I Don't Need To Log Out

'EVR' kept players' last names hidden to protect them from potential harm on Earth. However, players could choose to reveal their last names—a strategy often used by big company executives in the past timeline to gain additional advantages in the game.

Of course, there were ways to identify players, as their in-game appearances typically matched their real-world looks. However, this wasn't true for everyone. Players like Arlon, who had no friends and rarely ventured outside, could only be traced by the government—an entity not easily influenced by big companies. There were exceptions, though.

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One week had passed since Arlon left Istarra. During this time, he traveled from one leveling area to another and reached level 37. Leveling up in EVR was relatively easy in the beginning, but Arlon had an extra edge—he knew exactly where to grind. Tricks like standing atop a rock and casting fireballs at melee-only monsters made the process even faster. This efficient leveling method would carry him until he hit level 100.

Although Arlon wasn't seeking fame, he never went out of his way to conceal his abilities. In his past timeline, he was known as the strongest player. Despite his reputation, he had no friends in the game, and his strength was recognized only through his achievements in events and his position on the leaderboards.

This timeline would be no different. Even though he planned to be even stronger, his place as the strongest player among the other players wouldn't change. That's why, when the next system notification rang, he didn't ignore it.

"As a commemoration of the first month of EVR, the leaderboard will be created in one hour. All players, please choose whether to display your name on the leaderboard!"

Arlon chose "Yes". While his name would appear, none of the players—aside from the Gamers—knew his name. And they would probably think it was some other Arlon since they thought he was an NPC.

The leaderboard also came with rewards for consecutive months at the top. In the early months, these rewards were modest, offering a handful of gold or low-tier equipment. However, the real prizes started at the six-month and one-year marks.

In truth, the system wasn't entirely fair. Even in his past life, without the advantage of foresight, Arlon had claimed the top spot and held it indefinitely. This wasn't only thanks to his skills. The rewards themselves made it nearly impossible to be dethroned. Anyone who stayed at the top for six months gained a permanent advantage that ensured their reign.

"I suppose this is EVR's way of supporting the most promising player," Arlon mused. "This isn't really a race between players, after all."

When the leaderboard finally appeared, Arlon eagerly checked it:

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Leaderboard (Level)

1- Arlon (37)

2-June (19)

3- Evan (18)

4- Pierre (17)

5- Zack (17)

6- Carmen (17)

7- Lei (17)

8- Carole (17)

9- Jack (16)

10- Sam (15)

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***

There was a massive level gap between Arlon and the next person on the leaderboard: June. Just like in his previous timeline, she secured the second spot. It seemed the Gamers had experienced a wipe, with only June managing to survive and finish off the monsters herself. This likely accounted for her higher level compared to the rest of her group. Arlon smiled at their progress, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

In his past life, June had consistently ranked second on the leaderboard, and it seemed history was repeating itself. Arlon admired her resilience and skill, even if he was leagues ahead this time.

Scanning the leaderboard, he also spotted a few familiar names from his previous timeline—players he knew to be exceptionally talented. Unlike the Gamers, they either hadn't started in Istarra or had chosen not to consult the Legendary Guide for efficient leveling strategies. Regardless, their skills were undeniable, and Arlon marked them as potential allies he could "befriend" for future plans.

Arlon couldn't help but recall his own journey in the past timeline. Back then, he had no prior knowledge to guide him. Through trial and error, he had painstakingly discovered strategies and tricks on his own. While it had taken him two months to reach the top of the leaderboard, this time was different. With his experience and preparation, the number-one spot was his from day one.

While deep in thought, Arlon arrived at his next destination: a cave that held a set of ancient equipment. This gear was unlike anything he had encountered so far in this timeline. Apart from Wandsword, Arlon was practically unequipped, as any other gear he could obtain would be useless by the end of the day—he would already be at a much higher level than when he equipped them.

This particular set, however, was a game-changer. Forged in ancient times, it was designed to be viable until level 100. In his past timeline, this set had been discovered far too late to reach its full potential.

