章節 28: Guild Token

Upon receiving our mission, we proceeded to the designated area where we encountered the Rock Devils, initiating our eradication efforts. In all candor, these creatures posed no formidable challenge; they were merely a nuisance, characterized by their vulnerability. Augmenting our offensive capabilities with water-based attacks significantly boosted our damage output, facilitating the swift elimination of these adversaries.

It is noteworthy to mention that Lina, while proficient, exhibited a notably distinct gameplay style compared to her earlier performance. This divergence in her approach can be attributed to her lower character level and the absence of her Class Promotion, which accounts for her relatively diminished prowess compared to our prior experiences.

Despite the initial setback, I remained undeterred in my pursuit of farming the Rock Devils. Their rapid respawn rate ensured that we didn't have to endure lengthy downtimes after their initial defeat. However, I had clearly underestimated the drop rate of the crucial item we sought. Despite having vanquished a substantial number – around 30 or 40 of these beasts – our loot tally displayed a meager 1 [Melting Coal].

As the final group of monsters met their demise, Lina, worn out from the relentless action, took a seat on a nearby boulder, letting out an exhausted sigh.

"I'm exhausted," Lina said, sweat pouring down her face. The scorching sun and the oppressive heat of the Rock Devils had taken their toll, leaving her drained.

I reached for a water bottle and tossed it her way. "Here, drink up. You need to stay hydrated," I said casually, and she caught it with relief, downing the entire bottle in one gulp.

"Could this be her way of getting back at us?" Lina asked with a hint of suspicion, implying that Almira might have orchestrated this as a form of payback.

"I highly doubt it. While she can be crafty, planning something like this seems a bit too extreme for her," I replied, shaking my head.

It was my first time undertaking this quest, and I soon discovered that the drop rate for [Melting Coal] from Rock Devils was shockingly low. I distinctly remembered having a surplus of this stuff in a previous playthrough, often using it as fuel in my forge. However, since I hadn't actively farmed these creatures, I had no idea how scarce these drops really were until I specifically started to grind for them.

We stood there, waiting for the Rock Devils to make their reappearance, when Lina reached into her inventory and pulled out something intriguing. In this virtual world, where the realms of Followers and Players were distinct, she had the autonomy to collect and manage items on her own. Depending on their rapport with their master, a follower could decide to either keep their discoveries a secret or promptly share them. Lina, loyal as ever, chose the latter.

"Hey, Master, check this out. It's not your usual drop. Have any idea what this is? It's the first time I've laid eyes on this thing."

"Is it just some run-of-the-mill item? If it is, we can probably just let it be. Our main target right now is to gather [Melting Coal]."

"No, it's not your average find. This thing is gleaming and has a faint glow to it."

Lina handed me a shiny golden object, something I knew all too well. At first, I thought the heat had finally gotten to me, playing tricks on my eyes. But as I examined it closely, it was clear I wasn't hallucinating.

"Wait a minute, is this the real deal? It shouldn't be dropping this early, and definitely not from those monsters," I muttered, my voice tinged with surprise.

"Hey, do you even know what this thing is?" Lina asked, her confusion apparent.

"Yeah, I recognize it. It's one of those rare items that players like us go crazy for. Since it's still in short supply, we might be the first to get our hands on it. If we sell it now, we can fetch a higher price. But if we wait, its value might plummet, and we'll end up with less cash in the end."

What I had in my hands was the Guild Token, the key you need to form your very own guild. You see, nobody else has gone ahead and established a guild yet, which means no one has obtained this one just yet and that also means this token's worth has shot through the roof. It's a hot commodity in demand, and I can make a pretty penny off it. There are plenty of gamers out there ready to part with their hard-earned virtual cash to get their hands on this bad boy.

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[Guild Token]

Usage: Once

Effect: Guild Creation - Gather your mates and conquer the realm! First, head to the HQ to claim your guild.

Info: You won't believe it, but this little beauty is like the golden ticket to the gaming world. It's a rare drop from monsters, and rumor has it, that the Goddess of Life herself had a hand in its creation. She made it to bring people together to tackle those pesky monsters as a team. Instead of just giving them out in the guild, she decided to spice things up. Legend has it that the Goddess even throws in some extra blessings for those lucky enough to score one of these tokens.

Note: Yep, you heard me right - this thing's made of real gold. The Goddess has a taste for bling, it seems!

System Note: Drumroll, please! You're holding the very first Guild Token ever in the game, worldwide. And nope, you can't trade it for anything else. It's like having the first-ever smartphone – you can't go back in time and swap it for the latest model.

Price: ???

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This particular item is a hot commodity, especially in the early stages of the game. But, as more and more players get their hands on it through drops, the price takes a nosedive, and it's no longer the golden goose it once was. The Guild Token is a rare find, and it's not like you can just waltz up to any random monster and expect to score one. In fact, there's no guarantee that even if you and your group farm together, you'll stumble upon one of these tokens. They're like the unicorns of the gaming world.

Selling it is often the smarter move, but don't think you can just toss it in the nearest store and walk away with a fortune. The payout is more like pocket change if you take that route. However, if you're a bit more strategic and put it up for auction, you might just hit the jackpot. Let your fellow players duke it out in a bidding war, and you'll be counting your earnings with a big grin on your face.

Right now, most players are still hanging out in the beginner zone. But sooner or later, they'll be making their way to the Capital, and that's when the real game begins. If you've got one of these tokens in your pocket and you've registered at HQ, you're on your way to guild glory. It's like the key to unlocking a whole new level of the game, and trust me, that's where the fun really starts.

"Hey, Master, are we gonna use this thing?" Lina inquired.

"Nah, we're better off selling it down the line. Holding onto it is the ticket to upgrading our status from poor to rich in one fell swoop," I replied.

"Really? Is it that valuable?" Lina was curious.

"At the moment, yeah. It's a hot commodity. But give it some time, and it'll be as common as dirt. We're cashing in before everyone else catches on," I explained.

I swiftly stashed the token in my inventory since Lina gave it to me and she has no problem removing it from her inventory. For her, it is useless.

"Actually, Master, that wasn't the only guild token I snagged just now. I found three more in my inventory earlier. Interested in those as well?" Lina inquired, her tone casual.

I was somewhat shocked by her revelation, but the potential windfall from selling those tokens quickly overshadowed my surprise.

"Show me!"

...

Before me materialized three additional gold tokens. It dawned on me that even in my past experiences, I'd never amassed this many tokens. I couldn't help but wonder how these tokens had a higher drop rate than the humble [Melting Coal]. Did their drop rates get swapped?

I was a bit baffled by the fact that four guild tokens showed up one after the other so soon. How in the world did that even happen?

"Hey boss, the Rock Devils are back!" Lina exclaimed.

"Alright, I'll head over."

Meh, who gives a darn? I'm planning to sell these tokens anyway, so why worry about the count for now? Once these are off my hands, I'll be rolling in the dough.