Chapter 429: Beowulf
Not only had he successfully unlocked reputation with both the Sepharic Kingdom and the Motley Family factions, but he had also received two random rewards at once.
After choosing to claim his mission rewards, the system immediately popped up with a prompt:
[Random selection in progress... Selection complete.]
[This time, you have obtained a reward of type: Item.]
[Please choose one of the following three items as your reward.]
[1. Hourglass of Misfortune (Unknown Relic): Simultaneously decreases your and your target's Luck by 90%, lasting for three hours. Cooldown: five hours.]
[2. Beowulf (Unknown Relic): Also known as the Fist of Light's Destruction. Originally the Light Demon Gauntlet born from the Light Wolf Beowulf, this light-attribute weapon grants all attacks immense Holy damage for twenty seconds when activated, regardless of weapon type.]
[3. Random Template Card ×1.]
"These rewards are all top-tier…" Zhou Ning nodded to himself. Two Unknown Relics at once—now that was absurd.
The first item was a mutual-destruction type artifact, effectively applying a "negative Lucky Clover" effect to both user and target. The advantage was that he'd already suffered through enough bad-luck debuffs to have built up resistance. With his lifelong misfortune, maybe he could use that very curse to defeat his enemies. Not ideal, but an option.
The second reward, if he remembered right, came from Devil May Cry—Dante's gear. It was originally a set consisting of gauntlets and greaves, the manifestation of a Light Direwolf capable of channeling light energy in combat. In a sense, it resembled the Moonlight Direwolf Seras, so it made sense as a thematic reward. Here, though, only the gauntlet was offered. When attacking, it would flash with brilliant white light—flashy as hell. The only downside was that he didn't use his fists much.
But based on the description, it could enhance all attacks—guns, blades, anything—with massive Light damage for twenty seconds. That alone made it divine-tier gear.
As for the third reward… a Random Template Card hardly needed explanation. That was the kind of prize that could yield something like One Punch Man or Qin Shi Huang. Especially from an A-Rank mission, the odds of pulling a legendary-grade card were considerably higher.
After a bit of thought, Zhou Ning still chose the second option. Gamers simply couldn't resist divine gear. Now that he was rich, a "lottery ticket" reward like the third option wasn't all that tempting.
[You have obtained the Unknown Relic: Beowulf!]
At once, a silver-and-black gauntlet appeared in Zhou Ning's hands. Its shape faintly resembled a wolf's fangs and mane, with silver segments that glowed faintly with radiant white light—handsome beyond words.
Zhou Ning slipped it on and infused it with spiritual energy. Instantly, brilliant holy light burst from the glove, dazzling to behold.
Unknown Relic: Beowulf
Type: Glove / Gauntlet / Demon Weapon
Attack: 797–1498
Attack Speed: Rapid
Required Level: 72
Attributes: Strength +9, Agility +23, Spirit +3
Special Effect 1: When infused with spiritual energy, Beowulf can freely transform into any desired form.
Special Effect 2: When infused with spiritual energy, Beowulf generates the "Divine Blessing of Light," granting all attacks immense Light damage for 20 seconds, regardless of weapon or attack type.
Special Effect 3: ?????
Description: A wicked demon dwells within the glove, still restlessly awaiting a once-in-a-millennium chance for revenge.
"So that's the gauntlet, huh…" Zhou Ning examined it.
As expected—exceptionally strong, and it could even change form.
With a thought, he transformed it into a sleek, silver-and-black glove. Much more inconspicuous that way.
"The first reward's already a divine-grade weapon. Truly, good things happen to kindhearted, hardworking people like me."
Zhou Ning thought this with complete sincerity, then moved on to the second random reward.
[Drawing in progress... Selection complete.]
[This time, you have obtained a reward of type: [Descent Card].]
[Please choose one of the following three as your reward.]
With a sharp whoosh, three cards appeared in midair and slowly flipped over.
The first one gleamed with radiant orange light—an old acquaintance. Clad in black armor and a black helm of dominion, pale-skinned, eyes blazing with blue flame. In his hand, a runeblade pointed forward; behind him, a skeletal frost dragon roared at the heavens.
Once again—it was the Lich King Jester: Zhou Ning.
The second card was a violet one, a new face this time. It depicted a girl with cute twin tails and wine-red eyes, dressed in an ornate gown. She was petite, strikingly beautiful—but her expression was utterly cold.
This was the first female version of himself so far—Spirit of Time: Zhou Ning.
The third card revealed another unfamiliar figure: Zhou Ning clad in pure white robes, his long hair tied back with a band. Arms crossed over his chest, a longsword hung at his waist, and behind him floated tens of thousands of swords, suspended in worship like an army before its king.
It was the most subdued transcendence template yet—Sword God: Zhou Ning.
"Tsk," Zhou Ning clicked his tongue. "Even random descent cards now? Why not just give me a choose-your-own card and save the trouble?"
The first option was the one he most wanted to avoid. The art style was far too dark and eerie, totally mismatched with his image—and every time he used that version, something bizarre always happened.
The second card's power was undoubtedly impressive—time manipulation alone was game-breaking—but having a female version of himself descend? Yeah, no thanks. He wasn't about to go live incognito on another planet.
That left only one reasonable choice—the third card. Its art style was different, and its true power unknown, but Zhou Ning didn't hesitate. He selected Sword God: Zhou Ning and confirmed. Hopefully this transcendent template wouldn't let him down.
Despite the small hiccup, this mission's rewards were excellent. Not only did he gain an unpredictable new trump card, but Beowulf also greatly expanded his combat options. His next goals were clear—keep leveling up, amass stronger skills and legendary feats.
He was now level 73. At level 90, he would reach a new threshold—he'd need to ascend to demigod rank before he could progress further. That was his next milestone.
To advance to demigod, one needed five Legendary Feats and two Divine Feats. He'd only completed about a third of that requirement so far.
Zhou Ning fell into thought.
After claiming all the rewards, it was still early. Without hesitation, he opened the World Traversal Simulator, entering Template Training Mode to check on the template he'd been cultivating.
If he remembered right, he had chosen a "Ancient Swordsman" version of himself who had crossed into the Fate/stay night world. He wondered what that outcome would be.
He pressed Confirm.
A brilliant violet light flared across the screen, and the system displayed a new message:
[Congratulations! You have obtained an Epic Template Card!]
Within the radiant glow, the figure of a half-masked man holding a longsword appeared—it was himself.
Prince Lanling: Zhou Ning.
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