The third Bronze treasure chest was beneath a fallen pillar. A pair of stray Earthmole Drudges wandered too close.
"Burststep Impact!" Daichi cracked the ground beneath the first.
"Cinderbolt Nova!" Kaede scorched the second in mid-screech.
[Bronze Chest Unlocked]
Reward:
Skill Scroll – Active: Blade Feint (Usable by: Swordsman, Assassin(after lvl 10 of thief is Assassin))
Item – Trap Detection Orb (Used to reveal nearby traps.)
Weapon – Bronze Dagger: Coated Fang (Usable by: Assassin. Applies poison debuff on crits)
...
Fourth chest—partially submerged in a riverbed. Guarded by water-based leeches.
Meirin handled it solo.
"Gale Spiral Shot."
A swirling arrow created a suction vortex, draining the pool and flushing the leeches into the open.
One arrow. One clean shot.
Reward:
Skill Crystal – Passive: Aquatic Adaptation (Usable by: All Classes. Boosts water resistance + swim speed)
Material – 10 Refined Aquastone (Used in: water-element weapon forging)
Potion Recipe – Basic Healing Potion (Water Variant)
...….
Fifth. Hidden behind a thick tree root system. It took Suzune a minute to find the trigger.
"Shadowline Reversal." She blinked inside the tight space.
[Bronze Chest Unlocked]
Reward: Rare Prop – Veil of Echoes (Grants state of nothingness for 10 seconds)
This surprised Kaito a little as it was really a rare prop that could help him in his future plans so he equipped it himself.
...….
Sixth. Seventh. Eighth. Ninth. Tenth. Cleared without resistance—basic mobs, single strike finishes.
Rewards were:
Bronze Chest 6
Skill Crystal – Passive: Reinforced Core(Usable by: Guardian, Monk, Swordsman. +3% physical resistance)
Blueprint – Bronze Gauntlets: Split-Knuckle Type(Usable by: Monk, Brawler)
Material – x3 Hardened Leather Sheets(Used in: glove, boot, and belt crafting)
Bronze Chest 7
Rare Prop – Mark of Recall(Usable by: All Classes. party teleport to last checkpoint(0/10))
Skill Scroll – Active: Razorstep Lunge(Usable by: Swordsman, Duelist)
Material – Bronze Alchemy Flask x3(Used in: potion creation by Alchemist)
Bronze Chest 8
Blueprint – Bronze Utility Belt (Potion Holder Upgrade)(Usable by: All Classes. Adds quick slot for potions)
Material – 10 Runed Ingot (Tier: Bronze)(Used in: rune-inscribed beginner enchantment templates)
Skill Scroll – Passive: Pack Efficiency(Usable by: Merchant. Unlocks 10 inventory row)
Bronze Chest 9
Skill Crystal – Passive: Tactile Sensory Boost(Usable by: Ranger. +6% precision for traps and glyphs)
Item – Scroll of Mapping(Usable by: All. Reveals terrain in 50m radius once)
Armor – Bronze Light Boots of Swiftness(Usable by: All. +4% move speed)
Bronze Chest 10
Skill Scroll – Active: Recoil Guard(Usable by: Guardian, Monk. -70% knockback for 6 sec)
Weapon – Bronze Greatsword: Ember Brand(Usable by: knight, Warrior. Fire-elemental damage bonus)
Item – x5 Detox Elixirs(Usable by: All Classes. Removes poison/venom effects)
...…
After reviewing the rewards from the Bronze treasure chests, Kaito couldn't hide his excitement. Not only had his personal skill gaps been significantly reduced, but several drops were geared toward lifestyle players—exactly the kind of resources he needed to support his future plans of establishing a dedicated life-skill guild. The others had also gained handsomely. Each team member quickly absorbed the skills that suited them, storing the rest for guildmates who were expected to arrive within the next one to two hours.
Also, By the time the last Bronze chest clicked open, the team had cleared over ten elite monsters—each more aggressive than the last. Kaito's party shared over 120,000 combined experience 20000 on average to each, and the loot was nothing to scoff at: Flamebeast Cores, forging fragments, even rare materials for crafting. The bronze-tier monsters had proven manageable for them—but the deeper they went, the more dangerous things became.
