But the blazing crimson aura didn't enshroud a physical artifact; instead, it wrapped around an ancient scroll carved with shadowy patterns.
[Scroll of Shadow Judgment]: Divine-tier Consumable. Requires a 3-second cast time to use in combat. Inflicts "Shadow Piercing" on a target within 100 meters, dealing 210,000 fixed physical damage.
Ignores defense and can only be mitigated by damage reduction effects. Cooldown: 24 hours. Bound upon use.
"Whoa! A Divine-tier scroll! 210,000 fixed damage!" Lenore gasped, her eyes glowing as she stared at the scroll. "Even a Level 100 player would be left half-dead after taking that hit. Most Legendary BOSSes can't withstand it!"
"Based on current market prices, this scroll could sell for at least 150,000 in real currency!" Eira, who regularly followed price trends, calculated its value instantly.
But then everyone thought back to Kalis's 5-million-point single attack and silently toned down their amazement. Compared to that godlike damage output, this Divine-tier scroll really seemed a bit underwhelming.
Next up was the second loot, a pair of light boots shimmering with silver-blue streaks, none other than the Legendary-grade [WindSweeper Boots]:
[WindSweeper Boots]: Legendary Quality. No level or class restrictions. HP +550, Agility +23, Base Movement Speed +105%.
Passive Effect: [Light-footed] (Immune to all slow and immobilize effects. Does not trigger ground traps while moving).
"This is the perfect gear!" A flash of delight crossed Kalis's eyes. "No class restrictions and such an insane movement speed boost—this was made for me."
He'd been coveting the [Gilded Lion King Battle Boots] before, but that Mythic gear was exclusive to Warriors and Knights. Now this pair of Legendary boots felt tailor-made.
"Take it directly. We never could've beaten the BOSS without you," Eira waved generously, then teased. "Though if you have any spare artifacts or transcendent artifacts in your bag that you feel like giving me, I won't complain."
"Then I won't decline," Kalis put on the boots immediately, replacing his whiteboard shoes that only gave +3 Agility and +30 HP. His health bar instantly surged past 6,300, and the increased Agility also gave his spell critical strike rate a slight boost.
"Keep looting!" Mireya hugged the Epic leg armor she'd just received, her tone still carrying a hint of wronged confusion about her life. Getting high-quality gear while doing absolutely nothing made her feel more and more like a dead weight to the team.
Among the remaining loot on the ground was another Legendary material—[Abyssal Core Shard]—identical to the one in Kalis's bag.
Since having two was useless, he gave it directly to Eira, the quest's protagonist. The other three Level 50 Epic gear pieces perfectly suited the teammates:
[Leggings of Holy Radiance]: Priest Exclusive. Given to Lenore. HP +320, Spirit +18, Healing Effect +8%.
[Quiver of Piercing]: Archer Exclusive. Given to Seraphina. Agility +21, Arrow Damage +10%, Critical Strike Rate +3%.
[Breastplate of Mithril Bulwark]: Knight Exclusive. Given to Mireya. HP +480, Physical Defense +35, Block Rate +5%.
The remaining healing potions, whiteboard gear, and 350 gold coins were split equally among the five.
Mireya squeezed the heavy pouch of gold coins, still muttering. "Getting so many benefits while doing nothing at all—it's ridiculous..."
"Get used to it. After all, we've got a 'human BOSS' on our team," Lenore patted her shoulder, counting the gold coins leisurely. "There will be plenty more chances to win without lifting a finger when you're with Kalis."
Seraphina, who rarely smiled, even cracked a faint grin and nodded in agreement. Though she hadn't contributed much, witnessing a Legendary BOSS being one-shot and getting gear that suited her perfectly was more than enough.
"Let's leave the dungeon. Let's see how powerful Eira's Dragon Warrior inheritance is," Kalis put away the scroll and took the lead toward the exit. "I hope it unlocks an opponent who can actually beat me. Otherwise, this game is way too boring."
"Dream on! Once I complete my advancement, I'll definitely put you in your place!" Eira retorted with a laugh. The group exited the Umbral Grotto amid cheerful banter.
Back in Cave Rock Lizard Gorge, Eira had a brief conversation with Sir Ragnor and received the [Proof of Drakenspire Trial] for completing the challenge. The five then used Drakenspire City Return Scrolls and were instantly teleported to the main city square.
