As the timer expired, Saad and Verena both pushed away from each other. Verena still looked like she was expecting to win. Saad's heart was pounding in his chest as he waited. A moment of suspense lingered before the system announcement rang out.
[Player Kael wins the duel!]
Saad, realizing the narrow victory, breathed a sigh of relief. His HP was slightly higher than Verena's, securing his triumph in the intense battle.
"Fuck!" Verena glared angrily at Saad, her face turning red and she squeezed her spear into her hands as she stood there, unable to move currently.
"This stupid game is fucking rigged! I paid so much money for this equipment and he is the one winning! Just because he is a guy! All of ya'll sons of bitches better be prepared! who made this piece of crap," Saad was surprised that she wasn't foaming yet.
She stopped glaring at the 'sky' and looked at Saad, "And you! I am going to hunt your ass , just you see!" She pointed her finger at Saad. If she could, she might have really continued attacking.
Verena's abrupt change in demeanor caught Saad off guard. The confident and sweet girl from earlier had vanished, replaced by someone unleashing a string of curse words and slurs. Saad stood there, a mix of shock, anger, and anxiety evident on his face, as he witnessed this unexpected and over-the-top reaction to a simple duel.
'Just what's wrong with her? Is she crazy?' He couldn't comprehend.
"What the hell is this?! This is ridiculous! I can't fucking believe I lost to a shitty player like you! You probably cheated or something!" Verena's voice was shrill, her frustration palpable.
Saad stared at her in disbelief, trying to make sense of the sudden transformation. "Since I won. The crappy one is obviously you. You were just relying on money and giving me lectures about my skills." Saad had no intent on holding back.
Why should he be nice when she was being so rude? He had never seen any woman around him talk so crudely before. It was somewhat of a shock.
Ignoring him completely, Verena continued her tirade, her words filled with venom. "This is a joke! You're a joke! I won't accept this! You have to dual me again! I was holding back because you are a newbie! Or are you scared to lose, you fucking loser!"
As Verena threw her angry tantrum, trying to rile him up. Saad couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion and concern. Why was every real life girl in this game was such a weirdo?
[The reward is being calculated.]
[Player Kael has been given the...]
The virtual scenery around them began to fade as the system calculated his reward. The situation was spiraling into unexpected territory, and Saad braced himself for whatever came next. He was interested in the rewards but he couldn't focus on them for now, since Verena obviously wasn't done.
"I am not scared! You are just a sore loser!" He had nothing to fear, at least right now. He still had almost one and a half hour left of his boost status.
Before Saad could revel in the glow of his win and inspect the notifications, Verena, without any warning, attacked him with her spear.
"You won't be getting that reward, you shithead!" She shouted, running forward and raising her spear in an attack as the golden sparks went off around her spear.
Saad gripped his whips, not ready to back down either. However, threads suddenly shot out from the walls of the cave and the bugs started to fall on top of her, swiftly wrapping around her body. A notification window popped up.
[The dungeon master shows displeasure. Verena has violated the rules of the dungeon and is hereby disqualified from further participation in the material hunt.]
"Get off me!" Verena shrieked, a mix of frustration and disbelief echoing in her panicked voice, as she dropped her spear.
Saad watched in shock as her body turned into light, dissolving into the digital realm, leaving him alone in the fading cave filled with bugs. The unexpected turn of events left him bewildered for a few seconds as he just stared at the threads slithering back into the walls of the cave like snakes.
Saad's gaze shifted to the spear lying on the ground, and he raised his eyebrows. As Verena disappeared, her abandoned weapon remained, a tempting bonus prize for Saad. His heart pounded in his chest as a mix of emotions washed over him, and the earlier displeasure and anger melted away, replaced by a sense of glee.
Should he take the spear? The thought of potential trouble with Verena crossed his mind. She already seemed determined to make his virtual life difficult, but Saad dismissed the concern. If she was going to be a nuisance either way, he might as well take advantage of the situation. With a decisive nod, he bent down and picked up the spear, his mind already considering the possibilities.
Curiosity and excitement fueled his actions as he examined the specifications of the abandoned weapon.
