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Chapter 7. Amazing Reward
The virtual reality game <Circuit>, and within its biggest community in the game <Circuit Master>, there was an unusual amount of discussion because of a post.
<Asparagan> The horrible misdeeds of a ranker!
And the appearance of a possible new ranker!? <127>
The source of the discussion came from the stream of a random streamer. The stream had 30,000 concurrent viewers at the time, but the video has now racked up over 4,000,000 views.
Since <Circuit Master> was a global site, users all over the world who’ve watched the video have now started heated debates.
They have recently concluded the unethical quest clear of the ranker in question.
[ Isn’t it because he bought those items that he can do those things? It’s always the broke people that can’t afford those items that get angry. ]
[ It’s just a game, why are you guys mad? Are you guys, game addicts? ]
Oftentimes, some people defend certain rankers, called “Shielders.” But, most times, they get hit with a counterargument.
[ A ranker should play like a ranker. ]
[ What faults lie on the users that got used as bait? In the first place, the orders they received were unfair. You could probably sue him for this. ]
Like that. But, the ranker was not the main topic this time around. The decisive reasoning for the huge discussion was due to him.
The most searched nickname on <Circuit Master> website,
“Mose”!
Responsible for defeating the boss in the Troll subjugation quest, he’s the user that received rank 1 in both healing and damage contribution in the raid. The anonymity of the said user was what thrilled most people.
[ Look here. I was on a quest about investigating monsters, and I’ve found out that Black Mountain Trolls are very aggressive. They often attack the strongest player nearby. Therefore, in order to attract the attention of the Black Mountain, Mose is at least ten times stronger than the loser Silborun. ]
[ Who is this nerd? ]
Soon, the community started to bring out their extensive knowledge, and I’ve gained the support of many users.
[ Justice has been served to wallet warrior Silborun claiming to be a ranker~ ]
[ But really, what class is Mose? ]
[ I wish to get boosted by Mose too~ ]
The issue of the misdemeanor of Silborun quickly faded away. In its place, the talk about Mose was slowly catching fire, and after a while, it was the talk of the town.
***
Reaper Scans
[Translator – Dolsae]
[Proofreader – Karane]
Join our Discord for updates on releases! https://discord.gg/reaperscans
***
I blankly stared at the object in front of me. This was the biggest “Core” I’ve ever come across in this game.
Core,
In my personal opinion, this object called Core was the closest object to the fantasy genre in this virtual reality game Circuit.
To the players that focus on the adventure in this game, if you ask them “Why do you hunt monsters?”, you should expect an answer with a bit of sarcasm.
It’s obviously the rewards.
To hunt a monster, it’s the most primitive way to analyze your strength and look to improve yourself.
The amazing thing about this game is that by hunting these monsters, they drop a sort of materialized loot box, that is relative to their strength or their experience.
And now, in front of me, the black object that dropped from hunting the Troll named Black Mountain was bigger than any other cores I’ve ever witnessed.
“It’s my first time seeing a core this big…”
Gaeil observed with a bewildered expression at the sight of the Core. I too had the same opinion.
Swordsman stood up, as he wiped off the dried-up blood under his nose. He too looked excited about the core.
“Mose, no Mose-nim”
In the middle of the ruckus, only Sharan did not care about the giant core in front of them. She was surveying me; With furious and intimidating eyes.
“Yes…?”
I answered softly. Then, she closed her eyes.
Shortly, a text popped up in front of me.
< Nickname “Sharan” wants to send a friend request. By accepting, you could form a hidden chatbox with each other. >
At the appearance of the sudden text, I unconsciously stared back at Sharan. I just happened to notice her bright blonde hair.
“Surprised? I made a ‘bind action’ to send a friend request to other users; Close my eyes for 3 seconds towards the target of interest.”
She explained as she blushed slightly. Furthermore, she changed her chilly attitude from before to a more compassionate tone.
“I’ve never thought an expert like Mose-nim would come to hunt here.“
Sharan said as she curled her hair. Gaeil, who was right next to her, carried on.
“I realized that the moment Mose-nim pushed over the Troll with his shoulders~!”
He exclaimed as he was laughing.
To be honest, the reason why the Troll fell over was mostly because of Sharan’s arrow that punctured its eyes.
But, I’ve noticed even if I explained, they wouldn’t change their opinion of me.
“Wouldn’t you party with us more often from now on?”
“I want to hunt more with Mose-nim. I would be able to gain more experience in hunting monsters with you!”
I was embarrassed at their positive opinion of me.
Speaking frankly, I’m no more than a lucky player that just happened to come across an extremely good item.
Thus, it was a little thrilling to think that in their eyes I was some kind of off-the-top expert at the game. However, after noticing Swordsman, who was still observing the core, I calmed myself.
“I think it was a team effort?”
In response to my opinion, Sharan and Gaeil widened their eyes.