"Make way! Loitering in the teleportation circle area is prohibited!"
The familiar shout rang out again. As soon as Kalis stepped out of the array, he was shoved by a city guard soldier clad in silver scale armor, stumbling back half a step.
"Damn it! How does this NPC soldier always happen to pass by right when I teleport back?" Kalis complained with a gloomy face. This was the fourth time he'd been pushed around for no reason.
"I'm going to Drakenspire Temple to advance. You can explore the main city and sell any gear you don't need," Eira tried to contain her excitement as she hurried toward the temple.
It was the continent's top-tier Dragon Warrior inheritance—she'd been looking forward to it for ages.
With nothing better to do, Kalis and the others headed to the auction house on the west side of the main city.
As players' levels generally increased, Level 30 gear had gradually become mainstream. He just happened to have a stockpile of Rare-quality gear in his warehouse, which was perfect to sell at a high price.
Warehouses were shared across all main cities, so Kalis directly retrieved his stock in Drakenspire: 12 pieces of Level 30 Rare gear, 8 Mid-Grade Mana Potions, and 5 Enchanting Ores. Based on current prices, each Rare piece could sell for 55 gold coins.
1 gold coin was exchangeable for 10 units of real currency. Just these gear pieces alone would net him 660 gold coins, equivalent to 6,600 units of real currency.
After listing the items, he browsed the auction house for a while and finally bid 680 gold coins on a pair of Epic Mage gloves—[Gauntlets of Lunar Glow]:
[Gauntlets of Lunar Glow]: Level 30 Mage Exclusive Epic Gear. HP +110, Intelligence +22, Magic Defense +12, Cast Speed +6%.
Additional Passive: [Lunar Blessing] (Spell damage +3% when casting at night).
Though expensive, their stats were well-rounded—boosting both damage output and survivability. For Kalis, the cost-performance ratio was excellent.
While organizing his warehouse, he kept five core pieces of gear and cleared out the rest:
1. [Gilded Lion King Battle Boots]: Mythic Quality. Level 30 Warrior/Knight Exclusive. HP +800, Strength +35, Movement Speed +40%. Bonus: [Augustus's Aura] (Deals 15% extra damage to monsters below Level 35).
2. [Divine Grace Tome]: Legendary Quality. Level 50 Priest Exclusive. Spirit +42, Healing Effect +25%. Bonus Skill: [Divine Purge] (Dispels 3 negative effects from a target).
3. [Celestial Staff]: Legendary Quality. Level 50 Exclusive Weapon for Celestial Mages. Intelligence +55, Spell Attack +120. Extra: Increases the area of effect of Celestial Mage exclusive skills by 100%.
4. [Ring of Arcane Will]: Legendary Quality. Level 100 Mage/Priest Universal. Can record 3 non-ultimate skills for free use in combat (no cooldown, no mana cost). Stats: Intelligence +28, Spirit +25.
5. [Mana Crystal Pendant]: Epic Necklace. Level 50 All-Class Universal. Single Stat: +120 Spirit. A unique piece of gear, so he kept it despite its rarity.
Just as Kalis was about to take out the [Divine Grace Tome] and [Gilded Lion King Battle Boots] to give to Lenore and Eira, a group of players with "Shadow Claw" guild emblems rushed into the warehouse.
They quickly retrieved a batch of gear and potions, then hurried toward the city gates, looking flustered.
"Kalis, your old rivals," Lenore raised an eyebrow in reminder, recalling how Kalis had wiped out the Shadow Claw guild earlier.
Kalis watched their retreating figures, deep in thought. "Look at their tattered gear and panicked expressions; they seem to have just been through a brutal battle."
Seraphina, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up in her cold, clear voice. "I heard them mention 'burning through Resurrection Scrolls too quickly.' They must be raiding a high-difficulty BOSS and have already wiped several times."
"Resurrection Scrolls?" Kalis and Lenore exchanged a look, both looking surprised.
A BOSS that could make a top-tier guild invest so heavily, keep trying despite repeated wipes, was definitely no ordinary Legendary.
Given the current version progress, it was most likely an unannounced Epic hidden BOSS or even a Mythic one!