[Obtained Equipment: Slime-Slick Boots (Common)]
[Obtained Material: Slime Gel.]
Rhys tapped open the boots' properties:
[Slime-Slick Boots (Common)]
[Attributes: INT +2, AGI +2]
[Effect: Slightly increases Movement Speed. Slightly reduces Slime Aggro.]
[Affixes: None]
He socketed his spare Efficient Casting (Common) affix and equipped them.
The blue boots felt slimy and looked bulbous. Rhys grimaced, disabling visual equipment display in the system menu—instantly relieving the discomfort.
The Epoch of Endings handled transmogrification uniquely. Different gear altered physical perception—e.g., heavy armor increased encumbrance. Displaying visuals granted defensive bonuses but restricted movement.
Thus, alongside functional gear, players used cosmetic overrides—appearance-only items impacting combat feel. The system remained locked now, forcing Rhys to sacrifice functionality for comfort.
Hiding visuals nullified the boots' Slime Aggro reduction—a trade-off he accepted.
A decent but unremarkable upgrade over starter gear. The real prize was the other drop:
[Item: Slime Gel (Common)]
[Effect: Special gelatin from Slimes. Someone in Riverwood may have interest…]
[Affix: Special Item]
The "Special Item" tag often marked quest triggers. Rhys hadn't farmed Slimes solely for Efficient Casting—this gel was his true target.
Though not Unique, it was the prerequisite for the Ancient-grade necklace quest—a limited-availability chain. Unsure when it activated last life, he'd secured it immediately.
He returned to Riverwood, heading straight for the mayor's residence.
Players now swarmed the area, clamoring around the mayor who distributed starter quests with tireless efficiency.
Noticing this, Rhys detoured to the adjacent tavern. He paid one Chronocoin for low-proof fruit wine.
The tavernkeeper swiped Rhys's coin with an empty one, deducting 0.1 lifespan unit—the drink's price.
Chronocoins held immense value. When depleted, they didn't vanish—they could draw time from nearby coins, serving as transactional tools between players and NPCs.
Fruit wine secured, Rhys returned to the mayor's crowded porch. He slipped through gaps in the throng until facing the weary official.
"Young Outlander, welcome to Riverwood. Might you—"
The mayor's scripted greeting died as Rhys extended the bottle.
"Outlander... this is for me?"
In The Epoch of Endings, all players were "Outlanders"—beings from ancient myth returned to the world. Guiding them was the mayor's divine mandate, not his choice.
NPCs possessed human-level intelligence, lives, and emotions. Endless repetition wearied him. After hours of explaining starter quests, the sight of his favorite wine sparked genuine surprise.
At Rhys's nod, the mayor accepted it eagerly. Uncorking it, he took a deep, grateful pull. "Fine brew! From Old Tom's shop, yes? You've a thoughtful heart, Outlander."
He gave Rhys an appraising look. Courteous Outlanders were rare.
Though bound to assist all, Rhys was the first to acknowledge his exhaustion. Divine rules forbade favoritism—yet he could choose which quests to assign.
"Since you've joined our world... might you aid Granny Chen on West Street? Her cat's gone missing—last seen near East Alley."
"Return upon completion, and you'll have your reward."
Completing tasks for rewards was heaven's iron law. But "find the cat" was among the simplest duties—his quiet thanks to Rhys.
Yet Rhys hadn't spent Chronocoins for a trivial quest. Starter gear rewards meant nothing to him.
He sought something greater.
Clearing his throat deliberately, Rhys produced the Slime Gel. "While beyond the walls, I found this. Do you recognize it, Mayor?"
The mayor polished his spectacles, peering closely at the gelatin. After a long pause, his eyes lifted, scrutinizing Rhys head to toe.
"The young surpass the old indeed,"
the mayor murmured, stroking his beard. "To think you dare hunt Fiends beyond our walls... Long ago, Riverwood was a metropolis. But when divine protection faded, Fiends festered. Our lands shrank until only this pocket remained."
"Outlander, since you possess such strength... would you investigate the northern ruins? Once a sacred shrine, now a Fiend den."
As he spoke, the system chimed:
[Accept Chain Quest: Relic of the Gods?]
[Warning: High-difficulty chain quest. Failure forfeits all rewards. Proceed with caution.]
"Gladly."
[Chain Quest Accepted: Relic of the Gods.]
[Quest: Relic of the Gods (1)]
[Objective: Investigate northern ruins per Mayor's request]
[Goal: Penetrate ruins; gather intelligence]
[Reward: Unlocks Relic of the Gods (2)]
Rhys's lips curved.
This was the chain his comrade described—the path to the Ancient-grade necklace. Even discounting that prize, its rewards were exceptional.
He turned to leave—
"Wait, Outlander."
The mayor produced an azure mage robe and a branched staff from a chest. "The ruins devour the unprepared. Take these."
Rhys's eyes brightened.
Starter gear! Free and early! Who'd refuse free gear?
Thanking him, Rhys inspected the items:
[Item: Novice Mage Robe (Common)]
[Attributes: INT +1, CON +1]
[Effect: Slight Mana Affinity boost]
[Set Bonus (2/6): Minor HP Regeneration]
[Affixes: None]
Starter sets shared identical stats across six pieces: staff, robe, gloves, leggings, boots, cowl. Equipping multiples unlocked bonuses.
Rhys ignored the HP regeneration, skipping the novice boots.
Fully equipped, his stats transformed:
[Player: Abysswalker]
[Lifespan: 69 Years]
[Strength: 7]
[Agility: 6 (+5)]
[Intelligence: 10 (+7)]
[Constitution: 6 (+5)]
[Skills: None]
[Affixes: None]
[Unallocated Attribute Points: 5]
Rhys nodded, satisfied. Now for allocation.
He hesitated briefly—where to invest these points?