“Back when I was panicking, I think it was amazing how decisive you coordinated us.”
Swordsman agreed after listening in.
“That’s right! It’s like my daughter was scolding me!”
“You’re right! Sharan-nim, that was amazing!”
With Gaeil joining in, Sharan blushed as she fell victim to our compliments.
“I just thought I should have taken the lead… My position being ranged and all.”
She thought for a bit and focused their attention on Swordsman.
“What about Swordsman-nim? How did you even think about blocking that big tree alone!”
Gaeil nodded.
“It was awesome how you threw that sword at the end!”
“Then Mose caught it magnificently.”
Swordsman looked at me.
“Thank you. If I had died right there, I wouldn’t have been able to log in for at least a week. I’ll never be able to forget your extraordinary party heal.”
Swordsman smiled as he spoke. There was a brief moment of silence between us. During that time, we all met our eyes one by one.
Suddenly,
We all burst into laughter. All of us at once.
Before the mood turned awkward again, I quickly focused on the text that was hovering in front of me.
< You’ve accepted the friend request >
Soon after I accepted the friend request, I noticed a glimpse of happiness on Sharan’s face. I quickly sent a friend request to Gaeil and Swordsman too.
They were my first friends, no comrades, in this game.
They were random people playing the game for different goals. But, they were special to me in this game, and vice versa. The thought of that filled my heart with warmth.
“Ok, I think it’s time for what we’ve all been waiting for.”
Swordsman stood up and walked towards the core. Myself, Gaeil, and Sharan quickly followed afterward.
“I think Mose-nim should open it since he contributed the most!”
Sharan smiled at me. Gaeil nodded his head, and Swordsman gave me a thumbs up.
“Get the last hit!”
I followed suit and laid my hands on the core.
“Gain.”
At that moment, the core started to rumble with a shred of light protruding from deep within the core.
And soon after,
Along with noise that resembles broken glass, the core shattered. The pieces disintegrated in midair and the objects within the core scattered around me.
The dispersed items hovered around for a bit before heading towards individuals in our party.
< Items are automatically distributed according to their contribution. >
< You’ve gained Bone of the Black Mountain x 3 >
< You’ve gained Leather of the Black Mountain x 3 >
< You’ve gained Argot Mountain Boots. >
< You’ve gained Argot Mountain Tendon Ring. >
< You’ve gained Mulek Mountain Steel Longsword. >
< You’ve gained Small Steel Shield. >
From the items I’ve gained, there were some that made me thrilled. Although I didn’t know what it was yet,
Some of those items were glowing “Blue”!
My party mates were as baffled as me, as they quickly checked their loot. I calmed myself down before bringing up my inventory.
“Inventory.”
[Bone of the Black Mountain]
Type: Material
Grade: Normal
Weight: 8KG
History: I’ve heard if you process these bones it’s lighter and harder than steel? So that’s why the folks at the empire are going crazy for these! – Random Mercenary Dalek –
[Leather of the Black Mountain]
Type: Material
Grade: Normal
Weight: 4.5KG
History: The Shudre Bread you’ve made is as tough and hard as the Black Mountain Leather! – Cook Lanez –
[Argot Mountain Boots]
Type: Boots
Grade: Magic
Weight: 0.8KG
Effects: While equipped, 15% increase in swiftness when running.
History: It may look like an ugly fur boot, but it’s the only doctor that’s tending your toes right now. Now be quiet and wear it! – Some Hunter stuck in the Hailing Argot Mountain –
[Argot Mountain Tendon Ring]
Type: Ring
Grade: Magic
Weight: 0.02KG
Effect: Strength + 2
History: You first dry out the Troll’s tendons, then douse it with wax. Now if I wear it on my fingers, how is it? Now it’s a knuckle breaker disguised as a ring! – Fighter Rabal –
[Mulek Mountain Steel Longsword]
Type: Longsword
Grade: Magic
Weight: 6.2KG
Effects:
Single-hand Attack Damage 46 – 76
Double-hand Attack Damage 88 – 102
History: Made from a white ore only found in the Mulek Mountain. It is more flexible but sturdy than normal steel, giving it considerable lethality. But, if the blades are dull, it breaks easily. – Weapon Appraiser Bodern –
[Small Steel Shield]
Type: Small Shield
Grade: Normal
Weight: 8.5KG
Effects:
Attack Damage 29
Defense 64
History: The most merciless soldiers on the battlefields are the Shieldbearers! These bastards smash down their shield onto the toes of their enemies! Imagine if you kept on ramming your toes against the wall! – Toeless Lingamon –
All I’ve ever wanted was in my inventory; The magic items in bulk.
There was definitely some factor of luck involved in defeating the Boss monster this easily, but ultimately it was all possible thanks to this incredibly rare item.
From deep within my consciousness, an idea was starting to unfold.
An idea for my future.