Chapter 306 Chapter305-Asura Wristguard
A radiant smile blossomed across Auron Eastwind's face once more.
He realized he had achieved his objective.
Trading an equipment piece he couldn't utilize for the assistance of a demi-god-tiered powerhouse three times over seemed like a profitable exchange in any regard.
Most importantly, with this deal, Auron Eastwind could forge a definitive relationship with John.
Once they collaborated this initial time, future partnerships would be significantly easier.
This was the true aim of Auron Eastwind.
As for the enigmatic wristguard, given its potential to corrode and disturb the mental realm, retaining it would be more a curse than a blessing to Auron Eastwind.
Regardless of its superior attributes, if it couldn't be equipped, it was essentially redundant.
Raising his wine glass, Auron Eastwind clinked it lightly against John's. "It's settled then! I'll have it brought immediately. If it suits you, consider our collaboration solidified."
John responded with a soft chuckle and a nod, his fingers delicately tracing the Asura Mask on his face, lost in deep reflection.
After so long, he was finally about to encounter another piece of equipment exclusive to the Godslayer class!
Moments later, an attendant in plain robes, holding a wooden box, reverently knocked on the door. "Your Highness, I've brought the item you requested."
With a casual gesture from Auron Eastwind, the attendant carefully placed the box on the table, then respectfully withdrew, thoughtfully closing the door behind him.
John's gaze settled on the wooden box, a rare flicker of excitement shining in his eyes.
Although the Holy Light seal on the box remained intact, preventing the Eye of Artemis from piercing through to view its contents, John was nearly certain of its connection to Asura.
This was because his Asura Mask had already begun to react.
A warm sensation emanated from the region of his third eye, as if the Asura Mask rejoiced, perhaps recognizing a former comrade.
It's said that divine objects possess a spirit. Such a high-caliber equipment, having existed in the world for countless years, might eventually develop a semblance of its own consciousness.
"This is the peculiar equipment I spoke of. Mr. Galewind, if you wish to inspect it, please do so yourself. I'd rather not touch it again... That sensation of my soul and thoughts not being under my control was something I don't want to experience a second time," Auron Eastwind remarked, maintaining a distance, his gaze upon the ancient wooden box filled with wariness.
He looked as if he was avoiding it like the plague.
John responded with an easy smile, nonchalantly picking up the box.
Its hefty weight hinted at the significance of the object sealed within.
Channeling energy into his hand, he swiftly dispelled the Holy Light seal.
An inexplicably mysterious fluctuation instantly enveloped the entirety of Room No. 1.
Moreover, the mask on John's face began emitting similar fluctuations, resonating intensely with the entity within the box.
A fleeting expression of astonishment crossed John's face, as he eagerly opened the box.
Inside lay a sinister-looking wristguard, its composition inscrutable but casting a deep red hue.
Stretching towards the back of the hand, it bore a groove.
Based on the design of this wristguard, one would expect to find a retractable short blade nestled within that groove.
However, the blade was nowhere to be seen.
The wristguard was etched with peculiar patterns, identical to those on the Asura Mask.
From the very first glance, John was certain that this relic was indeed a legacy of Asura.
Silently activating his Eye of Artemis, the attributes of the item swiftly emerged before his eyes.
[Asura Wristguard (Special Item, Grade Indeterminable): In ancient times upon the Godslayer Continent, a transcendent warrior emerged, challenging the dictates of fate. He named himself "Asura". In an unparalleled act of defiance, he slew a deity with a mere mortal body. This feat incited the wrath of numerous deities who conspired against him, leading to his fall. His very name was then twisted and obscured, and his magnificent equipment scattered to the winds. This wristguard is one such relic...]
[Exclusive Class: Godslayer]
[Level Requirement: None]
[Accompanying Skill 1: Wrath of the Asura (Divine Skill): The Asura Wristguard continuously emits an energy, subjecting every living being that lays eyes on it to a spiritual intimidation. Prolonged exposure to the energy field of Wrath of the Asura results in irreversible soul damage. After equipping, users may choose to deactivate this effect...]
John paused, slightly taken aback.
This accompanying skill was also present on the Asura Mask.
This was precisely the reason why anyone who came into contact with these items felt their souls spiral out of control.
However, the Wrath of the Asura attached to the Asura Mask had already been intentionally deactivated by John.
He wondered whether the Wrath of the Asura skill on these two pieces of equipment was a singular effect, or if they could be cumulative...
