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AshenZero stood before the entrance of the Whispering Maw, the notorious cave nestled deep within the frozen reaches of Northern Raelis. Snow flurried around him, clinging to the edges of his crimson cloak. After a grueling three-month journey through treacherous terrain and hostile monsters, he had finally reached the place whispered about in forums, legends, and encrypted quest logs.
Inside, ancient relics and equipment lay piled in mountainous heaps. Blades with jagged, glowing edges. Armor that shimmered with ethereal light. Shields that hummed with stored power. And yet—
> [This item cannot be acquired.]
AshenZero frowned.
"Tch. Just like the other sealed zones. Damn system rules."
No matter what he touched, the items phased through his hands or returned to their original position. It was a paradise of gear he couldn't own, a taunt from the developers. Frustrated, he muttered, "This is worse than being ghosted by that girl who asked for potion money…"
He kicked a glimmering warhammer. It didn't even budge.
With a sigh, AshenZero turned his gaze to the true goal—an old, dust-covered tome sitting atop a pedestal of sunstone and obsidian at the heart of the chamber. Unlike everything else, this object radiated a subtle golden glow. He reached out slowly.
"Finally…" he breathed, eyes misting with emotion.
His journey here had involved countless close calls—being hunted by wild frostspawns, nearly starving in the howling tundra, and navigating a puzzle dungeon filled with spike traps. And now, it all felt worth it. His trembling hands grasped the ancient book.
> [You have acquired the Forbidden Codex of Vulkran.]
> [The codex is locked. Use a high-tier appraisal item to reveal its contents.]
AshenZero's heart thumped.
He rummaged through his inventory and retrieved a crystalline monocle—the All-Seeing Iris—an expensive item he'd bought in a moment of hope six months ago. Time to see if it was worth the investment.
"Appraise."
> [Codex of Vulkran (Legendary)] Type: Class Change Item
Description: This legendary tome contains the blacksmithing secrets of Vulkran, the Flameforger who once crafted weapons for dragons. Using it allows the user to inherit Vulkran's legacy. Effect: Change class to Vulkran's Heir (Legendary)
Conditions: None
> [A legendary item has been discovered! Reputation +500 across all major territories.]
AshenZero's breath caught. "A legendary class… no conditions?"
He collapsed to his knees in disbelief. Tears welled in his eyes as reality set in. After a year of ridicule, debt, and isolation—after everyone told him gaming wasn't a path to success—he finally had something that could change his fate.
"This is it… this is how I win."
His mind raced with possibilities. The codex could sell for millions. He could pay off his school debts, move out of his parents' cramped apartment, even get that custom rig he'd dreamed of. He imagined pulling up to his old alumni gathering in a rented sports car.
"Goodbye, ramen diet. Hello, steak and sponsorships."
He clicked "Log Out."
> [You cannot log out at this location.]
"…Huh?"
A chill ran down his spine. Something wasn't right.
Suddenly, the cave rumbled. The ground beneath his feet trembled as torchlight flickered. Heavy footsteps echoed through the tunnels.
> [High Lord Riven has entered the Whispering Maw.]
"W-What? Why is he here!?"
AshenZero turned toward the entrance, heart pounding, as Riven emerged clad in obsidian-encrusted armor, flanked by knights in blood-red tabards. His eyes locked on the book in AshenZero's hands.
"You were warned," Riven said coldly. "Greed always blinds the weak."
> [Quest Updated: "Riven's Secret Task" (S) → "Riven's Wrath" (SS)]
AshenZero read the new quest prompt, mouth agape. He had been tracked. Watched. Set up.
> [Riven deems you unworthy. You are now marked as a traitor.]
[Affinity with Northern Raelis -100.]
[You are now kill-on-sight within city boundaries.]
He took a step back as knights drew their blades. A sense of betrayal surged through him. "You sent me here, damn it! You said this quest was special!"
Riven sneered. "You were special—easy to manipulate. And now, you've outlived your usefulness."
AshenZero glanced at the Codex in his hand.
> Use now?
Y/N
His finger hovered over the "Y."
"Don't make me do this," he whispered.
Riven drew his blade. "Then die in regret."
AshenZero shouted, "USE!"
A surge of golden light enveloped him. Fire symbols etched into the air. The Codex dissolved into sparks as a wave of power poured into his body.
> [You have changed class to Vulkran's Heir.]
> [Strength +80, Endurance +50, Flame Resistance +100%.]
A gauntlet formed on his hand—red and gold, with smoldering veins of lava flowing through it. A flaming hammer appeared in his grasp.
He looked up at Riven with blazing eyes.
"Now we're playing my game."
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