Chapter 49: Loot
After giving Zheng the antidote, Niko and Ivanic agreed that all they could do was wait. Rest and peace were Zheng’s only chance to recover now. They left the room, the door creaking behind them, and returned to the loot scattered on the ground where the wise rat had fallen. The bodies of the ratmen they’d slaughtered were still strewn about, and a grim, metallic stench of blood lingered in the air. The weight of the dead, both friend and foe, pressed heavily on Niko’s chest.
"What do we start with?" Ivanic asked, his voice quiet, standing beside Niko as they surveyed the items.
Niko's mind drifted for a moment as he remembered. "Where’s Dharma?" he inquired, noticing the absence of their silent companion.
Ivanic shook his head. "If he's not here, he probably left. He always had one foot out the door. I managed to convince him to stay a little longer, but..." He let the sentence trail off, a mixture of regret and understanding in his tone.
"At least he didn’t abandon us during the battle, unlike Veronica," Niko said, forcing a smile despite the bitterness he felt toward her. "He really is a loner, isn’t he?"
Ivanic chuckled lightly. "Yeah. Loner’s one way to put it."
Niko knelt down and picked up the first item, a green knife that glinted faintly in the dim light. It felt cold and strange in his hand, like it carried something toxic. Using [Celestial Probe], Niko examined the item.
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[Item: Poisoned Rat Knife]
Rank: F
Description: A knife forged using the remains of poisoned rats.
[Additional Information]
+1 Agility
Low chance of poisoning the target.
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Niko’s eyes narrowed as he processed the information. The knife in his hand wasn’t particularly strong, but it had its uses. Its blade glinted under the dim light, revealing a series of intricate engravings that hinted at its hidden potential. Turning to Ivanic, he extended the blade with a firm grip. “Here. You should take this. It’s better than what you’ve got, and you might poison your target.”
Ivanic accepted the knife, his eyes lighting up with a mix of curiosity and satisfaction. He gave it a thorough once-over, appreciating the craftsmanship. “Not bad,” he muttered, sliding it into his sheath with a practiced motion. Deep down, Ivanic was ecstatic. He still harbored a secret within his ability that allowed him to momentarily control small objects with his mind. This power was limited by weight and mass, but as he felt the knife’s balance and heft, he knew it was the perfect size.
I have to attempt to control this knife with my mind, he thought, envisioning it as his hidden trump card. The idea of wielding the blade with just a thought sent a thrill through him, adding a new layer of confidence to his already formidable skills.
Next, Niko reached for the staff—the same one the wise ratman had wielded during their fight. The dark wood was smooth but unsettling to touch, almost as if it pulsed with leftover energy. At the top of the staff was a skull, likely a rat’s, its hollow eye sockets staring back at Niko. He used [Celestial Probe] again, eager to learn more.
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[Item: Green Vein Staff]
Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.
Rank: F+
Description: A staff created using the remains of a giant rat and a branch from a Darken Oak Tree. It has absorbed Green Vein Poison, gaining certain magical properties.
[Additional Information]
Extra Skill: Green Blob
A blob of poison can be launched toward an enemy.
Chance to poison the target.
Skill can be used twice per day.
+1 Intelligence
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Niko’s grin widened. An extra skill! He hadn’t expected this. The ability to cast a poison attack without learning a new skill? It was too good to be true. He marveled at the staff for a moment before tucking it into his inventory, the possibilities running wild in his mind.
"I take it you’re happy with that one?" Ivanic said with a knowing smirk.
"More than happy," Niko admitted. "This staff... it’s better than I thought."
As they continued sifting through the loot, they divided the blue shards. Niko ended up with the majority, over seventy, while Ivanic received a respectable share. The robe that was there was nothing special, though it had some poison resistance. Ivanic gladly took it to replace his old tattered one. Nikos's room had a selection of clothes within that although weren't comfortable, they were able to stay clean due to its [Constantly Clean] passive.
Finally, their eyes landed on the last item—the small, strange box. Niko felt a chill crawl up his spine as he picked it up, its weight surprisingly light in his hands. The box was made of dark wood with intricate bronze outlines and patterns that seemed almost unnatural in design. There was something ancient and powerful about it, something that made Niko’s stomach tighten in anticipation. He used [Celestial Probe] one more time.
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[Item: Unique Bronze Box]
Rank: None
Description: A box dropped by special monsters. When opened, it can reward anything, from skills to armor.
[Additional Information]
Opens at level 10.
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Niko's breath hitched as he read the description. Level 10. He needed to reach level 10 to open it. His excitement was tempered with a sense of urgency—whatever was inside could change everything, but he wasn’t quite ready to access it yet.
Ivanic’s eyes widened when Niko explained the box’s contents. "A box like that could contain anything," Ivanic murmured. "I’ve never seen one before, but I’ve heard stories."
Niko nodded, his mind already racing with thoughts of leveling up. But that would come later. For now, they had more immediate concerns.
“By the way, is Fumito alright?” Niko asked, glancing around. He hadn’t seen him since the battle ended.
Ivanic’s face darkened. “He’s... dealing with things. He lost people close to him in this dungeon. I think he needs time to process everything.” He shook his head slowly. "He’s staying in a room at the back of the castle. We should give him some space."
Niko understood. The loss of loved ones was a wound that cut deeper than any blade. He couldn’t imagine what Fumito was going through, but he knew the man needed time to grieve.
As they discussed, Niko’s attention drifted back to his surroundings. The castle felt vast and eerie, filled with hidden rooms and unknown dangers. "What other rooms are in this castle?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“I’ve found a kitchen, a banquet hall, and a few other rooms, but there’s still more to explore,” Ivanic replied. “Parts of the castle seem... blocked off, as if they don’t want us entering certain areas.”
Niko nodded absently. This place was full of secrets. But as he opened his status screen to examine his stats, something caught his eye—a new tab labeled Territory. His jaw dropped as he selected it.
A detailed map of the castle and the surrounding area appeared in his mind, every room, every corridor, every nook and cranny highlighted in glowing light. The size of the territory he controlled was staggering.