I Have a Date with a Thousand-year-old Female Corpse-Chapter 1261: The Toad Wants to Eat the Swan

As soon as you heard that all money would be reduced to zero, you immediately decided to exchange it. The bank owner merely smiled before helping you complete the storage procedures.

Leaving the bank, you arrived at the career swap station. Pushing open a creaky wooden door, a disheveled-looking man was lying on the table, chugging bowlfuls of yellow liquor.

"Huh, someone’s actually here to change their job? What a rare sight. I haven’t had any customers in ages," the man said while sweeping away the filth from the table with his hand. "Come, come on, let me see... let me check what level you’re at."

Once you sat down, the disheveled man suddenly let out a strange cry: "Kid, you’re only coming to change your job at Level Sixteen? Are you dumb or what?"

You chuckled awkwardly and said, "Sorry, I just started playing this game. I don’t know much about it. I only just heard from others that you can change your job at Level Ten. Big brother, could you explain the basics of career swapping to me? I’m completely clueless, little brother here needs guidance."

"Well... this puts me in a tough spot. You know, us NPCs barely get paid," he replied.

"Oh, don’t be modest, big brother. This is a small token of respect from little brother." Saying this, you took out a bottle of liquor from the Space Belt around your waist.

"Haha, kid, I see potential in you. Alright, just because of your respect and calling me ’big brother,’ I’ll spill everything I know to you."

Then the disheveled man began ranting and rambling at the top of his lungs.

Actually, your keen observation deserves credit—it was from reading an old newspaper that you learned all the NPCs in the new "Arrogance" are played by staff or others. They’re real people, which makes communication and interaction surprisingly straightforward.

"Alright, all that talk was nonsense, now here’s the important part. Kid, listen carefully," the disheveled man elongated his tone.

"When people from Earth enter the game, they all start as novice civilians. Below Level Ten, there are no career designations. Once you hit Level Ten, a variety of careers open up. As they say, ’Every trade breeds its master.’ Usually, after Level Ten, there are five main career paths to choose from: Samurai, Magician, Mage, Rogue, and Archer."

He paused, then continued, "Once you reach Level Twenty, there are no career restrictions anymore. That means by then you can decide to pursue whichever career suits you best. The idea is to cater to individual specialties while laying a foundation for players early on. As for what happens afterward, I’m not sure. The third career swap happens at Level Sixty, and no one has reached that level yet. But I do know that beyond Level Sixty, levels don’t matter anymore—everything relies on player insight. Only then can the game truly embody the spirit of the ’Third World.’ Otherwise, what’s the difference between new ’Arrogance’ and old ’Arrogance’?"

He added one last remark, "Though I’ve heard Eastern Cloud Dragon has already reached Level Fifty-Seven. Maybe in another month or two, he’ll become the ’Number One in Arrogance.’"

You weren’t particularly interested in the so-called "Number One in Arrogance." At this moment, even feeding yourself was a challenge, and solving your subsistence problem was top priority.

"So does that mean most people out there have already picked their careers?"

"I wouldn’t put it that way. Plenty of people stop leveling up after hitting Level Thirty. They either set up street stalls in the city or open shops to earn money. Some simply gather herbs to become pharmacists. People have all kinds of jobs, and it varies greatly. Once you hit Level Fifteen, you can start learning life skills, like gathering herbs, logging, fishing, mining, and more. There’s plenty to choose from. The main issue is players don’t have the time, or else they could try everything one by one. Haha, what’s the point of being alive if not to enjoy life? For example, big brother here drinks—it’s my way of enjoying life. Booze in real life is expensive, so I can only indulge in yellow liquor here."

As he spoke, the disheveled man downed the bottle in front of him in several gulps, finishing it: "Good stuff, good stuff!"

You promptly handed him another bottle with a smile and said, "Big brother, isn’t it time to help little brother switch his career?"

"Alright, tell me, what career do you want?" The disheveled man agreed cheerfully.

"I want to become a Samurai."

"Samurai, huh? Alright then." The disheveled man took another swig and formed a handprint with both hands. Immediately, you noticed your body emitting a white glow. "Alright, you’re now officially a Samurai. Here, take this—it’s the Basic Sword Skill book you need to learn."

"Thank you, big brother!" You took the book and retrieved another bottle of liquor from your Space Belt, handing it to the disheveled man. "Big brother, those last two bottles were for you, and this one is from someone else who asked me to give it to you."

"Oh? Who’s that?" The disheveled man asked, surprised.

"The beauty at the village entrance," you replied with a smile.

"Oh, her?"

Though the disheveled man feigned indifference, you caught a flicker in his eyes. Grinning, you said, "Big brother, your monthly salary probably isn’t much. A rare and kind-hearted girl like her willing to marry you—why would you reject her?"

The disheveled man sighed, "Ah, little brother, you don’t understand. I am but a toad in the pond, while she is a swan soaring in the sky. Could we possibly be together? Her father’s fortune is in the millions, while I have a disabled mother above me, a sister in school below me, and two younger brothers who need to be fed. My family is hopelessly poor—how could I have the audacity to marry her?"

"Big brother, now that’s where you’re wrong. Swans can’t fly in the sky forever. What they cherish most is a clear-water pond. And let me tell you, it’s the toad who ends up tasting delicious swan meat. As for great men, with courage and determination, what endeavor can we not succeed in? If you’re willing to try, I refuse to believe you wouldn’t earn her family’s recognition!"

With that, you stood up and turned to leave. "Think it over—missing out on such a great chance would bring regret for a lifetime. No man wants to see the woman he loves in someone else’s bed."

"Little brother!" Just as you stepped outside, the disheveled man chased after you. "Thank you! This Sword Technique book was something I picked up from a ruin, and this map is a birthday gift she gave me—both are now yours."

Soon after, a soothing voice echoed in your mind: "Congratulations, player Mu Yun, for completing the novice hidden quest ’Marriage Bond.’ Reputation value increased by 10 points. You have gained the items ’Kuanglan Blade Technique’ and the Luofu Continent Monster Distribution Map."

You patted the disheveled man on the shoulder and said with a smile, "Big brother, what are you waiting for? Go confess your feelings!"

The disheveled man nodded and ran gleefully toward the village entrance. Watching his retreating figure, you couldn’t help but smile softly before heading into the nearby weapons store.