"Only 100, huh..." Kaden wasn't exactly wowed by the damage number, but hey, it was a start. He took a deep breath, adjusted his stance, and gave himself a little pep talk. All he had to do was rinse and repeat to grind out this jerk of a serpent. With five health potions and a stash of cookies on hand for refilling his stamina, Kaden psyched himself up. "I got this!" He positioned himself in front of yet another tree, ready to reenact the whole scenario.
As the serpent lunged once more, Kaden swiftly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding its venomous fangs. The result? The damn thing smacked its head against the tree again, losing another chunk of health. The serpent hissed in pain, momentarily disoriented from the second blow. It seemed not only hurt but also dizzy as a drunken monkey.
Kaden seized the opportunity and quickly made his way to another tree, this one adorned with thorny vines. The snake, even more infuriated than before, charged at him like a bull on steroids. He grinned and, once again, sidestepped at the last moment. The big, ugly green monster crashed right into the tree trunk, getting scratched up real bad this time.
"Not too bright, are ya?" Without a shred of mercy, he repeated the tactic, luring the serpent into a collision course with the trees again and again. Each impact dealt damage, gradually wearing down the serpent's health. The damage numbers kept piling up like a stack of pancakes. But the fight was not yet over. The serpent, growing increasingly frustrated, switched up its attack pattern, trying to outsmart Kaden and avoid the trees.
When its health dropped to 50%, the serpent decided it had enough of that pond and fully emerged out of it. The beast started attacking Kaden with everything it had. Time seemed to blur as Kaden engaged in this epic struggle. Sweat dripped down his face, his muscles screamed in protest, and fatigue threatened to make him its bitch. The serpent's attacks were relentless, and one wrong move could send Kaden straight to the respawn point. He knew that a single misstep could turn the tide in favor of the serpent. But he pressed on, refusing to back down. Finally, after a grueling series of crashes, strikes, and dodges, the serpent's health reached critical levels. It writhed in desperation, its movements growing sluggish and feeble.
Kaden saw his chance and pounced, attacking the snake from all sides. He quickly discovered that the beast's underbelly was its weak spot. With his last ounce of strength, he unleashed a flurry of blows, targeting the vulnerable area with precision. Blood pooled near the small pond, and the snake let out a final, agonizing hiss before collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
Ding!
Ding!
Ding! Level up!
Ding! Level up!
Ding! Level up!
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
Several notifications popped up one after the other, and Kaden stood panting, covered in sweat and dirt, his heart pounding in his chest. He had done it! He had actually done it! The battle had been grueling and intense, but he had persevered. As he caught his breath, Kaden took a moment to assess his surroundings. The small pond where the battle had taken place was now tainted with the serpent's blood. The once serene atmosphere had transformed into a scene of gore. He then turned his attention to the corpse of the serpent. There were some items glittering nearby the dead body. Kaden's eyes widened with anticipation as he carefully collected the loot and examined it. There were seven silver coins, and along with it, there were also three other items.
Ding!
[Amulet of Serpent's Bane]
Item Type: Neckpiece
Grade: Fine
Material: Man-Eating Serpent
Requirements: None
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Special Attribute: Grants resistance to poison and venom, reducing their potency.
Description: The Amulet of Serpent's Bane is an intricately crafted amulet with unknown origins. It possesses a rare and powerful ability, granting the wearer resistance to the effects of poison and venom. By reducing their potency, the amulet allows the wearer to withstand the harmful effects of these substances. The amulet is a valuable asset for adventurers who frequently encounter venomous creatures or poisonous environments, providing a crucial layer of protection.
Ding!
[Serpentine Eye Gem]
Item Type: Gemstone
Description: A vibrant green gemstone, smooth and polished, with a gleaming surface that reflects light like a serpent's eye. It emits a faint, otherworldly glow. The Serpentine Eye Gem possesses mysterious properties and can be used to enhance the magical abilities of other items. Adventurers skilled in the arcane arts will find this gemstone particularly intriguing, as it unlocks possibilities for augmenting their magical abilities.
Ding!
