Chapter 64

BONUS Chapter 1/5

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After his short encounter with Nikolai, Ren proceeded to follow the map toward Huberts shop.

With the guide in his hands, it only took him thirty minutes to reach the little Gnomes shop.

The Millennium Tree.

It was a popular landmark destination in Maze Forest. It was the biggest tree in COVENANT next to Yggdrasil, the Tree of Life located in the Hidden Lands of the Fey. Occupying about 1000 sq. meter. It would take more than fifty people to circle its bark.

Though not long in the height of around four meters, its canopies almost shaded of the forest itself. In the month of Springs, the leaves were greener and white flowers sprouted on some of its barks. Leaves fell gently on the ground, and even though it was covered in perpetual shade, there was no rot on its barks and no decaying or a foul smell from its surroundings.

The air even had a minty, refres.h.i.+ng smell to it.

Ren took a moment to savor the atmosphere and took a deep breath of fresh air before proceeding to [Little Trinket].

There was a small hole carved from the trunk of the Millennium Tree enough to fit a 36 sq. meter one-story house. And inside it was Hubert, who was inspecting his trinkets.

Ren removed his hood and showed his face while he let Pii wander around the area.

Oh! If it isnt Ren?! You came here so soon? Hubert exclaimed in glee, sharp teeth on display when he smiled.

Yeah. I needed something. Mind if I look into your Elemental Duds.

Huberts smile widened even more. Look to your hearts content. And like I said before, everything here is twenty percent off to you for saving my lie.

Thanks. Ren looked at the selection of Elemental Duds, and he wasnt disappointed with what he saw.

E L E M E N T A L

D U D S

Water Dud

deals water damage

single target

Cost: 500 gil

Aqua Dud

evolved form of the Water Dud

deals water damage

AoE damage

Cost: 1000 gil

Earth Dud

deals earth damage

single target

Cost: 500 gil

Earthquake Dud

evolved form of Earth Dud

deals Earth damage

AoE damage

Cost: 1000 gil

Air Dud

deals air damage

single target

Cost: 500 gil

Tornado Dud

evolved form of Air Dud

deals Air damage

AoE damage

Cost: 1000 gil

Fire Dud

Flame Dud

Freezing Dud

Blizzard Dud

Lightening Dud

Thunder Dud

Holy Dud

Devine Dud

Darkness Dud

Void Dud

E N D

The best thing about Duds is they werent dependent on ATP and level. Anyone can use them, and they pack a punch, especially if the enemy has an elemental weakness.

However, they were expensive as h.e.l.l especially the ones dealing AoE damage.

Ren was palpitating at the prices. But to win against Vulcans Cave at his groups current ATP would be difficult without these Duds.

Closing his eyes and gritting his teeth, he bought 20 Aqua Duds. With a 20% discount, Hubert only charged him 16 000 gil, but it was still a significant sum considering the value of gil in the game.

Good thing that there was another grinding spot near Erendia Town, or Ren wouldnt have spent 16 000 gil on the Duds that would only last on a single raid.

Ren comforted himself, thinking that he was investing in a piece of rare equipment. And Silvia would still compensate him if he didnt get any equipment at all.

It was a win-win situation.

To gain some, he had to lose some.

After he was done with Hubert, Ren activated the save/teleportation Crystal so it would be a breeze to access [Little Trinket] in the future.

Ren was about to log out when Pii came crus.h.i.+ng on his face and alerted him of something.

Pii!

Pii!

What is it? Ren asked the little creature who was biting his clothes, pulling him forward. Like he found something, and it wanted him to take a look.

Pii released the hold on his s.h.i.+rt and flew near the Millennium Tree, pointing with its snout on the trunk.

Just beside [Little Trinket], Ren noticed a hole on a trunk that Pii desperately tried to point out. He thought it was part of the shop, but upon closer inspection, it was a crevice that was hidden by bushes, ferns, giant mushrooms, and flowers.

It wasnt visible if you didnt actually push the bushes and ferns away to reveal a fissure the size of a door.

Is there something inside? Ren became excited.

Maybe there were hidden treasures?

He immediately went inside the gap. Contrary to his expectation, the inside was light coming from the cracks on the trunk. It was s.p.a.cious, about 400 sq. meters. It was airy and . . . covered in gra.s.s and trash.

Pii!

Pii hovered above a patch of overgrown gra.s.s, and Ren went over to see what little Pii had found.

He was keeping his expectation down to avoid disappointment, but he was still disappointed to find a chest covered in rust with a rusty lock keeping it shut tight.

Oh! I see that you have found my lost items! Hubert entered the area and trotted in front of the chest. So this is where it is! I thought I lost it.

What is it? Ren inquired.

This chest contained all my notes, you see. The blueprints for my Duds are all in here. Wait, let me open it.

Hubert went out and returned immediately, holding a strange key in his hand. The key looked simple, and the tip appeared like a heart, but the intricate carvings on its shaft were strange.

The lock on that chest may seem rusty and breakable, but no amount of hammering could open it. It needs a special Key that only I possessed.

Ren thought for a moment. Could it be that the only way for the chest to be open was to rescue Hubert first? If others had found the chest before he was rescued then that meant that the chest was forever locked?

With a resounding click, the lock was released, and the chest opened, revealing old parchment of scrolls.

Hubert carried the chest and gave it to Ren. Here, you can take this.

. . . Ren was flabbergasted. He didnt expect to receive it, to be honest. He thought that Hubert would just give him rewards for finding the chest.

Be glad that your cla.s.s lined on the crafting side. Ill let you have this. You found it, so its yours.

Are you sure? Ren received the chest and all its contents.

[ACQUIRED!

All Elemental Dud Recipes!]

[ACQUIRED!

All Status Effect Dud Recipes!]

Ren was ecstatic! He didnt expect to acquire all the Duds recipes this early on!

He didnt know about someone acquiring all the Dud Recipes before. Was this because of his cla.s.s and that he was the one who found Huberts Chest?

The Gnome implied that it was because of his cla.s.s. But what if others found the chest? Would they have just gotten rewards?

It was possible since Ren didnt know anyone who made Duds except Hubert in the past.

Even if he couldnt craft them yet, it was still a huge relief that he got them all this early. He was now freed of the burden from strenuous quests just to acquire all of them.

Hubert tapped his head with the edge of his pointy nails. I no longer need those. Everything is inside of my head. Besides, I had made new copies since I thought I lost them.

Is that so? Then thank you. Truly. Ren was so happy, and it showed on his face.

Hubert nodded in appreciation at seeing Rens genuine smile.

By the way, is this s.p.a.ce taken? asked Ren, looking over at the area. It might be a mess right now, but he couldnt ask for a better headquarters for his soon-to-be mercenary troops.

It was hidden, and its near Huberts Shop. What more could he ask?

No. when I made my shop here, I bore too large of a hole on the trunk. I wanted to use this s.p.a.ce for storage but realized that I was too lazy to clean the place. My little shop works just fine for me.

Then do you mind if I use the place?

Hubert shrugged. As long as you clean this place, I dont mind. Its just collecting bags of dust anyway.