes rose much more slowly.
About twenty minutes passed.
The powerful beating of Tang Zheng's heart gradually slowed, and upon careful perception, he could feel the potent, warm current within him dissipate as well.
"The dragon blood's effect has been fully absorbed."
Tang Zheng's eyes flickered. He exhaled a breath of hot air, and faint wisps of steam rose from his body as if he had just stepped out of a sauna.
...
『HP: 450→478』
『Physical Defense: 249→260』
『Magic Defense: 264→275』
...
The changes to his stats had stabilized. Besides his HP increasing by 28 points, the other two stats had only increased by 11 points each.
"The attribute increase isn't that significant. Is it because my level is already high?"
Tang Zheng mused internally. He recalled how the Ghoul Dog's aura had strengthened significantly after it had licked just a minuscule amount of dragon blood.
He looked at the Passives on his [Ability Stats].
Before this, after his skin had been stained with dragon blood, he had gained two Passives: "Fire Resistance (1%)" and "Weak Poison Resistance".
Due to the appearance of "Fire Attribute Nullification", the "Fire Resistance (1%)" effect had already vanished.
However, "Weak Poison Resistance" had not disappeared, and the dragon blood he had just drunk had not strengthened this Passive.
Tang Zheng looked toward the dwarves and saw that the group of Dwarf Artisans was still in a heated discussion. He once again took out a waterskin filled with dragon blood from his item box and downed it all in one gulp.
The three basic stats began to rise again!
"The effect has weakened."
After the effect was fully absorbed, Tang Zheng compared the changes in his stats. His expression unchanging, he took out another waterskin of dragon blood.
Back then, he had used a full seven waterskins to collect the dragon blood spilled on the ground. Compared to the ancient red dragon's massive body, the amount of dragon blood Tang Zheng had drunk so far could only be described as "minuscule."
After drinking the third portion of dragon blood.
Tang Zheng once again felt that potent, warm current weaken significantly, a change made even clearer by the fluctuations on his status panel.
...
『HP: 478→530』
『Physical Defense: 260→280』
『Magic Defense: 275→295』
...
"The process was even shorter this time, and the buff has completely vanished." Tang Zheng's eyes opened slightly, a sharp glint within them.
Based on his own sensations, he was certain that continuing to drink "dragon blood" would no longer increase his stats.
The total increases were: 81 HP, 31 Physical Defense, and 31 Magic Defense.
"An unexpected surprise. Calculated in terms of high-tier job class levels, my HP alone has increased by five levels' worth, while my Physical and Magic Defense have risen by two."
Tang Zheng thought with a pleasant surprise. As expected of the "Dragon Race," whose entire bodies are treasures.
The only thing that surprised him was that the "Weak Poison Resistance" Passive still showed no change.
...
Passive: Weak Poison Resistance
Effect: Effective against weak poisons (≈ below Lv 10).
...
"Speaking of which, if drinking 'dragon blood' only increases basic stats, then how did this passive ability appear?" Tang Zheng could not help but feel a little puzzled at this moment.
He carefully recalled the entire process.
Tang Zheng subconsciously looked at his own skin. He remembered that when his skin was stained with dragon blood, large red marks had appeared.
Could it be that drinking "dragon blood" and having one's skin stained with "dragon blood" produce different buff effects?
This thought emerged in Tang Zheng's mind.
Speaking of which, he wondered if the blood of the Sun Anglerfish also had a similar buff effect. These were all things worth experimenting with next.
He raised his head.
Tang Zheng looked at the Dwarf Artisans, who were gradually returning to normal after their intense discussion. "It seems you've reached a conclusion."
He first glanced at the Ghoul Dog cowering on the ground, trembling in fear due to the "dragon blood's" aura.
"Really, if you're affected by just this bit of an aura, how will you ever withstand greater power?"
Tang Zheng raised his hand and patted the Ghoul Dog's head, then stood up and walked toward the group of dwarves.
"Awooo~" The Ghoul Dog let out a soft cry while watching Tang Zheng's back, a hint of tenacity showing in its beastly eyes.
