Chapter 11 – Rising Bonds and New Horizons

Qin Sheng walked through the forest path, the sun dipping lower as dusk approached. His new minion, the Forest Guardian, now spectral and obedient, lumbered silently behind him. Gorath and Velnar followed, while the newly hatched Silverwind Hatchling fluttered above, letting out soft chirps.

The weight of his growing power settled in. Three minions and a C-Rank pet—his army was beginning to take shape.

As he approached the outskirts of town, Qin Sheng checked his status screen:

[Level: 7]

[Reputation Points: 1,200]

[Minions: Gorath (F-Rank), Velnar (E-Rank), Forest Guardian (D-Rank)]

[Pet: Silverwind Hatchling (C-Rank)]

The town's gates loomed ahead, bustling with players and NPCs. Qin Sheng de-summoned his minions before entering, keeping only the hatchling perched on his shoulder.

He navigated through the marketplace, finding an empty spot to set up his stall. Pulling various loot and materials from his inventory, he arranged them neatly.

[System Notification: Stall Created – Set Prices for Your Items.]

He set fair prices, undercutting the greedy vendors around him. Within moments, a crowd gathered.

"Hey! This armor's way cheaper here!"

"Is that a D-Rank sword? For this price?!"

Players rushed to buy his wares. Some lingered, asking for advice on builds and strategies.

"Should I focus on agility or strength for dual blades?" one player asked.

"Agility," Qin Sheng replied, "but don't neglect your endurance. Boss fights last longer than you think."

The player thanked him, walking away with both new gear and valuable tips.

As the crowd thinned, Qin Sheng packed up his stall, pocketing a hefty sum of in-game currency.

[System Notification: Reputation Points +300]

His reputation was growing steadily, and so was his influence.

With the day winding down, he headed to a nearby inn, reserving a room. The hunger system reminder ticked at the back of his mind.

[System Notification: Hunger Level – 85%. Logout recommended soon.]

He sighed, deciding to log out and eat before the hunger penalty kicked in.

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Real World

Qin Sheng awoke in his dimly lit room, his body feeling heavier after the extended time in the game. He stretched before heading to the kitchen, where the aroma of noodles filled the air.

Cooking had become a ritual post-login. The hunger system forced players to maintain their real bodies, but Qin Sheng didn't mind—it grounded him.

After eating, he sat by the window, the city lights twinkling outside. His mind wandered to his progress—the minions, the pet, and the growing reputation.

Shaking off the thought, he logged back in, ready for the next adventure.

The path ahead was becoming clearer, and Qin Sheng knew that his growing strength was only the beginning.