Yu Yu's study schedule over the past five days was relentless.
Summoning, for now, remained surface-level—she grasped her summons but hadn't delved into their principles or deeper research. She meticulously reviewed her trusted earth elemental and fire elemental, then supplemented her knowledge with critical ritual methods. After contracting an elemental lord, she skimmed the basics of storm elemental, water elemental, and lightning elemental.
Summoning: done.
It took less than a day. The rest of her time split evenly between enchanting and common knowledge—five parts each. When enchanting tired her, she switched to common knowledge; when that drained her, back to enchanting. A relentless cycle.
She studied with such fervor, she barely ate or slept. Even Fuyu and the others, dropping by occasionally, were floored. Studying in a game? What sin did spellcasters commit?
Lynn, flush with recent earnings, hadn't taken bounties. Bored, she spotted Zi Shu and decided to stay, "coaching" her. In truth, it was more like pummeling.
Through Lynn, Yu Yu learned Shadow Strider had no qualms about side gigs, offering lessons at 50 gold coins a session. Fuyu got outsourced, too. The recent missions had lined everyone's pockets, and Fuyu embraced a nocturnal lifestyle, rarely home.
The last one to live like that was Shu Tu. She'd caught the eye of the ranger camp, summoned for free lessons. Likely, she was now living Yu Yu's life—golden thigh privilege.jpg.
An offer arrived, and Yu Yu stretched, rising.
Shu Tu was out, Ban Ban too.
Fuyu was gone, leaving Lynn and Zi Shu sparring downstairs.
"Sparring" was generous—Lynn was thrashing Zi Shu. Players had one perk: unless killed or maimed on the spot, any injury healed with a couple of potions. Zi Shu, now mid-tier, was refining skills and gear, charting her path. Lynn, a high-tier warrior, was the perfect mentor—patient, generous, yet strict. Ideal. Watching Zi Shu take another beating, Yu Yu leaned on the railing, a gleeful smirk curling her lips.
Lynn sheathed her wind blade with flair. Unlike the sweat-drenched Zi Shu, she was poised, her pointed ears twitching as she glanced at Yu Yu. "What's so funny?"
Yu Yu, unabashed, said, "You pummeling Zi Shu."
Her gaze drifted to the backyard. The potatoes had sprouted, tender green shoots peeking from the soil, soothing her heart. Coincidentally, her real-world potatoes had sprouted too. Though food and drink were plentiful, Yu Yu had been on edge. Now, she relaxed. Senior's talk of mutations—had they started?
Or, like the orange tree, would they manifest out of nowhere?
Zi Shu glanced up. "Finished your books?"
Yu Yu: "Nope."
The more she read, the vaster spellcaster knowledge seemed. She doubted she'd ever finish.
Yu Yu: "I'm heading out soon."
"Go," Zi Shu said, standing calmly. "Senior, I'm rested. Let's continue."
Lynn abandoned chatting with Yu Yu, summoning a curling wind blade to spar. Zi Shu seemed to be learning footwork, studying diligently. Yu Yu didn't quite get it. Warriors, at mid-tier, unlocked a new power—inner source, per Lynn. Mid-tier skills like swift wind sword or gale step required this to sustain.
Yes, these weren't one-offs but continuous skills, draining inner source. Generating inner source demanded a Constitution over 12. In short: players who misallocated stats were screwed. Zi Shu's Constitution was only 9, 11 with gear. She needed another level for inner source—and that was just in-game.
In reality, without gear, her skills were useless. This revelation sent players into mourning, cursing Wind Singer—until NPC trainers shut them down.
"Who're you cursing? How dare you slander Her Excellency Wind Singer?"
"Mid-tier skills for low-tier warriors? Got inner source?"
"Her Excellency shares knowledge, and you don't thank her—you curse her?"
"Get over here!"
Players learned the hard way: warriors prioritized Constitution, not Strength. Their dreams of strength builds, agility builds, or hybrid builds crumbled. Only Constitution builds remained. This pitfall left forums in despair.
Other classes felt the ripple. After probing trainers, even rangers were advised to hit 10 Constitution.
Melee classes? 12 minimum.
Suddenly, spellcasters seemed the only ones unfazed by Constitution demands. Yu Yu finished, adjusted her robe, and set off.
"Senior Meng!"
Having missed Senior Meng's meals amid the chaos, Yu Yu hauled a crate of instant noodles and several boxes of ready-to-eat food.
