Finding Ways to Make Money

Although Ron had traveled from Earth to this world, he wasn't some top-tier genius. He used to be an ordinary white-collar worker who rarely socialized and mostly spent his time at home playing games. He didn't know why he ended up in this world of swords and magic, but he did know one thing: he was now a homeless, pitiful weakling who was often bullied.

However, no matter the difficulties, they were nothing to a hopeful Earthling. When faced with problems, Ron chose to solve them rather than complain about his troubles. He always believed that the future was bright, but he also knew that everything depended on his own efforts. And he had the ability to make it happen!

Ever since he crossed over into this world, at the age of eight, he discovered something amazing in his mind—something like a Talent Tree from the games he used to play. And every year on this day, he would receive a Skill Point that could be used to upgrade the Talent Skills in his Talent Tree.

Once a skill was upgraded, the attributes shown in the Talent Tree would manifest in his body. The talents in the Talent Tree were divided into two types: main talents and sub-talents.

There were four main talents, all active skills primarily used to enhance combat power. Although the main talents were powerful, they were also dangerous; one wrong move could be life-threatening. That's why Ron had never activated any of these skills.

The sub-talents, on the other hand, were much safer and would change according to the weapon he used. For example, since Ron had always used a sword, a passive skill called Sword Specialization appeared. There were also four skills here, each with a maximum level of 5. The previous skill had to be maxed out before the next one could be activated.

Because he only got one Skill Point per year, Ron couldn't afford to waste it. He couldn't spend all of them on upgrading his Sword Specialization. Currently, two of the four skills in Sword Specialization had been unlocked:

[Sword Mastery]: Passive Skill

Your control over swordsmanship in terms of precision, force, and speed increases by one level.

Each level up enhances your control by one level.

Current Level: 5 (MAX).

[Sword Block]: Passive Skill

You have mastered swordsmanship, with an 80% success rate of blocking any attack.

Each level up increases the block success rate by 5%.

Current Level: 2, Block Success Rate: 85%.

It was thanks to these two passive skills, along with his hard work and practice, that Ron was able to defeat many upperclassmen in the Warrior's Grove Academy swordsmanship competition and claim the championship.

Ron originally planned to wait a few more years until he gained the next skill before finding a way to awaken Qi Force. Qi Force could be understood as an energy similar to battle aura, capable of greatly enhancing the user's strength, speed, explosiveness, and other basic attributes, with other unexpected effects as well. Awakening Qi Force essentially meant stepping into the extraordinary realm.

Once he reached this level and combined it with the third skill of Sword Specialization, Ron felt he would be strong enough to stand up to Baron, or at least not be afraid of him. However, Baron didn't give him the chance. As soon as Ron turned sixteen, he was kicked out of the house, completely disrupting his plans.

Now, not only could he not afford tuition, but even survival was a problem. He also couldn't follow his original plan to use all his Skill Points on upgrading [Sword Block].

Staring at the freshly obtained Skill Point, Ron hesitated. He knew very well his strengths and weaknesses. His strength was his exceptional swordsmanship; his control over the sword was unparalleled, allowing him to effortlessly use various sword techniques. But his weakness was equally obvious—no matter how great his swordsmanship was, without the corresponding power, he would just be a performer in the eyes of others. If he faced a real opponent, especially one much stronger than himself, he would surely die.

To prepare for future encounters with power-based opponents, Ron turned his attention to the main talents. The first skill among the main talents was:

[Power Loan]: Active Skill

You can temporarily borrow 80% of the target's strength to enhance your own.

(Note: The target's strength does not decrease during the loan period!)

If you defeat or kill the target within ten minutes, you permanently gain 25%-35% of the target's strength, depending on the target's condition.

If you are defeated, killed, or if the ten-minute duration expires, you lose 40%-100% of your own strength, which is transferred to the target! The loss is determined by your condition.

Cooldown time: one day. You can repeatedly use Power Loan on the same target.

Each level up extends the duration, increases the gains, and reduces the losses.

Current Level: 0.

(Note: Power Loan cannot be used on non-intelligent beings.)

