Enhancement Shops and the Dragon King's Secret
I'm not super familiar with other games since I haven't played many, but there's nothing particularly special about Last Savior's enhancement system. It's probably the same as any other game, right?
You head to an enhancement NPC.
Hand over your gear and enhancement materials, then start enhancing.
That's it. A ridiculously simple system.
That said, if I had to pick one unique thing, it's that there are a ton of enhancement shops—not just one NPC.
"Hmm, yeah, looks that way."
The streets were lined with buildings sporting 'Enhancement Shop' signs.
Being the creators' district probably explained the quirky interiors, which were easy on the eyes, but still—did they really need this many enhancement shops?
"More than I expected. Probably 'cause so many people are enhancing stuff?"
-Yeah, that's likely the biggest reason. One NPC couldn't handle the load.
"But for a place like that, it seems like crowds only flock to certain spots..."
Just as Carpe said, most shops were dead quiet, while the popular one didn't look special at all—just your average enhancement joint.
"Phew, please succeed this time. I've slipped four times already."
"You're lucky it just failed. Mine? Rare weapon exploded. Lose it again, and I'm fighting barehanded."
"Uwaaaah! It exploded!! Uwaaaaa! +9!!"
"Ooooh! Congrats! Told ya this place is the best."
A scene straight out of any online game. Nothing uniquely special about that shop stood out.
Just to be sure, Carpe asked,
"No way each shop has different enhancement rates, right? That's why everyone's piling up there...?"
-As if. All enhancement shops have identical rates. Down to 0.01%—perfectly the same.
"Then why only that one?"
-It's like real life. Think lotto shops.
"Ah... got it."
Lotto shops made it click instantly.
Logically, odds don't change based on where you buy nationwide, but people don't think that way.
Prime lotto spot! Featured on TV!
10 first-prize winners here!
National Lotto Hotspot Guide...
A rumor of a first-prize win at some outlet draws crowds. More buyers mean higher chances of another win. Rinse and repeat, and it becomes a 'hotspot.'
They ignore actual per-purchase win rates.
This place is crowded, so it must be good!
Lots of winners here!
-That's the enhancement hotspot. Exact same reason as lotto shops—pure crowd psychology.
"I see!"
-Yeah, so no need to go there specifically...
"We just queue up there, right?"
Carpe said that and joined the long line at the hotspot.
-...Did you even hear me?
'I did. It's a hotspot. Logical reason for the line.'
-Go somewhere else while I'm asking nicely? You wanna see my blood pressure kill me?
'You're already dead, so... Anyway, you've barely played games, so you might not get it.'
-I have?
'Enhancing's all about the vibes, really.'
-...What did my past life do to deserve this?
Tears welled up.
How did he end up stuck with this guy? What karma?
Did dumping all stats into physicals rot his brain?
No, his gameplay showed solid brainpower too. Combat sense needs reflexes plus rational thinking and animal instincts.
So why!
Why did this sharp guy turn into an idiot the second probability entered the chat!
Cheonma mentally wrote 'endure' thirty times before speaking.
-Sigh. Fine, save the hotspot for later. Let's hit another shop first. We're only doing safe enhancements anyway.
'Safe enhancements? Yeah, makes sense—Last Savior has those too.'
Enhancement and destruction go hand in hand. Risk for power is standard!
But exploding from +1? That's not a game; it's a scam.
Most RPGs have safe zones with 100% success up to a point.
"How far is 100% in Last Savior?"
-Varies by grade. Hero and below: +6. Unique: +5. Legendary+: +4.
"Hmm... so max safe per gear?"
-+20 technically, but... Unique +10s are rare in reality.
"Feels standard for other games."
Carpe strolled the enhancement street.
No need for the hotspot if just doing safe ones.
"Weapons and gold all you need?"
"No, my lord. Enhancements also require special materials called enhancement stones."
-She's right. Shops sell 'em, but mobs drop too.
"Huh? Tina, you know enhancements well?"
"Of course. For those who roam battlefields, enhancement is not optional—essential."
"...Really?"
Made sense—NPCs could equip gear too.
"Among Arkram's nobles, one house rose to marquis solely through smithing and enhancement. They specialized in high-rank gear. My old equipment was enhanced there."
Tina furrowed her brow, unable to recall the name.
"Your old gear?"
"Yes. A +12 Legendary sword..."
-Oof. Giving a rare sword to a girl who wielded +12 Legendaries? Your charisma's in question, boss.
"...That's legend stuff. Mine was ordinary. Can't compare to the sword my lord bestowed."
Tina glanced at Carpe, gauging his reaction.
Her usual emotionless face made him chuckle.
How was this a doll?
-Pick any shop. They're all the same, I swear. Oh, that one—close, clean-looking.
