Cael’s voice trailed off as exhaustion took hold, his eyes closing as sleep claimed him. Jack exchanged a glance with Lyla, her expression a mixture of relief and lingering concern.
“We’ll let him rest,” Jack said softly, taking the dagger in hand.
Lyla nodded, her gaze drifting to the collapsed rift and the pedestal before going to the weapon in Jacks hand. “You might want to Identify that thing. No telling what the Heralds poison did to it.”
Jack held the transformed dagger in his hand, its weight familiar yet somehow different. The blade no longer gleamed with its original metallic sheen. Instead, it pulsed faintly with a dark, iridescent hue that seemed to shift and shimmer, as though the poison trapped within was alive and restless. The hilt, once wrapped in simple leather, now bore intricate, vein-like patterns that crawled across its surface, glowing faintly with an eerie green light. It felt warm to the touch, an unnatural warmth that sent a chill down Jack’s spine.
He turned the weapon over, inspecting every detail. Fine etchings, like jagged lightning bolts, ran along the blade’s edge, marking where the venom’s energy had fused with the metal. A faint hiss emanated from it, barely audible but persistent, as if the dagger itself was breathing. Jack ran his thumb along the flat of the blade, feeling the subtle vibrations coursing through it.
He activated Identify. His vision blurred momentarily before a translucent panel appeared before him.
[Toxic Talon
Rarity: Rare
Quality: Refined
Durability: 900/900
Material: Steel, Venom of#et46t4yryhe5
Properties: Deals both physical and poison damage. Grants +15 Agility and +15 Constitution. Attacks bypass 50% of enemy defenses when an enemy is unaware of its wielders presence.
Damage: 40-65 Piercing damage, 50-75 poison damage per second for 3 minutes.
Special Effects: Grants +15% Agility when engaging poisoned enemies. Continuous use drains health and stamina (-2% per minute).
Description: This dagger is a sinister artifact created through contact from a creature that was never meant to walk the Realm. It emanates a faint, malevolent energy. Though immensely powerful, its prolonged use may exact a heavy toll on its wielder.]
Jack’s stomach turned as he read the description. The power was undeniable, but the weapon carried risks he couldn’t ignore. He gripped the hilt tightly, the faint hum of the blade resonating in his hand.
“It’s powerful,” he muttered, glancing at Lyla who was watching him intently. “But this thing... it’s dangerous. Cael will have to be careful if he still wants to use it.”
Lyla frowned. “Careful may not be enough. That weapon has changed, Jack. It’s not just steel anymore. It’s part of whatever that Herald was.”
He nodded, his expression grim. “I’ll tell Cael about it when he wakes up.”
Jack took a moment to examine his current status. He had come quite a ways since the last time he had seen it.
Race: Direborn
Exp: 9000/120000
Level: 17
Class: Spearsoul
Profession: Soulforger
Path: N/A
Strength: 49
Agility: 47(+1)
Dexterity: 22
Wisdom: 7(+15)
Intelligence: 12(+15)
Charisma: 2
Constitution: 20(+5)
Soul: 18(+10)
Free Points: 4
Health pool: 107/250(107/280)
Mana pool: 120/120(270/270)
Soul pool: 180/180(280/280)
Attunements: Water, Fire
Skills: Identify (Level 12), Awareness (Level 1), Skinning (Level 7), Woodcarving (Level 1), Weapon Crafting (Level 1), Alchemy (Level 2), Tracking (Level 5), Water Magic (Level 12), Swimming (Level 3), Leatherworking (Level 3), Armor Crafting (Level 2), Spear Mastery (Level 23), Night Vision (Level 5), Light Armor (Level 8), Mana Channeling (Level 2), Mana Overcharge (Level 4), Fire Magic (Level 9), Psychic Magic (Level 10),
Class Skills: Soulrage, Phantom Soul Strike, Soul Drain, Ironsoul Aura
Profession Skills: Bone Recipe, Mix and Match
Spells: Fluid Grace, Ice Dagger, Conjure Water, Aqua Barrier, Underwater Breathing, Ember Dart, Flame Gout, Geyser Eruption, Levitation, Illusory Double, Telepathic Link
Stolen novel; please report.
