Business Acumen

With a renewed sense of clear understanding of his abilities, August returned to the Western Woods to continue grinding.

He methodically hunted down groups of goblin minions, wolf packs, and the occasional forest troll, using his enhanced Assassin/Mage skills to dispatch them efficiently.

Hours passed as he repeated the process, each encounter bringing him closer to his goal.

His systematic approach paid off as he carefully chose his battles, avoiding monsters that were too high-level and focusing on those he could handle.

The goblins were relentless but predictable, their green skin and yellow eyes making them easy to spot amidst the foliage.

August utilized his Shadow Dance skill to blend into the shadows, striking with lethal precision. The goblins' guttural growls were silenced one by one, and each defeat brought a satisfying system notification:

[You have defeated Goblin Minion. +1200 EXP]

[You have defeated Goblin Minion. +1200 EXP]

[You have defeated Goblin Minion. +1200 EXP]

[You have defeated Goblin Minion. +1200 EXP]

As he moved deeper into the forest, he encountered more packs of thunder wolves, their silver fur glinting in the sunlight. These creatures were led by formidable arch lords since they were of higher levels.

Nonetheless, August was relentless in the face of confrontation.

August cast Fireball spells to weaken the pack, the explosions of flame scattering the wolves and singeing their fur.

The arch lords retaliated with fierce swipes of their claws, but August's agility allowed him to evade their attacks.

He used Arcane Shield to block incoming blows and followed up with precise dagger strikes. The battles were intense, and the notifications kept coming:

[You have defeated Thunder Wolf Minion. 1500 EXP]

[You have defeated Thunder Wolf Arch Lord. +3500 EXP]

[You have defeated Thunder Wolf Minion. 1500 EXP]

[You have defeated Thunder Wolf Minion. 1500 EXP]

[You have defeated Thunder Wolf Minion. 1500 EXP]

[You have defeated Thunder Wolf Arch Lord. +3500 EXP]

Each encounter tested his skills and pushed his limits. The forest trolls were especially daunting, their massive stone-like bodies resistant to most attacks.

August had to rely on his agility and magic, casting repeated Fireball spells to chip away at their health. The trolls' heavy clubs sent shockwaves through the ground, but August danced around them, landing critical strikes whenever an opening presented itself.

[You have defeated Forest Troll. +5500 EXP]

[You have defeated Forest Troll. +5500 EXP]

Finally, after hours of relentless combat, a system notification appeared:

[Congratulations! You have reached Level 17!]

[Rewards: 3000 EXP, 10 Gold, Skill Point +1 added to all skills +Fireball level up ]

August sighed with relief, knowing he had made substantial progress. He was now level 17, and it was time to log out. He had already been in the game for too long, and his body needed rest.

He opened his player database and checked his new stats and skills:

←←←←←←←←

Name: Aleman

Level: 17

Class: Assassin/Mage

EXP: 3000/100000

HP: 3500/3500

MP: 2200/2200

Gold: 250

Skills: Shadow Dance, Hidden Strike, Slash, Dash, Dual Wielding, Fireball, Arcane Shield

←←←←←←←←

Satisfied with his progress, August logged out and removed the VR helmet. The real world came into focus, and he stretched, feeling a surprising amount of energy coursing through his body. He felt physically stronger and more invigorated, but he couldn't quite understand why.

August stood up and looked around his room, spotting the items he had extracted from the game. The Basic Dagger and the Bronze Short Sword were both there, neatly arranged.

He picked them up and carefully placed them in a secure hiding spot, knowing he needed to come up with a plan to sell them in the real world.

As he pondered his next steps, August made a mental note to reach level 20 by the end of the week. He created a schedule to ensure he had enough time for both grinding in the game and managing his responsibilities in the real world.

He took a moment to assess how he felt. Despite the long hours spent in the game, he felt surprisingly energized. His muscles were not sore, and his mind was sharp.

It was as if the physical exertion in the game had translated to real-world benefits. This newfound energy would be a tremendous advantage, especially given his demanding schedule.

