LGHTNOVELBOOK Chapter 151: Making Big Purchases
As August exited Pheonix Celestial, he began to receive messages in form of system notifications.
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System Notification:
[ Guild Invitation Received: Shadow's Covenant. ]
[ Guild Invitation Received: Crimson Vanguard. ]
[ Guild Invitation Received: Eternal Flame. ]
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August dismissed the notifications with a wave. "I'm not interested. Like I said, I work alone."
...
...
The streets of Tagharium were abuzz with activity as August strolled through.
His hood was drawn low but failed to hide his identity entirely. Renovations were underway across the city, with scaffolding climbing up damaged buildings and workers—both NPCs and players—busy repairing what the battle against Malrik had destroyed.
Despite the destruction, a spirit of resilience filled the air.
August's footsteps were measured as he navigated the familiar streets, thinking about the notifications he had received earlier.
The sound of hammering and distant chatter blended with the chime of system alerts, pulling his attention back to his interface.
He opened his rewards menu, curious to see what had come from his efforts during the battle.
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System Notification:
[ Contribution Rank: High. Rewards distributed accordingly. ]
[ EXP gained: 1,500,000. Current EXP: 570,200/1,750,000. Level Up! Current Level: 33. ]
[ Perks acquired: Thunder Spear (Level Up), 10× Temporary Power Boost Card (x3), Rare Item Chest (x1). ]
[ Reputation in Tagharium increased by +600. Current Reputation: 920/1,000 (Eligibility for lowest rank of nobility nearing). ]
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August's brows furrowed in surprise as he blinked at the last notification. "Nobility? That's... unexpected." He chuckled while shaking his head. "I just wanted to get through the fight. Now I'm about to get a title?"
Opening his Player Status Panel, August examined his new stats.
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<< Player Status Panel >>
Name: Aleman
Class: Assassin/Mage
Title: Sovereign of Anti-Darkness
Level: 33
EXP: 570,200/1,750,000
HP: 17,600/17,500
MP: 11,000/11,000
Gold: 28,120
Power Level: Tier 2
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His eyes lingered on the new "Tier 2" designation. It wasn't just a symbol of power—it was a badge of distinction. Few players in the game could boast about achieving it, let alone at level 33.
Flipping to his abilities, he noted the Thunder Spear level-up. "Guess I've got to test that out soon," he murmured to himself.
His fingers hovered over the newly leveled spell, already imagining the devastation it could bring.
The streets began to grow busier as he ventured deeper into the city. Players and NPCs alike bustled about, some carrying supplies, others gossiping about the recent battle. A group of children ran up to him excitedly.
"You're Aleman, aren't you?" one of them questioned with wide eyes.
It was a boy clutching a wooden sword. "You were the one who helped save Tagharium!"
Another girl with pigtails tugged at his cloak. "My papa says you're a hero! Is it true you defeated the evil sorcerer?"
August crouched slightly as his demeanor softened. "It wasn't just me," he stated, "There were a lot of brave people fighting that day."
"You're so cool!" the boy exclaimed while holding out his wooden sword. "Teach me something, please!"
August chuckled before ruffling the boy's hair. "Maybe one day. But for now, you've got to keep practicing. Even the smallest warriors can grow strong."
<< General Likability Increased >>
As the children scampered off, a group of older NPCs—beggars clad in tattered clothes—approached hesitantly. One of them, a frail man with a weathered face, bowed deeply.
"Thank you, sir," the man voiced in deep appreciation. "For saving our city. We thought... we thought we were done for."
August straightened him with an earnest expression. "You don't have to thank me. It's my responsibility as much as anyone else's."
The group exchanged grateful looks before retreating, leaving August to continue his walk. The city seemed to notice him more now as players nodded in recognition and NPC shopkeepers called out greetings.
This much attention was quite new although he almost couldn't remember the last time he had a peaceful walk since he was always getting recognized for one thing or the other.
Fortunately, it carried a sense of accomplishment.
"Guess that's what happens when your name gets blasted across a World Announcement for the third time," he muttered.
Despite the buzz around him, August's thoughts wandered to his growth. Three months ago, he had barely been scraping by at level 12. Now, at level 33 and a tier 2 player, he felt like an entirely different person.
The sheer gap in power between his current self and his past self was staggering, and the thought of how much stronger he could become made him smirk.
"I've come quite a distance," he voiced quietly while glancing at the surrounding NPCs and players. "But this is just the start."
He stopped by a quiet corner near the market and leaned against a crumbling wall as he opened his inventory.
The Rare Item Chest he'd received from the battle rewards shimmered in his hands.
"Let's see what you've got for me," he said before opening it. A swirl of light filled his screen before a notification popped up.
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System Notification:
[ Rare Item Acquired: Shadow Mantle of the Raven Lord ]
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The description read:
*An enchanted mantle that enhances stealth abilities and increases critical hit chance by 10% when attacking from the shadows.*
August grinned. "Not bad. Not bad at all."
As he closed his inventory, the streets around him grew busier and footsteps coupled with the clamor of voices pulled him back to the present.
His in-game clock ticked steadily toward logout time, reminding him that he had already been online for four straight days which was two days in the real world. But there was one more thing he needed to do before logging out.
He adjusted his cloak as his eyes scanned the city and he stepped away from the wall. "Alright," he murmured to himself. "Let's wrap this up."
He proceeded to start moving.
Soon August arrived at the market district which fortunately wasn't amongst the destroyed areas.
The glow of signs advertising rare items and magical trinkets illuminated the streets. NPC vendors shouted their wares while players haggled fiercely over prices. Enjoy new stories from empire
It was time for him to take the first step in his plan to create his supernatural guards for AM Coven in the real world.
Since the prices for hiring supernatural players as guards were too high, he already decided to make his.
Stopping at a stall manned by an NPC blacksmith with bulging muscles and soot-streaked skin, August tapped the edge of the counter. "I'm looking for something that boosts speed. Got anything good?"
The blacksmith nodded before pulling out a gleaming pair of boots. "These are the Fleetfoot Greaves. One of my finest works. Increases movement speed by 35% and reduces stamina consumption while sprinting. 20 gold."
August examined the dark red boots with a keen look. "I'll take five."
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System Notification:
[ Purchase Successful: Fleetfoot Greaves acquired(×5). -100 gold. ]
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As he slipped the boots into his inventory, August's gaze moved to another stall.
This one displayed an array of traps and mechanical devices. An NPC merchant wearing a tinker's apron noticed his interest and gestured enthusiastically.
"Ah, a man of taste! May I interest you in these Snapbomb Traps? Perfect for immobilizing enemies. Or perhaps a set of Motion Trigger Systems, capable of detecting even the stealthiest of foes and dealing a power attack upon detection."
August nodded. "I'll take five of each."