"Let's see just how powerful this Epic equipment really is!"
Kalis ran his fingertips over the virtual backpack, the shimmer of the Epic gear dancing in his blue eyes.
[Star-Patterned Staff (Epic)]Level Requirement: 10
Attributes: Spell Attack +35, Intelligence +7, Constitution +5
Special Effect: [Spiritual Feedback]7% chance to restore 60 MP upon casting a skill
"Decent stats, but a shame it requires Level 10 to use." Kalis stroked his chin, calculating mentally.
This staff would double his Spell Attack outright, but for now, he could only store it in his backpack and equip it once he reached Level 10.
The Shadow-Striped Tiger's corpse vanished completely, leaving three silver coins (Gold: Silver: Copper exchange rate 1:100:10000), two pieces of Refined armor, and a yellowed scroll on the ground.
He bent down to pick them up, examining each one:
[Black-Striped Battle Boots (Refined)]: Level 10, All Classes, Max HP +50, Physical Defense +3
[Black-Striped Battle Helm (Refined)]: Level 10, All Classes, Max HP +60, Constitution +3
[Oak Town Treasure Map]: An ancient map marking a hidden treasure deep within Oak Town, accessible only to those chosen by fate
The two green Refined gear pieces also required Level 10 to wear. Kalis tucked them away casually, his gaze falling on the yellowed scroll. "A hidden treasure? I'll have to see what good stuff it is."
Unfolding the scroll, a hand-drawn fantasy-style map came into view.
The stone-paved streets of Oak Town, the thorn bushes of the grassland, and the ancient trees of the forest were all clearly marked.
The treasure location was circled in red cinnabar deep in the forest, beside a cave at the foot of an isolated mountain.
"So 'those chosen by fate' just means anyone who can read the map?" Kalis raised an eyebrow in a mocking tone, but his feet were already moving toward the location marked on the map.
Roaming the forest were Level 9 monsters, [Shadow Lynxes].
These jet-black furred beasts with sharp fangs were deadly threats to ordinary players, but to Kalis, they were nothing more than moving experience packs.
His Spell Attack had reached 24 points. With the [Ultimate Amplification] talent, Magic Missile dealt a terrifying 260,000+ damage.
Shadow Lynxes vanished into black smoke before they could even react. In just five minutes, Kalis traversed the forest and reached the foot of the isolated mountain.
There stood a human-sized natural cave. Carved into the rock wall at the entrance were four large characters in ancient Common Tongue: "Treasure Vault," so straightforward it was almost laughable.
"The gods really have unique tastes, scared no one would find it?" Kalis shook his head and entered the cave.
It was pitch-black inside, with only the faint glow condensed at his fingertips illuminating the path ahead.
The depths of the cave were unusually quiet, not a single monster in sight. After walking over 200 meters, his field of vision suddenly opened up.
A hill forged entirely of pure gold stood before him, piles of gold coins shimmering with dazzling light. Rough estimates put the number at no less than five million!
"Damn, this is actually a real treasure?" Kalis's pupils contracted slightly. Five million gold coins were an astronomical figure in the early game.
Even if they couldn't be directly exchanged for real-world currency, their value in offline transactions would easily exceed one billion Asgard Empire Gold Coins.
He strode toward the mountain of gold. Just as he was about to reach out and touch it, a deep, majestic voice suddenly echoed through the cave:
"Challengers these days are so weak. Daring to covet the God of War's legacy before reaching Level 10?"
Before the words faded, the mountain of gold collapsed with a thunderous roar.
The gold coins dissolved into golden streams of light, and in their place stood a giant lion covered in gilded mane, five meters tall, its claws forged like refined iron, and amber eyes radiating divine pressure.
[Gilded Lion King — Augustus (Mythic Lord)]Level: 50
HP: 3,200,000/3,200,000
[Note: Target level exceeds yours by 30. Unable to view detailed attributes]
"A Level 50 Mythic Lord? This is supposed to be a starting village???" Kalis's mouth twitched, filled with speechless exasperation.
But he felt no fear after all, the terrifying effect of [Ultimate Amplification] allowed him to challenge enemies far above his level.
Augustus looked down at Kalis, his lion's maw moving as he spoke: "Adventurer, the greed in your eyes betrays you. This place holds the legacy of my master, the God of War Caron. None but the chosen may enter."
"They carved 'Treasure Vault' right at the entrance. What's this about 'the chosen'?" Kalis retorted bluntly. "Since I found it here, the treasure should be mine."
"Blasphemy!" Augustus's mane flared without wind. "I am the mount of a Supreme God, entrusted with guarding this inheritance. Spare you for your ignorance—leave at once, and I shall not hold it against you."
"Ignorance?" Kalis raised an eyebrow. Being looked down on by a game boss would irritate anyone.
Without another word, he raised his hand and cast Magic Missile. "Enough talk. Let's fight to see who should leave."
"Foolish mortal." Augustus didn't even bother to stand up, merely lifting an eyelid to glance at him. In its eyes, an attack from a Level 7 Apprentice Mage couldn't even break its defense. It was utterly futile.
But in the next second—
"Whoosh!"
The pale blue energy projectile hit Augustus's lion's forehead squarely, and a shocking damage number popped up: -207,542!
Augustus froze stiff, leaping up from the ground abruptly. Disbelief filled his amber eyes. "Impossible! How can your magic possess such power?"
Kalis shrugged, his tone casual. "Looks and strength go hand in hand. What can I say?" As he spoke, a second Magic Missile shot forth.
-209,136!
Augustus's HP bar dropped by 13% in an instant. Panic surged through him. He took two quick steps back, raising his claws in a gesture of surrender. "Stop! Adventurer, let's talk this out!"
Kalis paused his attack, looking at him with interest. "What's wrong? Even a Mythic Lord fears death?"
"I am the mount of a Supreme God, with independent consciousness. If I die, I shall vanish forever, unlike you adventurers, who can be resurrected infinitely!"
There was a hint of resentment in Augustus's voice. "You are so powerful, you must be the reincarnation of a Supreme God. Spare me, and I shall offer you all the treasure!"
"I'm more interested in the 'God of War's inheritance' you mentioned." Kalis got straight to the point.
Augustus sighed, speaking slowly: "Three thousand years ago, during the Boundary War, my master, the Supreme God Caron, was killed by the Abyssal Demon Lord. Before his death, he entrusted his inheritance to me, ordering me to find a worthy heir in the Initial Land. This inheritance contains the Supreme God's war power; only a Knight class can inherit it."
Kalis's eyes lit up. "A God-tier Hidden Class?"
"Precisely." Augustus nodded. "But you are a Mage. Unless you abandon your current class and all abilities to reclass as a 'War Knight', you cannot accept the inheritance."
"A Knight?" Kalis's face darkened instantly. He had finally escaped the fate of being a frontline tank; how could he jump back into the fire pit?
But the temptation of a Supreme God's inheritance was too great. If he missed this chance, he might never get another opportunity like it.
He hesitated for a moment, then looked at Augustus and asked tentatively: "This inheritance of yours... can you transfer it to someone else? Someone I specify, for example?"