Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 146: Armor and Ambition - A Chapter's End

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.