Zack pondered for a moment before opting to test his fortune in the Silverflow Marshlands. The Silverflow Marshlands were a perfect spot for Zack.
Being a Priest, he could effortlessly remove the ongoing curses and poisons that afflicted the region.
Many players steered clear of this place entirely since the accumulating debuffs were too harsh to manage without a committed healer.
Status Effects Applied:
> [Toxic Spores] — HP -10/sec for 30 sec. Stackable (Max: 3)
> [Murky Vision] — Accuracy -15%
> [Sluggish Ground] — Movement Speed -20%
Zack cautiously stepped into the Silverflow Marshlands, the dense fog covering his vision and muffling the noises in the vicinity.
The sky overhead was gloomy, without any hint of sunlight, leading him to question whether it was morning or evening or if this was merely an effect of the zone.
The swamp seemed infinite, a maze of muddy trails, still pools and towering reeds.
Every shadow could either be an innocuous creature or something much more perilous. He was uncertain about what awaited him here, just as the other players scattered throughout the fog were.
Some engaged in quiet grinding, oblivious to the concealed threats lurking in the waters. Others hesitated, attuned to the peculiar murmurs of the marsh, uncertain of their next move.
Nothing in Silverflow Marshlands followed a predictable pattern.
He whispered to activate [Detect].
A soft ripple of light expanded outward, casting faint red outlines through the mist.
[Marsh Leech – Lv. 4]
[Marsh Slime – Lv. 6]
[Reed Serpent – Lv. 6]
"Low levels. Should be fine."
He stepped forward, raising his dagger as a leech lunged from the mud.
[Skill: Ice Lance]
→ 234
(Weakness: Fire/lightning/holy)
[Skill: Arcane Surge]
Chain lightning → 524 damage ( weakness = 50% extra damage )
> [Marsh Leech] Defeated.
The slime that followed spat a green glob of acid but Zack's barrier shimmered and absorbed the damage.
[Divine Barrier – Active]
→ Absorbs up to 200 Damage
→ Duration: 10 sec
The acid hissed uselessly against the golden dome before fading.
"Persistent little things, aren't you?"
He finished it in a few seconds with 3x Ice Lance, the pop-up flashing as the creature was defeated.
EXP +80
Loot: [Slime Residue] x1
After several minutes, he'd carved a safe trail through the swamp, eliminating everything that moved between Lv. 5 and 7
[Marsh Wasp – Lv. 6]
[Toxic Newt – Lv. 7]
[Swamp Ghoul – Lv. 8]
Choosing to avoid the level 8 monster, which was in an awkward position and too risky to engage, Zack directed his attention towards the rest of the area.
The XP gain wasn't bad but something else soon caught his eye: a faint glint reflecting off the shallow water ahead.
A Bronze Chest rested on a slightly elevated patch of land, surrounded by shallow pools.
Zack slowed his steps. Instead of rushing in, he crouched behind a half-rotted log and watched the area carefully.
A group of players emerged after a little while, their names blazing in different shades of green over their heads, exploring the Marsh with mismatched gear.
ChunkyNuggets ( Fighter)
BoomBoomMage (Mage)
ArrowKid (Archer)
Healz4Fun (Priest)
"Finally, something worthwhile," the fighter exclaimed, directing his sword towards the shine of a bronze chest half-submerged in mud.
"It looks clean" the mage responded, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "There are no enemies around. Let's grab it and hurry before respawns happen."
The archer paused. "Don't you still think we should inspect for traps first?"
Healz4Fun quickly agreed. "Yes, this area is filled with traps and poison. I've already used half my mana cleansing poison."
ChunkyNuggets chuckled. "Calm down. I'll set it off if it's a trap. I've got [Iron Will] prepared."
He took a step forward—
[Trap Activated]
> [Swamp Snare] – Immobilized for 5 seconds
Vines surged from the earth, coiling around their legs like animated ropes.
"Crap!" the fighter yelled, fighting to break free.
The mud ahead churned violently. Something enormous began to emerge from the pool — slick, dark scales and eyes glowing a faint yellow through the haze. Its hiss flowed through the air like steam escaping a pipe.
[Venomous Serpernt – Lv. 6 – Elite]
HP: 3200 / 3200
"Elite monster spawned!" the mage yelled. "Focus fire before it—"
The serpent lunged, jaws flashing.
[Skill: Venom Lash]
> Area Sweep – 120 Physical Damage + 40 Poison
ChunkyNuggets: -210 HP (Critical)
ArrowKid: -120 HP
BoomBoomMage: -120 HP
"Get the barrier up and purge those debuffs, now!" the fighter yelled.
