Chapter 5

James ventured into his garden, the morning sun casting a warm glow over the neat rows of vegetables. With practiced ease, he harvested a variety of fresh produce and made his way to the kitchen. As he began to cook, his basic culinary skills were instinctively activated, and within minutes, his proficiency improved from basic to intermediate level. Unbeknownst to him, his status had updated, but he hadn't checked it yet.

He laid out his meal on the dining table, but before he could sit down to eat, an urgent matter drew his attention. James stepped through the gate and was met with a daunting sight—nearly two hundred goblins swarmed near the barrier, threatening to invade his home. A surge of fear washed over him, but a notification appeared, indicating a non-threatening attack on his home. Relieved, James grabbed three spears from his item storage and thrust them into the barrier.

Another notification popped up, asking if he wanted to initiate an attack. Without hesitation, James selected 'yes,' and in the next moment, a thunderous boom resonated as a wave of energy erupted from the barrier, annihilating all 170 goblins.

After the adrenaline subsided, James opened his status to find a significant increase in his points. For the first goblin kill, he earned four points, and for each subsequent kill, three points were added to his tally. With a newfound wealth of points, James decided to allocate them strategically:

Updated Character Status:

Name: James Lee

Age: 18

Strength: 10

Agility: 10

Luck: 46

Charm: 5

IQ: 3

Start Points: 5

Skills:Auto Translation

Cooking Skill

Basic Sword Mastery

Spear Skill

Appraisal

Options:Exchange

Item Box

His luck had skyrocketed to 46, and he had bolstered his strength and agility by five points each. Charm and IQ also saw increments, reflecting his growth and the fruits of his courageous actions.

James sat in his room, savoring the flavors of the meal he had prepared. The aroma of spices lingered, comforting him after a long day. As he finished eating, a sense of contentment settled over him. But James was not one to stay idle for long; adventure beckoned beyond the walls of his home.

He stepped out into the bustling city, the shopping mall's fluorescent lights illuminating his path. His destination: the electronics store. James had heard whispers about a cutting-edge mobile phone, and curiosity tugged at him. The salesperson confirmed it—a new mobile, sleek and enticing. Without hesitation, James parted with two thousand dollars, securing the latest gadget for himself.

As he moved toward the next shop, an advertisement caught his eye. A VR pod—an escape into realms beyond reality—stood on display. The price tag was steep: twenty-five thousand dollars for the full experience. But there was a more affordable option—a five-thousand-dollar version, currently in beta testing. Alolon Company, the creators, promised a revolutionary gaming experience. James's heart raced; he had always yearned for immersive adventures, but poverty had kept him at bay.

Now, with two million dollars' worth of drop items and rare loot stored away, James's fortune had changed. The goblin spoils alone could fetch a fortune. Yet, accessing the money posed a challenge—the item box held his wealth, but he couldn't withdraw cash directly. Desperation led him to inquire, "Is there a cash-on-delivery option?"

The salesperson nodded. "Certainly, sir. We have options." James provided his home details, leaving the store with anticipation swirling in his chest.

Outside, a crowd had gathered. Curiosity piqued, James joined them. A photo shoot was underway, and there, amidst the flashes of cameras, stood a model named Mia Frost. Nineteen years old, with an ethereal grace, she aspired to conquer the entertainment industry. Her director, John, a seasoned figure in the business, orchestrated the scene.