[Van Tassel's Kinetic Bracer (Left) (Legendary)]: Level 15
+100 Strength
+50 Constitution
+350 Attack Power
Requires: Level 15, 300 Strength
.....
[Van Tassel's Kinetic Bracer (Right) (Legendary)]: Level 15
+100 Strength
+50 Constitution
+350 Attack Power
Requires: Level 15, 300 Strength
.....
Lila’s eyes nearly popped out. A combined +200 Strength, +100 Constitution, and +700 Attack Power. That translated to a boost of 2,000 health and over 1,100 attack power. Her own health pool was barely over 2,000, and her attack was a mere 500. This single pair of weapons provided more stats than the rest of her gear combined.
As for the 300 Strength requirement, her epic zombie set provided +250, and with her base 75 Strength, she met the threshold perfectly.
She unequipped her old weapon and fitted the gleaming mechanical arms over her gauntlets. Instantly, her health soared past 4,000 and her attack power broke 1,600. Factoring in the 10% damage bonus from her talents, Lila’s basic attacks now hit for nearly 1,800, almost catching up to Kael.
Kael felt a pang of professional pride mixed with astonishment. His talent was two whole tiers above hers, yet a single legendary weapon drop had nearly closed the gap between them.
With her newfound power, Lila carried herself with a new confidence. She cleared her throat and announced, “Alright, let’s not get complacent. Everyone stay sharp and watch for patrols.”
Despite her words, she couldn't help but inch toward the front of the group, an eager, battle-ready expression replacing her usual cool demeanor.
Over the next hour, they encountered more lone Automatons and Phantasm Archers. As expected, the quality of the drops fell off sharply. Most mobs dropped nothing, and the few that did only yielded a single epic item.
Kael knew this was standard; in a Hidden Realm, the first kill of any given monster type had a massively inflated drop rate.
After they had taken down a dozen mobs, Lila and the others dinged, leveling up to 16.
Just then, Hazel, who was scouting ahead, pointed into the distance. “I think I see a building over there.”
The group followed her gaze and saw the faint, dark silhouette of a structure.
“Is that where the treasure is?” Rena asked, her question echoed by the others as they all turned to look at Kael.
Kael nodded. “It is. But we’ll need a key to get inside.”
“A key?”
“Yeah. It drops from an elite monster. We need to keep an eye out for it.”
“Where do we find the elite?” Hazel asked.
Kael remained silent. The truth was, this was his first time in this Hidden Realm as well. In his previous life, he’d still been grinding away in the starting village’s mines at this point in the game.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“Hey, what’s that up ahead?” Rena pointed. “Is that an elite?”
They approached cautiously and found two monsters standing together. One was another Guardian Automaton - Type B. The other was new.
[Vault Guardian - Vinewrapped Sentinel]: Level 16
Health: 152,000
Physical Attack: 710
Physical Defense: 1,050
Magic Defense: 202
The Sentinel’s attack power was average, but its health and physical defense were astronomical. Kael immediately targeted the Automaton with a Double Shot, and both monsters charged toward them.
Lila saw her opening and used Lunge on the Type B, instantly closing the 10-yard gap and dealing 150% weapon damage.
-2405
She followed up with Sundering Strike, a heavy blow that dealt 200% damage and slowed the target’s movement speed by 20%.
-2996
At the same time, one of Kael’s arrows landed, a massive 3x critical hit.
-5886
In less than two seconds, the robot had lost over 10,000 health. Their combined damage was staggering. Less than twenty seconds later, the Automaton was scrap metal.
They turned their focus to the Vinewrapped Sentinel. While its 1,000 physical defense was daunting, Starbloom’s curses managed to reduce it to around 800.
-1405 (Kael)
-1013 (Lila)
-5019 (Kael - Critical Hit!)
-985 (Lila)
…
The Sentinel’s 710 attack power, meanwhile, barely tickled Hazel. After about eight seconds of sustained damage, the Sentinel suddenly froze, and the vines covering its body visibly hardened and thickened.
CLANG!
-1
Lila’s attack failed to even get through its armor.
-199
Kael’s shot didn’t fare much better. The Sentinel had doubled its defense. The move caught everyone by surprise.
“Man, this thing is tough! If only we had a mage,” Rena grumbled. Their only source of magic damage was Starbloom, but her magic wasn't high enough for her to be a primary damage dealer.
Thankfully, the defensive skill only lasted for five seconds. It was a minor setback, slowing their progress but not changing the outcome. Three minutes and five defensive buffs later, the Vinewrapped Sentinel finally fell.
[System]: Congratulations! Your party has defeated [Vault Guardian - Vinewrapped Sentinel]. All members receive 120,000 EXP.
As it was their first kill, the loot was once again spectacular. Two legendary items dropped.
[Bulwark of the Vanquished (Legendary)]: Level 15
+60 Strength
+100 Constitution
+500 Physical Defense
+355 Magic Defense
Requires: 60 Strength, 200 Constitution
.....
[Van Tassel's Vinemail Cuirass (Legendary)]: Level 15
+80 Strength
+80 Constitution
+405 Physical Defense
+405 Magic Defense
Requires: 80 Strength, 150 Constitution
.....
The two pieces offered a combined +900 physical and +700 magic defense. Both Hazel and Lila stared at the loot, momentarily conflicted.
Hazel looked longingly at the chest piece, but bit her lip and said, “Lila, you take the armor, I’ll take the shield…”
Lila smiled and gently patted Hazel’s cute pigtails. “Don’t be silly. You take both. I just got my legendary weapons, remember?”
“But…” Hazel started to protest, but Rena cut her off.
“Come on, Hazel, don’t argue with her. She’s the heiress; what she says, goes.”
Hazel looked to Kael for guidance. He just smiled and nodded, so she finally equipped both items. Instantly, her physical defense shot past 1,200 and her magic defense exceeded 800. At this point, the regular mobs in the Hidden Realm could no longer hurt her.
This new reality made the party much bolder, and they began pulling two or three monsters at a time. Unfortunately, the drop rates were much lower now. After killing a dozen more mobs, they had a pile of materials but only a few scattered epics to show for it. The legendary bow Kael was hoping for was nowhere to be seen.
They finally reached the center of the area, where a magnificent palace stood. As they approached the main gate, the ground began to tremble violently. A towering figure clawed its way out of the earth before them.
[Vault Guardian - Hakkar the Defiler (Elite)]: Level 18
Health: 500,000
Physical Attack: 1,510
Magic Attack: 1,100
Physical Defense: 1,230
Magic Defense: 1,230
Hakkar raised a massive greatsword and swung it, unleashing a wave of pure force that tore across the ground toward the party.
Hazel planted her feet and raised her shield to block it, but a staggering number still appeared above her head.
-3209
Half her health was gone in a single blow. Rena frantically began to heal her.
After the attack, Hakkar didn't charge. Instead, he leaped high into the air. When he landed, the entire dome shook with a deafening BOOM.
At the same time, all five party members were slammed by a powerful stun.
