Chapter 3: Bargaining

Glancing at the time, it was already 3:30 PM. The game hours for “Faith” ran from 5 PM to 9 AM the next day, a total of sixteen hours, which did not interfere with regular work schedules. Since most players had similar gaming hours, there was little disparity in levels among them. Coupled with “Faith’s” ultra-realistic simulation technology, the game quickly became a global sensation and gradually an indispensable part of people’s lives.

This was a world dominated by virtual technology, a perfect system. Five months later, “Faith” integrated with real-world currency and fully merged into human life.

With a high login rate and such a massive player base, consumption within the virtual world surged. Annual global player spending in “Faith” even exceeded real-world consumption totals. This enormous consumer base gave rise to a large number of service industries, with the most notable being the rise of professional gamers.

Almost every conglomerate had entered “Faith.” After founding his company, Nie Yan’s father enjoyed decent profits and, riding that wave, invested in “Faith.” Unfortunately, the investment ended in a devastating loss, causing a cash flow crisis in the company, which Cao Xu exploited. Nie Yan was determined not to let such a disaster happen again.

Entering “Faith” was necessary, but the key was to avoid failure. Nie Yan wanted to pave the way for his father first so that when his father invested, success would be immediate. As long as the cash flow remained intact, no problems would arise.

Nie Yan spent thirty yuan eating outside and returned home just before five o’clock.

He put on the headset and waited quietly for “Faith” to begin.

Twelve minutes later, the time display inside the headset showed five o’clock. A cheerful piece of music played—it was so familiar, having been heard countless times in a previous life. Previously, it had felt unremarkable, yet now it sounded so pleasant.

System: Do you wish to create a new account?

Yes!

System: Please select your country.

“Faith” was divided into three factions. The Lawful Good Light faction included the human nation of the Granlan Empire and the Sateren Empire. Granlan was governed by an Elder Council, while Sateren was a tribal alliance of dwarves, orcs, and elves. The Lawful Evil Dark faction consisted of the dictatorial demon-blooded tribes and the undead tribes. Those who preferred peace could choose the Lawful Good Neutral faction, the giant tribes.

In his previous life, Nie Yan had chosen the Windthief class of Granlan Empire. He was familiar with the Granlan map and knew all the Windthief skills and class quests. Choosing another country would diminish his rebirth advantage.

Nie Yan had a special affection for the Windthief class, after all, he had invested nearly ten years of effort into that profession. A level 180 master thief represented the ultimate honor.

Considering all factors, he chose the Windthief class again, just like in his previous life.

System: You will be born in the Granlan Empire.

System: You have chosen the Windthief class.

System: Please name your character.

“Nieyan!” Nie Yan chose the same name as in his previous life. Nieyan, Nieyan—it now sounded like a phoenix rising from the ashes, reborn.

System: Character name successfully set. Character Nieyan created.

Upon entering the game, the system automatically blurred real appearances, making slight modifications to players’ facial features. In general, in-game characters looked quite different from their real-life counterparts, making recognition difficult, although their beauty or ugliness was roughly the same as in reality.

Nie Yan opened the attribute panel and checked his attributes.

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Character: Nieyan

Level: 0

Attributes: Strength 2, Dexterity 2, Intelligence 2, Constitution 2, Perception 2, Charisma 1

HP: 100/100, Rage: 0/100

Defense: 2 (Defense Rate: 21%)

Attack: 3 (Accuracy: 10)

Tenacity: 1

Reflex: 2 (Class Specialty Adjustment)

Will: 0

Balance: 5

Focus: 5

Jump: 5 (Small movement: light jump 0.9 yards, medium movement: jump 1.5 yards, large movement: heavy jump 3 yards)

Stealth: 0 (Skill currently empty)

Hide: 5 (Thieves can easily hide in shadows)

Search: 5

Magic Resistance: 0 (Related to defense, intelligence, and constitution; Magic Defense Rate 0%)

Movement Speed: 5 (Weight adjustment 0)

Attack Speed: 5 (Weapon adjustment 0, weight adjustment 0)

Carry Weight: /60 pounds (Weight adjustment +10). Light Load 0-20 pounds (including 20, easy movement), Medium Load 20-30 pounds (normal movement), Heavy Load 30-50 pounds (difficult movement)

Race Trait: Humans possess wisdom that many other races cannot match; every five levels gained grants +3 to Intelligence checks.

Thief Class Trait 1: Every five levels gained grants bonus to trap saving throws.

Thief Class Trait 2: Sneak Attack—grants an additional 30% attack bonus when attacking from behind.

Human Thief Trait: Superior intelligence allows mastery of various tools and magical items.

Class Specialization: Basic Nimble Movement (+2 Reflex check), Basic Weapon Focus: Dagger (+1 Attack check), Basic Concealment (+2 Hide), Basic Archery (can use bows and crossbows), Nimble Fingers (Windthieves can skillfully use their fingers)

(For attribute explanations, please refer to the related content—Faith Worldview)

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These were the base attributes, the same for every human thief. Additionally, the system granted five attribute points and one specialization point at level 0.

