## Chapter 286: Horadric Cube
This box... the 'mysterious' carvings with the TV station logo were so familiar. Even though it had been many years since I last played the game, this box alone remained vividly in my memory, impossible to forget. Because, like Diablo, Andariel, and others, it could be said to be one of the iconic items of the Diablo Game. Without it, the game simply couldn't proceed.
Speaking of which, anyone who has played the game should know by now. This is the legendary all-purpose Treasure Chest – the Horadric Cube. Just think, even an Eyeball, a Heart, a Brain, plus a Flail, when put into its belly, can synthesize new things. Putting something like a Stinky Foot and a Book of Town Portal together actually conjured a Red Portal. Is there anything it can't do? Calling it the number one Divine Artifact of Diablo, I doubt many would object.
I was so excited I almost fainted. The number one Divine Artifact! This isn't like in the game where they're given away for free, one for everyone. This is a unique existence in the world. What Unique Item, what Authentic Tal Rasha Set, they are nothing in front of the Horadric Cube. In my heart, perhaps only that Bugged Sword could truly surpass it. The problem is, I don't know if I'll ever be able to wield that sword in this life, while the Horadric Cube can be used immediately. Now, it appeared before me. How could I not be happy?
Slowly lifting the box, I felt the power transmitted from the Unknown Material in my palm. My mind was in a daze. I couldn't remember most of the Cube Recipes for the box, but that didn't matter. I could recall the others slowly. As long as I remembered the two most basic formulas, that would be enough to let me call forth wind and rain.
Three Life Potions + Three Mana Potions + One Chipped Gem = Rejuvenation Potion (Instantly restores 30% of character's Life and Mana)
In this world where the effectiveness of Life Potions and Mana Potions is severely Weaken, the value of Rejuvenation Potion is self-evident. Not even a Golden Equipment could be exchanged for it. And by synthesizing three Rejuvenation Potions, one can even create a Full Rejuvenation Potion (Instantly restores 100% of quest Life and Mana). This item is priceless in the Diablo World. It is said that only Elite Rank or higher Monsters in the Third World have a very small Chance of dropping it. I estimate that even trading a top-tier Unique Item for one Potion, others might not agree.
The other formula is synthesizing three Gems of the same type and level to create a Gem of a higher grade (Perfect Gem is the highest grade and cannot be synthesized further). This is a huge market. Chipped Gems became the Circulating Currency among Adventurers because their attached Stats are relatively low, and their Equipment value isn't high. In Diablo, Socketed Items are not much cheaper than Golden Equipment, especially Enhanced Normal Items with multiple Sockets, which are even rarer than Unique Items. If you only socket Chipped Gems into them, it would be like casting pearls before swine. At the very least, you'd need Flawed Gem of a higher grade, or even Normal Gem, Flawless Gem.
As for the highest grade Perfect Gem, it's better not to think too much about such an ethereal thing, lest you suffer Cultivation Deviation (Because in the game, Perfect Gems cannot be dropped by Monsters, not even the Three Prime Evils. The highest grade Gem that Monsters can drop is Flawless Gem. Players can only synthesize Perfect Gems using the Horadric Cube. Of course, the Act IV Story Quest also has a certain Chance of yielding a Perfect Gem. Apparently...).
But now, with the Horadric Cube in my hands, let alone Normal Gems, I can even make Flawless grade, and even top-tier Perfect Gems. For example, nine Chipped Gems can synthesize one Perfect Gem. If I sell this Perfect Gem for fifty Chipped Gems, I would make a profit of forty-one Chipped Gems.
Don't doubt this price. Perfect Gems can only be obtained from Elite Monsters Level 40 or higher, or from Gold Treasure Chests. In contrast, Chipped Gems can be dropped by Normal Monsters. Let alone fifty, even a hundred or more wouldn't be without buyers, provided the other party can afford the price. You should know that with my Drop Rate, I've only collected a few hundred Chipped Gems in the past three years. Other Adventurer Teams combined probably only have half of mine at most. Plus, some are consumed normally and eventually end up being consumed by the Mage Guild for experiments. Therefore, an Adventure Team having a few dozen is already quite good. For example, Lars and his team, hehe, I know very well that those three guys have been mixing around in Rogue Encampment for five or six years, and their Net Worth is only thirty-eight Chipped Gems in total, not a single Flawed Grade one. A typical poor team.