Titles: Favored of the Alpha, Elemental Savant, Protecter of The Realm
Resistances: Water (22%), (Air (3%)), Fire (19%), Psychic (22%)
Abilities: Savage Roar, One with the Elements, Radiant Empath Armory, Mental Link]
He had done a lot of fighting since the last time he had examined his status yet he had only gotten two levels. He wondered exactly how long levelling took at higher levels. Would he have to keep seeking out much more powerful enemies to fight if he wanted to keep growing stronger? Perhaps, but that was a problem for another day. There were other things of note on his new status sheet. Not the least of which was his new Title.
[Protector of the Realm: You have beaten back an Incursion, a feat few have achieved.
Effects: As you have protected the Realm, so shall the Realm protect you. Once per month become completely invulnerable to all physical damage for 5 seconds]
That was…seriously overpowered if he was being honest. Used correctly this could save his life at some future date. And based on the description it was even better than an ability that protected against attacks. An ability like wthat could protect him from an enemy blow but would be useless if he fell off a mountain or something. Being invulnerable to physical damage meant any physical damage no matter the source.
Jack took a deep breath, his gaze lingering on the faintly glowing dagger in his hand before tucking it away. He would deal with the complications of its existence later. For now, there were more pressing matters to attend to. He gave Lyla a nod and glanced back at the resting Cael.
"Let’s see what Erydan has to say," Jack said.
Together, they crossed the battlefield’s remnants toward where Erydan stood. The old Ramkin stood a few paces from where the rift had been, his expression distant as he surveyed the aftermath of the fight.
"You’ve done well," Erydan said, giving them a nod of acknowledgement. "The Herald is no more, and the dungeon is safe—for now."
Jack inclined his head. "We couldn’t have done it without you. But I have to ask… the Incursion Quest. That was your doing, wasn’t it?"
Erydan nodded solemnly. "Indeed. It was I who activated the quest through the System. The rift was an anomaly I could not close alone. It required champions—those willing to risk everything for the sake of the Realm."
Jack frowned. "You could’ve warned us about what we were walking into."
A faint smile crossed Erydan’s lips. "Would it have changed your course, Spearsoul? You are not the kind to shy away from a challenge, no matter how dire."
Jack couldn’t argue with that. He let out a weary sigh. "Fair enough. So, what happens now?"
Erydan gestured toward the crumbling pedestal near the rift’s remains. As the last vestiges of the portal faded, a hidden passage revealed itself—a grand archway lined with glowing runes that pulsed softly in the air. Beyond it, Jack could see the faint gleam of treasures shimmering in the darkness.
"The Dungeon Treasury," Erydan explained. "Your reward for defeating the Herald. Each of you may choose two items from its vaults. But choose wisely; the treasures within are both rare and powerful, and their use can shape your destiny."
Jack’s exhaustion was momentarily pushed aside by curiosity and a flicker of excitement. Lyla’s eyes lit up as well, her earlier worry about Cael momentarily forgotten.
"The Herald didn’t leave any lingering threats, did it?" Lyla asked cautiously, her hand still hovering near her weapon.
Erydan shook his head. "No. The Herald’s power was tied to the Incursion. With it banished, the corruption is gone."
"Good." Jack glanced at the passage, then back to Erydan. "Let’s see what this Treasury has to offer."
Erydan led the way into the archway, the runes glowing brighter as they passed through. The air within was cool and faintly humming with magic.