[Potion of Serpent's Strength]
Item Type: Potion
Grade: Common
Material: Various rare herbs and serpent's venom
Requirements: None
Description: The Potion of Serpent's Strength is a potent elixir crafted from a blend of rare herbs and the venom of the man-eating serpent. When consumed, it provides a temporary boost to the user's physical strength, enhancing their combat capabilities. This elixir is highly valued by warriors and adventurers who rely on their physical prowess in battles.
Another Fine-Grade item? Kaden was speechless. With a single kill, he leveled up three times and also gained seven silver coins and three items, two of which were special consumables. This snake itself was a sack of treasure. Moreover, the main treasure was yet to be opened. Kaden quickly opened the system interface to access the new inventory feature that opens at level 10.
In 'Apocalypse Online, ' Level 10 could be considered as the main starting point. Every player gets a 10-slot inventory space on reaching level 10. They are also able to learn skills, use magic and officially choose a class. But the game itself was more fluid when it came to classes, and there was no strict rule to select a class or even adhere to one, resulting in players being able to mix and match various skills.
Though Kaden was not planning on doing this because the main classes had the most optimal distribution of skills, and it was very difficult to acquire skill books as loot. The irregular players who chose to pick their own path ended up struggling more often than not. However, all of that had to wait. For now, Kaden only had eyes for the treasure in front of him. He chucked his carry bag and backpack aside like they were yesterday's news, making room for his precious haul. Then, without a second thought, he took a daring leap into the murky pond, plunging down to the bottom where the real treasure lay buried.
As he neared the chest, his eyebrow arched in disbelief. The treasure chest that had seemed so majestic and shiny from afar turned out to be a rusty old relic up close. The game had only three types of treasure chests - bronze, silver, and gold. This one didn't fit the bill. Was it some kind of sick joke? Were players in his previous life right to ridicule those who claimed to find treasure here? Or wait, if it was not bronze, silver or gold, could it be something even better?
'Please be something good!' Praying inwardly, he reached out and grabbed the rusty handle. It let out a squeak and a groan as if it had just awakened from a century-long nap. Holding his breath, he braced himself for disappointment as he expected the lid to open and reveal... nothing.
But reality had a different plan. In the blink of an eye, darkness engulfed him, leaving Kaden screaming like a school girl. It felt like he was being teleported but with a twist. Literally. He felt his insides churn and twist as if a cosmic blender was making a smoothie out of his body. Finally, the torment ceased, and Kaden found himself unceremoniously deposited onto a rough and unforgiving surface. "Where the hell am I?" he groaned, trying to shake off the disorientation.
In the dim light that seeped into the chamber, Kaden's eyes adjusted to his surroundings. He found himself sitting in a cavernous chamber, shrouded in shadows. The only source of light emanated from a small opening at the top, revealing a staircase that seemed to be made of... flesh and bones? Before he could stomach this, the stench in the air assaulted Kaden's nostrils like an unholy combination of sweaty gym socks and rotting cheese. He gagged, struggling to keep his intestines down. What was going on? Where the hell was he? Rubbing his eyes in disbelief, Kaden took a closer look around.
And that's when the full horror hit him like a truckload of zombie guts. The entire chamber, from the staircase to the spot where he stood, was a grisly spectacle of gore and viscera. A wave of nausea washed over Kaden, threatening to turn his stomach inside out. What kind of sick nightmare had he stumbled into? This was beyond anything he had ever encountered in the game. Every fiber of his being screamed at him to run, to escape this grotesque hellhole. But also, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the macabre scene. It was like a train wreck he couldn't look away from, even though he knew it would scar him for life. Wanting to know where exactly he was, he took slow, deliberate steps toward the staircase made of flesh and bones.
With each step, the flesh squirmed and wriggled beneath his feet as if the very essence of pain and suffering infused the ground underneath him. The bones cracked and moaned under his weight, amplifying the ghastly symphony that filled the air. Standing at the foot of the staircase, Kaden hesitated. Was this the way out? Or was it some sick trap? He took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead. Just as he was about to take the first step, the ground beneath him trembled and collapsed, sinking into an abyss of darkness.
Kaden's heart raced. This was it. He now had no other choice. He had to go up the staircase or else he was going to be buried alive.