The golden card glimmered with an ethereal light in Saad's hand. It was another surprise card, and he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. The previous golden card had unlocked the incredible [Burst] ability, which had proven to be a game-changer in his battles.
Now, he held the [Healing] card, and it piqued his curiosity. He wondered what new potential this card held for him. Without hesitation, he activated it, and the card dissolved into a burst of radiant energy that enveloped him.
[Healing had been unlocked.]
Saad could feel the newfound power surging through his body. It was as if his very essence was being rejuvenated. The card bestowed upon him a remarkable passive ability, one that would significantly impact his survival in the salt mines.
[Healing]
Naturally regenerate 4% of your maximum health per second. Gain a 65% damage reduction buff. Once every 60 seconds, lifts a random negative status effect.
The implications were clear. With [Healing], Saad would no longer have to rely solely on potions or external healing methods. While 4% wasn't a lot, the important thing was that it would be restored every second.
Saad stood at the entrance of the dark, foreboding cave, a sense of anticipation tingling in his veins. This was the path he had avoided on his previous runs after he had died in the dark gloomy cave, the one that held his worst memories within its shadows, his first and second deaths- However, he couldn't afford to ignore it any longer. Even though he had found nothing in that cave last time, he needed to once more explore every corner of the salt mines, and try to find more cards. So it was time that he went back to the crossroads and went down the dark path.
With cautious steps, he ventured deeper into the dark tunnel, his senses on high alert for salt critters or any slithering sounds. The oppressive silence hung in the air, broken only by the echo of his own footsteps. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, that unseen eyes followed his every move.
As Saad reached the end of the cave, disappointment began to settle in. There was nothing here, just a dead-end with smooth, glistening salt walls. He sighed, about to turn back, when something caught his attention—a tiny, inconspicuous hole in the salt wall, barely large enough for his finger.
Curiosity piqued, Saad extended his hand and touched the hole. To his surprise, the salt around it began to shimmer and ripple, as if responding to his touch. The hole expanded, revealing a hidden passage that led deeper into the salt mine.
A message materialized before him, glowing with an eerie light.
[You have discovered the hidden path of the salt mine.]
Saad's heart raced with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. With a deep breath, he steeled himself and stepped through the entrance, venturing further into the unknown depths of the salt mines. After all, he knew that there would be a challenge just like what had happened when he had stumbled upon the hidden quest before. But he was ready to face it.
The entrance wasn't tall enough to walk easily but it was tall and wide enough for a person to fit through somehow. That being said, Saad's character was 15 and had a small body at the moment and yet it was hard for him to get in. It didn't cross his mind that just why this entrance was so small. He didn't try to use his skills to make it bigger and rather just pushed through it.
He started to squeezed his way through the narrow entrance, ignoring the discomfort and the scrape of salt against his skin. He knew that whatever lay beyond this passage could be worth the trouble.
Finally, he emerged from the cramped tunnel into a vast, open chamber within the salt mine. The sight that greeted him left him in awe. The chamber was filled with enormous salt crystals, each one gleaming in the dim light. But what truly captured Saad's attention were the treasures encased within these crystals.
As he examined the salt crystals more closely, he realized that they held a variety of items—ancient tomes, intricate armor sets, and finely crafted weapons, all trapped within their crystalline confines. It was a treasure trove beyond his wildest imagination.
His heart raced with excitement as he realized the potential of this discovery. This was a jackpot, a chance to obtain valuable items that could aid him greatly on his journey to become a Whip Master.
Saad cautiously looked around the chamber, expecting an ambush or hidden dangers. Yet, to his surprise, there were no enemies lurking here, no traps waiting to spring. The chamber was eerily silent, filled only with the soft, otherworldly glow of the salt crystals.
Suddenly, a message window materialized before him, its text glowing with a faint, ethereal light.
[You have discovered the treasure of the salt mine. You can choose 3 rewards. Time before the path closes: 00:20:00]
Twenty minutes was enough time but choosing just three items felt like such a letdown to Saad. Shouldn't he be able to get all of these? Since he found the cave? He started to quickly take a look at everything.
After taking a look at the available rewards to choose from, Saad could see that there were 5 light armor sets, 10 skill books, 6 whips, around twenty accessories and potions. His base damage was low due to the basic weapon he had and so after taking a look at the whips, he felt like that a new whip was necessary. After taking a look a look at them, he decided to choose the dual whips. The set was called the whips of offering. Saad quickly read through the description.
[Whips of Offering]
Grade: Unique
The Whips of Offering are a pair of intricately designed, unique whips that exude an aura of mystery and power. Each whip holds its own distinct identity, complementing one another in their appearance and purpose.
[Sin's Offering]
Length: 7 feet
Material: Supple black leather adorned with crimson runes
Handle: Wrapped in black velvet, studded with obsidian gems
Tip: A silver-plated, razor-sharp barb
Special Feature: Faint crimson glow emanates from the runes when in use
Damage: 50-75 slashing damage
Attack Speed: Average
Critical Hit Chance: 10%
Elemental Affinity: None
Special Effect: Each successful hit has a 20% chance to inflict a bleeding effect, causing the target to take an additional 5 damage per second for 5 seconds.
Each successful hit with Sin's Offering has a 10% chance to steal a portion of the target's health and transfer it to the wielder. The amount of health stolen is equal to 10% of the damage dealt with that hit.
[Judgment Offering]
Length: 8.5 feet
Material: Sleek silver chain intricately woven with shimmering threads of gold
Handle: Ivory grip adorned with golden engravings
Tip: A golden, finely serrated blade
Special Feature: The blade hums with a faint golden light when wielded
Damage: 40-55 slashing damage
Attack Speed: Fast
Critical Hit Chance: 15%
Elemental Affinity: None
Special Effect: Critical hits with Judgment have a chance to cause a shockwave, dealing 15% of the initial damage to nearby enemies within a 10-foot radius.
When the wielder of Judgment successfully lands a critical hit, there is a 20% chance that the weapon will unleash a burst of divine energy. This burst of energy engulfs the target, causing them to suffer from a debuff called "Divine Mark." The Divine Mark lasts for 10 seconds and reduces the target's damage output by 20%. Additionally, any damage dealt to the marked target during this period is increased by 10%.
Set Effect: [Offering's Embrace]
When both whips, Sin's Offering and Judgment, are equipped together, their combined power unlocks the Set Effect: Offering's Embrace.
Set Effect:
Sinful Retribution: Each successful hit with Sin's Offering increases the critical hit chance of Judgment Offering by 5% for the next 5 seconds. This effect can stack up to 3 times, providing a maximum bonus of 15% critical hit chance to Judgment Offering.
Judgment's Embrace: Critical hits with Judgment Offering have a 25% chance to trigger an additional effect called "Judgment's Embrace." When activated, Judgment's Embrace creates a protective barrier around the wielder, reducing incoming damage by 20% for 5 seconds. This effect can provide a crucial defensive advantage during intense battles.