MMORPG: Birth of the World's Luckiest Player-Chapter 165: Level 30 Gear

"You were amazing, Marcus!"

The Inferno Clan and Soulfire Guild had clashed almost the instant they met, but Lily and Amber had followed Marcus’s instructions and kept their distance, staying well clear of the chaos. When he dragged the boss straight into the enemy ranks, their hearts had nearly stopped. Now that it was over, they ran to him, faces flushed with excitement and relief.

Marcus, for his part, did not fully grasp the impression he had left behind.

He had only made two real moves during the entire battle. First, Hundred Phantom Strike. Then Triple Surge. Clean, decisive, and perfectly timed. Yet those two actions had cracked open Inferno’s formation and sent everything spiraling. In Lily and Amber’s eyes, it had looked dominant and effortlessly controlled. The image of him riding through the battlefield with absolute confidence had branded itself into their memories.

They reached him quickly. Lily stayed close at his side, quiet as always, her presence was warm and steady. Amber, far less restrained, grabbed his hand and began talking all at once, excitement tumbling out of her in a rush. She looked proud. Fiercely proud.

Marcus felt a faint heat rise to his ears. Being praised so enthusiastically in public, especially by his own sister, was more embarrassing than he expected.

"Stone! Come on, let’s grab a drink and celebrate!" SoulSync called out, finally managing to wedge himself into the conversation after navigating through Amber’s nonstop compliments.

"Can’t," Marcus replied. "I’ve got to take my girl and sister to level."

In truth, helping Soulfire had never been his primary objective. The fight had simply ignited something in him. He had always enjoyed combat, and once the Furious Three showed up, walking away had not even been an option. When it came to enemies, his policy was simple and consistent: kill on sight.

That was how things had escalated.

After bidding the guild farewell, Marcus led Lily and Amber away from the battlefield, out of sight of the fallen Inferno players who were still waiting on their respawn timers. Once they were clear, he resummoned their four pets along with his Temple Guardian, Pebble. Together, they circled around the Highland Jackals’ territory and dove back into combat from another direction, picking up their leveling run as if nothing unusual had happened.

"Marcus, we’re level 20!" Amber announced at last, unable to contain her excitement. "We can go back and learn our new skills now."

The grinding had gone smoothly. No one came to disturb them. After four solid hours of cutting down Highland Jackals, both Lily and Amber reached level 20.

Marcus had been itching to return to the city long before that.

He was now level 30.

It was time to wield all his powerful gear. The divine Adamant Shield. The mythic Bat Dragon Cloud Sword. The full golden Cabaro’s Set.

He had been restraining himself all day.

"Alright," he said at last, unable to suppress the grin spreading across his face. "Let’s head back. Time to show you two some real gear."

A flash of light from their Town Portal Scrolls swallowed them, and the three reappeared inside his mansion in Dragon’s Peak Citadel. Marcus headed straight for his storage vault, practically radiating anticipation as he pulled out the equipment one piece at a time.

"Whoa... that shield is enormous. Marcus, is that the Adamant Shield?"

"It looks so heavy..."

They both knew he owned the divine shield and the mythic sword, but they had never seen the full stats. Tonight would be different.

"That’s the one," he said, running a hand along its surface. "Requires 100 Strength to equip. Most knights can’t even lift it."

"Put it on already," Amber urged. "Then open your stats so Lily and I can see."

"Marcus, stand still."

Just as he began removing the Skeleton Set he had been wearing, Lily and Amber stepped closer, one on either side of him. They smiled up at him with soft and affectionate eyes.

"Don’t move," Amber said lightly.

Before he could protest, their hands were already at work. Piece by piece, they removed his old armor, careful and deliberate, passing each item aside before reaching for the next.

Marcus exhaled slowly.

’This... is not bad at all.’

A quiet, indulgent satisfaction settled over him as they worked. One graceful and composed, the other lively and bright, yet both focused entirely on him. It was intimate without being hurried, playful without crossing any line.

He studied them as they moved. Their beauty. Their expressions. The simple warmth in their gestures.

History books liked to romanticize emperors and kings, surrounded by devoted attendants. Marcus had never taken those passages seriously before. Now, standing there while the two people he cared about most adjusted his armor with gentle hands, he understood the appeal.

There was something profoundly comforting about being needed. About being trusted.

"Your Majesty, it is time to dress," Amber declared in an exaggerated formal tone.

With a soft laugh, they picked up the pieces of the Cabaro’s Set and began fitting them onto him one by one.

As each piece locked into place, the transformation became obvious.

The Adamant Shield stood taller than a meter, its platinum-like surface gleaming faintly with a deep violet sheen that marked it as divine. When he lifted it, it covered him nearly from head to toe, like a solid and immovable wall.

The Bat Dragon Cloud Sword was sleek and dark, its long, narrow blade reflecting light like liquid shadow. The hilt was shaped like a bat with wings extended, elegant and predatory. It felt surprisingly light in his grip, balanced to perfection, yet the edge radiated quiet lethality.

Then there was the Cabaro’s Set.

Individually, the pieces were impressive. Together, they felt complete. The armor carried a presence that was difficult to describe, something primal and commanding. When Marcus straightened fully, shield resting at his side and sword angled slightly forward, the air around him seemed to sharpen.

He did not feel like a lone adventurer anymore. He felt like a challenger standing under an open sky, daring the world to test him.

Lily and Amber watched in silence.

For them, the sensation was not fear, but something warmer. Pride and admiration. With quickening heartbeat, they stepped closer, almost unconsciously, leaning lightly against him. The strength in his posture and the quiet confidence in his gaze, gave them a deep sense of reassurance.

He was strong.

And that strength was theirs to rely on.

"Alright," Marcus said at last, lowering the shield slightly. "Now it’s your turn. Let’s take a look."

Lily would take his old Skeleton Set. It was one of the best level 20 sets from Black Rock Spire, balanced for both offense and defense, suitable for any class.

Amber’s upgrade was the level 20 Whisperwind Set, which he had purchased from the Old Vine Auction House. It emphasized survivability, boosting defense and health. He had not expected them to level so quickly; otherwise, he would not have bothered investing in level 10 gear earlier.

"Now it’s my duty to help you both get dressed," he announced with mock seriousness, eyes gleaming.

"You perv," they said in unison, though neither sounded truly offended.

Each of them chuckled playfully before grabbing their equipment and slipping into the bedroom, shutting and locking the door behind them before he could follow.

"Lily, at least leave it unlocked..." He tried the handle but it was firmly locked.

Five minutes later, the door opened again.

Amber stepped out first, clad in the pale green Whisperwind Set. The light armor framed her figure neatly, the color appeared bright and fresh against her skin. She looked lively, almost like a forest fairy stepping out from between the trees.

"Well?" she asked, turning slightly.

"looks beautiful," he answered honestly.

He had seen countless players wearing the Whisperwind Set, yet on her it felt different. It was the same design, but somehow brighter and more vivid.

"And here’s Lily," Amber said with a teasing smile, stepping aside to reveal her.