Alex stares at the notification, then mutters, “…Really?”

    [Miso Ramen with Extra Pork]

    Alex sighs, “Not useless, but not exactly what I was hoping for… Guess that guy really used up everything decent.”

    Beside him, Rishi and Tereza are having similarly underwhelming results. Rishi grumbles, “For being ranked 1, I have to say we didn’t exactly hit the jackpot this mission. Out of everything I got, it’s barely worth 10,000 FC altogether excluding the Soul Crystals.”

    Tereza nods, though with a faint smile. “I might’ve come out a bit better. I picked up a few Green quality items, not that any are useful to me or you two, but I’m reasonably satisfied. They will sell for quite a sum.”

    Alex shrugs. “Well, what do you two have planned? I’ve got a skill to learn and some upgrading to do. I may as well do it out in the open. After that massive PvP event, we’re the sole survivors—anyone paying attention knows we’re on top. It’s not like some pathetic spies are bothering me now.”

    Rishi nods in agreement, “True, and showing our strength might even work to our advantage here. Between the three of us, we’re easily the strongest in the tutorial zone. Sure, when we enter the main Fantasy Realm, we’ll need to navigate players with higher levels and guild alliances, but diplomacy might get us further than acting too aggressive.”

    As they talk, Alex brings up Roja, explaining his past mission with her and her recent invitation.

    Tereza shakes her head, “Boring. Sounds like a group where skilled players have to carry dead weight so the weaklings can survive.”

    Rishi laughs, “Not really your style, Alex, is it?”

    Alex nods, “I’m more of a solo player, true, but I don’t mind a small group if they’re on the same page, like us. I’ll at least hear her out. Who knows, maybe I can use their resources and sell some of my grenades when I’m off-mission.”

    Tereza grins, “Then let’s go!”

    Alex, a bit taken aback, asks, “Wait, what do you mean?”

    Tereza taps him on the head. “It means I’m coming with you. Contract’s still active, isn’t it? You’re stuck with me for a while—better get used to it.”

    Rishi chuckles, “Have a nice date. I’ll be heading off to take care of some business. And Alex, since I got those 5 Small Soul Crystals thanks to your brilliant idea to split the first place, take two as thanks. The contract was just a bonus.”

    “Are you sure?” Alex asks, surprised. “We just talked about how valuable these are!”

    “No problem, my friend! See you soon,” Rishi replies with a grin.

    Alex watches him go, glad to have made a true, albeit psychotic, ally. Teaming up with Rishi had turned out to be one of the best decisions he’d made in the Fantasy Realm… aside from joining the Knights of Pluto, of course!

    As Alex and Tereza make their way towards the Central Hub, Tereza clings to his arm with a mischievous grin, fully aware that Alex isn’t used to the attention, his face turning red every time she does it.

    Nearby players start whispering:

    “Hey, isn’t that the crazy witch who wiped out her whole tutorial group and assassinated countless players? She’s hanging onto that knight with the incredible armor.”

    The obnoxious woman Alex had noticed earlier, known for leveraging her high CHA to get financial support from men, comments with a sly tone, “Women only do that if there’s something in it for them. He must be a seriously powerful player to make someone like her his follower.”

    Finally reaching the Skill Hub, Alex asks, “Got enough FC to upgrade everything?”

    Tereza nods, “I should be fine. I have plenty of stuff to sell if I need more.”

    Alex, doing a quick mental calculation, realizes that with his recent attribute boosts, he can now not only learn and upgrade all of his Basic and Innate skills but also his Gold-Rank skill, which requires multiple stats at 11. “Every single point in Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship increases my accuracy, speed, and damage with swords by a full 10%. That’s just insane,” he says, barely able to contain his excitement.

    Entering an upgrade cabin with Tereza, Alex notices a small crowd gathering outside, curiosity in their eyes as they watch the pair.

    After two hours, Alex emerges and checks his new status, a grin spreading across his face.

    ,

    Alex quickly calculates his FC spending, grinning at the investments he''s made. “Pistol Proficiency and Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship were 5,500 FC together. Eight upgrades for my Basic skills at 1,250 FC each drained another 10,000 FC. Genius Conjurer with Annihilation Grenade and Sealions Icewing Embrace cost me 7,500 FC, and leveling my new Black Magic skill took a whopping 14,000 FC. Altogether, that’s 37,000 FC gone in the blink of an eye!” He’s also used two Soul Crystals for his innate and Gold-Rank sword skill upgrades.

    “Totally worth it," he says, marveling at the results, especially the impact of his Basic Endurance and Basic Mana Control skills. Basic Endurance has ramped up his HP, while Basic Mana Control, has boosted his MP and overall mana regeneration significantly. "Definitely my favorite basic skills," he says with a wide grin.

    As Alex leaves the chamber, he catches curious glances from onlookers.

    "How long was he in there?” a player murmurs. “Did he fall asleep or something?”

    “No, look! He’s glowing; he’s probably done some serious upgrades!”

    Just as Alex reaches Tereza, he’s suddenly overcome by a strange sensation, like someone calling him. Following the feeling, he finds himself racing toward the central square. There, near the portal, a radiant light appears, and his heart pounds as a figure emerges from the glow—a spectral vision of Adelbert Steiner, looking older, wielding the legendary Excalibur II, and accompanied by his wife, General Beatrix with the mighty Save the Queen.

    "Captain Steiner!" Alex calls out, confused and thrilled.

    Steiner regards him with a proud, dignified expression as his form begins to fade. “I don’t have much time, my student,” Steiner says. “This place isn’t for me to remain. I’ve reached my peak, my absolute limits. After Master Vivi’s passing, my Magic Sword ability died, and I never felt right connecting with another black mage. But you, you’ve taken the right path, one I couldn’t. I’m proud of you—surpass me! Show me the power of a true Magic Sword. Goodbye, my student.”

    With those parting words, Steiner and Beatrix vanish, smiling at Alex.

    A notification appears before Alex: S~ea??h the ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    [Your Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship has evolved. The subskill “Sword Magic” has been added.]

    Alexandrian Royal Swordsmanship lvl 3:

    ,

    with an additional 1% per level.

    Subskill: Sword Magic lvl 3

    As soon as Alex receives the notification, the ethereal images of Steiner and Beatrix fade away, leaving him with a deep sense of awe. Some other players, clearly noticing the phenomenon in the sky, now look at Alex with a mix of awe and confusion.

    “I’ve done it now… I already had attention on me, but now I’m outright famous,” he thinks, half-amused, half-exasperated.

    He checks his status once more, his gaze lingering on the new Sword Magic lvl 3 skill. “Who cares about a little attention? Captain Steiner… thank you for this final gift. I’ll make sure to honor it.”

    He strides confidently back toward Tereza, who, wide-eyed, ran after him and witnessed the strange event. She looks up at him, clearly intrigued and impressed.