What? How many Gems do I have now? This... it's a bit embarrassing to say. Alright, since you're so insistent, I'll be merciful and tell you. One Flawless Diamond (obtained from the Treasure Chest after killing Radament on the third floor of the Sewer), about ten Perfect Gems (the exact number is less than five, all obtained during some "Protagonist Events"), dozens of Flawed Gem (not more than twenty), and Chipped Gems, well, that's hard to say, let's not count them (actually, not more than two hundred).
Hey, hey, what's with the parenthetical notes I specifically added at the end? Are you looking down on me? Do you think I'm bragging? Everyone knows I'm not that kind of person.
Horadric Cube (Divine Artifact)
Legend says it was researched and invented by a great Alchemist of the Horadrim. That was before the invasion of the Hell Forces, during the most glorious period of Magic Civilization, the era of the Horadrim. Alchemy at that time was close to its peak, but the complicated formulas and steps were still a headache. One day, this great Alchemist had a sudden inspiration: Could all the formulas be inscribed into a Medium beforehand, and then use this Medium to refine the finished products more simply? Thus, through his continuous research, pouring in all his Life, the Horadric Cube, hailed as the number one Divine Artifact of Diablo, was born.
+0% Increased Drop Rate
+13 Convert to all Stats (Determined by Character Level, Stat Value is Level * 0.5 + 0.5, rounded up)
+100 Mana
+100% Faster Cast Rate
+0% Mana Recovery Rate
-30% Skill Cooldown
+5 Skill Points
(Unknown)
OMG, I didn't know until I looked, and when I looked, I was shocked. The Horadric Cube actually comes with Stats, and such awesome Stats! My eyes almost turned red. Divine Artifact, this is what you call a Divine Artifact.
I hugged the Box like crazy, kissing it repeatedly, almost stuffing the whole thing into my mouth to swallow it. After a long while, my Mood gradually calmed down. Be calm, be steady, deep breath, deep breath... Damn, I only inhaled and forgot to exhale, almost suffocating myself.
The greatest function of the Horadric Cube is still Alchemy, refining items through the Alchemy Formulas inside. It's an existence that people both love and hate, called "If the Horadric Cube could be popularized, most Alchemists in this world would be unemployed." Alright, ladies and gentlemen, after thousands of years of silence, let me personally demonstrate the function of the Horadric Cube for everyone. Don't go away, please look forward to it after the commercial break.
Ahem. I've strayed too far, back to the main topic. First, let's try making a Rejuvenation Potion. After all, Game and Reality are different. It might even explode, sweat. I took out three Mana Potions, three Life Potions, and a Chipped Gem from my Inventory (Of course, the grade of the Gem is not limited. You can use a Perfect Gem if you want, but whether the resulting Rejuvenation Potion will be different is hard to say).
Then, open the Horadric Cube and put the Materials in. Hmm, open, open...
Huh? Can I ask everyone a question? Who can teach me how to open it? This Box, it doesn't seem to have an opening?
Oh, someone in the audience is raising their hand. So, you just need to point the Mouse at the Cube and right-click to open it. Thank you, please resume squatting against the Wall with your hands on your Head. (The above dialogue is a mental completion by a certain person).
Speaking of which. Where is the Mouse?
At this moment, my Life plunged into a gray world.
Wait, wait, it seems I can also put items inside by directly moving them onto the Cube. With the mentality of trying to revive a dead horse, I tried to directly stuff the Potion bottles onto the Cube. Generally, when keywords like "with the mentality of trying to revive a dead horse" appear in YY novels, Miracles usually occur. But when the Potion bottle in my hand met resistance, I realized this was not a Novel.
Having the Cube but not knowing how to use it, AHHHHHH!!! I'm in Despair, I'm completely in Despair with this world where there's nothing I can use.
After trying every Method I could think of in my Brain without giving up, I finally understood that the Horadric Cube was completely beyond my current Ability to use. That's right, as a treasure of the Horadrim, how could it be so easily used by outsiders? It must require something like an Incantation to open it. It seems that to obtain its Method of use, I still need to find the notes of the Horadrim and study them carefully.
