The settlement buzzed with energy as they walked in, golden banners announcing their First Clear fluttering above the main plaza. Players stopped mid-step, weapons lowered, market trades paused, conversations cut off as they watched the six walk by.
Jack didn't even glance at them. He led the group straight toward the central fountain, where the Sovereign Trial's rewards chest awaited. The marble statue of the Eclipse Goddess stood tall behind it, her eyes glowing faintly with approval.
"Alright," Jack said, cracking his knuckles as they stopped in front of the chest. "Moment of truth."
The chest pulsed with gold light, runes shifting across its surface. One by one, each of them tapped their interface to open their rewards.
Arianna squealed first. "Staff upgrade! Look at it!" She spun her new staff around—an ornate whitewood shaft engraved with sapphire runes, the crystal orb at its head pulsing with cyan light.
Jack whistled low. "Legendary drop, huh? Not bad."
