First Explorer Bonus Reward
[Ding! You have killed The Maw of the Sewers.]
[Ding! Dungeon Cleared.]
[Ding! You are the first to clear the Dungeon: Sewer Rats.]
[Ding! First Explorer Bonus Applied!]
[Ding! You have leveled up]
[Ding! You have leveled up]
[Ding! You have leveled up]
[Ding! New Title Unlocked: Dungeon Pioneer]
[Dungeon Pioneer: Increased rewards from dungeon completions. Higher chance to uncover hidden dungeon secrets]
[Ding! First Explorer Bonus Reward Unlocked]
Reward: ??? (Claim Now?)
Kaden didn't hesitate. He mentally confirmed.
[Ding! You have received: Abyssal Core Fragment]
A fragment of abyssal energy, condensed from the essence of a fallen eldritch being.
Effect: ???
Warning: Unstable entity detected. Use with caution.
Kaden frowned. This wasn't in the dungeon's normal loot table. He knew every reward that had ever dropped here in his past life. And this?
This was different. Was this the first run's loot?
He ran his fingers over the pulsing, dark fragment in his inventory. He could feel its weight—not just in his hands, but in reality itself. Something about this was important. Well duh, everything Eldrich was important.
These were bizarre creatures that even the mad alchemist feared which was why he was even more surprised to see something like this here. He didn't know what this was. Not yet.
But he would find out. He needed every advantage to win against someone like that monster. Maybe the mad alchemist did not look quite as vile as this thing collapsed next to him. However, appearances could be deceiving. That bastard was just as vile.
Kaden still vividly remembered all the screams he had heard as day after day humans were treated like animals and force-fed all sorts of pills and poisons by that devil. They were torn apart. Reassembled. Mutated into horrors beyond recognition.
He himself had the good luck to be one such test subject. So how could he forget the torture?
The worst part was that all of that torture was not always for science or power or finding out new formulae. Most times it was simply because the man was bored. He did it all just because he could.
Kaden clenched his fists as the thoughts about his past filled his mind. It was a dark place and it made him relive the nightmare. No. He shook himself off and snapped out of it. Going back there was not productive. He needed to move forward and he needed to make sure history did not repeat itself.
He let out a deep breath and looked around. He finally found it. The other reward he was looking for, a treasure chest covered with grim and filth.
Kaden opened the chest and thankfully the contents inside were clean and non-toxic. It was a simple set of shirt and pants.
[Ding! You have obtained: Ratskin Hunter's Garb]
[Ratskin Hunter's Garb: A lightweight set of fur-lined armor crafted from dungeon-hardened beast hide. Enhances agility and provides minor resistance to poison, disease, and environmental toxins.]
Kaden raised an eyebrow. Full set armor? That was unexpected.
The material felt smoother than expected, almost like treated leather rather than rat fur. He rolled up the gear around the abyssal fragment and then stood up to leave the nasty place. An exit portal was swirling at the far end of the chamber and he walked over to it. He only had to touch the portal to exit.
The next moment Kaden was standing on the banks of the river once again. Clean fresh air filled his lungs, washing away the stench of rot and decay that had clung to him in the dungeon. The contrast was almost overwhelming.
After fighting in that cesspit of disease and filth, the crispness of the outside world felt like a blessing. He inhaled deeply, letting the cool breeze settle his nerves. The sun had begun to dip lower on the horizon, casting golden light over the gently rippling water. The river stretched endlessly, its surface reflecting the shifting sky.
The day was ending and the list of achievements he had to complete was still long but he decided to take the next few minutes off anyway. He placed his newly acquired loot on the ground and dove into the river, letting the cold water wash his body.
He was covered in filth from top to bottom and he would suffocate if he did not clean it up soon. The chill hit him hard but he welcomed it. It felt like a reset, a fresh slate after wading through so much rot.
For a moment, he simply floated, staring up at the sky. The stars were beginning to peek through the fading light, scattered like tiny beacons in the encroaching dusk. It was peaceful. If only this peace could last. He let out a sigh and silently enjoyed the few minutes of rest.