Equipment Farming (3)
Five days had passed since buying the Jet-Black Magic Tower Mage Set. But my daily routine hadn't changed much. Morning and evening, I'd check the auction house for worthwhile items, steadily buying up Shining Mana Stones. The rest of the time, I just beat down ants in the burrow. Giant battle ants, giant armored ants, battle fire ants, large fire ants, and so on... After grinding away at all sorts of ants day and night, I finally hit my target: level 150.
Your level has increased.
"Finally... time to wield the Holy Sword again!"
The 8-star Stealth I'd just unlocked with the level up was the bare minimum qualification for taking the Holy Sword into the field. Sword Mastery had also hit 8 stars from 5, boosting my accuracy by 16%. At this point, my calculations showed I could hunt even the mobs in Dumein Castle—a full 100 levels above me—thanks to the Holy Sword's sheer power.
It was an absurdly early level to even attempt hunting there. But if I could take down even one, it was bound to be the ultimate leveling spot. Infinite respawns thanks to map resets in the instance dungeon, my elemental advantage over the mobs, and the insanely good item drops to top it off!
With my heart racing, I teleported to Dumein Castle, held by the Phoenix guild. First, I registered my return point at the outer castle temple, then pulled out my full gear from storage and equipped it. The nostalgia hit hard.
Sandro (Thief) Lv. 150
HP: 6582/6582 MP: 17131/17131
Strength: 177 Stamina: 266 Agility: 198
Intellect: 243 Mana: 723
Thanks to the Holy Sword and Jet-Black Magic Tower set, my specs were unbelievable for level 150. Total stats were easily double those of an average player at the same level. Especially my mana stat—I'd dumped everything into intellect and worn mana-boosting gear, pushing my MP to ridiculous heights. With this HP pool and Holy Sword attack power, I could wipe out ten level 232 Magnums charging at once without breaking a sweat.
No wonder I felt ready to take the Holy Sword into the field. With my hunting prep done, I whispered to Hidden Card.
With prior approval sorted, no reason to hesitate. I stocked up on mana recovery potions and headed straight to Dumein Castle. Thought about using Stealth to sneak in, but arriving undetected right at the instance entrance might stir trouble. So I walked openly from the inner gate.
All my gear had appearance changes applied, making me look like a generic mid-level player. No one stopped or wandered by as I crossed the plaza and entered the main keep. But as I reached the central hall on the first floor and approached the stairs to the second, a player came down to block me.
"What brings you here? Other guild members can roam the keep, but the central hall leads to our guild-exclusive dungeon—access is restricted."
"Hi. I'm Sandro, cleared by Hidden Card for instance access. Check the list and you'll see."
"Let me see... Ah! You're on it. Sorry, didn't recognize you. Go on up."
At the stair landing to the second floor, a decent-sized space held about a dozen players lounging around. Mostly second- and third-string guild marks, not core Phoenix ones—waiting for parties, it seemed. Behind them hung a massive full-body portrait of a man, stretched long. The secret entrance to the Vampire instance: the portrait of Baron Dumein.
"Hey everyone. I'm Sandro, a solo player cleared by the vice guild master to enter. I'll be visiting often, so let's get along."
"Sure, hi. We get folks like you all the time—no worries, hunt away. Just don't sell special drops on the auction house or privately, or you'll get a bounty. Use 'em yourself quietly or sell to us. We pay fair even for exclusives—no loss."
"Got it. That's all noted."
True to Phoenix form, even the B- and C-teamers had solid manners. A few gave curious looks as I approached alone, but I ignored them and hurried on. First time here had me a bit tense—I just wanted into the safe instance.
Guess walking around with the Holy Sword at this low level... does draw eyes after all.
I touched the hem of the Vampire Baron's portrait, and a system window asked for entry. I hit YES.
You have entered 'Vampire Baron Dumein's Underground Dungeon'.
The entrance was a passage with stairs leading underground. Made of the same stone as the hall walls—likely a hidden underground path in the castle, concealed by magic.
