[Whispering Gale Ring]
[Rating: Rare
Durability: 4/6 | Magical Defense: +4.8% | Magical & Physical Bance: +5.5%
A dainty riuring an intricate swirl pattern, remi of a gentle breeze.
?? Movement Speed +7
?? Critical Hit Rate +9%
ditions of Use: Lvl 18+]
[Ember Bracelet]
[Rating: Rare
Durability: 5/6 | Magical Defense: +4.4% | Magical & Physical Bance: +5.7%
Fed in the fiery depths of a volo, this bracelet radiates with the fury of the fmes.
?? Strength +4
?? Fire Damage Resistance +10%
ditions of Use: Lvl 18+]
[Harmony Pendant]
[Rating: Rare
Durability: 5/6 | Magical Defense: +4.3% | Magical & Physical Bance: +5.6%
A delicate neckce adorned with a lumi crystal that radiates a soothing aura. It grants a sense of equilibrium to the wearer.
?? HP Regen Speed +5%
?? Evasion Rate +6%
ditions of Use: Lvl 18+]
[Phantom Cloak]
[Rating: Rare
Type: Cloak | Garment
Durability: 99/100 | Physical Defense: 3 | Magical Defense: 4 | Evasion Rate: +2
Made from the steely fibers of the elusive Shadoweave Spider, the Phantom Cloak is more than a mere garment; it’s a shroud of mystery that veils the wearer’s iions, enabling them to navigate the shadows discreetly. It whispers tales of unseen assassins and elusive rogues, making it a coveted asset for those who thrive i of secrecy.
?? ceals facial features
?? ceals criminal status
?? Increases stealth capabilities
ditions of Use: Lvl 21+ | Strength 16+ | Stamina 10+]
Daisuke chuckled. “It seems like Osten and his friends get a kick out of generously giviheir items for free. I'll have to remember to thank him ime we meet.”
Fffp!
The dark navy-blue aterialized on his body, its jagged hem fluttering as it settled at his heels. In a fluid motion, he pulled back the fur-lined hood before disabling the visibility of the newly equipped accessories.
Mmm,” he mused, cupping his . “I think I picked up a quest during that enter. Let’s see what it says…”
[Defying the Odds]
[Quest Difficulty: Unknown
Diligently sharpening your mind, body, and soul, you now stand at the threshold of a profound decision. Having attained profi both martial arts and magic, the time has e to chart a new course and focus on a path that leads to both destiny and mastery.
Clear ditions: Defeat a monster on your own with high physical damage resistahat is at least 10 levels above your own.
Rewards:
?? The opportunity to select a css of your choice
?? EXP +350,000
Quest Failure:
?? Level -1
?? Redu i rewards]
“Figured I’d have to work for it,” murmured Daisuke with a tinge of exasperation. “I guess whether it’s in the real world or this one, you have to put in the effort before you get any rewards.”
He sighed noisily, palming his face. “It would’ve been nice if I had received this quest before taking down the Volturax though—it would have been like killing two birds with ooher way, I've got to tackle this quest; sidering the fact that I've been iing all my Stats Points into Agility and Stamina, I o boost my physical bat ability any way I . Plus, I've got neons on my shopping list, so I should definitely visit the bcksmith now that I've saved up some gold.”
“Big brother,” April called with iious joy, pyfully chasing Zephyr in a circle. She was joined by Aldrid a host of other children reveling in the fun. “Where did you go? You’re missing out on all the fun!”
“Don’t you knoarty’s dull without its host?” Mia teased from a distance, fnked by Elena, Rexar, and Milo, all wearile smiles that echoed her se.
Daisuke turned with a smirk, his heart warming at the se. But a part of him—the part that was ical aremely servative after being abused arayed, briefly overpped the joyous group with the traitors at Dusthaven. But he quickly shook off the thought and took a step forward, hesitantly deg to fide in people just one more time.
The se unfurled within the vast, wondrous eyes of the owl-like creature, perched amidst the lofty heights of the trees. All of a sudden, uhe night’s veil, a humanoid figure, its silhouette flickering ominously, greedily bore razor sharp teeth and fell upon the unsuspeg spectator.
Death unfolded in a quiet flurry. Breaking bones and rending flesh arrested the night in a dark requiem. The onow-white feathers of the bird were now stained a haunting crimson red as the creature ravenously feasted.
But the meager meal wasn’t enough to ske its insatiable hunger. Unsatisfied, the abomination turhe full brunt of its malevolent gaze toward the tempting feeding ground that had just vely maed.
***
HWIIIING~
Hundreds of feet above ground, the wind gusted, whipping across the rugged mountain face where Rexar g desperately. Whimpers escaped his chatterih involuntarily, his gaze fixed downward as he scaled the sheer cliff, wrestling with the thought of the dizzyi.
“T-This is ten times worse than the dungeon,” he whined shamelessly, his face drained of color. “Why did I ever agree to do this?!”
“Don’t be a baby,” reprimanded Elena, her presenfortably close for Rexar’s liking. “If we don’t do this, the demon raids will never end.”
“A-About that,” Milo began with a sheepish tone as he gingerly inched along a narrow ledge. “Are you sure it was a good idea to leave only Zephyr behind in the vilge? I hope you realize I wasn’t being serious when I said he could hahe demons alone.”
