The past few days have been an experience Gazei was too familiar with.

RNG rage.

Two weeks of grinding and hunting monsters have yet to reward him and his party anything remotely close to the drop of the first day of D.M.A Online. Only by the stroke of luck did he find another Weapon Treasure Chest after Rin and Lianna killed a Level 5 Stone-Break Bear den.

He also discovered that raising his level was just as much of a chore as he thought. This was old-school Maplestory and UA-Nexon Dungeon Fighter all over again. It takes nearly a month to reach Lv 3. Gazei landed his head on his makeshift table.

In the Geo Inn, which cost a whopping twelve Yen per day, Rim had rented and acted as HQ for his party. The dark-skinned boy gazed upon another Legendary Weapon Chest. The fact he already got one was rare enough to warrant a war against him for the prize, but two?

It was like finding gold in the old West of America. Suppose the finder didn't have the capability to protect their investment or did not own a gun. Then, eight of ten would most likely be dead in a ditch somewhere.

Thank goddess that people were too busy Power Leveling to notice his group's activities. Granted, that didn't stop every man and woman in a five-mile radius from trying to recruit the ladies into their Guilds, Bands, or whatever.

He, however, was given no offers whatsoever.

Opening the box, Gazei took out a long wooden bat with nails protruding from it. He stared at it, puzzled. "How is this a weapon?" he wondered aloud.

As soon as he grasped the handle, energy flowed through him. The bat seemed to pulse with its own heartbeat, and he could feel the latent power within it. The nails, though rusty and old, glinted with an eerie light.

[System Notification: You have obtained the Sanguinem Macerari (Legendary Growing Weapon).]

(Sealed) [Heavy Club, One-Handed] Malum Maul: Sanguinem Macerari (Common) (Weak)

* Class Requirement: Knight

* Level Requirement: 10

* Attack: +100

* Bonus: +10 Strength, +10 Vitality, +10 Wisdom

* Attack Speed: +20

* Defense: -100

* Effect 1: Ignores monster-level advantages up to 10 levels higher.

* Effect 2: Doom's Hemorrhaging - Attacks have a 10% chance to inflict one of the following effects for 3 seconds:

* Poison: Inflicts additional damage of 25 every 0.5 seconds.

* Immobilize: Decreases defense by 5 every 0.5 seconds.

* Blind: Decreases senses by 2% every 0.5 seconds.

* Curse: Decreases stats by 2% every 0.5 seconds.

* Electrocute: Inflicts additional damage of 25 every 0.5 seconds.

* Bleed: Inflicts additional damage of 25 every 0.5 seconds.

* Burn: Inflicts additional damage of 25 every 0.5 seconds.

* Effect 3: Generates an aura that decreases all Abnormal Status resistance by 25 for all enemies within a 500 px range. +2% damage on Abnormal enemies.

* Class Bonus (Warlord/Champion): Increases Mastery in One-handed or Heavy weapons by 5 when equipped.

* Level Up Requirement:

* Defeat 50 enemies using the Sanguinem Macerari. (0/50)

* Feed 100 Common Mana-infused metal ingots. (0/100)

* Collect 300 common monster cores. (0/300)

* Collect 5 uncommon weapons (superior). (0/5)

* Collect 5 common weapons (superior). (0/5)

* Collect one boss monster core. (0/1)

* Durability: 200/200

* Description: An unassuming wooden bat embedded with numerous iron nails made from an unknown metal fatal to all life. Legends say it was created by a vengeful blacksmith who infused it with arcane runes and the wrath of Gorgantus, the king of all giants, made from its bones and the wood of the Adam Tree. It slowly drains the wielder's health when not in combat. Unless the wielder can suppress the aura, the wielder will die a slow and painful death.

Skills:

1. Rend and Tear (Buff) - Regularly consumes a certain amount of HP while activated. Increases attack speed and critical hit rate.

* Duration: 30 seconds

* HP Drain: 2% of max HP per second

* Cooldown: 5 minutes

2. Life Drain - Each hit drains 5% of the damage dealt as health, providing the wielder with a constant source of healing during combat.

3. Grandis Demolition - Binds surrounding enemies with the wielder's overwhelming presence and then strikes at them with the Heavy Metal Nails, detonating them. This skill's attack increases in proportion to the number of Abnormal Status effects cast on the enemies, which is checked during the immobilizing process.

* Cooldown: 1 hour

[System Notification: Would you like to equip the Sanguinem Macerari?]

"Fuck no!" The boy hissed and put the item into his inventory. It was bad enough that he had his pistol shotgun thing to cultivate, and he was not feeling the health-draining aspect of the club.

He knows what growing weapons are despite the obvious name. They are special sets of weapons that sell for as much as a country's net worth. Most of them are double-edged swords. His revolver is one of the very few that has no serious downsides. According to the Dragon Goddess of Brokers and Information temple nearly gave all his hard-earned money. The backlash from these weapons was too much for anyone to handle.

The worst case is one own soul turning into a boss or having no soul at all.

