Chapter 49: Gwaine’s Verdant Awakening


    <hr>


    Gwaine was already unlike any other weapon.


    A living axe, forged through poison and battle.


    But I could feel it—he wasn’t done evolving.


    Not yet.


    The Living Forge never stopped.


    And neither did I.


    <hr>


    The Ritual of Growth


    The forge blazed, but this time, I wasn’t just using fire and steel.


    I gathered rare spiritwood, infused with nature’s energy.


    Mixed in crushed soulstones, remnants of fallen shamans.


    Then, using my Poison Affinity, I bound them together with life-giving venom.


    Gwaine hummed, his voice slow and thoughtful.


    "Dude… this feels different."


    I placed him at the center of the forge, activating my Living Blacksmith class.


    <blockquote>


    [FORGE-BORN SYNTHESIS: PLANT & SHAMAN CORE INFUSION.]


    Stolen novel; please report.


    [EVOLUTION IN PROGRESS…]


    </blockquote>


    The forge flared, shifting from its usual crimson glow to a deep, verdant green.


    Roots wrapped around the axe, pulling it into the flames.


    And then—


    Gwaine laughed.


    Not his usual lazy chuckle.


    This was something new. Something primal.


    <blockquote>


    [EVOLUTION COMPLETE: GWAINE, THE SHAMAN OF VERDANT DEATH.]


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    The New Gwaine


    When the flames died, Gwaine was completely transformed.


    His axe head was no longer just metal—gnarled wood and sharp, vine-like growths coiled through it.


    Glowing runes pulsed along the blade, shifting between poisonous green and deep earthen gold.


    I picked him up, and immediately, I felt it—the presence of a shamanic force.


    <blockquote>


    [NEW ABILITIES UNLOCKED:]


    <ul>


    <li>Venomous Grove: Creates a battlefield of poisonous flora, growing instantly in combat.</li>


    <li>Shaman’s Chant: Gwaine can channel spiritual energy, enhancing allies or weakening foes.</li>


    <li>Verdant Regrowth: Wounded allies near Gwaine slowly regenerate health over time.</li>


    <li>Nature’s Wrath: Vines and thorns sprout from his axe, binding and poisoning enemies.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    Gwaine whistled. "Whoa, man. I think I just hit enlightenment."


    I tested the new weight—it felt perfect. Balanced between destruction and renewal.


    Iris stared. "Okay… that’s actually terrifying."


    Emilia’s eyes widened. "He’s not just a weapon anymore… he’s a conduit."


    Raika smirked. "A druidic war axe? That’s ridiculous. I love it."


    Darius nodded approvingly. "If it keeps us alive, I’m not complaining."


    Zephyr grinned. "Tatsuya… you didn’t just make a weapon. You made a legend."


    I smiled, gripping Gwaine tightly.


    The Black Gull wouldn’t just face a hunter anymore.


    They’d face a force of nature itself.


    And I couldn’t wait to test it.