"Do you think I'm giving you this? I'm just borrowing it to you, and once we're done clearing this dungeon, of course, I'll take it back." Malik said, placing the shield before White Emperor. After much persuasion, the latter finally accepted it. In that moment, his aura exploded like a bursting dam, and even Kenny could feel the wave of pressure rolling off the Level 6 player.
"Tipa… you're next," Malik called out, pulling another item from his storage. This time, it was a piece of equipment rather than a weapon—but the aura it exuded didn't lose out to that of the shield.
"A headgear at the Fine Gold rank!" Tipa's eyes lit up as he activated his appraisal skill. Malik's brows raised slightly when he realized Tipa could appraise something he couldn't. He brushed the thought aside almost instantly. Cultivator or not, he was still only Level 4—there were plenty of things he was at a disadvantage in.
"You want it or not?" Malik asked with an air of authority, his tone like the edge of a blade, as if in the next moment he'd return it to his storage.
"I need it!" Tipa rushed forward, snatching the headgear without hesitation. He slapped it onto his head, and instantly, his aura surged—an imposing force that even outclassed White Emperor's earlier release.
Malik smirked. He turned to the two swordsmen next, pulling out two pieces of equipment. Unlike the previous items, these lacked any oppressive aura, which brought a flicker of disappointment to the team.
"This is a set equipment tailored for the Assassin class—agility-based through and through. But it's also compatible with the Swordsman class. We've only uncovered two pieces so far, but I'm certain we'll get more once we clear this floor. So, between the two of you—decide who takes it."
Slicer offered a wry smile.
"Party Leader, you're too polite. I already received better gear from you, and I haven't even paid back. I'll feel a pang of guilt taking this. Besides, I'm a strength-based swordsman, so I'll pass." He stepped back with a respectful nod.
"Settled, then. The set equipment goes to you, Young Star."
"Thank you, Party Leader. I'll put it to good use!" Young Star bowed, his voice thick with emotion, tears welling in his eyes.
Malik blinked in disbelief. "I wonder why they're all acting this way… they all worked for the loot, yet I'm the one getting the praise?" He shook his head as he turned and started walking, while the team fell into formation behind him.
The rest of the group sighed. They hadn't gotten anything yet. One Gold-rank weapon could be chalked up to a lucky find. Two? Heaven-defying. They dared not expect more after such a miraculous display.
Malik's mind wandered, comparing his in-game team to the people around him in the real world. Then, his eyes flicked to an item in his storage space—the final treasure from the Alpha Feral Horned Wolf. He had looted five items total: two weapons, one equipment piece. He'd given White Emperor one of the weapons, Tipa the equipment. That left one weapon untouched.
"Aarh… Kenny, I totally forgot about you," Malik said as he dipped into his inventory.
His words hit like thunder. The hearts of the team pounded as they stared at him, eyes full of fiery anticipation.
"A Greatsword…" Kenny's eyes glistened as Malik pulled out a monstrous blade. A chilling aura rolled out like a winter storm, wrapping the area in tension.
"The Frost Greatsword… It's also at the Fine Gold rank," Tipa muttered, voice tight with awe. The team reeled once more.
Their Party Leader had just pulled out three Gold-rank items in mere moments. What was he?
A walking treasure vault?
"You should have this, Kenny. It'll boost our overall strength." Malik tossed the sword toward her. Kenny caught it mid-air without hesitation and replaced her current blade on the spot.
Though the Greatsword looked nearly as large as her, it felt light—lighter even than her old weapon. She stepped forward toward Malik, and the team watched, curious.
Was she going to cry like Slicer? Worship him like White Emperor? Or quietly sob like Young Star?
Kenny did none of these.
Instead, she walked right up to him, looked him dead in the eyes, and asked, "Can I hug you?"
The words struck like a thunderclap.
Even Malik was caught off guard, but he quickly regained composure, maintaining his imposing posture. He opened his arms. Kenny stepped in without hesitation and buried herself in his embrace.
Big Nurse blinked back tears.
Of course, he had a crush on Malik, but after seeing this man's brilliance…
He could only laugh inwardly.
He's the main character. I'm just a comic relief in front of him.
"Yes!" Angel Michael pumped his fist in triumph. To him, this was the perfect development—he'd be with Taiwo, and Malik with Kenny.
Two friends dating two beautiful twins... This will be a hot story in FUO.
Taiwo arched a brow as she glanced at Michael. She could guess exactly what was going on in that mind of his, but what could she do? She felt comfortable beside him. So she stayed where she was, quietly watching the scene unfold.
Kenny and Malik stayed in each other's arms for what felt like an eternity, before Malik finally cleared his throat. Kenny stepped back, her cheeks tinged red. He flashed her a reassuring smile before turning to the team.
And this time—they saw it.
That grandeur. That majesty. That silent dominance that surpassed even Boss monsters… yet radiated a warmth that drew them in.
They couldn't help but think:
"He's truly a man like Malik."
"Now that that's settled... get into formation. It's time to whip some asses!" Malik declared as the team snapped into formation.
Every one of them was itching to test their new gear. They had undergone changes—some minor, some revolutionary—but change was change.
"Kenny, you take the left hill. Tipa and the two Elementalists, move to the right. The swordsmen follow White Emperor. I'll protect the healer from the rear. With that... move out."
Malik's command sliced through the air like a war drum.
If it had been earlier, the team might've thought he'd lost his mind. Together, they couldn't even take down one hill. Now he was asking them to conquer three simultaneously?
But they weren't the same players they had been before.
They had been reborn.