Jackpot Drops

"Jackpot!"

The cry of a young man wearing only his underwear resounded in a bloody chamber.

Vecna, since he settled down with his new skills and class, went around the chamber to collect the items dropped by the Black Fang players, from equipment to consumable items, those greedy PK guys paid with extra royalties.

Right now he was standing in front of the items dropped by Bloodhound, a pair of bracers and a sword that he estimated to be worth 10.000 gold the least based on their rating and effect.

"No wonder that fucktard was boasting in interviews that his weapon was one of a kind in the entire Satisfy."

"This weapon would make even the first ranked Kraugel jealous."

'Kehehe, I'll be generous to give you the chance to buy it.'

[Mithril Bracers]

Rating: Epic

Durability: 121/150 Defense: 39 Attack Speed: +4% Accuracy +8%

*The skill 'Quick Reflexes' is generated.

The Mithril Bracers are finely crafted with the touch of a Dwarf Craftsman, lightweight armguards forged from the famous metal known as mithril.

They are adorned with intricate engravings that shimmer with a faint blue glow. These bracers offer exceptional protection while enhancing the wearer's agility and combat prowess.

Users Restriction: Level 125 or higher, More than 300 Agility.

[Quick Reflexes]

The bracers grant the wearer heightened reflexes and agility, allowing them to swiftly dodge incoming attacks, enhancing their survivability in combat.

*Grant the user 20% chance in evasion attacks and doubles agility for 30 seconds.

Skill Mana Cost: 60

Skill Cooldown Time: 100 seconds

.

[Blade of Elysium]

Rating: Unique

Durability: 364/480 Attack Power: 294~495 Attack Speed: -12%

* Additional damage will be dealt to Dark Type monsters

* The skill 'Radiant Aura' is generated

* The skill 'Elysian Blessing' is generated

The Blade of Elysium is a masterpiece of the Elven Crafts. Its blade forged from a radiant alloy infused with the energy of the World Tree. The hilt is wrapped in shimmering white leather, and the crossguard depicts intricate angelic motifs. This divine weapon emits a soft, ethereal glow, instilling a sense of awe and purity in those who behold it.

User Restriction: Level 175 or higher, More than 1180 strength. Advanced Sword Mastery.

[Radiant Aura]

When the Blade of Elysium is unsheathed, it emits a radiant aura, bathing the wielder in a protective shield of holy energy.

This aura grants a passive boost to the wielder's defense, increasing their resistance against dark magic and negative effects by 15%.

Additionally, nearby allies are infused with the aura's gentle light, granting them a temporary increase in health regeneration.

Skill Mana Cost: 250 MP

Skill Cooldown Time: 120 seconds

[Elysian Blessing]

Type: Passive

The Blade of Elysium resonates with the purity of its wielder's heart. Over time, as the wielder demonstrates unwavering dedication to righteousness and champions the cause of justice, the blade's power gradually increases by 2% of its attack power each minute of the encounter.

★ When the heart of the user is corrupt and wicked, the radiance of the Blade will decline. The blade will turn dark and its stats will lower by 50%.

.

'Poor Bloodhound. Even though he had such a weapon, he was such a douchebag that even the sword turned its back on him.'

'Don't worry. I will for sure find you a new master to wield you correctly. Maybe a Paladin?'

'Wait? When did I get 'righteous' all of a sudden? This sword goes to the highest bidder. Same story for those fuckers items.'

'I need money to start this whole journey.'

Preparing his plans and pondering deeper about how he should approach this, the notification window for messages sprung into action, flashing red into his already crimson eyes.

[You have received a message from the user <Steel>]

[You have received a message from the user <TwistedSnake>]

[You have received a message from the user < SnikersOnTop>]

[You have received a message from the user <Suncrest>]

'Awww, so noisy. Since when did I become so popular with the ladies?'

Opening the window quite lazily, sarcasm all over his cold face, his eyes dropped on the messages of each guy that bothered to DM him. Mostly his eyes focused on a particular user <Bloodhound>, and the more he stared into the message window, the larger his smile grew.

#Bloodhound: You better return all my items that dropped if you don't want your life to become miserable.

I warn you. You'll be hunted by the entire Satisfy game if you fuck around with me. Heck, you'll get at you even in real life.

You don't know how much I invested in that weapon.

'This guy is something. As if I would give a crap about his threats. Still, let's check how much he spent on the sword before I block him.'

'One needs to form an idea about his product.'

#Vecna: How much are we talking?

He received an instant response from Bloodhound whereas his response took a while that he probably was boiling inside. No, from his response he was going insane at the thought he lost his most valuable possession.

#Bloodhound: I'll give you a recompense if you give my stuff back. Also, you can keep the rest of the garbage dropped by my boys.

#Bloodhound: The sword cost me 750.000 gold.

When Vecna heard the sum his face dropped, and facepalmed himself for the mistake he made in his mind.

'If I get the same amount in the Auction House... We'll be set. I'll have enough to support mom's health expenses, Silvia's and Alec's school expenses and whatever they wish to achieve in life.'

