The Tree of Ascension: A LitRPG Apocalypse (Peril's Prodigy Book 2) by Craig Kobayashi (ebook reader 7 inch TXT) 📕

"Uh, " Daisy said. "Thanks. It's a really nice box but I don't think I can carry it. You can have it if you want."

"You don't carry it, Daisy. You open it," Athios explained patiently. "These chests are the reward for clearing the dungeon."

"Oh," Daisy said, surprised. "Then I do want it."

Athios smiled at the girl's innocence and unapologetic take-back of her offer to give up the rare chest upon hearing she didn't have to carry it. Even Maimon laughed as Daisy hurried over to the chest. Auto and Garath watched in jealousy as she struggled to open the box.

"Just put your hand on top of it," Auto instructed. "It'll open."

Daisy looked at the Chimerist, then back to the chest. She placed her right hand on the jewel-encrusted chest and heard a click as the locking mechanism unlatched and the contents were revealed. Garath watched closely, hoping to trigger Inspect on the single item that emerged, floating, from the chest.

It was a garment, carefully folded and wrapped with an intricately tied ribbon. At first the cloth was red, but it quickly shifted to yellow, and then blue, white, and continued changing colors seamlessly. Daisy tugged on one end of the ribbon and the bow came loose. She lifted the cloth to inspect her new gear. Garath triggered Inspect from over her shoulder.

Technicolored Dream Robe

Raiment Slot: Chest

Armor: +16

Magic Resistance: +10%

Durability: 100/100

Item Score: 73

Defense Rating: 304

Type: Cloth Armor

Quality: Craftwork

Rarity: Epic

+10% damage to all Elementalist spells

+25 Wisdom

+15 Regeneration

+15 Vitality

***Weave of the elements of change.

Item Requirements:

Level: 19

Class: Elementalist

Daisy’s new robe was ridiculous. Auto told a supremely jealous Garath that his jade shield had also come from a rare chest and Garath almost drooled as he considered what a Necrologist might gain from one of these rare chests.

The other members of the Party each opened their respective chests as well. Garath placed his hand on his chest, which clicked open and revealed his loot.

Waist Strap of the Wise

Raiment Slot: Waist

Armor: +3

Magic Resistance: 0%

Durability: 20/20

Item Score: 29

Defense Rating: 3

Type: Cloth Armor

Quality: Average

Rarity: Common

2 Potion Holsters

+5 Wisdom

Item Requirements:

Level: 6

Dark Trousers

Raiment Slot: Legs

Armor: +6

Magic Resistance: 0%

Durability: 30/30

Item Score: 27

Defense Rating: 30

Type: Cloth Armor

Quality: Average

Rarity: Common

+5 Wisdom

+5 Vitality

Item Requirements:

Level: 6

Cinderstaff

Attack Damage: 9-13

Attack Speed: 2.25

DPS (damage per second): 4.889

Durability: 40/40

Item Score: 36

Two-handed weapon

Type: Staff

Quality: Above Average

Rarity: Uncommon

Spell Targeting Assistance: Basic

+35 Wisdom

+30 Vitality

+11 Regeneration

Item Requirements:

Level: 15

Garath was pumped to get three new pieces of gear that he’d immediately put to use. He quickly wrapped the belt around his waist and filled its two Potion holsters with the Endless Potions in his Items panel. Using a trick he’d learned in Aquawood Depths, he equipped the new pants with a thought.

You have equipped Dark Trousers. Because the Raiment Slot for Leg Armor was occupied, your Old Jeans have been placed in your Items panel.

Garath smirked. It was a useful way to change clothes and maintain a level of modesty. He gave Daisy his Hypnotic Staff of the Wise and replaced it with the new Cinderstaff, a solid upgrade for the Necrologist. Its smooth black shaft felt warm to the touch and he gained an additional 5 Wisdom, 30 Vitality, and 1 Regeneration from the weapon upgrade.

After the chests were emptied, Garath enlisted Auto and Maimon to help him slip Illunitus’ corpse out of the long black robe he’d been wearing. Athios covered Daisy’s eyes as the now-naked corpse fell limply to the ground. Garath couldn’t have been sure but, because the demon-boss had employed magics similar to his own, he was hoping the robe would be of some benefit to him.

Illunitus’ Dreadrobe of Reaping

Raiment Slot: Chest

Armor: +15

Magic Resistance: +15%

Durability: 81/100

Item Score: 59

Defense Rating: 225

Type: Cloth Armor

Quality: Craftwork

Rarity: Epic

+20 Wisdom

Gain +1% to the base damage of your Skills for each slain enemy (Maximum: 30%). Effect lasts for 30 minutes (refreshed with each kill)

***The wearer of this Dreadrobe receives the Ability ‘Go Down Fighting’. Even within an inch of death, your need for revenge will sustain you through any amount of damage received for as long as it takes to cast one final spell. (Note: if the casting of a spell has not been initiated within one-second of your total Health reaching zero, Go Down Fighting will not be activated)

Item Requirements:

Level: 19

The robe shrank to Garath’s size upon looting it. If it hadn’t, the dang thing would have been too big for Andre the Giant. He guessed the bonus effect was how the dungeon Boss was able to remain in the fight long seconds after he should have died to send that last spell at Daisy. Garath put it on immediately.

You have equipped Illunitus’ Dreadrobe of Reaping. Because the Raiment Slot for Chest Armor was occupied, your Sturdy Leather Cuirass of Wisdom has been placed in your Items panel.

With the items from the chests, Garath’s new-to-me robe, and the few assorted pieces they were able to scavenge from the corpses littering the long hallway, the first run of Molten Glacier Peak yielded a pretty good haul. In addition to the items, each member of the Party gained 9 Mana Crystals and a total of 93,450 Experience, bringing him all the way to Level 26. He took a second to distribute his Attribute Points, plugging every one into Wisdom. After a quick check to make sure they hadn’t missed any potential loot, the Party exited MGP to regroup with the others waiting outside.

Chapter Eighteen – Tryouts

Garath sat out for the second run of Molten Glacier Peak. The plateau on which the Necrologist waited rose from between ever-flowing rivers of magma. It was at least twenty feet above the orange streams of popping, superheated earth. Safe. At least, as safe as any plateau could be on a magically enhanced active volcano. There were occasional splashes against the rock wall of their waiting location, but nobody got burned. The air was thin, and though the day was still young, the burning July sun coupled with the heat from below made Garath feel as though he