Meng watched, wide-eyed, as she unloaded. "…Your inventory's huge?"
Yu Yu beamed. "Specially traded with the magic circle for a 200-slot mega-inventory!"
Pricey, but flawless.
That inventory cost her 200 gold coins!
Notably, since becoming an advisor, her EXP and pay had spiked.
Daily: 2,000 EXP, +1 gold coin. Weekly: 25 gold each from the Grand Archon and Duchess.
Monthly salary: 30 + (25 × 2 × 4) = 230 gold coins!
She was a 230-gold-a-month mogul!
Far from high-tier spellcasters, but leagues above players. High-tier spellcasters had research grants, subsidies, and funding atop fixed salaries.
As for EXP, level 9 to 10 needed 100,000. At 2,000 daily, that's 50 days. Best not to dwell.
The perk? She got paid even without working.
No clocking in, like the Grand Archon and Duchess tailored it for her. Pure bliss.
Meng eyed the stacked boxes, tempted to peek.
She resisted. "Come, let's review your progress."
Half a day later, Yu Yu trudged out, crestfallen. Senior Meng had scolded her, though she passed the follow-up tests, earning mild approval—and a mountain of new books and assignments. Yu Yu planned to ask the Grand Archon later: what'd it take to bring books out?
Her in-game time was stretched thin!!
After Meng, she visited Chang.
Joy: +1 delivery quest.
[Chang's Greetings] (Visit Chang's old friend, War Overseer Chong. Location: Withered Wood Town - Pioneer Camp)
Taking the quest, Yu Yu's expression twitched.
"How'd Senior know I was going to the Pioneer camp?"
Chang sipped milk tea. "Mid-tiers train at the Pioneer camp. Every high-tier spellcaster's been there. Of course I'd send you."
Yu Yu: "Fair."
Everyone went; she had to.
Chang grinned. "Got your teammates picked?"
Yu Yu waved. "They're sitting this out. I'm scouting first."
Chang raised a brow, skeptical. "You?"
Yu Yu: "Lynn's with me."
Chang: "???"
She cracked, "When'd you cozy up to her?"
Yu Yu, innocent, said, "Last time, when she smashed the statue."
Chang: "?????"
"You played her, and she's not mad?"
Yu Yu mused, "Maybe I've got hidden charm?"
Chang swatted, exasperated. "Scram."
Offers done ×2.
Next, the Duchess.
Not that Yu Yu saved Senior for last—she'd made it clear: visiting meant exams.
Who dives into exams first?!!
"Your Grace," Yu Yu knocked politely, "may I enter?"
The Duchess, scenting her ages ago, shot a cool glance. "You know the answer. Don't waste my time."
Yu Yu grinned, slipping in. "Just didn't want to seem rude and upset Your Grace."
The silver-haired beauty scoffed, eerily like Senior in moments.
Duchess: "Heard you're starting a newspaper?"
Yu Yu's eyelid twitched. "I haven't even pitched it…"
Senior, why so eager?!
Duchess: "I'll allow it, but convince Teacher yourself."
Yu Yu: "Got it, got it. I'll work on the Grand Archon."
If she failed, oh well.
The Duchess lowered her gaze. "Heard you've got teammates."
Yu Yu's eyes sparkled. "Your Grace!"
Today's Duchess was striking—tall, valiant, silver hair tied high, clad in sleek silver armor, deep blue eyes blazing with vigor.
She practically glowed.
Duchess, coolly: "I need apprentice squires. Send them."
"But I'm based at the barracks. If they can't handle hardship, don't bother."
Yu Yu probed, "Daily check-ins? Can they take missions? Pay?"
The Duchess blinked, caught off-guard. "Squires follow me wherever I go."
"Missions? Impossible!" She added, "I can assign tasks."
"Pay…" She glanced at Yu Yu. "Less than yours, but fair. 100 gold a month, how's that?"
Yu Yu tilted her head, tactful. "They level and earn via missions, plus train with high-tiers. Following Your Grace—wouldn't that cut their learning?"
Duchess, scoffing: "Absurd. Think my camp lacks high-tier warriors or rogues?"
"Rangers?"
Duchess, proud: "Got 'em all."
Wolfy pride face.jpg
Somehow, Yu Yu found her adorable.
Curse it, I want to tutor this pup! Trade candies for ear scratches!
