Like every human, Kain knew that in battles against the astral creatures, the Keepers used Artifacts. Even ordinary people could have some, but it was expensive, impossibly expensive for someone like Kain, who barely had enough money for food.
But, things have changed.
Tap.
Kain gripped the massive sword firmly by the hilt, struggling to lift it above the ground.
[Obsidian Guardian
Type: Weapon
Tier: I
Significance: Minor
Enchantment: [Warrior's Fortitude.]
[A heavy sword for someone willing to rush into battle and take the blows of enemies to give their allies some time. A strong weapon for the strong-spirited warrior.]
[Warrior's Fortitude] Description: [Hold the sword by the hilt to let the guardian's power flow through your body. You will become stronger and your body stronger, but the heavy weight pressing on your shoulders will not allow you to move as fast as before.]
"What do you think?" Kreyn raised an eyebrow. "Looks pretty good, doesn't it?"
"Well..." Kain raised his sword, struggling to make a full swing. "I won't hide it. I was upset that I couldn't get the artifact, but I don't need such a weapon. From what I learned being in the Astral Dimension, if you want to survive, be fast and cunning."
A dark chuckle erupted from Kreyn. "Hah, you're damn right. Furthermore, don't take it as rude, but for a weapon like that, you're squishy."
"What about you?" Kain thrust the sword in Kreyn's direction.
Oddly enough, he lifted it easily with one hand, swinging it like a stick.
"This sword is useless to me. It's too weak an artifact. By the way, here's my advice." he pointed the sword at Kain. "If you get a lot of money, don't try to buy an artifact of a higher range than you can master."
"Why? Can't a powerful artifact help me survive in a dangerous situation?"
Kreyn nodded. "Of course, but not above your level. You saw the description of this sword, so what do you think would happen if it was a Tier II artifact instead of a Tier I one?"
"Hmm..." Kain rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "This sword would be even heavier, and I wouldn't be able to lift it."
"Hahaha, not necessarily. If it were a ring or a dagger, it wouldn't be such a problem, but that's not what I'm talking about."
Then, his gaze became more serious.
"You wouldn't be able to use the Obsidian Guardian to its maximum. The power of that sword would be limited by your strength, and you can forget about Enchantments, they'd just be out of reach."
Kain scratched the back of his head.
"So... In my hands, any Tier II artifact or higher would turn into a Tier I artifact, and still Enchantments would be blocked? All because I'm at the Tarnished Rank, right?"
"Damn, you're a fast learner!" Kreyn put the sword aside. "You don't need a cart if all your stuff can fit in a sack. And, if you want to move things out of the sack, you can't fill the cart. Basically, that's what happened when you took that sword by the hilt."
"Got it, so I didn't feel stronger, though that should have happened, considering Enchantment."
Kreyn nodded. "Yep. So when choosing an artifact, always see if you have the strength to use it. Your runes should be of the same level or stronger, like in my case.
"And, don't worry that you didn't get an artifact. I have a reward for you as well."
"Agh?" Kain's eyes flashed.
Then, Kreyn waved his hand pointing to the many crystals scattered on the ground, the gray ones, but it was better than nothing.
"As you can see, some of the monsters were on the edge of evolution. Hah, literally walking moneybags!
"Go, Kain! Are you going to make an old man bend over and collect everything for you?"
Kain rolled his eyes. "Pffft! Just because you have a long mustache doesn't mean you're old. But... Thanks."
...
In trying to escape from Aurora, Kain lost the bag of crystals he was given by Viron and Old Eye besides the amulet.
He needed money.
True, he had gained the Codex and was now a Keeper, one of the heroes the common people believed in, but he was still poor.
'Most likely, the government will help me somehow, but it's always better to have a backup plan and rely on yourself!' Kain internally exclaimed, shoving the crystals into his pockets.
Just as Kreyn had predicted, twenty-one minutes after the rift opened, five shadows appeared in the distance.
"Oh, they're finally here," Kreyn smirked, flicking the ash off his cigarette. He had been smoking for the last five minutes, looking out over the ruined city.
Four men in blue robes followed a middle-aged woman in a white coat.
Kain's pupils went wide for a moment. The scene reminded him of Reina's arrival in his village. It was a warm and heavy memory.
The woman had blonde hair and stern blue eyes, a sword in a lance-shape hanging from her belt.
"Mr. Awakened!" she exclaimed, bowing before Kreyn.
The others followed her example. Every Keeper had to be aware of the hierarchy and observe the chain of command especially those that worked directly for the government, for the Rune Society.
"My name is Lurra! We came to your aid as fast as we could!" her eyes traveled to the sword and the corpses. "Looks like we were too late... I apologize, for my entire squad!"
Kreyn threw away his cigarette and looked back at them.
"Enough of these formalities, I feel like throwing up. Just a mess."
Lurra gulped. "But..."
"Silence. That was the First Threat level rift. For me to deal with something like that is no problem." Kreyn said as he placed a hand on Kain's shoulder. "I usually refuse to help. These conversations annoy me, but I wanted you to come for one purpose."
"Mr. Kreyn..." Lurra stammered. "I don't understand. Who is this guy?"
"Ohoho, it's not just a guy, as of late, he's become one of us!"
Kreyn clapped Kain on the back, forcing him to step forward.
"This is the new Keeper! Came straight from the Astral Dimension with an active Rune Brand and immediately helped me close the rift."
A dark gleam ran across Kreyn's eyes, revealing for a moment his fearsome nature as Awakened.
"I hope it's clear that everything needs to be added to the report in detail."
Lurra shuddered.
"S-Sure, sir," she smiled crookedly, turning to Kain. "Each of us is pleased with the new Keeper. Our world has another warrior who has passed the test of the Arcane Scripture!"