Chapter10-Nighttime Leveling Up

Sebastian wasn't wealthy. 

He started as a game streamer and, since the launch of [Original Realm], had spent most of his savings on the game helmet, hoping to make a living in the virtual realm. 

And, as it turned out, he indeed succeeded.

Thanks to the Ultimate Intelligence System, he made his first significant earnings in the game—a whopping 100,000 dollars—enough to elevate his current lifestyle. 

After having a meal downstairs, Sebastian, now holding onto his 100,000 dollars, resolved to purchase a game chamber, allowing him to spend even more time immersed in the game. 

After all, he still had eleven intelligences left to tap into, and accomplishing them all would be time-consuming.

So, he accessed an online shopping platform. 

To his astonishment, with the soaring popularity of [Original Realm], the prices of game chambers had skyrocketed. 

Even the most basic model now demanded a price tag of 100,000 dollars. 

The high-end versions? An eye-watering 1 million dollars. 

Indeed, poverty had limited his imagination. 

He wrestled with the decision, sitting on his couch. 

Eventually, he chose to invest in the game chamber. 

With the Ultimate Intelligence System, he foresaw a long future in [Original Realm]. 

For a better latter half of his life, this expense seemed justified—he could always earn it back later.

...

By evening, the game chamber, as per Sebastian's instructions, was delivered and placed in his living room. 

After the passing of his parents, they left him only this old house, so even with the game chamber in the living room, there was ample space. 

Along with the chamber, the store threw in a day's supply of Nutrient Solution. 

To continue using the Nutrient Solution would mean further expenses, not a negligible sum. 

Wasn't this the very reason players in the game were so desperate to level up, often sacrificing the comforts of a better dwelling? 

Wasn't it the demands of real life that drove them? 

It seemed only the indifferent Sebastian could afford such luxuries.

Not wanting to waste the day's supply of Nutrient Solution, Sebastian once again donned the game helmet. 

As his consciousness merged, he found himself back in the game. 

The in-game clock showed it was around 7 pm—a time when many working professionals would be logging in, resulting in a surge of players.

Upon his appearance, Breeze instantly spotted him and leapt joyously into his embrace. 

Holding Breeze, Sebastian first turned his attention to the team channel. 

The members were deep in animated conversation, and he noticed his own name mentioned several times. 

Sadly, he had been offline during their discussions, which led some to perceive him as aloof, and they diplomatically chose to sideline him.

BattleMadness: "Hey, anyone up for some nighttime leveling?" 

SnowAdmirer: "Can't, need to log out. If I don't, my mom's gonna kill me." 

SubtleSorrow: "Gotta head out too; got some work-related stuff to handle." 

InkStainedNebula: "I'm in. Meet at the village entrance?" 

ShepherdWind: "Can I join?" 

BattleMadness: "Whoa! The legend's coming? I'm sticking to you like glue; nobody's stopping me!" 

InkStainedNebula: "Alright, let's meet up at the northern village entrance then." 

ShepherdWind: "Sounds good."

Turning off the team channel, Sebastian exited his in-game house. 

This leveling session wasn't for himself, but for Breeze. 

Boosting a pet's level also necessitated slaying creatures. 

Despite being only at lv1 and still in its cub phase, Breeze was already formidable. 

Its Attribute Panel was almost on par with Sebastian's.

By the time Sebastian reached the northern village entrance, Jason and another man had been waiting for a while. 

"Sebastian! Over here..." Jason enthusiastically waved him over. 

Having already introduced himself earlier in the day, they were familiar with each other. 

"For formalities, I'm Jason, lv15 Swift Wind Swordsman," Jason volunteered, eager to make a good impression.

The man beside him, "InkStainedNebula," followed up, "I'm Lincoln, a level 16 Silvermoon Archer."

Sebastian nodded in acknowledgment, "I'm a magus by class."

"Just like Mia? Whoa, another powerhouse in terms of damage," Jason exclaimed. 

The magus was a highly coveted class within [Original Realm]. 

Its strengths lay in its remarkably high damage output, primarily area-of-effect, granting it a natural advantage in creature slaying. 

Its sole drawback might be the casting time some of its spells required.

"Sebastian, any thoughts on which dungeon we should tackle?" Jason inquired.

"Not really. I mainly want to get her leveled up," Sebastian replied, gently patting Breeze's head.

"In that case, let's head to Savage Tiger Forest," Jason quickly suggested.

Savage Tiger Forest, located west of the village in dense woods, was populated with many players diligently battling monsters. 

However, as one ventured deeper, the number of players dwindled. 

Given that the feline creatures in the Savage Tiger Forest typically ranged from levels 11-12, it wasn't a challenge most players would willingly accept.

"As we head there, you've got enough MP and HP potions, right?" Lincoln asked on the way.

"I should be good," Sebastian responded.

"If you run low, we can share some of ours. After all, the team provides them for free," Lincoln assured. Mia had mentioned this earlier in the day.

Jason chimed in, "After every leveling session, Sebastian, you can head to our team's gathering spot and get reimbursed by Snowla." Snowla was the player known in-game as SnowAdmirer.

"I'll keep that in mind, thanks," Sebastian nodded.

Soon, they entered the territory of the Savage Tiger Forest. 

Monsters at night received a buff that increased their attributes by 2%, but in return, they yielded more experience than their daytime counterparts. 

The trio decided to split up initially, aiming to clear out the periphery of level 10 creatures.

As Sebastian ventured deeper into the Savage Tiger Forest, he soon encountered a level 10 majestic tiger. 

The beast's eyes gleamed malevolently, its razor-sharp fangs reflecting the moon's cold luminescence. 

Its eyes, reminiscent of bronze bells, fixated intently on its prey.

[Jungle Tiger]

[Level: 10]

[HP: 1000]

[MP: 0]

...

A level 10 common creature still posed a challenge for the current Breeze. 

However, ShepherdWind was ready for action. 

He drew a wooden wand and began chanting a spell. 

The [Jungle Tiger], however, wasn't inclined to give him the chance and lunged aggressively.

With a fierce roar, Breeze took the initiative and darted forward. 

Her snowy silhouette weaved through the night, targeting the oncoming Jungle Tiger. 

As she closed in, Breeze extended her sharp claws, aiming for the eyes of the Jungle Tiger.

The beast let out a deafening roar, halting its charge, and swung its massive paw with immense force towards Breeze. 

But Breeze, capitalizing on her speed, narrowly evaded the attack.

As this unfolded, ShepherdWind completed his spell casting. 

His wand suddenly radiated a blinding light, revealing a formidable power within that even seemed to warp the very space around it. 

Sebastian, with a steely gaze, pointed his finger.