Chapter Fourteen: A Bountiful Harvest!

When the health bar of the Dire Wolf Leader dropped by nearly a fifth, I immediately withdrew into the crevice between the stones. Though it growled deeply outside in frustration, its massive body prevented it from entering, making it powerless against my slow recovery.

Forty seconds passed—my health was full again! The tomato sauce’s three points of health regeneration per second truly made a difference.

I leapt out from the rocks to continue my duel with the Dire Wolf Leader. Whenever I whittled away another fifth of its health, I would retreat and rest, leaving it helplessly glaring from outside the stones.

I tossed another tomato; after five rounds, its health finally bottomed out!

The corpses of the wolf pack beneath my feet gradually vanished, and fresh wolves began to respawn in the distance. The Dire Wolf Leader, still before me, clung desperately to its last sliver of health.

Its eyes were now blood-red, each attack fueled by all its remaining strength. My Wild Wolf Leg Guards bore cracks, though thankfully their durability merely decreased rapidly without becoming irreparable.

After swallowing a small health potion, my vitality recovered by over a hundred points—enough to finish off the Dire Wolf Leader.

A resounding blow landed, a vivid red number—127—flashed before my eyes, and the Dire Wolf Leader slowly toppled, its gaze filled with unwillingness yet resigned.

System message: Congratulations, your level has increased to 10!
System message: Congratulations, your level has increased to 11!

And that wasn’t all…

A green light flashed—another green equipment drop!

I could barely contain my excitement. I tossed the Dire Wolf Leader’s head into my pack and rummaged through its corpse, finding a pair of glowing green bracers and a long, imposing sword.

I hurriedly checked their attributes, anticipation mounting—especially for that longsword!

[Pine Forest Greatsword] (Green Equipment)
Attack: 24–45
Strength: +8
Stamina: +7
Required Level: 12

[Agility Bracers] (Green Equipment)
Defense: 14
Health: +50
Agility: +6
Intelligence: +5
Required Level: 12

My mind went blank with awe.

Only those who have fought monsters understand the allure of high attack stats. The greatsword’s attack reached 45, enough to outshine any weapon of the same level. Though only two levels higher than my longbow, its attack was 19 points greater—an astonishing gap.

The greatsword was extraordinary, but the agility bracers were even more remarkable. As far as I knew, three-attribute gear was usually blue-grade, yet these bracers required only level 12 and boasted three attributes, plus a bonus of 50 health—perfect for mages who always struggle with low health!

How much could this be worth? A thousand RMB? No, at least three thousand! No, three thousand dollars!

I estimated the value of the gear, realizing it was nearly time for dinner. I quickly gathered the potions from the ground and noticed that Snow Han was still online, so I passed through the level 9 monster zone to check on her.

From afar, I saw Snow Han diligently fighting monsters. I rushed up, helped her slay a level 10 creature, then said, “It’s dinner time. We should log off. We’ve been online too long today—after eating, let’s go straight to bed.”

Snow Han smiled and nodded. After returning to the village, she logged off.

As I stepped out of my room, I saw Snow Han rubbing her eyes as she emerged as well—she really was exhausted. In the living room, Xu Lin and Xin Yu were already discussing in-game matters.

“Someone in our village got a level 5 green staff! Its stats are impressive—plus three intelligence!”

“Yes, and there’s a handsome guy who found pants with plus two intelligence, but unfortunately his girlfriend is a real dinosaur!”

I sat down wordlessly; no need to guess, Xin Yu had said that last part.

Xu Lin smiled and asked, “Did you get anything good this afternoon, Xiao Lin?”

I nodded, replying, “A pair of bracers usable at level 12, mage-type: defense 14, intelligence plus four, agility plus six, and a fifty-point health bonus!”

The chatter quieted, and several beautiful eyes focused on me.

Xu Lin, unusually excited, leapt from the sofa and jumped straight into my arms, exclaiming loudly, “Xiao Fan, I want it, I want it!”

I was stunned. Xu Lin’s supple body was burning hot, clad only in thin pajamas—I could feel the softness pressed to my chest, and the warmth of her breath on my neck. For the first time, my cheeks were flushed with heat.

Xin Yu paused, then laughed, “Wow, Lin, since when are you so close with Lin Fan? Moving fast, huh? Why is your face so red, Lin Fan? Are you feeling unwell?”

Xu Lin blushed, climbed awkwardly out of my embrace, and said, “I want those bracers…”

I recovered and patted my chest, saying, “You should’ve said so sooner! I thought you were loudly asking for something else—scared me half to death.”

Xu Lin’s lovely face turned even redder; she shot me a glare, then asked, “Any other loot? I reached level 8 today—nearly exhausted. I think I’ll hit level 12 by the day after tomorrow, then I can use the bracers.”

I nodded. “Exactly. Once you’ve chosen your class and learned skills, intelligence will be crucial for you. Also, I found a longsword: attack 24–45, top-tier. My old one was 7–12, so it’s nearly obsolete. Anyone want it?”

Xu Lin blinked her beautiful eyes and said, “We’ll all be ten soon enough. After learning magic, high-attack weapons won’t be useful. Why not consign the level 4 sword in the village shop? It should fetch a good price—at least five gold.”

“Five gold? Isn’t that a bit much?” I’d fought all this time and still hadn’t earned five gold.

Xin Yu shook her head. “Five gold won’t do—post it for ten. Such weapons are priceless now; no one would willingly sell them.”

I nodded. “Let’s do that, then.”

After a moment, I added, “Oh, I also found a green bow: attack 18–32, with good bonus attributes. Xin Yu, do you want it? Wait, calm down! Let’s discuss this like civilized people!”

Xin Yu beamed, “Lin Fan, I adore you! Let’s trade when we log on—I’ll come straight to your village.”

“Don’t rush—the bow requires level ten. If I remember right, you’re only level seven. Let’s trade in the main city when you reach ten.”

“Alright, I’ll eat quickly and get back to leveling!”

“When did you become so ambitious?”