The Auction House clerk nearly tripped over his own feet as Kenji entered.
"Protector GrayWolf!" The man bowed so low his nose almost touched the desk. His eyes shone with excitement. "Your item has sold. A… remarkable sale."
Kenji blinked. "Already?"
The clerk slid a heavy pouch across the counter. It jingled like music.
[Auction Complete: Staff of Crawling Shadows (Epic, T0)][Final Price: 2 Gold, 59 Silver, 89 Bronze]
For a moment, Kenji just stared. The numbers didn't feel real. He pulled the pouch open, golden light gleaming back at him.
Gold. Real, solid gold coins.
He pulled up the parallel market tracker.
Exchange Rate:
1 Gold Coin → $10,000
1 Silver Coin → $100
1 Bronze Coin → $1
And climbing by the minute. The rate had tripled since morning. The demand was enormous; millions of players wanted coins. But coins were too rare. Supply couldn't keep up.
Kenji did the math in his head.
Two gold. Fifty-nine silver. Eighty-nine bronze.
If he sold it all right now…
Over twenty thousand dollars.
He froze. His throat tightened. Twenty thousand. Enough to clear debts. Enough to change his life.
His hand hovered, trembling.
And then he exhaled, steadying himself.
"…Not yet."
He closed the market window.
This was only the beginning. If Revelation's hype was this intense now, what about in a week? A month? A year?
No—he wasn't here to chase quick cash. He was here to dominate. To grow.
The money would come.
The clerk slid another item across the counter.
[Item Acquired: Auction House VIP Card]
"Your sale was historic," the NPC said reverently. "For this, you receive VIP privileges. All Auction fees reduced to 10%. Faster transactions. And… merchants will treat you as a valued client."
Kenji pocketed the card, suppressing a grin. Every advantage mattered.
Then came the real work.
He made the rounds of Hollowbrook, purse heavy, eyes sharp.
Alchemist: 10 Healing Potions (T0, minor recovery). 5 Stamina Tonics.
Weapon Shop: The Rare double swords he had admired earlier.
Twin Fangs (Rare, T0)
+3 DEX
+2% Crit Chance
Armorers: A full set of rare Tier 0 gear, one piece per slot.
Each balanced toward agility, crit, and stamina sustain.
8-slot equipment limit filled: boots, vest, belt, bracers, gloves, shoulder guards, helm, twin swords.
With each purchase, shopkeepers bowed deeply, murmuring blessings. "Protector… may your blades strike true."
For the first time, Kenji felt outfitted like a warrior instead of a scavenger.
He stopped at the mapmaker's stall. Scrolls lay across the counter, ink fresh, lines sharp.
[Map Acquired: Ashwood Frontier][Sub-Regions: 9 Zones]
Hollowbrook Valley (Starter village)
Stoneford Crossing
Redbranch Thicket
Ashwood Forest (Guard Outpost marked)
More unknown beyond…
The sheer scale stunned him. The Ashwood Frontier alone was massive. And if this was only Tier 0… how vast was Revelation's full world?
Finally, at the stable, he purchased the only mount available.
[Item Acquired: Ashwood Pony (Tier 0 Mount)]
Speed: +15% Travel Speed
Stamina: 100
Note: Small and sturdy, not built for combat.
The pony whinnied softly as he placed a hand on its mane. It wasn't glorious, but it was freedom. Faster travel, less wasted time.
When the last of his purchases were packed, Kenji stood at Hollowbrook's gates. His new gear glinted in the light. His blades sang when drawn. His purse was lighter—but still heavy with coin.
He was ready.
The Guard Outpost awaited, deep in the Ashwood Forest.
And somewhere within, the Captain who craved his card.
✦ GrayWolf — Status Panel (Post–Ch14)
Level: 6Reputation: 250 RP — Protector
Base Attributes: STR 10 • VIT 10 • DEX 60 • INT 10Item Bonuses (8 Rare Tier 0 equipment set):
Twin Fangs (Rare Dual Swords): +3 DEX, +2% Crit Chance
Bracers, Belt, Vest, Boots, Gloves, Shoulders, Helm (all Rare T0) → balance of +DEX, +STR, stamina sustain
Registered Cards:
10♠: +15% Crit Rate, +10 Spell Pen
K♠: +25% Crit Damage, +15% Attack Speed
Unregistered Cards:
5♣: +5 Armor, +5 Block Chance
Effective Stats (Base + Items): STR 17 • VIT 10 • DEX 70+ (with crit modifiers) • INT 10Combat Modifiers: +15% Crit Rate • +25% Crit Damage • +15% Attack Speed • +2% Crit Chance (gear) • +10 Spell Pen
Skills: Twin Slash
Currency: 2 Gold, 59 Silver, 89 BronzeAuction: VIP Card acquired → AH fee reduced to 10%Mount: Ashwood Pony (T0, +15% travel speed)Quest:Audience with the Captain → travel to Guard Outpost in Ashwood Forest