Alex stood before the mirror, admiring his reflection like a narcissist who just got a haircut. His silver hair shimmered, his blue eyes gleamed with mischief, and his newly advanced aura buzzed around him like static electricity. He cracked his knuckles and smirked.
"Okay. I've got the skill, the knowledge, the charm. Now all I need is... cash, " Alex muttered as he stared at the ceiling of his old house.
He said that as he thought about an intresting NPC.
Of course, to the average person, that sounded like the most generic villainous line ever. But to Alex Dragonheart, future genius investor and the most handsome Extra in Etheron (self-proclaimed), it was the next step of his perfectly unhinged master plan.
He paused, tilted his head, and added, "Wait, not for me—for someone else. Because I'm generous like that. Totally not plotting to become a billionaire by backing the future sword-forging overlord of the world. Nope."
'It's not bribery... it's strategic funding,' he mused internally.
After all, what's the point of being reborn into a game world if you can't make use of your insider knowledge to become disgustingly rich?
"Alright, next step of my genius plan: money! Glorious, sweet, precious money!" he announced to no one in particular. "Not for me, of course... I mean, technically, it is for me, just through someone else. It's called investing. I'm being mature about it. Definitely not just throwing cash at someone who'll become rich later. Nope."
"But i will also need a substantial amount of money to invest which i don't have right now".
Alex smirked.
' But one thing I do have is knowledge which is worth more than anything in this world.'
After that Alex rummaging through his memories remembered a low-rank hidden in dugeon in the outskirts of the capital.
He cracked his knuckles and grinned. "Time to go dungeon crawling... solo-style."
-----
The hidden dungeon Alex picked was technically ranked E. That meant low-level monsters, minimal risk, and excellent loot for the effort if one happened to be an Advanced-rank powerhouse. Which, thanks to his recent breakthrough, Alex now was.
He cleared it in one day.
Correction: he cruised through it in one day. The monsters barely lasted a second each, which made it feel less like a dungeon crawl and more like a one-day cardio session with bonus treasure chests.
'Clearing a dugeon alone is so beneficial. you don't have to share the loot with anyone at all.'
By the end of it, Alex stood tall with 308 gold coins , 109 silver coins and 154 copper coins jingling in his pouch, a shiny rare-ranked artifact glowing in his hand and also a common ranked artifact that you can find anywhere, and a very confused expression on a slime that he'd spared for no reason other than its puppy-like eyes.
[ Here is the coin exchange system
1 platinum coin = 10000 credits
1 gold coin = 1000 credits
1 silver coin = 500 credits
1 copper coin = 100 credits ]
He stored the loot in his storage ring and said.
"Live, little one. Go forth and tell tales of the mighty Alex Dragoheart!" he declared.
It gurgled in reply.
---
Two days later...
After exchanging the coins and selling the rare ranked artifact through auction.
"One point four two million credits," Alex whispered, staring at his EtherPad looking at his bank account.
He immediately reclined in his chair, arms spread wide, imagining himself diving into a pool of golden coins.
"Ah yes, money... sweet, sweet money. So crisp. So clean. So—wait, is that a transaction fee?! Thieves!"
Snapping back to reality, he reminded himself: only three days remained before the Zenith Academy entrance exam.
"Which means... time to get a proper weapon. And definitely not rely on my current sword that's held together with hope and emotional trauma."
---
The Exhibition District of Avaloria was bustling with energy. Neon signs blinked over glass buildings where big-name companies flaunted their newest weapons, all sleek designs and overpriced sparkle.
Amongst the flashy crowds, Alex's eyes locked onto a humble booth at the corner of the plaza. It was nestled between a massive banner that said "Klassen Forgeworks!" and a pretzel stand.
'There it is,' he thought. 'The holy grail of plot progression. The shop where my legendary sword will be born.'
He casually wandered inside, hands in pockets, whistling. He stopped in front of a display case featuring a basic but beautifully forged longsword.
"Interested in something that won't break mid-swing?" came a voice.
Alex turned to find a man around 25, messy black hair tied back, blacksmith apron smeared with soot. This was Jack Klassen—the man, the myth, the NPC.
"Nice shop you've got here," Alex said, glancing around. "Bit quiet though."
Jack snorted. "Because everyone's chasing after bedazzled garbage. You add one LED light to a hilt and suddenly it's 'innovative weaponry.' Idiots."
Alex chuckled. "Let me guess—you sell real stuff?"
"Exactly! Weapons that don't snap if the user sneezes too hard. But no one has the eye to appreciate proper craftsmanship anymore."
"Well," Alex said, picking up a short dagger and inspecting the balance, "maybe I've got that eye."
They locked gazes. Then smirked.
"You know," Jack said, "I like you. You don't look like the type to fall for glitter."
"Oh, I fall for glitter. Just the expensive kind."
Jack laughed. "Touché."
Alex leaned in closer, pretending to study a blade. 'This is it,' he thought. 'I've found him. The money magnet. The blacksmith destined to forge weapons that will sell for enough to buy small countries.'
'Who would've thought this plain-looking guy had dwarven bloodline in him? Ancient dwarven. Legendary-forge-tier bloodline.'
In the game, Jack Klassen would one day found Klassen Forgeworks, the most influential weapon manufacturer in the continent. Billion-credit contracts, royalties, fanboys drooling over limited-edition blade sets—the works. But right now? He was just a scrappy smith trying to make rent.
"So," Alex said aloud, placing the dagger back. "You got anything decent in C-rank? Sword and dagger."
Jack nodded, stepping to the back and returning with two wrapped items.
"Here. Balanced, durable, customized grips. Sword's edge is micro-reinforced with mana threading. Dagger's coated with venom-nullifying steel."
Alex gave a low whistle. "All that for...?"
"30,000 credits," Jack replied. "For both."
"Stealing from you feels immoral, but here you go." Alex transferred the credits and strapped both weapons onto his belt.
Then, with the same casual tone one might use to ask for directions, he said:
"By the way... I want to invest in your company."
Jack blinked. "Huh?"
"I said," Alex repeated with a grin, "I want to invest. In your company. Forgeworks, whatever you'll call it. I'll throw in some startup capital."
Jack stood frozen. Mouth slightly open. Eyes wide.
"What"
Jack continued staring, as if a magical unicorn had just walked in and ordered a sword.