MMORPG: Birth of the World's Luckiest Player

Chapter 490: The Skill White Pill

"Nice."

Marcus nodded in satisfaction as the damage numbers faded from view. One Quadruple Surge, and it had even triggered a Critical Hit. More than forty thousand HP had been ripped straight off a Level 50 Silver boss, the Yellow-Sealed Soldier, in a single blow.

"Damn."

If that strike had crit a little harder, even without the five Royal Sorcerers backing him up, he might have taken the boss down in one shot. Marcus glanced at the Ice-Fire Twin Dragon Hoe resting in his hands, its weight steady and reassuring. Two-handed weapons really did live up to their reputation.

Unfortunately, the Yellow-Sealed Soldier dissolved into a swirl of golden mist the moment it fell, scattering into the air without leaving behind a single drop.

"Cheapskate," Marcus muttered.

There was nothing to do but accept it. He told himself he was above obsessing over loot anyway, even if the sting lingered a bit. Stepping forward, he reached out and grasped the small jade vial floating in midair, the Small Jade Alchemy Vial, then carefully pulled out the stopper.

This time there were no tricks. The seal came away smoothly, and the contents were immediately revealed.

"Ha."

Now that it recognized him as its owner, the vial hovered obediently in his hand. His girls gathered around with open curiosity, so Marcus shared the item information without hesitation.

The vial contained five independent storage slots, each capable of holding an unlimited quantity of a single type of potion or herb. In one of those slots sat more than a dozen small white pills, neatly arranged.

Amber leaned closer, eyes shining. "Bro, what do those pills do?"

"Let’s find out."

Marcus selected one and inspected it. He had suspected there was something special inside. Otherwise, there would have been no reason for the vial to be sealed so carefully in the first place.

—

Skill White Pill: High-grade item. A miraculous concoction accidentally created by an Alchemist. Possesses extraordinary properties.

Effect: Consuming one Skill White Pill increases all skill experience gains by 5 percent for ten days. Effects do not stack.

—

"Damn."

An item that directly boosted skill training. Marcus felt a genuine thrill run through him.

Skill levels defined a player’s real strength, and the higher-tier skills demanded absurd amounts of experience. Even with constant combat, progress felt glacial.

"Jackpot."

Without wasting a second, he popped the pill into his mouth. A familiar system chime followed.

Ding!

[Congratulations, player Stonehaven has consumed a Skill White Pill. All skill experience gains increased by 5 percent for ten days.]

Marcus chuckled softly and checked the vial again. Eighteen pills in total. That meant nearly half a year of enhanced training. By the time he used them all, his skill levels would be in a completely different league.

Satisfied, he stored the vial safely in his bag and checked the time. Still early.

"Alright, let’s go grind."

He led his group to a nearby area crawling with Level 50 monsters. Marcus summoned all his pets, letting the two Sea Demon Souls rush forward to draw aggro while the five Royal Sorcerers and the rest of the summons unleashed their attacks. As for Marcus himself, he relaxed, chatting and laughing with his girls as the battlefield unfolded.

It was not that he refused to fight. He simply was not needed. With the Royal Sorcerers acting as the main damage dealers, a Level 50 mob barely survived a single exchange. His pets were overwhelming, brutally efficient, and there was no point in forcing himself into the rotation.

After about an hour, Marcus finally checked his experience bar.

’Two percent.’

That was it.

"These are Level 50 monsters," he muttered, half amused and half exasperated. At this pace, reaching Level 80 would take an eternity. If he wanted real progress, he would have to challenge enemies far above his current level.

A glance at the clock told him it was time to stop for the night. Firebrand, Icefall, and FreshwindElara had already logged off, and the rest of the group was preparing to do the same. Jade, ever clingy, wrapped herself around his arm and looked up at him with a soft smile.

"Marcus, we should rest. You promised you’d hold me tonight."

Marcus met her gaze. Jade was nineteen, her beauty vivid and youthful without being naive, her presence warm and comforting. In that moment, the game faded completely from his thoughts.

"Alright," he said gently. "Let’s get some sleep."

With no one else around, he pulled her into his arms and gave her a quick, affectionate kiss on the cheek before logging out together.

"Marcus, I’m here."

Not long after, Jade emerged from the bathroom, freshly bathed and wearing a thin, sheer nightgown. She climbed onto the bed and settled against him, her slender body fitting naturally into his embrace. Her warmth, the faint scent of soap and something uniquely hers, and the easy way she relaxed against his chest all made his heart soften.

She was beautiful, not in a provocative way, but in a way that felt sincere and intimate. Being close to her stirred something deep inside him, a mix of desire and protectiveness that left him quietly conflicted.

Jade looped her arms around his neck, her face bright with happiness, eyes clear and trusting. The simple joy she showed made him pause. He wanted her, yes, but more than that, he wanted to keep that smile exactly as it was.

And Lily was sleeping right beside them, breathing evenly, unaware of the quiet storm in his thoughts.

’Get it together, Marcus.’

Jade was the one pressing close, completely at ease, yet he was the one forcing himself to slow down. He rested his hands at her waist, holding her there without going further, letting the moment remain gentle instead of reckless.

But as Jade stared at the man she adored most, her eyes full of infatuation and bliss, offering no resistance at all. Her Marcus could do whatever he wanted.

Breathing in her intoxicating scent, watching her sweet, docile figure, Marcus could hold back no longer. He pressed his lips to hers, kissing her deeply, savoring her. The fire inside him grew.

And he realized with a wry smile that his desires were growing more complicated by the day. Greed, affection, temptation, responsibility, all tangled together in a way he could no longer ignore.