Chapter 105: Truly Exceptional Equipment

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Returning from a meal, I found two more gold medals waiting for me—hee hee, Blackie has decided to indulge in a few extra meals today.

Everyone, remember to cast your votes and show support!

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After shaking off the pursuit of the Supreme Mercenary Group, I relied on my bow-warrior’s Hawk Eye ability to speed through the pitch-dark wilderness. Soon enough, Xuan Frost City came into view!

At that moment, I played it smart...

Quietly altering my route, I circled around more than half of Xuan Frost City, entering through the farthest northern gate to avoid any Supreme Mercenary patrols possibly sweeping the city.

As expected, the path was completely clear!

...

Entering the city meant stepping into a safe zone. No matter how bold the Supreme Mercenary Group was, they wouldn’t dare act recklessly here.

After all, the Supreme Mercenary Group was just a player organization, a mercenary troupe. The true masters of Xuan Frost City were the Knight Empire!

The White Festival had once explained: any player maliciously killed within the city, even if their equipment drops, the gear would automatically be stored in the deceased’s bank; meanwhile, the player who launched the malicious attack would face immediate repercussions from nearby NPCs.

All loot obtained this way must be surrendered to the national treasury...

Moreover, any player who maliciously injures others and is then killed by NPCs near the city will be imprisoned for double the usual time—that is, 24 online hours!

Such harsh penalties served as a powerful deterrent to every player in "Magic Epoch." It was precisely this deterrent, combined with the NPCs’ nearly unbeatable strength, that maintained the city’s security!

Once inside, I relaxed completely, swiftly sending a voice message to Little Ai to let her know I had returned safely and inquired about the current situation in Kodo Beast Valley.

Upon learning from Little Ai that the Supreme Mercenary Group hadn’t troubled them, I breathed a sigh of relief and felt somewhat better about the Supreme Commander.

Though the Supreme Commander’s actions were motivated by considerations for the mercenary group’s future—avoiding making enemies over trivial matters—his decision not to harass those who had opposed him helped ease my long-standing anxiety and lifted a heavy burden of obligation from my shoulders for the foreseeable future.

When everyone heard I was safely back in the city, they also relaxed and resumed their usual activities—some returned to the city, others continued leveling up. The outcome was far more peaceful than we had anticipated.

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...

Suddenly, I remembered the equipment I had obtained from killing the Magic Kodo Beasts in the valley. Since Little Ai also wielded fire magic like the Magic Kodo Beasts, perhaps she could make use of the gear.

With that thought, I hurried to the appraisal shop I had once branded a shady establishment.

After paying three gold coins for the appraisal, the true nature of two pieces of equipment and a magic scroll was revealed...

No wonder these items dropped from the Magic Kodo Beasts!

Both pieces were silver gear, usable from level 15, with three basic attributes. Additionally, when equipped by fire mages, each grants an extra point of attack. This bonus was crucial for early-stage mages. If a full set could be gathered, it might even become a solid source of firepower.

“I wonder if the Poet Sage got this same set yesterday...” I mused, glancing at the last item in my hand—a second-tier fire magic scroll, Chain of Blazing Fireballs!

I finally decided to gift the two pieces of equipment to Little Ai. As for the scroll, I would keep it and later give it to Red Tea to exchange for a second-tier water magic scroll.

After making my decision, I went to the bank and transferred the two pieces of equipment into Little Ai’s account.

Soon after, Little Ai responded through a voice message prompted by the system notification:

“Package? What is it?”

“A gift! You performed so brilliantly today, so consider this a reward. Check it out once you’re back in the city—you’ll find it useful.”

“But everyone contributed... giving it only to me doesn’t seem right,” Little Ai said shyly, though her delight was unmistakable beneath her modest tone.

I smiled inwardly, restraining the urge to tease her. “Heh, then they’ll just have to forgive me. After all, the Magic Kodo Beasts only drop gear for fire mages...” The moment I said this, I regretted it. I could have gained some goodwill, but instead, I sounded quite reluctant. I feared Little Ai might be upset.

To my surprise...

“It’s gear dropped by the Magic Kodo Beasts? Fire magic gear? That’s wonderful! Is it a helmet, bracers, or leggings this time?” Upon hearing it was fire mage equipment from the Magic Kodo Beasts, Little Ai couldn’t contain her excitement and eagerly pressed for details.

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“A helmet and bracers.”

I had barely answered when Little Ai immediately shouted with joy:

“Yay! Awesome! I’m about to level up and change my gear—I’ll get 8 more magic attack points then!”

Eight points of magic attack? That’s incredible!

I was stunned and asked in disbelief. Only then did I learn that Little Ai already possessed a magic robe and boots dropped by the Magic Kodo Beasts, both granting +3 spirit and an additional +1 to fire magic attack.

Each piece of equipment, it seemed, equaled roughly two extra points of magic attack. Imagine if she completed the full set...

A wave of envy stirred within me: why did mage equipment come with extra attribute bonuses, while a bow warrior’s gear did not? Mine was a first-tier exquisite silver set, yet it only had ordinary basic attribute bonuses!

After asking Little Ai, I discovered:

Each tier of equipment was further divided into five quality grades: poor, average, fine, very good, and exquisite.

Typical silver equipment had average stats plus one or two basic attributes; exquisite gear boasted outstanding inherent stats as well as two to three additional attributes.

Among exquisite gear, items dropped by bosses were the best of all... not only were their stats formidable, but their attribute bonuses often surpassed those of regular exquisite gear by one or two extras.

Usually, this type of gear never entered the market!

Because boss drops were typically claimed by the entire team and immediately assigned to the professions that needed them most...

Even when upgrading gear, these exquisite pieces could be exchanged for other excellent equipment or gifted to close friends. Rarely would anyone sell them.

Hearing this, I finally understood: the equipment I wore was considered exquisite by ordinary players... but compared to truly exquisite gear, there was still a considerable gap!