Orc Lord Raid (1)

It really seemed like my item luck had finally kicked in big time. I'd been grumbling about drops sucking while I hunted, but turns out this was actually some seriously good fortune.

Whether it was HP drain or MP drain, you needed physical attacks to trigger it, so for sure tanks and dealers got way more mileage out of HP absorption—dozens of times more useful than MP suck. Considering that, Sapphire Rings must've been seen as dead weight in the guild. But the more that was true, the better for me. There wasn't a single item more essential to me than these Sapphire Rings!

I'd whispered him because I didn't know anyone else, but Last Chance sounded genuinely worried about my profit, just like Hyunjung. Sure, for average dealers maybe, but for me? Nothing beat these rings!

Heart pounding with excitement, I returned and waited at the village plaza for Last Chance. Heh heh heh, this is huge! I figured one Sapphire Ring would be a win, but three in one go? That means I can even enhance extras!

This blew past my goals entirely. As I waited for what could be a lifelong treasure trade, Last Chance showed up at the plaza with a healer I'd never seen.

"Schweizer hyung, this is him. Sandro, the guy I told you about. The one who's been running the Dumein instance for weeks with Hellfire's permission."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Schweitzer, Phoenix's treasurer. Heard you got a Ruby Ring from the instance? Mind if I check it first?"

"Sure, go ahead."

I showed him the Ruby Ring via trade window, and his face lit up instantly.

"Whoa, it's been forever since one of these dropped. Ruby Rings are notorious for not showing up. And with levels so high now, nobody runs Dumein instances much anymore. So we'll pay top dollar. You're an acquaintance of the vice-guildmaster and Ra Chan here, after all."

"You might've heard from Last Chance, but I'm not really into gold. I'd love to trade straight for Sapphire Rings. Possible?"

"Of course. We're grateful, actually. Sapphire Rings are legendary, so we can't just dump 'em cheap, but they don't sell, so they've been piling up in the guild vault."

True to a top guild's rep. Even for an item from their private hunting ground, they valued it fairly. A quick haggle later, and Schweitzer handed over three Sapphire Rings.

Technically, the Ruby Ring was worth a bit more gold on top, but since I'd gotten it in Phoenix's castle, they generously covered the difference. Whether Taeseong was just that rude or I'd changed, my ties with Phoenix kept strengthening.

"Thanks for handing over the Ruby Ring instead of sneaking it out. We've had guildmates pull that before. Anyway, hope we can do business again if you snag another."

"Thanks to you for the fair price. Hope it goes to good use after all that effort."

My two-week instance pass from Hidden Card was ending anyway, and leveling had slowed, so I planned to leave soon. But snagging not one but three Sapphire Rings? Goals crushed.

Once Schweitzer left, I checked the Sapphire Rings' specs in my inventory.

With this, my broken-spec collection was complete. From the start of planning my Mana Shield Thief, I'd always eyed these Sapphire Rings.

As Hyunjung pointed out, mana absorption items were tightly controlled and insanely hard to get. I'd shelved it as a pipe dream, but unexpected connections and luck landed them early. A pair, no less. I could probably 1v1 most bosses even levels above me now.

"The more I learn, the more amazed I am, Sandro."

"Huh? What do you...?"

Last Chance, who'd stuck around, spoke up as I grinned at the rings.

"When I heard you dumped 10 skill points into maxing Mana Shield at low level, I was shocked—didn't show it, though. Someone raising an even weirder build than mine so boldly."

"..."

"And realizing how polished your low-level char was? Mind blown. But seeing you equip these Sapphire Rings today... I finally get the big picture you're painting."

From our last chat, I knew Last Chance ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠wasn't some lightweight despite appearances. Sharp, serious, quick on the uptake. He'd probably already pieced together my build's concept, skill-item combos, and combat style. Hell, he might even be theorycrafting counters.

"Couldn't even dream of trying it myself, let alone ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠think it up. One-man army. One Man Army. Am I right?"

"Dunno why you're asking, but yeah, I won't deny it. Gotta prepare that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠much to solo Taeseong."

"That's what's cool about it. Pure admiration. I've dominated every game I've played—no losses. But you? More curiosity than jealousy. Wanna see if your vision comes true."

True or not, the praise felt over the top. Genuine goodwill? Or a mask for some angle?

"Might regret it, but I wanna follow my gut. Give the tiger wings, y'know?"

"What're you getting at?"

"Remember my time attack ace? Time to spill. Here's the secret."

Last Chance whispered me a link to an item.

I checked the linked item's specs right away.

Last Chance's item blew my mind—an option I'd never dreamed existed!

"Th-this real? You actually have it?"

"Yep. Shocking, but true. It's why I rerolled my char—not exaggerating."

Mad Warrior berserk mode. Common in other games, but Titan had never seen anything like it. Everyone assumed it didn't exist. If I'd known, it'd be my top target item over anything for my Mana Shield Thief.

Keeping HP under 25% naturally was tough with regen. Parties made it worse with heals, buffs, auras. Even forcing it risked death, limiting utility.

But for me, tanking with MP? Easy as pie. 'Inventory weight over 75% disables natural HP/MP regen.' Abuse that, and I could perma-trigger it at low HP. MP regen loss sucked, but Sapphire pair fixed that.

Just this necklace... boosts my attack nearly 1.5x!

It fit my build so perfectly, like it was made for me. Worth any price, no haggle.

"Chance! Trade it to me? Name your price—I'll pay!"

"Knew it'd tempt you. But sorry, I barely got it myself—can't sell. Without it, my reroll's pointless."

"Damn..."

"Think I'd tease you for no reason? There's a way."

"Huh? A way?"

"Yeah. No stock? Make one. Raid the Orc Lord yourself. I'll show you how."