"We're rich, Foxy!" Lily shrieked, practically doing a happy dance around the still-smoking crater where the Corrupted Forest Guardian had been.
Foxy, sensing the good vibes, barked excitedly and tried to chase his own tail.
I, meanwhile, was still staring at the 'Ancient Guardian's Prime Fur' in my inventory. It shimmered with an almost ethereal glow, looking less like a monster drop and more like a cloud made of pure, concentrated luxury.
"This isn't just fur, Lily," I explained, trying to keep my voice from cracking with excitement. "This is legendary fur. This is the kind of fur that makes other furs jealous.
This is the kind of fur that probably smells faintly of success and expensive shampoo."
"So, what are we gonna do with it?" Lily asked, peering at the item. "Sell it all? We could buy, like, a million Mana Potions!"
"We could," I mused, "but this fur is too good for just selling. This fur… this fur is going to become my new threads."
Lily blinked. "Your new… clothes? You're going to wear a giant, fluffy monster?"
"Not a giant, fluffy monster, Lily," I corrected with a grin. "A giant, awesome, fluffy monster. This fur is perfect for crafting. I'm going to get myself a new set of Mage robes.
Something that screams 'I'm powerful, I'm stylish, and I probably just zapped a grumpy yeti with lightning.'"
My current newbie robes were, to put it mildly, less than inspiring. They looked like they'd been fashioned from a potato sack that lost a fight with a particularly aggressive moth. This fur, however, could be transformed into something truly magnificent.
Something that would not only boost my stats but also make me look like the ridiculously overpowered protagonist I was slowly becoming.
"But where do we go?" Lily asked. "Eldoria's blacksmith looked like he'd fall asleep trying to hammer a nail. I don't think he can handle legendary fur."
"You're right," I nodded. "For something like this, we need to go to the big leagues. The Grand City of Aethelgard."
Lily's eyes widened. "Aethelgard?! The capital city? I heard it's huge! Like, bigger than Eldoria times a hundred! Do they have, like, flying carriages? Or houses made of cake?"
"Probably not cake houses," I chuckled, "but it's definitely massive. It's the central hub for all high-level players, the main trading post, and where all the important missions are posted. It's also where the best crafters in the game reside."
The journey to Aethelgard was an adventure in itself. We had to pass through several more zones, each progressively more dangerous. Lily, with her improved Mana Bolts and newfound confidence, bravely faced down larger goblins and even some aggressive 'Shadow Prowlers' – wolf-like creatures with shadowy forms.
My Lightning Bolt continued to be my trump card, turning even the most fearsome foes into manageable challenges. Foxy, ever vigilant, darted ahead, sniffing out danger and occasionally startling a monster with a well-timed bark.
"This is so much more exciting than just fighting bunnies!" Lily exclaimed as we navigated a winding mountain pass, dodging falling rocks. "Though I still think a fluffy death-bunny pet would be awesome."
"One step at a time, Lily," I said, dodging a rock myself. "First, awesome robes. Then, world domination. Then, maybe, fluffy death-bunny pets."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of monster-slaying and scenic (but dangerous) travel, the majestic gates of Aethelgard loomed before us. They were colossal, made of gleaming white stone, adorned with intricate carvings of ancient heroes and mythical beasts.
Beyond them, the city stretched as far as the eye could see, a sprawling metropolis of towering spires, bustling marketplaces, and shimmering magical lights.
"WHOA!" Lily gasped, her jaw hitting the virtual floor. "It's… it's even bigger than a million Eldorias! Look at all the people! And that building! Is that made of solid gold?!"
Aethelgard was a sensory overload. Players of all professions, decked out in dazzling armor and robes, strode through the streets. NPCs bustled about, carrying goods, shouting advertisements for their shops, or simply chatting in the public squares. The air hummed with magic and the distant clang of blacksmiths.
"Alright, Lily, first stop: the tailor," I announced, pulling her along. Foxy, overwhelmed by the sheer number of legs, wisely stuck close to my heels.
We found the Grand Tailor's Guild in a magnificent building with a shimmering, silk banner depicting a needle and thread. Inside, the air smelled of fine fabrics and enchanted dyes.
The master tailor, a stern-looking Elf named Elara, with impossibly long fingers and eyes that seemed to see through fabric, looked up as we entered.
"Welcome, travelers. What can the Grand Tailor's Guild do for you?" she asked, her voice crisp.
"I have a special request," I said, pulling out the 'Ancient Guardian's Prime Fur.'
Elara's eyes, previously cool and professional, widened, then narrowed in intense appraisal. She reached out a delicate hand and gently touched the shimmering fur.
"By the ancient threads… this is… magnificent. Ancient Guardian's Prime Fur. Where did you acquire such a treasure, young Mage?"
"Let's just say I have a knack for finding rare materials," I replied with a casual shrug, trying to sound modest but probably failing.
Elara nodded slowly, her gaze lingering on the fur. "Indeed. This is a material of unparalleled quality. What do you wish to craft?"
"A set of Mage robes," I stated. "Something that offers excellent protection, boosts my mana, and looks… undeniably awesome. Something that says 'I'm here to save the world, and I'm going to look good doing it.'"
Elara actually cracked a small smile. "An ambitious request, but with this material… it is possible. It will take time, and a significant fee, of course."
