Chapter 274 - First-Time Object
Endless reward message spree.
With just a superficial glance, so many messages accumulate with a single skill.
"It's understandable. After all, we've defeated a dragon."
For some, it might seem excessive, but the opponent was a dragon.
Even for a group of max-level players, they could barely defeat it, the most powerful boss monster, the dragon.
It means it's an impossible monster to defeat in Round 17, in short, if you don't reach the maximum level.
"Since we defeated it for the first time, it's natural to receive a generous reward."
Ryu Min skimmed through the reward messages with a familiar look.
They were the same rewards he had received in previous rounds.
[Title - Dragon Slayer]
Acquisition Condition: Obtain by killing a dragon for the first time.
Effect: All attributes double when facing dragons. Monsters instinctively fear you.
This title wasn't really necessary for Ryu Min.
Why would he need to increase his stats when facing dragons if he no longer had to kill any in the future?
"Although it could make hunting easier since monsters fear me instinctively..."
An unnecessary skill for Ryu Min, who no longer needed to hunt in the future.
The same applied to the new runes he had acquired.
[Rune of Memory]
Effect: Never forget what you've seen once, recalling everything.
Ryu Min already had considerable intelligence, so his memory capacity was incomparable.
"Although they give it, could I refuse to accept it?"
But what caught Ryu Min's attention wasn't the titles or the runes.
[Dragon Slayer's Necklace]
Classification: Necklace
Rank: God
Effect: All attributes +50, skill damage +50%, resistance to all types of damage +30%
Durability: 20,000/20,000
Usage Restriction: Master level or higher
Description: A symbol granted only to the Dragon Slayer who killed a dragon for the first time. Made with dragon claws.
"Finally, I got it. A God rank necklace."
The God rank effect did not disappoint in the slightest.
"The increase in stats and skill damage is great, but the increase in resistance to all types of damage is quite significant."
Even Ryu Min couldn't avoid all attacks, so who knows what would happen if he were hit by an area skill during a boss battle.
"That resistance to all types of damage will be very helpful in those moments."
Although it was a satisfying harvest, the rewards didn't end there.
From the scales to the horns and teeth of the dragon, everything was condensed into ether.
Perhaps due to his high luck stat, quite a few diverse materials appeared.
All were materials whose use he was unaware of.
"But it's not like I know what all the materials are used for."
Didn't a bunch of unknown materials come out when he used the infinite materials bag last time?
"I won't need more ether since I can't make more God rank items, and I have no idea what the dragon-related materials are used for..."
It was a confusing situation, but what reassured him was that he also obtained a blueprint.
Although it was the first time he had seen that blueprint.
"Death Aura? What could that be?"
[Blueprint: Death Aura]
Classification: Consumable
Description: An item that shows six combinations to create the Death Aura, which is of Eternal rank. It would be better to prepare before using it.
Ryu Min's eyes widened with astonishment as he read the information.
After all, it said it could create an Eternal rank, something he had never heard of in his life.
"Eternal rank?"
Even if they didn't know, it was clear there was a rank higher than God rank.
Wasn't it written in the purified ether's description that higher-rank items than God rank could be created?
"Then surely purified ether must be among the ingredients."
Anyway, he had to try.
At least he wouldn't suffer losses.
"Before that..."
Ryu Min turned his head.
He had to deal with the 21 pairs of eyes looking at him with concern.
"Eliminating a dragon in one hit...!"
"Impressive, friend."
"Hey. Won't you work full-time with our mercenary company? The reward will be generous."
Ryu Min tilted his head as if he had nothing to worry about.
He had no intention of working under an NPC.
"No problem. Starting with the reward."
"Well, if you don't want to, there's nothing to be done about it."
A moment later, he was given the reward for eliminating the dragon.
[You have completed the mission to eliminate the dragon!]
[+2.38% experience]
[+100,000 gold]
Although the reward was insignificant, the reason he received it was so the mercenaries wouldn't leave.
"Since we've given you the reward, you can leave now."
"I have something to do, so I'll leave later."
"Really? Then take your time."
The mercenaries left the cave, leaving Ryu Min alone.
Although he was alone, there was no problem returning to the camp since there would be a teleportation point on the way back.
"But before that, I should combine the ingredients slowly."
Without hesitation, Ryu Min used the blueprint.
Although the description said he should be prepared to take notes, it wasn't necessary.
His intelligence was high, and the runes of memory would remember everything.
Buzz...
The scroll with the blueprint disappeared, and golden text unfolded in front of him.
["You have used the blueprint: Death Energy."]
["Using the following formula, you can create the Eternal rank item, Death Energy."]
<Formula>
[Main Ingredient]
Dragon Scale
[Secondary Ingredients]
Purified Ether
Condensed Ether
Devil's Pendant
Devil's Heart
Opaque Energy
"This...?"
After confirming the ingredients, Ryu Min's eyes lit up.
"I have all these ingredients...!"
As expected, purified ether was among the ingredients.
