Rust had defeated his 22nd slime. He strongly wished for a core as he only needed one more.

'Please.'

All of a sudden, Rust's vision was blocked by a large amount of text.

[You have defeated 'Green Slime']

[You have gained 12 exp]

[You have received 'Slime Core' x1]

[You have received 3 copper.]

[You have received 'Slimy Sandals ☆']

[Congratulations, you have gained a level.]

[A man whose body is his weapon has no need for a sword. With punches and kicks of steel, you're proof that a fist is as deadly as a blade.]

[Skill 'Basic Brawling Mastery' was obtained.]

[With countless paths stretching before you, you have decided not to choose. A greedy choice some may say. But those who reach the martial peak will forever remain legends.]

['Basic Brawling Mastery' and 'Weapons Mastery' have combined into 'Martial Mastery']

[Skill 'Martial Mastery' was obtained.]

Rust's eyes were shining like stars. This was what a game was truly about. Loot, levels, and getting stronger.

He took care of everything in descending order.

He allocated 5 points to Strength, 3 to Endurance and 2 to Agility. This time, [Jack of all]'s random points went into Spirit and Endurance.

The one-star sandals surprised Rust. He didn't think slimes could drop starred items.

There was a correlation between a monster's level and items dropped. To put it simply, the stronger the monster you defeat, the bigger the chance of a good item.

But the level wasn't all. Luck played a part as well. Both the stat and the real thing. Defeating high-level monsters only raised your chances of receiving good loot, it didn't guarantee it.

Even the top players who were level 250+ received non-starred and one-star loot at times.

Rust looked at the sandals.

'They look like a pair of ordinary summer sandals, only...'

The intense neon-green was a design Rust couldn't agree with at all.

'What's up with this color.'

[Slimey Sandals ☆]

Durability: 24/24

Defense: 22

* Immune to corrosion effects.

These sandals have survived inside a slime for a long period of time without dissolving. But the stranger mystery is how these got here in the first place.

User Requirement: None

'Immune to corrosion effects'.

Every letter stung his eye.

Did this mean he wouldn't have taken any damage if he attacked the slimes using them?

The thought made him shudder.

'I won't feel bad if I never find out.'

Rust psyche wouldn't be able to handle it. He threw the sandals into his inventory.

'Out of sight, out of mind.'

Now for the most exciting part. His new skill!

[Martial Mastery ☆]

10% increased attack power while attacking.

10% increased defense while defending.

10% increased attack speed.

10% increased attack power while unarmed

10% increased defense while unarmed

The new skill was amazing. It almost seemed fraudulent. Being close to twice as strong as other basic mastery skills at one star.

Rust stopped moving.

The joy he felt only a minute ago had now faded.

He had remembered that he had only accomplished this through one and a half years of 'hard work'.

A new skill couldn't hide the fact that he was only level 3, no matter how great. It couldn't cover the gap between himself and top players. Heck, it wasn't even close to covering the distance between himself and an average player.

'Am I really too far beh-'

No. He couldn't think like that.

He wouldn't let people look down on his hard work because of his low level. He would make up for what he lacked in level with skill and experience.

He would even wear the Slimy Sandals, and he would wear them with pride.

Never had a man put on a pair of sandals with such determination. Onlookers would have been forced to stare in admiration at the act.

The thing Rust had willfully forgotten was the fact that many others had put in as much effort as he had. Only they weren't as indecisive as he was.

Rust finished getting fired up about nothing at all and resumed walking.

Getting to the alchemy shop from the slime hunting ground wasn't hard. Especially not for someone like Rust who had done this many times before.

The sun had now risen and NPCs had awoken from their slumber. The previous silent city was now full of life. The sound of people yelling, children playing and everyday life activities had started.

While Rust and many players treated night time and day time no different, NPCs couldn't do the same. Because for them, the world of Battleheart was their only reality.

Maneuvering through the small city of Risa was easy. But Rust's previous encounter with Titan had scarred him. So he decided it was for the best to limit his interaction with players.

'The sandals have nothing to do with it.'

It's unknown who he was trying to convince.

