Ronin lay in bed, reminiscing about his time playing games back on Earth.
He remembered how he used to log into a certain card game every night at midnight on the dot, just to claim the refreshed monthly pass, daily rewards, and so on.
He never expected that here in this Otherworld, he would once again be fighting to keep his heavy eyelids open, waiting for the stroke of midnight.
The room was silent, the flickering flame of a white candle illuminating the pitch-black surroundings.
'It's midnight!'
A joyful expression appeared on Ronin's face as he watched the check-in panel change.
[Attribute Points +1]
As soon as the time came, the system automatically checked him in, and Ronin's Attribute Points increased by one.
At the same time, the reward for the second day of the Seven-Day Login also became available to claim.
The reward was named "Classic Gift Pack." It wasn't one of those character cards, so Ronin claimed it without hesitation.
Instantly, a red, gold-trimmed package materialized in his vision, then burst open in a brilliant flash of light.
[Attribute Points +30]
[Energy Essence +60]
Ronin looked at his Attribute Panel:
[Level]: Mortal (1/10) +;
[Attribute Points]: 31
[Energy Essence]: 60
'I can level up now?'
Ronin stared at the Level column, feeling both excited and apprehensive. 'What will happen after I add nine Attribute Points?'
'Allocate points!'
With a single thought, he invested all nine Attribute Points at once.
In that instant, Ronin felt a tremendous boost to both his body and spirit.
Even though it was midnight, he was still wide awake and full of energy.
THUMP-THUMP, THUMP-THUMP...
He could clearly hear the beating of his own heart, so healthy and powerful!
He had now completely shed the weak constitution of his body's previous owner and was reborn.
At the same time, his Attribute Panel changed:
[Level]: 1-Basic Level Knight (0/100) +; 1-Basic Level Mage (0/150) +
[Attribute Points]: 22
'I actually became a dual Extraordinary Professional at the same time!'
For humans, there are two types of Extraordinary Power: Fighting Qi and Magic Power. These correspond to Knights and Mages, respectively.
After allocating his points and breaking through, Ronin had simultaneously mastered both of these Extraordinary Powers.
He closed his eyes and carefully sensed the area around his heart. He could faintly feel a seed pulsing, sprouting.
'This must be the legendary Fighting Qi Spirit Seed.'
As a Knight's Physical Ability increases, the Fighting Qi Spirit Seed will grow stronger and stronger, and eventually, the Fighting Qi within will burst forth. This is the mark of becoming an Intermediate Knight.
The Mage side of things was much simpler.
Ronin could feel a wondrous space in his mind. A Mage could absorb external elements into this space through meditation, refining them into Mana.
The speed of this refinement depends on a Mage's Affinity for various types of elements.
Ronin had a superior Affinity for both wind and fire, so his refinement speed was naturally very fast.
'Excellent, excellent!'
Having just arrived in this Otherworld, Ronin was incredibly excited to have already mastered the miraculous Extraordinary Power.
'This Seven-Day Login reward isn't bad at all.'
He chuckled, completely forgetting how he had been cursing the damn developers just moments ago.
He looked at his remaining 22 Attribute Points and began to think.
'At this stage, Physical Ability is extremely important to me. It's better to add points to Knight first.'
Thus, he allocated all his remaining Attribute Points to his Knight Level.
As his body was strengthened once again, Ronin felt an unprecedented level of power. He felt like a single punch from him now contained more than twenty years of training.
He could also feel that the Fighting Qi Spirit Seed near his heart had grown a little stronger.
'Alright, not bad!'
He now understood the five interfaces of his Golden Finger: Monthly Check-in, Seven-Day Login, First-Top-Up Bonus, Achievement Quests, and the Attribute Panel.
The Monthly Check-in and Achievement Quests were for long-term, steady gains.
The Seven-Day Login and First-Top-Up Bonus, on the other hand, were just as they were designed in games: to incentivize players in the short term, boosting retention and spending.
