Morning light filtered through the gaps in the curtains, falling in dappled patches over Lin Yi.
He rubbed his sleepy eyes, sat up in bed, and stretched luxuriously.
Lin Yi shook his head from side to side and headed out of the inn.
The other players in the starter village were also crawling out of their tents and sleeping bags.
A small number were disheveled, their faces numb and bewildered.
But most looked bright and energetic, seemingly fascinated by this new world.
After two days of initiation into their lives as beginners, most had accepted reality and begun discussing the game:
"Did you hear last night? That guy called [Return to Zero] supposedly activated the teleportation array at the South Pole last night!"
"But this game's rules are too brutal. Even teleporting costs lifespan."
"Return to Zero? Never heard of him! Someone did make a name for himself in our village yesterday, though!"
"You mean [Renxin Envoy], right? In a certain sense, that guy really is a beast!"
"Yeah, he spent all day yesterday killing [Green Caterpillars] in the forest outside the village. He killed them as soon as they respawned-he practically polished them smooth."
"He seems strong enough to kill plenty of other monsters. Why is he so obsessed with caterpillars?"
"You don't get it, do you? Those caterpillars aren't strong, but there are loads of them. Assuming he doesn't have a monster-farming talent, he must be doing some hidden quest!"
"Speaking of which, my combat power isn't low either. Why do I walk like an old grandpa?"
As Lin Yi stepped out of the inn, these conversations drifted into his ears on the breeze.
The corners of his mouth twitched helplessly:
"Playing with newbies... really is comfortable."
"They're still figuring out the mechanics. Nobody's even competing for opportunities!"
"Even Wu Renxin, the strongest person in this starter village, is still farming green caterpillars..."
"Then I can rest easy!"
Over the past two days, most people had stayed in the village, with very few venturing out to kill monsters and level up.
They believed their current situation was a struggle between humans and their environment. There was little conflict between people, and everyone got along fairly harmoniously.
But they would soon discover that this was a game world where everyone fought for themselves.
Take from the world, take from monsters, take from players!
It was a world filled with plunder!
Of these, killing players yielded the most lifespan and carried the least risk!
Fighting other people was endless fun!
Among these ten thousand people, a small number might already have discovered the hidden rule that killing players granted lifespan.
But they had kept quiet, secretly making a fortune!
Now all that remained was to wait for some fool who couldn't keep a secret to openly announce it!
In this world, as long as you had enough lifespan, you could enjoy treatment fit for an emperor.
But first, you needed the raw strength to hold on to that lifespan.
Otherwise, you would become a big lifespan gift pack for others, with everyone wanting to pop you for loot!
As these thoughts flowed through Lin Yi's mind, he arrived at the starter village's general store.
A battered wooden sign hung by the entrance, bearing eight large characters in crooked handwriting:
"Everything you need, waiting for you to buy."
Lin Yi pushed the door open and smiled faintly at the familiar, skinny, stooped old man by the counter.
Jingle, jingle~
Bells rang from the cord above the door.
"Wel~~~~come~"
"What do you need, young hero?"
At the sight of Lin Yi, the old man's eyes shone brilliantly, and he rubbed his hands as he asked.
"I'll just browse first."
Lin Yi waved casually and began looking over the shelves without restraint.
A dazzling array of goods filled the shelves, each item clearly marked with a price below it.
[Fresh Apple] Category: ingredient Grade: B Effect: satisfies hunger + quenches thirst. Description: one of a traveler's essential foods, rich in minerals. Restrictions: none Price: 1 day/jin Stock: 9999+ [Basic Health Potion] Category: medicine Grade: B Effect: instantly restores 5,000 HP. Description: afraid of getting one-shot while fighting monsters? Don't worry! Grab a bottle of [Basic Health Potion] and spring right back to life! Price: 1 day/bottle Stock: 9999+ [Basic Mana Potion] Category: medicine Grade: B Effect: instantly restores 5,000 MP. Description: struggling to keep fighting monsters? Don't worry! Grab a bottle of [Basic Mana Potion] and use your skills without a care! Price: 1 day/bottle Stock: 9999+ [Fine Longsword] Category: longsword Grade: D Effect: combat power +288. Restrictions: level 5, warrior classes Description: replace that grade A weapon in your hand! Pick up the [Fine Longsword] and take your first step toward fame! Price: 3 months/sword Stock: 999+ [Small Fireball Skill Book] Category: skill book Grade: E Effect: grants the skill [Small Fireball] upon use. Magic attack skill: attack range 8 meters, combat power +250, mana cost 10. Restrictions: level 5, mage classes Description: one of the essential skills for beginner mages! Warriors who buy this won't get their lifespan refunded, even if they can't use it! Price: 1 year/book Stock: 999+
A dazzling array of goods filled the shelves, each item clearly marked with a price below it, ranging from one day to ten years of lifespan.
After looking over the goods on the shelves, Lin Yi shook his head slightly.
I really was weak back then in my previous life. I could only bear to spend on apples, not even potions.
And a stock of 999+ meant an unlimited quantity, putting an end to Lin Yi's idea of hoarding goods and jacking up the prices.
But!!!
If these were all the store offered, it wouldn't have been worth Lin Yi making the trip.
He casually picked up an apple and took a bite, looking at the skinny, stooped old man as he spoke indistinctly:
"Old man, your stock isn't all that impressive!"
"Not a single good thing here."
"I'm out of here!"
Lin Yi shook his head and turned as though to leave, seemingly intending to get an apple for free.
"Hold it!!!"
The stooped old man roared, as though Lin Yi's words had stirred some strange competitive urge in him.
He strode over to stand before Lin Yi, his expression somewhat dark:
"Of course I have good things. I only keep them out of sight because I'm afraid you can't afford them!"
Lin Yi raised his eyebrows slightly and asked with a hint of surprise and doubt:
"Oh?"
"Then I'll have to take a good look!"
"I may not have much else, but I've got lifespan to spare!"
A sharp gleam flashed through the stooped old man's eyes. With his hands behind his back, he headed toward the general store's second floor and said flatly:
"Follow me."
The corners of Lin Yi's mouth lifted slightly as he followed the old man.
This was one of the opportunities Lin Yi had never obtained in his previous life: the general store old man's treasures on the second floor!
Unlike the commonplace goods downstairs, every single item up there was top-notch!
Even outside the starter village, they were rare treasures!
In his previous life, word of this had spread on the seventh day after the servers opened.
By the time Lin Yi arrived, all the good things on the second floor had been snapped up!
This time, he wouldn't miss out again!
And he was going to...
Take the whole lot!