Axel fully agreed with Gizmo's assessment that the scale was a precious object.
'Axel, I know a bit about it from historical descriptions. The snake that we were up against must have been a member of the same ancient leviathan species. They were known for their size, which kept increasing as their bloodline powers grew.'
'Many tribes used to worship them as deities. In return, the leviathans protected the tribes from outside threats and became their protectors with time. The tribes had built huge canals and streams underground so that their deities could travel with ease.'
'But much of the history regarding the leviathans was erased, as there was the involvement of some sort of taboo and forbidden practices. However, the scale that you hold was the treasure of the entire species—there was only one such heirloom created by the leviathans. It is said to be made from the heart of a space star and the tears of all the leviathans existing at that time.'
'It was supposed to be a gift from their species to a powerful being. Then there was talk of a broken promise and betrayal, and the gift was later used to ensure that the young ones of their species could survive and continue their lineage.'
'The very gift that was supposed to be a symbol of hope and promise turned out to be a symbol of betrayal and survival. The mysterious thing is that the species of leviathan and the scale itself were never seen again. Many beings throughout history have coveted the very scale that has merged with your hand, but to no avail.'
'Because the scale was a gift, it was made in such a way that any other species or bloodline would be able to use it. Thus, it has merged seamlessly with you. But still, to use much of its functions, you need a certain level of power—am I correct? Do tell me, what information did you receive upon integrating the scale into your hand?' asked Gizmo after narrating the tales of the leviathans.
'Yeah, you're right. Even now, only the very basic usage of the scale is available to me; the rest can only be accessed with time. For now, there seems to be a dimensional storage linked with the scale, where I can store and access various non-living objects, as well as additional durability that comes with the scale, which hardens my skin upon sensing danger.'
'But what is most interesting is the sense of danger itself that comes along with it. I can almost instinctively sense my surroundings better and access a very acute sense of danger from within. But with time, more of its features will definitely be unlocked,' said Axel, marvelling at the rewards he had obtained.
Well, it was true that Axel, until now, had to face enemies much higher in the food chain than he was, but the rewards he got were nonetheless even more impressive.
'Axel, what about the contents inside? Is there anything of value within the dimensional storage of the scale?' asked Gizmo.
Axel began looking inside the dimensional storage by simply closing his eyes and focusing. Any object could be easily taken out by wishing for it, and by focusing on the interior of the storage, the owner could inspect every corner of it.
Axel found two objects and a book in the storage. With a stroke of his hand, a black gemstone, a simple-looking bow, and a black book covered with slime appeared in his hands.
'Gizmo, any idea what these are?' asked Axel.
'Wait, let me inspect these items,' replied Gizmo.
Axel didn't have a problem holding the gemstone and the bow, but the book was giving him the creeps. If possible, he would have liked to keep the book back in its intended corner inside the dimensional storage.
'Axel, I am unable to find anything while searching for the book and the gemstone, but the bow seems to be an artifact. For now, just keep them inside, as the gemstone and the book could be dangerous. We can focus on the bow for now,' said Gizmo.
Understanding Gizmo's concern, Axel quickly returned the gemstone and the book to their original places. He didn't care for the gemstone right now but was more than happy to let go of the book that gave him such an ominous feeling.
Axel then shifted his focus onto the inconspicuous-looking bow in his hand. At first glance, the bow appeared unremarkable—a simple, weathered weapon carved from pale, almost lifeless wood, its string frayed and dull. There were no intricate engravings, no gleaming embellishments—just a humble hunter's tool, easily overlooked among more ornate arms.
But Axel knew that appearances could be deceiving, and according to Gizmo, the simple-looking bow was actually an artifact. Upon closer inspection, Axel found a white stone embedded in the grip of the bow.
An unassuming, milky-white stone—smooth, almost glassy, with faint, swirling veins that seemed to shift when viewed from different angles. At first glance, it appeared to be nothing more than a simple decorative inlay, perhaps a lucky charm or a hunter's talisman. But this stone was the heart of the bow, the silent conduit through which raw elemental power was channelled and unleashed.
Axel instinctively began channelling his thunder element into the bow. The white stone hummed with a low vibration and turned purple. Lightning coursed through the stone and into the wood, causing it to crackle with energy, jagged arcs of electricity dancing along its surface. The string hummed with raw power.
Axel pulled the string back, and a lightning arc—resembling a mystical arrow—formed on the bow, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Axel was surprised by the nature of the bow, but one thing was clear: this bow could channel all other elements as well.
This inconspicuous-looking bow turned out to be a valuable treasure, its worth reaching the sky.
Axel was very happy with his harvest and, for now, kept the bow back in the storage, as he was now ready to return and meet the mastermind behind his orchestrated killing.
'Hold your horses, Your Highness—you're forgetting something,' Kael's amused voice rang in Axel's ears.