"Think so?"
The moment he stepped toward Cheonma's pick—
BAM!
The door next door burst open.
"Damn it! Wasted dozens of gear for nothing. Trap NPC like the rumors say!"
"S-sorry, but I did warn you beforehand..."
"Whatever. No skill? Close shop and do something else. Stop scamming innocents."
The player stormed off fuming. The presumed owner sighed and slumped down.
"...What's this about?"
-One correction: I said all shops have same rates?
"Yeah."
-Precisely, one doesn't. Lower odds than others.
"That one?"
-Yep.
Cheonma nodded.
"Why that one specifically?"
-Curious? Ask him. Triggers a related quest.
"Nice! Digging into this is the fun part."
Carpe's eyes sparkled as he approached the owner.
"Excuse me."
"Ah... sorry you saw that mess. What can I do? Enhancing?"
"Well, yeah, but..."
"A customer! Come in, come in."
...Didn't say I was doing it here.
He followed the eager owner inside anyway.
"Heard the rumors about our shop?"
"Nah, first time here today."
"Explanation first, then."
The owner sighed softly.
"My enhancements have slightly lower success rates than others. Safe zone's one short."
Hero/below: +5 max safe. Unique: +4. Legendary: +3.
"My family specialized in enhancements for generations..."
Grief-stricken, he spilled without prompting.
"We were once far superior. Heard they even earned a marquis title through it... ancient history now."
"Huh?"
Sounded familiar, but the owner pressed on.
"Our method requires a family heirloom hammer."
Problem: unusable now.
"My great-grandfather dropped the key to its chest into the sea. Shamed, he took his life, ending our legacy."
"Oof..."
"Spent the family fortune searching, but a key in the ocean? We declined—barely scraping by now."
Classic story.
And if right, next came...
"Adventurer, if you find the key, bring it? Family honor on the line—best reward."
Will you accept the Fergus Family's Wish?
📍 Current Head: 'Kiri von Pergus' holds the greatest potential as an enhancer and blacksmith since the founder. Fulfill his wish.
"Yes. If I find it, I'll bring it."
"Ooh, thank you!"
'Weird vibe—hidden quest NPC, huh.'
-Hidden, yeah, but not exclusive. Millions have gotten it from him.
'True, not really hidden...'
Public spot, so anyone past beginner phase knew.
Tempting rewards drew hordes.
Diving seabeds.
Fishing nonstop.
Slaughtering coastal mobs by the tens of thousands.
Nothing. Over 500 million through Ruana, zero keys.
Six months post-launch, consensus: trap NPC or hidden condition.
-Saw the pissed guy earlier? Bet he thought 'enhancing unlocks the condition.'
Others maxed affinity with gifts—no dice.
-Never gonna work that way.
'Wait—you know where the key is?'
-Know it, but... no solution. Saw it up close, couldn't grab.
'Where?'
-Well...
RUMBLE!
Suddenly the shop—no, all of Ruana—shook violently.
"Eek? Earthquake?!"
Carpe startled, but Fergus was chill.
"Ah, first time in Ruana? Annual event—no big worry."
"Annual? An earthquake?"
"Easier to show than tell."
Fergus headed out; Carpe followed.
"...What the hell is that?"
A 'monster' loomed on Ruana's sea horizon.
Even from afar, a colossal blue serpent.
Carpe gawked at its overwhelming presence.
"One of the Four Calamities: the Sea Dragon King. Surfaces occasionally to shed impurities from its scales."
"...Isn't that dangerous? Could smash the city if it came ashore."
"Nah. Mildest of the Four. Basks a bit, then gone."
Carpe stared blankly.
Instinct hit: That's it.
Top of the food chain right there.
-That's it.
'Huh?'
-The key. In its gut.
'...'
Catch that?
-Not catchable. Literal calamity. Natural disaster. Unblockable.
'My lord, the Sea Dragon King predates humanity—one of the primordial beasts. Not an individual, a phenomenon. Beyond physical force.'
'...So the key?'
-Dive in and fetch it. Its belly's a dungeon.
'Scale's insane.'
-FYI, level 400 minimum to even try. Dream on for now.
'Even I wouldn't headbutt that. No way in anyway.'
Decision: abandon key.
But instead...
"Hey, where's that chest now?"
-...Wait. Hold up. No way. Surely not.
"Deepest in the shop."
"Mind if I see? Might unlock it."
"Ah... lockpicking skill, huh? Appreciate it, but waste of time. Hired a 9-star expert generations back."
Special structure foiled it. Cost a fortune for nothing.
"No worries. I'll do better than that guy."
"Eh? Impossible..."
Carpe grinned.
9-star? No wonder it failed—barely scratches the surface.
"Lemme try."
Last Savior's top lockpicker stood ready.