Inside the City Lord's Manor, Zibal was in the middle of a meeting with several top-ranked players.
Present were Asuka, the Rank 1 Berserker; Teddy, the Rank 1 Summoner and Asuka's attendant; Chris, the Rank 1 Greatsword user and third-ranked swordsman overall; Box, the number one Linker-class user; and Seuron, the number one Fire Mage.
There was also Hurent, ranked 8th on the Unified Rankings, a Hidden Class user known as an Aura Master; and Bondre, the number one Ice Mage—an Ice Mystic—who carried the title of Undefeated ever since he began playing Satisfy.
Bubat was present as well, another Hidden Class user renowned for his vast array of powerful crowd-control skills.
Finally, there was Hao, ranked 15th on the Unified Rankings—lower than the others, but a formidable player nonetheless.
Zibal had invited these top rankers for a single purpose.
They were discussing the formation of a powerful guild—one that would dominate the entire continent.
Just then, a soldier hurried into the room.
"What is it?" Zibal asked, glancing up.
"Lord, there is someone outside who wishes to challenge you," the soldier reported.
Zibal waved his hand dismissively. "Send him away. I get challengers every day."
The soldier hesitated, then spoke again.
"He said… he will stake a Unique-rank sword."
The atmosphere in the room instantly shifted. Several pairs of eyes turned toward the soldier.
"Really?" Zibal asked, frowning slightly.
The soldier nodded. "He said he is waiting for you in the arena."
"Hm," Chris muttered. "If he's waiting in the arena, then he can't be lying in front of everyone."
"A Unique sword," Asuka added thoughtfully. "No matter the level, that's still an extremely valuable weapon."
The room fell into brief silence as the implications sank in.
"Well," Asuka said, standing up with a grin, "we were getting bored anyway. Let's go take a look."
The others followed shortly after.
Before long, they arrived at the Arena of the Haken Kingdom—the largest arena in the city. NPCs and players alike filled the stands, cheering wildly. Fighters clashed below while spectators placed bets on either side.
It was reminiscent of an ancient gladiator arena—raw, violent, and alive with excitement.
The soldier pointed toward a figure leaning casually against one of the arena walls.
Alan stood there quietly, watching the ongoing match below. A white mask concealed his face, and his presence was calm.
Zibal and the others followed the soldier's gaze.
"A masked player…?" Zibal muttered.
He stepped forward.
"Are you the one challenging me?" Zibal asked.
Alan nodded once.
"The bet is this sword," Alan said calmly, taking a weapon out of his inventory. "You put something of equal value—or simply gold."
The moment the sword appeared, the air changed.
Even at a glance, it was extraordinary.
Every person present was a top-ranked player—veterans who had seen countless high-grade items—but none of them had ever seen a sword like this.
"…Just from the appearance alone," Chris muttered, "this thing isn't normal."
"Let us appraise it," Zibal said, his eyes sharp.
Alan inclined his head slightly.
"Go ahead."
Zibal activated Appraisal.
A second passed.
Then another.
Suddenly, Zibal's expression stiffened.
"What…?" Asuka frowned. "What is it?"
Zibal slowly turned the blade in his hand, disbelief flashing in his eyes.
"This sword…" he said slowly.
"…is really Unique Rank."
The surrounding players gasped.
"But that's not all."
Zibal swallowed.
"It has a level 280 requirement… which means we can only use it in the future."
Currently, the Rank 1 player was Kraugel, whose level was only 252. Even he couldn't wield it yet.
"Let's appraise it as well," Others said.
The others looked at Alan. He nodded calmly.
[ Serpent's Fangblade ]
Rating: Unique
Type: Two-Handed Sword
Durability: 1,200 / 1,200
Attack Power: 609~808
Weight: 850
Effects:
Cutting Rate +30%
Increases the probability of inflicting deep wounds and penetrating armor.
Poison Attribute Amplification (x1.5)
Any poison effect applied by the wielder deals 50% increased damage and has extended duration.
Momentum of Slaughter (Passive)
The higher the wielder's Attack Speed, the greater the bonus damage dealt.
(Damage increases gradually, capped at +50%)
When an enemy is poisoned, all further damage dealt recovers the user's HP.
Converts 3% of damage dealt into HP recovery.
Cooldown: 1 minute.
Each consecutive hit on the same target increases Attack Power by 2%.
Stacks up to 10 times.
Resets if the target changes or if the wielder fails to attack the target for 10 seconds. ]
Skill: Serpent's Breath
Releases a cloud of crimson mist that unconditionally poisons the target and deals a fixed 500 damage per second for 10 seconds.
Cooldown: 3 minutes
This sword was forged by a master blacksmith who unified human ingenuity with dwarven refinement, tempering with perfect force with absolute precision. Every layer of the blade reflects countless trials—hammered, reforged, and perfected at the boundary where technique becomes art.
User Restriction: Level 280 or higher ]
I spent over thirty hours forging it, Alan thought as he looked at the greenish longsword. An ancient rune pulsed faintly near the hilt.
But I gained a title for it, so it was worth it.
[ First Unique Item Maker ]
Dexterity +200
Everyone fell silent upon seeing the sword's attributes.
It wasn't just a long sword with overwhelming stats—it also had no class restriction beyond the level requirement. Aside from mages who couldn't wield weapons, nearly anyone could use it.
Zibal looked at Alan and asked,
"Do you know the player who crafted it?"
Several others also turned toward the white-masked player.
"Hm… that gives me an interesting idea," Alan said, smiling behind the mask.
"I'll tell you his identity—and even help you get an opportunity to commission a weapon from him—if you let me set the bet."
"This sword," Alan continued, "or the information about its creator. You can choose one. Or, if you have something of equal value… both."
"I can do it," Chris said quickly.
He took out several vials that looked like potions.
[ Strength Elixir ]
Effect: Permanently increases Strength by 10 points.
"Oh, a permanent stat item. That's rare," Alan nodded.
"But it's still not worth the sword—or the information."
"I can also add a production method for a greatsword I acquired," Chris said.
Alan examined it briefly, then nodded.
"Alright. I think he'll like this one."
"So… are you my first opponent?" Alan asked.
"Didn't you come here to fight me?" Zibal replied.