Chapter 102
Chapter 102
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 102
Chapter Title: Selecting Rare Gear
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Back during the days when he operated as the Worst Criminal in History before his reclass.
The highest item grade Luke had ever looted was Unique.
And even then, barely three or four of them.
Naturally, he'd never even laid eyes on anything Heroic or above.
No matter how many people he killed, items Unique or higher almost never dropped.
His drop luck was the absolute worst. He'd always had rotten luck—even Rare items below Unique weren't something he got much of.
Maybe that's why.
Whenever something seemed like it could fetch a price, he stashed it away preciously in the Lawless Zone warehouse.
Hoarding them up to sell for top coin later.
Anyway, he'd always had the worst possible item luck like that, so what the hell was this scene?
Blue everywhere, as far as the eye could see.
Eight massive chests.
All filled to the brim with Rare-grade items.
'This isn't a dream, right?'
Aaah.
Moments like this were pure bliss.
It felt just like a dream.
Rare items piled up in one place like this.
'Snaid Sash, Grun Curved Bow, Heidegger's Spear, Garundal's Shield...'
And among them, quite a few top-tier pieces that fetched high prices at auction.
Only two he could pick from that lot.
Regret welled up again at the fact, but it wouldn't change anything.
So Luke stroked his chin and began carefully inspecting the chests.
Tough choice.
What to pick?
What could he choose that people would say he picked well...?
'Hm?'
Then, one item in particular caught his eye.
A long blue cloak.
The one they called Icarus's Cloak.
He'd seen it traded at auction occasionally.
Magic resistance boost, status ailment resistance up, and fall damage nullification to boot.
The resistance and immunity boosts were solid numbers too—super helpful in the early game.
'Fall damage nullification isn't half bad for me either.'
Just recently, taking down that draugr, he'd nearly died from fall damage.
And considering he parkoured everywhere daily, it wasn't useless at all.
Think about it.
With that option, he could shave serious time dropping from high places.
Obviously huge for combat, but also theft and infiltration.
'Okay, that's one.'
Decision made, Luke rolled his eyes again.
Last reward slot.
Maximum caution.
No regrets.
'Something I can use myself, or at least the priciest to flip.'
How long did he ponder?
Soon enough, his gaze locked on one spot.
A dagger.
A Rare-grade dagger, no less.
'Yeah, about time to swap the off-hand.'
Braincleaver, high-end Dagger tier 1 weapon.
Handy for stunning, electrocution DoT, and assorted status ailments, but as a Rare-grade, its raw damage inevitably fell short.
Especially with his main now being the Iron Blood Kukri, specialized in bleeds.
So the off-hand needed firepower focus.
'Or maybe flip it and make the kukri off-hand.'
Fresh off getting Sneak Mastery, bolstering his assassination game.
Burst damage on top? He'd dispatch foes even quieter.
Luke eyed the black dagger in the chest with that in mind.
Black Wolf's Fang.
A tier 2 Rare dagger for sure.
'That piercing damage and fixed damage option are top-notch.'
Decided.
"These two."
"Sure about that choice?"
"Yes."
"Very well."
The viscount nodded.
Soldiers waiting nearby carted off the remaining chests.
'Aaah, my precious Rares...'
Now only Icarus's Cloak and Black Wolf's Fang remained.
The viscount, perhaps wanting to play the gracious host, handed over the rewards personally.
No helping it.
Play along for now.
Luke knelt on one knee and accepted them politely.
"I'll put them to good use, my lord."
"Hahaha!"
Affinity rising sound again.
[Icarus's Cloak]
Grade: Rare
Description: A cloak made by the heavenly watcher Icarus. Grants excellent resistance to magic and status ailments. Also, wind infused in the cloak negates fall damage.
Cloak.
[Black Wolf's Fang]
Grade: Rare
Description: A dagger ground from a black wolf's fang. Its high piercing power deals massive fixed damage regardless of defense.
Dagger.
New gear acquired.
Both Rare-grade, no less.
'Satisfying.'
Investments for the future.
Luke equipped them right away.
Icarus's Cloak fluttering at the hem with every move.
Black blade gripped in hand: Black Wolf's Fang.
This one felt surprisingly light.
Perfect for slashes.
Swinging.