The Treasury was a vast chamber, its walls lined with crystalline shelves that held items of every shape and size. The shelves themselves seemed to glow softly, casting light across the room that reflected off polished marble floors. The ceiling was domed and painted with scenes of cosmic vistas—stars, planets, and swirling nebulae rendered with a level of detail that made it seem as if the heavens were alive above them. At the center of the room, a circular platform held a raised pedestal, on which lay a single, glimmering orb of light, constantly shifting in color.
Jack’s eyes roamed over the items, each encased in a shimmering field that kept it suspended just above its resting place. There were weapons with blades that seemed to hum with latent energy, armor forged from materials Jack couldn't even name, and trinkets that glowed softly with magical auras.
He approached one of the shelves where a trio of items rested, his eyes drawn to a longsword encased in a sheath of frost. The cold radiating from it was palpable, sending a chill down his spine even from several feet away. He activated Identify, and a translucent panel appeared.
[Frost Reaver
Rarity: Epic
Quality: Perfect
Durability: 1442/1650
Material: Thorium, Crushed Frostheart Sapphires, Blood of a Remorhaz
Properties: Grants +40 Agility and +40 Dexterity. Wielding this weapon significantly increases resistance to cold-based attacks (+60% Cold Resistance).
Damage: 175-200 Slashing damage, 60-110 Frost damage per strike
Special Effects: Strikes slow enemies by 50% for 45 seconds. Every strike has a 20% chance to unleash a wave of frost damage in a 10-foot radius.
Description: Forged in the heart of an ancient glacier, this blade is said to carry the wrath of winter itself. It is a weapon of devastation, capable of freezing even the most tenacious foes in their tracks.]
Jack ran his fingers over the faint frost that coated the sword’s sheath. It was beautiful, but the weight of its cold energy felt oppressive. Besides, he was no swordsman. He moved on.
Further down, his eyes caught on a massive shield that seemed to be carved from the darkest wood he had ever seen, its surface gleaming like polished obsidian. The edge was reinforced with silver bands, etched with runes that pulsed faintly in the dim light.
[Ashwood Shield of Retribution
Rarity: Epic
Quality: Refined
Durability: 30718/45000
Defense: +180 Defense
Material: Ashwood, Soulsilver
Properties: Grants +50 Constitution and +50 Strength.
Special Effects:
* Vengeance: Any blocked melee attack has a 5% chance to trigger Meliais Revenge.
* Reflective Bark: 20% chance to reflect ranged attacks back at the attacker.
Description: Carved from the heartwood of the mythical Ash tree of a Meliai, this shield is both a fortress and a weapon. It contains the vengeful spirit of the Meliai whose tree was cut down to make this shield. Meliais Revenge temporarily unleashes this spirit upon an attacker.]
Jack whistled softly. “That’s quite a shield,” he muttered. He thought he remembered Meliai from some book on mythology he had read a long time ago. They were something like a darker version of dryads, if he recalled correctly. But even as he admired the shield’s craftsmanship, his eyes drifted to a smaller, more unassuming item nestled among the treasures: a plain silver ring. Its simplicity stood out against the opulence around it.
[Ring of Reynard]
Rarity: Epic
Quality: Perfect
Durability: Indestructible
Material: Silver
Properties: Grants +150 Charisma. Wearing this ring greatly enhances persuasive abilities.
Special Effects:
* Deceptive Aura: Creates an illusion that hides the wearer’s true appearance from magical scrutiny.
* Whispering Truths: Allows the wearer to implant false memories or ideas in the minds of others once per day.
Description: A creation of dubious origin, this ring is said to have been worn by the trickster Reynard The Fox in ages past. Its power lies not in brute strength, but in the subtle art of manipulation.]
Jack lifted his gaze from the ring and turned to Erydan “These are incredible. Did the Dungeon make all these?”
The Avatar looked distracted, as though he was focusing on something Jack couldn’t see. He wondered if the Avatar had a Status of his own to look over.
“Hmmm? No no, these relics are all things I picked up back when I was alive.”
Jack’s eyes almost bulged out of their sockets “Wait what? You’re a ghost?!!