The growth offered by the New World Mode was by no means inferior to the previous two modes. After all, the crystal ball wasn't just for show—it was the heart of the Combat Strength Enhancement Arena.

  With a sudden surge of players clamoring to activate the new mode and register for membership cards, Shier found herself swamped behind the counter.

  [System: Congratulations, Host. The number of New World Mode activations has exceeded thirty. Quest Complete.]

  "That fast? Just a moment ago, there were only six," Kael thought, slightly stunned by the sudden notification.

  He hadn't expected the quest to wrap up so quickly. To be honest, he didn't think his livestream had been that captivating. However, Kael would never have guessed that the catalyst—the man who convinced Blood Wolf and the others to take the plunge—was the same "talentless" noble, Qin Shi, sitting in the booth right next to him.

  It was a classic case of accidental marketing.

  [System: New maps will be updated tonight. Please be prepared, Host.]

  "Update away. What exactly do I need to prepare for?" Kael leaned back into the plush sofa of the booth, basking in the wave of satisfaction that came with a completed quest. It was a refreshing feeling.

  The System, true to form, didn't answer. It simply faded into the back of his mind.

  "Manager, can you carry us through one more run?" Qin Shi asked. Having tasted the thrill of magic, he had realized just how precious the New World Mode was. He already had his hands back on the crystal ball’s base.

  "I’m done for the day. There are plenty of people coming in now; just grab a spot and find a group," Kael replied. He had no intention of wasting more time on a starter map.

  At Level 8, the "experience penalty" in the Goblin Mountains was so severe that Kael was barely gaining anything. Moreover, the loot was underwhelming. The stats on low-level gear weren't much better than the starting equipment. He’d rather take a nap.

  Kael closed his eyes halfway, staring at the ceiling. Between the constant management and the quests, he had almost forgotten that his ultimate goal in life was to be a lazy shopkeeper who did as little as possible.

  "Manager Kael."

  A voice called out, pulling him from his daze.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  Kael sat up and glanced toward the entrance. "Dean Gu, it’s been a while."

  "It has only been a day, my friend. I wouldn't call that a long time," Gu Pingchuan chuckled, stroking his beard. "Though, in just one day, it seems you’ve added quite a few interesting things to the menu."

  The Dean walked over to the snack vending machine and purchased a bucket of instant noodles and a fruit jelly. Purifying one’s mana was a marathon, not a sprint—it required consistency.

  Kael noted that Gu Pingchuan had come alone this time before asking, "Dean Gu, I assume you’re here for more than just a snack today?"

  "Nothing gets past you, Manager. How did you know?" Gu Pingchuan asked while filling his cup with hot water.

  "Lucky guess," Kael shrugged.

  "...Haha, you truly are... something else." Gu Pingchuan paused for a beat, unable to find a better word to describe Kael’s nonchalance.

  Zhong Lingyun, sensing a familiar presence, looked up and froze when she saw the Dean. "Dean Gu! When did you arrive?"

  "Just now. How is the training camp progressing?" Gu Pingchuan asked warmly.

  "Everything is going exceptionally well, thanks to Manager Kael. Five students have already completed their training objectives," Zhong Lingyun said, making sure to credit Kael. "Without his instructional videos, we wouldn't have finished nearly this fast."

  If Kael hadn't "generously" provided those challenge tutorial videos in the Arena, the Brilliance Academy group would likely still be struggling. Perfecting combat techniques was no joke. Even if they were "low-tier" techniques, they were far beyond what the average student could master on their own in such a short window.

  Zhong Lingyun felt a deep sense of gratitude. She saw Kael as a selfless master, willing to share his hard-earned expertise for the sake of the younger generation.

  Kael, hearing her praise, shot her a sideways glance. He certainly hadn't realized that his quest-grinding behavior had been interpreted as an act of profound altruism.

  Gu Pingchuan looked at Kael with newfound respect. "In that case, I truly do owe you a debt of gratitude."

  Having experienced the difficulty of the Arena firsthand, Gu Pingchuan knew exactly how formidable Kael’s combat instincts were. Putting levels aside, the Dean wasn't entirely confident he could beat Kael in a pure contest of skill. Part of his respect for Kael was due to his own gentle nature, but the other half was a healthy dose of wariness toward the Manager’s hidden depth.

  "It’s a small matter, hardly worth mentioning," Kael waved it off. "But seriously, Dean—why are you here?"

  "Well, it does involve you in a way. The Bi-Annual Academy Tournament is about to begin. The students training here today are our primary competitors. I was worried about their performance, but seeing them under your tutelage... I feel much better."

  Gu Pingchuan was genuinely impressed. Basic combat techniques were common knowledge, but the nuances—the tiny details that separated a soldier from a master—were usually heavily guarded secrets. Higher-tier techniques were even more exclusive, often locked away in sects or noble families.

  Many mercenaries spent their entire lives in life-and-death struggles just to carve out a few reliable moves. Yet here, Kael was broadcasting these elite techniques via livestream, looping them over and over as if he were worried someone wouldn't learn them. Such magnanimity was rare in this world.

  "Like I said, no big deal."

  "Dean Gu, since you're here anyway, why not try out the New World Mode?" Kael suggested. He didn't care if people "stole" his techniques; the Arena was designed to improve the user's skills anyway. Plus, he had more Spirit Crystals to collect.