Nox nodded and stepped forward, his boots echoing lightly against the frost-covered ground. Dracos followed a few meters behind to provide necessary explanations for each weapon—and, of course, to ensure Nox didn't pick more than one.
It wasn't that he didn't trust him, but the weapons inside here could make even the most disciplined minds turn avaricious.
"What type of item are you looking for, if you don't mind me asking?" the Frost Monarch asked after a while of walking.
Two minutes had passed, and Nox still seemed to be skimming through the items resting atop the floating pedestals. Though Dracos wouldn't admit it, this was a blow to his pride. He believed the items to be of the highest caliber—enough to make any human immediately covet them.
Nox didn't answer immediately. He walked past more items—blades, spears, staves, artifacts pulsing with a chilling aura.
He let his gaze wander for a moment before glancing at the monarch.
"I need a greatsword and armor," he said.
The reason he chose those was simple. With his skills temporarily unavailable, he couldn't rely on close-range fighting with the Oblivion Edge like he usually did. A greatsword would give him range, and armor would provide a layer of protection in melee combat.
"Okay. Follow me, then," Dracos said, leading the way deeper into the vast chamber.
Nox followed. As they walked, he passed several items that caught his attention. The vault was even more expansive than it first appeared. He couldn't help but look around like a kid in a toy store.
"For a moment there, I thought you'd keep that stoic face throughout," Dracos chuckled.
Suddenly, Nox came to a stop in front of a pendant resting on one of the pedestals.
"That is the Glacial Pendant," Dracos explained. "When your MP and HP hit dangerously low levels, it automatically activates, creating a frost barrier that shields you from all attacks for the next twenty minutes."
He paused, then added, "Considering your speed, that's more than enough time to escape."
"Yes, it is." Nox lost interest immediately. This wasn't what he was looking for. They continued deeper into the chambers.
He didn't stop until they arrived at a section filled with swords of all kinds—sabers, katanas, longswords, twin blades, broadswords, and greatswords.
Nox moved from one floating pedestal to another, running his fingers over the hilts as if trying to feel the latent power within them.
These swords weren't like the ones he created with his ice element. These were true weapons, refined and powerful, capable of cutting through walls as if they were paper.
"Hmmm… still not strong enough." He couldn't decide. All of them were equally beautiful and powerful.
But those were just his observations.
Dracos began listing the effects of each sword. Some caused frostbite on contact, others released freezing slashes, while a few enhanced agility or strength.
Just as Dracos was explaining, Nox noticed a sword resting atop a pedestal in a more secluded corner of the chamber—one that most wouldn't even notice. The greatsword emitted a soft blue light, as if calling out to him.
He found himself walking toward it like he was in a trance.
It was a greatsword, slightly curved, with a wide blade and razor-sharp edges. But what caught his attention was the hilt.
"Is that an elemental crystal?" he asked, eyes widening.
Dracos's footsteps echoed behind him, followed by his calm reply. "Yeah, it is."
"What does it do?" Nox asked, gently lifting the sword off the pedestal. He immediately felt its tremendous weight. A low-rank Awakened wouldn't be able to wield it. It was as heavy as a steel slab.
Fortunately, Nox was now at Expert Rank. He gripped it easily. Power coursed through his veins. The weapon felt like an extension of his arm.
"You've got good eyes," Dracos said approvingly, then explained the sword's effects in full.
"This sword is called Glacier's End." Dracos walked closer and glanced at the blade. "It's one of the more dangerous weapons in here."
He pointed to the crystal embedded in the hilt. "That's an elemental core from an ice elemental beast."
Nox raised a brow. "How does it work?"
Dracos nodded. "When you activate the crystal and slam the sword into the ground, it releases a shockwave of cold energy. Anyone caught in it and below forty percent health will be instantly frozen… and then shattered."
"That's strong," Nox muttered.
"It is," Dracos agreed. "But it's not without risk. Every use of that ability slightly damages the sword. And if you're not careful, it drains a chunk of your mana and puts a strain on your body."
After hearing everything, Nox's grip tightened. He swung it a couple of times; visible ripples spread through the air. He glanced at it with glowing eyes, as if he had found a long-lost soulmate.
"I choose this one," he declared.
"Not bad," Dracos nodded.
They proceeded to the armor section. Nox came across different types of armor—some light, others heavy, and a few that were strangely transparent. He couldn't fathom how those could protect anything.
Naturally, Dracos explained each one.
Eventually, Nox spotted a light-looking blue armor with shoulder pads shaped like the wings of a frost dragon.
According to Dracos, it was forged from the scales of a legendary tier beast and enhanced with mana-absorbing threads. It amplified ice resistance and slightly boosted movement speed.
"It also has mana threads woven into it," Dracos added. "So while you're in combat, it helps you recover stamina faster."
After hearing the explanation, Nox took the legendary armor and stored it in his inventory. Fortunately, that function was still available despite the system being offline.
With a single thought, he swapped his clothes for the armor. With the curved greatsword on his back and his striking features, he now appeared more regal—like a powerful frost warrior.
And just like that, he received two legendary tier items.
There were no mirrors in the vault, so Nox didn't immediately realize how over-the-top he looked. It was only after he left the Royal Vault alone that he noticed the stares.
"Wow… so tall… so handsome," a maid whispered in a voice low yet somehow audible to him.
"All this time, I thought Prince Drake was the most handsome Frost Drake, but—Kawl! Kawl is on a whole different level. He's a walking piece of candy."
"Why isn't he looking at me?"
"Tsk. Stop being delusional. You think someone like him would glance at lowly servants like us?"
"Seems I went overboard," Nox smiled bitterly, feeling the countless eyes on him. But he wasn't nervous. His broad back and proud posture didn't falter despite the scrutiny.
Soon, he arrived at his room.
Standing by the window was…
The elder frost dragon.