"Nope. That is not going to happen. Damn thing looks like it belongs to Lianna's class than mine." Gazei signed as went the other Treasure Chest, his party members seemed to bring. The girls have no interest other than making him, which makes the boy more annoyed than happy, but free stuff is free stuff.

All the Treasure Chests were of Tin quaintly, so the rewards were not going to be as generous as the Legendary. Again, the RNG likes messing him up, just as does Lady Luck.

[Skill Book: Armor Smithing 101], [Skill Book: Pharmacy 101], and [Skill Book: Alchemy 101]. Three books are required to start one journey into armor smithing, pharmacy, and potion making.

Lianna, Rin, and Meg will be annoying when he hands them these items. Making items, potions, pills, and armor was extremely hard to learn in this new world. It was weird he tried making his armor for his wings. All that did was the metal not melting at all.

The Pantheon Gods and Goddess of Trades made it so. Every would-be Guild needed a Master or Grandmaster crafter to get by. The NPCs guild of Kane, Bane, and Thane, the largest guilds he can get information on with this current reputation, only had three Forgers and one Alchemist on hand, and they are as large as a major corporation back home for references.

"Well, looks, I'm taking Meg--pretty sure that her name--out today. Yo Meg, get your butt in here!"

Gazei called in his current all-rounder, Forger. Meg, or was it Mei? Gazei can't seem to recall her first name for the life of him.

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"Superior?" Meg came into his office with an excited Rin and Lianna in tow. Well, at least he didn't have to call them.

"Welcome, Meg. I have a present for you--"

The girls squealed when the words left his mouth, causing the boy to bang his head on his desk. "Quiet. Rin, I have a book for you as well. Lianna the same. Don't hug me..."

Gazei quickly handed the skills books to the three girls and left before they wanted to hug him again. Hugs from pretty girls are nice but get annoying fast when they do it all the time.

Smoosh!

Except for Lianna and Rin. Nope, those two just like giving kisses on checks for every present he gives them.

----------------------------------------

There is only so much tedious nonsense he can take from this world. Who bright idea adds so many stupid mechanics to the game, making it more boring than regular crafting? Thanks to Natsumi being the outstanding information broker that she is- it comes naturally with the class- there are books and talent points to increase the already low crafting rate.

Now, all he has to do is find the NPC that has the hidden quest. Gazei wondered about the possible locations. Sun Canyon is the best bet to start with. But before all that, it was time to learn how much money items can make here.

Mya can be pissed at him later.

The marketplace was filled with eager adventurers, merchants, and the constant hum of transactions. Gazei sighed, setting up his makeshift stall near the bustling heart of the Geo Inn bazaar. He arranged his items neatly, the stack of common equipment glinting under the dim lighting. It wasn’t much, but he needed to unload the gear and see what kind of profits this strange, tedious world.. Most of the equipment were quickly dissembled for materials in future crafting since most of the natural loot pretty much sucks.

“Is that... a [Common Equipment Set] for sale?” A voice cut through the din, and Gazei looked up to see a trio of low-level adventurers approaching his stall. Their wide eyes betrayed a mix of surprise and hunger. To them, even [Common] gear was a step up from the ragtag junk they probably started with.

Gazei fought the urge to roll his eyes. Of course, they’d act like he was selling artifacts from the gods. In this messed-up world, where most drops were garbage and crafting rates were designed by sadists, even [Common] equipment carried a certain value.

“It is,” he said flatly, tapping his stall interface to activate the sales menu. “Prices are set at twenty Yen per piece. Accessories like orbs and quivers are twenty-five.”

“Twenty Yen?!” one of the adventurers—a scrawny kid with a chipped sword—exclaimed. “That’s robbery!”

“Robbery?” Gazei leaned back, crossing his arms. “If you don’t like the price, feel free to try your luck with the RNG gods. Oh wait, you’re here because you’ve got nothing worth upgrading. Am I right?”

The adventurer flushed red, but his companions nudged him aside. “We’ll take three shields and two orbs,” one of them said quickly, pulling up their inventory to complete the purchase.

That first transaction was like a spark in dry grass. Within moments, the crowd around his stall began to swell.

A burly adventurer in heavy plate leaned over the table, eyeing a set of gauntlets with visible interest. "You’re telling me this is [Common]-grade? Twenty Yen?"

Gazei nodded. "Twenty Yen. Take it or leave it."

The tank chuckled, tossing the coins onto the table. "Take it. Better than grinding another week for something half as good."

A robed figure approached, her staff glowing faintly. She tapped on one of the grimoires. "What’s the catch? Twenty-five Yen for a grimoire this clean? That’s too good to be true."

"No catch," Gazei replied, meeting her gaze. "It’s [Common]. Not special, just functional."

She frowned but handed over the money anyway. "If this explodes in my hands, I’m coming back."

Another adventurer, this one with soot-streaked armor and a belt lined with tools, grinned as he inspected the disassembled materials. "Oh, now this is what I’m talking about. Pre-refined scraps? Saves me hours."

"Five Yen per bundle," Gazei said without skipping a beat.

The crafter didn’t even haggle. "Sold. I’ll take all of it."

