Yunlun's recommendation was indeed timely. After reading the book, many of Yu Yu's doubts were answered. For instance, she wondered what her first passive skill should be.
[Nightingale Meditation]
This passive could accelerate her spiritual power recovery, and it would be even more effective when actively used.
As for skill points, Yu Yu still hadn't used any.
Her current skills weren't worth spending points on, and skills also had proficiency levels. Her highest proficiency was with Acid Ray, followed by Self-Ignition and Wind Gust, at 65, 39, and 14 respectively.
Acid Ray needed to be cast 35 more times to level up.
Her current attributes were as follows:
[Yu]
Identity: Townsperson
Profession: Apprentice Spellcaster
Level: 2 (377/500)
Money: 0 gold 5 silver 0 copper
Attributes: 10.7.5.3.5.4
Passives: 'Language and Text (Allen Peninsula)', 'Nightingale Meditation'
Skills: 'Candlelight', 'Self-Ignition', 'Wind Gust', 'Acid Ray', 'Magic Flame'
Quest: Grow Black-Tailed Red Heart Grass (repeatable)
Equipment: None
Backpack: Empty
Yesterday she had found four pieces of equipment from digging through worm nests, all of which she sold for a total of 9 silver and 100 copper. With the 2 silver from completing a quest, minus the 6 silver she owed, she had 5 silver left.
Yu Yu went to the general store and bought a small can of oil for 1 silver and 50 copper, a small stack of oilcloth for 10 copper, and a hemostatic plaster for 50 copper, leaving her with just 2 silver and 90 copper.
She really wanted the small pouch hanging in the store, but when she asked the price—10 silver—she abandoned the idea. She still needed to earn money.
The planting quest didn't take much time and usually rewarded 2 silver and a spell. Without additional income, she would need to complete five quests to buy the pouch.
Money, money.
With just over 2 silver remaining, Yu Yu decisively went to the academy for a +1 spell.
Among the remaining cantrips were attack spells, but Yu Yu couldn't use them. Her spiritual power was limited; after adding one point to her spirit, it rose to 30 points. Having more attack spells would be useless if she couldn't cast them. She learned 'Detect Magic,' thinking perhaps she could find treasure chests.
After preparing, Yu Yu left the city. Although she had no quest, fighting worms would give her experience and earn some money, so why not go?
As she was leaving the city, she saw guards posting a notice. Yu Yu stopped to look.
[Outsiders, please exercise restraint. Removing the blacksmith's pants without permission is strictly prohibited. Violators will be severely punished. —Town Hall]
Yu Yu thought to herself that the guard rotation tomorrow must also be true. She would share this on the forum when she got back. Finding worm nests took some time, but since she had done it yesterday, Yu Yu was quite skillful and easily slaughtered all the worms.
This time, Yu Yu decided to cast Magic Flame. The incantation wasn't difficult, and she looked at the pale blue flame in her palm with curiosity, examining it from different angles. There was no heat sensation; Yu Yu poked it with her fingertip and felt only a slight warmth. Could this thing actually burn anything?
Yu Yu placed it on her pile of worms, which she had prepared with oilcloth and sprinkled with oil. The flame left her hand, fell onto the oiled cloth, and instantly flared up. Seeing this, Yu Yu breathed a sigh of relief.
It worked.
The worm nest was enveloped in pale blue flames, emitting beautiful colors, but today Yu Yu remained unmoved. She sat on a rock and examined her gains.
She had leveled up, now at level 3 (117/1000), with +1 basic attribute point and +1 skill point, though strangely no passive skill this time.
As usual, she added to her spirit, bringing it to 11 and her spiritual power to 33.
She still hadn't used her skill points, and looked at the upgraded Acid Ray.
[Acid Ray]
[Tier: 0 (Cantrip) School: Evocation Casting Range: Far Casting Area: 20 meters Duration: Instant Consumption: 3 Casting Time: 2 Proficiency: Proficient (111/500)]
Other attributes remained unchanged, but the consumption decreased from 5 to 3, and casting time from 3 to 2—not a small improvement. In combat, these attributes would be extremely useful, so she needed to use her skills more often.
With the big worm dead, Yu Yu's experience became level 3 (147/1000). She jumped down from the rock to see if there was anything to find.
Soon, she dug up two fang knives and a short sword from the ruins. The fang knives were unremarkable, but the short sword had the following attributes:
[Silver Moon Short Sword]
Quality: Common Attack: 7~9 Durability: 49/50 Weight: 2.5 Requirement: Strength 3
The short sword was dusty, having been dug out from ashes. Yu Yu wiped it with her sleeve and found it quite beautiful. The blade was silver-white and sharp, with a pretty half-moon relief on the silver hilt, very attractive.
