After sorting out his loot Liam could finally take a look around. He found various items on the walls.
All of them were cursed, not useful in their current states. But Liam pocketed them anyway. Although they weren't impressive, they could fetch some money after the curse is broken.
Thus, Liam's inventory rapidly filled. Soon he reached the deepest part of the storage. A grin formed on his face as he spotted an inconspicuous chest.
But despite its shabby looks this chest was a real treasure chest. It was of the lowest wooden rank.
However, a treasure chest always hid precious rewards.
Liam reached out with his hands, a progress bar appearing.
Five seconds later the chest opened. A faint light played around it. Liam looked at his hand, finding a piece of paper in it.
[Recipe: Basic Health Potion
Effects: Use to learn the recipe for 'Basic Health Potion'.
Requirements: none
The first recipe for many alchemists.]
Liam stared at the recipe with pleasant surprise. Health potions were an essential part of the game, coveted by everyone.
The alchemist able to concoct them was basically printing money.
Unfortunately, Liam never found much joy in cooking herbs. He would rather make a deal with an alchemist, opening his own business.
Doing so would take a lot of effort and time, but the rewards would be limitless. Many lucky players in his old life got rich from opening up shops in the game.
Plans began to take form in Liam's mind as he put away the recipe. He was almost done with searching the storage, save for one conspicuous pedestal.
A small blue-black sphere rested on top of it. Liam already knew what to expect as this was the item he came here for.
He took the sphere away, studying it shortly.
[Refresnim's dark orb of flight
Category: Unique
Effect: Allows for 60 seconds of flight.
Charges: 3 per day.
Restrictions: Only original and dark nephilim
Bound item. Can't be traded, dropped, or sold.
The pact between the nephilim and hell has been broken. But Refresnim's magic lets your black wings shine again.]
Liam was glad that he got his hand on this item early. Since it was unique there was only one throughout all servers.
Although its description might not sound powerful, Liam knew that it would assist him in reaching a lot of usually inaccessible places.
Liam took one last look, making sure not to forget anything.
Done with his work he turned around and went back the way he came from.
The secret door opened by itself as Liam stepped back into the prayer room.
But suddenly he stopped in place.
"Something moved!"
"Damn, a secret door!"
"Stop it before it closes!"
Excited voice echoed in the hidden room. About a dozen players were cramped in it, their eyes staring at the quickly closing wall.
"Fool, you blocked me! I didn't reach the door!"
The players shoved each other in annoyance.
While the commotion threatened to escalate, a somewhat chubby man stepped forward, shouting loudly.
"Everyone! Don't fight! Isn't there someone who knows how to enter the secret door?"
Liam frowned as he stared at the speaker, finding him familiar. He recalled the man called Fat Tiger, who schemed against the players back in Rabbit Creek.
This guy definitely meant trouble.
"Yo, that fatty is right. You! Tell us how to get through!"
Liam detected a ferocious glint in Fat Tiger's eyes. Obviously, the man didn't appreciate the comment about his body.
"All of you want to enter?"
"Wait.", warned Fat Tiger. "That guy probably already looted whatever is hidden behind the secret door. It's no use going there. It would be better to make him hand it over!"
"True, true."
"You, warrior! You heard him. Obediently hand over your loot if you don't want to lose a life today!"
Liam silently stared at the crowd, his face still showing a smile of confidence.
"And who do I give my loot to?"
"Me of course."
"I take it.
"Here!"
Instantly the placers' unity was broken, prompting Fat Tiger to intervene:
"Guys, don't fight! Don't fight! Let's first get the loot and then divide it fairly!"
"Haha, good plan… fatty… I won't forget you."
Liam grinned at Fat Tiger, sending a chill down the man's spine. Fat Tiger retreated, getting a bad premonition.
At this moment Liam spat out a word:
"Ternavolae!"
Ternavolae was the name of the goddess of fertility, revered by most races. Coincidentally she was also the devil Refresnim's most hated enemy.
With a single word all the torches abruptly extinguished. The room was engulfed by darkness. The rattling of chains could be heard.
