MMORPG: REBORN MARK ADVENTURE IN ONLINE GAME

As the key slid into the lock, a soft click echoed through the chamber.

Raven's fingers instinctively tightened at his sides. A golden chest.

Even in his past life, these were legendary.

Guilds—entire first-rate guilds—had gone to war over just one of these. Alliances shattered, betrayals were written in blood, and fortunes were made or lost in the blink of an eye, all for the chance to open a golden chest.

And now, he was standing in front of one.

In my past life, I never even got close to one of these. Every time one was discovered, the strongest players and super guilds claimed them. Even if I wanted to fight for it, I never had the strength or influence.

Yet here it was—untouched, unclaimed. And he had been the one to find it.

He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to stay calm. This was a turning point.

The rewards from a golden chest weren't just valuable—they were game-changing.

Unique weapons, lost artifacts, high-tier skill books, hidden quest items... even a single piece of loot from one of these could skyrocket a player's power to the next level.

But there was another reason these chests were so coveted.

They often held things that shouldn't exist yet.

Gear and items far beyond the current phase of the game. Secret knowledge. Abilities that weren't supposed to be available for months, sometimes years.

Raven's heartbeat quickened. If the right item was inside, it could shift the balance of power completely.

No wonder Mist Low had kept the key hidden.

That bastard knew exactly what he was holding onto.

Raven's gaze flickered toward the others.

Daniel had stopped struggling, but his eyes were still burning with frustration. Liz was glaring daggers at Mist Low, who looked completely at ease, twirling the key between his fingers. Ana, on the other hand, was watching with an expression of subtle curiosity—as if she, too, understood the weight of this moment.

None of them fully grasped just how important this chest was.

But Raven did.

And I won't let this opportunity slip away.

His eyes locked onto the golden chest as Mist Low finally—slowly, deliberately—turned the key.

As the key turned, the golden chest let out a faint hum, followed by a soft click.

The lid creaked open, releasing a faint, shimmering light—not blinding, but rich with potential.

Raven's sharp eyes swept over the contents, his heart steady, but expectant.

Inside, the treasure lay neatly arranged:

A Poison Resistance Blueprint – A detailed schematic, its parchment aged yet intact, outlining the method to craft armor that granted high resistance against poison. An invaluable find, especially considering the dangers of corrupted dungeons and toxic enemies.

A Stack of Magic Cards – The moment Mist Low saw them, his usual smug expression vanished. His eyes gleamed, fingers twitching slightly before he controlled himself. "Oh?" he murmured, voice far too casual.

20 Gold Coins – A fortune for most players at this stage. Enough to fund gear upgrades, secure rare items, or bribe key NPCs.

A Few Tier 2 Gems – Precious enhancement materials, their surfaces glimmering with embedded magic. Each one had the potential to boost weapons or armor, increasing their overall effectiveness.

One Tier 1 Invisibility Scroll – A rare consumable. The effects wouldn't last long, but in the right hands? A perfect tool for escape, ambush, or infiltration.

Raven's gaze lingered on the invisibility scroll for a moment. A tool that could change the outcome of a fight.

But it was Mist Low who finally broke the silence.

With a slow, deliberate movement, he reached into the chest and picked up the stack of Magic Cards. His fingers traced the edges with the kind of reverence only a magician would understand.

Then, he grinned.

"Well, well," he mused, voice laced with undisguised delight. "Looks like the gods of fortune really like me today."

Daniel, still tense from before, snorted. "And yet, I still want to punch you."

Liz folded her arms, watching Mist Low carefully. "You know what those are, don't you?"

Mist Low flipped a card between his fingers, letting its magical surface glisten under the dim cavern light. "Magic Cards aren't just spells—they're wild cards. Each one contains unpredictable effects, depending on the user's affinity."

He smirked. "And lucky for me, I specialize in unpredictability."

Raven observed him closely. Mist Low's excitement wasn't just for show.

If there was one thing Tricksters excelled at, it was turning chaos into their greatest weapon.

And now? Mist Low had just found the perfect tool to do exactly that.

