Serena was still stunned as she looked at the unassuming necklace lying in her hand.
"Serena? Serena!"
Dark Hammer touched Serena's cheek with her finger to bring her back to reality.
"Hey, what's going on with you? Why are you suddenly falling silent?"
Serena didn't answer directly and instead posted the necklace's information in the group chat. Now it was the others' turn to fall silent.
It couldn't be helped. Equipment for profession players was already rarer than equipment for combat players. Especially high-ranking equipment. A unique? They had never heard about that. Also, Serena's necklace had an effect which could break through the limit of quality. They didn't even consider this possible before. Such an effect never appeared in public. Even Serena, who was taught a lot by Liam, didn't know such an effect could exist.
Dark Hammer and Red Sparkle couldn't hide their jealousy. They received profession equipment of a rare quality as reward for this quest. Unfortunately, it was only suited for chefs. Originally, they weren't feeling too disappointed as there was a platform for the exchange of equipment. With some patience they would be able to find something suitable for themselves through trading with other players. But now…
"Why did you get such a generous reward?", asked Red Sparkle.
"Serena, you owe us one this time. After this you have to help Red Sparkle and me in our quests until we also get unique equipment!", proclaimed Dark Hammer.
Serena nodded quickly. Of course she wouldn't be stingy towards her friends. However, unique equipment wasn't so easily earned. Who knew how many quests they would have to finish.
Riala watched the three young girls with a thoughtful look. She had only received a rare equipment suitable for herself but of course she wouldn't get jealous of a young girl. Instead, she was pondering why their reward turned out this generous. After a few seconds she voiced her guess:
"Perhaps we fulfilled a hidden condition."
"A hidden condition? What do you mean?"
"I think it is because we made those cookies and chips. This allowed the Moon Archivists to eat without interrupting their work for too long. From the way they talked this pleased them greatly so I feel this might have been a kind of hidden condition. A chance for us to receive better rewards."
"Makes sense…", said Red Sparkle while falling into thought.
Serena scratched her chin before deciding to follow the easiest way to get an answer. She just had to ask her brother. And by the way she could also share the joy of receiving a unique equipment.
But just as Serena was about to contact Liam, there was a big commotion in the global chat which drew everyone's attention.
"There are tsunamis in the Western Ocean!"
"A moving mountain!"
"Guys, you need to see this! Come to the Western Ocean!"
"Six Gods Island was almost drowned, but a mighty force stopped the raging ocean!"
"Same for Star Lake Island!"
"Beruga Archipelago almost couldn't hold the water back. Luckily the guardian made a move!"
Serena and her friends were caught off guard by the sudden tumult. They quickly discussed among themselves, wondering what might have happened. However, how could they know without even seeing the chaos themselves? Thus, Dark Hammer strongly urged her friends to head to the Western Ocean. As they had just finished their quest the others of course didn't have any reason to reject. The girls waved goodbye and rushed towards the teleporter. When they left, Hevrioohl was still slowly enjoying her food, reluctant to finish the mutton.
After a swift teleport Serena and her friends appeared in Heavenly Pearl City. This was what most players recommended. The city was not that far from the main continent and the source of the commotion hadn't reached this place yet.
When the four women appeared, there was already a crowd of players occupying the city. Gone was the serene atmosphere. Usually, the NPCs would surely be complaining but at this time even they were distracted by the big event.
As Heavenly Pearl City was in an elevated location one had a good view of the coast from here. The first thing Serena and her friends noticed were the thousands of soldiers who stood in formation on one side of the island. They seemed to prepare for a terrifying attack as they gathered their strength. But it wasn't only soldiers. Even the scholars stopped their endless debates for a while, taking position behind the soldiers.
"Look, what are they doing?"
"They seem to be preparing spells."
"Do you feel the movement of the mana? That's definitely not a weak spell."
"I never expected that these scholars can actually be so powerful."