"Hey, what's happening?"
"Who turned off the light?!"
"Damn, who touched my butt? Do it again!"
The players were confused, exclaiming loudly.
Liam took the chance to push into the crowd unseen. He hastily approached the door, knowing that it was not a good idea to stay here any longer.
Quickly he felt the stairs before him, dashing up to freedom.
Panicked screams and whaling ghosts rang out behind him, making him shiver.
A moment later Liam took a deep breath of fresh air having it made outside. But soon he frowned.
"Come out!"
"You're indeed a pro. Not bad. But you can't escape today!"
Liam turned his head left and right as players appeared from behind the surrounding rubble. With close to twenty players they formed a tight encirclement, their greedy eyes staring at Liam.
Fat Tiger stood at the front, pushing out his chest proudly.
"Hehe. I have always liked robbing you pros the most. The items you carry should be quite impressive."
"Boss, that chest plate doesn't look bad."
"Yeah, and this sword isn't too shabby either."
"Good job guys. Who was it that reported this information? You will get the first pick."
A thief, only his eyes recognizable, spoke up in joy.
"It was me, boss!"
[Dark Shadow Walker]
Liam nodded as he committed their names to memory.
"Mirage! There is no need to struggle. Just obediently hand over everything."
"F*ck off."
Liam knew that there wasn't much to talk about. He would get his revenge in the future.
Fat Tiger was confused as his target suddenly revealed their wings.
Like all original nephilim, one of those was lively and white, while the other was listless and dark.
However, Liam took out his newly acquired item, activating it with a thought.
Instantly dark mana gathered around the black wing. It began to emit a mysterious pressure. A moment later it unfolded, showing of its might as if eager to compete with the white wing.
Liam didn't delay any longer. His wings flapped as he shot in the air.
"What? Sh*t! Quickly, shoot, shoot! Where are our mages? Shoot him down!"
Fat Tiger showed the qualities of a leader, reacting swiftly to unexpected changes.
Spells were cast, shooting at Liam.
But the veteran traveled too fast. It was easy evading these unexperienced mages. Soon he was out of their range, disappearing into the forest.
"RAHH!"
While Fat Tiger yelled angrily, Liam enjoyed the feeling of the wind ruffling his hair.
Unfortunately, the orb only lasted sixty seconds. He soon had to land again.
"I miss my flying mount…"
Feeling the soft forest floor under his feet, Liam shook his head. His face didn't show much emotion, but inwardly he already blacklisted Fat Tiger and his friends.
His great mood after looting was diminished as Liam made his way back to Prento.
He reached the town without much trouble. Thinking about his other plans for the day he quickly approached the blacksmith's shop.
On the way many players could be found sitting on the ground and trying to sell items placed on some fabrics before them.
All kinds of rather common weapons and armor could be found.
But as Liam's gaze swiped the wares, he felt some surprise.
Someone is selling a skill book?
Liam didn't expect someone to be able to find a skill book this early in the game. Although he got one from the unique quest, he considered this extremely lucky.
However, now he found a skill book which was up for selling.
Liam inspected it quickly.
[Sidestep
Category: Basic Skillbook
Effect: Do a quick sidestep.
Requirement: warrior or thief]
Seeing the book, Liam understood what was going on. He somewhat emphasized with the seller. Receiving a skill book for a skill one already had was a terrible feeling.
As he was about to move on, Liam heard a familiar voice form behind his back.
"Boss, I take your skill book."
"Sure."
The transaction was quick. Liam looked back and found the young thief Silent Acacia standing behind him.
The brown-haired man was surprised as well.
"It's you?"
"Well, who else? Nice to meet you again."
"Same, same.
Did you have any good fights today?"
"I almost died against some elite monster."
"You did? Well, I defeated an elite too, barely receiving a scratch."
Liam eyed the thief, feeling like he was boasting.
"Good job. The white rabbit?"
"Hmpf. Childs play. The enemy I killed today was level f… five!"
Liam used his inspect. Silent Acacia was still level 3, making his claim rather unlikely.
"You don't believe me?"
"Nope."