"I'm on it!" Healz4Fun said, casting light with her staff. Heal + Purify — +140 HP (her high Wisdom gave her an advantage, unlike Zack's pure INT build).
She pointed her staff forward. "Holy Ward!"
A radiant shield of light enveloped her allies, absorbing 100 damage for a duration of 5 seconds. Mana cost: 30 MP | Cooldown: 100 sec
A new tremor shook the swamp. Smaller creatures emerged from the water, scaled bodies that scintillated a muted green.
[Swamp Adders – Lv. 6] x2
[Toxic Slime – Lv. 5] x1
"This is bad… it's summoning reinforcements" the archer exclaimed, launching a swift barrage.
> [Arrow Shot] Damage: -105 HP
The mage cast a fireball, the flame cutting through the mist.
[Skill: Flame Orb] Damage: -280 HP (Effective) Mana Cost: 10 MP
One adder exploded but the creature became angrier. Its scales undulated as a new icon appeared above it.
[Skill: Venom Breath]> Damage: 85/sec for 10 sec> Applies [Poison]
A green fog enveloped the group. Their HP bars began to shrink.
BoomBoomMage: -85…Purify
ArrowKid: -85, -85… Purify
Healz4Fun: -85…Purify, Heal
"Dispel! Dispel!" the fighter yelped.
"I've run out of mana!" the priest cried, her voice trembling.
The serpent lashed out with its tail again, sending the last two players sprawling into the mud. Their screens flashed red before fading to black.
The tail slammed down once more, spraying mud in every direction.
ChunkyNuggets – HP: 0
ArrowKid – HP: 0
Healz4Fun – HP: 0
BoomBoomMage – HP: 0
[Party Wiped Out]
Their avatars flickered, dissipating into motes of light that drifted through the swamp's breeze.
The marsh settled into silence once more, broken only by the swamp's thick water bubbling and popping like something alive beneath the surface.
Amid those wet, gurgling sounds, the serpent's low, steady hiss slithered through the air, adding an eerie tension to the stillness.
It coiled protectively around the bronze chest, its scales gleaming faintly in the dim mist.
Zack remained completely motionless, concealed behind a log blanketed in moss, with his dagger drawn.
His steady gaze monitored every slight movement of the elite creature.
"Too hasty" he whispered.
He remained still, as patient as a shadow. The summoned adders, the final remnants of the battle, slithered back into the murky waters. The moment one approached within range, Zack's eyes gleamed.
[Skill Activated: Arcane Surge]→ Magic Power +25%→ Duration: 30 sec→ Cooldown: 60 sec
A blue aura surged around him, threads of mana winding up his arms. He extended his hand forward, as if murmuring an incantation.
[Skill: Ice Lance]
→ 120% Magic Damage
→ Applies [Slow] (30% for 5 sec)
The icy spear launched forward, impaling the nearest adder completely. It shattered upon impact, frost scattering like stars across the swamp.
The creature stirred, its large head rising, tongue flicking in annoyance.
His next spell was already taking shape.
[Skill: Chain Lightning]
→ 150% Magic Damage, bounces to 3 targets
→ Mana Cost: 25 MP
The bolt of lightning crackled through the mist, first striking the serpent and then leaping to the adjacent slime.
[Toxic Slime – Lv. 5] – 0 HP (Obliterated)
The current snapped back to the serpent, its scales flashing white as the surge of energy coursed through its body.
[Venomous Serpent – Lv. 6 – Elite]
– 545 - 539 Damage (Effective)
The roar of the serpent resonated through the reeds, causing the marsh water to ripple in waves. It lifted its body, glaring down at Zack, who was now openly visible on the muddy pathway. Its gaze fixed on him, exposing its fangs.
"Come on then," Zack whispered, taking a step back. The sigil on his boots glimmered slightly.
→ Agility +20
Adrenaline Rush – Level 1, increases movement speed and attack by 20% for 10 seconds, 120-second cooldown
He weaved back through the swamp, dodging roots and shallow puddles while casting spells behind him.
Small arcs of light erupted from his dagger, each impact chipping away at the creature's HP.
-241 HP
-360 HP (Critical)
The serpent surged after him, slicing through the mist like a spear covered in scales. Its body stirred the water violently — then halted.
The atmosphere became dense in front of its jaws, dark energy swirling ominously.
