Congratulations! You've cleared an Old Pile of Rubble!
Reward: 1500 Tyllill crystals.
Reward: 50 Crast stones
Reward: Blue Ice (2 pc.)
Reward: a wooden box, carved (1 pc.)
That's what it was. The mine was indeed depleted, but it had rubble deposits instead. And these deposits were the most interesting bits here. Tyllill alone was great news. Fifteen hundred — and that was only the beginning. Crast stones... it did sound familiar... whatever these were... never mind. I'd have to sort it out later. The fact was that these stones had the same icon as both money and tyllill crystals. It was probably some trading resource. Once I crossed back from No-Man's Lands, I might look it up on the info portal which was unavailable here just as the auction and the messaging service were. Which meant that a player should have done his or her homework before venturing into the neutral zone. At least now I could understand the raids' demand for high-level Alchemists, for instance. Having a player like this in your group, you wouldn't have to worry about running low on elixirs while raiding the vast expanse of No-Man's Lands.
Unfortunately, the game engine hadn't been too generous with Blue Ice. It must have been a very rare resource.
Now, the carved wooden box. Strangely enough, I already knew about these sorts of items. I'd first heard about them from Flint's group when they'd discussed hidden treasures. A few forums and open clan sites sometimes mentioned various "goodies" that were apparently stored in similar boxes. The more precious the carving, the bigger a player's chances were of a nice fat reward.
Oh by the way, one more thing. Experienced players warned newbs against opening the boxes straight away. On a long-distance raid, every bag slot is priceless. The box only took one slot but its contents could easily fill the entire bag. Some of the more curious players were known to have emptied their entire inventories just to accommodate the long-desired goodie. So the boxes would have to wait till I came back home. No, not home. I couldn't open them there. What was I supposed to do with all the loot, then? Never mind. I'd have to sort it out later, wouldn't I?
"So, guys? Not bad for a start, eh?"
My two pets stared at me eagerly. They seemed to be enjoying it too. Apparently, the emphatic link between us kept growing stronger every day.
We moved on.
We discovered the next Pile of Rubble very close to the entrance to the mine's main room. Its Durability was considerably lower which took me less time but was accordingly poorer paid. 700 tyllill crystals and 15 Crast stones, plus a Torn Pouch, whatever that was supposed to mean. I shoved it down my bag, too. I'd check it all later.
In total, I counted 32 Piles. I had just over two hours left. I should be able to make it. Plenty of time — I might even have an hour left.
"Listen guys, I'll work here for a bit and you can check this place out if you want."
Boris and Prankster seemed to be waiting for the offer. They darted toward the opposite wall, trying to outrace each other. I smiled watching them. Kids!
Never mind. Time to do some work.
My hand shook with excitement as I grabbed the pick and took a swing.
You've tried to clear an Old Pile of Rubble.
-3 to the item's durability.
Durability: 97/100
I kept swinging my pick like a crazed gold-digger. Every Pile I opened increased my hope of seeing my two girls even earlier.
Fifty-eight minutes before the mine's self-destruction, I had cleared everything there was to clear. I'd done two or three rounds of the cave, checking every nook and cranny twice.
So what had this Aladdin's cave given me? 48,000-plus tyllill crystals. 1200 Crast stones. 70 pieces of Blue Ice. 3 wrought chests, 12 steel boxes, nine carved ones and 10 holed pouches. I couldn't believe my luck.
My legs gave way under me. I collapsed onto a rock, feeling as if someone had removed a steel rod from my spine: the rod that had kept my back straight all this time despite all the problems that had showered us over those last few years. I knew it was too early to relax. I still had the bank to persuade. But the fact that I'd met each and every one of their requirements cheered me up. Had I really made it? Added to those I already had, the tyllill crystals I'd farmed today way exceeded the required Reputation quota. The Blue Ice would allow me to raise my profession level. And then there were these Crast stones. And the boxes which were a very nice big fat bonus in and by themselves. I just couldn't remember where I'd heard about those blasted stones... never mind. It would come to me later.
Prankster's excited squeak disrupted my musings. He was jumping around me, apparently trying to attract my attention to something or other. I raised a weary head. Boris froze by the far wall.
Had they discovered something else? I hadn't checked that particular direction very well. Also, there might have been something in this cave invisible to my human eyes. A hidden treasure, maybe. Still, there wasn't much I could do about it. I just didn't have the Piercing Vision ability which was mentioned so often by other forum users.
I struggled to my feet. "Prankster, that's all right! I'm coming! Let's have a look at whatever you two have found there."
Oh. How interesting. I was pretty sure that this one tunnel hadn't been there before.
It was small and neat, located in the shadows which was probably why I hadn't noticed it before. Somehow I doubted that my both pets had suddenly developed an ability to see what's hidden. Most likely, my clearing the last pile had automatically granted me access to this tunnel. It sure sounded like it. Game developers love creating chain reactions like this one. They make you do something which in turn would allow you access to something else...
Right, should we go and investigate?
