Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

An hour later, Daisuke let out a relieved sigh as he wrapped up the logistics. Cleave had roused from his drunken stupor only minutes before he finished, but when the calming chime of the System echoed, confirming that the gold had been delivered to his inventory, every trace of tension melted away.

DING!

[73,368 gold has been acquired.]

Daisuke tapped his chin, deep in thought. The last time I brought mobs to the butchery, I ranked in over 100k gold, but that was thanks to having eleven Floor Guardians in my inventory. This time around, aside from the two high-level mobs I picked up from Kaizyreus, I only had four unique mobs. Are they really valuable enough to net this much profit?

Clad in a frilly two-piece bikini, Wallet-chan bent over with a slow, seductive flair, her hands trailing down her thighs, past her knees, and to her ankles. Her eyes were glazed with desire, her cheeks flushed with warmth. Her perfectly sculpted posterior pressed enticingly tight against the thin fabric. Just as the strap of her bikini top snapped and her breathtakingly large breasts were about to spill out—

POP!

Daisuke’s vision shattered, his mind thrown into chaos by the sudden, unwelcome interruption of Cleave’s voice that cut through the moment like a sharp crack of thunder.

“I was hoping my daughter might’ve seduced you into knocking her up,” he muttered disappointedly. “A child would’ve given you a reason to stay here in Wonderelle, but alas.”

“Unbelievable,” Daisuke retorted in a monotone, pokerfaced. “Using your own daughter for your personal schemes—have you no shame?”

“Looks like I’ll just have to ration the rest of the Ekimmu monstron and make it stretch a bit longer.”

Daisuke’s jaw dropped, his expression a mix of shock and outrage. “Oi!” he barked, hoisting the Sturdy Club and bonking the bastard squarely on the head. “Don’t ignore me!”

Putting his antics aside, Cleave placed a hand on Daisuke’s shoulder, his warm smile slightly undermined by the comical lump still steaming on his head. “It’s a real shame you’re leaving,” he said, his tone tinged with genuine sadness. “The work won’t be nearly as thrilling without the rare and exotic creatures you bring my way.

But I get it—a true adventurer can’t resist the call of the unknown. The world’s full of wonders and mysteries… but it’s also brimming with danger. Stay sharp out there, my friend. Safe travels.”

Daisuke blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the man’s heartfelt tone. Meeting Cleave’s ardent gaze, he allowed a faint smile to tug at his lips. “Thanks for everything,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll cross paths again. Until then, take care… and don’t worry—I’ll be sure to let Eena know you only see her as a bargaining chip.”

“Wait, no! Have mercy!” Cleave cried, dropping to his knees in exaggerated despair, his voice ringing out like a melodramatic opera. “HAAAXKS~!”

***

“What took you so long?” the dyesmith grumbled, keeping her gaze fixated on her current project. “I finished your request early yesterday.”

Daisuke’s jaw tightened slightly, though he kept his expression neutral. “I apologize for the delay, but if I recall correctly, you mentioned the order wouldn’t be ready until today.”

The woman scowled, the wrinkles on her face deepening. “Do you believe everything people say to you?”

Daisuke couldn’t suppress the frown any longer. “Not everyone, no. But I would expect the words of a reputable business owner to be trustworthy.”

The old woman shot him a sly look, her lips curling into a faint sneer. “So, you’ve been swallowing every word the Guildmaster feeds you, have you?”

“Huh?” Daisuke blinked, caught off guard. “What are you—”

“Ahh,” the woman interjected sweetly, her tone doing a complete one-eighty. “You’re here—the young man from yesterday. Rest assured, I completed your request just this morning. Please, give me a moment to fetch it for you.”

Daisuke furrowed his brows, watching the elderly woman shuffle toward the back of the shop with an unnervingly warm smile. What was that all about? Dementia? Or maybe she’s got some kind of bipolar disorder? He shook his head, thoughts already drifting toward his departure. Either way, I think my time in this town is well past due.

“Apologies for the wait,” the woman said, returning with the items neatly arranged in hand. “Six pieces of light armor and a cloak, dyed to your specifications. That’ll be eleven gold, please.”

