Chapter 527 - Elves and Dragons “Am I sitting too close?” Rakonath asked, shifting on the couch next to Cordellia. “Oh no, you’re fine where you are,” she replied, scooting closer and squeezing his arm. “That silver hair really looks good on you.” Tom shook his head and Max chuckled. “I’m not sure what surprises me more,” Everett said. “That your dragon, which I still struggle with, can transform to look like us, or that your ranger may need someone to spray her with water.” Max shrugged, feeling Tanila’s grip tighten on his arm. “I’m not getting involved with that,” he replied. “She’s a grown… elf. He’s a dragon. I got nothing.” The Faction leader just grinned. “Still, he is impressive. What’s the plan with him and your party?” “Not sure. I think putting Rakonath in my dimensional space is an option again, but the past floors in the tower haven’t allowed me to summon it. So he could come with us, but if he can’t get out to help us fight, I’m not sure it would be worth it.” “Oh that’s just Fowl,” Tanila chimed in. “He’s pouting because of how things went today. Not what he was hoping for, so his answer is to drink.” “She went to the spa she likes. I’d join her but magical mud or not, I will stop doing those for a bit as this one keeps moving and growing. I expected a quicker time but not this quick.” “Is everything okay?” Tom asked, both older men leaning forward. “Oh we’re both fine. Trust me. Max makes sure we’re both healthy as can be.” A small sigh of relief came from Everett as he smiled at them. “Well that’s good. So you’re on to the next floor already? I mean, not that I expected less from you all, but the city is abuzz. Many are placing wagers on when they expect you all to defeat the tower.” ‎ “I heard,” Max replied. “I also am not a huge fan of the current haircut that is all the rage.” Tom choked on his drink, having started to take a sip as Max spoke. “Yes… There has been a bright glow about the city lately. Some barber shops have reported an increase in customers lately. Men and women.” Unable to hold back the groan that escaped, Max waved off the look that came from Rakonath. “I’m going to head down to the crafting room,” he stated. “I know you’re interested in seeing what I do there. Want to join me?” Everyone but their ranger laughed at how loud Rakonath shouted, jumping to his feet and almost yanking Cordellia with him. “I’m… jealous,” his dragon said as he studied the glowing dragon core on the stone floor. “To have this much power and yet have it stolen… That is a reminder that others like you could easily crush me if they desired.” Max nodded, turning his head to see Rakonath leaning against it. He was barely as tall as the orb, both hands and his cheek pressed against the smooth edge. “Well, I’ll be honest, as much as I might have wanted the rewards to go differently, the spell I got isn’t one I expect most to use inside a dragon. Still, I asked you to join me as I prepare to do a few things with it.” “Now that you don’t have to worry about the tooth my Father gave you?” Max nodded and pointed at the four weapons on the stone table. A sword with runes etched in it, a purple blade, and an orange hilt was ready for what he was attempting. In the blade was a hole where the objects he was about to create would go. That is the ugliest weapon I have ever seen. Looks don’t matter. You and I both know the power of the materials. Bob did something like a grunt and went silent as Max ran his hand along the next weapon. A spear with a bone shaft, carved from one of Igarra’s teeth, had a pink blade attached to it. Near the base was another hole the same size as the one as the sword. “How many dragon weapons are you going to create?” “As many as I can,” he replied. “You and I both know the power they contain. Aerthen herself said that the stronger the dragon, the greater the weapon's potential. I was only able to salvage one tooth from Bekat. The rest were… ruined somehow by the wildfire even though they weren’t touched by it.” “Hearing about it makes me nervous,” Rakonath said, finally releasing his embrace on the dragon core. “To know it caused you that much damage… That means there must be even stronger spells out there.” Max set down the hammer he had been inspecting, putting the weapon down next to the spear. It was crafted from one complete tooth; the only lines present were the ones he had added for grip or magical power. Unless one looked at the top of the hammer head, they wouldn’t see the missing area, a small spherical shape waiting to be filled. Picking up the wooden staff next to it, he shrugged. “Everything gets worse. I mean, I’ve been cut in half, had my head chopped off, body melted, and that boss on the 87th floor reflected my strike back at me. I’m just glad Bob could sense something was off before I struck it and used all my skills.” You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. A grunt came from Tanila, and Max saw her frowning. “Just remembering how that looked as a geyser of blood went out in every direction from you,” she replied. “Not something one’s wife wants ever to see.” Having inspected the staff again, Max traded it for the last weapon, which had been almost impossible to create, as the dragon tooth he had used fought him the entire time he had crafted it. The bow was made from two of the smaller , more curved teeth, carved down to make