Nie Yan looked at the attribute panel. In his previous life, when he chose the Windthief class, he had allocated one point to Strength, two to Dexterity, and two to Constitution to make himself more durable early on. However, this made his early-game attack weak and his attack speed slow, wasting a lot of leveling time. In reality, thieves didn’t need much health early on. His poor stat allocation had made him regret multiple times, wishing he could delete his character and start over. This time, he wouldn’t repeat the same mistake.

He allocated three points to Strength and two to Dexterity. This was the optimal allocation he had carefully determined in his previous life, based on his leveling habits. Looking at the updated attributes, his Attack became 6, Accuracy 10.6, Movement Speed 5.4, and Attack Speed 5.6.

He still had one class specialization point. According to the thief class traits, most human thief players would typically allocate their first specialization point to Nimble Movement, Weapon Focus, or Concealment. Nie Yan was about to allocate it to Weapon Focus when he suddenly stopped, thought for a moment, and instead allocated the specialization point to Archery.

Intermediate Archery: Quick Reload +3, Range +3, Attack Damage +3 when using bows or crossbows, Ignore Level Difference +3 (Thief Class Check +1)

Specializations were divided into five levels: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert, and Master. Once reaching Master level, further improvement was no longer possible. However, there were many types of specializations, varying depending on the class.

Human thieves naturally mastered various tools and magical devices, including bows and crossbows, hence Intermediate Archery granted additional attack bonuses.

After allocating his attributes, the scene changed. Nie Yan now appeared at the teleportation point in Carol City. Around him were rows of towering buildings. All buildings in Carol City were white and spotless. The central white obelisk pierced the sky. Beside the obelisk stood a massive white stone sculpture hundreds of yards tall—a mage holding a scepter, with a solemn and dignified expression. This was Joabia the Great, the guardian deity of the Granlan Empire.

The streets were bustling with people.

The real-world night was morning in the game. The dawn’s first light spread over Carol City like a silver veil, covering every building.

Carol City was the capital of the Granlan Empire, a floating city suspended above the Carol Grasslands. It had countless teleportation points leading to various cities, towns, and villages.

“Top-quality level 0 white dagger, Attack 2, one higher than the beginner dagger, only two copper coins, only three available, once they’re gone they’re gone!” A level 3 arcane mage was selling daggers near the teleportation point, drawing a crowd of new players to his stall.

Every new player received ten copper coins to start with. Many, although reluctant, still bought a dagger to speed up early leveling.

Nie Yan scoffed. The same white dagger in the 1-5 level map town of Lock only cost one copper coin. Level 0 players could teleport for free, go there via teleportation point to buy one from an NPC, and be back in two or three minutes.

In his previous life, he had foolishly bought one too, only to later realize he’d been scammed.

Nie Yan took three teleports to Link Town’s cloth shop, Joseph Town’s hat shop, and Lock Town’s dagger shop, spending six copper coins. He replaced his initial no-defense beginner gear with new level 1-2 defense shoes, hat, shoulder guards, and pants, and level 2-3 defense cloth armor.

These were all lessons from his previous life. Looking at his defense, it was now 8-13. Early-level thieves who weren’t well-informed or hadn’t upgraded their gear would have similar defense stats.

Walking around the market, he found a level 3 Silencer Paladin selling thief Stealth skill books. Six books were displayed on his stall, priced at six copper coins. Due to the high price, low-level thieves could only watch helplessly.

The Silencer Paladin looked about twenty-something, tall and strong, well-suited to be a warrior or a paladin.

Paladins were temple guardians. They could learn temple-based divine spells, had certain magical attack and healing abilities, and decent melee combat skills. They could also provide aura support to their party, making them a well-balanced class. Silencer Paladins could learn divine spells like Silence and Mute, which suppressed spellcasters like mages and priests.

“How much for the Stealth skill book?” Nie Yan crouched down, picked up a skill book from the stall, and asked. Stealth skill books were essential for early-level thieves. Fortunately, they had high drop rates from monsters, so prices weren’t too high.

“You saw the price, six copper coins,” the Silencer Paladin replied with a shrug.

“You’re really trying to rip people off. You, a Silencer Paladin, farming Fallen Wizards in Link Town, getting six Stealth books a day without even losing much HP. It’s more profitable than farming goblins. You have the nerve to sell it so high? Three copper coins, not a penny more,” Nie Yan immediately halved the price.

“That’s not as easy as you say. How much potion money do I spend daily? Selling it for three copper coins wouldn’t even cover my costs. The minimum is five copper coins,” the Silencer Paladin was momentarily taken aback before replying. He wasn’t someone skilled in bargaining. This newbie clearly was a savvy veteran, hard to fool.

“That’s because you’re farming in the wrong place. If you farm Fallen Wizards at coordinates 22385.21338.23329, you can get at least ten books a day without spending much on potions. Three copper coins, not a penny more. If you won’t sell, I’ll walk away immediately,” Nie Yan examined the Silencer Paladin. The paladin had a square face, a bit of stubble, and didn’t look particularly sleazy.