Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 678

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?"