Josh was an investment manager on Earth. He worked at Munno Brother's Bank, dealing with millionaire transactions everyday.
This made him feel a little down when people were forced to enter the game.
'What about my fortune, was it all for nothing?'
He thought maybe it was, because even after accumulating a lot of money, he never spent it outside of his immediate needs or for fun and novelty.
'I need to think about my future. I'll work hard for a decade, then retire early to do what I want.'
This was his motto in life, but now it seems it was all for naught.
He never thought deeply of his wants, because he had a long time ahead to think about it. But then, he entered the game and realized it was not all for naught, since all his fortune was exchanged for achievement points. He got 20000 points and was rated at C rank.
He was happy and relieved, but not really satisfied. The location he appeared on the game was near his friends from work, in the capital of Zening, Zuriny, and almost all of them were excited to play, kill, and get stronger. But he wasn't. He never had time to play, and it would not be different just because he was literally inside a game, so he took the hint one of his friends unintentionally told him.
"Josh, I'm not into games, so I will search for a job in the city, wanna come with me? I will apply to work as a vendor on that herb shop near the Bank. I also saw a pharmacy next door, and using the virtual interface it should be easy to get the hang of every job."
Bank. This word made him excited since he entered the game. 'Wait, this game has a medieval outlook, so what if I apply modern knowledge to banking and become the richest person this world has seen?'
"Thanks Martha, but you can go first because today I will explore alone."
Suzy, the Bank manager, has not understood half of what Josh said. His banking revolution was too hard on her mind. But he was good looking, would probably do well at the counter, the morning shift could really have a helping hand...
"Josh, later we discuss this ideas you had, we will have time for this. You can start tomorrow at the counter. But please wait here until 19:00pm. We usually close at 21:00pm but I will close the Bank earlier today so your colleague Van can teach you the basics."
...
The Sun could be seen rising on the horizon. Today is his first day at work.
— — — Career Quest - A World Renowed Banker — — —
You have taken your first step on the road to riches. Keep working hard day by day and reach your dreams.
Daily Quest
[0/20 bank accounts opened]
Reputation Quest
[Reach 80 reputation with Suzy]
[Reach 20 (Friendly) reputation in Zuriny]
Chain Quest - Part 1
Money can't be kept still. Convince your superiors to lend money to reputable clients and local businesses.
Rewards of each completed quest vary.
— — —
"Ah, nothing like sleeping below a tree once in awhile. The Bank should have opened so I should go and take a look."
Zuriny National Bank is one of the largest buildings in the city, only second to the Castle. I've never seen or heard about the king or queen on the beta, maybe because I only had 50 reputation points at that time.
The Bank is always guarded in rotation by a military team. It needs high security as it's where the money of all citizens is kept safe before being transfered to the castle for long term storage, so even if there's not much money inside compared to the country treasury, it's enough to make bandits salivate.
I could easily enter the bank with my haggard look because I turned my title visible so the guards didn't dare stop me. Reputation is everything here, if I knew the future I would have focused more on these quests on the beta.
I considered what would happen if I used Disappear, but if Suzy is inside I would be dead meat.
At this moment, Josh was starting his first day at work when he saw trouble coming towards him.
'What is this, a beggar? I need to deal with it, my supervisor is evaluating me today.'
But then he realized it was an acquaintance, Edward. The young man who refused to invest his parents inheritance. Josh accompanied his expenses on in-game items and his dwindling bank account.
Huh? Why is Suzy going in his direction with such an angry face? I need to explain to her who he is.
"Wait, Suzy! He's not a beggar!"
But Suzy didn't even listened. She was too concentrated on the boy who was plotted against and supposed to die with Rodrick. The others at the Bank may not know, but she knew what he kept here apart from gold and silver.
Unfortunately, she couldn't risk her and other people life's just to tell him the truth. He had the key to the throne, but it was stolen from him.
"Red, are you alright? Ahhh, I'm so glad you are. I'm sorry Red, I'm really sorry, please forgive me. I assure you the Bank will refund you gold for all your items."
"Yes, I'm fine Suzy but please calm down and explain to me what happened with my items."
'Suzy, always flustered. I don't understand anything you said girl. Well, I don't remember having anything valuable stored, so if they compensate me I may end up profiting.'
"There was a heist Red, a never seen before heist! And they stole the items storage from a few clients. But unfortunately we couldn't identify them yet, and we may never recuperate the stolen items."
"Is that so? How terrible! But now that it happened there's nothing to do, there is? Just give me the compensation you talked about but leave half in my account please."
"Red I'm so grateful that you could stay calm in this situation, I own you a favor! Josh please help Red."
"Hello Edward, we are very sorry for your stolen items, but please rest assured as there was a compensation of 5000 gold deposited in your account so now you have a total of 5520 gold. Would you like to withdraw it?"
"H-how do you know my real name brother?"
