Closed Beta That Only I Played

It was a fat chance for the hunting ground, which had been unpopular until now, to suddenly surge in popularity. Besides, given their outfits, they didn’t seem to be there to hunt because I saw them rolling their eyes constantly as if searching for somebody.

Obviously they were looking for me.

‘Well, that’s understandable.’

Except for me, there were a total of 20 damage dealers close to Level 400. But I knew that very few of them were not even close to my level. Of course, some of them might be close to me in terms of damage, but more crucially they did not have enough mana to constantly spam skills for one hour like me.

‘Can I just reveal my ID?’

When not only the ant caves but also the Scorpion Forest here were crowded with people searching for me like this, I was torn between the desire to reveal my ID and the desire to grow more strongly enough first so nobody could dare to beat me.

But I soon decided not to disclose my ID. I knew the answer from the beginning. That’s why I put on the robe and wore a mask. I slowly moved. Of course, I took off the mask and changed into the ragged clothing I initially had bought. Then I moved to Kotum Castle. Originally I was going to hunt for a while because today was the day when the ‘God of Enhancement’ cooldown was over. So, I could finally enhance the Ice Emperor’s Guardian Sword by one.

***

Kotum Castle. I did not move straight to the blacksmith because I had exactly 31 minutes and 49 seconds left before the God of Enhancement cooldown was over. So, I was going to hunt in the scorpion forest briefly, but I didn’t.

Tramp, tramp.

I moved to a cafe called Lazy Afternoon in the central square, which I stopped by several times recently to sort things out for about 30 minutes. Then I ordered some soft drinks and sat down.

‘Hmm. I can’t keep doing this.’

I escaped not only from the ant caves but from the scorpion forest this time. They were very attractive hunting grounds for me, no matter how others thought about them. I really felt sad that I could not hunt there anymore.

Of course, I have no regrets in confronting the eleven people who found fault with me at the ant caves, and that I scored brilliantly by participating in the quest this time, for I could not be more stupid if I just stood idle, doing nothing.

In particular, my participation in the quest proved that I made the right choice because I received tremendous rewards. When I thought as far as that, my gaze turned to the ring on my right ring finger.

‘Check the item.’

[Scorpion King’s Ring (Precious)

-Available to the player who outperforms others in the regular Level 300 “Stop the Scorpion King” quest only.

-It consists of a ring, an earring, and a necklace. Additional effects occur as a set.

: Two sets: Increases all stat points by 20.

: Three sets: Increases all stat points by 50.

-No wearing restrictions.

-Effect.

: Increases combat power by 3% in desert terrain. 𝗳𝘳𝒆𝘦𝑤𝐞𝚋𝗻𝚘𝘷𝘦𝙡.𝑐𝐨𝘮

: Reduces the damage from sand-type skills by 5%.

: Reduces the damage due to poison-type skills by 10%.

: Intellectual Power increases by 30.

: Agility increases by 30.

– Physical defense increases by 50 Magic defense increases by 50.

-Durability: 470,000/470,000]

I also got one more item that came as a set. I got it from the Scorpion King directly.

[Scorpion King’s Earring (Precious)

-Available for the player who outperforms others in the regular Level 400 “Stop the Scorpion King” quest only.

-It consists of a ring, an earring, and a necklace. Additional effects occur as a set.

: Two sets: Increases all stat points by 20.

: Three sets: Increases all stat points by 50.

-No wearing restrictions.

-Effects:

: Increases combat power by 3% in desert terrain.

: Reduces damage by all sand-type skills by 5%.

: Reduces the damage by all poison-type skills by 10%.

: Intellectual Power increases by 60.

-Physical defense: increases by 50. Magic defense: increases by 50.

-Durability: 470,000/470,000]

There were 30 points each in Strength and Agility, and the Scorpion King’s earrings with 60 Intellectual Power. It was said that the necklace had 30 Physical strength and 30 Willpower, but the rest of the options were the same.

‘Hmm. Mutual Growth is good, but not in this case.’

All growth is good, but it’s a pity this time.”

Except for the necklace, all the stat points increased by 20 as a set option, but the stats increased only in Strength, Agility, and Intellectual Power. Unfortunately, none of the Stamina and Willpower stats increased.

Of course, my current Stamina and Willpower were very high due to Mutual Growth. So, I didn’t have to care about such a small increase. Moreover, it was impossible to increase as many stats now without Mutual Growth even if I invested all my items in my Physical Strength and Willpower. Still, I had some regrets because even a single figure was very valuable to me.

‘By the way, I think I have to participate in the ‘Stop the Scorpion King’ quest once more.’

I had no necklace. Although the Stamina and Willpower boosts that came with the necklace were far from useful, the other options were attractive enough.

In particular, the increase of all stat points by 50 as a set was even more so. Anyway, 30 minutes passed quickly while I was checking the two newly-acquired accessories and pondering over the hunting ground. So I got up and moved to the blacksmith right away, a bit excited.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

As I frequently stopped by this place because of the enhancement quest, I found the sound of hammering very friendly now. When I stepped further inside, a message that could only be heard here rang.

[Please select the item you want to enhance.]

With the message, a window appeared for the enhancement item. I looked at the enhancement window for a moment, because until a little while ago, there was always a red enhancement window right next to it. And I had mixed feelings about that. Of course, I don’t see it anymore.

Anyway, I shook my head slightly from side to side, then put the Ice Emperor’s Guardian Sword in the enhancement window. Then I quietly said, “Activate the God of Enhancement.”

[The God of Enhancement has been activated.

-100% success chance.

-Enhancement target: +0 Ice Emperor’s Guardian Sword.

-Additional requirement when attempting enhancement: 850,000 golden rings

-Cooldown time generated upon successful enhancement: 14 days]

In the past, I attempted to activate the God of Enhancement for a test instead of actually enhancing it, so I didn’t pay attention to the requirement and cooldown time because I knew it.

Then I was about to enhance it casually when something came to my mind.

‘Test it?’

At the same time, I turned my gaze unconsciously toward the Scorpion King’s ring that I had confirmed at a cafe called Lazy Afternoon. It was a rare accessory not even registered at the auction house. Obviously, the accessory enhancement stone was as precious as a weapon or armor enhancement stone. It was extremely precious because the accessory enhancement stone, unlike other enhancement stones, was dropped by only the boss monster.

In other words, it was an accessory that ordinary players could not even attempt to enhance unless any large guild made a determined effort. Besides, since there were no accessories registered at the auction house, it was impossible to find enhancement stones. And the accessories consumed within guilds were insufficient.

That was one of the reasons why famous guilds were eager to hunt boss monsters, and it was always the case with the 1st and 2nd closed betas, except for the 3rd one. Anyway, I didn’t have an accessory enhancement stone. Nonetheless, I found myself attracted to the stone because my ‘God of Enhancement’ didn’t include the enhancement stone in the requirements. Instead, what was required were golden rings, EXP, and cooldown time.

I raised my hand and withdrew the Ice Emperor’s Guardian Sword from the enhancement window. Then I put the Scorpion King’s ring there instead.