Without wasting time, they regrouped and began advancing toward the Silver chests. The path ahead led deeper into the wilderness—and into far more dangerous territory. Kaito's voice cut through the rising tension.
"Stay sharp. From here on, it only gets harder."
.....
They slowed as they approached the foothills of Lavafang Rise.
The silver rune glimmered beneath the ground.
Kaito held up his hand.
"Next one's guarded. Heavily."
From the shadows emerged four flame-etched golems—massive and slow, but high in HP and resistant to magic.
[System Alert: Magma Sentinels – Level 15 Elite Golems]
"Radiant Guard!" Aika's barrier shimmered around them.
The first golem raised its arm—lava dripping down—and slammed toward Hiroto.
"Burning Drive!" Hiroto blocked the strike and retaliated with a shield slam.
"Aegis Vault!"
He launched the molten arm skyward, cracking the joint.
"Stormlash Surge!"
Kaede sent lightning pulsing through the arm crack—exploiting the weakened core.
"Shadowline Reversal!"
Suzune appeared behind another, dagger stabbing its knee joint.
"Poison Lure Trap!"
A hiss—golem joints began grinding from internal acid.
"Gale Spiral Shot!"
Meirin's wind-drill arrow drilled straight through a golem's eye socket.
Daichi went in low.
"Cyclone Palm!"
"Flash Palm!"
Spinning wind and force smashed into another golem, fracturing its legs.
One sentinel raised a burning boulder—but Kaito's voice cut sharp:
"Mana Step!"
"Flame Arc Slash!"
The projectile exploded midair, Kaito's blade slashing it into cinders.
Final golem tried to start with his final blow.
"Don't let it!"
Kaede's "Cinderbolt Nova" finished it with a three-hit blast.
[System Alert: Elite Monster Defeated – Magma Sentinel (Lv. 15)] x4
EXP Gained:
Raen: +2,500 EXP
Kaede: +2,200 EXP
Meirin: +2,300 EXP
Suzune: +2,400 EXP
Daichi: +2,350 EXP
Hiroto: +2,320 EXP
Loot Dropped:
x1 Magma Core (Forging Material – enhances durability of fire-resistant gear)
x18 Silver Coins
x1 Equipment Drop: Melted Gauntlet (Bronze)
x1 Rare Prop: Compact Heatstone (Usable by All Classes – grants minor health buff )
[Silver Chest Unlocked]
Reward:
Skill Scroll – Passive: Heat Adaptation (Usable by: All. +10% resistance to fire-based environments)
Forging Blueprint – Mysterious Iron Utility Ring: "Ring of Vital Surge"
(Usable by: All Classes)
Effect: +4% HP regeneration
Bonus Slot: Can hold 1 passive enchantment
Special Trait: Slightly boosts potion effectiveness (+5%) when equipped
Material – Flame-Stabilized Alloy x3 (Used in: Mysterious Iron fire weapons and armor forging)
Potion Recipe – Advanced Endurance Elixir
Prop – Magnetic Trinket of Anchoring (Usable by: Guardian, Cleric. Prevents displacement for 5 seconds once per combat)
Item – x3 Intermediate Mana Crystals (Used in: high-level spell fusion, enchanting cores, and crafting nodes)
Meirin's eyes widened. "First Mysterious Iron drop."
Kaito nodded suprised.
Second Silver Chest – Guarded by Phantom Dancers
Kaito led them into the misty glen where invisible blades darted between trees.
[Phantom Dancer – Lvl 15 Elite Class – Group of 4]
Suzune clashed with them head-on.
"Shadowline Reversal."
She vanished and reappeared mid-spin, intercepting their rhythm.
Kaede supported with wide-range electricity:
"Stormlash Surge!"
Phantoms flared into visibility as energy crackled.
Aika cast "Sanctuary Sync", neutralizing their confusion spell.
Meirin loosed "Gale Spiral Shot" followed by "Airstep Mirage."
One by one, the phantoms fell.
One by one, the phantoms fell.