'There's also the mortgage for the apartment that needs to be taken care of, about 30.000$'

'Abominable mad dog, it seems you've been my Guardian Angel this entire time.'

#Bloodhound: Why do you pause in response? Will you accept my offer?

#Vecna: I'll have to think about it. This is too big of a decision to take on the fly.

#Vecna: Also, are you sure it's fine to take the items of the rest of your guild buddies?

#Bloodhound: Do whatever you want with them. Just give my sword back. Otherwise, I'll report you for hacking.

#Vecna: Got you.

[You have put on ignore the user <Bloodhound>]

'Go ahead bitch. Try everything you have at your disposal for me. In fact, by the look of things, it will be extra money for me.'

Rubbing his nose as he walked toward the center of the Altar Chamber, his villainous smirk had yet to vanish, as he thought about a particular item that he could use after some power-leveling.

'I'll keep the Bracers. Sell the rest of the items.'

'Yet, I doubt it will get enough attention if I just drop the items on the AH. Many of the Rankers are grinding levels, and rarely stop in Cities for their repairs and whatnot.'

'I need to make some buzz around it if I'm to place the items on the Auction House. Forum posts should do its job. It will pick up like bushfires and spread to entire regions.'

'Search Inventory: Return Scroll'

[Return Scroll](x4)

Type: Consumable

Effect: When activated, the Return Scroll instantly transports the user back to a specific safe location, a designated respawn point. This allows the user to quickly escape from dangerous situations, retreat from battles, or return to a familiar area without the need for conventional travel methods.

Respawn Selected Point: Valoria City

'Just one of those scrolls is 250 gold. Those rich kids don't know how to spend their hard earned money.'

Looking around himself to double-check in case he missed any items that could drop from the PK players, seeing nothing out of the ordinary he took one of the return scrolls from his now brimming inventory.

With a pained expression and with the hissing of a snake, he ripped the old looking scroll that was giving off mana essence.

'Bye, 250 dollars. My little heart can't handle this pain.'

Vecna closed his crimson eyes in a pained fashion while around him the mana of the scroll started enveloping his lean figure that lacked the former battle-worn Mercenary attire he had in combat.

The magical rune that formed beneath his feet gushed out with mana of the scroll, leaving nothing behind, only a desolate place that began crumbling down as if its former dignified and malicious aura vanished along with its new vessel.

Vecna, who never experienced a return scroll once his body got enveloped by the magic spell imbued in the scroll, gulped as his crimson eyes were closed shut. There was a unique feeling he couldn't describe, like a placebo, and it ended with a flash and the sound of a bustling place.

'It is done?'

Vecna opened his eyes and found himself inside the familiar square of Valoria City, the Capital of Valorian Duchy, the region he got randomly chosen by the Game's AI to be drafted.

The main square and the adjutant streets were filled with people, specifically players who were busy with their daily routines, questing, farming mobs, raiding dungeons and role-playing. It was a type of game where players had all the freedom in the world, while also experiencing the real-like graphics of an Advanced Virtual Reality.

This was the game of the Hour, which stood on the tip of the lips of millions of humans that dedicated a portion of time into escaping from the hardships of reality.

Simply named Satisfy.

Vecna stood silently on the spot he had returned and watched everyone from a different view specter. His eyes akin to a predator focusing on a prey dilated, making him scratch his golden hair.

'Do my eyes play tricks on me or what? How come I can see so better?'

{Have you guys noticed the changes in the Rankings?}

{What do you mean?}

{That 'Bloodhound' dropped from his 21th spot, his level was hit by 3 levels from what it looks.}

{Check it out. From the looks of it, the main players of Black Fang were hit hard. All of them dropped in level.}

{Ohh let me see. Wew, that's right. Does that mean someone actually killed that monster? Or they failed a dungeon?}

{Those guys doing dungeons? Pfff}

{They probably got murked by Kraugel or Agnus?}

{Aren't they active in the Southern Parts of the Empire? Unlike us Northerners.}

'What the fuck?? It feels as if my head would burst open. So many voices hitting me from all directions.'

While the players talked about the recent events and the misfortune of the Black Fang players, some who stood next to Vecna noticed him grabbing himself by the head, while covering his ears.

"Newbie, are you alright? If this is the first time inside the game, take deep breaths of air."

"Yeah man. The system will adjust to your requirements and sensitivity."

"Keke, it's always nice looking at noobs who pop out into the game being overwhelmed by how crazy Valoria is."

Some laughed with contempt at what was happening to Vecna, while others wanted to offer their help, by encouraging him. Whatsmore, some girls jumped in when they noticed the handsome guy struck by the new sensations of Virtual Reality.

When they got closer to the blonde young man and saw his lean body barely covered by the beginner clothes, one that seemed to be a priest touched Vecna's shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

Her worry barely reached Vecna from the assault of voices he was hearing.

'I need to calm down. Focus. Stay calm.'

'This feels like an extreme ear sickness I heard mom talking about when she returned from hospital. Some of the ladies she shared the room with had a bad one.'

'... Tinmmitus or whatever.'