"Everyone, you are the best Rune Craftsmen I am aware of."
"I wonder if it's possible to replicate this piece of Rune Armor made by the Gray Dwarf Race," Tang Zheng said as he walked over, his gaze fixed on the group of dwarves.
The sudden voice made all the dwarves, who were immersed in observing the damaged armor, raise their heads simultaneously to look in Tang Zheng's direction.
Faced with the long-lost, highest-tier rune script, the faces of all the Dwarf Artisans were filled with excitement and exhilaration.
But at this moment, the air fell quiet.
None of them had ever experienced the forging process for such a high-level Rune Item, so naturally, they had no confidence they could complete it.
"What will happen if we can't make it?" Gongde stared intently at Tang Zheng and asked loudly.
The atmosphere instantly grew tense.
The Dwarf Artisans became cautious. None of them had forgotten that they had been abducted.
"Then we fail."
Faced with such a question, Tang Zheng simply gave a casual shrug, seemingly unconcerned about success or failure.
Which was true.
He truly wanted to replicate this piece of Rune Armor from the Gray Dwarf Race, but he was also well aware of the high probability of failure.
Success would naturally be for the best, but failure would not affect Tang Zheng much either, aside from wasting a bit of time.
And Rune Craft was indeed a form of craftsmanship worth researching and developing.
However!
Seeing Tang Zheng's nonchalant attitude, the dwarves, whose hearts had been pounding with uncertainty, all widened their eyes, their beards bristling indignantly.
"If you asked us to forge a Rune Item with the highest-tier script from scratch, then this old man would have no confidence at all."
"But if it's just replicating one based on this armor, this old man still has some confidence."
"To think we're being looked down on so completely. Even if Rune Craft is far inferior to you humans' magic infusion technology, it is still the greatest craftsmanship of our Dwarf Race!"
"It's a mere replication!"
"I'm very angry now."
"Idiot, keep your voice down."
"...!"
"I just think that being able to forge such Rune Armor in my lifetime would surely become an unparalleled memory."
A series of heated, noisy shouts erupted once more. This group of dwarves was clearly dissatisfied with Tang Zheng's extremely casual tone from a moment ago.
Watching this group of dwarves become fired up one by one, the expression on Tang Zheng's face did not change at all.
He was not about to take the dwarves' boasts at face value and assume these Dwarf Artisans were actually capable of the task.
The Forging Minister, holding the ruined armor, turned around respectfully and looked up at Tang Zheng.
"Are there enough hands?"
Tang Zheng did not ask the group of Dwarf Artisans, but instead focused his gaze on the most crucial figure.
"If the number of Rune Craftsmen could be doubled, the success rate would be somewhat higher," the Forging Minister said honestly.
"What is the success rate now?" Tang Zheng asked.
The Forging Minister: "Thirty percent."
Thirty percent?
Very low.
But it was higher than what Tang Zheng had initially expected.
It was worth a try. In any case, aside from time, there was almost no loss, because Rune Craft did not require expensive additional materials to begin with.
"Then it's worth the gamble." A smile appeared on Tang Zheng's face.
"Hey, human," Gongde's voice, filled with excitement, came from behind again.
"To be able to witness the highest-tier rune script and bring this lost power back to life is something we Rune Craftsmen simply cannot refuse."
"However, we've already discussed it."
"Never mind mithril and orichalcum, even adamantite would be unable to withstand the power of the four highest-tier characters."
"It has to be an even more superior metal. As long as you can find such a material, the thirty percent chance you mentioned can be increased by at least another twenty percent."
The moment he finished speaking.
The crowd of dwarves behind him immediately echoed his sentiment.
Tang Zheng glanced at the Forging Minister beside him. Seeing the man nod in agreement, he actually felt more at ease.
"Whatever tools you need, just ask. I will bring them all to you."
Tang Zheng smiled brilliantly and spoke to the Dwarf Artisans. As he spoke, he waved his hand to his side.
A large vat, over half a man's height, appeared on the scene.
The sudden appearance of the large object drew everyone's attention.