[Skill: Venom Spire]→ Produces toxic spikes in a 5m radius→ Damage: 120 + Poison (40/sec for 10 sec)→ Area Effect: Movement Reduced 40%
Numerous black-green spikes shot up from the ground in a circular explosion, spraying poison all around.
Zack skidded to a halt, his boots embedding in the mud.
"Fantastic" he muttered, raising his dagger and activating Purify.
A soft golden barrier formed around him.
[Skill: Divine Barrier]→ Absorbs 200 Damage for 10 sec→ Cooldown: 20 sec
The venom spikes shattered harmlessly against the shield, splattering poisonous liquid across the radiant light before fading away.
Once the barrier flickered and finally collapsed, Zack was already preparing his counterattack.
He thrust his palm out, ice beginning to materialize at his fingertips.
[Skill: Ice Lance]
→ -240 HP slowed (Movement -30%)
The serpent hissed, its approach stalling momentarily.
A brief flash of damage appeared on Zack's health bar but a quick Heal restored it.
He tightened his grip on the dagger as energy gathered around it, light swirling in anticipation of his next strike.
The creature lunged once more, its mouth wide open, rows of sharp teeth glistening with venom.
Zack remained unfazed. "Impressive speed. Not quite enough, though."
He raised his dagger high, mana crackling in the air.
[Skill: Chain Lightning]
→ 520 Damage(effective)
The attack struck the serpent. The swamp illuminated with brilliant light as the creature thrashed violently, arcs of electricity dancing across its scales.
[Venomous Serpent – Lv. 6 – Elite HP: 3200 → 755]
The beast's body crashed back into the water, its tail whipping wildly and stirring up toxic mist.
Zack stood resolute, breath steady. The final bursts of lightning dissipated into the fog.
"2/3 down already" he murmured.
"Let's wrap this up."
He activated Arcane Surge, which had just come off cooldown.
Then, sprinting with the agility provided by his boots, he launched three consecutive Ice Lances, each strike puncturing the serpent's scales.
With one last, thunderous screech, the Venomous Serpent fell, its elite bar vanishing from view.
EXP Gained: 360
Coins:30 silver
Venom Fang ×2
Toxic Scale ×3
Venomous Serpent Core x1
The marsh fell silent again, save for the soft bubbling of water in the background. The benefit of range was evident; he unleashed powerful bursts of damage and with ice lance, the foe couldn't even approach.
Zack knelt by the chest, brushing off the streak of water left by the puddle.
The bronze chest was compact yet heavy, adorned with swirling designs that seemed to glimmer subtly in the dimness. The ancient lock, though rusty, remained sturdy and clicked open under his touch.
"Let's check what fortune decided to throw my way"
You have Looted from Bronze Chest:
Recipe: Minor Healing Potion
Effect: Restores 200 HP
Ingredients Required: 1 Marshlight Herb, 1 Crystal Vial, 2 Drops of Pure Water
Notes: Can be crafted at any Alchemy Station.
Venomous Dagger – Lv. 4
Attack Power: 60–70
Special Effect: Applies Poison to the target. Inflicts 30% of the user's Attack Power per second for 10 seconds, stackable up to 5 times (increases by 5% per stack, maximum stack: 50% Attack Power, duration extends to 20 seconds).
Loop of Vital Harmony
Effect: Increases Vitality + 10
Bonus: +30 HP
Gold: 5 Coins
Crouching low, Zack scrutinized the treasures, already calculating their worth in his mind.
"Hmm… A Minor Healing Potion from the NPC shop restores 100 HP and costs 50 copper each.
That's not too shabby. I could purchase all the ingredients, craft a batch and sell them for 2–3 silver at the auction board."
He placed the recipe in his inventory.
Venomous Dagger – Lv. 4. He rotated the blade in his hand, taking note of the stats: 60–70 attack, poison stacks and a decent duration.
"This dagger is good, but I've moved away from melee… my damage output would be terrible"
"This… is better suited for the auction house." He made a mental note to list it for sale.
Loop of Vital Harmony - the enchanted aura tickled Zack's senses as he wrapped it around his fingers.
"Nice, he discovered that 1 Vitality gives 5 HP and 1 Defense; this is too strong for the early stages of the game."
With an instant boost of 80 HP and 10 Defense, they're exactly what I need to buy myself more time in a fight.
He glanced at the 5 coins in the chest, shrugged and added them to his inventory. He also received extra stats from the title.
HP +10 Defense +1
A small smile spread across his face. Each little gain was significant and eventually they all added up. Zack got to his feet and adjusted his dagger.
"Okay… time to move on. More grinding, more rewards"