Chapter 42: The Staff of Peace and the Mountain Ban

<Staff of Peace [Heroic]>

Restrictions: Enchanter, Mana 20,000
Durability: 100%
Physical ATK: 1
Magic ATK: 1
Fixed ATK stat to 1 when equipped
Buff duration +50%
On casting a buff: For the duration, all party stats +? (party’s average level), stacks up to 5x

“It’s crazy, right?”

“…Yeah, that’s insane. Seriously.”

The item was called the Staff of Peace—a weapon exclusive to Enchanters.

But one odd option made it stand out:

Attack stat is fixed to 1.

Not just the weapon’s damage—even any attack power gained from stats was fixed to 1.

In other words, with this equipped, even a rabbit would be hard to kill alone.

But that “1 ATK” stat became meaningless thanks to the final effect:

When casting a buff, for the entire duration, all party members’ stats increase by the party’s average level.

Right now, their average party level was 145.

Meaning each buff raised all stats by 145.

And it stacked up to 5 times.

That’s +725 to every stat.

A +725 stat boost would be strong even in late game—but in early-mid game, it was utterly game-breaking.

Kim Seokju was right.

They could skip an entire zone and head straight to tougher hunting grounds.

And if you paired it with the Two Birds, One Stone passive…

Juho began imagining it.

With both items, they wouldn’t just skip one hunting tier—they could jump ahead three or four.

“That effect’s nuts, right?”

“…Totally. It’s amazing.”

Juho nodded at Seokju’s excitement.

“I’ll provide perfect support! Hehe.”

Kim Seokju laughed heartily, then asked,

“But what did you get?”

“Armor.”

“Gonna open it now?”

“Nah, I’ll open everything later.”

They chatted as they walked deeper into the ruins—heading toward the final treasure chest.

“You’re going straight to the Ogres, right?”

“Yup. Gotta push forward.”

Originally, they planned to farm the Puren Ruins until level 150.

But with the Staff of Peace, their strategy shifted.

No need to waste time on Priest now.

Before this item, the Puren Ruins had been the best hunting spot.

Now? They’d outgrown it.

“Hey Seokju, can I get a buff?”

As they talked, Juho wanted to test out the staff’s effects.

“Sure! Physical boost…”

Seokju cast a buff, and Juho immediately opened his character window:

Character: Kang Juho
Nation: Kingdom of Paravile
Class: Battle Blacksmith
Level: 145
HP: 86,500 (+5,000)(+36,250)
MP: 16,300 (+14,500)
Satiety: 75%
Strength: 1,037 (+240)(+725)
Agility: 858 (+120)(+725)
Stamina: 1,730 (+285)(+725)
Wisdom: 815 (+80)(+725)

“Wow…”

He couldn’t help but gasp.

The buff completely transformed his stats.

His Strength passed 1,000. Agility and Wisdom were nearly four digits too.

His Stamina pushed his HP closer to 100,000, and his MP skyrocketed.

Even the Hammer of Fury mana cost had been annoying—but now, it felt totally manageable.

“Hey, try leaving the party for a sec?”

Curious, Juho asked Seokju to temporarily leave the party.

[User ‘Kim Seokju’ has left the party.]

Seokju left—and Juho’s stat window reverted immediately.

“Guess the buff only works while you’re still in the party.”

Juho re-invited him.

[User ‘Kim Seokju’ has accepted the party invitation.]

But even after rejoining, the stats didn’t return.

“Looks like you need to recast the buff too.”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yeah, my stats didn’t change.”

“Okay—definitely gotta keep the party together then.”

After that, they arrived at their destination.

“Opening it now.”

“Yep.”

Juho inserted the key.

[You used the Puren Ruins Underground Key.]

[The key has been consumed.]

[You may enter with your party.]

[The door will close in 5 minutes.]

[Entering the Puren Ruins – Underground.]

This time, the key didn’t return to their inventory.

It disappeared completely.

BOOM.

The giant door opened, and they stepped inside.

“You’re going to the far left, right?”

“Yep!”

Inside the underground, there were four paths—materials, accessories, armor, weapons.

Seokju planned to check the far-left chest.

Juho went to the far right.

“…Foolish beings.”

The Priests recognized Juho and summoned shields.

But +725 stats changed everything.

BOOM! CRASH! SLASH! SMASH!

One Hammer of Furybroke their shields.

Two more hits—down they went.