“Rex. Zephyr’s strohan you give him credit for,” reassured Daisuke. “Besides, if there’s an attack, I’ll knht away.” Zephyr’s HP bar will start going dowhought mentally, his gaze fixed on the gauge. If he starts receiving damage, I’ll be able to tell. And if I run back to the vilge at full speed, I should be able to get there before things spiral out of trol.
“B-By the way,” Rexar tinued his rant, fingers gripping tighter as the wind gained momentum. “How exactly… are you so sure that the mountain is the source of the demons?”
“…Do you remember the ive energy we felt when we first entered Fleecia Forest?” asked Daisuke.
The trio collectively revisited the memory, a shiver crawling down their spines.
“Don’t you realize that ominous energy is gone even though we’re this close to the mountain?”
Rexar pohat for a sed. “Now that you mention it…” The only disfort I feel right now is just my fear of heights.
“Why do you suppose that is?” inquired Milo.
Elena’s arched eyebrow veyed her curiosity. “Wasn’t that bad feeling just… well, a figment of our imagination?”
“No, it’s not,” asserted Daisuke. “It’s likely the result of a spell that only takes effect wheargets are at a distance.”
The trio withheld their questions as they cautiously followed Daisuke onto a ft se of ground protruding from the sheer cliff. The moment Rexar secured himself on the ledge, he sank to his knees, gathering his sanity amid the swirling winds.
“We’re here,” Daisuke decred with an air of certainty.
“Is that supposed to make me feel better,” scoffed Rexar.
“Where is here, exactly?” asked Elena, her gaze sweeping the surroundings.
“…I don’t see anything,” added Milo.
“Do you have a secret stash of beer in that magic bag of yours?” quipped Rexar. “You must be tipsy if you think there’s anything up here.”
Ign the remark, Daisuke casually approached the mountain’s fad said, “It seems like the demons are flexing their own cealment spell.”
Elena and Milo winced.
“Spell?” Rexar excimed, pushing himself to his feet. “That ’t be right… the demons that I remember were like goblins; they were savages.”
“Who said we were only dealing with demons?” said Daisuke as his hand gradually slipped into the wall as if it were made of liquid.
“What tha—”
“If it’s not just demons,” whispered Elena, sealing Rexar’s mouth shut with both hands, “does that mean people are involved?”
“But how would people be from harming a humble vilge like ours?” Milo began in a hushed tone. “And how does one even trol a demon anyway?”
“That’s precisely what we’re here to find out,” replied Daisuke as his foot slipped into the mysterious veil.
Rexar pulled Elena’s hands away with a frown. “But you… how were you able to see through the spell?”
“…It’s his eyes,” Elena surmised, her gaze fixed on Daisuke’s face as he disappeared into the mountain.
“The elder oold a story about a legendary sorcerer in possession of one of the many Evil Eyes,” informed Milo. “Apparently, eae is supposed to have a different special ability.”
“Evil Eye? The that mean Haxks is a much more amazing person thahought?” Rexar marveled in astonishment.
Behind the curtain veiling the cave, two sturdy metal rods were driven deep into the ground, seg long ropes tethered to them. These ropes, now coiled on the cave floor, hi their use for sg the mountain.
A cealment spell likely shrouded them while oside—and the fact that they were currently stowed away suggested that someone or something currently lurked within the cave.
“I-I ’t believe you mao find this pce,” muttered Milo, entering the chamber alongside Rexar and Elena.
Daisuke frowned. If it wasn’t for sheer d the Eye of Verity, this pce may have never been found.
Mana Crystals illumihe cavern that was remi of an old mine. An infrastructure made of wood supported the walls and ceiling. The glow from the crystals cast a blue light on pickaxes that y beside heaps of rod pebbles excavated from the walls.
“Are they mining the mountain?” pondered Elena.
“Sure looks that way,” replied Rexar. “But who are they exactly?”
“Enough questions,” urged Daisuke. “We may have already alerted the ndlords, so we o move quickly before they put any more measures ihat could hold us back. The ground is littered with booby-traps, so stick together and follow my lead.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“People generally only y traps when there’s something worth proteg,” tinued Daisuke. “Let’s go and find out what that something is.”
Utilizing the Eye of Verity, Daisuke effortlessly dised the traps buried and cealed within the cavern. It was as if he gazed through the lens of a UV light, capturing the luminous imprints of magigering on the devices.
As they navigated what was akin to a perilous mine field, Rexar, drawn to the attractive glint of silver, copper, and other traetals in the small mounds of rocks shewn across the ground, mispced a step and triggered a trap.
GULP!
He swallowed when he heard the ominous click from the pressure-irap. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple. Everyone froze as a dark dread unfurled in their stomach. Daisuke held onto his posure, his head flitting around as he sed the surroundings.
Suddenly, from the shadows, a masked figure draped in garments as dark as night luowards Rexar wielding a menag curved bde.
“An assassin?” Rexar excimed in horror, his body petrified uhe man’s bloodthirsty gaze.
Before the Wolkfin could react, seemingly without reason, Daisuke kicked him in the back, sending him stumbling forward. Elena and Milo watched in shock as their panion was inexplicably senteo a grim fate.
Time slowed as Rexar’s horrified eyes reflected the gleaming bde aimed at his forehead, promising a swift and painful demise.