The Duchess's blue eyes darkened, voice low. "Stare at my head again, I dare you."
Yu Yu looked away airily, then reined herself in, innocent. "I zoned out, not what Your Grace thinks, honest!"
Duchess snorted. "Felix didn't warn me you ogle her head daily."
Yu Yu paused.
Senior's too fierce! Linger on her head past two seconds, and I feel like I'm toast.
The Duchess? Safer.
If Wolfy had a vibe, Senior was the fierce one.
Yu Yu, solemn: "I respect Senior and Your Grace deeply. I'd never think of your ears."
The Duchess nearly crushed the table. "…You said it."
Are castle wolves teased daily? Why's she meeker than Senior?
Yu Yu bowed humbly, pivoting, "I'm off to the Pioneer camp, then the main continent. Anything Your Grace is curious about or wants? I can grab it."
Duchess, icy: "Nothing."
Yu Yu: "Like tasty treats? Music?"
Duchess, fuming: "I said nothing!"
Yu Yu, pouting: "Fine, nothing. No need to snap."
Duchess: "…"
After a long breath, she said, "If they're willing, have them meet me tomorrow."
She turned away. "See yourself out."
Wolfy's mad, Wolfy's ignoring me.
Yu Yu rarely saw the Duchess this riled. She was usually so polite.
Did Senior whisper something?
Or was Wolfy just quick to fume?
Senior was untouchable.
But the Duchess?
If Yu Yu earned major merits—for the duchy, for the realm—might the Duchess, begrudgingly, let her touch her ears?
More merits, and maybe she'd curl into a fluffy white ball, a giant pillow?
Hiss!
The possibilities!
Or a Wolfy scarf? Glowing Wolfy fur woven into a dazzling scarf—pure swagger!
Yu Yu pictured the Duchess's teary blue eyes as she clutched a tuft of fur, weaving a tiny scarf.
Heh, NPC's won't get player hobbies!
If Wolfy strutted, players would swarm.
Imagining players charging, "For Silver Moon! For Wolfy!"—the scene was hilarious.
Giggling, Yu Yu soared. "Your Grace, I'll send them over."
Public service? Sign up, then slack off. The Duchess wasn't unreasonable.
Ask for leave enough, she'd probably let it slide.
Plan secured! Wolfy get!
Ticking off three offers, Yu Yu swung by the Grand Archon.
The slacker was home today.
She raised a brow. "What's up? Ready to work?"
Yu Yu shook her head firmly. "I have a question for the Grand Archon."
Yawning, the Grand Archon said, "No promises I'll answer."
Yu Yu: "Don't worry, it's not about Wolfy."
The Grand Archon's eyelid twitched, glancing at the door.
Good, Fu Fu wasn't there.
"Bold! Who said you could call her Wolfy?"
Pfft, you call her pupper daily!
Yu Yu ignored her. "I've got too many books. Senior Meng's testing, Senior's testing—I'm out of time."
"Does the Grand Archon know how to take books out?"
"I need to use real-world time too."
The Grand Archon mused, "I don't really know."
Yu Yu stared.
You asked if I could bring complex stuff in. Don't play dumb!
"No need for that look. My authority comes from the council, and even they can't fully control the magic circle."
"Getting it to issue quests depends on your luck," she said, rare seriousness in her tone. "What we can offer doesn't include that power."
"Like that Excellency."
Yu Yu flashed to the legendary figure.
Grand Archon: "To catch the magic circle's eye, figure it out yourself."
"It focuses on big events," her gaze deepened. "Keep working with that Excellency. Didn't he tell you to visit at mid-tier?"
Yu Yu caught her hint. "I'll hit the Pioneer camp, then him. Grand Archon, you'll clear the way, right?"
The Grand Archon's mouth twitched. "His keepers aren't my call. I'll try."
Yu Yu, relieved, dusted off and left. "Your subordinate takes her leave."
The Grand Archon sat, lost in thought.
Final offer.
Exams, exams, exams.
Felix showed no reaction to Yu Yu's timing. She plopped a thick stack of exam papers down and picked up her newspaper.
Yu Yu: "This many?!!!"
Felix glanced, then pulled out a third. "These are yours. You haven't covered the rest."
"Don't ask me questions. Senior Meng can hear," Felix said. "Or take it in her office."
Yu Yu glued herself to the seat. "No way. I feel safe with Senior."
