Divine Awakening

Before Ash could approach the loot, a notification appeared.

Ping!

You have gained the following Title...

Title: Overkill

Quality: Uncommon

Requirement: Cause three times a creature’s max health in damage within three seconds.

Effect (Passive): Juiced - Increases all Regen by a percentage equal to level.

Ash dismissed the notification, relieved that this title didn’t bestow a terrible side effect. It was actually quite beneficial and would only get better as he leveled. He stepped over to the loot and knelt, examining four tiny sandstorms, each around the size of his hand. His attention triggered another notification.

Auto looting requires a dimensional vault.

Storage space can be purchased at any dungeon pylon.

The information surprised Ash. It meant that in the future, if he could buy some storage, he could loot things just by focusing on them.

Ash’s chakras registered no complaints, so he reached out and gently touched the miniature sandstorm. His hand encountered nothing, but the swirling sand disappeared, suggesting a type of illusion.

With the illusion gone, a thumb-sized scale, resembling the hide of the Burning Jackal of Decay, appeared. The scale produced a steady heat that warmed Ash’s hand.

A small pop-up appeared next to the item with a description.

Name: Burning Scale Fragment

Quality: Common

Description: The scales of Burning Geckos and their many hybrids provide a steady source of heat and are valuable for many applications.

Uses: Alchemy, Crafting.

Ash picked up the scale and rubbed his thumb across its smooth, shimmering surface. It warmed his fingers but didn't burn them, so he slid the scale into the front pocket of his jeans.

Yet another notification appeared, detailing the now familiar format of a title. Ash still hadn’t processed any of the previous ones, and here was another.

Ping!

You have gained the following Title...

Title: Loot Ninja

Quality: Rare

Requirement: Loot a combat drop in a 20-man raid or larger without getting caught.

Attribute Bonus: +5 Nimbleness

Effect (Passive): Greedy - 5% increased probability to upgrade the quality of item drops by one tier.

Effect (Triggered): Ninja’d - Once per hour, instantly snatch an item or piece of loot with a lowered chance of detection. Success percentage and distance in feet equal to level.

That title didn’t seem fair to Ash. Loot ninjas had a terrible reputation, and this was hardly a raid. He thought about that as he glanced at all the portraits along the right side of his vision.

Technically, they were all in the group, so Ash could see how the dungeon came to that conclusion. Both abilities from this title had great value, so it was worth it—even if it gave the wrong impression.

Turning to the next sandstorm, Ash brushed his fingers across it. A fang appeared along with an informational pop-up.

Name: Decayed Fang

Quality: Uncommon

Description: A grisly remnant that retains part of the necrotic energy of the caster.

Effect (Passive): +1 necrotic damage to all attacks. Max total damage per MOB equal to user level * 10.

Restriction: Equipped

Uses: Alchemy, Crafting, Spellcasting

Ash whistled softly. The effect said all attacks, not just his spells. That meant this item should stack on his unarmed and knife damage. The problem was he didn’t have any way to keep it securely against his skin.

That wasn’t true, Ash realized. He summoned his pack and removed one of his many rolls of duct tape. He ripped off a piece of tape and held it in his mouth.

Ash pulled up his shirt, placed the fang on his breastbone, and covered it with duct tape. He replaced the roll, sliding it back into place next to his other miracle solution: a can of WD-40.

The cutout on the lower right corner glowed softly, and Ash opened it. His amulet slot now had a miniature fang occupying it.

Ash placed his pack back into his belt and touched the illusion hiding the third item.

A black ring lay on the ground, and Ash waited a moment for the pop-up to appear.

Name: Ring of Shadows

Quality: Uncommon

Description: A black ring that, when activated, cloaks the wearer in an aura of shadow, enhancing the ability to blend into shadows.

Effect (Triggered): Shadow Meld - Level + 10% chance to stealth in dim light or darkness. Requires wearer to channel 1% Mental Energy and 1% Physical Energy per second.

Restriction: Equipped.

Restriction: No movement.

Ash placed the ring on his right ring finger, and it shrank to fit comfortably. This ring must have allowed the Burning Jackal to appear out of the shadows so suddenly.

For such early-level loot drops, the items surpassed Ash’s expectations. He’d never been materialistic because he had no time for anything, fun or not. The only thing he occasionally thought about was a motorcycle, but that had turned more into a way to poke his grandpa than anything he actually desired.

Now, though, Ash felt a thrill as he studied the last little sandstorm. This could be addicting, and he needed to stay on guard against greed so he didn't do anything stupid.

Sad that only one loot drop remained, Ash dissolved the illusion.

A small mound of square copper coins, each an inch wide, with a circular hole through their centers.

Name: Copper Square

Quality: Common

Description: Copper squares are commonly found in the First Domain and represent the lowest level of currency inside the dungeon.

Quantity: 33

Ash glanced in his log and confirmed the initial loot had only rewarded thirty coins, but his ten percent bonus from the title Mark of Eiru had added ten percent. That bonus would go up by ten percent every time he leveled, and once again he forced himself to calm down as excitement at earning dungeon coins filled him.

What was happening? Ash had tens of millions of dollars in cash, crypto, and valuables, and none of that had ever made him feel like this. It took only a moment of self-reflection to understand: The difference between the outside world and the Underworld was the magic. This place had magic items, and there was an entire store filled with items that likely were beyond his comprehension. The unknown possibilities, coupled with the desire to get better items, created a powerful recipe that he had a hard time resisting.

The reality here in the Underworld meant gaining loot had more purpose than simple greed. A person needed it to survive, to grow stronger so they could travel deeper into the dungeon. It was an endless loop, he knew, but that didn’t dampen his excitement over what the future might bring. He just needed to remain vigilant against acting stupid for loot.

Ash reached for the square coins, but they disappeared when he focused on them. His stomach sank. Did he lose them? Did the dungeon have a loot timer?

Another idea occurred to Ash, and he checked his Inventory again. Sure enough, thirty-three copper had been auto-looted and added to his bank. It seemed the dungeon gave out money storage for free.

Glancing at the list of currency, he didn’t recognize all the metals. The exchange rate wasn’t listed either but would likely become apparent soon enough.

Copper: 33

Silver: 0

Gold: 0

Platinum: 0

Terium: 0

Ash stood and studied the tunnel stretching ahead, dark and foreboding.

Ash reached out to Nomad over chat. First contact. Some type of dog and fire-lizard hybrid. Continuing into the tunnel now.

Roger that. We’re at the fork. Do you want backup?

Not yet, thanks. I’m not that far from you guys. Let’s see what the next few hundred feet reveal.

Roger that.

Ash took a deep breath, centering himself. His Root chakra pulsed steadily, a reminder that his life was in peril here, and his Third Eye urged caution from the danger that lurked nearby.

With senses alert and mind clear, Ash followed the tunnel. It twisted and turned, and the air grew colder, the scent of decay stronger, but Ash didn’t hesitate. He’d handle whatever came next.