[System Alert: Elite Monster Defeated – Phantom Dancer (Lv. 15)] x4
EXP Gained:
Raen: +2,800 EXP
Kaede: +2,500 EXP
Meirin: +2,600 EXP
Suzune: +2,750 EXP
Daichi: +2,700 EXP
Hiroto: +2,680 EXP
Loot Dropped:
x1 Phantom Veil (Material – used for crafting evasion-based accessories)
x20 Silver Coins
x1 Rare Prop: Shifting Echo Ring (Usable by All Classes – cosmetic phasing effect when dodging)
x1 Basic Cloak of Shadows (Bronze)
and then
[Level Up! You have leveled up to Level 13.]
Then not only Kaito but One by one, arcs of deep blue glow wrapped around each member of the team—spiraling upward in elegant threads before bursting in a gentle cascade of luminescent sparks. Signalling their level up.
'Finally 13' thought Kaito "Okay Let's go, get the treasure first."
[Silver Chest Unlocked]
Reward:
Skill Scroll – Active: Echo Shift (Usable by: Assassin, Ranger. Creates an illusion clone for 2 sec diversion)
Enchanting Template – Miststep Enchant (Adds +5% evasion to light boots)
Forging Blueprint – Mysterious Iron Boots: Dancer's Tread (Usable by: Ranger, Assassin. +6% evasion bonus)
Prop – Wind Sigil Amulet (Usable by: All Classes. -8% cooldown for movement skills)
Cooking Recipe – Sweet Emberfruit Stir ( HP Regen food: 3% HP/sec over 10 min)
Item – x4 Intermediate Mana Crystals
...
Final Silver Chest
The team crested a jagged ridge and froze.
There it was.
A towering, lava-scaled monstrosity loomed at the heart of a scorched clearing—nearly four meters long, its obsidian scales veined with glowing magma lines. With each breath, it exhaled a thick mist of heated ash that shimmered with embers. Two horns curled back from its skull, and its tail dragged molten furrows in the earth.
[System Alert: Molten Basilisk – Level 15 Iron]
Its slit eyes locked onto them.
"Formation!" Kaito barked. "Frontline engage! Range and flank move wide!"
Daichi didn't wait. His muscles coiled, and then—
"Burststep Impact!"
He launched forward like a rocket, shoulder crashing into the basilisk's chest with explosive force. The beast staggered, letting out a distorted roar as the ground cracked beneath it.
Hiroto charged in right behind him.
"Burning Drive!"
His shield ignited in a trail of crimson flame, and he slammed it into the basilisk's foreleg. The impact sent up a geyser of sparks, forcing the monster to rear back slightly.
But it wasn't done.
The basilisk's tail swept toward them in a molten arc.
"Down!" Kaito shouted.
Both tanks dropped flat as the tail passed overhead, slicing through a tree trunk like paper.
Meanwhile, Suzune vanished into the mist.
"Shadowline Reversal."
She reappeared at the creature's flank, crouched low under its belly. In one fluid motion, she slid a cylindrical capsule under the beast.
"Poison Lure Trap."
The device hissed to life, releasing a thick cloud of corrosive vapor that clung to the basilisk's underbelly. It screeched, trying to leap—but Kaede was already moving.
He planted his staff and raised both hands.
"Cinderbolt Nova!"
Three fire-charged spheres spiraled upward, then curved down with unnatural precision, crashing into the basilisk's back and detonating in bursts of concussive heat. Chunks of glowing scale cracked loose.
Meirin stepped into position beside a rocky outcrop.
"Gale Spiral Shot!"
Her arrow spun with a high-pitched hum as it flew, striking the basilisk's hind leg. A directed gust followed the impact, wrenching the limb sideways and forcing the beast to stumble.
It roared in pain and fury, rearing back—and that's when Kaito moved.
His boots flared with blue light.
"Mana Step."
He blinked behind the creature, appearing mid-air.
"Cross Slash!"
A blazing red X carved through the basilisk's spinal ridge. The force of the strike shattered several of its glowing dorsal plates, lava oozing from the wounds.
The monster collapsed to one knee, bellowing, as a final series of pulses from Suzune's poison trap ignited a small chain reaction under its belly.
One last twitch. Then silence.