A Homeowner in Another World

The only pity was that he could complete this quest just once a day. In other words, he could gain at most one year of lifespan each day. Compared with the cost of things in the game, that income was a drop in the bucket.

But viewed from a real-world perspective, this quest was incredible: just one hour of work a day earned him an extra year of life. Countless people would fight tooth and nail for an ability like that!

With this quest, as long as Mu You stopped courting death in the game, his lifespan would keep growing. Not only could he achieve immortality, but he could also exchange his surplus lifespan for magical items and abilities in the game.

Coming back to his senses, Mu You promptly clicked "Equip skin."

A searing heat suddenly spread through his entire body, as though countless tiny insects were biting him all over. His bones and muscles rapidly expanded as well.

Mu You's eyes grew bloodshot. Enduring the burning sensation, he looked down.

His viewpoint had noticeably risen. His arms and legs had become long and powerful, with sleek muscles twisted together like steel cables, firmly attached to his limbs.

His previously indistinct eight-pack sharpened into clear definition before his eyes. Even his clothes quietly transformed into a loose, dark red cloth outfit, while a dark scarf inexplicably appeared around his shoulders.

The transformation was complete in the blink of an eye, and the burning sensation quickly faded.

Once everything had settled down, Mu You walked over to the mirror for a look.

To his surprise, the face in the mirror was completely unfamiliar.

Pale skin, blood-red eyes, and a scarf wrapped around his neck that concealed the lower half of his face. Yet his cold eyes still radiated an unmistakable aura that warned strangers to keep their distance.

"Changing skins even changes my face and build?"

Somewhat surprised, Mu You looked down at the dark red clothes covering his body.

Originally, he had barely stood at 1.8 meters, but now he was at least 1.95 meters tall, and his build was visibly much sturdier.

"I've practically become a completely different person, inside and out!"

Mu You studied the unfamiliar face in the mirror with fascination.

Still, this was a good thing. This skin was perfect for concealing his identity! Whenever he needed to do something without showing his face, he could put on this skin first.

Mu You nodded in satisfaction.

Just then, new text appeared in the game.

[Fool, congratulations on changing into a new skin for the first time. From this moment on, you will fully take the place of the night watchman in the Star Spirit World. Please choose a name for your new identity.]

Mu You's expression turned strange as he read it. So his character had never had a name before?

But on reflection, it made sense. As exiles who had smuggled themselves into this world, Fools truly were not entitled to names.

Only after obtaining a "skin" and usurping a native's identity could they earn the right to choose a name.

[Please enter your new name. Note: the name must contain no more than seven characters. It cannot match the original skin's name or a name already taken by someone else. Once confirmed, it cannot be changed for the rest of your life.]

"A name, huh..."

Mu You tapped the input box below.

Since his profession was night watchman, he had been ready to casually choose a username like "Finery by Night" or "Close Your Eyes After Dark."

But after giving it some thought, he realized that would not work. Names like those were obviously chosen by players. If he encountered another player later, wouldn't his name alone give him away?

So he should choose a name as close as possible to this world's naming style. At the very least, it should not immediately reveal whether he was an NPC or a player.

After a moment's thought, Mu You entered "Lamp Lighter."

Fortunately, the name had not been taken.

[Confirmation complete. You have obtained the unique name "Lamp Lighter" and successfully unlocked the character panel.]

"There's a panel too?"

Mu You froze for a moment.

The words "Character panel" had now appeared in the upper-right corner of the square game screen.

He clicked "Character panel."

A list of data immediately appeared below.

[Character panel.

Name: Lamp Lighter.

Identity: Apprentice Wizard.

Title: none.

Current level: 1.

Attributes-

Strength: 1.2 (strength affects physical power, carrying capacity, and physical damage)

Agility: 1.1 (agility affects movement speed, attack speed, evasion, and dynamic vision)

Intelligence: 1.4 (intelligence affects mental power, spell power, casting speed, and mental power recovery)

Constitution: 0.9 (constitution affects vitality, defense, vitality recovery, and resistance to status effects)

Vitality: 90

Mental power: 140

Remaining lifespan: 55 years.

Spells learned: Sure Shot LV1, Beast Trap LV1, Animal Speech LV2.

Skins owned: night watchman.

Items obtained: Time Pocket Watch, Night Watchman's Pumpkin Lantern, Old Wand, Night Watchman's Backpack.]

The panel was clear at a glance. Its strength, agility, intelligence, and constitution system resembled those of many common games.

Judging by the values, "1.0" was probably the standard for a normal adult's attributes. His first three were all above average, with only his constitution slightly below it.

The vitality and mental power listed below were clearly tied directly to constitution and intelligence, with values exactly one hundred times those two attributes.

Of the three spells farther down, the first two were both LV1, while only Animal Speech had reached LV2. Was that because he had cast Animal Speech several times yesterday?

Just then, more text appeared in the game.

[You have successfully inherited the night watchman's identity. You will automatically inherit the house he left behind.]

[Night Watchman's Wooden House: a dwelling that provides shelter from wind and rain, and also serves as a respawn point. If you die near the house, you will automatically respawn inside. While inside the wooden house, you may spend one action point to enter a "meditation" state. During this time, your character cannot act in the game, but mental power recovery increases tenfold.]

[As the owner of the house, you now control the "Magic Pumpkin Lock" on the door. You may spend one action point to change the house's opening hours and entry password. Would you like to change them now?]

Mu You's eyes lit up. Another pleasant surprise!

After taking over the identity, even the house had been transferred directly into his name.

The information he had "bought" from Scarecrow had truly been worth it!

As for the door password, he definitely had to change it. After all, Scarecrow already knew the old one. Who knew when Scarecrow might sell that information to someone else?

Mu You simply disabled the password system. Apart from himself, who could enter through facial recognition, no one else could enter the room using a password.

[Magic Pumpkin Lock settings complete. Action points -1. Remaining action points today: 1/5.]

With all the settings taken care of, Mu You nodded in satisfaction. Now he counted as a "homeowner in another world." With his brand-new identity as well, he was looking forward to this game more than ever.

He had one last action point left for the day and was just about to send his character outside to explore some more.

Then a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

"Boss, are you in there?"