The equipment was immediately and happily equipped, and my defense instantly became 18 points. Now I could be considered an ironclad warrior, right?

I grinned. After putting on this bracer, my arm from wrist to shoulder was completely covered. At least I looked like a normal person now. When my level gets higher, I’ll put on greaves and battle boots, maybe throw on a cloak or something, and basically no one will be able to tell I’m from the necromancer race.

After all, it’s way too hard for necromancers to pick up girls. If I have a set of top-tier gear but end up scaring people off with a skeleton face, wouldn’t that be a huge loss?

Thinking about this, I pulled open my shorts and took a look, secretly complaining, wishing I could force things to grow faster.

Summing up, why am I falling behind in levels?

First, I wasted too much time PKing in the newbie village, and teasing the Big-Eared Rabbit boss also took a lot of time. The boss gave a lot of experience, but not enough to be game-breaking.

Second, I just recovered from a serious illness, and the 3-second lag had just disappeared. I still wasn’t quite used to my newfound agility, so my leveling rhythm was still a bit off.

Third, there’s something on my mind. I can’t help but keep thinking of that person.

……

What level are you now? My boss, Grace Bennett.

Chapter 10: Seeking a Roommate

"Whew!"

Taking off my helmet, I let out a deep breath. I’d been online for 8 hours straight—my body couldn’t take it anymore. Maybe it’s because I’d been buried in the ground for too long?

Outside, a gentle summer rain was falling. It’s rare to have such a soft rain in summer, making my heart flutter. I started to wonder—how could a simple rain stir my emotions so much? Is my self-control getting worse?

I went downstairs and entered a small noodle shop, shouting loudly, "Boss lady, one bowl of beef knife-cut noodles, dry, the five-yuan kind! And remember to put in a few extra pounds of beef!"

The boss lady shot me a glare, twisted her slim waist, and went to cut the noodles.

Not long after, a steaming big bowl of beef noodles was brought out. Well, ever since the SZ real estate market crashed three years ago, food prices and restaurant prices have actually gone down. Us professional gamers can finally afford to eat meat every day.

I lowered my head and finished the bowl. There weren’t a few pounds of beef, just a few slices as thin as printer paper. Damn it!

……

After finishing the noodles and soup, I patted my belly and went upstairs. I was already half-asleep, and as soon as my head hit the pillow, I was out.

In my dream, I was lying on a small mountain of gold coins, using a giant Phantom Magic Stone as a pillow, with a glowing amethyst stone under me. In my left hand was the divine weapon Lihuo Sword, in my right the divine weapon Juefeng Blade, wearing a set of top-tier Ghostblade Armor, legs crossed, shouting down below, "Gentler! Be more professional, will you?"

"Sorry, my lord!"

A soft, sweet female voice came from beside my feet. It was an elven girl in a sheer dress, giving me a foot massage while kneeling by my legs. Her full, tender figure was intoxicating. Ah, what a life!

In the distance, the commander of the Nightlings—a guy covered in spikes—was kneeling on the ground, trembling all over, shouting, "Spare me, hero! I’m just trying to make a living. Please give me a way out! I have an eighty-year-old mother at home and a daughter-in-law with a baby to feed!"

I said, "Chop him up!"

Countless gods descended, instantly tearing the Nightling commander into eighty-one pieces, skewering and roasting them into eighty-one kebabs, sharing them out while shouting long live.

At this moment, a gentle voice came from beside me: "Have a grape? My king…"

I turned to look—a purple grape was held between rosy lips, and she leaned in, her breath fragrant as orchids. A wave of sweet aroma entered my mouth, and I was intoxicated. I looked up at the beauty offering the grape, but suddenly froze. That stunning face haunted my dreams—Grace Bennett!

"Ah!?"

I cried out and immediately sat up. "Bo… boss, how could it be you?"

……

"Ethan Carter, damn! Wake up!"

I suddenly opened my eyes. Turns out I was dreaming. In front of me was a sweaty guy—Henry Cooper, my good brother.

"Thirteen, why are you here again?" I asked.

"What, not welcome?" Henry Cooper patted his luggage beside him, with a helmet hanging on the suitcase. He grinned, "Just started vacation, it’s boring to be home alone, so I came to stay with you. Plus, we can play Tianzong together, level up together, isn’t that great? Haha…"

I looked around the room and said, "This is a one-bedroom apartment, and there’s no air conditioning. Where will you sleep?"

"I’ll sleep in the living room."

"Then you’ll have to pay all the rent…"

"Damn! That’s too much!"

Henry Cooper widened his eyes. "Cut the crap, what level are you? Want me to carry you? I’m already level 9 and a half. I’ll hit level 10 and leave the newbie village this afternoon. Heh! Bro, with your 3-second lag, you can’t be more than level 8, right?"

I smiled mysteriously. "Wrong. My current level is—level 11!"

"What?!"

Henry Cooper was stunned. "How is that possible? With a 3-second lag, you’re already doing well just to keep playing. Anyone else would have quit long ago. How could you level up so fast?"