"I'm sorry, it is against etiquette to call someone differently from their in-game name. My name is Josh and I worked at Munno Brother's Bank back on Earth, with access to some of the clients account information, but it was never meant to spy on you. Actually, a few years ago when you had a lot of money, I was behind your investment plan offers, but you never accepted it."
"Ahhh that's fine, indeed I preferred to keep the money on my savings account as it was easier to manage. Please withdraw 2500 gold and leave the rest there. Do you think about modernizing this Bank with Earth's knowledge? Maybe it's time to start investing so I let you do your thing with the money I leave here."
"Yes, this was my plan but it will be tough. I have to do daily quests and attain reputation with my manager and the country before making some changes."
"Ah that's bad. Good luck man. Oh wait."
"Hey, Suzy! I've met this man before, he studied hard and know everything about banking, even some new ideas from outside the country. I trust to continue keeping my money here if he's around."
This simple comment made Josh quest much easier.
Josh gave him 2500 gold and was left dumbfounded while Red left the Bank.
'How can he have so much gold? Has he got an inheritance in the game too?'
...
2500 gold, there was no item in my deposit storage to justify this much compensation. And that's only half. Maybe Suzy used some personal connections? She's the best.
A good place for equipments is not the local blacksmith shops, but a shop that sells equipments from all over Canan Region, Damasyer Shop.
"Oh, if it's not Red! I told old man Rodrick not to go but it seems everything was fine. Dragon Slayer, so it really was one of the ancient dragons, how wonderful!"
"Rodrick hasn't come to visit me since you both left, do you know where he is?" Rony, the shop owner, asked me.
"Sorry, could you tell me who is Rodrick?" I don't know who he is but I heard this name before.
Error - sorry to interrupt your gaming experience.
+ 200 achievement points.
Please ignore his question for at least 10 seconds, or lie in your answer.
Thank you.
What? I can't ask this question? Isn't Scalia the system and the controller of all AI's?
He asked the same thing. And I answered.
"I don't know who he is."
Error - sorry to interrupt your gaming experience.
+ 400 achievement points.
Please ignore his question for at least 10 seconds and he will automatically change the subject, or lie but remember to imply you know who Rodrick is.
It was all clearly explained now.
Thank you.
Hint - please don't cause repeatable errors on purpose.
"I don't know where he is, haven't seen him these days."
"Weird. But the important is he's fine. Now back to business, what are you looking for today?"
'Should I lie the dragon weakened me, so another error doesn't occur? I need noob equipments after all.'
Red was right, another error would occur. But when he comes again in the future, Rony will have changed and this errors would not happen anymore.
"After the fight with the dragon I have weakened a lot. My strength is at the same level it was when I first came here. Do you have any good weapons and armours I can handle until I become strong again?"
"I'm sorry about that Red, really unfortunate situation you got yourself in. But don't worry, you know I'm someone who keep secrets. I have a few things, do you want to choose or should I bring the best among the weaker ones?"
"Let me take a look please. And thank you, but I have a feeling it will not be long until I get even stronger than I was."
Checking the equipment he brought I reached only one conclusion - trash.
They only increase my defense and the daggers are all common, but the worst are the crossbows. Unfortunately I don't have stats for better ones right now, my strength is ridiculous and dexterity is within agility in the game, which is at a reasonable 55.
Crossbows are not something someone should have access if they are not a thief or a warrior with reasonable agility and strength. I'll not choose any crossbow, if I need I can throw a cheap dagger.
So I bought common defense equipment, the lightest and cheapest ones made of leather, with a few cheap daggers.
I have spent 5 gold which can be considered a luxury even if they are trash.
"Bye and thanks for your help Rony!"
"Bye, come back soon Red. And stronger hahahah!"
Now I need to increase my level.
'I have an infallible tactic to power leveling, so today will be a fun day after the hard travel yesterday.'
A few hours later in Grand Puer Hotel.
'Ahhh, nothing like lazing about, maybe tomorrow I should continue being lazy.'
...
At the same time Red was going back to Grand Puer to sleep, on the forest west of Zuriny.
"Veronica, I can't stand it anymore. We are all tired and if we need to recover stamina we will not be able to continue fighting, because it will be after 21pm curfew." Zach, middle aged and oldest in his group, vice captain of the eSports team Crimson Phoenix, was complaining to his captain, Veronica.
"Yes, Zach is right. The guys at the military border are not nice." Zoey groaned.
The other members Alina and Wesley also agreed. They could understand wanting to get stronger, but not at the expense of their mental health.
Veronica had to agree and concede. She was too ashamed that it got to this, knowing if she wanted they would continue, but until when? At most one hour and they would have depleted their stamina. Another few minutes and curfew would start - if they were late they would have to camp outside or risk crossing the border unnoticed.
'I wonder what happened to him, that stupid cheater.'
She thought while going back to their hotel room in the city.
No one saw because it was dark, but behind that angry expression she was blushing.