After enduring a series of trials and enduring much in his path to becoming a forger, Denim opened his player status window once again.
---
**Name:** Denim Lab (Shadow Splitter)
**Race:** Elf
**Class:** Swordsman
**Level:** 45
**Experience Points (EXP):** 12,450,000 / 15,000,000 (Next Level)
**Accumulated Experience Points:** 500,000 EXP
**Job:** Forger (Proficiency lv. 10 Silver Ranked)
- Requires forging a gold-ranked level of equipment to level up to gold rank
**Attributes:**
- **Strength:** 320
- **Dexterity:** 280
- **Endurance:** 250
- **Intelligence:** 190
- **Wisdom:** 170
- **Charisma:** 150
- **Luck:** 120
**Health Points (HP):** 4,800
**Mana Points (MP):** 2,300
**Stamina:** 3,200
**Primary Weapon (one-handed weapon):**
**Shadow Sword (Curse Sword)**
- Currently at Silver-ranked weapon, could be upgraded to another rank after consuming 5 Silver-ranked weapons or a Gold-Ranked weapon
- **Attack Power:** 450
- **Abilities:**
- **Shadow Splitting:** Creates 1 doppelganger that shares 80% of the player's attributes.
- **Duration:** 10 minutes
- **Cooldown:** 30 minutes
- **Shadow Dance:** Allows the user to move through shadows and swap positions with a doppelganger, enhancing speed and evasion.
- **Duration:** 5 minutes
- **Cooldown:** 1 hour
- **Shadow Barrier** Creates a protective barrier that absorbs damage.
- **Duration:** 30 seconds
- **Cooldown:** 5 minutes
- **Curse of the Abyss:** Increases attack power by 20% but gradually consumes the user's HP by 0.5% per second.
- **Cooldown:** None
- **Cursed Blade Aura (Passive):** Deals an additional dark damage in every hit.
- **Durability:** Cannot be destroyed
**Secondary Weapon (one-handed weapon):**
**Corrupted Sword** (from the Corruption of the Forest quest, this sword was a weapon of the Void race, its rank grows as the player's rank grows)
- **Attack Power:** 250
- **Durability:** 1500 / 1500 (auto-repair after going out of battle mode)
- **Transform:** Transforms into any type of weapon (can be greatsword, axe, staff, etc.); the strength of the weapon conjured depends on the situation and player's willpower
**Armor:**
- **Helmet:** Shadowguard Helm (+40 Defense, +10 Intelligence)
- **Chestplate:** Blacksmith's Resolve (+70 Defense, +20 Endurance)
- **Gauntlets:** Artisan's Grip (+30 Defense, +15 Strength, +10 Dexterity)
- **Leggings:** Shadowstrider Greaves (+60 Defense, +15 Dexterity)
- **Boots:** Swiftshadow Boots (+50 Defense, +20 Speed)
**Accessories:**
- **Amulet:** Amulet of the Eternal Gods (+10% EXP gain, +5 Luck)
- **Ring 1:** Ring of Fortitude (+100 HP)
- **Ring 2:** Ring of the Master Forger (+20 Intelligence, +20 Dexterity, +40% success rate in forging)
**Skills:**
- **Swordsmanship Mastery:** Level 7
- Increases damage with swords by 35%.
- **Shadow Step:** Level 5
- Allows quick evasion and surprise attacks from the shadows.
- **Duration:** 1 minute
- **Cooldown:** 5 minutes
- **Dark Magic Resistance:** Level 4
- Reduces damage taken from dark magic by 25%.
- **Arcane Puzzle Solver:** Level 3
- Increases success rate when solving arcane puzzles by 30%.
- **Trap Disarmament:** Level 4
- Increases the success rate of disarming traps by 40%.
- **Warrior's Resolve:** Level 2
- Temporarily increases defense by 25% if health falls below 40%.
- **Doppelganger Creation:** Level 4
- Creates up to 10 doppelgangers that can fight alongside the user for a limited time, possessing 50% of the player's attributes. (This skill was rewarded from a hidden quest when Denim went around the town for more hidden quests other than finding Helios)
- **Duration:** 20 minutes
- **Cooldown:** 1 hour
- **Owl's Sight:** Level 3
- Enhances vision in low-light conditions and magnifies the view up to 500 yards from the player's position
**Job Category Skills (Forger):**
- **Forge Mastery:** Level 6
- Enhances crafting success rate by 20% and quality of forged items.
- **Metal Tempering:** Level 5
- Improves the durability and effectiveness of crafted metal items.
- **Enchantment Application:** Level 4
- Allows the addition of enchantments to weapons and armor.
- **Resource Gathering:** Level 3
- Increases efficiency in collecting crafting materials.
- **Blueprint Creation:** Level 4
- Grants the ability to design new weapons and armor.
**Inventory:**
- **Gold:** 0 (spent on Sharleen's demand)
- **Materials:**
- Mithril Ore x10
- Enchanted Wood x5
- Dragon Scale x2
- Elemental Crystals x15
- Corrupted Essence x8 (from Corruption of the Forest)
- Moonlight Silk x5 (from Corruption of the Forest)
- Enchanted Iron x10 (from Corruption of the Forest)
- **Potions:**
- Health Potion x10
- Mana Potion x8
- Stamina Potion x5
- **Crafting Tools:**
- Master Forge Hammer (Relic)
- There's a 5% chance to forge a weapon/equipment 2 ranks above the current rank of the blueprint
- Precision Goggles (aids in the accuracy of forging)
- Enchantment Runes x5
- **Miscellaneous:**
- Random Scroll x5 (casts a random skill spell depending on the user's luck)
- Magic Keys x3 (can open locked doors)
- Dungeon Map Generator x2 (obtains a detailed map of a dungeon even without traveling all over the map)
- Dowsing of Misfortune (a tool that leads to a trap or a treasure, each use requires 10,000 EXP, it will point out a direction of 1,000 yards near the target)
- Forest Guardian's Amulet (Grants +15% resistance to dark magic, from the Corruption of the Forest quest)
- Elven Cloak (Increases stealth and agility by +20, from the Corruption of the Forest quest)
**Reputation:**
- Sharleen: +100
- Temple of the Eternal Gods: +100
- Helios: +100
- Void race: -200
---
After viewing his player status window panel, a surge of satisfaction washed over him as he admired his effort. The path to becoming a master forger was arduous, but each success brought him closer to his goal.
