Chapter 736 - Netherworld Exchange: Moonlit Gambit

Izroth accessed his inventory and removed one Netherworld Exchange Token to examine it.

It resembled a black coin and on both sides was the image of a purple crescent moon.

Name: Netherworld Exchange Token(Soulbound)

Usage: Can be used at the «Netherworld Exchange's Moonlit Gambit».

'There's not much information about it. But, from what little it does disclose, it's safe to say that it is a form of currency tailored to the Netherworld Exchange's Moonlit Gambit. It must have something to do with the feature I recently unlocked.'

After clearing a hidden bonus objective for the quest Hunted By A Creature of the Netherworld, Izroth unlocked a new feature for the Netherworld Exchange. And, after inspecting the Netherworld Exchange Token, he immediately located the feature and opened it.

〈System Alert: The «Netherworld Exchange's Moonlit Gambit» is now open.〉

〈System Alert: Since you are the first player to unlock the «Netherworld Exchange's Moonlit Gambit», you have received x1 «Lucky Netherworld Exchange Token»!〉

〈System Alert: Would you like to undergo the basic tutorial regarding the «Netherworld Exchange's Moonlit Gambit»?〉

'Lucky?'

Izroth checked his inventory to see the details about the new token he acquired, but strangely there were no new items.

'It's not in my inventory. And, there does not seem to be a description for it. I guess I can only wait and see what happens. For now, I should obtain a better understanding of this Moonlit Gambit before I use it.'

Just like when he first accessed the Netherworld Exchange, the system offered a basic tutorial about the Moonlit Gambit, which Izroth accepted without hesitation.

According to the tutorial, players could choose one item of their choice from every moon category listed on the Netherworld Exchange. And, since the highest moon category was ten, it meant that Izroth could choose up to ten items in total.

For the Netherworld Exchange, moons were used to categorize items by general worth. In other words, more moons represented better quality and rarity.

Once a player finished picking their items, another set of forty items was randomly generated by the system that was listed on the Netherworld Exchange. However, the more Netherworld Exchange Tokens a player spent, the fewer items the system would generate, increasing the chances for the player to acquire one of the items they originally selected.

The items chosen by the system were all worth one moon or less. This part depended on the overall value of the items selected by the player.

After the potential rewards were determined, the items would be hidden and shuffled randomly. Then, the player had one chance to make a selection without knowing which item was which. And, whatever the player obtained was the item they would have to walk away with.

'A game that's purely focused around one's luck. It brings back some memories.'

As the system explained the new feature in greater detail, it reminded Izroth of something he experienced back in the Seven Realms known as Artifact Stones.

Cultivators would pay a certain price and get the opportunity to pick from several Artifact Stones. Most of the Artifact Stones were filled with random trash that could be tossed aside; however, there were some that contained priceless treasures! Although the chances of walking away with a valuable treasure were extremely low, countless cultivators in the Seven Realms spent small fortunes just to have the opportunity to undergo a life-changing experience.

Of course, one rarely acquired a life-changing treasure from an Artifact Stone. Still, the thought and possibility alone were more than enough to draw people in every day without fail. But, the Moonlit Gambit was much more lenient.

'If I remember correctly, they have something similar in this world. There are even entire games based around it. I believe they were called gacha? I wonder if it's possible to create something like at the Mystical Realm Palace. I'll discuss it with Fang Qiu when the opportunity arises.'

Once the system finished going through the tutorial, a new mystic purple screen appeared in front of Izroth with the words "Moonlit Gambit" written in crimson text with a faint red hue.

The screen was empty, except for a small input pad with the symbol of a Netherworld Exchange Token on it and "0/5" next to it in grayed-out text.

〈System Alert: Please insert any «Netherworld Exchange Token» to proceed.〉

〈System Alert: x1 «Lucky Netherworld Exchange Token» has been automatically inserted!〉

The moment Izroth received that set of alerts, the grayed-out text changed to white, then light green, blue, bright purple, and finally s.h.i.+ny gold. In addition to the color s.h.i.+ft, the "0/5" switched to "5/5".