Stabbing. All effortless.
His base Agility and speed backed it up, after all.
'No wonder everyone chases high grades.'
High-grade gear.
Performance to match.
Upgrading equipped gear one tier at a time was part of growth too.
"So, pleased with my house's offerings?"
"Yes, very."
"Good to hear."
"Then if you'll excuse me..."
"Ah, wait wait. Hold on. What's the rush!"
The viscount grabbed his arm.
More business?
He stopped as asked, but honestly, Luke had no reason to stick around the manor anymore.
Rewards claimed as promised.
Nothing wrong with bailing on Jermi now.
"What?"
"No, you... your speech got awfully curt all of a sudden."
"More business?"
No need to play nice anymore.
Luke glared at the viscount shamelessly.
But then.
"Hm, well, you've contributed massively to our domain, practically, so I wanted to..."
The viscount's follow-up made Luke's knees hit the floor instantly.
"My esteemed lord, pray speak! I've been hanging on your every word!"
"Oho, as expected!"
Lightning-fast attitude flip.
Lucky he caught it before a blunder; the viscount let it slide.
Close call.
Luke wiped cold sweat from his brow and stood.
Almost walked out without extra rewards.
'Contribution points change everything.'
Yeah.
Town or city contributions.
Luke had cashed those in before.
Starting Village.
Top contributor reward from the chief, snagged via lucky theft.
'Never thought it'd pop up here!'
Saving city folk from the mountain stronghold?
Or the rebel purge merits?
Didn't matter. Rewards were rewards.
Luke eyed the door expectantly.
Thud thud!
A soldier arrived with a differently colored chest.
Heart pounding!
What could it be?
Two Rares already, and more?
Not quite first place like last time.
Points capped at mid-3k.
But the viscount himself handling the reward thanks to this mess.
'Still, 3k ain't low.'
Gaining that much at once was wild.
Rebel difficulty must've been nuts.
Spot on?
The viscount opened the chest and handed something over.
But.
"This is an honorary medal from me personally. In the midst of despair, you faced the demon first— a model for our soldiers. I bestow this upon you."
"Ah... Yes, thank you."
"And this artifact holds communication magic. Not hugely useful, but..."
Familiar pattern.
He'd seen this before.
'Right, Lord Kaum. Got a medal and comms bracelet from that guy too.'
Now connected not just to Lord Kaum, but Jermi's viscount.
A noble hookup.
Huge for players gunning for noble status or high society.
Not him, though.
Luke accepted the medal and bracelet with disappointment.
Then.
"Ah, and this is a personal gift from me."
The viscount pulled something else from the chest.
Different pattern.
Luke's eyes lit up.
"Ahem, you didn't have to..."
"Hoho, nonsense. After what you did? Please, take it."
"Ahem, thank you. But this is?"
"Been gathering dust in the family vault for ages. Reminded me of that worn mask you're wearing, so I fetched it."
A white face mask.
'Fox?'
Modeled after a fox?
Looked just like one.
Red straps on both sides too.
Luke examined the handed-over mask curiously.
That instant.
'Huh?'
A familiar black mask pattern surfaced through the white.
'...Night King's gear?!'
Eyes widening.
Night King's item, confirmed.
But.
'What? Why nothing happening?'
No phenomena.
No black smoke rising.
No memory flashbacks from the item.
Should've triggered something.
'2nd Awakening?'
First time.
Failed absorption.
Extra conditions like this.
'No grade or description...'
Item name showed as ???? too.
'Hm, long-term investment then.'
Can't use yet.
Luke smacked his lips and pocketed the mask.
Still, free Night King item via contributions.
Personal business done.
Truly no more with Viscount Chainber.
'Those Rare items the soldier carted off earlier, though...'
That'd be the real business.
Sneak Mastery-boosted Shadow Step.
He'd infiltrated the manor undetected even now.
Why not snag those leftover Rare items from the chests?
The thought hit him.
"Well then, I'll be going."
Luke turned to leave early.
"Wait, hold on!"
But the viscount grabbed him again.
"What else?"
"Hm, actually, someone eager to meet you."
"Me?"
"Indeed."
"Where are they?"
"Funny you ask..."
That moment.
A sharp voice cut from behind Luke.
"I'm already here."