[Explosive Crystal]
[Quality: Unique]
[Description: A crafted explosive meticulously designed by dwarf artisans. When thrown into battle, it triggers a massive explosion, dealing extensive damage. Those impacted will also enter a "Bleeding" state.]
[Note: The explosion covers a vast area; ensure allies are not harmed.]
Of these blue crystals, Sebastian had a total of ten.
With a fierce glint in his eyes, and watching Breeze engage the Boss in the fray, he unhesitatingly hurled all ten [Explosive Crystals], swiftly recalling Breeze in the same motion.
The beautiful crystals refracted an ethereal blue sheen in the sunlight.
In the next instant, they began to quiver intensely.
Boom, boom, boom—
The ten [Explosive Crystals] detonated with a thunderous roar, releasing plumes of deep blue flames.
In an instant, the ground quaked, the ice and snow melted, and a fearsome force swept the landscape.
The sheer impact of the explosion even affected Sebastian, dealing him over 100 points of damage.
At the epicenter of the blast, the [Golden Tiger King] was momentarily engulfed by the blue flames.
Its massive frame was violently thrown and crashed into the snowy terrain.
-2.3k!
Over twenty thousand points of terrifying damage floated above, bringing a broad smile to Sebastian's face.
Such was the power of a Unique-grade item—truly awe-inspiring.
Seizing the moment while the Boss was still dazed, Sebastian swiftly summoned Breeze and began chanting his skills.
Within the snowy domain and amidst the charred crater, the battered [Golden Tiger King] barely managed to rise when it saw a white figure lunging at it with fierce bites.
And that wasn't all; a barrage of potent skills awaited it, leaving no room for resistance.
Under the relentless assault of both man and wolf, twenty minutes later, the Boss finally succumbed, disintegrating into countless particles of light.
[You've defeated the Golden Tiger King beyond your level, earning 14,300 experience points]
With the Boss's demise, a radiant white light enveloped Sebastian.
He leveled up.
Sebastian glanced at his personal information.
[ID: ShepherdWind]
[Level: 19]
[Class: Magus]
[HP: 440]
[MP: 548]
[Strength: 46]
[Agility: 46]
[Wisdom: 92]
[Endurance: 23]
[Spirit: 51]
Having ascended two levels, Sebastian's attributes saw a significant boost.
According to the official reports, he had now unmistakably become the highest-leveled player in the [Original Realm].
Pulling his gaze back, Sebastian eagerly surveyed the reward orbs scattered on the ground and proceeded to collect them one by one.
[element wand (blue): A piece of equipment forged by the legendary dwarf craftsman, Bass.]
[Attributes: Usable by Lv20 players. Strength +60, MP +600, Spirit +70]
...
[Ice greatsword (blue): A greatsword molded from ice.]
[Attributes: Usable by Lv20 players. Strength +55, Endurance +31, HP +550]
...
[Dance of Elf: A-level archer skill.]
[Description: Upon activation, normal attacks that hit the enemy will deal double damage, and can also trigger critical damage. Lasts ten minutes, with a ten-minute cooldown.]
...
[Teleportation Scroll]
[Quality: Unique]
[Description: After a 3-second channel, a teleportation magic array is released. Anyone within the magic array will be transported to a predetermined location.]
[Note: The destination must be set in advance.]
...
One by one, the rewards found their way into Sebastian's inventory.
From this Boss, the total loot included four pieces of equipment, one skill book, three scrolls, copious amounts of crafting materials, and a few special items—all of Unique-grade quality.
Yet, what sent Sebastian's heart racing even faster was the Epic-grade equipment that had dropped.
[Light wand (gold): Weapon of an ancient, legendary magus.]
[Attributes: Usable by Lv20 players. Strength +550, HP +1200, MP +1300]
[Special Enhancement 1: Increases damage by 10% when using light-type magic]
[Special Enhancement 2: Increases damage by 20% against demon-type enemies]
...
True to its Epic-grade status, and what thrilled Sebastian even more was that this equipment only required a player to be at Lv20 to equip it.
For someone who was already at level 19, it was a delightful surprise.
Sebastian had made up his mind.
Once he exited the secret realm, he would fervently level up, aiming to reach Lv20 as soon as possible.
After collecting all the rewards, an elated Sebastian entered the swirling portal and was teleported out of the secret realm.
By the time he regained his senses, he found himself on the outskirts of Mist Forest.
He resolutely headed towards Darkstone.
"I wonder how the dungeon raid is going," Sebastian murmured to himself as he walked, noticing the silence in the team channel.
Upon arriving in Darkstone, he planned to wait for the others at the guild's base.
However, to his surprise, when he opened the door, he found that his teammates were all already there.
"Sebastian? You're back," Jason exclaimed in surprise upon seeing him.
The others looked up at him as well, though their spirits seemed subdued.
"What happened?" Sebastian inquired.
"The dungeon raid failed," Captain Mia responded gravely.
As it turned out, after Sebastian left, the main force had continued deeper into the valley.
While they didn't encounter another monstrous tide, giving the players a boost in confidence, their journey wasn't without losses.
Venturing further in and losing over a dozen more team members, they finally encountered the ultimate Boss.
But the players couldn't have fathomed the Boss's might.
Not only was it incredibly resilient and hard-hitting, but it also possessed a grotesque ability to resurrect itself.
The outcome was predictable - the entire team was annihilated.
After hearing the story, Sebastian comforted, "It's alright. With the experience we've gained this time, we can try again."
Although he said this, everyone knew all too well.
The players from Darkstone had given it their all, and yet they had still failed.
The blow to their morale was undeniable.
As the most fortunate player from the ordeal, Sebastian felt it wasn't his place to say much, so he decided to leave the base.
Stepping out of the guild building, Sebastian planned to visit the village chief to inquire about Yomu.
Along the way, players were engrossed in hushed discussions about the recent dungeon attempt, each face marked with deep concern.
Reaching the entrance of the village chief's abode, Sebastian took the initiative to knock.
The door opened, revealing the village chief, his expression initially stern.
Recognizing Sebastian, his countenance softened, "Ah, ShepherdWind, come in."
Thanks to a favorable rapport, Sebastian naturally made his way inside.
Settling in a chair, he took a sip of the offered tea, noticing that its prior enhancing effect had faded.
"ShepherdWind, what brings you to me?" the village chief inquired jovially from across the table.
"Village chief, are you familiar with Yomu?" Sebastian cut straight to the chase.
Yet, upon hearing that name, the smile on the village chief's face vanished.
He locked eyes with Sebastian, his demeanor turning chillingly serious, his voice cold, "How do you know of Yomu?"