16 Money Farming
These numbers might just be game stats, but they've got a surprising real-world impact. I can't claim to understand the science behind it all, but somehow, my character's strength in this virtual world spills over into my actual body when I'm plugged into VR.
It's like there's a connection between my real and virtual selves. So, when my character levels up and gets stronger, my physical body seems to get the memo and starts catching up. The details are a bit of a head-scratcher, and I'm no science expert, so let's not dive too deep into that. The bottom line is if it's making me stronger, I'm all for it, and Tojiro's work is pretty darn impressive.
Now, onto the fun part: deciding where to invest my stat points. Right now, my strength (STR) is at rock bottom, while my agility (AGI) is through the roof. Dexterity (DEX), endurance (END), and intelligence (INT) are all hanging out in the middle. I know these stats won't be the be-all and end-all once I'm a high-level player. The game's more about skill than just stacking big numbers. But in these early stages, it's all about setting the right foundation.
My first goal is to beef up my real-world strength, so I can tackle any challenges life throws my way. Strengthening STR seems like the way to go for that. If I want to become a stealthy ninja, I'd need to boost DEX. To make snap decisions, INT is my pick. If I fancy being an unbreakable tank, END's the stat to focus on. And if I want to be lightning-fast, AGI's the one.
As much as I'd like to go all in on one stat, I figure balance is key. I don't aim to be an Olympic sprinter or anything. After some pondering, I've settled on spreading out 20 points to STR, 10 to DEX, 20 to END, 20 to INT, and 5 to AGI. Let's see how these new stats stack up.
Name: Bladeheart
Level 7
Experience: 1000/14000
Health Points (HP): 5000/5000
Mana Points (MP): 3200/3200
Attributes:
Strength (STR): Very Poor
[AP Bar: 47/100]
Agility (AGI): Very Poor
[AP Bar: 57/100]
Dexterity (DEX): Very Poor
[AP Bar: 56/100]
Endurance (END): Very Poor
[AP Bar: 53/100]
Intelligence (INT): Very Poor
[AP Bar: 68/100]
AP left to spend: 0
Title: Memento Mori
Skills: Click here to Open the skill trees
SP left to spend: 58
Equipment:
Head: Beginner Hood
Face: White Fur Wolf Mask
Upper Body: Green Armor
Lower Body: Beginner Pants
Shoes: Beginner Boots
Gloves: Beginner Gloves
Necklace: None
Left Arm: None
Right Arm: None
Ring: None
Weapon: Versatile Weapon
With the help of the White Fur Wolf Mask as well, the stats have increased dramatically. I don't even have the stats that normal level 7 players should have. This is already amazing beyond a doubt.
I'm content with the outcome now. No need to dwell on my stats any longer; overthinking them just gives me a headache. The key is to keep moving forward. Stats are fleeting; it's the skills that'll pave my way in the long run.
With a click, I shut down my stat panel and pushed myself up from the bed. Lying beside me is the humble Versatile Weapon, looking pretty unremarkable compared to your run-of-the-mill monster loot. I've got a couple of items I could feed it – a dagger pilfered from a Gray Wolf I bested earlier and the trusty [Beginner Armor] I just unequipped. But I hold off on that for now. Maybe there's a bonus for feeding it in bulk that'll supercharge its stats? It's worth a shot.
This thing could serve as a quick copper boost if I decide to sell it later, but it's got potential for a good old devouring too. Tough choice, but I'll save that call for later. As I glance out the window, I notice the NPCs setting up shop stalls. The sun's dipping below the horizon, and business is about to pick up in this neck of the woods.
The streets below buzz with activity, players weaving through the crowd as NPC villagers go about their daily routines. These NPCs mimic real human behavior, resting at night and working during the day – it's like they've got a 9 to 5, too! They may not have specific roles like being a merchant, but striking up a conversation with them is possible, though many won't bother, especially if you're a total stranger.
Now, as the sun dips below the horizon, the Night Market Bazaar comes to life. Food stalls and a handful of selling gear pop up, creating a vibrant atmosphere. I wasn't much of a night owl in the past, but curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to give it a shot. With some cash to spare, who knows, I might just stumble upon something special if luck's on my side.
Bazaars, found in every nook and cranny of this virtual world, are treasure troves of in-game goodies, but Night Bazaars take the cake when it comes to rarity and variety. You name it, they've got it – from gear and grub to pets and peculiar companions.
Speaking of companions, they're a bit like a hired muscle, though you won't break the bank to enlist their aid. No contracts, no upfront fees. These sidekicks tackle various tasks and even pitch in during battles, but there's a catch. They'll nibble away at your hard-earned experience points, much like that trusty Pokémon with its Exp. Share. I don't think it is that bad, but I tend to avoid it during the early game, especially in my situation now.
But here's where things get interesting. Once they sign up, your buddies gain access to the Summons Area – a nifty little pocket dimension that's yours to customize. Think of it like building a dream house for your entourage, whether they're humans or beasts. Everyone under your contract, labeled as either Pets or Companions, can hang out in this pocket dimension.
The best part? No headcount restrictions! Encounter NPCs or monsters itching to join your crew, and they'll waltz into the Summons Area without a hitch. You can summon them at your convenience from this pocket dimension, and even when they're not with you, they can keep the conversation going. Pretty darn convenient, I'd say.
