"Ren!" Isolde beamed when Ren appeared in front of Ironto village.
Since Ren already defeated the Boss, each of them got their EXP rewards and gil, while they also got their body back without suffering the death penalty except maybe a glaring +1 HP on their Health Bar.
As soon as everyone was back in their avatar's body, Ren messages them to meet in Ironto village to split the loots in their group inventory. It wasn't safe to talk about [Platinum Chest], especially since players from Poison Viper were still hovering near Venezia Village.
"Geez, what took you so long?" Leonel whined as he ran towards Ren. "I thought you escaped with the loots."
Ragnar shook his head at Leonel's words. "It's in our group inventory. He can't retrieve it unless all of us approve. Didn't you read the guide?"
"Who cares about that serious stuff? Where's the loot?" Leonel rubbed his hands together, eyes shining in excitement.
"Let's open the chest in the inn just to be safe," said Ren.
"Good idea." Isolde and the others then made their way inside Ironto Village and rented an inn.
In this way, other players wouldn't be able to hear their conversation inside the private rooms. And best of all, the players couldn't barge inside and eavesdrop on their conversation while their HP regenerated at the same time.
As soon as the door closed, the group huddled together on the round table and simultaneously opened the [Platinum Chest] and [Gold Chest].
[Gold Chest]
❶ High Potion x10
❷ Antidote x10
❸ Black Silk Thread x10
❺ RECIPES:
Dry Curry (Cooking)
Ultimate Curry (Cooking)
Grape Juice (Cooking)
Dark Javelin (Forging)
[Platinum Chest]
❶ Black Carapace Shield x1
❷ Spider Silk Suit x1
❸ Ring of Darkvision x1
[Black Carapace Shield (Rare)
–– A dark shield made from the Maiden of Agony's tough carapace.
–– a rare armor that could resist POISON when worn.
–– +5 HP, +3 DEF, +2 MDEF
–– Class: Defender, Swordsman]
[ Spider Silk Suit (Rare)
–– a sexy black body suit for females made from the Maiden of Agony's black silken thread.
–– a rare grade armor that grants its wearer extra movement speed and an ability to climb difficult surfaces, even hanging upside down without requiring any mana reduction.
–– +5 AGL
–– FEMALES only!
–– Class: Hunter, Sniper ]
[ Ring of Darkvision (Rare)
–– a ring made from the Maiden of Agony's hard tendons twirled around a bright moonstone.
–– a rare grade accessory that grants its wearer vision ten meters into the dark
–– Class: ALL ]
"Whoa! Looked at all the items that we hauled from just getting firstblood!" Leonel exclaimed, eyes sparkling with glee. This was the first time that he encountered a piece of Rare grade equipment, and it went without saying that the [Black Carapace Shield] belonged to him.
"It's all worth the trouble," Isolde seconded, eyeing the [Spider Silk Suit].
Ragnar's eyes squinted in dismay. "The two of you only said that because the items are specially made to your class and gender."
Ren was disappointed as well, but he didn't show it. He wanted a piece of equipment, too, so he could upgrade his armor and weapon. But if the rewards weren't for him, then it wasn't for him. He could do nothing about it.
Anyway, he could just move to another dungeon until he stumbled upon a piece of equipment for him.
All he wanted was the [Black Silk Thread] since it was an item that could only be acquired by defeating the Maiden of Agony. [Black Silk Thread] was mainly used material in making armors. So it was best if he horde a lot of them this early on.
Besides, x10 of the said material was very generous. The drop rate for those were relatively low. About only 20 percent even if your LCK was high.
Maybe because they got firstblood?
Leonel and Isolde both deserved the equipment, while Ren gave the accessory to Ragnar.
"Are you sure?" Ragnar also wanted a piece of equipment, but he could do nothing about it if the rewards only fit certain members of the group.
Ren grabbed the ball of [Black Silken Thread] and inspected its quality. It was so soft to the touch like it would melt, and the color glossed over his fingers that he could see his reflection. "It's fine. I'm okay with this and the recipes."
"Are you sure?" Isolde felt somewhat guilty since Ren mostly defeated the Boss, yet he didn't get any equipment.
