Chapter 63: Gearing up for a raid: First Solo Mission (2)
Chapter 63
"Let’s see what the Gear Tab has in store for me." He grinned widely.
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{GEAR TAB}
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<Shadowstep Boots – D Rank – 45 NP>
Dark leather boots enhanced with muffling enchantments.
[+4 AGI] [Reduces footstep sound by 70%] [Small chance to dodge critical hits]
Favored by scouts and assassins.
Durability: Medium
In Stock | Can Equip
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<Gloves of Ember Resistance – D Rank – 35 NP>
Thick leather gloves infused with embersteel threads.
[+2 STR] [10% Fire Resistance] [Firm Grip: +10% Weapon Handling]
Good for dungeons with fire-based traps or enemies.
Durability: High
In Stock | Can Equip
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<Wraithskin Cloak – C Rank – 60 NP>
Torn black cloak that blends into darkness.
[+3 INT] [+8 Stealth Rating] [Null Aura: Reduces detection from beasts]
Essential for sneaky approaches or scouting ahead.
Durability: Low | Best used at night or in low-light zones
In Stock | Can Equip
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❌ Runeforge Battle Armor – B Rank – 190 NP
Status: Locked
Preview: Enchanted plate mail engraved with ancient runes. Grants +15% Magic Resistance and boosts defense by +12.
Unavailable until higher Reaver Rank.
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"Right. I almost forgot that the damned system locked the Battle Armor. Tch!" Zen scoffed as he gazed back at the remaining gears in the tab.
’Now, the gears here are pretty interesting. Especially those gloves. But it’s being oddly specific. Ten percent fire resistance? Oh damn it!’ Zen facepalmed himself as he remembered his stupidity.
’That would have really come in handy during the fight with that B ranked boss. It had fire essence, and these gloves would have helped to resist its flames.
I could have bought them and handed them over to one of the others, but foolish me never even considered that.’ He sighed outwardly, pushing the thought aside before it distracted him too much. Dwelling on the past wouldn’t change anything.
"Well, for my raid today, I’m not facing any beast with a Veil. D rank minions and a C ranked boss are what I’m up against. So there’s no need for the gloves... at least, not right now." He smirked, brushing his fingers across the other gear options as his eyes stopped on the cloak.
’Hmm... that cloak sure looks interesting.’
CRUNCH!
Zen’s teeth sank into the apple in his hand, the fruit shrinking quickly with each bite. He chewed thoughtfully, eyes locked on the system screen as he read the cloak’s description for the third time.
"I wonder why I’m being offered assassin-type gear when I’m not even close to being one. Then again, it would be really effective in, let’s say... a gate raid. Especially with that stealth boost." He muttered, his tone thoughtful. "It says here that it would reduce detection from beasts, but I wonder if that effect also applies to humans or maybe even magical detectors of some kind."
Zen slowed his steps, staring hard at the glowing panel before finally sighing and continuing down the forest trail. The rustle of leaves and chirping of crickets filled the silence around him.
’No point overthinking it right now. Gambling away my NP on something I’m unsure of isn’t worth it. Although... I have to admit, wearing that cloak might make me look really damn cool.’
{You blind? Didn’t you read the description where it said it’s a torn black cloak? Are you that dense? I really want to facepalm myself so bad!}
"Just shut up already." Zen muttered, waving his hand dismissively through the air as if swatting away an insect. His focus snapped back to the shop screen as he kept walking, apple in hand, mind already calculating his next move.
"Okay, I think I’ll take the boots instead. Currently, I’m plenty strong, so these boots will also help even out my stats. Besides, with them, I could probably move faster than any D rank beast." Zen mumbled with a huge smile plastered on his face.
’Guess we got a winner then.’
{Are you sure you want to purchase Shadowstep Boots – D Rank – for 45 NP?}
{Yes/ No}
"Yes." Zen replied.
{Purchase complete!}
{NP left: 35}
"Alright. I’ll save the remaining NP for now. And maybe gather more so I can get better equipment. I feel like the higher I rank up and level up, the more items will be added to the shop. And the more equipment I get, the stronger and better I’ll be since my damned essence isn’t doing anything to help me right now." Zen sighed.
That was when he felt something strange.
Quickly glancing down, he realized he now wore a different pair of boots.
Strapped to his feet were sleek, dark leather boots that hugged his ankles snugly, the material giving off a faint shadowy sheen beneath the filtered sunlight.
They weren’t bulky. In fact, their slim design seemed meant to vanish into his silhouette, streamlined for speed and silence.
Faint thread patterns resembling ripples or shifting shadows ran along the sides, pulsing faintly as he shifted his weight, as though the boots themselves were alive with hidden energy.
Each step he took felt lighter, smoother — almost as if his feet skimmed the earth rather than striking it.
Even when he wasn’t trying, his movements made no sound. The scraping of soles, the dull thud of impact — all gone, replaced by a rhythm so steady and quiet it made him feel as though he could disappear into the wind at any second.
"Well, they do live up to their name. I can barely hear my footsteps at all." Zen said with a proud smile tugging at his lips as he continued his walk.
Finishing the last bite of his apple, he noticed only the core remained, so he casually tossed it aside into the undergrowth and carried on.
Twenty minutes later, Zen arrived at a clearing deep within the forest. Just a few meters ahead stood a half-crumbled structure that looked almost like an ancient cave ruin. At its center, a small arched entrance yawned open, and within that frame swirled a glowing orange portal, flickering like liquid fire.
The air around the structure was unnaturally still. Not even the birdsong lingered here. Zen slowed his steps, his eyes narrowing as he stopped before the portal.
"I remember the first time I encountered a C rank beast back in the village I woke up in. I almost died, and if it wasn’t for Sir Tom, I would have been finished right then." His tone lowered as he clenched his fist.
"And the other times I fought C ranked beasts, it was only with the help of my teammates. But now..." Zen trailed off as he stared at his hands, flexing them slowly, before raising his gaze back to the swirling orange portal.
"I’m all alone. And this will be my first solo mission."
He smirked, the fire in his eyes reigniting. "Let’s go rock it, shall we?"
With that, he stepped forward, and in two bold strides, his figure vanished into the portal.