Ali debated with Tian on what he should pick. After their large haul, they gave everything to Menna who then allowed them to pick from the ones she thought was suitable for the four of them. Menna stated that she had taken level requirements and other factors into account. Before Ali, there were five items and he could select two of them. The other three group members were in their respective rooms so he couldn’t even ask them for advice. Thus, he had to seek out the air serpent hoping his companion could at least aid him in his decision making.
Which of these five would you pick first?
Tian first flew over the sword. The sword had a red blade and a black handle. Beyond that, there were no other features. Ali shared what was on the prompt.
<
Item: Flaming Blade
Type: Weapon/Support
Subtype: Buff
Tier: D
Level Requirement: 3
Attribute Requirement(s): 5 Strength
Damage: 2 (+2)
Description:
This flaming blade not only serves as a one-handed weapon but it can also boost fire abilities. Fire elemental abilities at or below level 5 gain +3 damage boost or +3 defense boost.
>
After reading the prompt, Ali couldn’t help but wonder if Menna simply picked the worst items for them. This weapon seemed pathetic, especially with its D tier. He suspected that the D tier was the reason why it only worked for fire abilities at or below level 5 which was a really low threshold. He could see his ability outleveling the item in no time and render the item as nothing more than a glorified weapon. Even then, the blade was pretty weak as 2 damage was nothing to write home about. He looked to Tian.
I know! The blade isn’t great but your level is too low for something better. If I recall correctly, all the others are at least level 5. They are probably picking between C tier items.
Please don’t remind me about that. Let’s look at the second item!
<
Item: Ring of Lesser Protection
Type: Support
Subtype: Buff
Tier: D
Level Requirement: 3
Attribute Requirement(s): 5 Wisdom
Defense: 1
Description:
This ring of lesser protection offers extra defense to the wearer. Once worn, the ring remains invisible until removed.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
>
Only one defense? I might as well get a shield. Or maybe I can just swap these items in for money. I’m sure I can get something better if I sell two of these.
Let’s not give up, Ali! We still have three more items.
Alright, maybe the other three can be sold for more.
<
Item: Boots of Minor Swiftness
Type: Support
Subtype: Buff
Tier: D
Level Requirement: 3
Attribute Requirement(s): 5 Survival
Survival: 1
Movement Speed: +5%
Description:
These boots can be worn outside any footwear and provides both survival and movement buffs. Once worn, the boots remain invisible until removed. Note that the attribute requirement must be met before buffs can be received.
>
This will at least help me escape danger faster…
<
Item: Gloves of Minor Strength
Type: Support
Subtype: Buff
Tier: D
Level Requirement: 3
Attribute Requirement(s): 5 Strength
HP Regen: +2 HP/min
Description:
These gloves help the user regain lost HP faster. Once worn, the gloves remain invisible until removed.
>
Feels like attributes give me better HP Regen…
<
Item: Helmet of Lesser Spells
Type: Support
Subtype: Buff
Tier: D
Level Requirement: 3
Attribute Requirement(s): 5 Intelligence
MP Regen: +2 MP/min
Description:
This helmet helps the user regain lost MP faster. Once worn, the helmet remains invisible until removed.
>
At least the helmet seems the most useful of the five items…
And you get to pick two!
Ali thought long and hard due to how bad all the items were. In the end, he picked the helmet and the blade. The former would allow him to use more abilities while the latter, while terrible at first glance, would give him a way to attack enemies when his MP ran out. He could also conceal his abilities if he ever deemed the blade would be sufficient for the task. Once he picked his two rewards, he happily returned the rest, hoping to never see another D tier item for the rest of his life.
Someday, I’ll make them envy me…
I heard they only got one C tier item.
Still better than two D tier items…
From what he read, Ali knew that a difference in tier made a massive difference in terms of the benefits. A rule of thumb was that an item only a tier higher generally was five times more valuable. Therefore, he got the least out of the haul despite playing a role in it. Depressed about his rewards, Ali went to the cafeteria to grab something to eat. When he sat down, a group of teenagers at a nearby table discussed something that caught his attention.
“Did you hear what happened to the Thunder Badgers?”
“I didn’t think it was possible! I almost expected them to fight to the last individual.”
“To think their leader had surrendered to the Dark Cult. Do you know how much stronger we just became?”
“Doesn’t change the fact that the Lightning Clan is nearly invincible. With the Thunder Badgers gone, we’re the only target for the Lightning Clan.”
Ali agreed that the situation was both good and bad. They had grown stronger in Vliland but it wasn’t clear if the Dark Cult was strong enough to fight the Lightning Clan. While they did inflict some damage to the Lightning Clan headquarters, they did little to severely weaken the leaders of the syndicate. Moving forward, the Dark Cult would suffer horrific losses once the conflict escalated between the two factions. His two D tier items wouldn’t even make him helpful in the upcoming battles. In addition, it didn't seem like reinforcements could arrive with the city under siege.
If only I can find ways to level up faster...or at least reach the level 5 threshold before we got to pick items.