The golden chest was like a big beacon of radiant sunlight. It wasn’t actually radiating any light, but it did radiate the essence of treasure.
The group was barely equipped. They were still wearing the tattered clothes they entered the tutorial in, now patched up several times with pieces of water bear hide sewn in with stitching made from local plant fibers. They hadn’t really taken the time to look at the state of themselves, but now with the promise of loot in front of them, they noticed just how shitty they looked.
It really is remarkable how they managed to get where they are today with office attire and pointy sticks. They were essentially cavemen in business casual and this just would not do.
Marshall was the first to eagerly approach the chest. At this point, he didn’t really care if the thing exploded when he opened it, as long as it exploded with something he could use.
Flipping open the lid, they were greeted with five nondescript-looking leather pouches and six ornate boxes
A system message introduced them to their new loot.
AS NEW MEMBERS OF THE SYSTEM TUTORIAL, YOU HAVE OVERCOME NUMEROUS CHALLENGES AND SURVIVED. THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF THE TUTORIAL. YOU HAVE ACHIEVED COMPLETION OF THE FIRST TRUE CHALLENGE IN THE SYSTEM WITHOUT ACCESS TO ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT. SURVIVAL THROUGH SHEER DETERMINATION IS THE FIRST TRUE TEST OF THE TUTORIAL.
REWARDS:
Class Attuned Dungeoneering Pouch (x5)
Lockbox (Gold) (X4)
Lockbox (Silver) (X2)
Calvin picked up one of the pouches and appraised it.
Class Attuned Dungeoneering Pouch: This pouch contains a minor opening to a subspace realm. The internal storage capacity is much greater than its size. Being class-attuned, this pouch already contains class-attuned items suitable for a new initiate. Class-attuned pouches are typically only provided as rewards during a system tutorial, designed to help new adventurers along in their progress.
While holding the pouch he willed the system to show him the contents. It seemed as if his mind split into two pieces. One piece remained here in the present with his group staring expectantly at him and the other piece whisked away to what appeared to be a large, mostly empty warehouse. There were a few items stashed away on some nearby shelves though, which he promptly examined. There was a full set of leather armor including a cloak and boots and several bottles of various liquids of different colors. Calvin would properly examine all of this in a moment.
“We have hit the jackpot.” He said with a wide grin, explaining what he’d discovered in his pouch. Everyone snagged one up as quickly as they could. There was a problem though…
There were only five pouches and one very sad-looking pup. She did her best, and she was the bestest little pup, wasn’t she?
Calvin gave her a reassuring pat. “Don’t worry girl, I’m sure there’s something really cool for you in here.”
With that, he set about opening the first of the lockboxes. They started with the silver lockbox. You know, saving the best for last and all that.
Class Attuned Dungeoneering Collar: This collar contains a minor opening to a subspace realm. The internal storage capacity is much greater than its size. Being class-attuned, this collar already contains class-attuned items suitable for a new initiate. Class-attuned collars are typically only provided as rewards during a system tutorial, designed to help new adventurers along in their progress.
“See? What did I say.”
Calvin removed the collar from the lockbox, examining it. It was a standard, studded, black leather collar embedded with a large blue gemstone. He flipped open the clasp and placed it around Freya’s neck latching it closed.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Freya gave an excited yip and a little twirl to show off her new bling, much to the excitement of the group. She was striking in her fancy new collar. A moment later, a treat materialized from thin air and plopped right in front of a very proud pup.
Looks like you figured out how it works Calvin said through his spirit link.
“I wanna do the next one” Marshall exclaimed with barely restrained glee. Amy rolled her eyes at the childish display.
Calvin waved him on “Have at it.”
Marshall lifted up the second silver lockbox and flipped open the lid.
Initiate’s Pulse Pistol (Iron): This low-grade pulse pistol is a standard issue sidearm among cadets in System initialized space. It offers low damage and low recharge time between shots. (Speed +2, Control +1)
“Goodbye, toothpick and hello my beautiful lady.” Marshall grinned lecherously at the pistol. “I can have this right?”
The others chuckled at him and indicated for him to take it. Nobody else had a specialization in pistols and quite frankly, having their combat medic armed with a javelin just seemed stupid. Although, he was pretty damned effective with that javelin so they would reserve the right to force him back to using it.
Calvin handed the next lockbox over to Amy. “Marshall opened that one and got something suited for him. I figure you should open this one and we’ll see if the loot is attuned to whoever opens it.”
Nanoweave Gloves - Fire Attuned (Gold): Nanoweave is an uncommon fiber spun with nanite thread. Nanoweave specifically enhances attunement to and control over the nanite fabric. These gloves grant increased control over fire-attuned skills, increasing damage and often allowing the user to manipulate skills to alternate their effects. Fire-attuned skills will have a slightly reduced mana cost and recharge rate (Control +4)
“There goes the loot theory.” Amy said with mock disappointment. Sure, it would have been neat to score some new gear, but Ian came in clutch this fight and beefing up the party’s nanomancer didn’t seem like the worst choice. She tossed the gloves over to Ian who happily tried them on.
Next up was Seth, continuing the tradition of round-robin loot box opening. Amy’s eyes lit up as a pair of super fancy daggers made their appearance.
Sonic Edge (Gold): These daggers resonate at a subsonic level. Upon striking a target, they release a short-lived sonic blast into the wound, enhancing the internal damage caused by the strike. (Speed +3, Power +1)
Amy picked up the daggers, testing their weight in her hands. “Well, alright. You were right Cal. Coming here was a great idea.”
At this point, the group figured there would be something for each of them. Judging by the number of boxes and the distribution so far.
Ian flipped open the next box revealing… another box?
Artificer’s Minor Drone Smithing Kit (Silver): An Artificer is adept at weaving nanites into creations of untold power. This drone smithing kit provides the Artificer with the tools necessary to reshape materials and create semi-autonomous drones of a minor grade. These drones will be low-powered and mostly utilitarian in nature. This kit cannot be upgraded.
This one threw the group for a bit of a loop. It wasn’t an equippable item, as the previous items were. It didn’t give Seth any inherent stat point gains, and none of them, including Seth knew what benefits the drones could provide them. Seth would have to look into this. One thing they could all agree on though is that the leap from sharpened sticks to semi-autonomous drones probably wasn’t a small one. Seth still didn’t have a real weapon of his own though, so sharpened sticks might remain a staple for him a bit longer.
Finally, with great anticipation, they coaxed the last box open.
Obsidian Nanoweave Inlaid Spear(Gold): A spear crafted from haft to tip in pure obsidian, inlaid with nanoweave fibers throughout. The spear retains the sharpness of obsidian while attaining immense durability from the nanoweave inlay. (Speed +2, Power +1, Toughness +1)
Calvin picked up the spear, noting the extreme balance and lightweight nature of it compared to the shit he’d been swinging around for the last week. Looking at the spinecharge spear he’d dropped on the ground, it was ratty, splintered, and covered in dried gore. It was truly a deplorable piece of equipment. This would be a massively welcome upgrade.
“Alright, I’m changing my vote. This place still sucks, but it sucks a little less now. I could get used to this.” Marshall said. “I do have a concern though. This gear seems pretty amazing, and we haven’t even checked out our pouches yet. We’re in the first room of the dungeon and the beginning of the tutorial. There’s no way we’re getting the best stuff right out of the gate right? Like… it’s been hell getting to this point, and my gut tells me that IS the point. Putting us through hell. So, what do you all think is waiting for is deeper in?”
The question was like a miasma in the air. All of this loot was incredible. There’s no question about the massive upgrade it presented them. But they all had a feeling the challenges were about to receive a massive upgrade right alongside them.