I Can Extract Game Items

Boris grunted while tearing a piece off a skewer with his teeth. "Yeah. And then suddenly you show up riding a damn dragon through the city. Care to explain?"

August smirked and leaned back in his chair. "If I told you, you wouldn't believe me."

Gregorious gasped. "Is it a legendary quest?! You are a protagonist! I knew it!"

August shook his head and changed the subject. "Where's Lilo?"

Ezran sighed while pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "She's working late again. Probably won't be on tonight."

August frowned slightly but nodded. "Alright, let's not waste time. We need to grind. The tournament isn't far off, and we're still way below the top-tier players."

Gregorious rubbed his chin. "Yeah… I checked the leaderboards earlier. Some of those bastards are already past level 60."

Boris snorted. "The Ice Queen is already level 58. That woman's a monster."

Ezran tapped his fingers against the table. "And we're still hovering around the late 30s. If we don't step it up, we won't last long in the tournament."

August pulled up his interface, checking his current Player Status Panel

---

[Player Status Panel]

- Name: Aleman

- Class: Assassin/Mage

- Title: Sovereign of Anti-Darkness

- Level: 39

- EXP: 120,400/2,550,000

- HP: 22,600/22,600

- MP: 15,800/15,800

- Gold: 6,420

- Power Level: Tier 2

---

He was progressing, but the gap between the top players was too wide. If he wanted to compete, he needed to grind harder.

"Alright, let's go," August got to his feet. "I know the perfect spot."

Gregorious clapped his hands together. "Ah, yes! Time to remind the world why we are the greatest adventurers!"

Ezran sighed. "You mean time to scream like a lunatic while nearly dying?"

"Same thing!"

...

...

The party arrived at a dark, foreboding expanse known as the Obsidian Scar Wildlands.

It was a region formed from the remnants of an ancient battlefield where powerful creatures roamed. It had only been unlocked recently so it was still a fairly new grinding spot.

Tall spiky black spires loomed overhead, crackling with dormant energy. Patches of luminescent blue plants grew along the fractured ground, casting eerie glows amidst the darkness.

The land was home to creatures known as Void Howlers—four-legged monstrosities with obsidian-like bodies and pulsating violet veins of energy running along their forms.

Their mouths split apart in unnatural ways, lined with fangs that gleamed like glass.@@novelbin@@

The moment the party stepped forward, multiple system notifications appeared.

---

[ System Notification: You have entered the Obsidian Scar Wildlands ]

- Warning: Monsters here range from Level 40-58. Proceed with caution.

- Bonus EXP Gain: +10% Due to the 'Night Prowler' Title Effect.

---

Gregorious drew his sword with a grin. "Perfect. Let's get some kills."

Ezran was already channeling a protective spell. "Let's not get overconfident."

The Void Howlers began to take notice of their presence.

Their violet eyes burned as they released guttural screeches. August activated Phantom Blitz and dashed forward before reappearing a distance away with his twin daggers drawn.

"Let's do this."

As August appeared behind one of the Void Howlers he drove his dagger into its obsidian hide.

The creature shrieked as August activated slash and struck at the creature repeatedly, drawing blood.

---

[ System Notification: Critical Strike!]

- You dealt 9,200 Damage!

- Void Howler HP: 32,000 → 22,800

---

Another Void Howler lunged at him, but he activated Phantom Blitz again, flickering out of existence for a split second before reappearing behind the creature.

Meanwhile, Boris slammed his battle-axe into the previous howler's skull, shattering its head after Ezran chipped away at its health with multiple spells activation.

---

[ System Notification: You have slain a Void Howler (Level 41). ]

- EXP Gained: 5,600

- Loot: [Void Residue] x1, [Obsidian Fang] x2

---

Gregorious wasn't far behind... he charged straight into the fray with a battle cry as his sword cleaved through one of the creatures.

-500HP

Although he did little damage compared to the others, there was no doubt that he was slowly improving.

Ezran cast Fire Barrage, bombarding the beasts with orbs of condensed flames, making sure they couldn't surround August.

---

[System Notification: You have slain a Void Howler (Level 42) ] Read exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire

- EXP Gained: 7,000

- Loot: [Void Core] x1, [Luminous Hide] x1

---

August proceeded to conjure a Thunder Spear and launched the electrified weapon straight through the last Void Howler.

BOOM!

The explosion lit up the wildlands as the creature disintegrated, leaving nothing but a crater in its wake.

---

[ System Notification: You have slain a Void Howler (Level 44) ]

- EXP Gained: 10,000

- Loot: [Shadow Essence] x1, [Howler's Claw] x3

---

Gregorious wiped sweat from his forehead. "Well… that was exhilarating."

Ezran adjusted his glasses. "That was exhausting."

Boris cracked his knuckles. "That was just the warm-up."

August smirked while checking his EXP bar—the numbers climbing steadily.

"Let's keep going... We're not stopping until each of us reaches level 45..."

...

...

(( The Real World ))

The morning sun poured through the massive glass windows of the Montgomery Mansion, casting golden hues across the lavish floors.

The expansive dining room was adorned with crystal chandeliers, sparkling silverware, and a table long enough to seat twenty, though only five seats were occupied.

Mr. Philip Montgomery, a man with round-faced features and a neatly trimmed beard, sat at the head of the table.

His tailored navy suit was impeccable, even this early in the morning. Across from him sat his elegant wife, Victoria Montgomery.

Her posture was as straight as an arrow and she was clad in a pristine cream blouse and pearls that gleamed as coldly as her sharp gray eyes.

On either side of the table sat their children: Celeste Montgomery, the poised college-aged eldest daughter, scrolling idly through her phone; Madeline Montgomery, the fiery, bratty teenager and the youngest, Dennis, a ten-year-old terror in the body of a smug aristocrat, sipping orange juice like it owed him money.

The soft clinking of silverware against fine china filled the air as breakfast was served—an assortment of fresh croissants, scrambled eggs with herbs, sausages, and an array of tropical fruits.

Bodyguards in black suits stood like statues near the entrances. Their presence seemed as casual as the family dog lounging near the balcony.

Mr. Montgomery cleared his throat while setting down his fork. "So, Madeline, any trouble at school lately?" His tone was neutral, but the subtle raise of his brow hinted at expectation.

Madeline stabbed a strawberry with unnecessary aggression and rolled her eyes. "Nope. Just the usual. Oh—though I am going to ask Sophia for August's number again today."

The fork in Mr. Montgomery's hand paused mid-air. "Madeline, for the last time, focus on your studies. You're in school to learn, not chase after some—" He waved his hand dismissively. "—random boy."

Madeline huffed before crossing her arms. "You don't get it, Dad. August isn't just some boy. He's tall, super handsome, and probably the man of my dreams." She sighed dramatically while staring off as if picturing a fantasy wedding in her head.

Mrs. Montgomery nearly choked on her tea. "The man of your dreams? You're fifteen."

"So? Age is just a number." Madeline shrugged defiantly.

Across the table, Celeste let out a scoff as she finally looked up from her phone. "Pfft. Your 'dream man' probably can't even hold a candle to Aleman."