NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 159: Loot Box Addiction and Ghosts!
Before entering the square, Alex decides to spend his 10 remaining stat points to raise all his stats by 2. The increased cost of 5 points per stat, which he has to endure after unlocking his NEN stat, feels like a relatively minor price to pay, especially considering he gains twice as many total stat points as he spends. Plus, NEN, as a special stat, is usually twice as expensive to raise compared to regular stats.
Alex Kerber: Lvl 4
STR: 14, AGI: 14, PHY: 14, SNS: 14, CHA: 14, MNA: 14, INT: 14, SPR: 14, LUK: 14, NEN: 14
DAMN, this feels good. I can feel my Aura getting way stronger! This feeling is incredible! I didn't realize it would feel so different now that I've unlocked my Aura, Alex thinks, savoring the moment.
"Human, I can feel our sssstrength growing! Isss thisss the reward you get for completing your missssions?" Mustrano hisses in his mind.
It's a big part of it, yeah, Alex responds internally.
"I sssseee," Mustrano replies, his tone curious. "You need to get more of thisss. I feel if you crossss a certain point, there will be a ssssignificant change!"
Hmm, interesting. Could it be that something special happens once my stats pass a certain threshold? I can't wait to find out! After his mission, Rishi should be close to 20 in his SPR, I think. I'll know more by then. Alex muses, then adds aloud in his mind, I guess you can't tell me more, 1337, right?
[I am unable to talk about this issue. Once the host has fulfilled certain conditions, I will be able to offer explanations.]
Alex sighs. I figured as much. Still, it feels like 1337 just gave me another hint. Why mention certain conditions in response to my question? It's more or less confirmed now. The real question is when those conditions are fulfilled… 15? 20? 25? 30? He shakes his head. Well, no use overthinking it.
As Alex walks toward the central square, he notices a large number of players bustling about, which is completely normal. To his surprise, though, many of them glance in his direction, whispering and talking among themselves.
Trying to avoid the attention, Alex presses on and finds a quiet corner on the outskirts of the busy center plaza, with all its shops and buildings. He decides to quickly open his chests before dealing with anything else.
Whatever items I receive might change my plans, so I better open them now, he concludes.
Let's start with the big one, the Purple Chest, which I received as a reward for becoming a Floor Master. But what could be inside? Usually, chests are related to the person dropping them. This time, I got it as a quest reward, so there should only be generic stuff in it… right? Let's find out! Alex analyzes eagerly.
You received Soul Crystal (medium)
You received Soul Crystal (small)
You received Upgrade Token
DAMN SWEET! JACKPOT! Alex celebrates internally, his excitement hard to contain. The medium-sized Soul Crystal alone is worth a fortune! Plus, I need it for my [Pluto's Ceremonial Blessing] anyway. Looks like getting a generic reward actually worked out great! But what's this [Upgrade Token]? Alex wonders as he shifts his focus to the unfamiliar item.
[Upgrade Token]
World: Fantasy Realm
Quality: Light Blue
Effect: Raises the quality of a weapon/equipment type item by 1 stage. Limited to Deep Green Items and below.
Note: Can't be traded!
Note: It may not work on some items, be very cautious when using it.
That's not bad. It's only Light Blue and can only be used on Green items, but it sounds pretty helpful, Alex thinks as he examines his newly acquired [Upgrade Token]. After reading its description, he guesses that "1 Stage" likely means a substage upgrade, like going from Regular to Deep, rather than a full jump in quality.
But wait… what Green items do I even have? Alex wonders. Most of my gear is either Blue or Purple quality. Come to think of it, I'm pretty much decked out. My LUK, in this regard, can't be described as anything but godly.
After some thought, Alex narrows it down to three items: [Hunter License], [Noble Shirt], and [Jack's Spare Silvery Mask].
The License is a no-go, Alex reasons. It's a special item that can probably be upgraded in its own way. If I use the Token on it and something goes wrong, the worst-case scenario is the Token vanishes, and the License is destroyed or corrupted. I can't risk losing it!
The mask is also out. It's situational at best, and I rarely use it. Plus, it's only Light Green, and upgrading from Light Green to Green isn't worth it. That leaves the Shirt!
Shirt-type items are very rare, and this one is already useful. If I upgrade it from Deep Green to Light Blue, it'll gain a second effect. And wait a minute—the current effect is related to Nen too, isn't it? Yeah, let's go for it!
[[Upgrade Token] activating]
[[Noble Shirt] selected …
Upgrading …
…
…
…
success
[[Noble Shirt] has been upgraded to Light Blue quality]
[Noble Shirt]
World: Hunter x Hunter
Quality: Light Blue
Type: Shirt
Durability: 25/25
Effect: Increases AURA regeneration by 10%
Effect: Increases NEN by 1 (Flat boost, not increased by skills)
Note: A shirt created by a true genius designer. This work was influenced by his incredible passion, talent and drive to succeed and has a permanent Aura surrounding it. Just wearing it increases your Aura regeneration. The design itself, with its unique and simplistic appearance, is ahead of its time but not yet recognized by the design world, however.
Note: This item had its quality forcefully raised using an [Upgrade Token]
It seems like today is my lucky day! Alex celebrates, grinning to himself. Incredible! The AURA regeneration doubled, and it even gained a new, albeit weak, effect of increasing my NEN by 1. This is amazing.
"Hehehehe! Let's keep going!" Alex says aloud, acting like an addicted gambler.
"Open all 11 Bloody Chests now!"
You received Healing Potion
You received 500 FC
You received Healing Potion
You received 1000 FC
You received Healing Potion
You received 500 FC
You received Healing Potion
You received 1000 FC
You received Healing Potion
You received Healing Potion
You received Kyubei's Deception
"FUCK!" Alex screams in frustration, his voice echoing in the quiet corner. His earlier prediction had come true.
Only a small amount of FC and a mass supply of generic Healing Potions… these things only recover 20 HP, which is becoming absolutely useless to me since it's less than 10% of my total HP now.
The last item catches his attention. The name sounds different… is that from Emma's chest? Let's check it out. Alex concludes, his frustration slightly eased by the promising item.
A few players standing nearby hear Alex scream and shriek in fear. Recognizing him instantly, they walk away as quickly as possible, not wanting to attract his attention.
[Kyubei's Deception]
World: Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Quality: Deep Blue
Type: Trinket (charm)
Effect: Increases CHA by 2
Effect: Enables the user to appear harmless and enhances the ability to manipulate others, depending on the user's CHA.
Effect: Only works for meek and very feminine-appearing players.
Note: Whoever seems the most harmless may turn out to be the most dangerous.
Tzzz, no wonder that bitch Emma managed to trick so many other players and NPCs. I don't know much about the world it's from… isn't that show about young magical girls? Is there really such an evil character as Kyubei? Might be worth checking out for the lulz. Anyway, she clearly had a CHA build, and this trinket was probably insanely effective.
Counting his gains, Alex concludes: Six [Healing Potions], 3,000 FC, and that trinket. Not bad after all!
Finally, Alex walks toward the center square, only to notice that almost everyone he passes continues to recognize him.
Why is everyone whispering and pointing at me? Alex thinks, growing annoyed as he presses on.
When he reaches the center square, Alex finally spots someone he recognizes, Stephen, an acquaintance he often chats with. After getting over Alex's previous white lie, the two had grown closer.
Relieved to see a familiar face, Alex walks up to him. "Hi Stephen, what's happening here? I feel like everyone's looking at me like I'm a ghost!"
"A GHOST!" Stephen suddenly cries out loud, his face full of shock.
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