Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 678 150.3 - Why don't you see for yourself

As I landed, the bracelet gleaming on my wrist, a sense of satisfaction settled over me. The Orichalcum had fused perfectly, the flames Irina unleashed igniting a reaction I'd anticipated, but that even she hadn't seen coming. It was the developers' handiwork at its finest-a hidden mechanic that most players would overlook entirely, a reward for those who knew to look beyond the surface.

'Easter eggs, I thought to myself, 'they're not meant to be obvious. They need to be hard to discover-obscure enough that only a few would ever find them.'

The best secrets aren't gifts wrapped in neon lights; they're woven into the world, tucked away where only the most persistent or the luckiest can stumble upon them. They require a delicate balance, almost like a developer's art form. Sure, some items can be found with basic exploration, but the truly powerful artifacts? They come with a catch. A trick. A test. Something only the right set of eyes or the right moment can unveil.

In my old gaming days, I used to scroll through forums where players would swap rumors and half-baked theories about hidden items, mysterious interactions, and vague dialogue choices that hinted at something deeper. Most of the time, it was just speculation or dead ends.

But once in a while, someone would hit the jackpot. They'd connect the dots, follow the breadcrumbs, and unlock something incredible. It wasn't just the item itself that made it memorable-it was the thrill of discovery, the satisfaction of finding something hidden in plain sight.

'A hidden artifact should be just that: hidden. Out of reach for those who settle for the obvious.'

I glanced over at Irina, her expression shifting from surprise to something closer to

awe.

'Well.....that is the expression that I was looking forward to.'

Seeing her reaction was kind of funny, and for whatever reason, I felt warm inside. This feeling was rather odd, and I certainly did not expect to feel it at this moment, but for some reason I did.

Irina's eyes widened as she stared at the bracelet on my wrist, the glint of Orichalcum still fused into the metal. She seemed to be piecing things together, her expression somewhere between astonishment and disbelief.

"Did that... did all of that come from that bracelet?" she asked, her voice a mixture of curiosity and wonder.

I nodded, keeping my face carefully neutral, though it took every bit of self-control to keep from smirking. "Yes," I replied, my tone as calm as I could manage. "That reaction was entirely thanks to the bracelet."

Her eyes flickered between me and the bracelet, trying to make sense of it all. And honestly, I couldn't blame her. After all, there was a reason why this bracelet had been hidden as an easter egg. For it to reach its full potential, it needed three very specific components: Emberheart's flame, this particular bracelet, and a piece of Orichalcum, all in the same place. The odds of that combination happening naturally? Astronomically low. But that's exactly what made it so brilliant.

"This is why the developers loved these kinds of details, 'I thought to myself, Easter eggs were supposed to be tucked away, only accessible to those who either stumbled upon them by pure luck or figured out the right sequence through an almost unnatural level of curiosity and persistence. The bracelet, by itself, looked like nothing special. In fact, I could see why even her family's appraisers had dismissed it as a Unique-grade artifact at best. It didn't scream power, didn't have an obvious aura or visible enchantment. But with the right elements? It became something extraordinary.

Irina was still staring, her brows furrowed in thought. She looked as though she wanted to ask a hundred questions at once, her mind racing to understand just what had happened.

"It's not something most people would notice," I offered, breaking the silence.

"But...what exactly it does?"

"Couldn't you see?"

She seemed momentarily speechless, her gaze flicking to the bracelet and then back to me, searching for any sign of deception. But I could tell she was starting to accept the truth of it, her expression softening as understanding dawned.

Irina's gaze drifted to the bracelet again, her lips moving in a faint murmur as she pieced it together. "It has... a special mana-repelling ability, doesn't it?"

I nodded, feeling a flicker of respect for her keen perception. "Exactly. This bracelet wasn't just crafted for speed. It has an ability that most would overlook entirely, a power that's subtle but invaluable."

In its dormant state, this piece was simply known as Emberlight Band-a generic name that didn't hint at much. But in the game, once its potential was unlocked, players had come to know it as Entropy's Aegis. It was a name that held weight among those who understood the rarity of what this artifact could do.

"This bracelet's ability is unique," I explained, keeping my tone steady as I felt her interest deepen. "When the user is struck by an attack fueled with mana, the bracelet absorbs a portion of the entropy from that attack, storing it within. And when the user decides, it releases that stored entropy as a powerful repellent against incoming attacks."