Although unwilling, I could only temporarily put it aside. Even ignoring its Alchemy function, its Stats are Divine Artifact level. +0% Drop Rate, +100% Faster Cast Rate, -30% Skill Cooldown, +0% Mana Recovery Rate, +5 Skill Points, which one isn't a Stats that makes people drool? And the (Level * 0.5 + 0.5) Stat Value converted to all Stats, meaning all Stats (Strength, Dexterity, Vitality, and Energy) are increased. At Level 25, it increases by 13 points. At Level 99, the cap, it's a terrifying +50 to all Stats, equivalent to an extra 300 Attribute Points. It truly deserves to be called the number one Divine Artifact.
What puzzled me the most was the last (Unknown) Stats. It's not Unidentified. Using an Identify Scroll on it had no effect. Could this Cube have some Hidden Stats? Hmm, it seems I really need to study it carefully.
Wait, I suddenly slapped my Head, a Realization hitting me. Isn't Tal Rasha a genuine, most genuine Horadrim? He must know something. Wouldn't it be fine to just ask him?
After playing with it for a long time, I reluctantly put the Cube into my Inventory. A Warm Feeling immediately flowed through my Body. The power feedback from +13 to all Stats and +100 Mana was indeed extraordinary. Looking at my Mana value, mm-hmm, I can even compete with a Level 50 Sorceress now. I no longer have to worry about Mana Consumption after Shapeshifting.
After putting away the Horadric Cube, I turned my Gaze to the other Necklace in the Shrine. The flowing Unique Glow didn't make me show much Joy. It wasn't because my Vision had become higher after getting the Horadric Cube, not even caring about a Dark Gold Necklace. It was because the King's Staff reminded me of some things from the Game. This Necklace, if I'm not mistaken...
Viper Amulet (Unique)
+50 Life
+50 Mana
+50 Poison Damage over 4 seconds
+12-30 Damage
+50% Poison Resistance
+1 Skill Point
Huh? It seems to be more than just a little better than the one I remember from the Game. However, compared to Unique Items, the Stats are still quite meager. But it has no Level restriction, so for a Novice, it can be called a Divine Artifact. Wearing it, even a Level 1 Rookie Sorceress would have Attack Power close to a Level 10 Barbarian.
I was stunned, as if something flashed through my Brain. Close to a Level 10 Barbarian... That's right, why didn't I think of it? This Necklace is completely tailor-made for a Cleric! Wearing this Necklace, Little Ghost can also have the Attack Power of a Level 10 Barbarian. If I also gather some Equipment that adds Health and Defense for her, plus my own Protection, she can completely handle the Normal Monsters in Rogue Encampment. She can get through the most difficult early novice stage and no longer needs to accumulate Experience by casting Skills little by little.
After giving the Necklace to Little Ghost, this Little Squirt was obviously very happy, but she deliberately put on an appearance of not caring at all, as if saying: You actually want This Saintess to engage in Melee Combat with those Monsters, you really have no self-awareness as a Servant.
"Who are you calling a Servant?" I said with a grin, grinding my Teeth, rubbing her face.
"Wuwu, Lu Ke Leng. Li leng mo re lao luo le ling li lai liang le? (Impossible, how do you know what I'm thinking?)" Little Ghost's Eyes showed an expression of disbelief.
"Heh heh, don't underestimate me. I was once called a Druid with Eyes like torches by the Tailor Master in the Church," I said proudly, mimicking Little Ghost's Tone from earlier.
"Wuwu~~, don't copy me, you Bad Guy. That Tailor Master died thousands of years ago." Little Ghost showed a very troubled expression, her silver beautiful Eyes glaring fiercely at me.
After confirming there was nothing else in the Shrine, I tore the Town Portal Scroll in my hand. As the white Light Pillar lit up, my Figure instantly disappeared from the Altar on the second floor of the Claw Viper Temple. The next moment, I appeared at the bustling Waypoint in the Lost City.
This trip was truly rewarding! In just half a month, I gained Gems and Equipment from the Ancient Tunnels, the Quest Item from Fangskin in the Claw Viper Temple – a Viper Fang, and especially the Horadric Cube obtained at the end. Thinking back now, it feels like a dream.
I didn't linger in the Lost City. After returning with a Town Portal Scroll, I immediately Teleported back to the Villa in Lut Gholein, thoroughly washed away the sand from the Lost Desert, and then had a good night's sleep.