the bow's upper and lower ends. Inside the grip was a smaller hole, which he hoped would work for his plan. Both bone parts were fused to the metal he had traded for in one of the bazaars they had been through. He knew it would be perfect for the dwarf ranger in the faction. When Everett asked me to make a bow this size, I thought he was joking at first. Not many dwarves go that path, but the ones that do often stand out. I’m not sure how they stand out… they would have problems shooting over anyone else. Weakness makes one stronger. They learn to adapt. You know that. I’d be more afraid of a dwarf archer than an elven one if they were both on the same tower floor. Nodding, Max set the bow down, knowing Bob was right. “Alright, I think I’m ready for this. Are you sure you want to be here for the next part?” Rakonath chuckled and nodded. “This was supposed to be something you tested with my core. I don’t want to miss out on what all that fuss was about.” Max couldn’t help but frown as the memory of that incident flashed through his mind. “Not my best moment by a long shot… stupid for trusting that gnome and even dumber for believing I could stop anyone.” When neither Rakonath nor Tanila responded, he moved to the machine in the corner of the room. The crystal that powered it from the tower floor with the goblin and the giant clockwork hummed. Everett had to build extra protection and add other spells to ward the area around where he was crafting. The first time he had taken it out and hooked it up, every dwarf in a mile radius had made their way toward the Faction grounds, no one sure why they were coming other than drawn to it. “Flip that lever,” Max said as he sensed the power within the equipment he had tinkered with reach the level he needed. Rakonath nodded and flipped the lever that he had pointed at. Two cables that were attached to the device he had stolen from the tower pulsed with energy, running to a table where five different orbs sat. Max moved to the dragon core, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. Bob worked with him, retrieving the metal he had stored in his inventory, causing the lattice he had created to surround the core. Two more cables came with couplers attached to them and connected to the lattice. It seems like cheating when one knows how to do it easily. Easily… like we didn’t almost blow up a planet or lose Rakonath’s core. A chuckle came from his dragon, and Max couldn’t help but smile, knowing his friend could hear the conversation. When the pieces came together, Max infused his mana into the lattice. Light began to flood the room as the metal glowed, turning white and then a deep red as the dragon core changed colors. Without waiting another second, he moved to the table, flipping a tiny switch as the cable hummed and vibrated, power threatening to cause it to explode if left there too long. The first core immediately absorbed the awaiting energy and the black sphere turned red, matching the color of the dragon core. Almost a minute passed before it began to hum, and Max knew it was reaching the limits of its capacity. I’m surprised it held that much. Not replying, Max flipped the switch and the power moved to the second orb. After repeating the process five times, he held his hand up and then dropped it, causing Rakonath to flip the lever. The red light in the room faded before winking out. “I can finally see again,” Tanila groaned. “Even with my eyes almost shut it was too much.” “Which is why I had mine closed,” Max replied. “I really don’t think it was that bad,” Rakonath said. “Then again, my eyes have stared at the sun for hours. Something you all cannot do.” Ignoring his dragon’s statement, Max moved and turned off the device from the tower floor and stored the crystal after it stopped radiating power as it had been and got back to work. He only had so much time before they would return to the tower and he wanted to get these five weapons done before then. “Impossible,” Tom muttered. “I mean… not that I doubted it… but five weapons… all ?!” “I promised you weapons that would be useful to the Faction and I’m certain these ones will help for a while to come.” Both men snorted and Everett just shook his head. “You do realize that these weapons are something a King or Queen might have,” the Faction leader asked. “I cannot believe I’m about to give these to a party like they’re nothing.” Shaking his head, Max tapped the sword both men had inspected. “These aren’t nothing and you and I both know it. With these, Dexic and her party can push past limits that might otherwise hold them back. You and I both know I can’t share any details, but with what’s coming, they will need to grind for at least a few months in the tower's mid-fifties.” “She’s anxious and ready for that next step. Also, a bit frustrated that you can’t return to help her on the 60th floor,” Tom said. “Still, you know she’s grateful.” Max nodded and ran his hand along the blade once more. To think we can make something like these… All I need is a little more time to craft something for my sister. No one else's, not even Batrire’s weapon, would be hard to upgrade. Seems funny to think that getting 100 points in three stats is not even worth considering the time or effort to make everyone in your party something. A true testament to just how much harder the tower is as you go.