Chapter 6: Promotion Currency
A pale gray vortex appeared, and two more small skeletons wielding weapons emerged from it, immediately joining the battle to surround the Red-Eyed Rabbit.
How could a mere level 2 monster withstand a beating from four small skeletons with attributes higher than its own? In just a few seconds, the Red-Eyed Rabbit met its end, leaving behind a corpse and a single, rounded copper coin.
A faint, almost imperceptible speck of white light merged into Su Mubai’s body, and the system notification chime rang out simultaneously.
【Killed level 2 Red-Eyed Rabbit, gained 50% level-gap bonus, Experience +3.】
"It seems reaching level 1 won't be difficult."
Su Mubai glanced at his attribute panel; the experience bar flickered slightly, increasing to 3%. This meant that by killing another 33 Red-Eyed Rabbits, he would level up.
The four small skeletons marched forward, continuously cutting down the Red-Eyed Rabbits that blocked their path. Su Mubai did not cast "Scorching Flame," choosing instead to save his mana entirely for the skeletons. The damage from Scorching Flame was simply too low; even with the bonus from his "Cataclysm" profession trait, it could only deal 90 points of magic damage over five seconds, and that was without even accounting for the monsters' magic defense. Compared to "Summon Small Skeleton," this skill was far from cost-effective.
However, Su Mubai immediately cast "Life Link" on one of the full-health small skeletons. After all, with only one health point, he could die if he wasn't careful.
"Hmm?"
As he waved his bone staff, Su Mubai was surprised to find that he had linked two small skeletons simultaneously. Below his own health bar, two new pale red health bars appeared. Furthermore, each health bar was double that of a small skeleton!
【Health Points: 1/1】
【Life Link 1: 400/400】
【Life Link 2: 393/400】
"Good grief, I almost forgot that skill effects are doubled."
Su Mubai raised an eyebrow, silently giving a nod of approval to his Cataclysm profession trait. By this time, the four small skeletons had already killed several Red-Eyed Rabbits, and Su Mubai’s experience had reached 21%. However, the Red-Eyed Rabbits were too stingy; aside from a few copper coins, they dropped nothing else.
The currency in the World Game was the same as the online games of Blue Star, divided into gold, silver, and copper coins, with a conversion rate of one hundred to one. Based on the information in his mind, there appeared to be higher-tier currencies in the game, but he clearly wouldn't encounter them in the early stages.
Su Mubai glanced at a few players not far away, resisting the urge to use Cataclysm to upgrade his copper coins, and followed the four small skeletons as they continued forward. He didn't summon any more skeletons to avoid drawing too much attention; summoning four at once was already enough to intimidate these people.
It wasn't until Su Mubai’s figure gradually disappeared from view that the player squads in the Red-Eyed Rabbit territory began to discuss him.
"Look at him, he’s leveling up just by taking a stroll. Necromancers are just too awesome."
"Awesome? Please, look at the small skeletons I summoned and tell me if they’re even comparable to Bai Ye’s?"
"Who told you to choose Necromancer without having a summoning-related talent?"
"That Bai Ye must have at least an S-rank talent, right? So strong."
"I reckon his strength ranks among the top in Novice Village No. 9527."
"With that leveling speed, he’ll definitely make it onto the leaderboards. We’ll know soon enough."
"By the way, when are the level leaderboards being released?"
"Tomorrow."
...
【Congratulations to player "Bai Ye" for reaching level 1. Four-dimensional stats +1, skill points +1, free attribute points +15.】
Shortly after entering the level 3 monster zone, a golden light flashed, and Su Mubai’s level rose to 1. The +1 to his four-dimensional stats and +1 skill point were improvements every player received upon leveling up. However, regarding free attribute points, thanks to the profession bonus of "Lord of Death," Su Mubai received three times the amount of free attribute points as an ordinary player each time he leveled up!
At this rate, even without using "Cataclysm," he would soon become a boss among players.
After a moment of thought, Su Mubai added four points to Agility and then poured all remaining attribute points into Spirit. Strength was useless to him, and as for Constitution—even a dog wouldn't add points to that! Since he was permanently stuck with only 1 HP, who would bother with that stat?
"Finally, no one around."
Looking around, Su Mubai grinned. He had deliberately steered his path to avoid other players. Coupled with the fact that there were very few players capable of leveling in the level 3 monster zone at this stage, the only things left around him were the level 3 wild monsters: Bobcats.
By now, Su Mubai had summoned 10 small skeletons, exhausting his summoning space. After assigning his attribute points, his Spirit attribute rose to 22. The panels of all his small skeletons changed in real-time, with their four-dimensional stats rising directly to 44—balanced and plain, yet effective.
However, Su Mubai’s journey of "cheating" had only just begun.
Opening the 20-slot backpack that came with the new player kit, Su Mubai pursed his lips. The drop rate for low-level monsters in the World Game was truly pathetic; he hadn't found a single piece of equipment the entire way. Even the copper coins didn't drop from every monster.
"Let’s see if copper coins can be directly upgraded into silver coins."
He took all twelve copper coins from his backpack and focused his mind.
【Cataclysm】!
Target: 12 copper coins.
【Prompt: Please choose the promotion tier: First Tier/Second Tier/Third Tier.】
"Second Tier."
Su Mubai wanted to see how many resources were required to upgrade copper coins to the second tier.
【Prompt: Sublimating 12 copper coins requires a total cost of 1 silver and 20 copper.】
【Insufficient resources, sublimation failed.】
"The cost is that low?"
Su Mubai arched an eyebrow. If the value of the upgraded copper coins was what he imagined, then the cost was indeed very low. He would know the outcome after one upgrade.
Shaking his head, Su Mubai activated "Cataclysm" again, targeting the same twelve copper coins. This time, he chose the first tier.
【Prompt: Confirm upgrading 12 copper coins to the first tier at no cost?】
【Confirm】
【Cancel】
"Confirm."
With a thought, the copper coins in his hand shimmered with a faint light.
【You have obtained 12 Ancient Copper Coins.】
"Huh? Shouldn't a first-tier promotion result in silver coins? What the hell is an Ancient Copper Coin!"
Looking at the coins in his hand, which were slightly darker in color, Su Mubai was stunned.
【Ancient Copper Coin】: A discontinued copper coin. Its value is unknown, but to certain collectors of ancient coins, it should be worth 10 copper coins.
"..."
The corner of his mouth twitched, and Su Mubai put the Ancient Copper Coins back into his backpack. Not only did the currency appreciation fail, but the item had also taken up a slot in his inventory. However, Su Mubai wasn't too disappointed. With the "Cataclysm" talent, making money was simple. Besides, since Ancient Copper Coins existed, they might come in handy at some point.
"Right, the backpack can be upgraded too!"
Seeing his novice backpack with only 19 slots remaining, Su Mubai’s eyes lit up, and he activated "Cataclysm" once more.
【Prompt: Please choose the promotion tier: First Tier/Second Tier/Third Tier.】
"First Tier."
【Prompt: Confirm upgrading the novice backpack to the first tier at no cost?】
【Confirm】
【Cancel】
"Confirm."
【You have obtained a Large Backpack.】
【Large Backpack】: Contains 50 slots of space.
"Continue."
Su Mubai fixed his gaze on the bone staff in his hand. Before his grand leveling project truly began, he would upgrade everything on his person that could be upgraded! Since it cost nothing, only a fool wouldn't take advantage of it.