Additionally, the dragon scale and condensed ether were the items he had just received.
"The Devil's Pendant is the equipment I already possess, and the Devil's Heart and Opaque Energy are ingredients that came out of the infinite ingredients bag."
Especially the latter mentioned, the heart and energy, were items he had never seen before and had considered useless, but they weren't.
"They turn out to have great use!"
Maybe other new items from the ingredients bag could also be used to create Eternal rank items.
With a pounding heart, Ryu Min placed all the ingredients in the combination window.
Even though he had the ingredients, if he didn't have the blueprint, he wouldn't have been able to create it alone.
"I didn't even know the main ingredient was the dragon scale."
Recognizing the importance of the blueprint once more, he pressed the combination button.
["You are combining an Eternal rank item."]
["It will take some time to create the item due to its high level. Please be patient and wait."]
["Combining ingredients..."]
["Analyzing the user's soul..."]
["Synchronizing..."]
Although unknown messages appeared and time passed, Ryu Min didn't become impatient.
The message already said. "It will take time because it is a high-quality item."
With the expectation of obtaining such an extraordinary item, he waited joyfully, and as a result...
[Combination successful!]
[You have created the 'Death Aura'.]
An item entered the inventory.
[Death Aura]
Classification: Armor
Rank: Eternal
Defense: 5,000
Effect: Increases all attributes by 200, reduces all attributes of all opponents classified as enemies by 50%.
Durability: Infinite
Usage Restriction: Black Scythe (Soul Binding)
Description: An item bound to the soul that exerts its influence on the user's soul instead of their physical body. Cannot be transferred to another person. Can be applied in conjunction with other equipped items.
Ryu Min, reading the item's information with surprise, noticed the last words.
"Can be used in conjunction with other items? Even with God-grade items?"
Since it was armor, he would have to take off the Demon Armor of Thanatos he was wearing.
But.
"Equip."
When he equipped the item with the command, the Death Aura was equipped without needing to remove anything.
There was no need to check the inventory.
Because the change in his body was felt immediately.
An uncomfortable yet familiar aura emanated from Ryu Min's entire body.
It was the effect of using the Death Aura, an Eternal item.
"Is this for real?"
Equipping it together was already incredible, but the defense increased by 5,000 and all attributes increased by 200.
Most importantly, he could use a debuff that reduced the attributes of opponents classified as enemies by 50%.
"Does that mean it doesn't apply to those I consider allies?"
Actually, it meant that Ryu Min could control whether he wanted to apply the debuff to his opponent.
"Isn't that great?"
A smile appeared on Ryu Min's lips.
He had obtained an item beyond his expectations.
"If there's an armor classification, won't there be other classifications?"
Weapons, helmets, gloves, boots, etc.
Maybe he could make all the parts.
"I'll need refined ether, so I'll be able to make another one."
Of course, he would need a blueprint, but he didn't know where to get it right now.
For now, he could only try combining the materials assuming he had the ingredients.
"It's a method that involves a lot of work, but there's no other choice."
Without a blueprint, Ryu Min placed the ingredients in the combination window to try to make another Eternal equipment.
He placed refined ether as the main ingredient and filled the rest with unknown ingredients.
Brilliant gleams, dazzling wing feathers, negativity essence, penetrating gazes, etc.
All ingredients came from the infinite material pouch.
He diligently tried to find a valid combination, changing the dragon horns and teeth for the secondary ingredients.
[Cannot combine this combination.]
[Cannot combine this combination.]
[Cannot combine this combination.]
[Cannot combine this combination.]
...
...
...
Despite trying dozens, hundreds of times, all were failures, which finally led Ryu Min to give up.
"It seems concentrated ether must be among the secondary ingredients..."
Refined ether and concentrated ether.
Since both were used, there was a high probability they were present in other Eternal equipment.
"I'll have to try after this round ends. They'll give me concentrated ether as a reward for this round, right?"
Ryu Min won't be the only one to receive it, but it will be awarded to everyone.
Then, will everyone be able to equip themselves with God Rank items?
The other God Rank materials should be easy to obtain.
"But I should focus on creating Eternal Rank items higher than that."
He didn't even know the combination formula, but he discovered an unknown rank on the last 100th occasion.
"If my luck stats weren't so high, I wouldn't even have obtained the blueprint."
All this was an achievement obtained by accumulating transcendental stats by killing archangels.
There was regret for not having killed the archangels earlier, but the past time cannot be recovered.
"There's nothing I can do. I can only keep learning from now on."
With those thoughts, Ryu Min turned and walked through the cave.
It didn't feel so bad to explore an unknown area.
Suddenly, he wondered if he needed to become stronger than now...
Maybe there's something he doesn't know.
"The first archangel could be even stronger than I imagine."
He might encounter him in this round, or maybe in the next, but he must prepare for that moment.
He must become even stronger.
However, Ryu Min didn't have time for that.
Suddenly...
"I've been waiting for you. Black Scythe."
Ryu Min instinctively recognized the figure blocking his path as the first archangel.
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