“Thank you,” Daisuke muttered, sliding the exact amount across the counter before quickly turning to leave, eager to avoid getting caught in another one of the woman’s uncomfortable episodes.

“Thank you for your patronage,” she sang sweetly, but then, in a sudden shift, her voice turned frantic, drawing the attention of passers-by. “Wait! Lucas? Is that really you? Has my long-lost son finally come back to me? Oh, my sweet boy has returned home!”

The words hit Daisuke like a cold wave, and without hesitation, he turned and bolted.

***

After a brief stop at the apothecary and blacksmith to offload several materials Cleave had prepared, Daisuke set out from town, heading northeast toward the capital. The road stretched before him, lined with barren trees, their skeletal branches swaying gently in the cold winter breeze. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of earth and pine, but there was no snow on the ground—just the faded remnants of autumn clinging to the trees.

In the distance, the mountain peaks loomed, their caps crowned in snow, standing stark against the pale sky. As Daisuke walked, his gaze drifted from the quiet landscape to his inventory, his fingers quickly navigating to the items he had recently dyed, eager to assess the results.

Alas, the armor pieces he had so graciously received from FrostbiteNinja were all between levels 79 and 82. At his current level, Daisuke wouldn’t be able to equip a single piece of the set. That is, unless he had somehow managed to acquire a certain item during his encounter with Kaizyreus.

[Boundless Rune]

[Category: Rune

Quantity: 1

Rarity: Epic

A rare rune stone that holds the unique ability to adjust the level requirement of any equipment. Simple yet highly sought after, it offers adventurers the chance to wield gear beyond their usual limits. Its scarcity makes it a valuable find.]

Daisuke furrowed his brow, mentally calculating his options as he summoned his avatar window. Unfortunately, I have six pieces of armor and only one rune stone. He sighed, weighing the limitations. It sucks, but I can only adjust the level for one piece of equipment for now. All my current gear except for the Swift Leather Boots is at level one.

His eyes drifted to the breastplate in his inventory. It has the highest level-requirement and the best stats—so it’s clear which piece gets the rune. He nodded to himself. Once I hit levels 79 to 81, I can equip the rest. So it’s settled. The Boundless Rune goes to the level 82 breastplate.

DING!

[You are about to use the Boundless Rune to adjust the level requirement of the Frost Drake’s Leather Breastplate from level 82 to 43. Is this correct?]

“Yes.”

[Once this process is initiated, it cannot be undone. Do you still wish to proceed?]

“Yes.”

DING!

[The Boundless Rune is capable of adjusting the level requirement for all items classified as part of a set. Instead of adjusting only the Frost Drake’s Leather Breastplate, would you like to apply this change to the entire set to align with your current level?]

Daisuke’s eyes flew open, his excitement barely contained. Do you even need to ask? “YES! YES! A MILLION TIMES, YES!”

DING!

[As requested, the level requirements for the Frost Drake’s equipment have been adjusted to facilitate your current level.]

[Frost Drake’s Leather Helmet]

[Rank: Unique (Set)

Type: Headgear | Light Armor

Durability: 65/67 | Physical Defense: 28.5 | Magical Defense: 44.3 | Evasion Rate: +22

Forged from the unyielding scales and fierce essence of the mighty Frost Drake, this armor provides exceptional defense against physical and ice-based attacks. It grants unparalleled resilience in frozen terrains, ensuring the wearer thrives in even the harshest cold. At the wearer’s command, the armor radiates a chilling aura, freezing the air around it and sapping the heat from nearby foes.

Set Bonus (2/6): Ice-type Attack Damage +45

Set Bonus (4/6): Ice Resistance +75%

Set Bonus (6/6): Unlocks the «Glacial Dominion» skill.

▪︎ Casting Speed +10%

▪︎ Skill Cooldown Reduction +11%

▪︎ Evasion Rate +8%

▪︎ Reduces stamina consumption in cold environments +12%

Conditions of Use: Lvl 41+ | Male | Strength 105+ | Stamina 82+]

[Frost Drake’s Leather Pauldrons]

[Rank: Unique (Set)

Type: Shoulder Guards | Light Armor

Durability: 63/66 | Physical Defense: 23.3 | Magical Defense: 35.1

Forged from the unyielding scales and fierce essence of the mighty Frost Drake, this armor provides exceptional defense against physical and ice-based attacks. It grants unparalleled resilience in frozen terrains, ensuring the wearer thrives in even the harshest cold. At the wearer’s command, the armor radiates a chilling aura, freezing the air around it and sapping the heat from nearby foes.

