Hard-earned Rewards

[You have killed the Scarlet Demon Spider Boss. You have gained +10,000 XP].

[Congratulations! You have just ascended to level 4!]

[Congratulations! You have just ascended to level 5!]

[Congratulations! You have just ascended to level 6!]

[Congratulations! You have just ascended to level 7!]

As the congratulatory notice hovered in the middle of the Medullar Forge. The place was partially dark, illuminated only by the beam of light coming through the large front door; several screens appeared in front of Kaizen.

The man was heavily breathing. He had only ten life points left, even though he had just managed to dodge the Scarlet Demon Spider's collision with the crane tower.

From now on, he would not want to repeat the folly of trying to solo-kill a Boss without at least knowing him properly or setting a strategy for fighting.

'How lucky Am I? Managing to climb so many levels.' thought Kaizen, sliding the system warnings to the right with one hand to delete them.

When at last, the warnings about the levels reached ended, Kaizen was very surprised to see that he had gained a special item.

[From applying the last hit on the Scarlet Demon Spider, you received the item 'Scarlet Essence (1x)'].

Immediately, Kaizen clicked on the item to read its description; he had never seen such an unusual item icon. The preview of this item's appearance showed an object shaped like a ring, but in the center of this 'ring' was a sphere of red energy that appeared to be neither fire nor plasma.

[Item: Scarlet Essence (Ore).

This rare item can be used to forge strong and powerful weapons.

Class: Primal.

Item Level: ?

Attack:0

Defense: 0

Required Fitness Level: 1]

'So, it's an ore? Well, I can't deny that there is some logic behind it. After all, this is a mission related to blacksmiths. However, I am relieved that this is not the only item I received...'

[You received 'Fire Stone I (50x).']

[You received 'Rotten Spider Flesh (5x)'.]

[You received 'Demon Spider Venom (1x)'].

Without a doubt, when playing an MMORPG style game, there is nothing better than earning several rewards after a difficult battle. Therefore, Kaizen smiled with relief, exhaustion, and satisfaction at the congratulations he received from the game while watching the Boss's giant body crumble into checkered blue particles.

Kaizen didn't know it at that moment. But the very minute he killed the Scarlet Demon Spider, the warning about this Boss's death arose in the Medullar Forge and throughout the world of Midgard, which heard that thunderous voice from once again from the heavens.

"Attention! The optional Boss of the Misty Woods, Scarlet Demon Spider, has been killed. The record was set in 6 minutes and 57 seconds."

All the users who were in the cities, on dirt roads, or even at the ends of the world in the salt waters heard the news and began to comment in the same hour.

"What? That voice again? Wasn't that something rare?"

"Wow, it's really strange to hear it two days in a row."

"Hahaha! I guess the players in the big guilds finally started moving after yesterday's announcement about a new Single Class player!"

"It's been a long time since they've encountered an optional Boss, huh? Damn, lucky ones!"

"Maybe the pro players were just testing tactics to defeat him and that's why they took their time? I don't know."

"I've only been playing this for two weeks and I don't even want to think about finding a Boss! God forbids!"

"Guys, what if whoever killed it is the same player who got the Psych Class?"

"Hahaha! Don't be an idiot!"

"My god! Are you dumb? How would a Boss be defeated by a newbie?"

"Isn't it? Most can't even move properly until they get used to the feeling of VR on the first day, let alone go up three levels and then kill a Boss."

"That's right! You guys are right... Hehe!"

Fate could not have laid out a better path for Kaizen than for himself, at no point settling for the little he had and achieving more with little. Of course, he was making some mistakes, but that was precisely what would make him grow.

When the congratulatory message illuminating the Medullar Forge faded, in the partial dark, Kaizen placed both hands in front of his lips and exclaimed:

"Therkara! Where are you?"

"Here." She answered right next to him, causing his spine to shiver down the way in his back. Watching this reaction from Kaizen, she couldn't help but laugh. "HAHAHAHA! Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you!"

"How long have you been here?" With a weak and still astonished smile, Kaizen asked.

Therkara put her right index finger to her lips, though, and answered:

"Since you killed that bizarre spider. I just didn't say anything because you were making your weird expressions while looking at the ground."

"Not really, it's just that I was.... Never mind. I'm pretty tired, and I think I'll return home for the day. Is it okay if I return here tomorrow?"

"Of course! It was a tiring day for me too, but I'm glad it all ended well. By the way, before you go, I have something to give you for helping me get this far and for believing in me. Follow me, please."

Kaizen was curious and followed the woman-smith to one of the large furnaces.

The battle against the Boss had damaged the whole area, yet the metal and stone furnaces were almost intact.

As soon as Kaizen arrived at the place, Therkara pointed to a cloth bag inside one of the furnaces and asked him to take for himself what was inside the bag, as she would not be able to.

*Ping*

[You have received 'Silver Coins (100x)'].

Upon seeing this message, this time the one who got very eager to hug Therkara Ironstone was Kaizen, who, for the first time, smiled with happiness and celebrated in voice:

"That's what I was talking about! Money!"

Therkara inevitably laughed at the contrast in personality, from a calm, determined man to a greedy teenager.

After Master and apprentice arranged to meet at the Medullar Forge the next day to begin their training, Kaizen stepped out of that dark chamber, and, with the blue lake in front of him, he logged out.

When Klaus Park awoke, he was in his dark room.

*Grrrrr*

His stomach rumbled simultaneously as if reminding him that Klaus needed to eat.

At the same time, he took the NeuroGear off his head and went to the bathroom. Impressively, he didn't feel the slightest bit tired, only this tremendous hunger. He took a quick shower and changed his clothes.

When he returned to his room, he looked at the clock on his bedside table. It was exactly 11:36 pm. Saturday flew by while he played Rise Online.

Then he went downstairs to see if he needed to order food or if his mother, Chun Park, had made dinner.

Klaus Park didn't know it, but at that very moment, there were posts about the death of the Scarlet Demon Spider Boss on most Rise Online forums. The announcement had been as surprising to the users, pro players, and players who were streaming at the time of the death as it had been to the developers of the game itself, who estimated that this Boss would not be found until the end of the year.

...

Edited by: DrHitsuji

If you want to see original illustrations of Rise Online characters, consider helping me on pa treon: Pa treon.com/NandoFalske

More character images in:

https://discord.gg/bpqq9u4gS8

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