Ice Jewel
◈ It never melts by ordinary means and emits chill that freezes anyone who touches it.
◈ The ultimate catalyst for ice magic, though few artisans can handle it.
◈ Magic Attack Power +20%
◈ All Ice Spells Power +50%
◈ Equip Restriction: Ice Spell User, Lv 100+
◈ Hidden Option: Destroy to acquire Glacial Heart (Epic)
"No wonder no one found it."
Surprisingly, the Ice Jewel had the same kind of hidden option as before. Destroying it again would yield the Epic-grade Glacial Heart.
But who in their right mind would smash two items in a row? A Rare-grade one and now a Unique-grade one, no less.
The Blizzard Staff had been pretty decent, but the Ice Jewel—even with its Lv 100 restriction—was a monster of an off-hand for any ice spell user, viable up to Lv 200 or 300. Auctioning it off? Vulcan couldn't even guess the price.
"Damn it. Can't sell it now, can I?"
Despite its insane value, Vulcan couldn't bring himself to part with it.
"This could be my ticket to harnessing the Frost Kingdom's power. Selling it for a few coins? No way."
It wasn't even a bind-on-equip item, but the reason he couldn't sell was simple: using it personally would net far more value than any sale.
The Glacial Heart was the key to the major hidden quest in the far northern Frost Kingdom: Revival of the Ice Queen.
According to known info, the quest description mentioned that reviving the Ice Queen would awaken the kingdom's soldiers and citizens, now frozen statues in stasis.
Revive her, and he'd have an entire ancient kingdom at his back.
Frost Kingdom? Those ice weaklings still around?
"They're around, yeah. All sealed up, though."
But no info or hints on the Glacial Heart had ever surfaced anywhere. Even Vulcan hadn't expected to get it like this, in a place like this.
Without Dragon Eye, he'd have overlooked it too.
"Ugh. Guess I gotta grind levels hard just to make use of this."
The issue? Reviving the Ice Queen meant trekking to the ancient Frost Kingdom ruins.
Monsters around there were mid-to-late 300s, no nearby villages for resupply—only top-tier players hunted or quested there.
To use the Glacial Heart, Vulcan needed to grow strong enough to survive and push through.
Ice Zone effects could be tanked with items, but dropping the heart to monsters en route? Catastrophe.
"So, hit Lv 100 first?"
Fully aware of the risks, Vulcan stashed it safely until he could use it and headed back to the village.
Before eyeing the distant Frost Kingdom, he needed Lv 100 and gear from Tud's workshop.
Hunting Hador alone wouldn't cut it for Lv 100, but combining that with workshop loot? Easy.
He could've grinded in Schnell Village now, but with Tud's legacy waiting, expectations were high.
Even one Rare or Unique weapon could spark explosive growth.
"Talking Lv 100 already... no idea how much time I've shaved off."
When Gloria Saga first launched, Lv 100 took nearly six months. Now here he was, on the cusp thanks to his Legendary class.
Bitter smile. All those body-breaking grinds, the game's philosophy of minimal info... felt kinda hollow now.
Experience helped—starting gold, controls, monster knowledge—but still, this pace felt weird.
And hopeful. At this rate, he could catch the top ranks, the ones who ruined him, and get revenge.
"Hmm. Coming back for more? Hope so."
A twinge of regret as he packed loot. If those PKers regathered with grit, extra income. But they'd been wrecked—doubtful.
Or bring friends, bros—whatever. Fine by him.
Smirking, Vulcan refocused. Enough Bomb Flower leaves—time for real hunting.
Up the mountainside toward Hirros Volcano's mid-slopes, home to the most numerous and tricky foes: Fire Lizards.
Chill potion fading, but he had plenty. Post-lizard, no issue even without.
Off he went.
Iconic to Hirros Volcano, but no pushover. Tough for most beginners outside certain classes.
Fireballs from mouth, flaming tail whips—nasty. And if cornered, it severs its tail to flee and regrow, dooming low-agility chasers to frustration.
Vulcan was no different. Ditching heavy armor sped him up, but not enough. Roona's Signet Ring? 30-min cooldown, 10-sec burst—useless for farming.
"C'mere, buddy?"
But he had an edge: knowledge. No charging—just palm out, baiting with a Bomb Flower fruit. Their favorite snack.