After the players realized EVR wasn't merely a game but real life, the priorities of the players shifted. Many stopped grinding levels and instead pursued the mysteries of Trion: mapping uncharted territories, uncovering lost artifacts, and scouring libraries for lore previously dismissed as fluff. Books that once sat ignored on dusty shelves became treasures of immense value, often worth more than level 200 gear. Diaries, historical texts, and cryptic notes became keys to unlocking legendary artifacts.

It was during this frenzy of discovery that a team had stumbled upon the very set Arlon was now hunting. By then, however, the majority of players were far beyond level 100, and the set's value was reduced to a historical curiosity. Now, armed with knowledge of its existence, Arlon intended to claim it early and make full use of its power.

The cave loomed before him, its entrance like a gaping maw. Without hesitation, Arlon stepped inside. Darkness enveloped him, impenetrable and absolute. He couldn't even see his own hands. With practiced ease, he murmured an incantation, and a luminous orb materialized, floating above his palm and casting a soft glow around him.

Arlon had spent the last week diligently studying Agema's spellbook, and his efforts were paying off. He could now cast simple spells like Light Orb and Fireball with minimal effort. His rising level also granted him a larger mana pool, allowing him to utilize more advanced spells such as Teleport—albeit for only five meters—and Eyes of ***** for ten seconds.

His progress wasn't limited to magic. Along his journey, he had also picked up a few warrior skills, blending them into his growing arsenal. The path he was carving as a magic swordsman was still a nascent one, but every spell and technique brought him closer to mastering both disciplines.

With his surroundings illuminated, Arlon ventured deeper into the cave, ready to claim the treasure that would give him another decisive edge.

The cave was a labyrinth of jagged stone walls and narrow pathways, its silence broken only by the distant drip of water. The air was cool and damp, carrying a faint metallic tang that hinted at ore deposits hidden deep within the rock. The light from Arlon's Light Orb danced along the uneven surfaces, casting shifting shadows that gave the space an eerie, almost alive quality.

As he ventured deeper, the oppressive stillness grew heavier, broken occasionally by the rustle of small creatures scurrying away from his presence. The cave felt untouched, as though no living being had disturbed its secrets in centuries. The deeper he went, the stronger the sense of foreboding grew, but Arlon knew better than to let it deter him.

Trion hadn't had monsters before the Keldars invaded, but that only meant there were no monsters on the surface. For instance, the monster Agema had chained was one that belonged to Trion, just like the one Arlon was about to face at the end of the cave. However, this one had been hidden behind some walls, which made the cave seem empty.

Of course, this meant one thing: the Keldar monsters should have already discovered this cave and turned it into their nest. But Arlon hadn't encountered any monsters yet, nor had he heard any sounds. He was careful with every step, scanning the walls and ceiling in case there were bat-like creatures, but he found nothing except for small insects.

He came to a fork in the path. One passage was wide, the floor smooth and unnaturally polished, while the other was narrow and cluttered with loose stones. He smirked. "Always take the hard road," he murmured, choosing the narrow path. Smooth floors often meant traps. The party that found the set in his past timeline learned it the hard way.

As he advanced, the faint glow of an enchantment caught his eye—runes etched into the stone walls. These symbols were ancient, their meaning long lost to most, but Arlon recognized them. They were warnings, etched by the heroes of the ancient time to deter unworthy seekers. This meant that he was nearing his destination.

However, at the end of the cave, Arlon saw a boy that shouldn't be here, around 12 years old, with a staff in his hand. His ears were long, like an Elf's. As Arlon studied the child's face, something seemed off.

For one, the boy never moved a muscle in his face, no matter how long they stared at each other. The kid also didn't respond when Arlon tried to salute him. And finally, Arlon knew that Elves didn't have such long ears when they were young; their ears grew longer as they aged.

Arlon recalled a monster from his past timeline and immediately activated Eyes of ***** to identify the creature.

Mime (Level 50)