Murmurs ran through the crowd of players. Thinking of the scholars who often gathered in the city and quarrelled all day long they couldn't help but draw some sharp breaths. Who could have expected that these scholars actually hid so much power?
However, while the NPCs were preparing there was not much action yet. Serena suddenly remembered that she wanted to message her brother. She quickly opened a new chat.
[Mirage Fan #1: Liam!]
[Bleary Mirage: Serena? What is it? Is it about the commotion in the Western Ocean?]
[Mirage Fan #1: Yes! Well, no! I wanted to show you something!]
Serena grinned brightly as she posted her new equipment in the chat and received the admiration of her brother. Liam even told her that his friends were curious as well. Serena invited them into the chat and harvested another round of congratulations. After a while, just as Serena wanted to ask if the others planned to join her in watching the action happening in the Western Ocean, Liam's question arrived first.
[Bleary Mirage: Serena, do you want to join us?]
[Mirage Fan #1: Are you somewhere in the Western Ocean? Where?]
[Bleary Mirage: Come to Flood Dragon Manor, we will fetch you.]
[Mirage Fan #1: Alright!]
After the conversation ended, Serena informed her friends. Luckily, they had done some quests in the Western Ocean before and had already unlocked the teleporter to Flood Dragon Manor. They made their way through the crowd and after a flash of light appeared at a new location.
The teleporter of Flood Dragon Manor was closer to the sea. An invisible pressure could be felt in the air. In the distance the girls could see the manor's disciples in beautiful white and blue robes fortifying the coast. In front of them a majestic flood dragon hovered in the air, its eyes fixed on something in the distance.
"What is this?!"
"Is it really a moving mountain?!"
Serena and her friends couldn't help but shout loudly as soon as they arrived. But they didn't stick out in the crowd of players as everyone had similar reactions.
[Bleary Mirage: Are you there? Come to the coast!]
With the new message Serena felt somewhat hesitant. However, she naturally trusted her brother. Thus, the group of four pushed through the crowd and approached the coast. Soon, though, they were stopped by the patrolling manor disciples.
[Mirage Fan #1: Where are you?]
[Bleary Mirage: Wait a minute, we are coming.]
Serena was confused. She looked around but didn't spot her brother. However, a movement in the distance quickly attracted her attention.
There was a massive shadow in front of the horizon. At first it was too far away to recognize anything but with each second it came closer, revealing more of its features. The ocean roared around the shadow but couldn't fell it. Perhaps it was really a moving mountain?
All the players stared with wide eyes. As the shadow came closer, the pressure bearing down on the surroundings increased quickly. The ocean turned increasingly tumultuous. Frightening waves rose in front of Flood Dragon Manor like predators ready to pounce. Fortunately, under the magic of the disciples and the flood dragon the waves were soothed and couldn't damage the manor.
The mountain approached swiftly and soon more of its features could be discerned. What everyone noticed first was the blinding light reflecting of the figure. Only after getting used to it could the players clearly make out its appearance, which left them in awe.
"Damn! A moving statue!"
"What is this? What's going on?"
"Is this a troll?"
"Some dwarven construct?"
Almost no one could recognize the titan. Even those who guessed correctly did so because of real life references. However, while everyone was marvelling at the titan in awe, the massive figure slowly made a turn. Instead of passing by Flood Dragon Manor it walked directly towards it. And it was approaching swiftly!
"What? Is that thing attacking?!"
"Look, the flood dragon looks ready for a fight!"
"Awesome! Do we get a show to watch?"
"Quick, quick, get me some popcorn!"
The players were not afraid. Even if the battle spread towards them, so what? At most they would die once and go offline for the rest of the day. Only a small part rushed towards the teleporter and escaped. And a few seconds later accompanied by terrifying waves the titan had already reached the island, towering over it with its massive body. A large shadow fell on the players and NPCs alike. Only the flood dragon wasn't intimidated as it rose to meet the possible enemy.