Set Bonus (2/6): Ice-type Attack Damage +45

Set Bonus (4/6): Ice Resistance +75%

Set Bonus (6/6): Unlocks the «Glacial Dominion» skill.

▪︎ Attack Damage +9

▪︎ Magical Damage +7

▪︎ Str +6

▪︎ Reduces stamina consumption in cold environments +12%

Conditions of Use: Lvl 39+ | Male | Strength 98+ | Stamina 77+]

[Frost Drake’s Leather Bracer]

[Rank: Unique (Set)

Type: Bracer | Light Armor

Durability: 61/66 | Physical Defense: 21.4 | Magical Defense: 31.9 | Accuracy: +9.1

Forged from the unyielding scales and fierce essence of the mighty Frost Drake, this armor provides exceptional defense against physical and ice-based attacks. It grants unparalleled resilience in frozen terrains, ensuring the wearer thrives in even the harshest cold. At the wearer’s command, the armor radiates a chilling aura, freezing the air around it and sapping the heat from nearby foes.

Set Bonus (2/6): Ice-type Attack Damage +45

Set Bonus (4/6): Ice Resistance +75%

Set Bonus (6/6): Unlocks the «Glacial Dominion» skill.

▪︎ Critical Hit Rate +17%

▪︎ Attack Speed +9%

▪︎ Str +7

▪︎ Reduces stamina consumption in cold environments +12%

Conditions of Use: Lvl 38+ | Male | Strength 97+ | Stamina 76+]

[Frost Drake’s Leather Breastplate]

[Rank: Unique (Set)

Type: Breastplate | Light Armor

Durability: 65/68 | Physical Defense: 38 | Magical Defense: 59.7

Forged from the unyielding scales and fierce essence of the mighty Frost Drake, this armor provides exceptional defense against physical and ice-based attacks. It grants unparalleled resilience in frozen terrains, ensuring the wearer thrives in even the harshest cold. At the wearer’s command, the armor radiates a chilling aura, freezing the air around it and sapping the heat from nearby foes.

Set Bonus (2/6): Ice-type Attack Damage +45

Set Bonus (4/6): Ice Resistance +75%

Set Bonus (6/6): Unlocks the «Glacial Dominion» skill.

▪︎ HP +1200

▪︎ MP +200

▪︎ Stamina +10

▪︎ Reduces stamina consumption in cold environments +12%

Conditions of Use: Lvl 43+ | Male | Strength 108+ | Stamina 86+]

[Frost Drake’s Leather Pants]

[Rank: Unique (Set)

Type: Faulds | Light Armor

Durability: 65/67 | Physical Defense: 31.1 | Magical Defense: 48.2

Forged from the unyielding scales and fierce essence of the mighty Frost Drake, this armor provides exceptional defense against physical and ice-based attacks. It grants unparalleled resilience in frozen terrains, ensuring the wearer thrives in even the harshest cold. At the wearer’s command, the armor radiates a chilling aura, freezing the air around it and sapping the heat from nearby foes.

Set Bonus (2/6): Ice-type Attack Damage +45

Set Bonus (4/6): Ice Resistance +75%

Set Bonus (6/6): Unlocks the «Glacial Dominion» skill.

▪︎ Stamina +15

▪︎ Movement Speed 8%

▪︎ Int +6

▪︎ Reduces stamina consumption in cold environments +12%

Conditions of Use: Lvl 42+ | Male | Strength 107+ | Stamina 85+]

[Frost Drake’s Leather Boots]

[Rank: Unique (Set)

Type: Footwear | Light Armor

Durability: 63/67 | Physical Defense: 26.6 | Magical Defense: 40.6 | Movement Speed: +14% | Evasion Rate: +21

Forged from the unyielding scales and fierce essence of the mighty Frost Drake, this armor provides exceptional defense against physical and ice-based attacks. It grants unparalleled resilience in frozen terrains, ensuring the wearer thrives in even the harshest cold. At the wearer’s command, the armor radiates a chilling aura, freezing the air around it and sapping the heat from nearby foes.

