Chapter 681: The Goldwind Necklace

Before Marcus could react, SoulfireBlade spoke up. “Stone, these two items are for you.”

He picked up the necklace glowing with a faint black light and handed it to Marcus first. “This Mythic necklace is one of the two Mythic Artifacts dropped by the Blood Clan Bosses. It’s yours.”

“I…”

Marcus had barely opened his mouth to refuse when SoulSync interrupted him. “Stone, our gains this time have far exceeded our expectations. Besides the two Mythic Artifacts dropped by the Blood Clan Bosses, InfernoRider001’s black Mythic cloak, the Windwhirl Cloak, also dropped when he died, and Big Brother got it.”

On top of that, while clearing the battlefield, they had picked up another Mythic Artifact and an Artifact. The overall haul had been incredible. He paused briefly before adding, “So don’t refuse.”

“Exactly!” SoulfireBlade chimed in, giving Marcus no opportunity to object. “Stone, let’s be honest. Without your help, we wouldn’t have completed the Jasper’s Tomb quest, and we certainly wouldn’t have survived that battle with Inferno. We could have suffered devastating losses, both in equipment and levels, not to mention the damage to our guild’s reputation.”

Those losses would have cost them far more than gold, and that was before even considering all the loot they might have lost.

He smiled, his expression turning slightly sheepish. “By rights, you deserve at least half of the Mythic Artifacts we obtained today. But Sync and I were being selfish. We need those Mythic Artifacts badly ourselves, and neither of us could bring ourselves to give them up. In the end, we could only offer you this Mythic necklace.”

SoulfireBlade looked at Marcus with an apologetic smile. “Stone, you won’t hold that against us, will you?”

Before Marcus could answer, he picked up the gold card and held it out as well. “Here, take this too. Don’t think too badly of us for being selfish.”

“I…”

Marcus tried to refuse again, but SoulSync immediately cut him off with a mischievous grin. “What? You don’t want the gold card? Would you rather have us split another Mythic Artifact with you instead?”

“You two…”

Faced with the Soulfire brothers working together, Marcus found himself completely outmatched. No matter how he tried to argue, the two refused to give him an opening.

SoulfireBlade patted him on the shoulder. “Stone, there’s no need to be so polite. You trusted me enough to lend me your Divine Artifact, the Adamant Shield, your Mythic Ice Dragon Hoe, and your Artifact Bone Barrage.”

Sync and I were already deeply grateful that you were willing to lend us such valuable equipment. How could we let a friend like you walk away empty-handed after everything you’ve done for us?”

He paused, then added sincerely, “Besides, every one of those items you lent me is top-tier equipment, the kind of treasure ordinary players might never see in their entire lives. Some of them are so rare that you could search the entire market for a thousand years and still not find another.”

SoulSync simply took the gold card and pressed it into Marcus’s hand, making it clear that there would be no further discussion.

Marcus had no choice but to accept both gifts. Then again, he had no particular reason to refuse them. He had helped Soulfire secure a tremendous victory, and the brothers were merely offering him a fair share of the rewards.

Besides, he liked gold coins. A lot.

And Soulfire had made an absolute fortune this time. In addition to the drops from the Blood Clan Bosses, there was the enormous amount of equipment collected from Inferno’s fallen members, not to mention the rewards they had yet to claim from Jasper’s Tomb. Even after giving Marcus a generous share, Soulfire would still walk away with plenty.

“Fine. I won’t stand on ceremony, then.”

Marcus accepted the items without further argument. However, when he checked the balance on the gold card, he couldn’t help raising his eyebrows.

‘Fifty million gold coins! That was quite a sum.’

Of course, making money was relatively easy for him now, but the market in Dominion had largely stabilized. High-tier Mythic Artifacts generally sold for around ten million gold coins, while low-tier Divine Artifacts could fetch approximately thirty million. As gold coins became increasingly difficult to earn, their value would likely continue to rise, putting even greater pressure on equipment prices.

For an ordinary player, having ten thousand gold coins to their name was already something to be proud of.

Still, since SoulfireBlade had offered the money so readily, Marcus didn’t bother arguing over it. He could always exchange the gold coins for real-world dollars later.

