Back when Maplestory was first released, being an underaged kid, I had to make a Nexon account using my mom's Korean social insurance number. KMS was gender-locked based on the SIN provided, so I could only make female characters. Grinding through Maple Island, I quit many characters because of the difficulties of levelling, then realized that spending ability points in STR gave the most damage. So in the end, I had to advance my character as warrior, with no ap-reset system back then. Everything was so so difficult. I guess my young age had something to do with it, but without guides or quests to help, mesos and experience points were only awarded by killing mobs. I endured a first few levels, and was ready to give up. Until I saw the Black Dragon Robe. It was a level 30 warrior overall armor sold in the Perion weapons and armor store. Thirty-thousand gold. Setting my sights on this piece of equipment, I grinded and grinded through tears and whatnot, and finally got to level 30. Without even job advancing, I went straight to the store to buy the robe. Short on mesos, I sold everything except my sword, and finally bought the item I dreamed of. Then it turned out that only male characters were able to wear this outfit. I was so devastated that I ended up quitting the warrior after failing to job advance even after multiple tries. The lupins hit too hard and I could barely damage them with all the misses. All I had in my inventory were a few potions and a robe I should have sold but kept because I couldn't let go of it. In the end I ended up making a magician, which I also ruined by not levelling max-mp increase spell. But man, those were the days. Feeling devastation because of a Maplestory item. Stupid good old days of Nostalgia. Bring me back to 20 years+ ago.