Set Bonus (2/6): Ice-type Attack Damage +45

Set Bonus (4/6): Ice Resistance +75%

Set Bonus (6/6): Unlocks the «Glacial Dominion» skill.

▪︎ Dexterity +20

▪︎ Agility +13

▪︎ Int +5

▪︎ Reduces stamina consumption in cold environments +12%

Conditions of Use: Lvl 40+ | Male | Strength 104+ | Stamina 80+]

[Hearthkeeper’s Cloak +2]

[Rank: Rare

Type: Cloak | Light Armor

Durability: 29/31 | Physical Defense: 7.9 | Magical Defense: 13 | Evasion Rate: 9%

A fur-lined cloak imbued with ancient fire magic, said to carry the comforting warmth of a hearth on a winter’s night. Its protective enchantments shield the wearer from freezing winds and biting cold, making it an essential companion for journeys through icy terrains.

▪︎ HP & MP Regen Speed +15%

▪︎ Magic Resistance +12%

▪︎ Physical Attacks Reduction +19%

Conditions of Use: Lvl 41+ | Unisex | Strength 52+ | Stamina 40+]

[Glacial Dominion]

[Rank: Rare

Classification: Active Skill

Lvl: 1

Proficiency: 0%

Unleashes a powerful wave of icy energy that encases the caster in a five-meter radius of frigid air. Enemies caught within the aura are significantly slowed and face a high chance of sustaining cold-inflicted damage.

Skill Effect:

▪︎ Reduces the movement speed of all foes within a five-meter radius by 50% for 40 seconds.

▪︎ 35% chance to inflict the «Frostbite» Status.

Mana Cost: 35

Skill Duration: 25 Seconds

Skill Cooldown: 15 Minutes]

At the sound of his comrade’s energetic voice, Zephyr finally stirred from his slumber. His small head popped out from the collar of Daisuke’s shirt, accompanied by a wide, sluggish yawn. The pup blinked groggily, surveying his surroundings with a lethargic gaze, still feeling a bit sore from his rest.

“Zephyr!” Daisuke beamed as the tiny deity hopped out of his clothes and immediately eased into a stretch and a shake. “A lot’s happened while you were out cold, but check this out—I’ve finally got my hands on some solid armor!”

The canine’s eyes widened in awe as Daisuke’s old attire suddenly shimmered, glowing with a brilliant blue light. As the color dissolved like scattered pixie dust, the once painfully unimpressive gear transformed into a striking new outfit. The ensemble perfectly reflected his calculating nature while at the same time exuding an air of authority and danger.

“So?” Daisuke asked with a grin, spinning around to give the pup a full view of his new gear. “How do I look? Think it suits me?”

The attire exuded an aura of dark elegance and combat readiness. The black and silver outfit was a tailored blend of sharp edges and intricate details, with reinforced metallic accents adorning his shoulders, arms, and chest. A prominent sword-like motif rested on his chest, framed by angular lines that accentuated his sleek silhouette.

The Hearthkeeper’s Cloak’s high collar had been lined with white fur, adding a touch of cold sophistication, while its crimson interior hinted at an untamed fire beneath his composed exterior. His gloves, belt, and straps were crafted with precision, combining utility and style, while the asymmetrical cloak draped behind him enhanced his commanding presence.

“Arf! Arf!”

As Zephyr zealously darted around in a circle, Daisuke flexed his arms and legs, evaluating the freedom of movement and comfort in the leather garments. “What is it, boy? You wanna help me test it out? Is that it?”

“Arf! Arf!”

Daisuke smirked, allowing his body to ease into a battle stance, his eyes narrowing with focus. But when Zephyr’s jaws dilated menacingly and he started charging up an Emberstorm with seemingly no trace of restraint, he immediately broke into a sweat.

“On second thought,” he straightened up, raising his hands in surrender as a sheepish smile crept onto his face. “You’re probably still worn out from using the Berserk skill, right? How about some barbecue instead? You’d like that, wouldn’t you, boy?”

As the threatening flames died down and Zephyr began chasing his tail in a frenzy, Daisuke wiped the nervous sweat from his brow with a sigh. “That was too close,” he muttered to himself.