She blinked, realization dawning on her face. "So, it doesn't just defend passively-it actually gives the user control over when to use that stored energy?"

"Exactly," I replied. "In essence, this bracelet is a high-ranked magical artifact that could protect its user from some of the strongest attacks, letting them turn the enemy's power against them. It doesn't just absorb-it deflects, creating a shield that's almost impossible to penetrate once it's charged."

Her eyes lit up with a new understanding. "No wonder.....

"Now, what do you think? Dare to doubt me?"

"Heh..."

Irina stared at me, her lips parted slightly, as though searching for something to say. For a moment, there was only silence. I could see the realization settling over her, the acknowledgment that the bracelet-something her family had overlooked-was far more significant than she'd initially thought.

But just as quickly, her expression shifted. Her brows furrowed, and she let out a soft huff, turning her face sharply to the side. "Hmph. It's nothing special," she said, her tone carrying a faint edge of irritation. "As long as the enemy is powerful enough, that bracelet will be useless anyway."

That was indeed the correct approach. As long as one is powerful enough, they can indeed break through this artifact.

"You're not wrong," I replied evenly, watching her closely. "That's true for all artifacts in the world. If someone is powerful enough, no artifact will be enough to stop them."

Her eyes flicked back to me, a spark of indignation flaring within them. "Exactly," she said, folding her arms as if she'd scored a point in some unseen debate. "Artifacts can only do so much. It's the person wielding them that matters most."

I nodded, letting her have her moment, though the amusement dancing in my chest was hard to contain. "You've hit the core truth of it," I said, my tone calm but pointed. "The bracelet is just a tool, Irina. It doesn't make me invincible. But in the right hands, at the right moment, it can make all the difference."

Irina's eyes narrowed as she studied me, her irritation bubbling just beneath the

surface. I could see the wheels turning in her head, the subtle shift in her demeanor as she crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. And then, with a smirk that was equal parts challenge and bait, she spoke.

"In the right hands, huh? But can you even effectively utilize it?" The words hung in the air, pointed but hollow-a cheap provocation, and she knew it. Ordinarily, I'd have shrugged something like that off without a second thought, letting the comment roll over me. After all, I wasn't the type to rise to obvious goading. But this wasn't just anyone trying to provoke me. This was Irina, and the intent behind her words was crystal clear,

'She wants to continue the spar, and she is trying to find an excuse for it.'

I met her gaze, calm and steady, letting her see that I wasn't fooled by her ploy. "You're trying awfully hard to poke holes in this, Irina," I said, my tone light, almost teasing. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you were itching for another round." Her smirk faltered for just a fraction of a second, a subtle shift that confirmed my suspicion. But instead of backing down, she leaned into her role, her expression sharpening into one of mock superiority. "Well, it's not my fault if you can't properly demonstrate its potential," she said, her tone dripping with feigned indifference. "If I'm going to take you seriously, you'd better show me what that bracelet can really do."

It was almost endearing, the way she tried to mask her excitement behind a veil of challenge. She wanted to test me, to push me further, and she wasn't going to admit it

outright. And that was the same for me.

'Let me get myself familiar with the artifact."

Even if it is me, I can't just get an artifact and utilize it effectively after just a second of

getting it. And it is better to practice it against a strong opponent like Irina so that I can feel myself better as well.

"You're right," I said with a sigh, stepping forward as I adjusted the bracelet on my wrist. "It'd be a shame to let such an incredible artifact go untested."

Her eyes lit up, though she quickly masked it with a nonchalant shrug. "Exactly," she

said, her voice steady, though I could hear the faint edge of anticipation creeping in. "Someone needs to make sure you're not all talk."

I nodded as I settled into a relaxed stance. "Alright, Irina," I said, my voice calm but

carrying just enough weight to spark her competitive spirit. "You wanted another round? Let's see if you can make me use the bracelet's full potential"

She straightened, her flames flickering faintly to life around her, that fiery intensity

back in her gaze. "Oh, don't worry," she said with a grin, her confidence blazing as

brightly as her mana. "You won't have a choice."n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Heh.....We will see about that."

I mumbled, just then Irina came forward.

"But this time, let's get serious."

Saying that she activated a different mechanism in the room.