CHAPTER 353: ADVENTURER’S WATCH

His shoulders were broad enough to cast shadows over the cracked asphalt beneath him, and his frame seemed to scream ’strong.’

His short black hair clung close to his scalp, neat and practical, while his eyes—dark, pitch-black orbs—glistened with a cold fierceness that promised violence to anything in his path.

In his hands, he gripped a thick, brutal weapon: a massive spiked club.

The spikes protruded menacingly, glinting faintly even in the lackluster light, each one sharp enough to crush bone and tear flesh with a single swing.

The weight of the weapon alone would have crushed any ordinary man, but in his hands, it looked almost natural, an extension of his strength.

The third figure was a stark contrast to the hulking brute.

She was a woman of more delicate proportions, fairly beautiful in her own right, though her presence was no less resolute.

Her short blonde hair fell just above her neck, practical and unfussy, framing her oval-shaped face and drawing attention to her warm yet steady brown eyes.

Her expression mirrored the others—serious, hardened, the face of someone braced for what lay ahead.

The three of them stood together with Harry, but there was something unusual about them, something invisible to the untrained eye.

At first glance, they were clad in casual clothing—loose and free, outfits that might have belonged to travelers or ordinary adventurers on the road.

There was no armor, no heavy gear strapped to their bodies, nothing that screamed battle-ready.

But upon closer observation, one would notice something far more subtle and powerful surrounding them.

Transparent waves—thick, dense, thrumming vibrations that shimmered faintly like distortions in the air—wrapped around their forms from head to toe.

It wasn’t a glow, not quite visible like fire or light, but rather a distortion, like the faint ripple of heat rising from asphalt in the summer sun.

The waves pulsed, steady and protective, a layer of unseen strength covering them entirely.

It hugged their bodies like armor, invisible yet undeniably present, repelling the very air around them.

All three of them stood in silence, their gazes locked onto the empty space ahead of them, expressions set with grim determination. Whatever lay ahead, they were prepared.

Harry lowered his gaze and turned his attention to his own hands.

His palms trembled faintly—not from fear, but from the energy thrumming across his skin.

Just like the others, those dense transparent waves covered him entirely, rippling over his body like the surface of disturbed water.

He flexed his fingers slowly, and the waves responded, shivering against his skin, resonating with each movement.

His eyes shone faintly as he studied them, marveling not at their presence, but at the source behind them.

The watch strapped to his wrist gleamed faintly, its sleek metallic frame tight against his skin.

[Name: Adventurer’s Watch]

[Rank: 6]

[Durability: 100%]

[Power: 4000]

[Defense: 6000]

[Description: An advanced technological wristwatch created by Arnold Black, a highly skilled blacksmith and inventor. It has the ability to create a dense layer of waves over the user, which strongly repels any type of attack.]

[When the watch is equipped, all stats would receive a boost of 50%, and the user’s mana regeneration would also be boosted by 50%.]

[The watch could also be used for various forms of contact, and has a built-in tracker which tracks the adventurer’s health and condition.]

Harry’s lips curled faintly at the sight.

The thrumming waves surrounding him, cloaking Miranda, the burly man, and the blonde-haired woman—this was its work.

It was called [Wave Armour], and was a protective veil designed to shield its bearer from any form of attack.

He clenched his fist slowly, the waves pulsing in response, and his eyes gleamed.

’The guild tech’s really cool...’ he thought to himself, his lips curling faintly in appreciation.

At first glance, the watch looked utterly plain. Its exterior was black, sleek, and modest, with no ostentatious markings or unnecessary decorations.

The strap hugged his wrist snugly, firm but comfortable, while the face was simple and minimalistic—just a dark, polished surface with faint engravings so shallow one could easily miss them if they weren’t paying attention.

It was the type of accessory most people wouldn’t even glance at twice if they passed by someone wearing it.

But Harry knew better.

The watch was actually a powerful artifact!

He had received the watch earlier today, when he was suddenly called to the guild.

Nonetheless, the level of detail shown by [Probe] surprised him a bit.

Before, his [Probe] skill had been useful, but it would only show the basic stats, rank as well as a short description at best.

But now... it was practically giving him the whole history of the artifact.

Harry’s gaze lingered on the information once more, his brows lowering slightly in focus.

The creator’s name, Arnold Black, was even spelled out in full.

His lips curled slightly as he thought to himself.

’Arnold Black...’

The name didn’t stir anything in him, no bells ringing in his memory, no recognition echoing in the depths of Leon’s past or his own experiences. Whoever this man was, Harry didn’t know him.

But that didn’t mean he wasn’t worth knowing.

If anything, it only emphasized how significant this creator must be.

To design something like this—a device capable of not only amplifying physical strength by half but also generating protective waves potent enough to repel almost any assault—was nothing short of greatness.

Harry’s eyes narrowed faintly, admiration buried under the calm sharpness of his expression.

The air suddenly shifted.

A sharp gust of wind rushed down the long road, carrying with it dust that swirled chaotically before scattering into the distance.

The transparent waves cloaking Harry rippled gently in response, flaring faintly as the wind brushed across them.

His coat fluttered, and for the briefest moment, the still silence of the deserted stretch seemed to vanish, replaced with the heavy weight of expectation.

Harry’s head lifted slightly, his senses tightening. His narrowed eyes scanned forward, instinctively honing in on the space before them where the rift was meant to appear.