? ? ?

Xin continued foraging and interacting with NPCs throughout the day. By the time he finished exploring the shore, he felt accomplished, having covered all the NPCs and foraging spots in the area.

He felt satisfied with his thorough efforts.

Xin examined his loot, and so far, he had obtained:

The source of this c𝐨ntent is freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

∥ I T E M S ∥

? Aloe Vera Stalk x2 (Rare)

? Breath of Life Algae x2 (Very Rare)

? Butterfly Bush Bloom x4 (Rare)

? Maiden's Call Bloom x1 (Very Rare)

? Adamantite Ingot x5 (Rare)

? Glory of the Sea Shell x1 (Wondrous, Rare)

? Coral Armor (Rare, requires Attunement), gifted by the NPC Coral

This multi-colored armor is made from corals and is abnormally heavy. While wearing this armor, gain CONS +100.

While wearing this abnormally thick, rock-like armor, your DEX is reduced by 10%.

● Requires STR +50 to equip.

? Amulet of Elemental Protection (Wondrous item, Rare, requires Attunement), gifted by the NPC Edra.

This raw crystal pendant is adorned with ancient protective runes. When equipped, the amulet offers a safeguard against elemental damage. The first time you encounter elemental harm, the amulet absorbs 50% of the damage, providing you with some protection.

However, after using this protective property, it cannot be activated again until the following day.

? Call of the Sea (Wondrous item, Very Rare, requires Attunement), gifted by the NPC Lara

This necklace is adorned with shiny pebbles and seashells. When you wear it, you gain the ability to transform into a merfolk or revert to your original form.

While in a merfolk form, you take on the statistics of a merfolk, except for your hit points, alignment, personality, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma, which remain the same as your original form.

The first time you transform, you can choose the appearance of your merfolk form, as long as it doesn't change the merfolk's base statistics.

However, each subsequent use of the necklace will transform you in the same way.

Once you use this transformation, you cannot use it again until the following day.

? Shell of Oceanic Power (Wondrous item, Very Rare, requires Attunement), gifted by Ariel

This spiraled seashell is connected to the Elemental Plane of Water, and when you listen closely, you can hear the soothing sounds of the ocean within.

The shell can be used once per day.

As an action, while holding the shell, you can unleash the power of [Aqua Torrent], a water-based spell.

Aqua Torrent:

Spell Type: Water Manipulation

Tier: 4

Description:

This powerful spell summons a torrent of water from the surroundings, creating a rushing and turbulent stream that can be directed toward enemies or used for various purposes.

The water can be controlled by the caster to form devastating waves, whirlpools, or directed blasts, depending on their intent.

Aqua Torrent can inflict significant damage, knock opponents off balance, or be utilized for defensive purposes by creating a wall of water to block attacks.

∥ E N D ∥

Xin could use the [Shell of Oceanic Powers] though only once per day, so he should really be careful about where to use it.

While he wasn't fully familiar with the power levels of different spell tiers, he knew that higher tiers were generally more potent.

However, he wasn't aware of the extent of the power gap between each tier, so he had to test that out when he got the chance.

The [Shell of Oceanic Powers] should be powerful enough since it was a tier-4 spell.

It should be. Considering how troublesome he acquired it from Ariel. The mermaid was so forceful, even attempting to drown him in the sea so she could take him as her groom.

When that didn't work, she tried to hypnotize him with her song. Fortunately, it had no effect on him because his charisma (CHA) was much stronger than hers.

After her plans failed, Ariel resorted to crying and begging, which gave Xin a chance to escape from her.

Xin decided never to return to that spot by the shore again.

This upgrading of [Relationship Level] had its own dangers.

Looking at his items again, Xin noticed that most of them required some kind of [Attunement], a process he didn't fully understand. To learn more, he began reading about it in his [Library].

∥ Attunement ∥

Some magic items need a creature to form a bond with them before their magical powers can be used; this bond is called Attunement.

If a creature isn't attuned to an item that requires Attunement, they only get its regular, non-magical benefits unless the item's description says otherwise.

An item can only be attuned to by one creature at a time, and a creature can't be attuned to more than three magic items simultaneously. Trying to attune to a fourth item won't work; the creature must end Attunement to another item first.

Also, a creature can't attune to more than one copy of the same item, like two rings of protection.

A creature's Attunement to an item ends if they no longer meet the requirements for Attunement, if the item has been more than 10 meters away for at least 24 hours, if the creature dies, or if another creature attunes to the item.

A creature can voluntarily end Attunement by spending a short rest focused on the item unless the item is cursed.

∥ E N D ∥

It sounded complicated, but Xin got the whole idea.

In short, he could only equip up to three items with Attunement. This would be a problem since most of the rare and legendary equipment required Attunement.

Xin had also collected various potions, materials like leather, essences, and rocks, all of which were valuable items.

Unfortunately, he couldn't use the armor he found, which made him really want an equipment upgrade.

Despite that, Xin remained calm. There were still plenty of NPCs in town –– like a treasure trove waiting to be explored.

As he was about to continue interacting with the NPCs, a system warning appeared.

[We detected that you need sleep. You will be logged out at 00:04:59]

Xin sighed, realizing it was time to take a break from the game and rest.

======================

The DEVELOPERs Distress

======================

In another dimension far away, a group of frustrated game developers gathered to discuss a growing problem.

"Augh . . . he noticed it. He really noticed it," one of them said, clearly distressed.

"He's not as clueless as we hoped," another chimed in.

"Of course, he would notice it! It was only a matter of time!" someone added.

The group was worried because Lord Schrodinger was acquiring all the rare items in the game using his unique gift to befriend NPCs.

They wondered if there was a way to stop him.

"What should we do now? At this rate, he'll gather all the rare items!" one of them exclaimed.

"Can't we do something about this?" another asked. "Like reprogram the NPCs?"

"Reprogram the NPCs? Impossible! Only the head developer has access to their interface," someone explained.

"Then maybe we can erase or limit the rare gift feature for future NPCs," another suggested.

After considering their options, they realized that any drastic change to the game's mechanics would upset players and undermine the appeal of befriending NPCs.

"If only LUMINA could erase his account," one of them mumbled, frustrated.