The Attribute Panel was the outlet for spending and the functional part of the system.
'The Monthly Check-in rewards can be amplified by raising my Noble Title. So, becoming a Viscount will be my next goal. Plus, becoming a Viscount will also complete an achievement and grant me bonus Attribute Points.'
Having mastered Extraordinary Power, Ronin naturally wanted to reach even greater heights.
Legend had it that a Level 9 Proud Sun Knight was invincible against ten thousand foes and could even live for 200 years. They were absurdly powerful, something Ronin naturally yearned for.
At this thought, he started to feel regret again.
'If I had known the check-in rewards were tied to my Noble Title, I should have begged my grandfather to make me a Viscount back at Wushan Fortress.'
Of course, that was just wishful thinking.
Generally speaking, only an heir who had come of age would be granted a Noble Title.
Take Bretton, who had secured the inheritance rights, for example. After he came of age, but before Wiggin died, he could only receive a Viscount title from his father.
Having lost his inheritance rights, it was impossible for Ronin to get a Viscount title from Wiggin. Becoming a Baron was already the absolute limit.
'In this era, Noble Titles are built upon military achievements.'
It could be said that a powerful person might not have a Noble Title, but someone with a Noble Title definitely had power (with the exception of those who inherited their title from the previous generation).
The missing link was military achievements.
By following a great noble on campaigns and performing distinguished service, one could potentially be granted a Noble Title once their contributions were recognized.
And to achieve military merit, personal strength was key, but the strength of one's team was also indispensable.
Ronin mulled it over. It seemed he would have to manage his territory well and cultivate a force of his own.
As long as he had a capable army, earning military achievements would be just a matter of time.
'I'll wait until I get to Mountain Forest Town to make any concrete plans.'
Filled with excitement and plans for the future, Ronin gradually drifted off to sleep.
In his dream, he saw himself mounted on a warhorse, brandishing a flaming Longsword. Below him, an army of thousands charged forward with a deafening roar—it was a magnificent sight!
But he never would have imagined that the nine guards Wiggin had assigned to him were already plotting against him.
The night passed quietly.
When Ronin woke up, the sky was just beginning to lighten. The sound of him pushing open his door startled Chahar, who had been sitting on a stool outside, and he instantly shot to his feet.
"Good morning, my lord. Allow me to help you wash up."
Chahar enthusiastically prepared the washing basin and toiletries for Ronin.
"What are you doing here? Didn't I have Holwart arrange accommodations for you?"
Chahar bowed slightly and replied respectfully, "My lord, you have too few servants by your side. I was worried you might need something during the night and have no one to call, so I waited here."
Ronin was rather impressed. 'Now this is a dedicated employee~'
"Thank you for your trouble."
"It is my duty, my lord!" Chahar replied respectfully.
While washing up and eating breakfast, Ronin came to learn a bit more about Chahar.
The manservant's father had been a Professional Knight. Although he had died in battle many years ago, his status as a Professional Knight had given Chahar the opportunity to study at an Extraordinary Academy.
After his father's death, Chahar, having lost his support, relied on his ability to read, his knowledge of noble etiquette, and other skills to successfully become a servant in Wushan Castle.
Ronin was quite satisfied with this manservant. Once they reached Mountain Forest Town, Chahar could perhaps become a capable assistant.
"I am very impressed with your abilities."
Ronin said, taking a bite of bread with some milk.
The fresh milk was passable, but he wasn't quite used to the bread. He had rarely eaten bread back on Earth.
"From now on, just stick with me and do a good job. When Mountain Forest Town is developed in the future, I guarantee you'll be no worse off than Holwart!"
He stood up, patted Chahar on the shoulder, and dangled a carrot in front of him.
Encouraged and acknowledged, Chahar's eyes lit up. He suddenly felt that Ronin Baron wasn't the good-for-nothing that rumors claimed him to be. Perhaps volunteering to go to Mountain Forest Town had been a good choice after all.
"It is my honor to serve you, Lord Baron!"