25: Overlevel Loot

Jerobi had no special mechanics or second phase. After enduring countless flying daggers, this towering Silver Grade BOSS, which could dominate the novice village, finally fell, consumed by anger and frustration.

Its black, stone-like body lost its sheen, cracks spreading across its surface until it shattered into countless fragments and collapsed with a thunderous crash.

Amidst the settling dust, several silver-glowing items could be seen scattered on the ground—

And among them, a faint, dazzling golden glimmer!

Tristan's heart raced.

A jackpot! An absolute jackpot!

The BOSS had dropped gold-tier loot, something exceedingly rare in ExoGenesis.

In the game, loot generally matched the BOSS's tier—Silver BOSSes dropped Silver loot.

The chance of higher-tier items dropping was so infinitesimal it was practically nonexistent.

How rare was it?

In Tristan's previous life, he had spent ten years playing ExoGenesis and could count the number of overlevel drops on one hand.

Even on a global scale, such drops were exceedingly rare.

There were, of course, a few unbelievably lucky players who encountered overlevel drops more often than others.

However, those "luck gods" typically met grim fates when ExoGenesis fused with Terra, disappearing without a trace not long afterward.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, the familiar ding of the system echoed in his ears:

System Notifications:

"You have slain the Silver Grade BOSS, Obsidian Lord Jerobi. Gained 20,000 EXP." "This is the first kill of this BOSS across all servers. You are awarded: 50 free attribute points, 5 skill points, and 50 renown." "You have leveled up to Level 9!" "You gain 5 free attribute points." "The power of shadows gathers within you. You gain an additional 5 free attribute points!" "Beast Blessing activated: You gain an additional 5 free attribute points!" "Hunting Moment activated: You gain 1 evolution point!" "You have leveled up to Level 10!" "You gain 5 free attribute points." "The power of shadows gathers within you. You gain an additional 5 free attribute points!" "Beast Blessing activated: You gain an additional 5 free attribute points!" "Your first kill will now be announced server-wide. Do you wish to hide your name?" "No."

Global Announcement:

"Player 'Blackshade' has achieved the first kill of the Silver Grade BOSS, Obsidian Lord Jerobi. Keep up the great work, players!"

System Notification:

"You are the first player to reach Level 10. The level leaderboard has now been unlocked. Do you wish to hide your name?"

"No."

Global Announcement:

"Player 'Blackshade' has become the first player to reach Level 10. The level leaderboard is now open. Keep striving, players!"

System Notification:

"You have reached Level 10. Please visit your class mentor to complete your first class advancement." "Please note: Until you complete your class advancement, your experience cap will be locked. Any excess experience will be stored in an EXP pool."

The notifications kept coming one after another.

As expected of a Silver Grade BOSS first kill, the rewards were exceptional.

The massive EXP boost alone pushed Tristan two levels higher, bringing him to Level 10.

This meant that if the loot included any Level 10 Silver Grade gear, he could equip it immediately.

Silver Grade equipment at Level 10 was leagues above the Level 5 Black Iron Grade gear he was currently using.

Additionally, the 80 free attribute points and 5 skill points opened up numerous possibilities for his build.

And let's not forget the evolution point—the rarest and most critical resource.

While advancing Shadow Stealth to the next grade required four evolution points, he was already halfway there.

The attribute points were promptly allocated to Agility, bringing his total Agility to a staggering 224 points.

Player Attributes:

Strength: 19 Constitution: 14 Agility: 224+5 Intellect: 13

Two hundred agility!

If translated into real-world terms, it would make Tristan the fastest human on the planet—breaking every conceivable record. He would literally be a man who moved like the wind.

Still, Tristan couldn't help but reflect:

"This build is way too lopsided. Let's hope the loot compensates with some Strength or Constitution bonuses."

With a mix of hope and excitement, Tristan opened his inventory to examine the gold-tier loot first—the item he cared most about.

[Substitute Scarecrow (Gold Tier Item)]:

Effect: Absorbs a fatal blow on behalf of the owner and teleports them to a designated safe zone. Usage: 1/1 (single-use).

Tristan was stunned.

It was this item.

During the game phase of ExoGenesis, the Substitute Scarecrow had been considered underwhelming by most players.

The general sentiment was: "Why waste time saving yourself when you can just respawn and run back?"

But everything changed after the ExoGenesis-Terra fusion.

In that era, death became permanent, and the scarecrow's value skyrocketed. It granted an extra life—a luxury everyone desired.

Even as a Stealth-oriented ranged assassin, Tristan couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.

This item was invaluable, giving him an edge in future battles where survival would be paramount.

"What a gem. There's no way I'd ever sell this, no matter the price."

With the scarecrow safely stored away, Tristan moved on to the next item:

[Obsidian Plate Armor (Silver Grade)]:

Defense: +300 HP: +1000 Strength: +10 Requirements: Level 10, Strength > 50

There was no question—this armor wasn't for him.

With a full Agility-focused build, Tristan had no hope of meeting the Strength requirement.

Shrugging, he sent the item's stats to Drake.

Unsurprisingly, Drake's response was a flood of enthusiastic messages, thanking him profusely.

Next came the third item:

[Obsidian Pendant (Silver Grade)]:

HP: +100 MP: +300 Intellect: +20 Requirements: Level 10, Intellect > 50

Tristan's expression soured.

"Seriously? A caster item? Jerobi, you're really pushing it!"

If the plate armor had been understandable given Jerobi's massive, rocky form, the pendant felt downright insulting.

"You're a BOSS who punches and throws rocks. Why are you dropping gear for spellcasters? Have some self-respect!"

Shaking his head, Tristan moved on to the fourth item:

[Heart of the Mountain Ring (Silver Grade)]:

HP: +200 MP: +200 Special Effect: Creates a shield that absorbs 3000 damage for 30 seconds. Cooldown: 10 minutes. Requirements: Level 10

Now this was more like it.

The ring's defensive properties were exactly what Tristan needed, especially since DarkSaber was lurking at the respawn point, waiting to ambush him.

A shield capable of absorbing 3000 damage would make him practically untouchable for a brief period.

Tristan double-checked the ring's lack of attribute requirements, letting out a sigh of relief.

"If there had been another Strength or Intellect requirement, I'd seriously consider respec-ing my build."

With one item slot filled, Tristan's attention turned to the fifth item.

The moment he saw it, his expression froze.

"What the hell… it's this thing?!"