While it was daytime in the real world, in God's Realm Online it was nighttime. The setting allowed the majority of players to immerse themselves in God's Realm without disrupting their daily lives.
Malik stood in a safe corner, calling out his inventory. From within, he pulled out the first loot he'd earned from the Infernal Feral King. It looked like a rope—no, more like a wane, charred and curling with residual heat.
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Infernal Wane
Rank: Dark Gold
When Equipped:
Increases fire resistance by 20%.
Deals 30% fire damage to enemies.
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"This Infernal Wane is great, but unfortunately, I still have these Feral Gloves—and I can't substitute it for this," Malik said, sighing as he returned the wane back into his inventory. His fingers traced the spine of the next item—a skill book.
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Skillbook: Infernal Slash
Rank: Dark Gold
Description: The skill 'Infernal Slash' is one of Gorthok's trademarks—his brutal art that once scorched the lower realms.
Effect: With spiritual energy, the user unleashes a torrent of flame, consuming enemies in an inferno.
Requirement: Blade-type weapon.
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"This skill is insanely powerful. I should give it to Young Star to learn, but…" Malik rubbed his chin. "I'm not sure if he can comprehend it. This one doesn't just use stamina or mana—it taps into spiritual energy."
Curiosity piqued, he flipped the book open. The moment his eyes landed on the first line, the system chimed in his mind.
Ping!
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Malik blinked. "Just like that… I learned it?" He stared in disbelief as the book vanished from his grip, replaced by faint embers dancing in the air.
He didn't dwell too long on it. Without hesitation, he pulled out the third item—the one he'd been itching to test from the moment the boss fell.
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Infernal Feral King's Special Elite Core
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Malik didn't hesitate. He threw the core into his mouth and swallowed. Instantly, an unbearable pain ignited in his chest.
"AARGH!!" Malik screamed, collapsing to his knees.
It felt like his entire body had been doused in molten lava—his bones boiling, his blood a raging inferno. But just when he thought death was near, another series of system messages rang out.
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Malik gasped, panting as he rose from the ground. "Three… breakthroughs?" His eyes shimmered with new light. His aura was no longer the same—it had undergone a total metamorphosis.
He was still basking in his transformation when a gentle voice broke through the silence.
"Hello there."
"AH!" Malik flinched and stepped back, eyes locking onto the robed figure that had appeared before him.
"Is anything the matter, young man? You seem startled."
Malik's eyes darted up toward the man's status display. It simply read: [Merchant]. But what caught him off guard wasn't the title—it was the fact that the man's feet weren't touching the ground. His white robe didn't even sway despite the wind.
"Nothing really… It's just—you appeared without me noticing. That means you're a very powerful individual," Malik replied cautiously.
The Merchant chuckled, his tone light. "Powerful? Me? I'm but a simple merchant. I trade goods… and valuable items."
"A merchant who trades goods and valuables?" Malik muttered, his pupils contracting. "You're that mysterious NPC!"
The merchant's lips curved into a knowing smirk. "So the rumors have reached you. Well then, do you wish to trade?"
Malik paused, uncertain. He had nothing in mind to trade—at least, nothing of particular value. Still, he nodded. "How do you propose we trade?"
The merchant didn't miss a beat. "There's a ring in your inventory. Give it to me. In return, I'll let you browse a collection. But you're only allowed to choose one item."
Malik raised a brow. He pulled out the ring—the last item dropped by the Infernal Feral King. Appraisal hadn't worked on it, so he hadn't given it much thought. He figured it couldn't hurt.
The merchant sent him a list—an entire coordinate map of items, each glowing faintly with its own aura. Malik sent the ring over in response and began scrolling.
Until—his finger stopped.
"This item allows synchronization of two gear pieces into one… with it, I can fuse the Feral Gloves and the Wane. That's broken." A grin broke across Malik's face as he selected the item. It slid into his inventory with a shimmer.
"That's quite the trade, young man," the merchant said. "But are you sure you're satisfied with your choice?"
Malik snorted. "The rest? Worthless to me. I don't need half of them."
The merchant's smile deepened, eyes gleaming with a glint of something unspoken. "This ring is worth more than all those items combined. What a fortuitous day this is for me." With that, a rift opened behind him, and without another word, the merchant stepped in. The rift closed.
Malik didn't waste time. He pulled out the Feral Gloves and placed them into the slot of the synchronization item. The device swallowed it whole. Then he did the same with the Wane.
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Malik froze.
"...What in the world is this?" His face darkened. He tried to pull the item back—but it wouldn't budge.
'No wonder that bastard asked if I was sure. I've been played. This… this will take an eternity to finish.'
His eyes burned with irritation as he glared in the direction the merchant had disappeared. Just as he turned to leave, something caught his eye—a glint of light on the cold stone floor.
"That's the ring."
He rushed over, scooping it up. The moment he appraised it, his eyes widened.
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Appraisal:
Item: ??? (Sealed)
Requirements: 1000 Mana Crystals to unlock
Description: ???
This item has recognized Player 'Man like Malik' as its owner.
Cannot be traded.
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The last line carved a bitter smile on Malik's face.
"Can't be traded, huh? So he couldn't keep it anyway. Guess I didn't lose after all… Still, that process is going to take ages and who knows whether that Mysterious NPC is going to be back, I should leave here as soon as possible."
He slipped the ring onto his finger. The moment he did, his silhouette flickered—vanishing as if he was never there.