Green Necklace

[Congratulations, you have completed the Rare-grade dungeon 〖Green Scrap Yard〗 (Elite ★★★) and received the rewards: Character EXP +180,000, and an additional reward: 〖Green Necklace〗 (Quality: Green)!]

A ding sounded in my ears, and the final rewards for the dungeon officially arrived!

Beneath my feet, the Goblin Scavenger's corpse slowly turned into white light and dissipated. At the same time, with a "clatter," a necklace dropped into my Dimensional Storage Space.

In the world of Star Abyss, player equipment is divided into: Weapon, Off-hand Weapon, Helmet, Chestplate, Gauntlets (Gloves), Leggings, Boots, Cloak, Necklace, and Ring, totaling 11 equipment slots. Rings can be worn in two slots, and in Star Abyss, rings and necklaces are the only two equipment types that can potentially have critical hit stats!

Furthermore, rings, necklaces, and weapons are the only three equipment types that have a chance to grant a lifesteal effect. In short, critical hit and lifesteal are two top-tier stat lines that are extremely difficult to find.

Especially in the early stages of the game, having a lifesteal attribute would greatly increase a player's leveling efficiency. After all, most players have yet to even see a health-restoring item, which is a significant limitation for melee players.

With this thought, I reached into my Dimensional Storage Space and carefully took out the Green Necklace. The necklace was made of a rather coarse, thin rope, and the pendant was a jade ring of a vibrant green color, looking extremely exquisite and emitting a faint glow.

After a brief pause, the necklace's stats floated out—

[Green Necklace] (Quality: Green)

Tier: 1

Spirit: +10

Blessing: Critical Hit +1%

Requires Spirit: 35

"..."

Looking at the stats of the Green Necklace, I was speechless. It was a necklace that increased Spirit, clearly equipment for a Spirit Speaker. However, the 1% critical hit was also somewhat helpful to me.

For an ordinary Super Weapon Master, after obtaining this necklace, they would have to trade it away, as they wouldn't be able to equip it at all.

But I was different. My SS-grade Essence Furnace provided too many stat bonuses, and coupled with the 6 points of Spirit gained from Basic Programming reaching Lv. 10, I could actually equip this Green Necklace with plenty to spare!

There was no question, Spirit is magic resistance. I equipped it, as I currently had no suitable necklace!

With a "swish," the Green Necklace hung on my chest, giving me a bit of an ancient warrior vibe. I immediately inputted the experience points gained from this dungeon run into my level, soaring from level 16 to level 18. My Essence Furnace also leveled up to 15, and I allocated all my free attribute points to Strength, causing my character panel stats to undergo another drastic change!

[Shadow Chaser] (Starry Sky Super Weapon · Sword Specialization · Tier 1)

Level: 18

Attack: 90-200

Defense: 78

Health: 6800

Critical Hit: 1%

Charm: 0

Essence: 100/100

Overall Combat Power: 380

Potential Point Allocation: Strength 168 / Agility 85.5 / Spirit 59.5 / Stamina 45

Achievements: 3

After one dungeon run, my Overall Combat Power instantly soared to 380 points. At this stage, it was highly likely the top rank in Stream City. Unfortunately, the regional rankings were based on level, and with my current level, I couldn't reach the top.

It didn't matter. Being low-key wasn't a bad thing!

Afterward, I took stock of my remaining ammunition.

"Hoo..."

I sighed, wishing I could pull out a pack of Jinliqun from my pocket and light one up. The Green Scrap Yard dungeon had consumed a lot. I only had a few hundred bullets left for the Roarer, and this time, no sellable equipment dropped. So, the money for ammunition for my next outing to level up was once again a troublesome issue.

Leaving the dungeon.

"Swish~~~"

My body sank slightly, and I silently jumped down from the canal railing. Night had already fallen over Stream City, so no one saw me appear out of thin air. Just then, my stomach grumbled, and a ravenous hunger washed over me.

Alright, time to go to the internet cafe to eat.

At night, I brazenly barged into the internet cafe.

"Ding Han."

Sakura looked up at me, "You're covered in dust, where have you been messing around?"

"Not messing around, just a poor soul toiling for a living."

"Sigh, me too."

She showed a look of shared sympathy.

I immediately walked behind the counter, grabbed a bucket of instant noodles, and secretly added two slices of ham. I then poured hot water into it.

"The boss is here, you're really audacious..."

Sakura paused her dance steps on Audition on the keyboard and glanced at me. "If you're adding ham, do it quietly. Our boss is super stingy, didn't you know?"

"Got it. Just don't make a scene," I replied.

With my arms crossed, I waited for my instant noodles to be ready.

"Ding Han."

Just then, Lu Xiaobei appeared outside the counter, stretching her neck to peek at the instant noodles on the table. She chuckled, "You're just eating this?"

"What else?"

I said speechlessly, "This heartless capitalist hasn't paid me a single cent in wages so far. What else am I supposed to eat?"

"So pitiful," Lu Xiaobei clicked her tongue, showing no intention of paying me. "Oh right, I have something to announce."

