After closing the communication channel, Kalis bent down to collect the loot from Abyssal Lord Zalathor.
As the final Boss of the Level 75 Main Quest Dungeon, its spoils were far richer than those of the second Boss.
A weapon glowing with Epic radiance, a Legendary item shimmering with dark purple light, and two skill books with magical runes printed on their covers lay neatly scattered in the slime.
[Abyssal Core Shard (Legendary Item)]
Effect: Contains pure Abyssal energy. When equipped, it grants immunity to erosion and repulsion in Abyssal environments, allowing free entry and exit of the Abyssal plane (effect deactivates when stored in backpack). Permanently bound, untradeable.
Description: A condensation of the Abyssal Lord's innate energy, carrying fragments of partial Abyssal laws.
Kalis picked up the palm-sized dark purple crystal, feeling a cool energy fluctuation on his fingertips.
Though the description seemed ordinary, combined with the twisted portal deep in the cave, this was undoubtedly the key item to unlock the subsequent plot. Its Legendary quality also meant its potential value was immeasurable.
In addition, there was an Epic two-handed axe for Warriors:
[Abyssal Bonecleaver (Epic)]
Level Requirement: 50
Class Restriction: Warrior
Attack Power +1320
Special Effect: 20% chance to apply Abyssal Corrosion on attack. Lasts 5 seconds, dealing 80 Magic Damage per second.
The two blue skill books corresponded to Second Job Advancement:
[Sword Aura Dominion (Rare Skill)]
Class Requirement: Second Job Warrior
Effect: Unleashes a 50-meter radius Sword Domain. Increases all allies' Attack Power by 6% and decreases all enemies' Defense by 6%. Lasts 32 seconds, 310-second cooldown. Effects cannot stack or be dispelled.
[Abyssal Weaken (Rare Skill)]
Class Requirement: Second Job Mage
Effect: Inflicts Abyssal Weaken on a single target, causing them to lose 1% of their base Attack Power per second. Lasts 16 seconds, 16-second cooldown. The effect can be dispelled but cannot be completely removed.
"This Mage skill is quite interesting." Kalis stroked the [Abyssal Weaken] skill book, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
With the ten-thousandfold effect of [Ultimate Amplification], the 1% Attack Power loss per second would directly become 10,000%, instantly reducing the target's Attack Power to zero or even negative values.
Even if the effect was dispelled, it would reapply the next second, truly a god-tier single-target suppression skill. "Unfortunately, it requires Second Job Advancement to learn. Right now, even First Job Advancement feels light-years away."
The remaining loot mostly consisted of Level 50 Green equipment, Low-Grade Mana Potions, and a small amount of Silver Coins, completely useless to Kalis. He casually stored them in his backpack and turned to look at Tavren, who was still catching his breath.
The NPC who should have died in the plot now had 52% HP remaining, his face still showing the relief of surviving a disaster.
"Tavren, you're safe now. You can return to Brinton Village to marry your sweetheart." Kalis's tone carried a hint of a smile.
"Yes! Thank you so much, brave Kalis!" Tavren bowed deeply in excitement, his voice sincere. "If it weren't for you, I would have already become monster food, never getting the chance to fulfill my wish."
"Verbal thanks aren't enough." Kalis suddenly changed the subject, getting straight to the point. "Since you know basic magic, do you have any way to help me advance my class? I'm still an Apprentice Mage and can't enter any temples for advancement due to special reasons."
Tavren's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Kalis. "Th-this can't be true? You defeated the Abyssal Lord alone, your strength far surpassing that of an ordinary Second Job Mage. How have you not completed First Job Advancement yet?"
He reached out to touch Kalis's shoulder. The exclusive detection ability of NPCs confirmed the truth. He then scratched his head, a look of embarrassment on his face. "I'm poor, with nothing but my savings for returning home. But... my mentor might be able to help you."
"Your mentor?" Kalis's eyes lit up.
"Yes. He was once a renowned freelance Mage." Tavren said slowly. "When I was young, I couldn't afford the high costs of studying magic due to poverty, so I gave up the path of a Mage and became a miner. My mentor has always been dissatisfied with me for that, but he has a kind heart and doesn't belong to any temple."
He added, "My mentor now lives in seclusion in a cabin in the Oakwood outside Silverpeak Hamlet. He's Level 135, even stronger than the temple deacons."
"Not affiliated with any temple?" Kalis let out a sigh of relief. The effect of the [Eternal Hatred Curse] could finally be avoided. "Please introduce me to him. I'm willing to pay any reward."
"The introduction is no problem, but my mentor has a bit of a quirky temper," Tavren warned.
"Remember to stay humble when you meet him. After I handle the aftermath of the mine, I'll go to the Oakwood to inform him. Once you're done, you can find me at the Silverpeak General Store, and we'll go together."
"Very well, it's a deal." Kalis nodded in agreement.
After watching Tavren hurry out of the cave, the smile on Kalis's face gradually faded, and a trace of worry crept into his heart.
Augustus's [Eternal Hatred Curse] was by no means an ordinary debuff. A Level 50 Mythic Boss being able to cast such a far-reaching curse suggested that the God of War's forces behind it were far more terrifying than he had imagined.
"I thought I was just killing a random Boss, but I didn't expect to get involved in such a big mess..." He thought to himself. "That wasn't just a simple starting village, Boss. It was a legacy trial left by the God of War, which I accidentally destroyed."
"Sigh."
Thinking of this, he felt a sense of helplessness.
But it was too late to regret. He could only take his time to find a way to lift Augustus's curse.
His perception of this game world was quietly changing.
NPCs were not just simple quest tools. Tavren's vivid personality, Augustus's obsession, and even the interactions with Shadow Claw Guild players made this world feel increasingly real. "Perhaps this is more than just a game. The NPCs created by the gods have truly given 'life' to this world."
Hum —!
At that moment, the cave suddenly shook violently. The Abyssal Portal in the distance erupted with dazzling red light.
The originally twisted gateway was slowly shrinking, and the energy ripples at its edges were growing weaker and weaker, as if it was about to close!