The Cursed Shard

Kane moved a bit further from the roof edge, not losing sight of the leader. It wasn't going anywhere, which was quite strange. Weighing all pros and cons, RAVen decided that here he was definitely safe now, the monster was in sight, which meant it was time to get to work. Changing bolts to those that dealt holy magic damage, he began shooting.

-15

Miss

-13

Miss

The rat leader flinched and ran back several meters. But bolts reached it again. It ran back in another direction, but there was no escape there either. Time passed, bolts pursued the monster, bringing it pain and with each shot bringing it closer to death. Kane still couldn't see its health level. Therefore, nothing remained except to continue shooting.

Ten hours passed, he had already changed twelve sets. This uncertainty didn't give him the opportunity to relax even for a minute. Constant tension began affecting speed and accuracy.

Miss

Miss

Miss

-10

RAVen even began feeling his hands going numb. Looking at the target through sights, he pressed the trigger and reloaded, pressed the trigger and reloaded again. He resembled a conveyor delivering bolts to the leader's body. But everything ends sometime, and this ended too. The leader shook, flashed with purple flame and froze. Blood began flowing abundantly from its body, and several seconds later it fell sideways.

[You gained a level...

You gained a level...

You gained a level...

Congratulations! You achieved the impossible! You are the first player in this world's history to defeat a Viscount by your own strength.]

[You receive the title "Fall of the Titan"

+4 to luck;

+7% damage against viscount class monsters;

+10% defense against viscount class monsters;

+3% chance to get unique item from viscount class monster bodies.

Skill "In Sight" advanced to next rank "Journeyman". Chance to deal critical damage with ranged weapons +4%.]

"Wow! Three levels! Plus four to luck? Well though truly, without luck this wouldn't have worked. If not for the long ladder, I would have definitely died," − thinking about this, he finally proceeded to all gamers' favorite activity: collecting loot.

Jump from the roof took 7% health and applied a debuff in form of sprained ankle, lasting for four hours. Now RAVen knew that jumping from such height wasn't worth it if he would be running from someone.

First was the Leader. After searching its body, which hadn't disappeared yet, he went to the warehouse, there, without thinking long, collected all bags and, leaving it, exited the game. Sleep. All he wanted was to lie in bed and fall asleep quickly. Too long he had been killing rats and this suddenly appeared leader. In the end he slept through the next day and woke only by morning. After eating and washing up, Kane finally came to his senses. Work was waiting.

He entered the game and first thing began examining obtained trophies. From regular rats dropped teeth, bones, skulls, drops of cursed blood frozen like rubies in quantity of two pieces, several dozens of silver coins, one silver rank item and one gold, plus rare recipe "Curse Aura."

["Drop of Cursed Blood"

Rank: Rare

Description: Alchemical reagent.]

[Recipe: "Curse Aura"

Rank: Rare

Description: Allows creating potion that applies curse aura on drinker. Applies curse on attacking enemy.

Aura Effects:

20% slowdown; 13% physical and magical damage.

Duration: 3 minutes.]

Two items that dropped from the leader had restrictions for level forty. The item that was on warrior clearly didn't suit him, but was perfect for selling. But the second was just right for him.

["Flight Dagger"

Rank: Gold

Description: Dagger forged by dwarf Salar for famous southern rogue, but he never came for his order.

Requirements: Level 40.

Characteristics:

Damage 106-158;

+18% to dodging;

+24% chance to stun enemy for 5 sec;

+3% chance to kill enemy with one strike when attacking from behind.

Skill: "Precise Throw", active, allows owner to throw dagger at enemy without fear of losing it. Dagger returns to owner's hand.

Damage 103-135;

Range: 10 meters.

Cooldown: 5 minutes.

Restrictions: Rogue.]

And the last item was a cloudy purple stone emanating evil energy. Identification.

["Cursed Shard"

Rank: Unique

Description: This shard is just part of something bigger. Find someone who can tell you about this.]

[You are offered hidden quest chain: "Secret of the Shards"

Description: Find one who will tell you the truth.

Reward:

1000 experience;

Unique skill book.

Accept? Yes/No]

Hidden quests were second in importance after epic ones. They gave large amounts of experience, unique skills and items. Therefore, RAVen definitely wasn't going to refuse something that could potentially bring good income. And he confirmed the quest. True, quests where you don't know how to find answers were incredibly difficult, but he was here for the long haul.