"I've come a long way," Denim mused, his eyes scanning his attributes and skills. "From a mere novice to a Silver-ranked forger. But there's still a long way to go."
His fingers brushed over the details of his weapons, the Shadow Sword and the Corrupted Sword, reflecting on the battles fought and the trials overcome. The cursed blade had proven to be a formidable ally, its powers complementing his own skills perfectly. He felt a thrill at the thought of pushing his limits further, just like the heroes in the tales of old.
"But I can't stay in this world forever," he reminded himself, letting out a sigh. With a final glance at his achievements, Denim logged out of the game, the immersive world of Eternal Gods fading into darkness.
---
Denim blinked as he adjusted to the real world. He stretched his arms and stepped out of his gaming chair, feeling the stiffness in his muscles from hours spent in the game. He headed downstairs to find his family gathered in the kitchen.
"Hey, you're finally out of your virtual world," his younger sister teased, looking up from her homework.
"Yeah, needed a break," Denim replied with a smile, ruffling her hair as he passed by. "Anything interesting happening?"
His mother glanced up from her cooking, a warm smile on her face. "Not much, but I heard there's a big event happening in that game of yours. Something about a raid?"
Denim's ears perked up. "A raid? Where did you hear that?"
"Your friend Alex mentioned it when he called earlier," she said. "He said it's all over the forums and chat groups."
Curiosity piqued, Denim quickly finished his breakfast and grabbed his bag. "I'll catch up with you all later. Gotta head to school."
---
---
At school, Denim's mind buzzed with thoughts of the game. During lunch, he met up with his friend Alex, who was also an avid player of Eternal Gods.
"Denim, did you hear about the Void Race raid?" Alex asked, sliding into the seat next to him.
"Yeah, my mom mentioned it. What's going on?" Denim replied, leaning in.
"It's massive!" Alex said, his eyes wide with excitement. "The Void Race launched an all-out attack on several player kingdoms across the other continents. The forums are blowing up with strategies and news. Some of the top guilds are struggling to hold them back."
Denim felt a rush of adrenaline. "This could be the perfect opportunity," he muttered to himself.
"What was that?" Alex asked.
"Nothing," Denim said quickly. "Just thinking about my next move. This could be a chance to gather intel and prepare. We need to be ready when the raid hits our continent."
"By the way, do you have any plans when you log back into the game?" Denim asked.
"Nothing as usual, just grinding for EXP to level up," Alex replied.
"Then come with me. We'll meet at the clock tower square in Riverdale Town."
"Okay," Alex agreed.
Their conversation shifted to strategies and plans, with Denim's mind racing with possibilities.
---
Later that evening, Denim head back into his room and prepared his gaming helmet, his resolve hardened. The information about the Void Race raid had ignited a new fire within him. As he materialized in the game world, he took a deep breath, feeling the familiar weight of his weapons at his side.
"Time to step up," he said, determination gleaming in his eyes. "The Void Race won't know what hit them."
"I guess it's time for me to head back to the Lunar Knights."
---
Denim adjusted his headset and settled into his gaming chair. The immersive world of Eternal Gods awaited him once more. This game, unlike any other, operated at a unique pace. Inside the game, time moved slower. Twenty-four hours in the Eternal Gods equated to only 12 hours in reality. This meant he could accomplish so much more within the game in a relatively high amount time.
Moreover, the game's design ensured that players logged in during nighttime would experience the morning within the game world. This careful balance maintained a natural day-night cycle for players, preventing disorientation and allowing for seamless immersion.
One of the most remarkable features of Eternal Gods was its impact on sleep—or rather, the lack thereof. Playing the game functioned on a subconscious level, meaning that while players were deeply engaged in their virtual adventures, their bodies were effectively at rest. This revolutionary technology meant that players could game for hours without sacrificing sleep or feeling fatigued.
As Denim logged back into the game, the familiar world materialized around him. The morning sun bathed Riverdale Town in a golden glow, bringing the virtual world to life with a serene beauty. He took a moment to appreciate the craftsmanship that went into creating such an intricate and immersive environment.
Denim made his way to Riverdale Town, navigating through the bustling market and winding streets. The clock tower loomed ahead, a familiar landmark that always felt like a home base. He spotted Alex waiting near the square, his character's distinctive armor gleaming under the virtual sun.
"Ready?" Denim asked as he approached.
"Ready as I'll ever be," Alex replied, gripping his weapon.
"Good. We'll need all the help we can get. The Void Race won't go down easily."
Together, they strategized, exchanging information and planning their next moves. Denim knew that this raid would be a turning point, not just for him, but for the entire realm. The Void Race was a formidable enemy, but with preparation and teamwork, they stood a chance.
As the sun set over Riverdale Town, casting long shadows across the cobblestone streets, Denim felt a sense of anticipation building. The battles ahead would be tough, but he was ready. He glanced at Alex, seeing the same determination mirrored in his friend's eyes.
"Let's do this," Denim said, his voice firm.
With that, they set off towards the Lunar Knights' headquarters, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.