Now, before you rush off to snag a companion, a word of advice. They're game-changers at level 100, but if you're still climbing the ranks, tread carefully. My coin purse doesn't exactly jingle with riches right now – a measly 200 gold from Lily's quest and a handful of copper coins. That won't buy me anything extravagant, just some basic gear which is expensive. And if there is some kind of rare thing I might get, 200 gold won't be helpful enough. Guess farming some coins would help.
Night Bazaars can be a treasure trove of unique finds, and I've got my eye on some cool stuff. But let's face it, without some cash, I'll just be window shopping. Time to roll up my sleeves and hustle.
I left the inn behind and made my way to the mines. Don't let the name fool you; the Mining Town lives up to its title. It's not just some beginner's zone near a cave; it's the real deal. Miners used to call this place home, but now it's overrun by monsters. You won't find regular folks here, just adventurers looking for a brawl or completing their bestiary. No one sticks around too long, though, because it's not the best spot for leveling up. The monsters here are stingy when it comes to dishing out experience points, but they're generous with the loot for players between levels 7 and 10.
Imps and slimes are the usual suspects here. Imps drop plenty of copper coins, while slimes cough up some nifty equipment. Right now, there's a monster party going on due to the lack of players at night. These creatures get a bit restless after dark, and if you're a newbie, you better watch your back. Getting swarmed by them isn't a picnic. But hey, there aren't many players who make it to level 7, so it's a bit of a Wild West out here.
Now, here's the silver lining. When night falls, monsters get extra feisty, and that means more cash in their pockets. Money drops double during the night, which makes it prime time to stack up on some coins and score big at the bazaar. Time to turn this monster mayhem into moolah!
I reach for the Versatile Weapon and transform it into a Ceremonial Staff. Now, typically, this staff doesn't pack much of a punch, but mine's a bit of a maverick. All the stats from its sword form stay intact in staff mode. No, it doesn't play by the usual rules of weapon types; it's a rebel that way. Same damage, same deal. It's prime time to rack up some SP points for my Cleric class.
Outside the cave tunnel, the imps clock me immediately. They shoot me these bizarre looks, then let out some growls for good measure. Afterward, their eyes go all fiery red, and they start charging at me like there's no tomorrow. Each one of them is wielding a dingy, rusty pickaxe that's about to crumble into dust if they swing too hard.
----
[Mining Imps]
Level 7
HP: 1000/1000
Type: Humanoid
----
With a quick thwack, I smacked that pesky imp right in the belly, dealing some solid damage. Smacking these foes isn't rocket science; it's as straightforward as giving a well-deserved tap to someone who's being overly frisky and sending them to the timeout corner.
I'm starting to get the hang of my new character and figuring out my play style. I kept my feet moving and deftly dodged a pickaxe that came flying my way. When I spotted the perfect moment to strike, I didn't waste any time. Despite my weapon not having a sharp edge, it still packs a punch, dishing out damage like it's got a blade.
One thwack and those Mining imps drop like flies, thanks to my impressive stats. It's no wonder they go down with just a single hit.
----
-Mining Imp successfully killed.
-Got 1000 EXP(Title Effect Activated 1000 EXP acquired)
-Got 105 copper
-Got 1 Cleric SP
----
Not too shabby, already got myself 105 copper in the bag. But you know, not all these critters cough up cash like this. Take the Gray Wolves, for instance. I've taken down a few, and guess what? Not a single copper dropped. It's like they're hoarding something way more valuable.
Then you got those monsters, the Grass Lizards, they're a bit stingy with their copper. They drop a bit here and there, but it's not a constant rain of coins like these imps.
Now, these imps, they're the real deal when it comes to making some dough. In the game lore, they're known for always having coins in their pockets. When you off one, they drop their stash, and it's up for grabs. It's like a little bonus for whoever takes them out.
Since it looks like I've got this farming spot all to myself, I'm not planning on giving it up anytime soon. If other players start rolling in, they'll act like they own the place and snatch up all the loot. So, I've got to make the most of it while I can.
After a solid few minutes of whacking these imps one by one, I've managed to rack up around 2,000 copper. If I convert that to silver, it's a cool 20 silver in my pocket. You know the drill, it takes 100 coppers to make 1 silver, and you need 100 silver for 1 gold coin. Sure, you can convert it to real-world cash, but gold's the only thing that counts for that. Silver and copper are just in-game currency, good for buying stuff at the shops and the market.
Oh, and here's the kicker: 1 gold coin is worth 100 yen. Sounds like peanuts, right? But if you're a pro at this money-making game, you can earn a gold coin without breaking a sweat, and the rest just falls into your lap to cash out.
Right now, I've got 200 gold coins in my stash and a few coppers. Once I convert those coppers to silver, I'll have a decent stack of in-game cash to splurge at the Bazaar. But I'm not done yet. I cleared out the imps at the entrance, and now I'm delving deeper into the tunnel. And guess what I found? A slime. These suckers are magic magnets, so why bother with weapons? Magic's the way to go. Time to hunt for gear and make the most of this opportunity!