Before, it took 2 hits to break shields and 4 more to finish the priests.

Now?

One to break shields, two to kill—three hits total.

Juho could now one-cycle them using Hammer of Fury.

“Let’s keep going.”

Grinning, Juho rushed the next group.

With Hammer of Fury’s 20-second duration, he couldn’t make it to the next group in time—but it didn’t matter.

He no longer had to wait for cooldowns.

He kept attacking without rest.

Before long, the underground was cleared.

“Buffs are insane. Absolutely busted.”

Juho gave a big thumbs-up.

The run had taken over 10 minutes before—now it took under 5.

They walked down the corridor.

When they reached the end, Juho stopped—Seokju kept going.

“Whispering you the result.”

Seokju walked past Juho and vanished in a flash of light.

-Kim Seokju: It’s a jewel chest.

Seconds later, a whisper came in.

Without hesitation, Juho turned around and headed out, thinking:

‘Which one should I pick…?’

The two options left were armor and accessories.

‘Armor’s better, right?’

Seokju planned to craft the accessories anyway.

While armor could be crafted, the materials were limited.

They had plenty for accessories—but armor? Not so much.

[You have obtained a Random Armor Chest.]

[Warping to entrance.]

Juho made his decision and picked armor.

“What’d you pick?”

“Armor! One sec.”

He opened his inventory and used both random armor chests.

[You obtained ‘Mage Mild’s Greaves’.]

[You obtained ‘War Hero’s Gauntlets’.]

“…Dang, one’s a dud.”

He frowned at the message.

The first one—Mage Mild’s Greaves—was clearly for magic classes:

<Mage Mild’s Greaves [Heroic]>

Restrictions: Wisdom-based class, Level 250
Durability: 100%
Physical DEF: 4000
Magic DEF: 4000
+500 Wisdom
20% chance to generate a shield when casting spells

Yup, clearly meant for casters.

‘I’ll give this to Seokju.’

Juho smiled.

He’d been meaning to repay Seokju for Two Birds, One Stone anyway.

He then checked the second item:

<War Hero’s Gauntlets [Heroic]>

Restrictions: Level 300
Durability: 100%
Physical DEF: 6000
Magic DEF: 3000
+600 Strength
10% chance to boost all attack by 20% for 1 min on hit
10% chance to boost all defense by 20% for 1 min on being hit

That one was usable, once he hit level 300. And the options were great.

“Seokju, open trade—I’ve got a gift.”

Juho initiated a trade and put in Mild’s Greaves.

“Whoa, I’m good though…”

Seokju looked surprised—but also clearly thrilled.

“Thank you! Hehe!”

He smiled brightly once the trade completed.

“Alright, let’s head out!”

Juho started walking ahead.

“Going right now?”

Seokju caught up beside him.

They still had plenty of food and buff materials left.

They could head straight to the Ogre hunting grounds with no issue.

But Juho shook his head.

“No, let’s stop in town and pick up a quest first.”

Their next target was the Ogres.

Compared to other monsters, the hunting quests for Ogres gave much better rewards.

It was worth the extra step.

Before long, they arrived at Boredos and headed straight to City Hall.

This time, the place was noticeably busier.

“Definitely more people now.”

“Time’s passed, after all.”

When they first came here, the place had been empty.

Not anymore.

Still, it wasn’t as crowded as the starting city, Villeme.

Many players had probably gone to other cities too.

They waited in line.

Soon, it was Juho’s turn.

“How can I help you?”

The NPC Rabuse greeted him.

[You have completed the quest ‘Mad Priests of the Puren Ruins’.]

[You received 8 Hunting Reward Chests.]

[Your grade has increased to 2.]

Juho completed the Puren Ruins quest.

Now he could accept 2 quests at a time.

Smiling, he said:

“I’d like to view the Evadore Mountains bounty list.”

“!”

Rabuse’s expression changed instantly—surprised and tense.

“…?”

Juho raised an eyebrow.

Rabuse responded with a troubled face:

“I’m sorry. The Ebadore Mountains are currently off-limits.”

“What?”

Juho was stunned.

“Why?”

“The mayor has issued a public order. It’s too dangerous—no one is to accept or give any quests related to the area. If any adventurers try to enter, we are to warn them away…”

Rabuse trailed off.

This was completely unexpected.

Juho was speechless.

“…We’ll come back later.”

He pulled himself together and stepped away from the counter.

Then he went to find Seokju.