Chapter 182: A Helmet Only Its Owner Could Love

At the Aurum Alley plaza, March 7th, Stelle, and Pei Guang were fully focused on the pot in front of them.

Just moments ago, Pei Guang had learned that March 7th had picked up various equipment effects along their journey. The three decided to toss the effects into the pot for synthesis.

They set the pot over the flame and closed the lid, listening to the crackling and popping inside. Slowly, they became entranced.

Behind them, Welt watched with narrowed eyes. This pot was so peculiar that he was at a loss for words, but he found the scene amusing.

As the sounds subsided, the three gathered closer.

Pei Guang: "Who wants to open it?"

Stelle: "Why don't you do it?"

Pei Guang: "Why me again?"

Stelle: "It shows off your good luck!"

Pei Guang: "?"

Pei Guang couldn't shake the feeling that Stelle had a hidden meaning behind her words.

March 7th placed her hands on the lid. "Should I… open it?"

With no objections, March 7th took a deep breath and resolved herself. At that moment, the lid felt as heavy as a thousand pounds. Slowly, she lifted it, creating a tiny crack.

The moment the lid opened slightly, March 7th reflexively let go.

"Eek!"

Startled, she released the lid, closed her eyes, and instinctively clung to Pei Guang.

March 7th's squeal made Stelle jump too.

She instinctively covered her eyes and twisted her body. "Eek!!!"

Pei Guang, caught off guard by the two of them, also let out a surprised, "Eek!!!" and stepped back a few paces.

When they all realized nothing had actually happened, Pei Guang looked at Stelle. "Why are you screaming? You scared me!"

Stelle looked at March 7th. "Why are you screaming? You scared me, which ended up scaring Pei Guang!"

March 7th shrugged, grinning sheepishly. "Hehe~ I couldn't help it! Just for a second there, it felt like there was a bomb hiding under that lid. But I won't do it again, I swear! Here we go!"

This time, March 7th swiftly lifted the lid. As they peered into the pot, everyone fell silent.

They had put ten sparkly equipment effects into the pot, and Pei Guang had expected the combination to yield something rare.

It was indeed rare, but the appearance…

In the middle of the pot lay a helmet—a simple silver oval with a face design. The face had two black eyes on either side, a curved, crescent-like mouth, and two holes for a nose. It looked like an uncanny version of an albinauric mask—only uglier.

Everyone was silent, staring in disbelief. March 7th and Stelle turned their gazes toward Pei Guang, who picked up the helmet and inspected it.

Pei Guang didn't mind the strange appearance—he was a player, after all, and cared more about stats than looks. He checked for any special attributes.

Pei Guang began to explain, reading the description. "It's an equipment morph, for helmets or headgear. To you, it'll look like your regular headgear, but to others, it'll look like this. Plus, it's a rare effect: it increases mental fortitude, boosts resistance to mind-affecting skills, and even provides a mental attack to enemies… but 'to some extent'? What extent?"

It was like those game descriptions that claimed "deals a ton of damage"—the actual numbers were always vague.

March 7th and Stelle exchanged glances, then both looked at Welt, the only one in the group wearing glasses.

Hearing Pei Guang's description, Welt adjusted his glasses and turned around. "I'll go check the area for any enemies. You all continue."

He didn't even address the helmet's effects—just its look was enough to put him off.

As Welt walked away, Stelle looked to Pei Guang. "Uncle Yang isn't interested, so… who gets this?"

Pei Guang suggested, "March 7th has earrings~ want to try?"

March 7th quickly shook her head. "No way! Absolutely not!"

Pei Guang turned to Stelle, who spread her hands. "I don't have any headgear."

With both teammates declining, Pei Guang sighed. Honestly, he liked the bonus effects, and he was willing to share, but since no one else wanted it, he happily kept it for himself.

He pulled out his trusty trash can lid. "This mass-produced item only cost ten effects. Might as well put it to use. My helmet's design is pretty plain anyway—time to add a little magic!"

Saying that, Pei Guang took out the trash can lid he'd been using as a helmet since Belobog. Though it hadn't really protected his head effectively, he decided to give it a little credit and add an enchantment.

The moment he attached the effect, Pei Guang placed the trash can lid on his head. From his perspective, nothing seemed different, but when he pulled out a mirror… wow, it was ugly.

Still, Pei Guang could feel the mental boost from the enchantment. It was the kind of boost that made him feel like he'd just woken up full of energy.

"Good stuff! Really good stuff!"

As Pei Guang spoke, March 7th and Stelle took a few steps back.

At first, they'd thought it was just a regular helmet. But once Pei Guang put it on, they noticed that when he spoke, the helmet's mouth would move along with him.

They couldn't feel the mental boost, but they sure felt the eerie effect on allies loud and clear.

Pei Guang pulled out the mirror again, admiring his new look. "Sure, it's ugly, but it's got a kind of ugly-cute vibe. Once we get enough effects, I'll make some for you two!"

March 7th shook her head frantically. "No way! It's too ugly."

Pei Guang rolled his eyes, and as he did, they watched the helmet's black pupils roll around too.

Pei Guang grumbled, "You two are no fun. You don't have to look at it if you don't want to! Besides, wearing it in battle is great—it boosts mental strength and resistance. Even if it's a small increase, who knows? That little boost could be the edge we need to defeat an enemy. Games are full of close-call victories and barely escaping defeats."

In his mind, Pei Guang knew the helmet was ugly, but the stats were real. The boosts might not be as refreshing as a nap, but they were still better than nothing.

Not just in competitive games, but Pei Guang had had his fair share of near losses due to minor stat differences in various games.

So as far as he was concerned, looks didn't matter as long as the stats improved: it was a good piece of gear!

Pei Guang walked around, proudly displaying his helmet, while Stelle and March 7th remained silent, and even Welt, nearby, clenched his fist.