"Oh, what is it?" Sakura immediately perked up.

"Tomorrow night at six, we're having our Feiyang Internet Cafe annual year-end party with hot pot. All of you have to come. I've invited a temporary internet cafe manager from another place to cover for us while the four of us go out for the team building."

"Okay!"

Sakura's face lit up with excitement. "I've never been to a year-end party before, so this will be a great experience."

I pouted. What great experience could a year-end party for a small internet cafe offer?

Still, it was a good thing to have a chance to eat a decent meal.

And so, I looked forward to it all day.

The next day, as night fell, Lu Xiaobei returned in a hurry. "Employees, let's go eat, spicy hot pot!"

"Let's go!"

After temporarily handing over the internet cafe to a seemingly honest, bespectacled young man, the four of us headed out.

Not long after, at a hot pot restaurant not far from the internet cafe, the four of us were seated. Zhao Yihang and I sat on one side, while Lu Xiaobei and Sakura sat on the other. The hot pot was already bubbling vigorously, and a fragrant spicy aroma filled the air. Lu Xiaobei ordered a case of beer and opened half of it, placing a few bottles in front of each of us.

"Cheers," Lu Xiaobei, as the boss, raised her glass first and gave her year-end summary. "Over the past year, with the internet cafe industry booming, our Feiyang Internet Cafe's business has gradually improved. This is the contribution of all of us, the result of us weathering storms together and sharing honor and disgrace."

I must admit, she sounded quite like a competent capitalist. At least her words were quite inspiring.

"My alcohol tolerance is low, I can't drink," I coughed, reminding her.

"Then drink less," Lu Xiaobei glanced at me.

"Alright."

I only poured half a glass.

"Cheers!"

We gently raised our cups, then drank them down in one gulp before starting to furiously cook meat.

When we were half full, Lu Xiaobei smiled and said again, "Next, I will announce this year's outstanding employee list. Everyone listen carefully."

Instantly, three pairs of ears perked up!

"This year's outstanding employee at Feiyang Internet Cafe is..."

Lu Xiaobei deliberately drew out her words, then pointed a finger at me. "Ding Han!"

Sakura and Zhao Yihang immediately deflated.

"Recently, Ding Han has not only assembled a lot of new computers for the internet cafe, but he has also reinstalled the systems and pioneered the concept of internet cafe membership. He has also offered many suggestions and strategies. The high usage rate Feiyang Internet Cafe has recently achieved is inseparable from Ding Han's contributions."

Sakura smiled and raised her glass. "Ding Han, I knew the annual outstanding employee would be you, my little strategist. Come, you have to chug this glass for me to celebrate!"

"Yeah, let's toast together!"

Zhao Yihang chimed in with a laugh. "You definitely have to chug this one!"

So, after downing a glass of beer, my face started to feel numb again.

My low alcohol tolerance is truly a curse!

"Boss, are there any rewards for the annual outstanding employee?" Zhao Yihang asked.

"No."

Lu Xiaobei replied, "It's just a verbal title, to encourage employees to keep up the good work."

"Ah..."

Sakura and Zhao Yihang simultaneously placed a hand on their chests. "That's a relief!"

"Damn it..."

I was speechless and said, "How about... you reconsider the employee dormitory issue? Sleeping on the internet cafe chairs is not a sustainable solution. My body can't take it anymore."

"Let me think about it..."

Lu Xiaobei fell into thought. She pondered for the entire evening, but there was no result.

Late at night, everyone returned to the internet cafe. Sakura was picked up by her boyfriend, Zhao Yihang went back to school, and only I had to stay to work the night shift.

This night shift was grueling. I couldn't sleep even in my semi-drunk state; I was completely wired. By four in the morning, my eyes were practically glowing, and I'd eaten two bowls of instant noodles.

In the early morning, I was so exhausted that I actually fell asleep leaning against the wall.

"Ding Han, Ding Han?"

A moment later, someone shook my shoulder.

It was Old K.

"Has Lu Xiaobei, that unscrupulous capitalist, still not sorted out your sleeping situation?"

"Not yet," I replied helplessly. "It's tough..."

"Yeah, I know that feeling. A penny can stop a hero," Old K said with a sympathetic look. "How about... you come squeeze in at my place? The bed in my room is 1.8 meters wide. We can each have our own blanket and squeeze in. You can make do for one night, at least you'll get some good sleep. Otherwise, if you keep going like this, you'll really ruin your health."

"Alright then..." I nodded.

A short while later, Sakura arrived, looking refreshed, and quickly finished her handover.

Then, I followed Old K to his place.

Old K lived in an old residential area, a connected series of dilapidated five-story dormitories. The room was relatively spacious, but the smell of instant noodles was a bit unbearable.

"My place isn't much, make do with it," he said with a faint smile.

"I'm already this down and out, what room do I have to be picky?"

"That's good."

He sat down and started taking off his shoes. The moment Old K took off his shoes, my expression changed drastically.

Shit!

I instantly felt like I was suffocating. Old K's feet were truly something else, comparable to the national football team!