Shaking his head, as he took deep breaths of air, he turned straight and observed the group of players that wanted to offer their help.

"It's alright. Thanks for your worries."

When the Priest Player, and the other girls saw Vecna smile kindly at them, revealing his handsome features that got enhanced by being a Vampire. Some even saw their system warn them.

[You have been affected by a high 'Charm' Effect]

"Do you want a guide? Isn't this your first time in Satisfy?" asked one of the girls that was considerably lower level compared to the players that got warned by Vecna's high Charm Stat.

They were like bees surrounding a rich nectar flower, what they didn't know was it was a poisonous flower.

Vecna glanced at the rows of notifications that blasted his eyes with regard to his Charm working on the player ladies. He ignored all of the notification alerts, and concentrated on not hearing the voices of the many players surrounding the Plaza.

"I guess this is my first time here. Still, I would think it is better if I explore around by myself."

"You can also form parties and go around town."

"Thank you for the offer, but I wouldn't wish to take away from your precious time, ladies."

Seeing how the girls flocked around Vecna, it made some of the guys jealous of all the attention this 'newb' was getting, mainly for his looks.

His crimson eyes moved around to inspect the players, and not being a fool Vecna read the atmosphere.

"Now, now, while I appreciate all the attention and requests for taking me into your parties. I like to do things on my own."

"Then at least accept me into your friend list."

The girls had it hard with this hot newbie player, they couldn't catch onto him with their desire to help him level up. Still, they were left with an "contact" with the player 'Vecna' who imprinted in their mind as some Westerner Supermodel.

Now the question was, who he was in real life?

They didn't get enough time to ask personal questions since Vecna moved on from the square, taking off toward the Lower City which housed the Inns and other cheap shops of Valoria.

'Gosh, this feeling is creepy. Being followed by girls… Who would think I would reject such an idea?'

'Let's get out before I get kicked out of the Club House.'

Vecna walked the streets of the Lower City with a sense of direction, and with a sharp turn he entered a narrower alley, before logging out from the game, vanishing into the shadows casted by the narrow walls.

What awaited him on the other side was the lid of the Virtual Reality Device, named by most players 'Capsule' reminiscent of the legendary anime 'Dragon Ball'.

Before exiting the capsule Vecna checked his phone, noticing some notifications popping up which he left hanging, only focused on the clock.

[10:12 PM]

'Just in time. Some stretching of the arms and legs for circulation before getting out.'

Not long after he stretched inside the capsule, the lid of one of the many devices that gave you the impression you were in a Sci-Fi Movie from how they were lined up perfectly.

There were fifteen Capsules housed in one large room.

From the opened capsule the figure of an early 20s man with blonde hair, wearing casual clothes appeared, some might say they were old-fashioned and out-of-date. His shoes were decent, not screaming of being of a particular known brand, overall, the man's appearance wasn't special.

If you focused only on his face, you wouldn't say he was displeasing, far from it. If only he styled his hair, and changed his clothes, the modeling agencies would start lining up for signing this young man for a future prospect.

"My back hurts like hell. Stiff ass seats."

Vecna murmured to himself as he walked out of the large room, keeping his quiet, passing by the row of capsules. The room was adorned in a Fantasy Style, while the walls had the posters of various individuals wearing Heroic Armors and Weapons with specific numbers at the corner and stylized names.

Exiting the room, he soon found himself at the check-in where he passed a card to a guy in his 30s.

"That's late from you. You usually are getting out by 10. Got something rolling inside the game?"

"Nothing interesting. I got dragged again by those Black Fang guys."

"Tch. Sucks being you."

The man clicked this tongue, and shook his head as he handled the card handed by Vecna.

"You should have listened and just joined one of the smaller Kingdoms. For me, Roothemon is a winner."

"If I had your schedule, I might regret my choice."

"It's not as if you're tryharding to get into Rankings. Just playing as a hobby. I get you."

"The room is always full with people like you. There you go, you have two more sessions before your next recharge."

Handing the card back to Vecna, the man watched as the guy in his early 20s walked to pick a backpack and also take a winter coat on him.

Seeing him walk out of the building after handling his business at their Club House, he opened up and told Vecna something that might be of interest.

"Ahhh, Adrian. A tip on the Bosses plan. They intend to charge extra on memberships. Is not decided yet, but it's about a 10-20% raise from the base price."

"I see. Quite greedy, but it is not like we chumps have a choice. Right?"

"Other than buying your own Capsule. No."

"Heh. Maybe I should just buy myself that Capsule since it wouldn't be practical after the raise."

"Anyway, see you tomorrow. Good night."

Vecna raised his hand at the guy standing at the counter as a salute, before taking off from the building, walking on the snowy streets, only a target in mind, home.

The cold weather of February was an additional pain for his stiff body from all the sitting the capsule had on him, but he soon warmed up after buying a pretzel that he munched on the walk.

'I feel tired.'

'A long sleep would do me good. Not before I took care of that Forum Post I was cooking in game.'

'An Auction should have lots of participants, not just the ones buying scraps at cheap prices.'