After defeating the boss, Astaria sits on the floor checking her system notifications while her friends walk up to her, excited by their victory.
Ben is the first to comment, giving a massive grin to Astaria who is now looking up at him.
"Damn man, that was like being a background character while watching a 5D movie. Like for real!"
Tyrell also voices out his thoughts revelling in the feeling of satisfaction from defeating such a monster and levelling up so much.
"Honestly, raids on a screen were fun, this? This is something else. Although I would prefer not to experience getting shanked by flaming wood, that must have sucked."
With a roll of her eyes, and a deadpan expression Astaria retorts.
"It was actually quite enjoyable; the groan and contorted face were just me expressing my joy."
Holding his hands up Tyrell takes a step back.
"Man, guess you are still salty about that. Guess I don't blame you."
Astaria casually waves her hand, letting out a deep sigh.
"I was careless, so I'm just annoyed at myself."
Roxanne walks over and rubs Astaria's back, trying to cool her annoyance.
"Aurora, you do realise that it was only one small mistake after tanking the boss the entire fight, right? And besides, you have been fighting for hours now on top of all the fatigue built up from last night, I honestly think it's a miracle you managed to last so long!"
With another deep sigh, Astaria starts speaking a little about her past.
"Well, it's something you eventually get used to. After spending many days straight in game and clearing multiple dungeons, each one often taking days without a chance to rest, you will end up strengthening your mental fortitude and stamina."
Astaria Gestures to herself as she speaks.
"Before all this happened, I could have easily gone for over 3 days without rest, although I would be struggling."
Looking at her with expressions showing surprise, the group falls silent thinking about her words and what they imply about the 2 years she has experienced.
In an attempt to pick up the slightly soured mood, Astaria puts on a smile while cheerfully calling out.
"Anyway, enough of the depressing stuff, we have a boss to loot!"
Standing up with rather faked vigour, Astaria walks over to Square Jaw as Tyrell complains with a snarky comment.
"Damn, you are honestly lucky man, just because of your buff to luck you get to hog all the fun of looting!"
Looking over, Astaria shoots him a sly grin.
"Don't worry, if we get lucky and the boss drops a legendary goblin loincloth, I will make sure to pass it to you."
At the mere thought of Astaria's suggestion Tyrell bends over and wretches, causing the group to laugh.
"Damn, so savage, you wound me."
Ben walks up to Tyrell, patting him on the shoulder.
"Don't complain man, we can all see who is wearing the trousers in this relationship."
Tyrell fakes getting shot in the heart by Ben's comment as Roxanne and Russel laugh.
Ash who has been part of the background till now speaks up with a serious expression.
"Well, if you don't want a legendary loincloth, I'm sure there will be some rich collector who pay a fortune for it, right?"
Astaria starts laughing as she explains to Ash.
"Ash, I was joking, no need to be so serious about the matter. If such an item does exist, I think 99% of this world would rather incinerate such a filthy thing."
Now looking embarrassed after realising everyone was joking, he awkwardly laughs while Russel walks over to reassure him in a lowered voice.
"Ignore them lot, they are just idiots. If you do find a loincloth in our travels, I will join you on your quest to sell it."
Seeing the two being so serious Tyrell breaks down laughing while Roxanne and Ben just let out exasperated sighs.
Ignoring the commotion she has caused going on behind her, Astaria walks over to Square Jaw's body and begins to loot it to the background noise of Tyrell laughing.
"Man, you gunna offer it to some goblin queen all like 'please, be my wife, I offer loincloth'!"
