Final Life Online

I glanced over at Puddle, who blinked his gooey body and gave a cheerful chirp, as if to say, "Nice find."

"Yeah," I replied, sliding the glowing book into my inventory. "Definitely worth the hassle."

[You have acquired: Shaman Bone Staff (Rare)]

Type: Weapon (Staff)

Rarity: Rare

Magic Power: +120

Dark Affinity Boost: +10%

Mana Regen: +5%

Special: Curse-type spells last 3 seconds longer

"At long last, a staff," I muttered, a satisfied smirk tugging at my lips.

The Shaman's Bone Staff fit comfortably in my hand. It was crude and a bit wild-looking, but I could feel the raw magical energy pulsing inside it. Neither the Orc Shaman nor the Troll Lord had left behind a magical staff, even though both had been powerful casters. But this goblin? He'd dropped one—and it was a rare drop, no less.

That was an unexpected bonus.

"Too bad it's best used for dark magic," I said quietly, turning the staff in my grip, feeling the subtle tug of dark mana woven into the bone.

Still, it wasn't useless.

Because of my Legacy Bond with Puddle, I could tap into Ancient Dark Magic whenever I wanted. Lately, I'd been relying more on Ancient Light Magic for its better damage and cleaner casting, but…

"Once we leave the Novice Village and shake off the level cap," I murmured, mostly to myself, "Puddle might unlock more advanced dark spells. The kind that actually tear things apart."

I looked at the bone staff again, more thoughtfully this time.

"…and when that happens, this could be used."

For now, even without fully leaning into dark magic, the staff gave a solid buff to magic power, mana regen, and had passive synergy I could later fold into layered casting strategies.

"Alright… now, let's see what the goblins were hoarding," I muttered, scanning the ruins of the camp as smoke drifted lazily through the forest canopy. "Out of all the tribes, goblins are the greediest. If any stash is worth looting, it's theirs."

I headed toward the back of the camp, where a sloped ridge and a reinforced wooden shack stood. It looked like a shoddy vault made from scraps—patches of iron nailed to rotting wood, decorated with sharp bones and teeth. Classic goblin engineering. Even from a few feet away, I could see the faint shimmer of treasure between the gaps in the walls.

"Knew it," I grinned.

The second I kicked open the door, the vault exploded with glitter and gleam.

Gold coins spilled from broken jars, colorful gems rolled across the floor, and half-melted silver statues sparkled in the low light.

Unlike the Orcs and Trolls, who hoarded magical relics, goblins kept shiny things—raw, unrefined wealth.

"Jackpot," I said, stepping over rusted weapon piles to inspect the hoard more closely.

Rare ores, raw gold, and mana-rich crystals were messily stacked across the space. Most of them were crafting materials used in high-tier alchemy or blacksmithing. I couldn't use them just yet, not in the Novice Zone, but once I got out? These would sell for a small fortune on player-run markets.

"No spellbooks though," I said aloud, half expecting to find at least one stashed away.

This was different from the other tribe camps. No racks of scrolls, no tomes, not even a cursed goblin grimoire in sight.

"Figures," I muttered. "If there ever was one, the Shaman probably kept it to himself… and now I've got it."

I glanced back at my inventory. The Spirit Bind skill book still glowed faintly from where it floated in my storage screen.

"Just one tribe left now," I murmured, cutting down a lone surviving goblin without even slowing down. "The Dire Wolves. Most of them can barely use Shadow Magic, except a few elites. They're mostly under level 30… except for their alpha."

I flicked blood from the tip of my sword.

And then—

The air changed.

[ALERT: Three of the Four Tribes in the Black Forest have been defeated.]

[All remaining Blessings of the Black Forest now transfer to the Dire Wolves.]

[Dire Wolves' Level has increased by +10.]

[Field Boss: Dire Wolf Alpha has evolved into Dire Werwolf (Lv. 50).]

[A Monster Horde is gathering under the new ruler.]

[Emergency Quest is now active…]

"Crap!" I shouted, eyes widening as the system notifications continued to pour in.

"So that's why things were going so smoothly. This was the calm before the storm!"

A Level 50 Field Boss?

In the Novice Zone?!

Even with my gear, spells, and Puddle backing me up, I wasn't arrogant enough to think I could take on something five times my level. Not when every other Dire Wolf had just powered up alongside it.

"Even with my Champion Privilege…" I muttered under my breath, "One extra life won't matter if I get shredded before I can blink."

So I didn't try to be a hero.

I turned and bolted.

No hesitation. No second-guessing.

I ran full speed through the forest, dodging branches, jumping over roots, and pushing through the thick mossy terrain. Puddle floated behind me, chirping nervously. The forest behind us seemed to grow darker, as howls echoed from far off in the woods. I didn't dare look back.

Not until the system dropped its final message.

[Emergency Quest – Active]

→ Hidden Quest: Monster Tide (Village B12)

A rare evolution has been triggered by Player [Blade], unsealing a hidden forest legacy.

The Dire Wolves, now united under a single evolved ruler, are preparing to invade nearby regions.

All surrounding villages—including Novice Village B12—are designated invasion targets.

Quest Objective: Survive and defend the village. Eliminate the Horde Leader.

Duration: Until the Monster Horde is Repelled or the Village Falls

Rewards:

– Massive EXP

– Increased Reputation

– High chance to unlock a Hidden Class if the Horde Leader is defeated

– Special Title if the village survives

Note:

→ Player [Blade] triggered this event. All EXP earned during the duration is doubled.

I skidded to a stop just before exiting the forest's edge, my chest heaving as I caught my breath. Wind stirred the trees, carrying with it the distant howling of what sounded like hundreds of Dire Wolves—all under the command of a Level 50 Dire Werwolf.

"This is going to be insane," I whispered.

But then, despite everything, I felt my lips curl into a grin.

An Emergency Quest. A Hidden Class. Double EXP.

Sure, the risk was sky-high…

But the reward?

It was enough to lure players from all across the region straight to my little Novice Village.

"Heh… looks like I'll get to kill the last tribe leader after all," I grinned, eyes gleaming.