—Yu Yu's Exam—
The questions weren't too tough.
Common knowledge was rote memorization.
Yu Yu, to her credit, was sharp.
Her smarts shone in memory and creative leaps.
Her recall was stellar from childhood—obscure texts memorized after two reads.
In conversations, she remembered words, expressions, and subtle eye shifts, often startling others when she referenced details they'd forgotten.
As a teen, her reflexes and quick thinking made her a Hall of Fame player.
But later, she rarely tapped her talents. Brick-moving was brick-moving, anywhere.
Now, that spark reignited.
Her memory, mental speed, and indefinable edges felt sharper, clearer.
Every book she'd read these days? Still there.
No, all there.
She'd sensed this with Senior Meng, but Meng didn't make her write exams.
Her reading speed wasn't just game buffs.
Could it be… Spirit?
Was Senior Meng's claim literal?
Every high-tier spellcaster aces exams!
Was the magic circle free of dunces?!!
Imagining an academy of prodigies, Yu Yu bristled.
No way! Spirit shouldn't directly boost intelligence, right?
Illusion, illusion, illusion!
But Spirit definitely tied to memory!
Yu Yu was certain.
Her pen flowed, breezing through five exam sheets, stalling on the sixth.
She set her pen down. "Senior, I haven't reached the rest."
Felix lowered her paper. The five-and-a-half sheets floated over.
Yu Yu watched, nervous, as Felix scanned at lightning speed.
No mistakes, right?
Careless! She should've checked!
Everyone aces—she couldn't slip!
Under her anxious gaze, Felix didn't pause, setting the sheets down. "No errors. Decent."
Yu Yu exhaled, then blurted, "Senior, does high Spirit raise intelligence?"
Felix hummed. "Why think that?"
Yu Yu described her clarity.
Felix glanced. "Spirit doesn't boost intelligence, but…"
"But?"
"High Spirit sharpens memory and broadens knowledge. Read enough, and most call you smart," Felix said lightly. "Spellcasters are often seen as sages for this reason."
"Before anomalies, spellcasters had ways to extend life—learned and long-lived," she mused. "Smart? Sure. Fools didn't last."
"Survivors were clever enough, no?"
A cold voice cut in, "Enough. Spellcasters are wisdom's emblem. Why play humble?"
Yu Yu: "…"
Pressure mounting.
When you're humble, I feel brilliant. When you agree, I feel unworthy…
Better stay modest…
Yu Yu bowed her head. "I'll stick to being a bit dim."
"Senior, hug for the dummy!"
Felix shot a look, dripping with disdain.
Yu Yu wilted.
What a glare!
Senior seemed cool and aloof, but her rare, vivid expressions stole the show.
Like now.
Curse it!
Yu Yu puffed her chest. "I, brilliant spellcaster!"
Felix retracted her gaze. "You're slow. Next time, write more."
Yu Yu: "…"
If I recall, I covered five-and-a-half exam sheets in days, splitting time with summoning and enchanting.
And you call me slow?!
Is that human speech?!
Felix could say it, waving casually. "Nothing else? Out."
Yu Yu clung. "Senior, I need spells!"
Felix sipped her cup, flicking the light-screen. "Buy them yourself."
Yu Yu: "…"
What a half-hearted Senior!
She navigated herself, familiar from watching Felix.
With 31,290 points and 1,600+ gold coins, she was flush.
But with Lynn, she had to choose wisely.
Ugh, there's stone to mud/mud to stone!
Want it, want it, WANT IT!!!
Buy it? Buy it? BUY IT?!
Yu Yu caved, clicking. Payment zoomed through.
Looking up, she met Senior's gaze.
Not quite disdain, but an of course vibe.
Did she leave a bad impression before?
"Senior, I just thought…"
Felix, coolly: "Used to it."
Yu Yu: "…"
Definitely not good! Damn!
Points -5,000, gold -20.
Next, Yu Yu wavered.
She wanted elemental spells to round out her summoning, but wasn't sure…
She dawdled, adding to her cart without paying.
Why not ask the all-knowing Senior?
Yu Yu perked up. "Senior, for a Pioneer camp mission with Lynn, what spells should I get?"
Felix pondered. "For that, max out spell alert and spell detection."
"Huh?"
Felix sighed. "You won't have time."
Yu Yu: "…They're only at proficient."
She rarely used them in Silver Moon.