August made his way to the small desk in his room, opening a notebook where he jotted down his plan. He detailed the time he would spend in the game, the areas he would focus on for grinding, and the specific monsters he would target. The goal was clear: reach level 20 by the end of the week.

He also outlined his strategy for dealing with the extracted items. Selling them could bring in significant money, but he needed to do it discreetly to avoid attracting too much attention. Perhaps he could find a reputable pawn shop or an online marketplace that dealt in rare and unique items.

Once he had his plan laid out, August glanced at the clock. It was time to go to work. He quickly changed into his work clothes, grabbed a quick breakfast, and headed out the door.

August arrived at the factory, greeted by the familiar sights and sounds of his workplace. The clanging of machinery, the groaning of conveyor belts, and the chatter of his colleagues filled the air. He met up with Derrick, who was already hard at work, and they exchanged nods of acknowledgment.

"Morning, August. You look surprisingly energized today," Derrick remarked, noticing the spring in August's step.

"Yeah, I guess I had a good night's sleep," August replied with a smile.

As they got to work, August's mind wandered back to his plans for the extracted items. He needed to find a way to sell them without attracting too much attention. The potential for profit was immense, but so were the risks. He would need to be cautious and strategic in his approach.

Throughout the day, August worked diligently, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the game and his goals. The adventure in Enders Light had become a significant part of his life, and he was determined to make the most of it.

The factory work was physically demanding, but August found that he had more stamina than usual. Tasks that once left him exhausted now felt manageable, even easy. He moved with a confidence that caught the attention of his coworkers.

"Hey, August, you're on fire today," one of his colleagues remarked during a break. "What's your secret?"

"Just trying to stay focused and keep moving," August replied, keeping his answer vague.

Derrick noticed the change too. "You've really stepped up your game, man. Keep it up," he voiced while patting Derrick's back.

"Thanks, man. Just trying to do my best," August said, appreciating the support.

As the shift ended, August felt a sense of accomplishment. He had balanced his responsibilities well and was ready to dive back into the game when the time came. For now, he would focus on his immediate tasks and prepare for the challenges ahead, both in the real world and in Enders Light.

Returning home, he retrieved the extracted items from their hiding place to confirm that they were still where he left them. He carefully examined each one, marveling at the quality and potential value. The Basic Dagger was razor-sharp than any blade that existed in this world and the Bronze Shortsword was a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

August placed the items back in their hiding spot, resolving to find a safe and profitable way to sell them. He sat down to update his schedule, making sure to allocate time for both work and gaming. Reaching level 20 by the end of the week was ambitious, but he was determined to achieve it.

He entered Enders Light once more and moved to the western woods to grind.

The adventure in Enders Light had become more than just a game. It was a path to a better future, both in the virtual world and in reality.

...

The next morning, August decided to visit the cyber cafe not too distant from his house.

The cafe, "Digital Haven," was a small but popular spot frequented by gamers and tech enthusiasts. The sound of clicking keyboards and the soft vibrations of computers filled the air as he entered. The faint aroma of coffee also lingered in the background.

He found an empty terminal, logged in, and began his search for work opportunities that could assist with his debt. Selling the items he had recently extracted would no doubt help but it wasn't something he could go about recklessly.

Getting a better job was much safer while he worked on trying to deal with the sales.

His first query was about high-paying jobs, especially those related to supernatural abilities. As he scrolled through various listings, he noticed several job postings for players with supernatural skills, but none seemed suitable for his current status.

Switching gears, he started looking for ways to sell the items he had extracted from the game.

He came across various online marketplaces and forums dedicated to the sale of game-related items. However, as he delved deeper, he discovered numerous warnings about the dangers involved.

Stories of players getting robbed or scammed were alarmingly frequent. The high value of these items made them prime targets for criminals.

Despite the risks, August saw a business opportunity. He began to formulate a plan in his mind: creating a company that specialized in the safe sale of extracted items from games.

This company would offer secure transactions and protection for sellers, significantly reducing the risk of theft and fraud. It was an ambitious idea, but one that could potentially revolutionize the market.

'August Coven would be a good name, right?'