Oh no! It seems this is a business secret? At that moment, Jack Carter realized he had made a blunder, his legs trembling with panic. When faced with the unknown outside the scope of the strategy, Jack Carter habitually felt fear.

Oswald stared coldly into Jack Carter’s eyes and asked, “You’re actually well-informed? Who did you hear this from?”

Jack Carter didn’t dare meet his gaze and lowered his head in silence, because he really didn’t know what to say. He’d already said something wrong just now, and trying to cover it up would only make things worse. In quest-based games, saying the wrong thing can have serious consequences. Behind every NPC is the game’s super AI. Try telling them you’re a transmigrator and see what happens?

Seeing Jack Carter remain silent for a long time, Oswald suddenly looked as if he understood, then laughed heartily: “Ah, yes, yesterday the Darnassus Jewelry Store did release a batch of orders, but thanks to you, I managed to over-fulfill my procurement task and wanted to take a few days off. After all, I’m getting old, and I don’t want to earn that little bit of hard-earned money anymore. Luckily, I didn’t take the job. I just received a letter from home about an urgent matter, so I have to delay for a few days, haha.”

Huh? Why the sudden change in attitude! What is he thinking? Ah, turns out it’s trouble caused by collecting too many pearls again. Spoiled the old guy so much he looks down on small profits now.

Jack Carter complained, “Boss, even a grasshopper is still meat, no matter how small. Besides, how can you just turn down such a big order? I can help...”

Oswald raised an eyebrow: “Oh? You’re willing to help?”

Jack Carter gave a wry smile: “Of course I am!”

Oswald sighed: “What a pity, it’s just really bad timing.”

It’s over, it’s over—not that the quest can’t be triggered, but the plot has been completely changed! That means all the strategies ahead are useless! The second rocket rush failed, and there’s no hope for a third. In the end, it’s all because of collecting too many pearls and corals—too much of a good thing brings retribution.

Delete the character? Jack Carter was already mentally prepared to delete his character at last night’s ball. Actually, it would have been in time to delete it last night, but now he’s already in debt for 10,000 gold! Can he still delete it? Of course he can. Player accounts are real-name registered, and as long as you’ve signed the contract, it’s legally binding. Whether you delete the character or not doesn’t matter—if you can’t pay it back in-game, you can’t escape it in real life. The problem is, starting over with a new character might not be any better, and you’d just be saddled with a huge debt for nothing. Why bring that on yourself?

And now, even though he’s in an awkward predicament, at least he has a hefty startup fund of 500 gold coins. Even if he doesn’t level up or go the power-leveling route, honestly doing some business with these 500 gold coins might still lead to great things. After all, he’s a transmigrator and has a lot of information advantages.

Forced into a corner! He had no choice but to change professions. Jack Carter sighed—being a merchant was never his true calling.

Just then, Oswald suddenly said, “Since you have the heart for it, I have a ring recipe I’d like to give you. Are you interested?”

Give me a recipe?! A sudden twist—back to the main quest?!

Jack Carter quickly said, “Yes, yes, yes! Of course I’m interested!”

System prompt: You have obtained the recipe for the Supreme Ring I.

“Supreme Ring I: Strength +1, Agility +1, Constitution +1, Intelligence +1, Spirit +1”

—Required materials: Ruby +1, Emerald +1, Sapphire +1, Topaz +1, Amethyst +1, Silver base

—Crafting requirements: Advanced Jewelry Processing Skill Level 1, Jewelry Grinder, Jewelry Cutter, Metal Polisher...

Jack Carter was dumbfounded!

Supreme Ring I! This is that famously ridiculous trash Supreme Ring I!? This junk actually requires advanced jewelry processing skills! The recipe for Supreme Ring I is supposedly only obtainable by triggering a hidden quest. Of course, the ring itself is worthless, but the key is that Supreme Ring I is part of a famous daily quest where you can exchange 20 of these trash rings for one Supreme Ring II every day. Supreme Ring II is much stronger than Ring I, with all attributes +20, plus an extra gem socket. The market demand is huge.

With this blueprint, my life is worth it!

Oswald noticed Jack Carter’s odd expression and asked, “What do you think of this ring?”

“It’s trash...” Jack Carter blurted out, instantly regretting it. He’d been too careless! The recent string of strange events had seriously affected his state of mind.

Oswald wasn’t angry: “Hahaha! You kid, you’re only level ten-something and already look down on Supreme Ring I? You know, many people don’t even have a ring to wear before level 30.”

That’s true—rings, necklaces, and other accessories are hard to get in the early game.

Jack Carter quickly said, “Sorry, sorry, I was being arrogant.”

Oswald laughed: “Arrogance is good, that’s why I appreciate you. This ring isn’t ideal, but I still suggest you learn it.”

Learn it? For Supreme Ring II, absolutely! Paying off debts and getting rich all depends on this! Plus, it’s an advanced production skill. Maybe it’s not as overpowered as the agate window quest experience, but it can still serve as an improved version of the second rocket rush—leveling up and getting rich at the same time! Being a transmigrator really is awesome, no explanation needed!

Jack Carter said firmly, “Alright, I’ll learn it!”

Chapter 7: For the Supreme Ring II

As soon as Jack Carter agreed, he immediately thought of a serious problem.