My only regret was not meeting Sister Sharna. I wonder if her Target was Fangskin? If so, then I, her Younger Brother, got there one step ahead of her. The next time Fangskin respawns should be at least half a month later. I hope she won't be angry. Imagining the scene of Older Sister running to the second floor of the Temple and finding it swept clean, I felt a little Guilt, and at the same time, a small Joy from a successful prank. I wonder what kind of expression Older Sister will show then, hehe... I entered Dreamland with a Smile on my face, imagining Older Sister's Appearance.
Meanwhile, on the other side, unknown to me, Sharna was troubled. She had indeed chosen the Lost Desert with the intention of going to the Claw Viper Temple to deal with Fangskin. However, just a few days after leaving town, she was entangled by another Matter – a massive Plague had struck the nearby Village. Thousands of Commoners died unnatural deaths, the entire Village was covered in Corpses, without a trace of Vitality left, not even the most resilient Cockroaches remained.
Experienced Adventurers could tell at a glance that such a large-scale and rapid outbreak, coming quickly and leaving quickly, this Plague was very likely from a Plague Spreader, and definitely not an ordinary Plague Spreader. Combining the above information, one answer was obvious – the Dark Elder, one of the six Minor Boss Level Monsters in Lut Gholein's six major Quests. The creator of this Plague was very likely it.
Adventurers who heard the news rushed over. For Commoners, the Dark Elder symbolized Death, but in the eyes of Adventurers, it was a rare Opponent. Among the six Minor Boss Level Monsters, it was also one of the easier ones to deal with. Even if not for completing the Quest, just the Items dropped by the Mini-Boss were enough to Attract these Adventure Teams to go and Encirclement it.
Sharna also participated in this Pursuit without Exception. Her purpose was not to covet the Items and Equipment, nor was it just to complete the Quest. The reason was simple: she had finally found a Village in the scorching Lost Desert, and was just thinking of taking a bath and getting some Rest, only to find it full of foul-smelling Corpses. Therefore, she felt that the Dark Elder was getting in her way. For Her Majesty the Queen, whose Style was consistently cold and tough, this reason was sufficient to pursue and kill the opponent.
Thus, she changed her Route, following the Traces left by the Dark Elder little by little. The Desert was not as lovely as the Forest. Here, even the most excellent Amazons found it difficult to exert even half of their usual Tracking Ability. Furthermore, this guy, the Dark Elder, was originally a Corpse, not eating or drinking and not needing any Rest. So, even Sharna had to spend more than ten days of Effort to get far ahead of the other Adventurers and kill the Dark Elder. For an Amazon skilled in Ranged Attack, especially a Genius among Geniuses like Sharna, killing the slow-moving Dark Elder was truly no different from killing a pig.
After successfully dealing with the Dark Elder, Sharna did not show a satisfied and happy Appearance. Instead, she frowned.
From the moment she walked out of the Village, the Beast Instinct honed through countless life and death experiences in her childhood told her that while she was Tracking the Dark Elder, she was also being tracked. A strange and uneasy Aura was approaching her. It was described as strange because this Aura did not carry Hostility, as if it was merely observing her from a condescending position with interest. This made Sharna very annoyed – she was actually being treated like a Small Animal by someone.
What made her most uneasy was that this Aura actually gave her a faint Feeling of closeness, almost like a Summon. She didn't know if this Feeling was created by the other party using some Strange Spell to Influence her. After all, among those Evil Magic, there were quite a few that could Influence or even control others' Mind, let alone just making the other party feel a little closeness.
But no matter what, it was worth being vigilant. If the other party was not using a Spell, but genuinely had some kind of Connection with her, then it was worth pondering. Could it be those people from the clan? No, impossible. How could those bastards give her this Feeling?
If not, then being able to Influence her with Magic undoubtedly meant that the other party's Strength was far above hers. Sharna was confident, but not arrogant. She was still young now, and her Level was low. There were many people stronger than her, but who could it be? Since they had found her, why were they hesitant to appear? What was their purpose?
Carrying this Confusion, Sharna continued towards Snake Valley. When she arrived at the second floor of the Claw Viper Temple, naturally, only some Mobs were left inside. Fangskin had already been killed by someone. Since she didn't know when it was killed, and her Mood was irritable, Sharna didn't choose to wait for a rabbit by a stump. After a Cold Snort, she unfolded a Town Portal Scroll and returned to the Lost City. She planned to visit her Younger Brother to see if he had returned.