Episode 4 on the Hardcore, and I’m still alive… which is honestly suspicious. I’m actually enjoying HCIM so far because it’s a refreshing break from dying all the time, but don’t worry—I still found plenty of ways to suffer. The big early goal was freeing myself from those stupid antique lamps by getting my Herblore up, and once I finally hit 30 Herblore I slammed the big lamps and jumped straight to 39. That’s massive because it means prayer pots are on the menu, and for a Hardcore that’s basically emotional support in a vial. From there it’s the classic “I came to do one thing and somehow I’m doing ten quests” experience. I knocked out a bunch of questing for points and unlocks, got the kingdom rolling (and yeah, it’s worth it early—my herbs and prayer pots were actually decent), and then I went to the Warriors’ Guild to stop feeling like a fake adult in a mule hat. I pulled a dragon defender in 174 Cyclops, which is pretty lucky, and it’s a huge power spike for not getting folded. By the end I’m around 1,100 total at day 13, stacking slayer levels, escape crystals, and planning out Legends’ Quest requirements. If I die, I prove my haters right—so naturally I’m doing Barrows prep and running around like a man with no license and too much confidence.