While the canine chomped down on the leg quarter of some unfortunate monster, Daisuke popped an Etherberry into his mouth and let his gaze wander north. “Feels like we’re about to turn the page to a whole new chapter of this journey,” he muttered, his mind lost in a swirl of bittersweet thoughts. “We’re still no closer to uncovering who went after Evandria. And while I managed to patch things up with Brek and the others, we still need a solid plan to protect April and the others before the staff’s destroyed.”

He sighed softly, the weight of it all pressing on him. “Then there’s the whole mystery with Goddess Seraphina and the Goddess of Harmony. I have a feeling it’ll be ages before I even begin to piece together anything useful, let alone cook up some wild conspiracy theory. And just when I thought alchemy couldn’t get any more of a headache, now I’ve got lunatics chasing me, convinced I’m the key to unlocking its hidden power.”

Daisuke’s eyes narrowed as he took a long, thoughtful pause. “There’s still a lot left to settle in Wonderelle, but I’ve already promised the princess I’d head out. Can’t put this off any longer. If the Mhaledictus takes over the capital, we’re all in for a world of hurt—no matter where we try to hide.”

He raised his hand, his fingers tracing the jagged outline of the distant mountain. His gaze grew steely, and as his fists clenched, it was as though he captured the very horizon within his grip. “There’s a lot left to do, but with money and power, I know we can carve out a future where we can all find some peace. We’ve taken the first steps. Now we just have to keep pushing forward.”

“Arf!” Zephyr barked enthusiastically, his oceanic eyes sparkling with a passion that mirrored his comrade’s own determination.

[Name: Zephyr

Level: 33 | EXP: 23,222/170,156 (13.65%)

Race: Divine Beast

Species: Wolf

HP: 7331/7331 | MP: 1486/1486 | Attack: 293 | Defense: 175 | Satiety: 94/100 | Loyalty: 50/100

Strength: 218 (+34) | Constitution: 102 (+30) | Agility: 128 (+30) | Intelligence: 192 (+30) | Dexterity: 81 (+30) | Courage: 47 (+30)

Stat Points: 0]

[Name: Haxks

Species: Human

Level: 43 | EXP: 147,627/288,906 (43.22%)

Class: Dual Blader

Affiliation: Adventurers’ Guild | Merchants’ Guild

Title: Lone Wolf, Pathfinder, Unwavering Spirit, Congenial Denizen, Master of Divine Beast, Devoted Hunter, The Liberator of Races, Master of Djinn, One-Hit Kill

HP: 10816/10816 | MP: 2478/2478

Strength: 102 (+35) | Stamina: 162 (+47) | Agility: 200 (+61) | Intelligence: 53 (+21) | Dexterity: 44 (+95) | Composure: 31 | Indomitable: 17 | Perception: 5 | Stealth: 4

Stat Points: 0]

Active Skills:

▪︎ Eye of Verity

▪︎ Stat Reset

▪︎ Alchemy

▪︎ Intimidate

▪︎ Magic Missile

▪︎ Magic Chains

▪︎ Impeccable Parry

▪︎ Dash

▪︎ Cosmic Cutter

▪︎ Meteor Smash

▪︎ Shadow Veil

▪︎ Bird’s-Eye View

▪︎ Eagle Eye

▪︎ Glacial Dominion

Passive Skills:

▪︎ Αφινίτη’s Blessing

▪︎ Novice Dagger Mastery

▪︎ Novice Polearm Mastery

▪︎ Novice Archery Mastery

▪︎ Lightning Edge

▪︎ Sixth Sense

Gold: 348,581]

As Daisuke and Zephyr cheerfully set off toward Lunarel, Daisuke cupped his chin, furrowing his brow as he pondered. “Mmm. Why does it… feel like I’m forgetting something important?”

***

Within the confines of a cramped wagon deep in the forest, a group of familiar men huddled together, shivering and on the brink of succumbing to hypothermia. One of them glanced at Robin Hood, his voice barely a whisper. “We’re all going to die here, aren’t we?”

As their whimpers filled the air and the last of their hope melted away like the warmth fading from their bodies, a small figure began to slip out from the shadows.