Chapter 9

Ding!

[Level Up!]

“Congrats, Arang.”

After defeating the monster, a light shone around me, and I leveled up.

“Thanks. Let’s hurry and go for the second job change!”

The requirement for the second job change was level 30, and now, thanks to the level-up, I’ve reached it.

I started as a basic one-handed sword class, the Knight, and now I’m eligible for the Knight’s second job change.

There are three second job options for the one-handed sword class.

To briefly explain:

First, the Berserker, who uses their health to unleash powerful skills.

Second, the Sword Mage, who uses magic for buffs and attack spells.

Third, the Sword Master, who stubbornly pushes through with just a sword.

All three jobs have clear advantages.

The Berserker deals massive DPS but requires constant healer attention.

The Sword Mage boosts the entire party’s DPS with buffs, even if their own DPS isn’t as high.

The Sword Master doesn’t gain any special powers like the other two, but they have a weapon proficiency system that enhances skills and weapon stats as they level up.

All three are appealing. You can switch jobs whenever you want, but since each job has different proficiencies and equipment, your first choice often becomes your main job.

So, I’m torn.

“Pinkubelly, you’ve done raids before, right?”

“Yeah. I was active until the last raid.”

“Then have you seen all three jobs in raids?”

“Yeah. I’ve seen them all. Especially a lot of Berserkers.”

“Really? From a healer’s perspective, how are they?”

“Hmm… Berserkers are definitely annoying because they need extra care. Sword Mages can heal in emergencies, which made trials easier. Sword Masters are just easy because you don’t have to worry about them much.”

So, if it’s just about DPS, Berserker. For the whole party, Sword Mage. And for something straightforward, Sword Master.

“Arang, I think Sword Master might suit you.”

“Why?”

“From what I know, one of the Sword Master’s passive skills gives a buff every time you parry. So, during boss patterns, you can try parrying easy patterns with the tank.”

“Oooh…!”

“I think you’d make good use of that skill. I heard it requires more physical skill than the other jobs.”

As soon as I heard that, I immediately chose Sword Master.

The first skills I received as a Sword Master were [Chain Attack] and [Sword Mastery].

The straightforward skill names were boring but also kind of charming.

[Chain Attack]

Swing your sword to attack forward. Each successful hit increases attack speed by 3% for 3 seconds. Stacks up to 10 times.

Deals 110% damage.

[Sword Mastery]

Attack Power +5

Attack Speed +5%

Sword Mastery is a passive skill, while Chain Attack seems to be a mix of active and passive. I’ll have to try it out to know for sure.

“Hey, Arang.”

“Yeah? What’s up?”

“My login time is almost up…”

“Login time? What do you mean? How much is left?”

“Have you not played for long? How long have you been playing?”

“It’s only my second day.”

“That’s why you don’t know. You can only use the access device for 16 hours a day.”

“Wait, what? Seriously? But hold on…”

I thought it was strange that I could only enjoy Leore for 16 hours a day, but then I remembered something.

I’m using a special access device called the “Terminal Device,” which runs 24/7.

In fact, I’ve only left the device twice in the past two days—once for a check-up and once to see my parents.

Other than that, I’ve been logged in the whole time. So, in two days, I’ve been in the device for over 40 hours.

“Hmm hmm… Nice.”

“What’s nice?”

“Nothing. So, what time should we meet tomorrow?”

“It’s 10 PM now, so how about 9 AM?”

“Got it. See you tomorrow. Good night, Pinkubelly.”

“Okay. Good night, Arang.”

Pinkubelly opened the menu and logged out immediately.

Now that Pinkubelly was gone, I moved on to do some minor sub-quests.

The Terminal Device I’m using is a medical device that automatically supplies nutrients and removes waste from my body.

In theory, as long as there’s power and supplies, I could use it for 365 days straight without issues.

Of course, I don’t plan to do that. Even though I love gaming and work hard, I know how to separate reality from the game world.

But right now, enjoying Leore, reality feels less important. There’s not much to do in reality anyway.

Ding.

A notification from the access device popped up. Pinkubelly had sent a message.

She said she had fun playing together today and asked if it was okay to use the footage of us defeating the Corrupted Judge field boss.

I said yes, of course.

My appearance and nickname are already out there anyway.

The director of Leore made an official announcement about me, so I don’t think there’ll be any issues.

If you can’t trust the game’s director, then you’re just crazy.

Before coming into Arang’s body, I used to make raid strategy videos, so I know how big of a deal it is to clear the second field boss, the Corrupted Judge, with just two people.

Since I’m already famous, it’s better to be recognized as a healthy and talented gamer.

I was too lazy to promote myself, so if Pinkubelly wants to do it, I’ll gladly let her.

I don’t need money anyway. I have more than enough. Money.

Smiling, I opened the cash shop and saw the 100 million gold. My lips curled up automatically.

Even though they don’t sell anything related to stats, I consider costume avatars as stats.

The most common microtransaction in Leore is for costume avatars.

If you don’t like the appearance of your equipped gear, you can cover it with a costume avatar.

Next are mounts, furniture, and special dyes.

You can buy and sell gold through shady channels, but unfortunately, my 100 million is stuck in Leore, so that’s not an option.

It’s a bit disappointing, but I’m happy just knowing I have 100 million. I’m confident I’ll earn plenty of gold once I hit max level.

After finishing all the village sub-quests, I logged out of Leore and went to sleep.

==

When I woke up in the morning, I thought about what to do with the plain white waiting space in the game.

This is a personal space. Apparently, you can decorate it by downloading stuff from the site.

Since I sleep here, I figured I should at least have a bed. So, I bought the biggest bed and placed it in the center.

Then I added a TV that lets me watch videos without opening the menu and decorated the room to look like a cozy living space.

While decorating, I got a notification that someone had entered the hospital room.

I turned on the TV I just bought and saw the hospital room on the big screen.

It was none other than Anna and my mother.

[Arang, did you sleep well?]

My mother came in and started rubbing my stomach. Normally, she’d hold my hand, but since I don’t have arms or legs, rubbing my stomach has become the default.

Having my stomach rubbed feels a bit embarrassing now.

“Yes, Mom.”

[Oh, Mom…?]

“Do you not like it…?”

[No, it’s not that… It’s just that Arang suddenly seems so mature… It’s a bit awkward.]

“Ah… Um… Then… Mom…?”

[Yes! Mom. I just wanted to check on you before I leave. I have work overseas, so I came to see you before I go.]

“Take care. I’ll keep in touch.”

[Okay. If anything’s bothering you, tell Anna. And if something happens, let me know, okay?]

“Yes, Mom.”

After saying that, my mother kissed my stomach, said goodbye to Anna, and left.

Anna also said good morning, kissed my stomach, and went to work.

My stomach is a bit sensitive, so the rubbing and kissing made me feel a bit strange.

My body trembled slightly, and I felt a bit warm. I thought my condition was at its best, but maybe I was wrong…?

Or maybe the heightened senses I feel during battles are now focused on my stomach.

That makes sense.

In Leore, I have arms and legs, so the sensations are spread out. But in reality, without arms and legs, the sensations are concentrated, making me more sensitive to minor stimuli.

Another inconvenience in reality.