Ding!
Congratulations, you have reached Level 5!
Xia Miao came back to her senses only when the system notification sound announcing another level-up rang in her ears.
Before Level 10, players have no Skills. They can only grind Minor Monsters with bare-handed basic attacks, so their grinding efficiency is pitiful.
At Level 10, however, players can choose one of five classes—Knight, Mage, Priest, Assassin, or Archer—for Class Advancement. After completing the Class-Change Quest, they can reset their Attribute Points and learn a class Skill.
Level 10 is a watershed. Players who complete Class Advancement at Level 10 have several times the combat power of those who do not.
That is why Nangong Wen, a Level 10 Mage, could snatch Minor Monsters in the Novice Village Leveling Area as if no one else were there.
A single fireball could kill two or three low-level minor monsters.
Nangong Wen’s level was too high for her to gain much experience, but Xia Miao was having the time of her life leeching it.
In less than an hour, she had somehow reached Level 5.
“Damn, a mage? Why are you coming to the Novice Village to steal our monsters!”
“Could she be power-leveling someone? The early game is such an important development period. Instead of rushing to level up, she’s here carrying someone? Is her brain broken?”
“Reaching Level 10 and completing class advancement on launch day, then still having time to power-level someone—she’s definitely a big shot!”
“Huh, looks like she’s a girl… No, wait, there are two girls!”
“If you’re going to say that, then I’m wide awake!”
“Miss, could you carry me too? I can pay!”
…
The fireballs in the Leveling Area immediately attracted attention.
One after another, gazes fell upon Nangong Wen and Xia Miao.
At this stage, only Major Guilds and large Gaming Studios could spare members to power-level their own alternate accounts. Players who intended to make something of themselves in 《Gods》 would not waste this precious early-game time.
Seeing a player who had completed Class Advancement power-leveling an alternate account in the Novice Village Leveling Area was a rare sight.
The damage is high, the grinding is fast, and leeching is comfortable!
Still, throwing fireballs nonstop looks tiring. It would be great if they could fire automatically like a turret.
Xia Miao watched Nangong Wen conjure a Fireball and throw it at a monster every so often while her own experience shot upward. She could not help rejoicing.
No—she was rejoicing openly!
The corners of her mouth were harder to suppress than an AK-47!
As the two of them gleefully ground Minor Monsters, a figure walked toward them.
“Ladies, sorry to bother you. We’re from Star Studio, and we’d like to invite you to join Star Studio. May I ask if you’re interested?”
The visitor was a middle-aged man with a professional smile reminiscent of an insurance salesman. He spoke politely and gently.
He was not unpleasant, at least.
“Sorry, but I already have a Gaming Studio.” Nangong Wen shook her head at the man and politely declined.
“That isn’t a problem. How much are they paying you? We can discuss it.” The middle-aged man did not seem awkward after the rejection. His smile grew brighter as he continued, “After all, people strive for higher places, while water flows to lower ones. Star Studio offers the highest salaries in the industry. We absolutely won’t shortchange you!”
“Thank you, but I’ve already signed with Tulip.” Nangong Wen was not impatient either, responding with a slight smile.
Tulip Studio’s reputation was not much lower than Star Studio’s. Switching studios would also require a breach-of-contract fee. Besides, Tulip Studio had helped Nangong Wen complete her Class-Change Quest, so she had no reason to burn the bridge after crossing it.
Unless…
“Oh, I see. Then there’s nothing we can do once you’ve signed. What a pity…” The middle-aged man looked regretful, but soon put his smile back on. “Let’s add each other as friends. My name is Starlight Splendor. If you ever wish to join us, you’re welcome anytime.”
This time, Nangong Wen did not refuse and added Starlight Splendor as a friend.
After exchanging a few words, Starlight Splendor left. Before he departed, his gaze swept over Xia Miao, and a trace of disdain flickered across his face.
Anyone could tell at a glance that Xia Miao and Nangong Wen were together, yet he had not said a word to Xia Miao the entire time.
“Tch, I thought he was going to offer you a monthly salary of over ten thousand to poach you. He made it sound so real.” Xia Miao rolled her eyes and curled her lips.
“If it’s over ten thousand, then I’ll have to give it serious consideration.” Nangong Wen laughed. “That way, I could support two little white rabbits!”
“You shameless womanizer!” Xia Miao grew anxious at once.
…
For the rest of the time, Xia Miao methodically leeched experience.
Nangong Wen fought in bursts, stopping from time to time. After all, she was only Level 10, and her mana was insufficient to keep conjuring fireballs nonstop.
During their breaks, people came over to make conversation and hoped to hitch a ride and leech experience, but Nangong Wen rejected them all.
She was already leveling Xia Miao slowly. What would happen if she carried two more burdens?
They would have to grind all night!
Even if she could make some extra money on the side, it would hardly be worth it.
Time was extremely precious in the early game.
Without Xia Miao, that great lazybones, Nangong Wen would have been Level 11 or 12 by now, at least.
2:00 a.m.
Ding!
Congratulations, you have reached Level 10!
As she was growing drowsy, a soft sound rang beside Xia Miao’s ear, rousing her somewhat.
She looked around blankly and saw a pair of beautiful, bloodshot eyes almost pressed against her face.
“A ghost!”
Xia Miao cried out in alarm and scrambled away several meters.
When she looked back, she recognized Nangong Wen, who had been carrying her through the levels.
Nangong Wen stared straight at her with an expressionless face.
Seeing that Xia Miao had woken up, Nangong Wen gave a cold laugh. “Did you sleep well, Your Highness the Princess?”
“Um… It was all right. Not that well…” Xia Miao scratched the back of her head with an embarrassed smile.
“Log off, wash up, and go to bed. Tomorrow morning, I’ll carry you through the Class-Change Quest. I’m exhausted!” The veins at Nangong Wen’s temples bulged as she clenched her fists and barked.
“It should be… this morning… It’s already past midnight…” Xia Miao corrected her.
“Are you kidding me?” Nangong Wen’s eyes widened, and her face flushed with rage.
Horror filled Xia Miao’s eyes. She logged off, took off her glasses, rushed into the bathroom, and locked the door in one smooth motion!
Nangong Wen reached the door too late, leaving her outside.
“You still dare provoke me? If you’re so capable, stay in there tonight and don’t come out!” Nangong Wen pounded on the door and threatened her viciously.
“I’m sorry, rich lady sis. How about I give you a massage later?” Xia Miao’s timid voice came from inside the bathroom.
“Hmph, that’s more like it! At least you know your place!”
From Xia Miao’s voice alone, Nangong Wen could picture her timid, adorable expression. Her anger vanished, and the corners of her lips curled upward.
However, after the two of them had finished washing up and gotten into bed,
as Nangong Wen lay on her back in comfort, waiting for her massage,
a pair of tender devil claws began to climb upward with the slow, forceful motion of a bicycle going uphill.
“Xia Miao! Are you trying to get yourself killed!”
A cry of shock and fury rang out from the rented apartment.
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