Suppressing the urge to test it out immediately, John continued reading:
[Accompanying Skill 2: Divine Blood Cry (Divine Skill) (Passive): Once the Asura Wristguard is equipped, every attack on a deity will induce a bleeding effect, draining 2% of health per second for a duration of one minute...]
[Accompanying Skill 3: Asura Prison (Divine Skill): Upon activation, it constructs an Asura realm. Enemies pulled into this realm are utterly rendered lambs to the slaughter, left at the mercy of the skill's wielder. This skill operates on an ORDER foundation, able to rewrite all fundamental ORDERS within the realm. However, its consumption is immense, necessitating judicious use.]
...
After scrutinizing every attribute of the Asura Wristguard, John took a deep, calming breath.
He suddenly recognized a curious phenomenon.
Whether it was the Asura Mask he wore or the Asura Wristguard gifted by Auron Eastwind, neither bore any foundational attribute bonuses.
They merely offered supplemental skills.
Not that these skills weren't potent; on the contrary, they were extraordinarily formidable.
The Wrath of the Asura needed no further elaboration—it was a potent weapon in combat, striking dread into the very core of foes.
In a balanced battle, unleashing the Wrath of the Asura could likely tip the scales in one's favor.
But for John, this skill seemed somewhat superfluous.
With his current might, no adversary was his equal.
And when faced with deities who might become adversaries in the future, the soul-intimidating effect would be significantly diminished.
The spiritual realms of deities, fortified time and again by their personal ORDER, would be unfazed by such trivial damage.
Regarding the latter two skills of the Asura Wristguard, the Divine Blood Cry did present some utility.
After all, skills directly inducing bleeding effects on deities were indeed a rarity.
The Asura Prison, in essence, resembled John's frequently used Abyssal Prison in battles.
Their functionalities overlapped, making it redundantly superfluous.
Reflecting upon this, John shifted his thoughts slightly, prompting the attribute information of the Asura Mask to reappear before him:
[Asura Mask (Special Item, Grade Indeterminable): In ancient times upon the Godslayer Continent, there arose a peerless warrior, defying destiny itself. He named himself "Asura". With a mere mortal frame, he committed the unparalleled act of slaying a deity. Such defiance drew the collective ire of many deities, resulting in his downfall. His very name was then twisted and obscured, leaving behind only this mask...]
[Exclusive Class: Godslayer]
[Level Requirement: None]
[Accompanying Skill 1: Wrath of the Asura (Divine Skill) — The Asura Mask constantly emits an energy that strikes mental trepidation into any soul that beholds it. An extended presence within the aura of the Wrath of the Asura will inflict irreversible damage to the soul. Once equipped, the user has the option to disable this effect...]
[Accompanying Skill 2: Gods' Lament (Divine Skill) (Passive) — Upon equipping the Asura Mask, each strike against a deity will directly target their divine essence, bearing a 1% chance to shatter it entirely...]
[Accompanying Skill 3: Bloodburn (Divine Skill) — Once activated, it burns all the energy within the Godslayer, in exchange for doubling the damage dealt, defense, speed, and ORDER control for a duration of one minute... The user's health drops perilously to a single point...]
...
After processing the attributes of the Asura Mask, John ruefully shook his head.
He wondered just how deep the ancient Asura's animosity towards the deities ran.
Each piece of equipment bore a skill specifically designed to counteract these divine entities.
The Gods' Lament skill in the Asura Mask was particularly outrageous, boasting a 1% chance to shatter a deity's very essence.
It came as little surprise that Asura met his end surrounded and overwhelmed by deities, his very existence eradicated.
Such audacity!
A silent vow echoed in John's heart, urging him to tread with discretion.
Being a Godslayer, a unique hidden class, naturally made him an adversary to countless deities. nOVe)Lb.1n
And armed with such potent skills targeting these entities, it would be strange if they didn't conspire to end him.
Seeing John deep in thought, Auron Eastwind hesitated to interrupt.
Quickly, he closed his eyes, preparing to offer silent prayers to the war god he worshipped, hoping it might shield him from the unsettling vibes permeating the room.
This unease, evoking memories of his own demise, made Auron wish to avoid the sensation of an uncontrollable mind and soul.
However, before Auron Eastwind could utter his prayers, he saw John seamlessly fasten the wristguard onto his right wrist.
It fit perfectly, as if tailor-made for him.
With the Wrath of the Asura effect from the Asura Wristguard disabled, the strange vibrations in the air gradually faded.
Auron Eastwind discreetly exhaled in relief, turning his gaze back to John, who was still engrossed with the wristguard.
"Mr. Galewind, are you satisfied with this equipment?"