A careful reading of the skill description revealed that the benefits and risks of this skill were disproportionate. Without powerful strength to back it up, using this skill was akin to courting death. In fact, the primary risk didn't lie in the skill itself but in external factors. Given the nature of this skill, unless you eliminated your opponent every time, the more people you used Power Loan on, the more likely it would be discovered. If it became known that Ron had the ability to absorb others' strength, in this church-dominated world, he could easily be labeled a demon or heretic.

Ron had no desire to experience being roasted on a cross. He originally planned to max out his sub-talents before considering the main talents. But now, faced with the harsh reality of survival, if he encountered a strong enemy, his academy-style swordsmanship and the strength of a sixteen-year-old boy would be no match for an adult's attacks. He needed strength now.

So, even with the high risk, Ron had to give it a try. No longer hesitating, he used this year's Skill Point to upgrade [Power Loan]. After the upgrade was complete, Ron breathed a sigh of relief but quickly became alert again, carefully observing from the carriage to see if there were any pursuers.

Fortunately, the journey was peaceful, and he successfully entered Lane Town. Once inside, the first thing Ron did was find a barbershop and cut off the long hair that symbolized nobility. In this world, commoners had to work daily and had no time to groom their hair. Only those who didn't engage in labor, like nobles who indulged in eating, drinking, and entertainment, had the time to maintain their hair. Over time, long hair became a symbol of nobility. Knowing that his life would become tough and that he wouldn't have time to care for his hair, Ron, being practical, didn't hesitate to cut it off.

After getting his hair cut, he immediately headed to a nearby tavern. His purpose in coming to the tavern wasn't to drink away his sorrows. In this world, taverns weren't just places for drinking; they were also hubs for information. Due to the large gatherings of people, employers often posted job offers in taverns. Now homeless and without an income, Ron came here to try his luck. Ideally, he would find a relatively stable job with decent pay that also provided room and board, so he could first secure his footing.

When Ron arrived at the tavern, it was just past noon. Pushing open the ten-centimeter-thick wooden door, he found it didn't require much force and made no noise, a sign that the door's locking mechanism was well-maintained. There weren't many people inside the tavern, just a few scattered drunks drinking idly. When they saw someone enter, they glanced up briefly before returning to their drinks. One of them joked, "What's a little brat doing here?"

A man at the table across from him chuckled and shook his head before resuming his drink. Though Ron was only sixteen, he was already nearly 1.8 meters tall, so he didn't look small at all. However, the youthful innocence on his face was something he couldn't hide. Ignoring their mockery, Ron walked straight to the notice board at the back of the tavern. The board was in the tavern's lounge area, which required passing through an open doorway. Just as Ron was about to walk through, a well-endowed barmaid stepped in front of him.

"What can I get you, sir?"

Ron had never been to this type of tavern before, but he knew the rules. The barmaid was there to collect a tip; after all, the tavern wouldn't provide information services for free. In this era, every service had a price. Ron didn't have any copper coins, so he reluctantly handed over a silver coin, saying with a smile, "A glass of rum, and the rest is your tip."

The barmaid beamed at him, stepping aside to let him pass. "Thank you, sir. I'll bring your drink right away!"

Ron walked up to the notice board and scanned it carefully, quickly spotting a job offer.

"Mr. Kahn is hiring gladiators, room and board included, no base salary, with a 30-70 split of the prize money. He is also hiring a swordsmanship instructor with at least three years of experience. Room and board provided, salary negotiable! Interested parties should come to 66 Sycamore Street for an interview."

Ron couldn't help but smile when he saw the job posting, thinking to himself, "This is practically tailor-made for me."

This Mr. Kahn was a well-known businessman in the area, involved in various industries. Recently, word had it that he had developed a fascination with the gladiator business, and it seemed the rumors were true.

Gladiators, in this context, were fighters who engaged in life-and-death battles. These matches were brutal and bloody, and in this era starved for entertainment, they were immensely popular. The business was booming; whenever a match was held, the arena was packed, and ticket sales were through the roof. It was one of Lane Town's pillar industries.

Of course, Ron wasn't planning on applying as a gladiator. That was far too dangerous—he would surely meet his end with his current level of strength. What he aimed for was the position of swordsmanship instructor. It was safer, and it came with food and lodging.

If he succeeded in getting the job, he could use [Power Loan] on the gladiators under his tutelage. Not only would it be safe, but with some time…

With that thought, Ron immediately tore down the notice and left. By the time the barmaid brought the drink over, he had already disappeared...