With that settled, he turned his attention to the Mythic necklace glowing with a faint black light. SoulSync had already arranged for someone to appraise it, so its properties were available for inspection.

—

Goldwind Necklace: Black Mythic Artifact

Requirements: Level 50 Fighter-type Class.

A necklace containing the powers of both Metal and Wind. It once belonged to a hero who lived a thousand years ago, but somehow found its way into the hands of the Blood Clan.

Effects:

Defense +10%.

Agility +50.

Metal-element Physical Resistance +20%.

Wind Resistance +20%.

Attacks deal an additional 200 Metal-element damage and 200 Wind-element damage.

Skills:

Golden Radiance Shroud: Releases a golden light imbued with Metal-element energy that envelops the wearer, adding powerful Stun and Knockback effects to attacks. Metal-element physical attacks also inflict Enfeeble on opponents.

Clear Wind Shroud: Surrounds the wearer with Wind-element energy, increasing Evasion and Accuracy by 10%, Movement Speed by 2, and Attack Speed by 2.

Goldwind Fury Strike: An active skill that allows the wearer to swing a weapon imbued with both Metal and Wind elements, spreading Metal-element physical attacks through the surrounding air. Deals heavy damage to enemies within five meters. Cooldown: 20 minutes.

—

Not bad at all. Compared with his own Demonic Artifact, the Sea Soul Demonic Jade Necklace, the Goldwind Necklace was considerably inferior. Nevertheless, necklaces and rings were notoriously difficult to obtain, and this one boasted excellent attributes and useful effects. At the current stage of the game, it was undoubtedly a top-tier piece of equipment.

SoulfireBlade had clearly gone out of his way to select something suitable for him rather than simply handing over a random piece of loot. That made Marcus feel a little embarrassed about accepting it. Unfortunately, now that he had taken the necklace, returning it would only offend the brothers.

Besides, the girls’ equipment still had plenty of room for improvement, and he already had someone in mind who would benefit greatly from it.

His Pegasus Knight, Chloe.

With that decision made, Marcus put the Goldwind Necklace away. Just then, a charming, seductive voice rang out from the entrance.

“Here comes our specialty dish, Golden Crispy Duck!”

Lydia entered carrying a freshly prepared platter. The golden-brown duck glistened under the light, its crisp skin looking delicious enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

“Ah!” SoulfireBlade and SoulSync immediately brightened at the sight.

“Stone, you’re in for a treat! This is one of Willow Garden Gourmet House’s signature dishes. Even we’ve only had the chance to eat it a few times, and today you’re getting it straight from the kitchen!”

What made the meal even more special was that Lydia herself had prepared it. Known as the Goddess of Willow Garden, she was considered every bit the equal of Jennifer, the Southern Kitchen Maiden. Her cooking was renowned for its exquisite flavor, and getting to taste a dish prepared personally by either woman was an opportunity most players could only dream of.

Honestly, Marcus still found it hard to believe. The food was exquisite, each dish prepared with such care that even someone with his appetite could appreciate the craftsmanship. Yet the woman responsible for this feast was the very same Lydia, whose naturally seductive charm could make a simple smile feel like a deliberate attempt at temptation.

He glanced at her as she settled into the seat beside him, and for a moment, he couldn’t help feeling that she had become even more beautiful.

More than that, she was sharp-witted, perceptive, and quick to pick up on the smallest changes in a conversation. Her flirtatious behavior might have earned her the nickname of a little vixen, but there was clearly much more to her than a pretty face and a seductive smile. Marcus’s heart stirred slightly.

After a wonderful feast, the time had slipped past eleven o’clock at night. With guild business still waiting for them, SoulfireBlade and SoulSync eventually took their leave. Marcus said goodbye to the two brothers as well, intending to log off and get some rest.

However, he had barely taken a step or two when Lydia called after him.

“Hey, Stone!”

Marcus stopped and turned around. “What is it?”

“Oh…”

Lydia seemed ready to say something, but then she glanced at the time and hesitated. After thinking for a moment, she finally said, “Stone, there’s something I want to ask you about. It’s getting late, though. Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

Something she wanted to ask him?

Marcus immediately grew curious. What could Lydia possibly need his help with?

