Nathan Young Jewelry Store, Oswald nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad, the pearl oysters this season are all top quality. This is your reward, thank you for your hard work."

System prompt: "You have gained 1000 experience points and 1 silver coin."

System prompt: Congratulations, you have leveled up!

Heh, just by turning in a quest, I’ve reached level 2—well, more than halfway through level 2, to be exact.

At this moment, Oswald sighed again: "To prevent overfishing, the kingdom only issues each organization a single-person temporary procurement permit. If you want to collect more, you’ll have to wait until this time next year."

The show begins—the rocket officially launches!

Jack Carter hurriedly said, "Boss, don’t worry, I actually collected a lot more!"

Oswald exclaimed in surprise, "Oh? You collected extra? I’ll buy them all! There’s an extra reward!"

"You have gained 1200 experience points and 1 silver coin 20 copper coins."

System prompt: Congratulations, you have leveled up!

"Boss, I still have more!"

"More?" Oswald could no longer stay calm: "Bring them all, I’ll take everything!!"

After handing over all 560 pearl oysters, Jack Carter rocketed up to level 12.

—System prompt: You have collected over 500 pearl oysters and earned the achievement 'Master Shell Collector', with a reward of 20 free attribute points.

Yeah! Master Shell Collector? In my previous life, it was always just 10 attribute points for 'Shell Collector'! Haha, so there’s more to it than I thought!! Makes sense, in my previous life this place was always crowded, and collecting 300 was already impressive. But the real show is just getting started!

Oswald was beaming with excitement, patting Jack Carter on the shoulder: "Not bad! You’re truly a capable young man! Give my thanks to Audrey Collins, and if you meet any more hardworking young men like yourself, be sure to send them my way! You’ve worked hard, so take a good rest for the next few days!"

Jack Carter quickly replied, "It’s no trouble at all, I just leveled up a bunch and feel full of energy! If you have any more tasks, boss, just let me know. I’m the restless type—if I’m idle, I get uncomfortable!"

Come on, is there really such a considerate boss in the world? If you actually got moved and took a few days off as he suggested, you’d be missing out big time.

Oswald laughed heartily: "Oh? Just like me when I was young, full of energy. I’m liking you more and more. Alright, young people should stay active! I happen to have a temporary work permit for Red Coast. Go collect 10 red corals for me and deliver them before I close the shop the day after tomorrow!"

Jack Carter quickly said, "Understood, boss, you can count on me!"

Before nightfall on the third day, Jack Carter returned, bringing back 220 corals and reaching level 14. He also earned the achievement 'Master Coral Collector' and another 20 attribute points.

Level 10 is a key milestone. Production skills must reach level 10, and you need a certain level of favorability with the NPC who teaches the skill before you can learn it. The studio’s leveling guide is tightly structured, and now the main storyline officially begins.

Oswald was grinning from ear to ear: "Thank you for your hard work, take a good rest!"

Rest? A boss who doesn’t squeeze every bit of surplus value from his workers isn’t a good boss, and a player who doesn’t squeeze every bit of value from NPCs isn’t a good player. How could you rest?

Jack Carter quickly said, "I’m not tired, boss. If there’s anything else, just let me know."

Oswald squinted and nodded, smiling: "Actually, there is something tonight. I wonder if you’re interested?"

Jack Carter said, "Boss, just say the word. I’m free anyway."

After two overachieving quests, our relationship should be higher than the mountains, deeper than the sea, and sweeter than honey, right? Time for some juicy content!

Sure enough, Oswald said, "Tonight I’m attending the town secretary’s gathering. If you don’t mind, you can accompany me as my attendant. How about it?"

Jack Carter replied joyfully, "It would truly be my honor, I’d be delighted!"

Oswald said, "Very good. All the important people in town will be there, so don’t embarrass yourself. I need to get ready, and you should prepare as well. Come find me at 7 p.m."

"Understood, boss, you can count on me."

Heh, here comes step three—high society is beckoning to Jack Carter! Even though it’s just a small town secretary, it’s still the lowest level of national leadership. No matter how high or low, leadership is still high society!

Chapter 4: Strategy Failed

When the boss says to prepare, you have to prepare. In quest-driven games, you must treat every word an NPC says as seriously as a boss’s ultimate skill.

Jack Carter immediately went to the general store and sold everything he could—starter short sword, leather armor, wooden shield, red and blue potions, everything the system gave him at birth—for over 50 copper coins. Then he went to the town barber and spent a whopping 10 silver coins on a gentleman’s hairstyle, making him stand out on the street. Under the astonished gazes of passing players, he entered the clothing store and spent 50 silver coins on a men’s suit. With the remaining money, he haggled relentlessly with the shop owner, who was eager to close up for the night and finally gave in, letting him buy the cheapest bow tie.

Then he strutted out in his flashy outfit. Now Jack Carter’s wallet was completely empty—a classic case of a pauper pretending to be rich.

"Hey, bro, you must be loaded, huh? What’s the point of buying that suit?" a few passing players couldn’t help but ask. Suits like that, aside from their unique style, have no attributes at all. Other than showing off for the rich, what use could they possibly have?