MMORPG: Birth of the World's Luckiest Player

Vanguard came sprinting across with the same explosive energy Marcus remembered from their student days. The two had graduated in the same class, but while Marcus had stepped straight into working life after finishing school, Vanguard had remained at Crestwood University for graduate studies and was now in his second year. A Sports Science major known for his hot temper and love of fighting, Vanguard had naturally risen to become the undisputed leader of the campus’s rougher crowd.

He thrived in the chaos of brotherhood and loyalty. Being surrounded by his crew gave him a sense of purpose, and he often joked that he wished a real war would break out someday just so he could charge into battle at the front, his boys storming behind him. Whether he meant it or not, no one doubted he believed every word.

"Big M!" Vanguard called out as he closed the distance in a few long strides, grinning widely. "The new semester’s been killing me. Haven’t even had time to look you up yet. I still owe you dinner this term. The guys even brought back some local specialties for you. We were just about to drop them off at your place."

The freshmen nearby froze.

They stared at Marcus as if reality itself had slipped sideways. Their leader and his right-hand man, Lenny, were greeting this man with unmistakable respect, almost eagerness. Vanguard and Lenny practically crowded around him, while the Earring Kid and the Kid in Black stood stiffly to the side, barely daring to breathe.

’Who exactly is this guy?’

The atmosphere alone suggested someone important, yet classes had already been underway for days and none of them had heard even a rumor about such a person. Vanguard answering to someone else was unimaginable. Confusion spread through the freshmen as they stole cautious glances at Marcus, searching his face for answers.

Then recognition began to dawn.

’Wait... he looks familiar.’

’No way...’

One by one, realization struck. A few students covered their mouths, barely suppressing startled gasps.

Earlier, all attention had been pulled toward the Earring Kid’s shouting and the overwhelming presence of the four women beside Marcus. With four breathtakingly beautiful girls standing there, each possessing her own distinct charm, no one had bothered to look carefully at the man accompanying them. He had simply blended into the background.

Between Lenny’s sudden outburst and the swift beating that followed, everything had unfolded too quickly for anyone to process properly. They had sensed Marcus’s commanding presence, the quiet authority that naturally surrounded him, but none of them had truly seen his face until now.

And now they had.

It was Marcus.

The realization crashed through the group like a physical shockwave. Excitement rippled among the freshmen, several of them nearly shouting in disbelief. His hairstyle had changed and the aggressive dominance he displayed on the basketball court had softened into something calmer and more refined, yet to true basketball fans the face was unmistakable.

This was Marcus, the most celebrated figure of the National Collegiate Basketball Championship, the player they had idolized for years.

If Vanguard had not been standing right beside him, a few of the boys might already have rushed forward begging for autographs.

The Earring Kid and the Kid in Black felt their stomachs drop.

They wanted to slap themselves.

They had actually spoken rudely to Marcus. Their idol. The very reason many of them had chosen Crestwood University in the first place. Memories of watching his games flooded back, and embarrassment burned hotter with every passing second. Regret settled heavily over them, crushing and immediate.

’So Marcus is the real boss here?’

The thought electrified the freshmen. If Marcus truly stood at the top of Vanguard’s circle, then seeing him around campus would not be a once-in-a-lifetime event. They might actually cross paths with their hero again.

"Big M, how about we grab a few drinks today?" Vanguard said eagerly. "I still owe you that beer."

Marcus smiled faintly and shook his head. "Not today. Maybe next time."

The suggestion was tempting. It had been a while since he had relaxed with a proper drink. Still, Vanguard and his crew clearly had their own plans, and Marcus had no intention of inserting himself into their schedule.

Despite the respectful way Vanguard addressed him, Marcus was not actually part of their gang. He was neither a delinquent nor some hidden campus kingpin. During his university years he had been, by every official standard, an exemplary student.

Their connection began simply enough. They had served together on the Student Council, which was where they first became acquainted. After Marcus joined the Basketball Association and his extraordinary talent became impossible to ignore, Vanguard, a passionate basketball fanatic, had attached himself to Marcus almost immediately. What began as admiration gradually turned into genuine friendship.

Over time Marcus had helped Vanguard and Lenny through several serious situations, favors that neither of them ever forgot. From then on they addressed him as "Big M," not out of hierarchy but out of sincere respect and brotherhood.

The moment that truly cemented Marcus’s reputation, however, happened during their sophomore year.

Back then Vanguard was not the leader of the campus toughs. Another gang controlled that territory, led by a troublemaker who constantly provoked him. One afternoon the man made the mistake of running his mouth in front of Marcus. Already irritated that day, Marcus lost his temper. By the time anyone intervened, the rival leader was left battered and humiliated beyond recovery.

The incident shattered the rival group’s reputation overnight, and the gang quickly dissolved. With the power vacuum left behind, Vanguard naturally rose to prominence.

Even after graduation Marcus never fully disappeared from campus life. His home sat just outside university grounds, and he often returned to play basketball at the gym or share drinks with Vanguard’s group. Summer break had interrupted that routine, though, and nearly two months had passed since they last sat down together.

"Alright then, Big M," Vanguard said, nodding. "Next time we’ll do it properly. I brought back some top-shelf stuff from home. We’ll celebrate right."

His gaze shifted toward the women standing beside Marcus, lingering briefly on Lily. Understanding flashed across his face, followed by a mischievous grin.

"Looks like congratulations are in order. Guess I’ll be calling Lily ’Sister-in-law’ from now on."

Marcus chuckled. "Since you brought it up, let me introduce everyone."

He gestured toward Lily first. "You’re right. This is your sister-in-law."

Then he motioned to Amber, followed by Jade and Crystal. "And these are..."

"Big M, say no more," Vanguard interrupted, thumping his chest confidently. "Your family is my family. Anyone connected to you is under our protection. Nobody on this campus will give them trouble."

Marcus nodded, genuinely appreciative. "Thanks. The bell’s about to ring, so we should head out."

Classes were about to begin, and Lily and the others hurried off toward their buildings. To Marcus’s mild disappointment, Jade did not cling to his arm this time. Instead, she rushed away with Amber, the two laughing together like lifelong friends. They had become inseparable surprisingly quickly, and Marcus found himself feeling an oddly childish hint of jealousy at how easily they bonded.

Left alone, Marcus returned to the track and finished his morning workout at an unhurried pace. The familiar rhythm of running cleared his thoughts. Afterward, he headed home, showered quickly, and logged back into Dominion.

It was time to level up.

Without hesitation, he prepared for a focused grind session. Both his Wyvern Saint Knight, Lyanna, and the Vixen Queen, Camillo, needed serious experience gains. His immediate goal was to push them beyond Level 30 and unlock their next major growth phase.

He had checked the Level Leaderboard earlier. RogueTheory, currently ranked second, had remained stuck at Level 30 for some time but was steadily closing the gap.

The expedition to the Mist Veil Palace and the rescue of Alana had yielded tremendous rewards, yet those complicated missions had consumed enormous amounts of time. He had barely done any straightforward leveling recently.

Now, with no urgent crises demanding attention, the opportunity was perfect.

Marcus wanted a real fight. Something large enough to test his current build, something dangerous enough to reveal the true limits of his upgraded stats. He needed a battle that would tell him exactly how strong he had become.

Only one question remained.

Where was the best place to hunt?

He leaned back slightly, thinking it through as he reviewed the map in his mind, recalling every region he had explored so far. Each zone carried different risks; dense monster populations, elite patrol routes, hidden bosses, or unpredictable environmental hazards.

Efficiency mattered as much as danger. A reckless choice could waste precious hours, but the right battlefield could propel him far ahead of every competitor still struggling to catch up.