MMORPG: Birth of the World's Luckiest Player-Chapter 139: An Anticipated Update
"You’re buying... what?"
"Marcus, was that Guild Creation Token yours? Were you the one who put it up for auction?"
Marcus had been basking in the glow of his own success, replaying the scene in his head and savoring the moment he planned to unveil the news. He had fully intended to draw things out, to casually mention the Ultra-tier VR pods and then enjoy the stunned reactions when the truth finally landed. The small fortune he had just made deserved a proper reveal. But Amber’s sudden shout of realization cut straight through his carefully prepared performance.
She had actually pieced it together. Not only that, she had guessed that her brother was the one behind the auction that had sent the entire world of Dominion into a frenzy.
"How did you figure that out?" Marcus asked, genuine surprise creeping into his voice.
He hadn’t told Amber or Lily a single word about the auction, let alone the absurd payout. He’d been looking forward to teasing them, slowly building anticipation before dropping the bombshell. Yet somehow, Amber had seen right through him.
"I just knew!" she cheered, her face lighting up. "Lily and I both knew you were the best. We’re so proud of you, Marcus. Seriously, no one else even comes close."
Before he could answer, she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck and planting a flurry of quick, excited kisses on his cheek.
"We knew you were the strongest," she went on, her voice half-muffled against his shoulder. "Anyone who can tame a Divine Beast like the Dark Violet Sky Dragon was bound to find a Guild Creation Token eventually. It was only a matter of time before you became the biggest name in the game."
Marcus felt a wave of awkward warmth wash over him. This was pure, unfiltered admiration. In Amber’s eyes, he wasn’t just talented. He was untouchable. He looked down at her as she curled against him, her dark eyes shining with affection so intense it made her seem almost luminous. She was lively and fierce, the kind of presence that made him want to protect her instinctively, to keep her safe no matter what.
The feeling was intoxicating.
A deep sense of satisfaction swelled in his chest, his pride quietly expanding until it filled the room. In that moment, he finally understood why people chased after fame, wealth, and power with such obsession. For an ordinary man, being admired like this was a drug, one that was dangerously easy to crave.
"Marcus, you really are something else," Lily added, her voice soft.
She sat down beside him, leaning into his other side and resting her head against his chest. Her eyes held the same emotion as Amber’s, though quieter and steadier, filled with trust and devotion. The man she loved was turning out to be even more extraordinary than she had ever imagined.
Pure contentment settled over him. Marcus wrapped an arm around Lily, pulling her closer as her gentle praise seeped into him, reinforcing his growing sense of confidence.
Back in his college days, gaming with his buddies for hours, he was used to their envy. His skill meant he always snagged the rarest loot, which earned him the nickname ’The Freak.’ He’d heard "You’re unbelievable" a thousand times, and he’d always just laughed it off. It never really meant anything.
But hearing those same sentiments from Lily now was different. It struck deeper, sending his vanity soaring in a way that left him almost dizzy.
It was a moment steeped in warmth. Amber clung to his neck on one side, her slender body pressed close as she gazed up at him with unrestrained adoration. On the other, Lily rested peacefully against him, her hand overlapping his as she leaned into his quiet strength. The world felt smaller and more complete all at once.
"So," Amber said at last, breaking the silence, "did you really make over eight million dollars? And did you actually mean it when you said you’re buying Ultra-tier pods?"
"Yeah," Marcus replied, a confident smile tugging at his lips. "We’re going to enjoy ourselves."
"Marcus, Ultra-tier pods are incredibly extravagant," Lily murmured, her practical instincts surfacing. "It feels like too much to spend all at once."
"I kind of agree with Lily," Amber added, though her expression still brimmed with awe. "That’s a lot of money. Wouldn’t Silver-tier be enough? We still have classes during the day, and we won’t even be logged in that much. Maybe you should be the only one using an Ultra-tier pod."