"Money's no object," I said, pulling out a handful of the gold coins from the fur sale. Lily gasped again.
Elara's eyes widened further. "Very well. Return tomorrow at this time. You shall have the finest robes crafted in Aethelgard."
The next day, Lily and I practically sprinted back to the Grand Tailor's Guild. Elara stood waiting, a serene smile on her face. On a mannequin beside her, draped in shadow, was my new gear.
"Behold," she said, pulling away the shimmering cloth.
My breath hitched. It wasn't just robes. It was a masterpiece. The 'Ancient Guardian's Prime Robes' were a deep, midnight blue, almost black, with subtle silver threading that shimmered like starlight. The fur, now expertly tailored, formed sleek, protective panels along the shoulders, chest, and cuffs, giving them a regal, yet battle-ready look.
They were form-fitting, accentuating my Mage physique (which, admittedly, was still a work in progress, but hey, the robes helped!).
A faint, almost imperceptible golden aura pulsed around them, hinting at the SSS-level protection inherent in the fur.
"Whoa," Lily whispered, her eyes wide with awe. "Max, you look like a superhero! A super stylish superhero!"
I equipped them. The moment they settled on my virtual body, a surge of power coursed through me. My mana pool felt deeper, my defenses stronger. And I looked good. Like, seriously good. I felt like I could take on a dragon and still have time for a coffee break.
"Now this is what I'm talking about," I grinned, striking a heroic pose. Foxy barked his approval, doing a little happy dance around my feet.
We spent the rest of the day exploring Aethelgard. I walked with a new swagger, feeling the admiring (and sometimes envious) glances of other players. I even overheard a few whispers.
"Check out that Mage! His gear is insane!"
"Is that… Ancient Guardian's Prime Fur? No way! That's legendary!"
"He must be super high-level, or super lucky."
I just smiled to myself. Little did they know, it was both.
We passed by groups of players, some chatting, some arguing about dungeon strategies. I saw a group of Warriors flexing their massive swords, a coven of Rogues silently practicing their stealth, and a few other Mages comparing spell effects.
"Hey, nice robes, dude!" a burly Warrior called out to me. "Where'd you get that fur? Looks expensive!"
"Just a lucky drop," I replied with a casual wave, enjoying their impressed expressions.
Lily, meanwhile, was having a blast. She tried to convince a vendor to sell her a "Sparkle-Wand of Rainbows," and nearly got into a debate with a scholarly-looking NPC about the migratory patterns of pixelated butterflies.
As evening approached, we found ourselves in the main Adventurer's Guild, a massive hall filled with mission boards, bustling players, and the scent of stale ale. I scanned the mission boards, looking for something that aligned with my foreknowledge.
And then I saw it. A large, glowing parchment, pinned prominently in the center.
[Urgent Mission: The Goblin King's Arena Challenge!]
Description: The Goblin King, a tyrannical brute, has seized the ancient Light Arena in the Sunken Caves and challenges all adventurers to face him! He holds powerful artifacts and threatens the peace of the realm.
A team of skilled adventurers is needed to infiltrate the Arena and defeat the Goblin King!
Recommended Level: 20+
Reward: Legendary Goblin King's Crown, Massive Experience, Rare Materials.
Current Teams Forming:
Team "Arcane Breakers": 3 Mages (Lvl 18, 19, 17), 2 Fighters (Lvl 19, 18) - Seeking 1 more Mage/Fighter
Team "Shadow Strikers": 2 Rogues (Lvl 20, 21), 1 Healer (Lvl 19) - Seeking 2 more DPS
My heart pounded. The Light Arena. The Goblin King. This was a major event in my past life, a turning point where the goblin threat escalated significantly.
The King of Goblins was a formidable foe, but he also dropped some incredibly rare items, including a legendary weapon that was crucial for later stages of the game. And, more importantly, he was known to have a unique SSS-level skill: 'Goblin King's Fury,' which would be an amazing extraction.
"Max, look!" Lily pointed. "The Goblin King! Sounds scary!"
I looked at the "Arcane Breakers" team. They were a bit under-leveled for the mission, but they were Mages and Fighters. Perfect. This was my chance. Not just to get powerful loot, but to guide a crucial early-game event.
I walked towards the "Arcane Breakers" team, who were huddled together, looking a bit nervous. They were discussing their strategy, their voices low.
"We need one more strong damage dealer," one of the Mages, a stern-looking woman with a glowing staff, muttered. "The King's defenses are brutal."
I cleared my throat. They looked up, their eyes widening slightly as they took in my new, awesome robes.
"Excuse me," I said, a confident smile on my face. "I overheard you're looking for another Mage for the Goblin King mission."
The stern Mage eyed me, then my robes, then my level (which was still relatively low, despite my power). "You're… a bit under-leveled for this, aren't you, kid? And those robes, they look too good for a newbie."
I just grinned. "My level might be low, but my power isn't. And as for the robes… well, let's just say I have a knack for making a very strong impression." I let a faint crackle of lightning dance across my fingertips. "I'm Max. And I'm here to turn that Goblin King into a crispy goblin kebab. You in?"
The Mages and Fighters exchanged glances, then looked at my robes, then at the lingering scent of ozone from my hand. Their eyes, previously skeptical, now held a glimmer of intrigued caution. This was it. My chance to step onto the big stage, to start truly changing the future.