Investing in My Harem in the Apocalypse Makes Me Stronger
Chapter 35: Investment Return – Orange Scroll

Chapter 35: Investment Return – Orange Scroll

[Gale Conductor]

[Greatly improves the bow’s ability to channel Wind energy, increasing the speed, penetration, and power of Wind-enhanced arrows while reducing their Mana consumption.]

[Dragon-Tendon Windstring]

[A highly durable bowstring made from the refined tendon of an ancient Wind Dragon. It stores part of the force used to draw the bow, increases arrow acceleration, and reduces the strain placed upon the wielder’s fingers and arms.]

[Tempest Arrow]

[Compresses a large amount of Wind energy around one arrow, greatly increasing its speed and penetration. Upon impact, the compressed Wind erupts and tears through the target from within.]

[Emerald Galefield]

[Creates a field of green Wind around the wielder. Inside the field, movement speed, awareness, and arrow velocity are increased. Incoming projectiles are slightly disrupted.]

Elara’s eyes widened as she read through the information.

The stat increase alone surpassed the combined bonuses of every piece of equipment they had obtained so far.

It also possessed two powerful effects and two Skills, despite being restricted to its First-Echelon Release as most of its true power remained sealed.

Elara looked at Cain.

Her expression silently asked what she was supposed to do with such an extraordinary weapon.

Cain held out his hand.

"Let me see it."

Elara passed him the bow.

Cain’s fingers closed around the black leather grip.

The bow was lighter than its size suggested.

He pulled the string slightly.

The dragon tendon stretched without producing resistance at first. Then the stored force increased sharply, demanding enough Strength that an ordinary Unranked Awakener might struggle to draw it completely.

Cain released the string carefully.

A low hum spread through the weapon.

Even though Cain did not possess the Wind element, he could feel the bow gathering the surrounding air.

He read its information again.

"Legendary-rank..."

Cain had expected the Yellow Orb to provide something valuable.

Emerald Tempest still exceeded his expectations.

Nathan had not moved since the bow appeared, but his eyes followed every shift of its limbs.

The Mana Core within him rotated faster. Wind energy moved through his channels, responding to Emerald Tempest’s presence.

He had spent most of his life practicing archery.

He had used expensive competition bows and carefully modified equipment suited to his body.

But none had ever created this reaction.

Emerald Tempest felt alive to him and every instinct inside Nathan told him that the bow belonged in his hands.

Cain noticed the longing in his gaze.

He returned the bow to Elara.

"It’s yours."

Elara accepted it carefully.

"You can do whatever you want with it."

She lowered her eyes toward the weapon before looking at Nathan.

His expression remained controlled, but the longing in his eyes was impossible to hide.

Elara understood immediately as the Emerald Tempest possessed the Wind element and there was nobody in the group more suited to the weapon.

Elara approached him, then held the bow toward him.

"Take it."

Nathan stared at her.

"Are you serious?"

"I don’t use bows."

"You could keep it for someone else."

Elara shook her head.

"It will be most useful in your hands."

Nathan slowly accepted Emerald Tempest.

The moment his fingers touched the grip, the silver patterns along the bow’s body lit up.

Green Wind spread around him. The current wrapped around his arms before entering the newly formed Mana Core.

The dragon-tendon bowstring vibrated.

Nathan’s calm expression finally broke as excitement filled his eyes.

"Thank you."

His voice carried far more emotion than usual.

"I won’t forget this." Nathan tightened his hold on Emerald Tempest and continued, "I’ll repay this favor."

Elara nodded with a smile.

Nathan immediately became absorbed in the weapon as he examined the limbs, tested the grip, and lightly touched the silver-green bowstring.

Everything else around him appeared to disappear.

Ron approached Cain.

"I think we lost him."

"He’ll recover eventually."

"Do you think he’ll marry the bow?"

Cain looked at Nathan’s fascinated expression.

"Possibly."

Elara turned her attention toward the Yellow Scroll and immediately opened it.