[Looted: Square Jaws Severed Head x1]
[Looted: Large Hobgoblin Mana Core x1]
[Looted: Epic 2h Sword – Thunders Edge]
[Looted: Rare Equipment x13]
[Looted: Enhancement stone x27]
[Looted: Uncommon Equipment x29]
[Looted: Common Equipment x41]
[Looted: Health Potion x11]
[Looted: Mana Potion x7]
[Looted: Fatigue Restoration Potion x3]
[Looted: Misc. Items x73]
[Looted: Mysterious Crystal x1]
[[System Announcement: Player Astaria is the first Immortal Warrior to acquire a piece of Epic Equipment. Astaria has been awarded the unique title: First Epic Acquirer]]
[{New: Congratulations for First Epic Equipment Achievement}
{Sender: System}
{Congratulations for becoming the first player to acquire Epic Equipment in Caelus online. You have received the unique title 'First Epic Acquirer' and have been rewarded with 1 free attribute point.}]
Ignoring the server announcements which have now apparently become as common as stale bread in this game, Astaria turns her attention to the new loot and can see that a purple item has dropped from the boss and can feel her heart fluttering. She can relate to Tyrell, the rush she gets when obtaining an item like this is addicting and is no doubt the reason loot boxes and other such things became so popular 10 years ago.
Properly looking through the loot, Astaria can see a number of items, most of them being useless to her group. It will be more beneficial if they give these items to the merchant to sell to the new players joining in tomorrow's official release.
Soon the cities weapon shops will empty their stocks, meaning most players will head to the market to find equipment that players either find or don't need any more that will sell at a higher price due to the massive demand.
Thankfully, from all of Astaria's grinding and her amazing luck a decent number of common and uncommon weapons dropped meaning that there will be a lot of profit available from sales.
As she returns her attention back to the epic item from Square Jaw, Astaria can see that it is a silver, western styled 2 handed sword. The design is relatively plain with the exception of a sapphire embedded into the pummel and a cross guard that resembles a tightly woven group of lightning bolts.
Looking at the swords stats Astaria can see that it provides a boost of STR+5 and WIS+3 which will be quite suitable for Ash.
The goblin also dropped 27 enhancement stones which will be perfect to start enhancing everyone's new purple gear they received from the achievements.
Quite pleased with the haul, Astaria turns around to everyone who are looking at her excitedly.
"So, the epic that just dropped was this two-handed sword."
Summoning the sword from her inventory, the sheathed mithril blade falls into the open palms of her hands.
"Thankfully luck was not completely in my favour this time and the item dropped is suitable for a magic swordsman."
Walking over to Ash, she offers him the sword.
"Congratulations, you win a shiny new sword, make sure to take it to Vordrun to get it upgraded after we are finished today."
With a look of surprise, Ash takes the sword, stammering a word of thanks.
Taking out the few rare pieces of equipment that the boss dropped, Astaria lays them on the floor.
"The rest of the loot is relatively unremarkable, but if there is anything that you can use feel free to take it, the leftovers will be offered to the others or sold.
After sorting through the equipment, most of which is left untouched, the group then takes some time clearing out the room of anything they can fit into their inventories and make their way out of the cave towards the main road.
As the group walks, Russel brings the conversation back to Astaria.
"So, Astaria, when are you logging out? You have been in the game for a while now, right?"
Astaria's mind starts to spin as she thinks registers the question, Ben noticing she has become a little unfocused steps in and answers for her.
"Apparently Chester is going to be stuck in the capsule for another 3 days or so now."
With great surprise Russel exclaims.
"Wait, seriously? You can't even log out through the menu?"
With a sour expression now that her mind is catching up to the conversation, Astaria answers his question.
"No, I'm completely locked into the game. That reminds me, Ben, when you get a chance can you go and inform Harold about my current situation? Tell him to inform only the trusted staff about what is going on."
Thumping his shoulder with his fist, Ben gives a reassuring smile.
"Yeah, don't stress it man, I got you covered."
With a relieved smile, Astaria looks at Ben with a thankful gaze.
"Good, that's at least something I don't need to worry about. Anyway, we should get back so the others are not waiting too long."
Swiftly walking back to the grove near the road using the Light stone to illuminate the way, the group mounts their horses and start to make their way back to Haligrad.