My heart missed a beat as I stepped in. The tunnel was indeed small. It was dark and dry. It was also short, ending less than twenty paces away. I was about to exit its far end when another system message popped up,
Warning! You're trying to enter the second part of the North Mine! Watch out! This is the habitat of the Diadem Serpent!
Not recommended for players below level 200!
So that's how it was, then? This wasn't a mine even — this was a mini instance. Not that it changed anything for me, really.
"Come on, guys! There's nothing for us to catch here. Let's go back. We still have to get home. The cave's mob is way out of our league."
Was it my imagination or did I indeed see disappointment in their eyes? Or could it simply be the reflection of my own? Why not? I wouldn't lie to you: whoever smoked this Diadem Serpent might receive a nice hefty bonus. If I could only take a peek at this creature!
My pets perked up, sensing my indecision.
"Are you serious? It'll make mincemeat out of you — or me, as the case may be. You might get out of it relatively lightly. In any case, how are you going to fight it?"
Wait a sec. And what if... The thought made my ears itch. No way. Too risky. How much time did we have? Forty minutes. It only took a few seconds to vacate the cave. These weren't the deep emerald mines. In other words, it wouldn't hurt to take a look.
Inhale. Exhale. I stepped forward and took a cautious peek around the corner.
So what did we have here?
The game developers hadn't bothered to splurge on detail for this one-off instance. This cave was a carbon copy of the one I'd just been to. It was much cleaner, though: not a single Pile of Rubble in sight. By the same token, their proverbial Diadem Serpent wasn't around, either. Having said that...
Holy mama mia! They might have saved on adding detail to the cave but they sure hadn't skimped on the creature's size.
It was the color of gray stone, with a triangular head. No wonder I hadn't noticed it earlier. And your level, buddy? 260. Not that terribly high, either. Plenty for me, though. Being the location's boss, the monster was bound to possess some very interesting abilities.
I glanced at the other two. Both had grown quiet. Their fur stood on end. The Grison resembled a coi
led spring.
Tauntingly, the giant snake coiled its enormous body around a shiny box. I dreaded to even think what the game developers might have filled it with. I gulped and shrank back behind the corner. The other two stared at me inquiringly.
"So, my little desperados? Think we can take him on? I have an idea — but Prankster might not like it, I'm afraid."
I had indeed come up with a plan. Admittedly iffy, but in this particular case it just might have worked 100%. In any case, we could stop (read: flee) at any moment.
For the first time in the game I regretted not having a combat account. Killing a mob like this — and in a No-Man's Lands instance, of all places — could have reaped me a handsome reward.
But even someone like me had a solution available for this scenario — as the Calteans' leader had demonstrated some two hours previously.
The trap.
This was the "flight or pocketfuls of loot" situation. I had to try it. It would also give me a chance to see Prankster in action.
Time left: thirty-five minutes. That should do it, provided I didn't get carried away.
I took another peek from around the corner. The cave hadn't changed. But the moment I stepped into it, the setting would change dramatically. Just one step — that should be enough. Prankster would do the rest.
"Are you ready, boy? I don't need to ask, do I? Off you go, then. Make sure you don't go too far."
Inhale. Exhale. Let's do it!
I stepped forward, ignoring the barrage of system messages. I didn't need to read them to know I was an idiot.
On my command, Prankster darted forward like a black bolt of greased lighting.
The serpent's body shuddered. His head the size of a truck's cab rose a good fifteen feet in the air. His forked tongue quivered anxiously as the Diadem Serpent awoke from its slumber.
By then, Prankster had already reached the center of the cave and had frozen bolt upright. He resembled a prairie dog — one that was black and lethal.
I hoped the snake would fall for it. My pets' levels were the same as mine: zero all around. Which meant that the mob was bound to aggro us, as gamers say.
Yes! It worked! The serpent's unblinking eye focused on the bold little animal. The coils of his body shifted.
"Prankster, now!"
He flowed sideways like a blob of black mercury, then zigzagged straight for me.
The snake hissed, enraged by our skullduggery. He thrust forward, shifting his entire giant bulk. He was very fast. Very. But not for Prankster. My little brute was almost on me, getting closer with every leap.
The sight of the infuriated monster thrusting his body toward me must have thrown me into a daze. A dig in my chest — rather powerful considering Prankster's humble size — brought me out of my stupor.
Would you like to activate the trap: Yes/No
Yes! I hurled it forward, watching the steel net unfold in the air, parachute-like. Unlike the hedgehog before him, the serpent must have never encountered this kind of thing before. He barged directly into the trap, his body disappearing with a flash.
"Yes! We've done it!"
Both my pets tilted their heads with interest, watching their master dance a celebratory jig.
Oh wow. I'd never thought that victory could be so intoxicating. What an incredible, unforgettable feeling. This was the first time in my life I'd actually experienced it. I'd had my fair share of triumphs and achievements, sure. But this! Outsmarting a dreadful monster! I was beginning to understand all those players capable of defeating mobs like this one, then enjoying the blissful moment of sifting through the loot. Talking about which...
I hurried toward the huge, glowing ball of flesh.
What would you like to do?
Activate the trap again
Move the trap into your inventory.
The second option, of course.
Success! The trapped animal has been moved into your bag.
