PARALLEL MEMORY

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Name: Raijin's Edge

Rank: S+

Description: Raijin's Edge, a legendary blade infused with the raw power of thunderstorms, stands as a testament to the fury and might of lightning. Crafted by master artisans who harnessed the very essence of lightning itself, this awe-inspiring weapon is a force to be reckoned with.

The blade of Raijin's Edge crackles with electric energy, emitting a constant hum that echoes with the power of thunder. Its surface is etched with intricate patterns resembling lightning bolts, adding to its visual spectacle. Whenever it is unsheathed, small arcs of electricity dance along its edges, casting an otherworldly glow.

Attack: +80% Speed: +30%

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Overwhelmed by the rare and potent Rank-S+ artifacts before them, Zero, Mia, and Amelia couldn't contain their excitement. The discovery of these treasures served as an unexpected bonus following their triumph over Ifrit, and they eagerly examined the contents of the chest.

The first treasure they uncovered turned out to be the exceptionally rare and powerful Raijin's Edge. The remaining items paled in comparison, hardly worth mentioning. However, obtaining a Rank-S+ artifact alone was a blessing.

"This is incredible!" Mia exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.

"The craftsmanship is exquisite, and the enchantments on this sword surpass anything I've ever seen. It possesses immeasurable potential as a formidable weapon."

As Mia grasped the hilt, she felt powerful mana surging within Raijin's Edge. This artifact had the potential to elevate an average Rank-B Explorer to the capability of slaying Rank-A monsters effortlessly.

"I think it's clear who this belongs to," Amelia nodded, and the sword was entrusted to Zero.

Although Zero expected to receive the sword, given his role as the group's swordsman, he remained immensely grateful to Mia and Amelia.

"Thank you! I will undoubtedly find a way to repay both of you," Zero expressed his gratitude.

However, he was aware that simply taking the artifact and considering it his due would be shameless. Zero vowed to acquire artifacts for Mia and Amelia of equal power, acknowledging the favor they had shown him.

"There's no need for that, Zero. If it weren't for you, we would have suffered severe injuries from Ifrit. You made the most significant contribution, and this sword suits you perfectly. You needn't dwell on it," Mia assured him.

Zero fell silent but had already made up his mind to acquire a suitable artifact of similar caliber for Mia and Amelia.

He felt a deep affinity for Raijin's Edge, as it not only increased the power of his attacks but also compensated for his weaker attribute: speed.

Although Zero's previous sword was respectable, Raijin's Edge was on an entirely different level. Rank-A artifacts were already rare and expensive, but Rank-S+ artifacts were exceptionally scarce, with only a few appearing at auctions and commanding exorbitant prices.

Thus, discovering such an artifact proved to be a formidable challenge, even with substantial wealth at hand.

( This sword is almost as good as the sword that Hiro would obtain in later part of the novel. )

An artifact that propelled Hiro to be near unstoppable, enabling him to confront and escape from even the clutches of a Rank-SS Devil.

Possessing such an artifact was a lifesaver, as obtaining powerful artifacts correlated directly with becoming stronger.

The three of them took a moment to rest before they escaped from the Gate. The exit portal of the Gate had already materialized right after the treasure chest appeared.

"Let's go!" Zero exclaimed as they ventured into the Gate's exit portal, having fully restored their energy. Zero ensured to wear his mask, stored within his Spatial Ring.

Curiosity coursed through them, wondering how the outside world had transformed. Although they had spent a few months within the Gate, it was possible that only a few minutes or a few hours had passed on the other side.

The temporal disparity between the Gate's interior and the outside world remained an enigma until experienced firsthand.

Time ratios differed, with some instances featuring one month inside equating to one hour outside, while others observed a ratio of one week inside equivalent to one month outside.

Regardless, they were about to discover the truth soon enough! 𝑏𝑒𝘥𝑛𝘰𝑣𝑒𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

With a resounding whoosh, the trio was immediately drawn into the portal, teleporting them back to Sanctum Aurea in the next instant.

-THUD!

A loud thud echoed as Zero, once again, found himself sprawled on his back.

"ARGH! These damn portals!"

It seemed that the portals of this world held a grudge against him. Dusting himself off, he noticed Mia and Amelia standing nearby, their expressions frozen in stunned awe.

"Professor Mia! Amelia!" Zero called out, but there was no response from either of them.

Mia and Amelia remained fixated on something before them, wearing expressions of utter disbelief. Zero, growing increasingly perplexed, surveyed his surroundings, and what he witnessed left him dumbfounded.

"What... what happened?" Zero exclaimed in shock.

When they had been sucked into the Gate, the area it occupied lay in ruins, devoid of any intact structures.

Yet now, everything has undergone a complete transformation. They found themselves surrounded by grandiose buildings, resembling a bustling metropolis rather than the former Sanctum Aurea.

"How long were we trapped inside?" Zero questioned, realizing that constructing such monumental structures required far more time than a single hour or week.

It appeared that either the time difference between the Gate and the outside world was negligible or non-existent.

Zero believes that at least one month must have passed for such transformation to take place.

Fortunately, the area surrounding the Gate had been cordoned off, with Holy Knights standing guard. Their commotion indicated that they had noticed the trio's arrival.

Some rushed to inform the Pope, while others approached Zero, Amelia, and Mia. The Holy Knights wore expressions of both relief and excitement, with Zain, their leader, displaying particular joy.

"Saintess Amelia, you have returned safely!" Zain exclaimed, his voice brimming with relief. "We were worried when the Gate transported you."

"Haha... Zain, you should have trusted the Pope's word. I told you everything would be fine."