Yu Yu tried it out and found the sword was just a bit longer than her arm. She wouldn't sell this one. She'd keep it for herself. Though she was a spellcaster, she still needed a weapon for self-protection.
Yu Yu found some unburned worm silk, hung the sword at her waist, and happily set off back with the fang knives. She needed to harvest her crops and complete her quest. When she reached the city gate, Yu Yu heard commotion and found a bearded man cursing loudly.
"What do you mean 'without permission'? How could I possibly allow it?!"
Several players were gathered around, laughing and joking, and even the guards were watching them intently.
"Halt!"
Yu Yu looked in the direction of the voice and realized it was a guard.
Guard: "Where did you get that sword at your waist?"
Yu Yu looked down at her waist, at her beautiful short sword.
The guard's voice caused many players to look over, and even the blacksmith stopped cursing.
Yu Yu: "I found it in a worm nest. What's wrong?"
"Worm nest?" The guard's expression soured. "Take us to see it."
Yu Yu sensed a quest opportunity. "Alright, follow me."
A crowd of players wanted to follow, but Yu Yu urged, "Run faster."
There were only two guards at the city gate, and only one of them came with her. Hearing her words, the guard silently quickened his pace. Yu Yu couldn't keep up...
She suspected the guard had seven or eight points in agility.
The guard turned back, picked her up, shook off the curious players, and briefly explained, "This is standard equipment from our Silver Moon City. Coincidentally, a patrol team from the City Guard has gone missing these past few days, so..."
Yu Yu nodded, "I understand, I understand."
A hidden quest, she got it. Seeing her comprehension, the guard's expression softened considerably. Not every outsider was so obsessed, it seemed. They quickly reached the worm nest. The guard ignored the worm corpses on the ground and began searching. Yu Yu idly followed, treating it like watching a cutscene. The guard wandered around aimlessly, and Yu Yu followed.
After digging through the ashes for a while, the guard said gloomily, "You burned away all the traces."
Yu Yu: "...Oh, I'm very sorry."
Oh no, would the quest stall now?
Yu Yu asked, "What are you looking for? Can I help?"
The guard's tone was oddly disdainful, "How could you help?"
Yu Yu: "..."
Underestimate players, and you'll face retribution.
Guard: "Are you a warrior?"
Yu Yu looked at him, feeling he had no eye for detail at all. "Spellcaster."
The guard was startled, his tone immediately improving, "Do you know how to detect spells?"
"I only know how to detect magic."
[Detect Magic]
Tier: None School: Universal Casting Range: Very Close Casting Area: Ten-meter radius Casting Consumption: 3 Casting Time: None Proficiency: Beginner (0/100)
The guard grew expectant, "If you can find something, I'll apply for a reward for you."
This was exactly what Yu Yu was waiting for. How could a quest possibly end abruptly?
Impossible, absolutely impossible!
She led the guard in a thorough search, occasionally stopping to cast Detect Magic. The guard seemed to be very high level; when they encountered worms or even worm nests, he killed the guardian worms with just two sword strikes, while the smaller worms were utterly ineffective.
~Edit and rewritten by Rikhi, Reiya_Alberich, ReiNyam~
Yu Yu noted the locations of worm nests, deciding to return for loot after the quest was complete. Yu Yu wasn't impatient; when she ran out of spiritual power, she sat down to recover using her meditation technique. She carried out the quest matter-of-factly, assuming the NPC wouldn't leave. The guard, however, grew increasingly moved and couldn't help asking, "Why do you burn the worm nests?"
Yu Yu: "I don't want to, but how else can I kill them?"
The guard said, "The worm nest silk is the most valuable thing. I remember the academy has mages who buy it for experiments at 10 silver per unit. A single nest can produce at least five or six units. Isn't that faster than picking up trash?"
He advised, "Even this sword, if sold to the blacksmith, would fetch less than 15 silver. The way you're fighting is too wasteful."
Yu Yu: "..."
A moment later, she said sincerely, "Thank you so much."
The guard, feeling useful, smiled, "You're welcome."
Just then, Yu Yu's magic took effect. She had just finished meditating and immediately cast Detect Magic.
Yu Yu hushed, whispering very softly, "I think I found something."
The guard's expression became serious, showing no sign of relaxation. "Where?"
A moment later, Yu Yu hid behind a large rock, letting the guard go look by himself. She, a woman with only 8 hit points, couldn't risk it.
Hearing no sound, Yu Yu peeked out. The guard was crouching on the ground, appearing to be in no danger. Yu Yu cast another Detect Magic, holding an oil can in her hand, and cautiously approached.
Guard: "...It's human."