〈System Alert: Please select the items you wish to use for the «Netherworld Exchange's Moonlit Gambit». (Limited to 1 per moon category) [0/10]〉

'There are a few items that grabbed my attention the last time I looked through the Netherworld Exchange, but the amount of Spirit Vouchers needed to acquire them were well beyond my means. An opportunity like this may not present itself again. I have to be mindful of my choices. Let's see...'

Izroth navigated through the interface as he selected the items that caught his eye. From one to six moons, Izroth made his picks with ease. It was not until he arrived at the seven moon category that he slowed down and carefully weighed his options.

Although there were fewer items available in the higher moon categories, they were all top tier and every item had its own merit.

In the end, it took Izroth roughly fifteen minutes to settle on his final few picks.

The system then asked for his confirmation. And, after Izroth approved his choices, he received an alert from the system.

〈System Alert: Item selections confirmed. Shuffling...〉

〈System Alert: Please select one card.〉

The next moment, twenty blank black cards hovered in front of Izroth in a straight line.

He took a moment to scrutinize the cards; however, there were no noticeable differences between them—even after using his Energy Vision Sense.

'It looks like I can only depend on my own luck. Then, I'll go with this one.'

Izroth picked the black card closest to the center. The instant he did so, the other black cards vanished.

The black card changed colors as a new image and name formed on its blank surface.

'This is...'

〈System Alert: You have received x10 «High-Grade Healing Potion(Premium)».〉

Item Name: High-Grade Healing Potion(Premium)

Usage: Drinking this potion will heal the user for 5,000 HP.

Cooldown: 20 seconds

The item that appeared was not one of the ten Izroth picked, but healing potions! Even if they were premium, their value was obviously much less than that of a one moon item.

Izroth could not help but feel somewhat disappointed. Naturally, he hoped for a ten moon item. But, right now, even a one-moon item would be considered a luxury.

'I suppose even the luck stat has its limits. Perhaps the system believes I've been a bit too fortunate as of late.'

However, just as Izroth accepted the outcome, an unexpected system alert rung in his ears.

〈System Alert: «Lucky Netherworld Exchange Token» detected. Would you like to return x10 «High-Grade Healing Potion(Premium)» and choose again?〉

Choose again? Of course, he wanted to choose again! Izroth accepted without hesitation as the card vanished from his hand along with the ten High-Grade Healing Potion(Premium) in his inventory and the twenty black cards reappeared. Furthermore, the card he previously chose had a red x across it.

'I thought the Lucky Netherworld Exchange Token only counted for five regular tokens. Who knew it had this kind of effect? I guess my luck has not been cut short just yet. But... let's stay away from the middle this time.'

Izroth chose a card located near the outer left side. Immediately upon doing so, the black card released a bright golden light as the other cards disappeared.

There was no reaction last time when he picked the healing potion; therefore, Izroth took this as a good sign.

〈System Alert: You have received x1 «Ring of the Ancient Colossus».〉

A few seconds later, the bright light died down as the card transformed into a ring that sat in the center of Izroth's palm.

'Oh? It's this item. I only chose it because the effects seemed somewhat interesting, but it wasn't exactly high on my priority list. Still, I'm sure it has its own advantages. I'm interested to see what it can do.'

Accessory Name: Ring of the Ancient Colossus(Unbound)

Accessory Rank: Legendary

Might: +1

«Might of the Ancient Colossus» - The wearer of this ring unlocks the «Might». This stat cannot be increased using stat points and must be raised through combat or other methods.

«Strength of the Ancient Colossus» - Temporarily increased the user's Might and amplifies its effects by 100% for 1 minute.

Cooldown Time: 30 minutes

Special Note: Might greatly enhances the user's physical strength and physical capabilities. If trained properly, the user's body can become a virtually indestructible weapon, capable of crus.h.i.+ng even raw magic with their bare hands! Once equipped, this item is soulbound to its wearer and cannot be traded or sold.. If soulbound, this item is automatically destroyed if dropped from the user's inventory.