The giant Dorry stared at Kai's hand, which was pulsating with a rhythmic, violet light. The sheer audacity of the human boy was starting to outweigh the giant's suspicion.
"You say you can restore the spirit of a weapon that has fought for a hundred years?" Dorry rumbled, his voice low and cautious. "Terry, my shield, and my sword... they aren't just iron. They are Elbaf's pride."
"And that pride is exactly what I will use to fix them," Kai replied. "I don't need a forge. I need the memory of the battles they've won."
[Skill Activated: Soul Reconstruction.]
[Target: Broken Giant's Sword (D-Rank Spirit).]
[Cost: 45 Soul Coins.]
Kai placed his palm against the rusted, notched metal of the massive blade. Instantly, a flood of images rushed through his mind—clashes against sea kings, the ringing of steel against Brogy's axe, and the century of lonely resolve in the jungle of Little Garden.
[Ding! Soul Sync: 85%... 90%... 100%.]
[Processing: Infusing Stolen 'Explosive Resonance' from Mr. 5.]
Suddenly, a brilliant violet light flared out from the sword, illuminating the entire clearing. The rust didn't just fall off; it was burned away by spiritual fire. The notches and cracks filled in with a shimmering, dark-purple metal that seemed to vibrate with a life of its own.
"What... what is this?" Dorry gasped, picking up his weapon. The sword felt lighter in his hand, yet the spiritual weight was ten times heavier.
"I've reinforced the soul of the blade with the energy I took from the Baroque agents," Kai explained, his face slightly pale from the effort. "Now, it doesn't just cut. It explodes with spiritual force upon impact."
[New Item Created: Exploding Giant Blade (Soul-Bound).]
[Reputation with Elbaf Giants: Neutral -> Friendly.]
Before Dorry could swing the newly forged weapon, a high-pitched, mocking laugh echoed from the top of a giant fern. "Oh, how touching! A merchant fixing toys for dinosaurs."
Kai didn't even turn around. He already knew who it was. The [Merchant's Domain] had flagged three new signatures: one that felt like wax, one like a heavy weight, and one that felt like pure, concentrated malice.
[Warning: Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek have arrived.]
"Silas, Vivi," Kai said, his golden eyes flashing dangerously. "Protect the giants while they test their new toys. I'll deal with the wax-man."