Mist Low held the stack of Magic Cards between his fingers, flipping one over with a lazy, practiced motion. The intricate runes on its surface shimmered, a faint pulse of arcane energy running through it.

His grin widened.

"I need these," he said, turning to the group with a completely unapologetic expression. "They belong in the hands of a true magician."

Ana and Liz exchanged glances, and then—giggled.

"Oh, really?" Ana said, tilting her head with mock innocence. "And what exactly are you willing to trade for them?"

Mist Low twirled the cards between his fingers, thinking for a moment. "Well, I did bring the key," he pointed out smoothly.

Liz's smirk widened. "True, true… But that's not enough."

Ana leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands. "We need something extra, you know?"

Liz snapped her fingers. "Oh! I've got it." Her gaze locked onto Daniel.

Daniel, who had been quietly fuming after being held back by Raven, stiffened.

"Oh no."

Ana clapped her hands. "Yes, yes, perfect!"

Mist Low raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Alright, I'm listening."

Liz grinned. "If you want the Magic Cards, you have to kiss Daniel."

Silence.

A deep, almost painful silence filled the air.

Daniel's entire body froze.

Mist Low blinked. Once. Twice. Then grinned.

Raven?

Raven bolted.

Not a word. No hesitation. Just turned and sprinted like his life depended on it.

Daniel, still utterly numb, turned his head so slowly that it was almost unnatural. His wide, disbelieving eyes locked onto Liz and Ana.

"What."

Mist Low chuckled.

"Well, well…" He tapped the cards against his palm, utterly unbothered. "A small price to pay for power, don't you think?"

Daniel's face was completely blank. His brain had fully shut down. His soul had left his body.

Liz and Ana were laughing too hard to speak.

Mist Low took a step toward Daniel, his expression far too amused. "Come now, no need to be shy."

Daniel reactivated.

"RAVEN, YOU TRAITOR!"

From somewhere deeper in the cavern, Raven's laughter echoed.

Daniel's roar of betrayal echoed through the cavern, but Raven?

Raven was long gone.

He had sprinted the moment Liz suggested the kiss, and he had zero intention of looking back.

Back at the treasure chest, Daniel stood rigid, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles had turned white. His entire being radiated pure outrage.

Ana and Liz were crying with laughter, leaning on each other for support. Liz was practically wheezing.

Mist Low?

Mist Low looked completely at ease.

"Such hostility," he sighed, flicking the stack of Magic Cards with one hand. "I was willing to be gentle, you know."

Daniel twitched.

Liz wiped a tear from her eye. "Oh, come on, it was just a joke."

Ana smirked. "Unless… you're actually scared of Mist Low's charm?"

Mist Low placed a hand over his heart. "I am quite irresistible."

Daniel took a slow breath. Then another. His gaze locked onto Mist Low, who was far too entertained by the situation.

"I will end you," Daniel muttered.

Mist Low smiled. "You'll have to catch me first."

And with that, he vanished.

A flicker of illusion magic, and Mist Low's form dissolved into thin air.

Daniel whipped around, scanning the cavern for any sign of him. "Come back here and die properly, you coward!"

Liz and Ana were still giggling when Raven finally returned—cautiously peeking around the corner to make sure the kiss hadn't actually happened.

Daniel immediately pointed at him. "You! Don't think I forgot, you abandoned me!"

Raven shrugged, completely unapologetic. "Survival instincts."

Before Daniel could launch into another rant, a voice echoed from the darkness ahead—

Mist Low's voice.

"Much as I love our little games, I suggest we move forward. I did find something interesting while you were all distracted."

The group paused.

Ana raised an eyebrow. "...Interesting how?"

Mist Low reappeared near the far end of the cavern, standing before a massive stone doorway. Strange, ancient runes lined its edges, faintly glowing in the dim light.

He gestured dramatically. "This, my friends, is not just any old passageway."

Raven narrowed his eyes. He could feel the power seeping from the runes. Something beyond this door was… different.

Liz sighed. "Let me guess. It's locked?"

Mist Low smirked. "Oh, absolutely. But lucky for you…" He held up one last Magic Card.

"…I think I know how to open it."