Golden light escaped from the parchment. The scroll dissolved rapidly, sending a dense wave of energy into her body.

Elara’s back straightened as Cold Mana erupted from her skin.

The temperature around her dropped. A thin layer of frost spread across the concrete beneath her boots.

Her Ice Mana had always circulated smoothly. But now, every channel inside her body seemed to widen.

The cold energy no longer felt like something she controlled from the outside. It entered her muscles and bones, transforming the foundation of her body.

Her physical strength increased and the Frost within her Mana became denser.

Even her connection with the sword at her waist changed.

[You have obtained a Glacial Sword Body.]

[Glacial Sword Body - SS-rank Talent]

[Transforms the user’s body into a constitution highly compatible with Ice energy and swordsmanship. Strengthens physical attributes, Mana circulation, cold resistance, and the power of Ice-coated sword attacks.]

Elara stared at the notification.

An SS-rank Talent.

It stood at the same rank as her strongest original Talent.

Fracture Sight had already given her a great advantage when targeting weaknesses.

Glacial Sword Body strengthened nearly every part of her combat style.

Her Ice energy, physique, and even her swordsmanship further.

A joyful smile appeared on her face.

Cain watched the frost surrounding her boots.

Before he could ask what she had obtained, the Investment Harem System responded.

[Ding! You have invested a Yellow Scroll in Elara.]

[Ding! Elara has obtained Glacial Sword Body, an SS-rank Talent.]

[Ding! Investment Return obtained: Yellow Scroll.]

Cain’s Inventory changed with the appearance of another Yellow Scroll inside it.

However it wasn’t over as more notifications followed.

[Ding! You have invested a Yellow Orb in Elara.]

[Ding! Elara has obtained Emerald Tempest, a Legendary-rank bow.]

[Ding! Investment Return obtained: Strength +10, Agility +18, Sense +13, Mana +30, and Magic +30.]

Another massive energy entered Cain’s body.

His muscles tightened as his Strength increased. The improvement to Agility made his already powerful body feel even lighter.

His perception expanded as his Sense’s stat increased.

The increase to Mana was equally significant. His reserve expanded by thirty points. Magic rose alongside it, improving his control over every Skill he possessed.

[Ding! Elara’s Favorability toward you has increased significantly again.]

[Ding! Elara is overjoyed after obtaining another Talent equal in rank to her strongest original Talent.]

[Ding! The exceptional value of this investment has granted one Reward Ascension Authority.]

[Choose one reward obtained from this investment and increase its rank.]

Cain’s eyes lit up.

He had hoped the Yellow Orb would return another Legendary-rank weapon.

Instead, the System gave him stats equal to approximately half of Emerald Tempest’s current bonuses, along with additional Magic.

However, he wouldn’t really complain as he became stronger once again with the massive boosts from these stats.

Moreover, the Yellow Scroll had been returned and Cain could increase its rank.

"Upgrade the Yellow Scroll." Cain immediately ordered the system.

[Ding! Yellow Scroll has been selected.]

[Ding! Reward Ascension Authority activated.]

Golden light appeared inside his Inventory.

The Yellow Scroll gradually changed color as its glow deepened until it became a bright orange.

[Ding! Yellow Scroll has evolved into Orange Scroll.]

Cain smiled widely.

A Yellow Scroll could grant an SS-rank Talent such as Glacial Sword Body.

What could an Orange Scroll provide?

His curiosity became unbearable.

Cain looked around.

Elara was still studying the changes inside her body.

Nathan had not taken his eyes off Emerald Tempest.

Jack was testing the increased power of his new gloves.

Ron was the only person watching Cain directly.

Cain cleared his throat.

"I need to take a piss."

Ron narrowed his eyes.

"Why are you announcing it?"

"So none of you follow me."

"That makes me want to follow you."

"Fuck off." Cain snorted and walked away.

Ron immediately moved after him.

Cain turned his head.

"I’ll kick you harder this time."

Ron stopped at once.