Unfortunately, knowing how cunning and persistent the woman could be, he wasn’t about to walk straight into whatever trap she might have prepared. Rather than press her for an answer and risk getting himself entangled in something troublesome, he decided to leave the matter for tomorrow.

Besides, he still had the Roaring Tiger Squad’s quest to complete.

After leaving Willow Garden Gourmet House, Marcus hurried to the Appraisal Office. As usual, the old appraiser took one look at him and immediately began interrogating him about the Dark Violet Sky Dragon. Marcus patiently endured the questioning before finally getting the opportunity to have another item appraised. This time, it was the Black-Robed Warlock Staff dropped by the Corpse General.

—

Black-Robed Warlock Staff: Black Mythic Artifact

Requirements: Level 50 Warlock-type Class.

A staff once seized by the Black-Robed General Jasper during the war against the Ghost Race. It possesses the ability to summon and control summoned minions with exceptional efficiency.

Effects:

Attack +200.

Attack Speed +2.

Increases the level of summoned minions by 5.

Increases summoned minions’ Attack by 25%.

Grants summoned minions an additional 10% Critical Hit effect.

Health Recovery Speed +50.

MP Recovery Speed +100.

Minion attacks gain the Dark Attack effect.

Skills:

Life Recovery: Restores health to summoned minions.

Guardian Light: Emits a special light that increases summoned minions’ Attack and Defense by 15%.

Black-Robed Light: Releases a black light that allows designated summoned minions to teleport short distances.

Summon Increase: Increases the number of minions summoned by 10%.

—

Below these were three additional skills, all related to summoned minions and their abilities. Taken together, the staff perfectly embodied the Warlock class’s defining specialty: commanding an army of summoned creatures and overwhelming enemies through sheer numbers and coordinated attacks.

What an excellent class. Marcus was quite satisfied with the staff. Although its power depended on the user’s ability to summon and command minions, the combination of enhanced minion levels, increased damage, additional critical hits, and improved survivability made it an exceptionally valuable piece of equipment.

As for who would use it, he had already made up his mind. One of his beauties would be taking the hidden Sword-Warlock class.

Decision made, Marcus opened the Monarch Squad’s group chat and sent a message.

“Ladies, gather at my residence in Dragon’s Roar Town.”

After sending the message, he activated his custom Dragon’s Roar Town teleportation scroll. A flash of light surrounded him, and the next moment, he appeared inside his residence.

“Bro, that guild war was absolutely wild!”

The moment the girls gathered, his little sister Amber and the little devil Jade immediately rushed over, eager to discuss the enormous battle that had taken place earlier. They had watched the events unfold and had recognized Marcus’s handiwork as soon as SoulfireBlade appeared with that incredible golden shield and blue Ice Dragon Hoe.

“Heh.” Seeing how excited everyone was, Marcus couldn’t help smiling. He gave them a rundown of the day’s events, explaining how things had unfolded and how Soulfire had managed to turn the tables on Inferno. Naturally, the girls were eager to hear every detail, and their questions kept him talking for quite a while.

Once he had finished explaining, Marcus took out the Goldwind Necklace and turned toward Chloe. “Chloe, this Mythic necklace is perfect for you.”

Being singled out in front of so many beauties caught Chloe completely off guard. Her heroic, lovely face immediately flushed red, and she shot Marcus a glare that was far less intimidating than she probably intended.

Even so, she accepted the Goldwind Necklace from him, though Marcus couldn’t help feeling a pang of regret.

Only now did he realize that he should have given Chloe the necklace when they were alone. If he had done that, he could have taken his time putting it around her neck himself, perhaps even drawing her into his arms in the process.

‘Ah, what a waste. He had missed a perfectly good opportunity.’

Shaking off his regret, Marcus took out the remaining items: the Black-Robed Warlock Staff, the Black-Robed Longsword, the Sword-Warlock Class-Change Scroll, and the Minion Summon skill book. He laid them out before the gathered beauties, then looked around at their expectant faces.

“All right, which of you wants to change to the hidden Sword-Warlock class? It’s an incredibly powerful hidden class, and with these items, you’ll have everything you need to make the most of it.”