A sleek, well-dressed adventurer in light armor stroked his chin as he inspected the orbs and quivers. "These would fetch double in Sun Canyon. I’ll buy the entire lot—fifteen Yen apiece."

Gazei’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Twenty-five apiece. Non-negotiable."

The merchant sighed dramatically but paid up. "You drive a hard bargain. Mark my words, you’ll regret not partnering with me."

A young adventurer with shaky hands and a wooden sword shuffled forward. "Uh, d-do you have anything for... beginners? Cheap?"

Gazei glanced at the leftover scraps. "Ten Yen for a basic dagger. Not much, but better than that twig you’re holding."

The boy nodded frantically, digging through his inventory. "Thank you! This will really help!"

As the day wore on, Gazei’s table slowly cleared. The reactions were a mixed bag—some thrilled, some skeptical, but all leaving with lighter wallets and heavier inventories. Gazei mentally logged each transaction, noting which items sold fastest and to whom.

"Adventurers will pay more for convenience," he murmured to himself. The crafting materials had gone quickly, as had the accessories. Weapons, while slower to move, still found buyers willing to shell out a fair price.

The marketplace itself was revealing. Other vendors sold raw materials like herbs and ores, leaving Gazei’s finished products in a niche of their own. For now, that worked to his advantage, but he knew the landscape could shift quickly.

As Gazei began packing up the few unsold items, a cloaked figure emerged from the bustling crowd, their steps deliberate and purposeful. The figure stopped in front of his stall, their face obscured by the shadow of the hood.

“You’re the one selling [Common] gear?” the figure asked, their voice smooth and measured.

“I am,” Gazei replied, his tone neutral as he studied them. There was something about the way they carried themselves that hinted at familiarity, like a name you hear too often but can’t quite place. “What are you looking for?”

The figure pulled back their hood slightly, revealing sharp features and a sly smile. “I’m a Dozo of Twilight.”

That name hit Gazei like an annoying echo in the back of his mind. He leaned against the stall, arms crossed, as memories of the guild floated up. Twilight—one of the most bothersome guilds constantly trying to recruit Rin, Lianna, and Meg into their ranks. Starter guilds like Twilight often popped up when some spoiled kid decided to play at being a king. This one was no different, with all the telltale signs: overinflated confidence, a hefty bankroll, and absolutely no strategy beyond throwing money and bodies at problems.

Dozo, apparently, was the team leader handling Viridis Grove and its surrounding quests. Gazei had heard the name before, but he’d paid it little mind. He had no reason to establish bases in other towns or expand his party’s fame just yet. Sending his girls to scout the area would only complicate things—and besides, the girls refused to leave him anyway.

But one look at Dozo told Gazei everything he needed to know. The man exuded the kind of energy that screamed “cannon-fodder general.” His type treated guildmates like disposable assets, throwing them into danger without a second thought. The smirk on his face only cemented Gazei’s suspicions.

For a moment, Dozo seemed taken aback, his eyes scanning Gazei from head to toe. The towering Dragonborn’s features—scaled arms, a faint glow in his slitted eyes, and the sheer weight of his presence—were hard to miss. Dozo squinted, clearly trying to use a skill. Probably [Obverse], Gazei guessed, the common detection ability that allowed players to gauge an opponent’s level.

When nothing happened, Gazei smirked inwardly. He could tell Dozo was frustrated. His skill had failed, blocked by the layers of mana control Gazei maintained instinctively.

“Whatcu want, bro?” Gazei finally asked, his voice carrying a mix of boredom and curiosity.

Dozo straightened, his smirk returning. “I want everything here for one Won Bronze.”

Gazei raised an eyebrow, momentarily thrown by the audacity. If everything on the table had been as worthless as starter gear, maybe the offer would’ve been amusing. But this? He glanced at his remaining stock—several decent pieces of [Common] gear, pre-refined crafting materials, and a few accessories. It was worth far more than a single bronze coin, even in a bad market.

“That’s cute,” Gazei said, his tone calm but edged with subtle sarcasm. “But if you’re here to lowball me, save your breath.”

Dozo’s smirk faltered, but only for a moment. “Think carefully,” he said, his voice taking on a warning tone. “The Twilight Guild isn’t known for taking no lightly. A smart man would take the offer.”

Gazei’s eyes narrowed, his stoic demeanor hardening just enough to let a sliver of irritation show. He leaned forward slightly, looming over Dozo without breaking his casual posture.

“A smart man,” Gazei replied, his voice cold and deliberate, “would know not to mistake me for someone who cares about your guild’s reputation. If you want my stock, pay the asking price. If not, move along. I’ve got better things to do.”

Dozo’s smile tightened, but he didn’t press the issue. After a long, tense moment, he chuckled and held up his hands in mock surrender. “Fair enough, Dragonborn. Keep your wares. But remember this: Twilight doesn’t forget who says no.”

Gazei watched as Dozo melted back into the crowd, his cloak billowing behind him. The interaction left a faint buzz in the air, but Gazei didn’t let it bother him. People like Dozo came and went, all posturing and no real substance.

He resumed packing his items, the corners of his lips twitching upward in a faint smirk. “One Won Bronze, huh? Cute.”