Defense specialization and toxin dragon combat.
Too long, frighteningly so.
I am very happy.
“Ugh… not very tasty”
Maple twists her face.
After observing for a while, she realizes the bitten-off portion does not regenerate. Yet, simply scraping it causes the detached flesh to reverse, returning to its original place as if by some unseen law.
“Guess I really have to eat it…”
The toxin dragon’s flesh carries a faint bitterness, reminiscent of bell peppers—something Maple dislikes.
Still, she must eat it to leave this room. She pinches her nose shut, tears welling, and forces herself to swallow. For Maple, the only ally in this game is the absence of fullness. She can taste it, but her stomach never fills.
Munching… ah, thank you, Poison Dragon… your breath was helpful… mmm… spicy, but the pepper taste is gone, that’s a relief…
She continued eating along the torso. After five hours of this, only bones remained. She began sliding toward the tail when the Poison Dragon’s bones crumbled apart. The beast itself ceased moving.
At the same moment, a glowing magical circle and a large treasure chest appeared behind it.
Skill acquired: 【Poison Dragon Eater (Hidoraite)】. This evolves 【Poison Immunity】 into 【Poison Dragon (Hydra)】.
Level up: 18.
Maple allocated her usual 20 stat points to VIT.
Her base VIT now stood at 150.
Good… my defense is stronger again!
She checked her skills next. Maple had not expected such a skill as 【Toxic Dragon Feast (Hydra-Eater)】 to exist.
【Toxic Dragon Feast (Hydra-Eater)】
Nullifies poison and paralysis.
Acquisition condition:
Defeat a toxic dragon via HP Drain.
It seemed consuming the dragon was treated as an HP Drain action. Whether any player other than Maple would ever perform such a thing was highly doubtful.
Her HP had indeed recovered slightly.
It was obvious this was not a conventional method. In fact, the conventional method would likely be far more difficult. Who would willingly eat the rotting flesh of a toxic dragon?
【Toxic Dragon (Hydra)】
Allows mastery over the power of the toxic dragon.
Can cast poison magic by consuming MP.
Acquisition condition:
Obtain Poison Immunity, then defeat a toxic dragon via HP Drain.
Maple shuddered upon seeing this.
This—my first proper attack method! And poison, of all things—perfectly suited!
Once struck, all she needs do is endure. Her VIT will be maximized.
But MP is a problem… Still, I want to invest in VIT…
Maple muttered, deep in thought, until she remembered the chest.
Large. Rectangular. Three meters wide, one meter tall, two meters high.
Maple swallowed hard at the sight of her first chest. Her pulse quickened—tension and excitement.
She lifted the lid slowly, peering inside.
Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Maple cried out, overcome by excitement.
Inside lay a great shield, black as night, accented with vivid red at intervals.
A suit of armor forged with substantial weight and luster, its surface carved with rose reliefs—neither too prominent nor too faint, carrying a firm presence that matched the great shield from earlier.
And a short blade of calm, deep black, its hilt embedded with a gemstone of radiant garnet.
“Mmm… perfect! So cool!”
She lifts each item in turn, examining the descriptions one by one.
【Unique Series】
Exclusive gear awarded only to those who defeat a boss in their first encounter and clear the dungeon.
One per dungeon.
The owner cannot transfer this gear.
『Shadow Night’s Reflection』
【VIT +20】
【Break Growth】
Skill slot: empty
『Black Rose Armor』
【VIT +25】
【Break Growth】
Skill slot: empty
『New Moon』
【VIT +15】
【Break Growth】
Skill slot empty
Truly exclusive to Maple. Even the dagger is VIT-enhanced—equipment so potent that others cannot fully utilize its strength.
"Skill slot and [Break Growth]—let's check those after we return!"
Maple carefully stowed the three pieces of gear into her inventory. She was enveloped in the light of the magic circle and transported from the dungeon back to the familiar town.
As soon as she arrived, she quickly left the place behind. With the small amount of money left, she rented a single room for one night.
In this game, sleep is possible, which is why inns exist. But Maple's purpose was not simply to rest.
"First, confirmation."
[Break Growth]
This gear grows stronger the more it is broken. It returns to its original form instantly upon damage. No numerical penalty during repair.
Skill slot
Skills held can be sacrificed and attached to a weapon. Once attached, the skill cannot be recovered.
The attached skill may be activated without MP cost up to five times per day.
After that, MP is required as normal.
A slot is unlocked every fifteen levels.
"Fufu... So handsome! So strong!"
Maple confirms the addition of a slot and without hesitation attaches [Poison Dragon (Hydra)] to her short blade, Crescent Moon. The concern over MP is now resolved.
"And now, the long-awaited... equipment!"
Maple dons all her gear and checks her form in the mirror.
"Ooooh! I look amazing!"
She holds poses before the mirror for about an hour, practicing familiarity with the outfit.
"Fufufu... And now, out into the world!"
She is nervous, as this is a battle ensemble meant for going out.
As expected, many turned their gaze toward her equipment, radiating overwhelming presence.
Night had deepened, yet she stepped beyond the Town once more, intent on another hunt.
A girl bearing heavy gear—such a sight is admirable.
Correction applied to the Unique Series.