Strike at the right moment—done. Not one-shots, but non-tail hits slowed it massively. Easy pickings.
Sssskk—
Better yet: splash Chill Potion. It freezes in place, huddled. Damage, dead.
Costly on potions? Nah—cheap materials.
Flame Zone debuff? Counter with Flame Resistance Potion from lizard blood and Bomb Flower leaves.
"Alright, finally..."
Several levels later, stocked with blood, hides, flaming tails—he descended Hirros Volcano.
No PK rematch—bummer, but less hassle.
"First leather armor, huh."
Back in Schnell Village, stashed loot, auctioned extras, turned in quests. Volcano hunts and herb gathering—pre-planned route made it a breeze.
Nice gold and EXP, but Vulcan eyed crafting time.
"No wonder no one's made this."
Target: Fire Lizard Leather Set. Uncommon drop, fire-resist focused.
Solid defense, great fire options—popular for fire zones/mobs. But no user crafts known.
Recipe was weird.
"Hope this holds up."
Tenderize hides with Bomb Flower fruits for explosiveness. Soak tail flames in mana grass paste-water, slather hides. Pray, flatten, stitch with blood-soaked thread.
Potion helped, but not against named boss Hador's flames. No party—he needed solo prep for Tud's workshop.
"Huh?"
Finishing the set, Vulcan blinked in disbelief.
King Fire Lizard Leather Armor (Rare)
King Fire Lizard Leather Pants (Rare)
King Fire Lizard Leather Helm (Rare)
Legendary skill magic? Fire resist maxed, infused with flame mana—full Rare set from Uncommon drops.
All set pieces are Rare grade. Set effects enhanced.
◈ Infused with the King's aura, attuned to flames.
◈ Fire Resist skill rank +1 (if C or lower)
◈ Immune to Fire Lizard flames
◈ Non-agro from all Fire Lizards
◈ Absorb partial flame damage
◈ [Flame Burst] skill unlocked
"Whoa."
Name changed to King Fire Lizard set, effects boosted.
"Immune to Fire Lizard flames? No way..."
Immunity, not resist. If Hador was just a named Fire Lizard—not beyond the species—its fire would do zilch.
Not matchup; counter.
Grinning, Vulcan bolted to Hador's dungeon—Tud's workshop—for gear test.
"You idiot! Lose that and what?!"
"Bro, I didn't mean to..."
"Shut it!!"
As Vulcan happily headed to Hador's nest with his unexpected King Fire Lizard set, a group appeared in Schnell Village.
Fuming, ready to smack any player.
"Know how hard our guild worked for that? Ha! You moron. If you weren't blood..."
"What's done is done. Rage later—recover first. Know what happens if we don't...?"
The scolded one? The Blizzard Staff dropper. Not his originally—his bro raged, but another player reined him in.
No time for tantrums. They'd bought costly recall-location teleport scrolls to beat guild notice.
City teleports too slow.
"...You're dead at home. Ice mage steps out, says test it—you drop it. Fuck. Should've stolen it if desperate. Speak: you snag it? You're really dead. Know what it is... argh."
"No way! Unique—one of a kind. Someone uses it, busted. Why would I...?"
"Shut it. You're toast. Where'd he go?"
Outrageous expense on player-skill-recorded personal teleports. Peanuts vs. losing the staff.
"Hador's Nest. Buddy tailing—message says he just entered."
"What? Noob, right? Hador's the grad dungeon—solo? Hidden high-level?"
"Huh? New face around here..."
"Blacksmith skill, yeah? Maybe farming mats. Fuckin' pisses me off. High-level of all things..."
"No guild mark!"
"High-level smith solo? Gonna lose it. You later."
Scowling at his dumb-faced bro, the man ground teeth and hurried off.
If a high-level smith just mat-farming? Gone post-job.
Meet now. Unknown backing—persuade, threaten, whatever. Recover that item.
Even empty his wallet for over-market price.
"Move! Not coming?"
"Me too?"
"Duh. Worst case, infinite PK till he drops. Me PK? You lost it—your finisher!"
No persuasion? No mercy. Infinite kills for drop, beg for life, worse if needed.
Or he'd be the one suffering.
Poison in his eyes, the group rushed into Hador's nest after Vulcan.