Vol.1 - Chapter 4 – Player
During the closed beta, experience points were tripled, whether it was from killing monsters or completing quests.
Xia Ya's best record for leaving the Starter Village was as a Swordsman (level 14), a Nightingale (level 13), equipped with a full set of forged gear and an ancient magic longsword.
Even so, it took him half a month.
Now, with the public test, there naturally wouldn't be such a triple benefit, and progress would be slower, so he wasn't in a hurry at all.
Through the long cycles, he increasingly understood the core gameplay of this game—the more you treat it as a game, the more you lose out. Only by truly integrating into the world can rewards be found everywhere.
Focusing solely on quests, rewards, and equipment is a lower strategy; relationships and interactions are fundamental.
Before players can dominate the landscape, they are like hairs on the thighs of NPCs.
His strategy from the start was aimed at Sennia.
Once they became close friends, he could team up with this level 14 Swordsman for quests. She came with her own set of gear, and although it wasn't enough to leave the village, having such a powerful ally to help a level 1 newbie cut through enemies was far more efficient than chasing after magical chickens and rabbits.
Of course, these insights were lost on the players flooding into the game; they still had to figure things out slowly.
Xia Ya had barely taken a few steps when three buddies approached him.
"Hey, what did you mean earlier?"
The leader was aggressive, and all three held rolling pins, clearly looking for trouble.
"You bought those from Jim at the bakery, right?" Xia Ya smiled. "Did he also tell you that his rolling pins are so sturdy they once killed a magical rabbit outside the village?"
The three looked at each other in surprise.
"How did you know?"
Xia Ya didn't answer and continued, "The starter pack has 50 copper coins. It's best to use them to rent a house early on unless you want to sleep on the grass at night. The biggest fear early on is running out of supplies. In a private residence's 'resting state,' natural recovery speed is tripled and can be done anytime."
After finishing, he got back to the main point.
"As for earlier, I was saving you. Mrs. West is a level 14 Swordsman. One strike from her, and you three would be left with a sliver of health. Even with triple recovery, you'd have to sit still for a day and a night. How is that different from wasting an entire day?"
The three were stunned, and most of the hostility in their eyes dissipated.
The leader hesitated for a moment and then cautiously asked, "But why did she attack us?"
"You approached a beautiful woman on the street and stared at her chest for three seconds. See if she calls the police."
"But, but she's an NPC..."
"So what if she's an NPC? NPCs can trick you into buying these sticks that are only good for firewood?" Xia Ya patted the leader's shoulder. "Think differently. Don't underestimate this game."
The two passed each other.
After a few steps, Xia Ya heard footsteps behind him.
"Hey, friend, wait up!" The leader caught up, showing a friendly smile. "Hi, I'm Chillbliss, and these are my friends Instant Chill and Drip-Brewed Brandy. Sorry about earlier; we were being foolish. Can we be friends?"
Xia Ya realized there was a friend-adding feature, but he didn't know how to use it, so he just nodded coolly.
With such a cold demeanor, the other party should take the initiative.
He wasn't sure what Chillbliss did, but a few seconds later, Xia Ya heard a long-lost notification.
[Player: Chillbliss requests to be your friend.]
After thousands of years!
Finally, a living person added me as a friend!
Xia Ya felt genuinely moved.
He accepted the request, opened the system settings, and found the new social button.
He turned off all social notifications, content to be a solitary player.
"Were you a high-level player in some gaming community before?" Chillbliss asked cautiously.
"Just an ordinary player," Xia Ya replied.
"I see..."
Chillbliss thought he probably didn't want to reveal his identity. Since there was no closed beta, everyone started from the same point. How could an ordinary person have so much information on the first day of the server opening?
This guy is tough. He exchanged a few glances with the other two and then sent Xia Ya a trade request.
Curious, Xia Ya accepted, excited like a child seeing the trade window for the first time.
There were 90 copper coins, the leftovers from the three.
"If you give me all your money, what will you do?" Xia Ya asked.
Chillbliss shrugged nonchalantly.
"This money is just enough for less than two rooms' rent in our hands, but in yours, it might be worth the value of this information."
Listen to that, what a cultured way to flatter!
Xia Ya found him interesting and accepted.
Chillbliss was right; having a bit more money early on could make things slightly more convenient for him.
Having gained a benefit, he decided to give a little tip.
"The shepherd on the west side of the village lost a sheep. Mrs. West just had a baby, but her milk isn't sufficient. You can try to help her out; she can teach you the Swordsman's 'Power Strike.'" Xia Ya said.
Chillbliss was bewildered, "You even know about her milk shortage??"
"Uh..."
Xia Ya smiled subtly.
Of course, she didn't say that...
After a brief exchange, they went their separate ways.
...
The Starter Village was bustling with people, but it was easy to distinguish the players at a glance.
Most were running around like headless chickens, but a few had realized something was off and were talking to various NPCs to gather information.
The information Xia Ya gave to the Jojo trio actually came from NPCs; they could find it themselves if they looked, but understanding it was another matter.
Xia Ya didn't join the crowd at the village chief's place. Once you become the village chief, the system grants a buff called "Eye of Insight," which lets you see through characters' professions and levels, so the village chief won't even look at you until your combat profession reaches level 10.
He spent 5 copper coins to hitch a ride on a hay cart, arriving at the other side of the village at the tavern after more than ten minutes.
This area was far from the village center and hadn't been touched by players yet. It was morning, and the tavern was temporarily closed with a sign.
Xia Ya picked up a stone from the ground and threw it hard, smashing the glass with a bang.
"Who!?"
A tall figure burst through the door.
A two-meter-tall red-haired Barbarian woman, Sanya, the tavern owner.
Barbarians were residents of the northern red soil plains, which were occupied by magical creatures. Her parents fled here and opened this bar, selling a very popular Bloodmalt Ale.
Sanya was broad-shouldered and strong, with arms that could support a person and shoulders that could carry a horse. She was the only one in the Starter Village who could match Sennia.
In her eyes, the delicate blonde Priest was a beauty, and according to the iron rules of the plains, beauties were only for the strong, which is why she could watch Sennia marry the Priest and have children.
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If it were any other woman, she would have acted long ago!
Because of this, she wouldn't expose the Priest's infidelity. To her, it was Sennia's shame, and she was happy to see it.
Sanya saw only one person outside the door and immediately charged forward.
"Was it you?"
Barbarians never brush their teeth or rinse their mouths, and their breath alone could cause natural damage.
"It was me," Xia Ya replied, unfazed by her intimidating presence.
Sanya wasn't on his strategy list, but he had fought alongside this Barbarian woman and knew her temperament well.
The more straightforward the conversation, the better.
He tossed out a silver coin.
—Just exchanged for 100 copper coins.
"For the window, plus hiring you for half an hour."
"Where to?" Sanya raised an eyebrow.
"Follow me."
Proofreader & Editor: Lyra