"Is that a magic leather pouch?"
"What's such a large vat for?"
This large vat, over half a person tall, was already a bit taller than the dwarves.
The next moment, the dwarves fell silent.
An alcoholic fragrance with a hint of sour fruit wafted out from the large vat and into the nostrils of every dwarf present. This large vat was none other than one of the Four Great Treasures of the Lizardmen, the "Great Cask of Wine".
Gulp~ Gulp~
In the already somewhat hot environment on the outskirts of the Lava Zone, the crowd of Dwarf Artisans was already thirsty, and now they smelled the aroma of wine.
The sound of swallowing could be heard one after another.
"This is a magic item that possesses the ability to automatically produce wine. Theoretically, you can never drink it all."
Tang Zheng's calm introduction fell upon the dwarves' ears like the tempting whisper of a demon.
A magic item that could automatically produce wine was, for dwarves who loved wine as much as life itself, practically more important than their very lives.
Tang Zheng waved his arm again.
Wild boar-type beasts stored in his item box appeared on the ground.
"In short, as payment for your help, there will be more than enough wine and meat," Tang Zheng said forthrightly.
"I suddenly don't want to go back now."
"Don't say it, I'm thinking the same thing."
"..."
A series of quiet discussions came from the crowd.
Soon!
This group of Dwarf Artisans threw their previous worries to the back of their minds and fell into a state of revelry.
Tang Zheng, for his part, used Teleportation Magic to travel once more to the Eastern City of "Fieo Jura," bringing back all the tools the Rune Craftsmen would need in one go.
As for the dwarves' side of things, Tang Zheng had no interest in paying attention to the impact caused by the disappearance of all their Rune Craftsmen.
The next day.
November 18th, Middle-earth Month.
The group of Dwarf Artisans, full of vigor, gathered around Tang Zheng. Each held a tool, posturing as if they were ready for a big job.
"Where are the materials? We'll start forging right now," one of the dwarves was the first to shout.
In their view, since Tang Zheng was so confident, he had obviously already prepared the metal materials capable of withstanding the highest-tier rune script.
Under everyone's watchful gaze, Tang Zheng did not keep them waiting long. With a thought:
"Body Armament!"
Whoosh!
A grayish-white mist flowed from Tang Zheng's body, rapidly covering him from head to toe and solidifying into a suit of gray full-plate armor.
The abrupt scene.
Caused all the dwarves to stare blankly for a moment, their faces showing bewilderment.
"This is the material I have prepared for you all."
Tang Zheng's voice echoed from within the gray full-plate armor:
"I need you to inscribe the runes from that armor onto this suit of armor I'm wearing."
The air became inexplicably quiet.
Most of the dwarves' mouths fell open as they stared at Tang Zheng in disbelief.
"What kind of joke are you playing!"
Gongde's eyes bulged as he shouted in anger. He felt that the human before him was toying with them.
"Although this armor of mine is a bit special, it can be called a one-of-a-kind material."
Tang Zheng was not surprised by the change in the dwarves' expressions. He too felt that his idea was a bit crazy.
But it was worth a try!
The "Body Armament" he currently used, due to the unique degradation phenomenon of the Otherworld, meant that its ability was noticeably different from the normal skill.
As Tang Zheng spoke, he raised his hand, and a magic greatsword appeared in his palm.
Clang!
Before the dwarves could react.
Tang Zheng had already lifted the magic greatsword and struck his own arm heavily. A visible crack appeared on the arm of the armor.
Gongde and the other dwarves watched this scene in a daze, seemingly not understanding what Tang Zheng was trying to express.
They had repeatedly mentioned needing an extremely sturdy metal to withstand the power of the highest-tier script. The armor before them, which could be cracked so easily, was clearly not what they would call sturdy.
Tang Zheng did not say much more. Instead, he took out a bottle of alchemical potion and poured it directly onto the cracked area of the armor.
In the blink of an eye.
Before the incredulous eyes of all the dwarves, the crack on the armor had recovered, good as new.
This was the unique, special ability of "Body Armament".
(end of chapter)