"Brighter than I thought—should be doable."
Torches lit for player convenience kept it from being too dark. Down the stairs a bit, I reached a cavern splitting into three paths: underground prison, underground waterway, and the secret room with the baron. I'd memorized them. With the huge level gap on mobs here, I headed to the underground prison for isolated picks.
Just inside, a monster patrolled lazily. A grotesque zombie in ancient garb—a low-tier demon, Vampire Follower.
Big level gap, so take 'em one by one. Never let it turn 2v1!
Mana Shield was already active. I used nimble movement and weakness detection, then closed in.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—thwack! Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—thwack!
Weakest early mob in the dungeon, and my hit rate was better than expected. Probably thanks to 8-star Sword Mastery. But it fought back.
Mana Shield absorbs 1,105 physical damage.
Mana Shield absorbs 2,098 physical damage.
Level correction made even this trash mob hit hard. MP drained with every basic attack, but 75% damage reduction let me tank it.
"Even with the gap, 2k per basic? What an insane hunting ground..."
But my damage was no joke either.
Flash! Base damage already OP, doubled on undead/dark mobs. Plus a 25% proc holy magic blast—the Follower crumpled fast.
"Okay! Got it!"
62 gold obtained.
A 100-level gap mob, downed in four effective hits. EXP bar jumped nearly 20% from one kill.
"Perfect timing! Nowhere better for Holy Sword farming. No wasting time elsewhere—grind here straight to 250! Might snag one by then!"
If I could solo the boss at that level, I'd have a shot at that Legendary item. Slim odds, but possible. Happy thoughts carried me forward.
"Grrr."
Prison cells held Vampire Followers and Low Vampires instead of inmates; Hell Hounds patrolled the halls. No packs—perfect for isolates.
Your level has increased.
One kill, top off HP, repeat. Even playing it safe and slow, I leveled twice quick.
"Whoa! What was all that ant burrow grind for?"
Ant cave was already breakneck speed to others. But here, just clearing the prison intro? Two levels. Normally impossible dungeon, solo to boot—insane EXP.
"Cleared this—next room?"
Skipped the boss-linked secret room, headed to underground waterway.
Surprise: party mobs of Followers and Low Vampires right at the entrance. Instance designed for parties—solo looked dicey.
"Party mobs from here. Better reset and stick to prison till +20 levels, fewer misses. Waterway doable then."
Decision made, I bolted to the entrance. Instances reset instantly if empty. Faster than town return—just exit, reset, re-enter.
You have exited 'Vampire Baron Dumein's Underground Dungeon'.
But back in the stair landing, an unexpected face waited.
"Whoa! Out already? Guess the 'try it out' didn't go so well?"
Last Chance from the time attack. He'd been tipped off I was here, waiting with other Phoenix members—circling the entrance.
"...?"
Staring blankly, unsure of his intent, he continued.
"Not talking? Fine, sorry for that whisper when you beat my time attack record. But blocking me right after? Harsh. I grinded ten days for that—stolen in minutes. You feel how pissed I was?"
Civil start turned aggressive.
[Charging!]
One knight among the dozen charged suddenly. I reflexively went for Shadow Step, but took the hit instead.
Mana Shield absorbs 1,082 physical damage.
Mana Shield resists status effect 'Knockback'.
Ting! MP dipped, but Mana Shield no-sold the knockback. Calmly facing shocked Last Chance, I said:
"What the hell is this? Attacking someone cleared by your vice GM... This Phoenix's official stance?"
"That effect... Mana Shield? Haha! A thief with Mana Shield? Never saw that coming! Explains the balls to come solo."
"Quit laughing and answer me."
"Sandro. Unblock my whispers first?"
"Cut the crap and state your intent properly!"
"Seriously, unblock first. Hard to say openly."
Approved for hunting, now this? Curious about his game, I prepped my titan summon just in case and unblocked him as requested.
Whisper block on 'Last Chance' has been lifted.
In the silent encirclement, our private whispers flew unseen. But the next one—with his meaningful smirk—shook me to the core.