As Thorian unlatched the heavy chest, a warm golden luminescence leaked outwards. Good, another golden glow.
Once the brilliance abated, the team leaned in to inspect the hoard nestled within. Thorian's fingers brushed against the first item, and an ethereal screen materialized before him.
Lightning Arrow Skill Scroll Class Requirement Magus Advancement Requirement First Advancement Level Requirement 1 Use Bestows the active skill "Lightning Arrow". This skill permits the wielder to channel the untamable forces of the lightning, concentrating them into the shape of an arrow. The Lightning Arrow provides for immense piercing power, as well as stuns and chars the enemy.
A satisfied grin edged its way onto Thorian's face as he scanned the words etched into the scroll. He lifted his gaze to meet the yellow kobold's eager eyes, then, with a flick of his wrist, tossed the ancient parchment his way.
“For you, Ventus.”
The lightning magus took a moment to absorb the skill's details, his features gradually brightening into a radiant grin. “Yes! That’s the type of skill I wanted!”
Ventus practically leaped at Thorian, wrapping him in an enthusiastic hug. "Thank you, King! You truly are the best!"
Taken aback, Thorian froze momentarily before inhaling deeply. His countenance relaxed, and he gently responded, "Make good use of it."
Saxum, echoing the thoughts of everyone present, ventured, "What sort of skill did you get?"
“Let me show it to you,” Ventus retorted, his hands already busy tearing at the seal of the scroll.
The lightning magus stood tall, squaring his shoulders as he directed his gaze towards a gargantuan boulder at the end of the cavern. A roguish grin unfurled on his face.
“Lightning Arrow.”
As Ventus finished his chant, blue lightning bolts began to converge in front of his palm, forming a massive arrow of pure energy. The arrow crackled with uncontrolled power, illuminating the grotto with an electric blue glow.
Then, with a thunderous roar, the arrow tore through the air, leaving a blinding trail of light in its wake. It hit the giant rock at the end of the grotto with a deafening crash, reducing it to a cloud of dust and flying shards.
Witnessing the staggering might of Ventus's spell, all eyes in the cavern widened in awe. All save for one. The lightning magus reveled in the shocked expressions of his comrades.
“Do you always have to scream the name of your spell before you launch it?” Aqua grumbled, his eyes rolling expressively. “It’s starting to grate on my nerves.”
“Huh, you’re just mad you don’t have a skill as good as mine,” Ventus shot back with a smug grin. “You can just keep playing with your little waterballs that do nothing.”
“I wouldn’t be so quick to judge that,” Thorian interjected, his attention once again submerged in the depths of the treasure chest. Emerging from his search, he held aloft an orb roughly the size of his fist, composed of a crystalline blue substance. As he scrutinized it, it seemed as though he held an entire ocean trapped within a gem.
Medium Water Orb Purity High Description An orb made of a concentration of water ether. It is the main material of many high-class water pieces of equipment, mainly staffs, and other magus weapons. Depending on the blueprint and the skill of the blacksmith, the resulting piece of equipment can be very powerful.
"Take this," Thorian extended the blue orb towards Aqua. “You can make a very good weapon out of it. You just need the right blacksmith.”
Aqua inclined his head in a show of gratitude, accepting the offering with a soft smile. "Thank you, King."
"It's just raw material," Ventus dismissed with a casual wave of his hand. “By the time you can make a weapon out of it. It will already be useless by tomorrow once we get the rewards from our quest.”
Saxum frowned, visibly irritated by the lightning magus's condescending tone. “Ventus, stop being a brat.”
Thorian didn’t pay Ventus’s comments any heed as he knew that the yellow kobold was young and brash. His attention was instead drawn to Aqua's downcast eyes. The king offered reassuring words. “Don’t worry, Aqua. If you’re patient with that orb, you can make a weapon that will last you a long time.”
Aqua lifted his gaze to meet Thorian's, then nodded firmly. “I shall do so, king.”
His reassuring words having taken effect, Thorian shifted his attention back to the chest where another skill scroll lay waiting.
Bear Strength Skill Scroll Class Requirement Warrior Advancement Requirement First Advancement Level Requirement 1 Use Bestows the active skill "Bear Strength". This skill grants the wielder a momentary boost of strength depending on his level and Strength stat. This boost lasts five minutes before the user enters a weakened state for three minutes. This skill can only be used once every two hours.
"Forlune, it seems fortune favors you today," Thorian chuckled, extending the scroll to the visibly stunned moon kobold. "Accept this as my apology for almost roasting you whole."
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Forlune scanned the skill scroll's description, an increasingly excited expression dancing across his features. With a swift movement, he ripped it open and embraced the surge of newfound knowledge. When he looked up at Thorian, his grin was broad and triumphant. "Your apology is very much accepted, King."
Thorian responded with a serene nod before delving back into the treasure chest. His fingers soon emerged clutching a unique piece of attire. The robe was a rustic hue of brown, woven from high-quality fibers. Its surface was bedecked with symbols painted in a spectrum of colors, from the verdant green of lush foliage to the muted tone of sun-bleached wood.
Earthcaller Robe Rarity Blue Gale Class Requirement Magus Advancement Requirement First Advancement Level Requirement 10 Effect Mana +15 Special Effect Increases the power of Earth-based abilities by 15%. Description
This robe, crafted from an unusual blend of resilient, earthly fibers, carries the strength and stability of the earth itself.
Silently, Thorian offered the robe to Saxum. The stalwart companion paused momentarily to inspect the description before bowing in respectful acknowledgment. "Thank you, my king."
"The pleasure is mine," Thorian returned, his attention drifting back to the remaining contents of the chest. Only two items lay untouched: a set of robust bracers and an intricate pendant.
Angel's Healing Pendant Rarity Blue Gale Class Requirement Priest Advancement Requirement First Advancement Level Requirement 10 Effects Mana +10 Special Effects Healing spells efficiency increased by 10%. Description A silver pendant with an angel's wing motif. Wearing it grants a small boost to all healing abilities.
Sacred Blessing Bracers Rarity Yellow Storm Class Requirement Priest Advancement Requirement First Advancement Level Requirement 15 Effects Mana +15 Constitution +5 Special Effects Increases the potency of blessing spells by 20%. Description Arm bracers etched with ancient symbols. They bolster the effect of blessing spells and make them more potent.
Upon perusing the information displayed on the two screens, Thorian couldn't help but be pleasantly taken aback. Priest accessories? These are fairly rare…
"Take these. They will suit you well," Thorian directed, passing the trinkets to Vigil who accepted them with grace.
The priest momentarily marveled at the items' potent effects before carefully donning them. He offered a respectful bow. "Thank you for this generous gift, my king."
"You're welcome," Thorian replied, rising to his feet. "That concludes our treasure hunt. Let's make our way out."
However, as he announced the end of their endeavor, Saxum knitted his brow, halting Thorian. "Wait, my king. What about you? It's not fair that we all receive these treasures while you depart empty-handed."
Moving to remove the brown robe he had only just received, Saxum made to offer it back to Thorian. But the king stopped him firmly. "To return a gift to its giver is not considered good manners."
"But..."
Thorian met the anxious expressions of his companions with a tender smile. "There's no need for concern. I am already more than sufficiently powerful. Besides, this won't be the last dungeon we venture into today."
At this, Ventus's eyes widened and his fists clenched in anticipation. “Wait, are we going to challenge the fourth layer? Yes! I was going to ask you about that!”
"No, we won't be delving into the fourth layer just yet," Thorian responded, shaking his head yet wearing an impish grin aimed at Ventus. "We have another dungeon in our sights to explore - one that I think you will find particularly exciting."