Yu Yu looked at the corpse on the ground, "Of course it's human."
Guard: "He was killed by a human."
Yu Yu's expression remained unchanged as she took the opportunity to check the quest.
[Find the missing patrol team members (1/5)]
(You have found the patrol's swordsman. He was impaled through the chest by an ice spear, his death miserable. This is a provocation against Moon Crescent Town, and we will not tolerate it!)
Yu Yu rubbed her chin, "There's only him here. Did he run here until he was exhausted?"
"Where are his teammates?"
"Did enemies track him? Did they catch up?"
"Do you have any ideas?"
The guard was taken aback by her questions. "I don't know. I must take him back to report to my superiors."
He said seriously, "Since this was done by humans, it's too dangerous for me alone."
Yu Yu thought about it and deeply agreed. With just one guard, if they encountered an ambush or a boss, wouldn't they be sacrificed for nothing?
This NPC was quite intelligent; smart NPCs wouldn't be killed off by the plot. Glancing at his head, there was still no name.
Such a quality NPC without even a name—lazy game designers!
The guard carried the corpse, "I need to hurry back to report. Stay away from the East Gate for a while."
Yu Yu: "..."
She was completing quests, not wandering aimlessly. Suddenly, Yu Yu noticed something on the ground.
The guard looked back, "What are you doing?"
"There's something on the ground." Yu Yu quickly picked up the items, her eyes brightening slightly. A crescent moon longsword, two scrolls, and two gold coins.
Were these NPC drops?
Did friendly NPCs drop items too?
Yu Yu instinctively frowned.
Guard: "That's his sword, the gold coins..."
He seemed to be organizing his thoughts. Yu Yu assumed she probably couldn't keep these items and handed them over, asking, "Are these for his family? Should I deliver them?"
She didn't forget to pursue the quest.
The guard sighed in relief, "Yes, he still has family."
He took the longsword and gold coins but ignored the scrolls in Yu Yu's hand. Just when Yu Yu thought he couldn't see them, he curiously asked, "Where did those scrolls come from?"
Yu Yu was startled and looked down.
[Aggressive Stance]
[Basic Weapon Proficiency - Longsword]
"Aren't these warrior skill books?"
The guard freed one hand to look, bewildered, "Aren't these your spellcaster scrolls? What do they have to do with warriors?"
Yu Yu paused, "If you don't want them, they're mine."
The guard nodded readily, "Thank you for your help. Oh, I forgot to ask your name."
"Yu."
They returned to the city. The blacksmith had left, but the players hadn't dispersed. Seeing Yu Yu, they rushed over, "Was that a hidden quest? Can you take me along? I can tank and fight. I don't even want money!"
Yu Yu: "It's already done, there's nothing left."
The guard returned to the city immediately, moving with swift steps. Yu Yu actually wanted to follow to see if she could get subsequent quests, but she really couldn't keep up. Low agility was truly not a good thing.
She went around to the square and found her old friend at the registration desk. "Yunlun!"
"It's you, Yu."
"Can I put up a sign here?"
"What kind of sign?"
"To sell two skills."
Yunlun: "Spells? Outsiders can't privately sell spells."
"No, warrior skills."
Yunlun looked confused, "What skills do warriors have?"
She didn't understand but still agreed, "Don't disturb the peace."
Yu Yu immediately agreed and put up a sign: "Selling warrior skills [Aggressive Stance] [Basic Weapon Proficiency - Longsword], price negotiable, highest bidder wins."
Only then did Yunlun see clearly and exclaimed in shock, "This, can these even be sold?"
Yu Yu was truly impressed by the NPCs in this game, "I don't know, but you can try if you're a warrior."
Yunlun shook her head, "I'm a spellcaster. If you can find spells I don't know, I might buy them."
Yu Yu thought to herself, didn't she just say outsiders couldn't privately sell spells?
"Alright, I will."
Players had already swarmed over. For some reason, Yu Yu felt this game had too many casual players.
A few days ago, she saw players helping drive carts and repair city walls. There were many idle players and even more pranksters, while serious players were rare—perhaps like her, they were busy completing quests every day.
Walking down the street, Yu Yu heard noisy chatter; there seemed to be more and more players.
"Ugh, ugh, is this bread even edible? Ugh, tastes like salty socks, ugh..."
Yu Yu was getting hungry too, but thinking of her pitiful silver coins, she hypnotized herself into not feeling hungry. Just as she reached the academy, a guard came calling for her.
"This is your reward."
[You have received the City Guard's gratitude. Rewards: +20 silver coins, Small Backpack *1, Silver Moon Short Sword *1, Silver Moon Wand *1, Law Circle Apprentice Robe *1, City Guard Commendation Certificate *1]