Excellent. Now the trophies.
I dashed for the chest. It was big, wasn't it?
Name: a Precious Wrought-Iron Chest
Type of item: Relic
What would you like to do?
1. Open the Chest
2. Move the Chest into your inventory
I gulped and pressed Move. Immediately my bag became ten slots poorer. Oh! It was heavy now, wasn't it?
Still, I felt as pleased as Punch. A few more trips like this one, and I might become Mirror World's best fan.
A quick search of the cave for any hidden treasures produced no results. Never mind.
The ground shuddered underfoot. The ceiling showered me with dust, sand and small rocks. I glanced at the timer. I still had twenty minutes left on it.
"Come on, guys! Time to get going before we get whacked by something heavy."
As we ran, more shocks followed. It must have been the "ancient curse" waking up; the forgotten god remembering about this place.
We hurtled out of the cave and dove into the snow. Day was breaking. Excellent. The first morning sunrays tentatively peeked through the thunderclouds. The fresh frosty air burned my lungs.
Phew. We were back in one piece.
I chose not to wait till the mine collapsed. I mounted Boris and told him to take off. In one powerful leap and a single wingbeat, my mount took to the skies.
Chapter Seventeen
Drammen met us with a furious gale and a downpour. It looked like the rainy season had started. Bad news for the Guiding Eyes. This kind of forced downtime was the last thing Varn's caravanners needed. Especially considering the latest developments.
I could only congratulate myself on the fact that I didn't have to depend on them now. Mechanically I slapped Boris' powerful neck.
The idea to go to Drammen first to investigate my trophies had come to me during the flight. Initially I'd been too tempted by the thought of going upstairs to my room in order to open all those chests and boxes. I just couldn't wait. Still, while we were leaving No-Man's Lands, the impatient mentality of a treasure hunter had given way to the cold calculations of a bookkeeper. Who rearranged the glasses on his nose and began his reckonings.
The problem was actually in the following. If I opened all the boxes now, very soon all the available slots in my inventory would be taken. Which in a way was a good thing. Question: what was I supposed to do once my bag was full? The game mechanics didn't allow you to just unload all your stuff and keep it on the table or under the bed. You could unload it, of course, but only for a few minutes. Then, if you failed to collect your possessions promptly, they would disappear into thin air.
I remembered reading some forum discussions on the problem. At the time, I'd just skimmed through it as I'd had no idea I might ever find myself in a similar situation. I'd even wondered why other forum members were so unhappy about it. But apparently, it wasn't that easy.
When you first start out in Mirror World, you don't have the storage dilemma. Wish all problems were like that, you might say. But as days turn into weeks and weeks into months, all sorts of junk somehow find their way into your inventory. Bits of old maps, rock fragments, quest plants, empty vials... I know it sounds weird, but you need all this stuff in the game. Here, every scrap of paper or length of old rope has its use. All these odds and ends have been meticulously and sometimes painstakingly collected. An inventory purge is the last thing a Mirror World player wants to do.
Property owners solve this problem with relative ease. Every house, apartment or castle has all kinds of storage areas: from cellars and pantries to strong vaults and warehouses. Why relative? Simple: having storage areas means there'll be people willing to burgle them. This is another chain reaction created by the game developers: in order to secure their storages, their owners would have to pay to install various magic traps or hired guards. Everything in the game is interrelated.
The safest places where a player could keep his hard-earned artifacts were safe deposit boxes. Banks offered their users a 100% safety guarantee. Re
nting them was quite costly but it was worth it. Imagine I began to open all these chests and boxes filled to the brim with all sorts of paraphernalia. What was I supposed to do with it all? Auction it? But I risked blowing my cover by auctioning the stuff that a regular Grinder couldn't lay his hands on. Because unfortunately, the game admins had denied Grinders the Anonymity option.
If the truth were known, I had no idea why they'd done so. They must have had their reasons. But what if one of these boxes dropped something that binds on pickup? I could forget selling it, that's for sure.
All in all, even though I still had enough available slots in my inventory, it was probably time for me to start thinking about finding some safe storage. Which brought me back to the bank.
That settled it, then. All the chests and boxes would have to wait until I got myself some vault space. It wouldn't be nice to blow it all simply out of greed and impatience. I wasn't a teenage newb. Better just to forget about the loot's existence for the time being.
The nearest Reflex Bank branch was in Drammen. It was nothing compared to its main office. The Drammen branch only offered a few staple services. Vault rental was one of them. I didn't know the rates yet; I just hoped that the game developers would abstain from ripping off their players.
The wind had abated but not the rain. It was bucketing down.
After a confident dive, Boris landed onto a narrow cliff ledge. We could have arrived directly in the city, no one would have even noticed in this kind of weather. Still, my prudence had served me well in the past. Better safe than sorry.
I gave the bedraggled Boris a hearty hug. "Time to get some rest, kiddo. You've done a great job. No idea what I would have done without you."
I activated the summoning charm. Apparently, even zero-level pets could be useful. I dreaded to think what might happen once they started leveling up.
The Citadel (Mirror World Book #2) Page 20
