Chapter 64: Impossible to Keep a Low Profile

As the system announcement echoed once more through the world, all players felt an overwhelming sense of malice emanating from the game itself.

“Level... level 10!”
“The first player!”
“Damn it, can someone please tell me—am I playing the same game as this guy?”
“This is bullshit! I don’t believe it. He must be cheating, he’s definitely cheating!”
“I refuse to believe it. I’m going to hunt savage beasts right now. They can’t really be that hard to kill, right? I’ve been struggling to survive in this world for over two months, and now you’re telling me someone actually reached level 10? No way.”
“Hell no! He’s got to be cheating! Report him, report him!”
“Damn it, I need a guide. Please, master, give us a guide!”
“Damn, Monkey D. Roger, if you give me a guide, I’ll be your concubine for life, no strings attached.”
“Hell, I’d even let you have your way with me...”
“How is this possible? How can someone reach level 10 so quickly?”
“This doesn’t make any sense! There must be some shortcut we don’t know about!”

For a while, every player felt as if something was wrong with themselves, a strange sense of discomfort welling up in their chests. They began shouting at the sky, the blow too much to bear.

When the gap wasn’t so obvious, they hadn’t felt much. After all, Tang Shen had only claimed the first kill, then vanished without a trace. Everyone chalked it up to coincidence—maybe some powerful NPC happened to pass by and nearly stomped a Fang Rabbit to death, and he just got lucky.

That story had spread, and since Tang Shen hadn’t been found, countless versions emerged, all poking fun at his supposed luck. It became a kind of comfort—just a lucky break. Many had nearly forgotten Tang Shen existed.

But today, Tang Shen pulled off another feat just as he was fading from memory, when everyone thought his luck was nothing more than a joke over dinner.

Now, this all-server announcement had slapped every player in the face, making it clear the gap was real. It wasn’t chance or luck—this was the truth.

That day, many players rushed back into the forest without hesitation, convinced they’d been mistaken before—that the savage beasts couldn’t really be that strong.

And then... they died.

Once again, the Fang Rabbits taught them a lesson.

Tang Shen knew nothing of this. Hearing the server-wide announcement, he was stunned for a moment. He hadn’t expected reaching level ten would trigger another announcement.

Coming back to himself, he couldn’t help but sigh, “Ah! Even if I want to keep a low profile, fate won’t allow it. Is it really so hard just to be a humble person?”

“As expected, a man as handsome as me will shine no matter what. It’s just too difficult being a handsome guy.”

As he spoke, the corners of his mouth lifted involuntarily, a sly smile curving his lips—his smugness impossible to hide. Anyone watching would want to punch him; he looked like a small-minded man basking in success.

If the other players could hear him now, they’d probably charge at him and spit in his face, even if they knew they’d lose.

Shameless. Absolutely shameless.

Low profile, my ass! Could he stop saying such insincere things when he was so clearly pleased with himself?

“Congratulations to player Monkey D. Roger on reaching level ten. Reward: Achievement Point +1.”

At the same time, the system chimed in his mind. He now had two achievement points, though he still had no idea what they were for. He curled his lip in disdain and muttered, “Stingy system.”

Kuina, hearing her master’s narcissistic muttering, rolled her eyes. She was already used to it—her self-obsessed teacher never failed to brag at every opportunity.

Koshiro emerged from the shadows, and as he overheard Tang Shen’s words, the corner of his mouth twitched, making him want to unsheath his sword. That smug look paired with those words was just too infuriating.

True, the boy was talented and good-looking, but his self-adoration made you want to smack him. Koshiro had felt that impulse more times than he could count these past two months.

He strode out openly, and as he approached, his calm expression shifted. In a loud voice he declared, “Well! Pirates have come, I see. Didn’t expect you to deal with them already—well done.”

Kuina quickly rose and said respectfully, “Father, you’re here.”

Koshiro’s mouth twitched again. He felt a pang of jealousy at his daughter’s formal tone—she was so close to that boy, yet so distant from her own father.

Ah, daughters grow up so fast.

“Hey there, Master! You finally decided to come out. I thought you’d never leave your hideaway,” Tang Shen said with a sunny smile.

Koshiro froze, narrowing his eyes. Had the boy detected him? That shouldn’t be possible.

He said, “What do you mean? I just got here.”

“Sure, you just got here,” Tang Shen replied, unconcerned. “Since you’re here, I’ll leave you to handle these bodies. And here’s a pirate ship as a gift—sell it and use the money for the dojo. Think of it as a token of my goodwill. There’s probably some treasure left on board too—take it all. Kuina, let’s go.”

He spoke with an air of generosity and grandeur, the very image of a gallant leader.

If Kuina and Koshiro didn’t know the truth, they might have been fooled.

“Yes, Master.” Kuina’s mouth twitched. “Father, we’ll take our leave.”

Koshiro was left speechless.

That brat—could he really have known I was there?

Damn it, does he think I didn’t see him looting everything already? With his greedy nature, he wouldn’t even leave a coin on the corpses—there’s nothing left of value on that pirate ship.

Watching Kuina and Tang Shen leave quickly, a faint sadness flickered in Koshiro’s heart. He felt as if he’d been called in just to clean up after the boy’s mess, and even got mocked for it.

How did that kid spot me?

In fact, Tang Shen hadn’t noticed him at all. It was just that Koshiro’s appearance was such a coincidence that Tang Shen made a passing comment, knowing that top experts rarely missed such things.

He never guessed that Koshiro had actually been tailing them the entire time.

Thus, Koshiro misunderstood, thinking Tang Shen had caught on, and was left wondering.

Still, he dutifully cleaned up, sold the pirate ship, and peace returned to the island as if nothing had happened—just another harmless, ordinary place.

The money from selling the pirate ship helped the dojo’s finances, and Koshiro was pleased. At least the boy had a bit of conscience.

Meanwhile, Tang Shen took Kuina to the waterfall to resume their sword training. He planned to level up that night, knowing he wouldn’t be able to log in the following day.