Chapter Forty-Nine: Rewards

The awards ceremony began, the remaining participants slowly ascending the stage. First came the level rewards: first place received five levels, second place four, third place three, fourth place two, and fifth through eighth each gained one level.

Next was the item reward, the part everyone cared about most. The equipment rewards started at blue-tier, with a chance to win golden gear. If luck favored you, you might even acquire something above gold—this was what I truly desired, though the odds were less than ten percent.

The lottery for fifth through eighth place began first, resulting in each person receiving a red-tier item before stepping down. Then came fourth place, but “One Sword Rides the Wind” had already left the premises. Still, this did not mean he missed his reward; the system would deliver it to him automatically, though he’d have to wait a day.

Third place was next. The NPC lady announced, “Congratulations, Miss Silvermoon, for attaining third place. As per competition rules, you may draw twice. Please proceed.” Silvermoon pressed the wheel’s button, and the pointer finally settled on a bow.

The official site had hinted that rewards would generally suit one’s profession, though there was always the chance a mage might end up with a suit of armor—it all came down to luck.

Phoenixfire Bow
Grade: Emerald
Attack Power +322
Agility Mastery +10
Each attack adds 80 points of fire damage
Magic +200
Vitality +300
Additional Skill: Flaming Arrow—Consumes 300 magic points to inflict fire damage on a target, causing burn status for six seconds. Cooldown: seven minutes.
Required Level: 30

Terrifying! This bow’s attack bonus was even higher than Intent Stick; it could instantly kill any level thirty class except perhaps a warrior.

Her second item appeared soon after: a Feathered Scale Leather Armor—a red-tier item with 78 defense, 220 health, and 100 magic. Not bad.

Silvermoon claimed her items without a hint of emotion, and as she stepped down, she pointed at me and made a throat-slitting gesture. Clearly, she was still brooding over what happened that day.

Next up was my turn. If I didn’t take home at least a green-tier item, I’d never silence those guys—especially Dragon Xin, who would surely mock me. I made my way forward; my rewards included two draws. I prayed not to receive something unusable—ideally, a piece of jewelry. Watching the pointer spin, my heart raced as it stopped on a black square. What…?

The NPC lady approached, holding a scroll. “Congratulations, Mr. Mighty Dragon. You have received a random reward: a treasure map and fifteen hundred gold coins.”

What?!

The whole hall was stunned; I was stunned as well. Usually, you’d get equipment, but I had received a treasure map—which meant, if I found it, I could earn tremendous wealth. Still, not getting gear was a bit disappointing, though those fifteen hundred gold coins would make me rich beyond doubt. I stepped forward, collected my rewards, and left.

Next was Moon Illusion. She approached for her rewards—three in total. The system’s design was certainly generous.

Her first item was a red-tier suit of armor, though its attributes paled in comparison to her current set. The second item appeared quickly:

Dragon Scale Legguards
Grade: Emerald
Defense +100
Magic +500
Vitality +500
Water Element Resistance +10%
1% chance to reflect 200% of received damage back at the attacker (ineffective against bosses; effect halved against players)
Additional Effect: Never Wears Out—durability remains unchanged regardless of use.
Required Level: 35

A remarkably sustainable and economical item. Though it was green-tier and had no skills, not every green-tier part comes with added skills. That reflect effect was powerful, though at one percent, it was so rare as to be almost nonexistent.

Her third draw landed on a black necklace:

Equatorial Starshard
Grade: Gold
Magic Defense +400
Vitality +2000
Magic +1500
Restores 40 vitality per minute
Strength Mastery +21
Magic Mastery +53
Additional Skill (1): Heartbreak Strike—Consumes 200 magic points to render a target unable to act, wandering aimlessly for five minutes. Cooldown: five minutes.
Additional Skill (2): Heart’s Mark—Consumes 1000 magic points; can only be used on targets of the opposite gender, controls the target for one minute. Cooldown: ten minutes. Note: May fail, forcing skill cooldown.

Required Level: 40
Requires Strength Mastery 35, Magic Mastery 35.

The crowd was once again astounded—not just by the overwhelming attributes, but by the formidable skills. The first skill needed no explanation—if struck, you were finished. The second was insidious: a control skill lasting up to a minute, albeit only usable on the opposite gender. But imagine controlling someone like “One Sword Rides the Wind,” a top-tier warrior with high attack, defense, and health—it would be terrifying.

The necklace directly added two thousand health and fifteen hundred magic points. Moon Illusion already had substantial health; with this, she’d be an unkillable monster. The requirements were tough, though—thirty-five points in Magic Mastery. Though mastery hadn’t shown much use yet, it was likely to become essential soon. Few warriors would invest heavily in magic mastery; strength, armor, or agility made more sense. Still, if she equipped this, facing her in PvP now would be a massacre.

Right after, the system announcement rang out: “Ding! Congratulations, the Strongest Competition has concluded successfully. In thirty minutes, the game will enter seventy-two hours of maintenance.”

So maintenance was indeed coming. This time, mastery would surely gain its purpose, but seventy-two hours was a long wait.

Seeing the notice, I decided to log off. I lay on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, trying to sleep, but barely lasted before waking up again. I tossed and turned for an hour, unable to rest.

“What’s wrong? Big brother, you have something on your mind. Tell me, maybe your little sister can help.” Dragon Xin appeared by my side.

I replied, “Nothing. I was thinking about the battles these past few days. Compared to true experts, I’m still lacking.”

Dragon Xin teased, “Really, big brother?”

I said, “Of course. I’m someone who knows shame and strives to improve.”

Dragon Xin smirked, “Oh, stop fooling me. You’re obviously thinking about Moon Illusion, aren’t you?”

I jolted upright, protesting, “No… no way! If I’m thinking of her, it’s only about how to defeat her.”

Dragon Xin grinned mischievously again, “Oh really? I think you’re considering how to take her down in another way. Big brother, I know you’ve fallen for her, right? She’s so cute and beautiful—any man would be attracted. That’s normal. Besides, you should find a girlfriend soon. Think about those couples at school, strolling sweetly through the gates, eating together, visiting parks. Even your best friend Leaf had a toe in two boats at once, though he ended up crashing hard.” Meanwhile, in the living room, Leaf Shuang sneezed.

Xiao Xi asked, “What’s wrong? Got a cold?”

Leaf Shuang replied, “No, just felt like someone was talking about me.”

I said, “Mind your own business—go wherever it’s cool.”

Dragon Xin continued, “Such kindness, and you treat me like bitter medicine! Still, there’s that saying: when a man matures, he should marry; when a woman matures, she should wed. Big brother, you’re not getting any younger. Your peers are working hard for their other halves; you should make up your mind, or you’ll fall behind. Next time you see her, go after her! Then you can take us leveling, and you won’t be lonely anymore. And then…”

Before she could finish, I threw my blanket over Dragon Xin’s head, pushing her back onto her own bed. “Shut up! This is my business, not yours!”

Dragon Xin peeled off the blanket and said, “Fine, I won’t interfere. Good luck, big brother.” She tossed the blanket at me, curled up, and fell asleep. I lay on my bed again, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. The battles of the past days replayed in my mind like a film, and Moon Illusion’s breathtaking face was etched deep in my memory. I hardly slept that night. And thus, the three days of maintenance gradually passed.