It was rare for Lily to openly disagree with him. She usually trusted his judgment without hesitation, but now she was already thinking ahead, worrying about stability and long-term planning. Even Amber, usually impulsive, was considering their finances. The realization caught Marcus slightly off guard, but it also warmed him.
"Don’t worry about it," Marcus said, leaning down to kiss each of them gently on the forehead before pulling them closer. "This time, we’re going for the best. No compromises."
He continued, his voice calm and certain. "Dominion isn’t just a game anymore. It’s turning into a second world, something woven into everyday life. If we’re going to spend our time there, we might as well enjoy it fully. As for the money, don’t stress about it. The only thing worse than spending money is not being able to earn it. As long as income keeps flowing, there’s no reason to live cautiously forever. The real waste is having money and never using it."
There was a subtle shift in his tone, an edge of authority that hadn’t been there before. Ever since he’d lost his job, and especially since his Human Rock technique had reached its second stage, something inside him had changed. He felt grounded, decisive, in control of himself in a way he never had before. He was no longer drifting through life.
And it wasn’t just because of Dominion.
At his core, he had changed. Even without the game, with the strength and confidence he now possessed, he knew he would have succeeded in any path he chose. That certainty had settled into his bones. He was meant for more.
"Okay," Amber said with a soft smile, snuggling closer and tightening her arms around his neck. "I trust you."
"Mhm," Lily echoed quietly. She still thought the decision was extravagant, but once Marcus committed to something, she was content to stand by him.
"Alright then," Amber said suddenly, her eyes narrowing playfully. "What else are you hiding? You didn’t tell me about the Dark Violet Sky Dragon, you didn’t mention the auction, and you definitely didn’t say anything about eight million dollars. I think it’s time for a full confession."
She flashed a mischievous grin. "Confess everything, or Lily and I will have to get creative with your punishment."
Marcus sighed in defeat. He had no way out.
One story led to another as he recounted his adventures, piece by piece. By the time Amber and Lily realized that he was ranked number one on the leaderboards, first in reputation, first in wealth, and first in pets, they were staring at him in stunned silence. It was hard to reconcile the man sitting between them with the most famous player in the entire game.
He did keep a few things to himself. He didn’t mention his mounts, the Violet Thunderwing Steed or the Nightmare Dragon Steed. Some surprises were better saved for later.
Later that night, Marcus pulled up the official patch notes for the upcoming update, his attention sharpening as he read through them.
The equipment system was undergoing a major overhaul. Golden equipment, Artifacts, Divine items, and Mythic gear were all being refined to clearly separate their power levels, and a large number of new items were being added to the loot tables.
The pet system was also receiving significant changes. After the update, every player would have four pet slots. The distinction between mounts and combat pets was being removed entirely, allowing players to own any combination of the two, up to four in total. However, only one mount and one combat pet could be summoned at the same time to assist in battle.
Combat mechanics were becoming far more realistic. The damage from Critical Hits and Lethal Strikes was being increased, but landing them would now require precision. Players would have to actively target a monster’s vital points to trigger a lethal blow.
Classes and skills were being rebalanced as well, giving each archetype clearer identity and purpose. The most dramatic change was the introduction of Elemental attributes, which significantly boosted Sorcerers and positioned them as the primary damage dealers in any serious party.
The most groundbreaking change of all, however, was the introduction of the "Reality Integration" system. Through VR headsets or pods, a player’s real-world talents would now manifest within the game. Dominion and reality were beginning to overlap. A professional dancer, musician, or craftsman would find their real-life skills naturally reflected in the game world. These abilities wouldn’t directly affect combat stats, but they would open entirely new paths for growth and expression.
The sheer scale of the update was staggering. Nearly every aspect of the game was being touched.
What made it even more astonishing was that the entire update had been handled automatically by the Skynet AI. Dragonfly Corp’s role was limited to monitoring and documentation. They had no authority over the changes themselves. Unless Skynet chose to grant access, even the developers had no way to track player activity within the game.
It was an update that promised limitless possibilities, a vast and uncharted frontier waiting for players bold enough to explore it.