His normal route would have cut through the marketplace. This time he decided on detour instead to avoid as many players as possible.

He moved through the dark and gloomy back alleys like a street urchin.

From experience, Rust knew that it was safe. There was a dreary atmosphere, but very little danger was present in Risa, even in places like this. TechWave wouldn't thrust beginners into a city full of death as soon as they started out.

After a while, the alchemy shop came within view.

The old wooden door creaked as Rust pushed it open. A strong stink of plants and herbs slammed against his nose. Stepping inside, the shop seemed to be empty

Rust called out.

"Haywood! I've brought some cores."

Rust heard movement in the back behind some curtains. The back room contained Haywood's workshop.

A wrinkly, pale old man coughed as he stepped out of the room.

Haywood found the young man called Rust strange. Every couple of weeks he would return here with cores. All while complaining about how hard it was to choose which kind of magic or which kind of weapon to use.

This pattern had continued for 6 years

If the man was as overflowing with talent as he seemed to think he was, why then did he seem to never change at all?

Haywood didn't think Rust was a bad person. A bit of a braggart perhaps, but Haywood didn't dislike him, which was rare.

It made what he had to do next harder.

"I didn't expect you this early." Haywood was short and to the point.

Rust answered with a half smile "Yeah."

Rust felt embarrassed. Every time he was in here he talked up a storm about his future plans, only to return a few weeks later.

He couldn't help it. His excitement and the thought of 'this is the last time' made his mouth move by itself.

Haywood gave him a short nod. "So?"

[A quest has been created.]

[Haywood's Task.]

Difficulty: ☆

Haywood is in need of slime cores for his alchemy.

Completion Status: 0/10 'Slime Core'

Completion Reward: 500 Exp, 'Small Health Potion ☆' x3

Failure Penalty: None

[Would you like to accept Haywood's quest?]

"Here."

Rust placed his cores on the shop counter.

[You have accepted Haywood's quest.]

Haywood gave the cores a quick glance. Looking satisfied, he laid down 3 vials of red liquid.

[You have completed 'Haywood's Task'.]

[You have gained 500 exp]

[You have received 'Small Health Potion ☆' x3]

[Congratulations, you have gained a level.]

[Congratulations, you have gained a level.]

The first time Rust had done this quest, Haywood had spent close to 5 minutes studying the cores. Luckily he seemed to trust him more now.

"Pleasure doing business with you." Rust smiled as he scooped up the health potions.

Rust noticed a weird expression on Haywood's face. It seemed like he was regretting something.

Haywood spoke with some difficulties.

"I'm sorry, kid."

Rust felt confused. Why was he apologizing to him?

"You won't have to return here anymore."

The shock on Rust's face was impossible to hide. Using Battleheart time, he had been going to Haywood's shop for 6 years. Had he done something to anger him?

"Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the help. To be frank, you've brought me enough cores to last me a lifetime. Even three arms wouldn't suffice."

Rust sometimes forgot that this wasn't an ordinary game. This was another reality. These NPCs were no different from normal people. Any craftsman would eventually get enough materials.

"I understand."

Rust nodded. He showed a normal expression but was actually feeling a little down.

Haywood was the NPC Rust had known for the longest. He might treat Battleheart like a game, but he treated the NPCs like real people. Haywood was direct and to the point, but he was a good guy.

It's not like he couldn't ever return, but it wouldn't be the same. This had been like a tradition whenever Rust started over.

"Treat this as my apology. "

Haywood placed a small vial of blue liquid on the table.

[You have completed a hidden quest.]

'What?'

[Haywood's New Beginning.]

Befriend Haywood and show him the glory of slimes. Make him love them as much as you do.

Completion Status:

MAX/MAX Reputation with Haywood

500/500 'Slime Core'

Completion Reward:

2000 exp

Haywood becomes Haywood, The Slime Enthusiast.

'Vial of ???' x1

[You have gained 2000 exp.]

[Congratulations, you have gained a level.]

[Congratulations, you have gained a level.]

[Congratulations, you have gained a level.]

[Haywood, The Slime Enthusiast wishes to transfer ownership of '??? (pet)' to you.]

[Do you accept?]