And just as she said so, she equipped her new armor, and her shabby beginner's clothes were replaced by a black suit that hugged her body while intricate white armors like spiders bones followed the curved of her shoulders, knees, breast, and torso.
She looked stunning, and the suit really brought out her height and slim frame.
The three men nodded in appreciation.
Leonel grinned and gave his thumbs up. "It looks good on you."
Isolde flung her hair to the side and beamed. "Thanks."
Ren then looked at Isolde and Ragnar, while Leonel had puppy eyes and a goofy smile at his new piece of shield.
"It's totally fine." Ren shrugged. "There's nothing we can do if the Platinum chest only contained these items. I definitely can't use the shield and that suit, so it's best to give them to you. The ring is good and all, but I have no use for it. Ragnar can have it."
Isolde somewhat felt a little better when she noticed that Ren wasn't really interested in the items except for the materials and recipes.
"If you wanted to hunt for equipment and go on another dungeon raid, then I'll help you," Isolde said, face beaming with eagerness.
Ren flashed a small smile. "Thanks, then."
"What are you going to do with that?" Ragnar asked, eyeing the ball of thread on Ren's hand.
"Horde it. They will be useful later on."
Ragnar was already used to Ren speaking like he already knew the game, so he didn't comment further.
After dividing the [High Potion] and [Antidote] while Ren got most of it as compensation, the group discussed their next course of action.
"Alright, on to the next adventure! I can't wait to try out my new shied!" Leonel was so excited as he flexed his shield left and right.
"Be careful with that. You might hurt yourself," Ragnar muttered.
"Hurt? What kind of a Dwarf Defender would hurt himself with his own shie–Ow!" Just as Leonel spoke, the shield he held slipped from his hand and fell straight on his foot.
"Oh right, it doesn't hurt." Leonel laughed when he only felt a slight tingle from his toes. Though the mental image and the pain of it made him yelp.
Ragnar just shook his head. "A clumsy one, apparently."
"Anyway, how about we go to another–" Isolde didn't finish her sentence when an incoming call popped on her screen.
Her eyes rounded when her father's name appeared on the caller's name.
Did the meeting already ended? Isolde thought to herself before rejecting the call.
"It seemed like I had to log out. My father is calling me, and I have to take his call. It might be urgent," Isolde explained.
Leonel raffled his fringe as he released a big breath of air. "Right . . . bummer. Me too . . . I also have to log out. A notification popped on my screen a while ago saying that I had to log out earlier because of the sudden influx of people who wanted to play the game in the café."
He got too excited with the shield that he completely forgot about it.
Ren looked over at Ragnar. It was kind of awkward if only the two of them played the game since they didn't know each other that well.
Ragnar read Ren's mind as he said, "I will going to grind solo and explore some areas first."
Ren masked his relief with an indifferent face. "Is that so? Then I guess I'll be playing solo for a while too."
Leonel stared at Ren with big puppy eyes. "Egh? You'll grind alone? You'll leave me behind? Rather, what café are you in right now? Why isn't there an influx of players in your area?"
Ren looked to the side and changed the topic. "I will receive that notification too, so don't worry about me leaving you behind since I'll be logging out soon."
"Is that so? Good then. What would you do without me tanking for you? I'll bet you'll be dead within seconds out there."
Leonel coyly grinned while Ren just looked at him with dead eyes.
Eventually, Isolde and Leonel logged out while Ragnar went on his way, leaving Ren alone inside the inn.
Since he didn't get any equipment upgrade in his successful raid at Gargantuan Cave, Ren was thinking of another cave. Regular beasts and monsters didn't drop equipment, only materials, and items. Only in difficult quests, Boss fights, and Dungeon raids would those equipment fall in the form of a [Platinum Chest].
And since he was playing solo, Ren would use his hidden identity and have Pii accompany him.
Dungeon required a specific number of players to enter. Ren looked at the [World Chat] to see if there was anyone who was looking for a member for a dungeon raid.
And just as he was about to press the [World Chat] icon, a message popped on his screen.
[Silvia: Are you free right now?]