[Star Seeker]
Description: Embark on a celestial odyssey with the Star Seeker, an extraordinary spear that transcends the boundaries of mortal craftsmanship. Forged by master artisans who harnessed the very essence of the night sky, this weapon is a manifestation of cosmic power, radiating an otherworldly glow that captivates all who behold it.
Durability: 97/200
Rank: Unique
Type: Weapon
[Effects]
Each thrust is imbued with celestial energy, granting a 30% increase in overall attack damage. Guided by the constellations, accuracy reaches new heights, offering a 20% higher critical hit chance. Accumulating up to three stacks, Star Seeker gives an energy boosts to the wielder's movement speed by 10%, enabling swift and agile maneuvers across the battlefield.
Physical Attack: +80
Saad furrowed his brow as he examined the specifications of Verena's spear. The impressive 80 attack power caught his attention, and he couldn't help but feel a tinge of envy. The [Whips of Offering], while exceptional, lacked the additional attack power that made a significant difference in combat. The disparity in attack strength became evident, especially considering the toll a mere graze from Verena's spear took on Saad's HP during their fight.
As he pondered the significant numerical difference, a bitter thought crossed his mind. "Money sure is great," he mused silently. The realization of the financial advantage Verena gained from wielding such a potent weapon only fueled the complex Saad harbored regarding wealth.
Saad let out a sigh as he stored the spear into his inventory, contemplating whether to check the rewards first or rejoin the party. Deciding not to waste any more time, he opted to check everything later and pressed forward, determined to make the most of his hunting time. However, he wasn't planning to return to the party just yet.
Exiting the [Blossoming Cave], Saad entered the next room and immediately spotted a chest. Swiftly claiming it, he made a mental note to inspect its contents later. Moving through a tunnel adorned with strange threads resembling worms, he proceeded cautiously to avoid any unnecessary contact. As he entered the following room, he encountered pillars and another expanse of sky-high vines encircling spear-like structures. The vines, however, were far from ordinary – they sparkled with colors reminiscent of the Milky Way.
Curious, Saad inspected the peculiar vegetation.
[Galactic Chickweed]
Description: These vines are sturdy and serve as excellent material for crafting high-quality equipment.
HP: 50/50
DEF: 70
Weakness: Physical Attack, Fire, Arcane
Saad eyed the daunting defense stats of the Galactic Chickweed, pondering the challenge that lay before him. Despite the impressive resilience of the vines, he took solace in the fact that the task remained within the bounds of his abilities. Determination etched on his face as Saad readied his whips and commenced his assault on the Galactic Chickweed.
Skill after skill, strike after strike, Saad unleashed the full potential of his whips, methodically dismantling the resilient vines. Each vine required a concerted effort, taking approximately four strikes to be eradicated. Undeterred, Saad persevered, systematically eliminating around 30 Galactic Chickweed in the span of twenty minutes.
[You have received 60 chickweeds.]
As he continued his relentless onslaught, a sense of satisfaction washed over Saad as a notification window materialized before him.
[You have discovered the last part of the map. The portal to the second floor of the dungeon has appeared in the Carrion Flower Field.]
As the message unfolded, Saad wasted no time and swiftly activated the teleportation to the [Carrion Flower Field]. Emerging into the vibrant expanse, he found his teammates deeply engaged in combat. Their focus was on both the yellow worms and a new adversary – the Carrion flowers.
Saad's gaze ascended to the blossomed flowers with almost translucent petals adorned with intricate blue veins. Meanwhile, a peculiar creature, the [Rainbow Lady], had made its appearance. These small entities boasted flowers atop their heads, each petal resplendent in one of the seven colors of the rainbow. Their lower bodies resembled mushrooms, a soft shade of green creating a stark contrast against the lively, rainbow-glittered surroundings.
Curiosity piqued, Saad promptly delved into the description of these newly encountered monsters.
[Rainbow Lady]
Level: 7
Type: Darkness, Earth
Description: Rainbow Lady produce a seven colored thread, which is used as clothing materials.
Attributes:
HP: 75/75
ATK: 40
DEF: 10
AGI: 20
INT: 15
Abilities:
[Rainbow pollen]
[Flower Cutter]
Weaknesses: Fire Arcane, Slashing damage