The journey back to Salia City felt completely different.
For ordinary players, the trip home was just another walk.
But for two MMORPG veterans like Reina and Lisa, every step was another opportunity to make a profit.
Not a single Mostro was spared if it crossed their path.
Slash!
Critical!
Armor Break!
Mine Ogres, Lantern Pumpkin Mostro, and Catfish Mostro fell one after another.
“Haha! Don't stop!” Lisa shouted as she swung her greatsword.
Reina laughed.
“As long as our inventories aren't full, we're losing money.”
“Such a veteran mindset.”
“You're exactly the same.”
Throughout the journey, they weren't chasing EXP anymore.
Their levels had already far surpassed the Mostro around Lake Tross.
Most enemy attacks couldn't even hit them.
Now they had only one objective.
Gather materials.
But they didn't pick up everything.
Reina only collected items that truly had value.
Weapon crafting catalysts.
Pet evolution materials.
Alchemy ingredients.
Various crafting materials.
As for Common equipment, she left it where it dropped.
“Why aren't you picking that up?” Lisa asked when Reina ignored an axe lying on the ground.
“Inventory slots are worth far more than that item.”
Lisa nodded.
“That's exactly how veterans think.”
Before they realized it, the sun had set.
Night gave way to morning.
They continued hunting without noticing how much time had passed.
Only when both of their inventories were completely full did Reina finally stop.
“That should do it.”
“If we keep going, we'll end up throwing away valuable items.”
Lisa let out a long sigh.
“My hands are still itching to fight.”
Reina chuckled.
“Mine too.”
Several times on the road back to Salia City, they nearly attacked passing Mostro out of habit.
But every time the words Inventory Full appeared, the two simply looked at each other and laughed.
At last, the gates of Salia City came into view.
They headed straight for the tavern they had agreed to use as their meeting place.
Just as expected...
Tanaka, Rian, Hana, and Mina were already waiting inside.
“Ms. Reina!”
Rian was the first to stand.
“You're finally back!”
Reina smiled.
“Hasn't Yukio arrived yet?”
“He's still watching the shop.”
Reina immediately opened the Message feature.
Yukio, come to the tavern. Close your shop for a while.
A reply came shortly afterward.
Understood, Ms. Reina. I'll be right there.
A few minutes later, Yukio rushed in, slightly out of breath.
“Sorry to keep everyone waiting.”
Reina gave a small nod.
“Now everyone's here.”
She took out a large wooden chest.
Then...
A golden key.
Rian's eyes widened.
“Ms...”
“You really found it?”
Reina smiled faintly.
“Let's hope what's inside is worth it.”
Everyone unconsciously held their breath.
Slowly...
Click...
Creeeak...
The old hinges groaned as the chest opened.
A brilliant golden light burst forth.
Several objects slowly floated out of the chest.
Everyone froze.
A pair of golden daggers.
A gleaming greatsword.
A Manual.
And...
Another key.
The room fell silent.
Even Reina and Lisa couldn't hide their shock.
“Impossible...”
Reina stared at the contents without blinking.
“In all my years playing Cosmic Online...”
“I've never seen a Boss Chest drop more than one Rare Item.”
Lisa nodded in agreement.
“This is completely outside the game's mechanics.”
Reina immediately examined them one by one.
Holy Dual Dagger of Belio
Rogue
Level 150
Holy Great Sword of Belio
Warrior
Level 150
Warrior Armor Manual
Max Level 150
Key of Belio Castle
Everyone exchanged glances once again.
Reina took a deep breath.
“All of these belong to the party.”
No one objected.
She began distributing the rewards.
“I'll keep the Holy Dual Daggers.”
Everyone nodded.
She was the only one who could use them.
Then she handed the greatsword to Lisa.
“You'll keep this for now.”
Lisa accepted it with both hands.
“I'll take good care of it.”
Next, Reina gave the Warrior Armor Manual to Rian.
“Start studying it now.”
“One day, you'll become a far stronger Warrior.”
Rian grinned from ear to ear.
“Thank you, Ms. Reina.”
Only one item remained.
Key of Belio Castle.
Reina studied it for a long moment.
Lisa suddenly opened the map.
“Wait...”
She pointed toward a mountain.
“Crudas Mountain.”
Reina stepped closer.
There, on the map, was a location none of them had ever visited.
Mysterious Portal
Reina slowly nodded.
“If my guess is correct...”
“This key belongs to that portal.”
Lisa smiled.
“So Belio Castle really exists.”
“Yes.”
“But we're still nowhere near strong enough.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
A dungeon that required a Boss Key was almost certainly not meant for Level 60 players.
Crack...
A faint cracking sound broke the silence.
Mina immediately turned around.
“My egg!”
Her Green Seed was covered in tiny cracks.
A small voice echoed from inside.
“I'm ready to evolve...”
A system window appeared.
Pet Evolution
Material Slots
Bird Feather
Blood of Ogre
Leaf
Log
Stone
Mina looked completely confused.
“What is this?”
Reina smiled.
“Those are evolution materials.”
“Fortunately...”
“Lisa and I already gathered all of them.”
Mina let out a relieved smile.
Reina then led everyone out of the tavern.
They walked toward a small hill behind Salia City.
Yukio looked around.
“Why here?”
Lisa chuckled.
“Just wait.”
“Once the sun sets...”
“It'll all make sense.”
Reina looked up at the sky as it gradually turned orange.
“A long time ago, I discovered a small bug.”
“I deliberately never reported it.”
“If this world still follows some of the old rules...”
“Then this should still work.”
A short while later...
The sun completely disappeared below the horizon.
Darkness covered the sky.
Reina nodded at Mina.
“Now.”
Following Reina's instructions, Mina placed the materials into the slots one by one.
Bird Feather.
Blood of Ogre.
Leaf.
Log.
Stone.
The Green Seed began to tremble.
The tiny cracks spread farther across its surface.
Creeeak...
A soft emerald light illuminated the top of the hill.
Everyone unconsciously held their breath.
Slowly, the light faded.
A small girl floated gently in the air.
She had long green hair.
Small antler-like branches grew from her head.
A thin white robe fluttered softly in the evening breeze.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Then smiled warmly at Mina.
Evolution Success
Female Dryad
The little Dryad flew around Mina several times before gently wrapping both hands around Mina's index finger.
Tears welled in Mina's eyes.
“It worked...”
Lisa pumped her fist.
“Yes!”
Reina smiled as well.
“So...”
“The old rules still apply.”
The rest of the party immediately congratulated Mina.
Meanwhile, the Female Dryad continued circling her master, radiating a soothing green glow.
Reina gazed up at the night sky.
They had discovered more and more anomalies.
Quests that had changed.
Items appearing where they never should have existed.
Boss Chests dropping multiple Rare Items at once.
And now...
An old bug that still worked.
Slowly, she became convinced.
This world had indeed been born from Cosmic Online.
But now...
Cosmia had evolved into something that even its oldest players no longer truly understood.