Max wasn't aware of how much time has passed since he logged in.
Inside the game, it was still morning, so he might start clearing the dungeon by tomorrow in the real world's time.
In other words, he could still have another twelve hours in increasing the proficiency level of his active skills.
He spent all his Free Stat Points to increase his Intelligence Points by 55.
Since he was currently level 40 and his intelligence points were higher than 15 Points, then his mana capacity remained the same—400 Mana Points.
Added by +8% Mana Capacity effects from his set equipment, he has 432 Mana Points.
After he went to the Ranger's Post, he asked the system how much time left before the gaming pod would exhaust itself and received a surprising two hours left.
Max wanted to take a rest at first, but then recalled he could increase his active skills' proficiency to intermediate level now.
After accumulating 55 Intelligence Points, he wouldn't face any barrier when trying to increase their proficiency level.
As expected, after two hours inside the Controlled Mana Circle Room, his Arcane Bolt reached intermediate level proficiency a second before the system warned him.
[You have leveled up your Arcane Bolt's proficiency to intermediate level.
[Arcane Bolt (Intermediate) — an improved compressed mana projectile with enhanced velocity and efficiency.
Damage: 80 attack
Mana Cost: 14 mana points
Casting Time: 2.2 seconds.]
Honestly, Max was utterly surprised that he easily increased his arcane bolt into intermediate level in the span of two hours.
He thought. But my intelligence points are already at 55 points, so it makes sense why it went easier than I thought. There was also the battle against the alchemist and demon that increased my mastery, too.
Perhaps, the Mana Threads and Mana Pulse would be difficult to increase.
Max was supposed to utilize Mana Pulse if Julian and friends would have ganged up on him. Since they didn't, he only used Arcane Bolt and Mana Shield in the end.
Max was wholly satisfied from the effects of increasing his Arcane Bolt to intermediate level, amplifying his whole strength to a new level.
Before he logged out, he connected his account first to register into the Aethernova Industries' official website.
By doing so, he could gain access to their Cross-Reality Marketplace System.
Of course, he could allow which of his items could be shown and which not to on their website. Not even the staff of Aethernova Industries could gain access to it.
After all, they even failed to gain access to the data of Apocalypse Online, much less to the player.
Hence, Max, knowing completely well how Apocalypse Online and Aethernova Industries were interconnected, confidently connected his limited data to them.
Afterwards, he logged out.
…
Aethernova Industries' headquarters was located in the major financial and tech hub in North America.
It was a 90+ floor corporate skyscraper called Aethernova Central Tower.
In the Neural Data Management Division, which was responsible for collection, storage, processing, and regulation of all player-related data, the staff were rushing to a single computer handled by an ordinary staff.
Even the CEO left his meeting just to see up close the report he received.
When he arrived, the staff paved a path for him, as he walked straight to the computer while the staff responsible for it stood up and bowed towards him.
He said, "Chief, the First Awakener had just registered his account to our website. However, he seemed to know well that we couldn't gain access to his full data, so he only showed the equipment and coins that he wanted to sell.
His skills and stats are hidden, but his title achievement has been shown."
The chief listened to the staff while swiping the mouse from time to time.
He frowned.
This guy is so enigmatic. How charming.
He thought as he arrived at the RMT System on their website, where the First Mage requested to sell his silver coins in two batches. The first batch is 20 silver coins and the second batch is another 20 silver coins.
Then, for the third batch, Max sold his mage equipment he bought. Max left a note, saying that the equipment and coins he sold had to be auctioned.
When trading inside Apocalypse Online, it didn't matter the location between the two traders. The system could handle the trade between the players.
For instance, if a buyer of his equipment was from another village, Max could simply ask for a trade through the system and give him the equipment or coins that the buyer bought for in exchange for real world money.
The system doesn't follow the format inside the game, where the players had to be in physical contact when trading things.
Max was really grateful for the system's trading feature.
Moreover, Max personally left a note that only the Chief could open.
The Chief opened it after putting the password only he knew and read the message.
[Recipient: Chief Executive Officer of the RMT Department.
Sender: Maximus Grant.
Message: Hello, I'm Maximus Grant, I won't hide my real identity since it's inevitable to happen. If you research about me, you'll know I'm poor and drowned with debt, that's why I resorted to this. All I request is to help me hide my identity for current and future trading. In exchange, you'll get 10 percent of the profit. I hope you'll accept my offer.]
The chief was utterly surprised. He didn't expect that the First Mage and the First Awakener, who was currently leading all the players inside Apocalypse Online, was a very ordinary individual.
A very poor one at that.
His eyes shone in excitement.
That means, he's not affiliated with any gaming organization. This is our chance!
Without hesitation, he wrote a message that would only deliver to Max's inbox inside Apocalypse Online.
Max initiated such a mode of communication, after all.
He was the most cautious individual that the CEO had encountered.
He wrote, "Greetings, Max. I don't need to research about you, I trust your words. As for your offer, how about this? Instead of 10%, we'll get rid of it. Become our contracted player, the face of our franchise, the Aethernova Industries is also interested in establishing deep relationships with potential players. If you are interested more about this, we shall meet and discuss the benefits and conditions face to face. Just say the word when you are free, I'll take care of the arrangements, you don't need to spend money on this."
The CEO didn't even notice he had already written a lot. After writing and reading it one last time, he pressed the send and turned around towards a staff member currently responsible for Max's auctioned items.
He said, "The batches of silver coins should be set at 5,000 US Dollars initial price, the bid increment should be at 1,000 US Dollars.
As for the Common Rank equipment, since earning coins is difficult, then of course it should be pricey in real life.
Set it at 2,000 US Dollars and the bid increment should be at 500 Dollars.
Update me if the First Awakener replied to my message and if he had already set the date to close the bidding."
Without waiting for their response, he already turned around and left, continuing the meeting he abruptly halted.