Daily Rewards! Transmigrating into a novel as a side-character!

Crossbows were effective for fundamental reasons I understood from personal experience. My father back on Earth had been an antique collector who'd insisted on showing me his hunts with historical weapons during our wilderness trips. The experience had been educational, if unconventional.

Unfortunately, I had never participated in the hunts themselves, but I did watch. Anyways, the mechanics were straightforward: the string gets drawn back using hand strength, a lever, or crank mechanism, then locked into a catch called the sear.

A short projectile , called a bolt sits in the groove along the stock in front of the drawn string. When the trigger releases the sear, the string snaps forward, transferring its stored energy into the bolt and propelling it toward the target.

Based on these principles, I could create a crossbow using my current Tier 1 blacksmithing knowledge. The finished product would be Mortal-grade quality, but still effective enough to help kill Noble-rank monsters, exactly what my intended customers would need.

I began sketching the basic design on a piece of parchment, calculating the optimal dimensions for the stock, the tension requirements for the string mechanism, and the trigger assembly that would make the weapon reliable and safe to operate.

After I was done with the first step, which was the design of the cross-bow, it was time to get to work.

Before I started working, a notification flashed before my eyes.

[Daily Login Available!]

[Would you like to claim your daily reward?] [Yes | No]

After pressing yes, another notification appeared that made my heart skip a beat.

[Congratulations! You have received: Aspect Rank Upgrade Card]

[Aspect Rank Upgrade Card]

[Grade: Rare]

[Details: Increases the rank of any chosen aspect by one rank. The maximum rank aspect is Elite.]

I stared at the notification in complete disbelief.

An Aspect Rank Upgrade Card was beyond valuable, I didn't even know such a powerful item was within the available rewards. This card was practically system breaking, it was known that aspects and echoes could not increase in rank no matter what. Because even killing a stronger, more powerful version of the same beast you had killed when you attained that aspect, it still didn't guarantee you would get the same aspect.

I currently possessed two aspects: Silent Predator and Serpent Scales, both at Elite rank. Using this card would elevate one of them to Transcendent rank.

The implications hit me like a thunderbolt. I already had a Transcendent-rank echo, and with a Transcendent-rank aspect to complement it, I could possibly fight and defeat Transcendent-rank opponents even at my current overall strength level.

This daily reward was absolutely extraordinary.

I didn't hesitate for even a moment. The choice was obvious.

While Serpent Scales was useful for poison resistance and related abilities, Silent Predator offered far more versatility in combat, stealth, and general survival situations.

I activated the card immediately.

[Aspect Rank Upgrade Card has been used!]

[Select an Aspect]

→ Silent Predator (Elite)

→ Serpent Scales (Elite)

I pressed on Silent Predator without any hesitation.

[Silent Predator has been upgraded to Transcendent rank!]

The transformation happened instantaneously as I checked my status.

[Host: Adrian Blackwood]

[Bloodline: Supreme Vampire - 20%]

[Rank: Elite]

[Traits: Blood Control (2nd Order, Lvl.3), Supernatural Physique (1st Order, Lvl.3), Blood Enhancement(1st Order, Lvl.1), Blood Trail (2nd Order, Lvl.1)]

[Aspect: Serpent Scales(Elite), Silent Predator (Transcendent)]

[Echo: Stone Armor(Transcendent)]

I checked the details of my evolved aspect, and the results were very satisfying.

---

[Aspect: Silent Predator]

[Rank: Transcendent]

[Type: Active]

[Details: Grants the ability to camouflage with the surroundings for five minutes. Your presence becomes nearly non-visible for those at similar strength, as for those at weaker strength, you become invisible. Your breath, scent, and visibility are all reduced to imperceptible levels for nearby enemies. Attacking or being attacked during activation cancels the aspect. Cooldown: 6 hours]

---

The duration of the aspect has increased by five times, the cooldown has been reduced by two times and the overall effect had improved. My presence to those weaker than me would be completely non-existent, as for those at similar rank, it would be difficult for them to find me, unless they have some sort of ability to detect me.

After examining my enhanced aspect, I refocused on the task at hand and began working on the crossbow project.

I started by heating a piece of steel in the forge, watching as it gradually shifted from dull grey to bright orange. Using tongs, I carefully shaped what would become the crossbow's prod, the horizontal bow portion that would store and release the string's energy. The metal needed to be strong enough to handle repeated tension cycles while maintaining flexibility.

Working the heated steel against the anvil, I gradually curved it into the proper arc, testing the spring tension as it cooled.

The hammering echoed through the workshop as I refined the shape, drawing on both my inherited blacksmithing knowledge and memories of examining historical crossbows.

After I was satisfied with the shape, I moved on the next task.

Instead of creating a traditional mechanical trigger system, I decided to incorporate a mana-based amplification mechanism that would make this crossbow not only new, but also unique and wanted in the market.

I began crafting the sear, the catch mechanism that would hold the string, using a combination of steel and thin Orichalcum wire. The golden metal's natural mana conductivity would allow the sear to respond directly to magical energy input rather than physical trigger pressure. I carefully wove the Orichalcum through the steel framework, creating conductive pathways that would channel mana throughout the mechanism.

The stock required similar treatment. I carved it from hardwood, then inlaid delicate Orichalcum wire patterns along its length. These channels would distribute mana evenly from the user's grip point to the sear mechanism, ensuring consistent energy transfer. The wire pattern resembled intricate filigree work, both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

For the string, I wove together traditional bowstring materials with Orichalcum threads. This hybrid construction would allow the string to store and amplify the user's mana input, converting mana into additional kinetic force when released. The more mana channelled into the system, the more powerful the bolt's impact would be.

The breakthrough came in designing the mana regulation system. I created small Resonite chips and embedded them at key points along the Orichalcum network. These would vibrate at different frequencies based on mana input levels, providing feedback to help users gauge their energy expenditure and prevent overloading the weapon.

A low mana input would produce a standard shot comparable to a shot capable of injuring noble-rank beasts. Medium input would significantly increase bolt velocity and penetrating power. High mana investment could easy punch through Noble-rank defenses, making this weapon dangerous even to opponents above the user's normal capabilities.

The beauty of this design lay in its scalability. Weak awakeners could use minimal mana for basic functionality, while stronger users could channel substantial energy for devastating attacks. The weapon would literally grow with its owner's capabilities like other magical items, which made it more powerful than usual crossbows.

Safety mechanisms were crucial. I incorporated Resonite warning stones that would glow if mana input exceeded safe thresholds, preventing the weapon from exploding in the user's hands. The Orichalcum channels were designed to safely disperse excess energy if overloaded.