Felix: "Proficiency?"
Yu Yu explained, "…I think skill points might matter later, so I haven't used any."
Felix mused, "I don't know your proficiency mechanics, but master the spell models for those two, and proficiency should follow."
"Since you're studying enchanting, have Senior Meng teach you their models in-depth."
Felix: "My models are specialized. You can't use them."
Silver Moon Sky Wolves and humans perceive differently.
Yu Yu, dazed, said, "Oh, okay."
Felix: "Without detection or alerts…"
She frowned hard. "Deflection field, second-ring evocation."
Yu Yu added it.
"Mage eye, third-ring evocation."
"Item levitation, third-ring evocation."
Yu Yu, surprised, added swiftly.
"Sonic burst, third-ring transmutation."
"Swap places, third-ring evocation."
"Mind link, third-ring evocation."
Felix scowled, recalling Yu Yu's stone to mud buy.
She looked away, "You're out of points."
Yu Yu checked. "Yup."
Felix explained, "Deflection field bolsters ranged defense. It's only one ring up, but it's effective against non-elemental ranged attacks."
"You can't overcharge spell detection or spell alert, so mage eye substitutes."
"You're mid-tier, with Teacher's ring. Third-ring spells aren't too taxing. Keep mage eye active. Don't trust Wind Singer's senses."
Yu Yu nodded solemnly. "Got it."
"Item levitation is versatile. The main continent's pollution is pervasive. As a first-timer, without proper spells or gear, don't touch anything."
"Task items often carry pollution," Felix sighed. "There's a complementary spell, shrink item, but your points are short."
Felix: "Sonic burst is a strong sonic area attack. When other spells fail, it diversifies your offense, effective against certain beasts or anomalies."
"Swap places—you know how to use it. Swap with Lynn if needed."
"Mind link…" Felix paused. "Hope you don't need it."
"If you're immobilized, silenced, helpless, use it to contact Lynn—or call for help."
Felix, after long thought, said, "Judge the anomaly's severity. If pollution's mild, don't die rashly; wait for magic circle rescue."
"If it's beyond imagination, trust your gut. Suicide if necessary," Felix met her eyes. "You won't truly die. It's a valid strategy."
She added, "Don't mind Lynn."
Yu Yu: "…"
Hard to ignore!
Got it: no NPC adventures! Players can respawn; Lynn can't!
Yu Yu, rattled, said, "That dangerous?"
Felix: "Where's Lynn taking you?"
Yu Yu, sheepish: "Haven't asked."
Felix: "…"
A cold breeze whistled.
Yu Yu shrank. "I'll ask her ASAP and tell you before we go!"
Felix, dryly: "So confident, why bother telling me?"
Yu Yu clammed up.
Wah, Senior's got sarcasm!
Wolfy's snarking! Someone rein her in!!
Points -26,500. Yup, she's in debt. Current points: -210.
Gold -101. Pocket change.
Spells bought, she left Felix's. Dusk settled.
A day slipped away, and she'd read less than half of yesterday's haul.
Urgent, urgent, URGENT!
Get that protective spell method, then find that legendary figure!
She needed books in reality!!!
Yu Yu clenched her fists, heading home.
Gear, stats, spells—sorted.
Levels 6 and 8 granted two fixed passives, two elective passive points.
Fixed: Focus (casting less interruptible), Language & Script (Dark Age - Human).
Unalterable.
Yu Yu chose silent casting and enhanced summoning.
Silent casting, a mid-tier technique, offered more options than low-tier. She picked it instantly.
The other was summoning school specialization.
Between elemental and school specialization, she chose school.
Elemental wasn't needed yet.
Summoning specialization had sub-options, but the base enhanced summoning extended summon durations.
Later options like extreme summoning or multi-summoning tantalized her.
Choices were limited, and Yu Yu was sure Shang Wei's path diverged.
She also held two base stat points, torn between Constitution or Spirit.
Senior said the Dawn Staff replica capped here. Pointing Spirit to 16 would waste the staff's boost.
But Constitution wasn't urgent…
Yu Yu hesitated, saving them for later.
The next day, skies clear and crisp.
Lynn and Yu Yu geared up.
Zi Shu's crew, rare to be all present, suited up to see Yu Yu off. They were heading to the Duchess's for job registration.
Bright futures for all!
Zi Shu: "Be careful. We're counting on your EXP."
Fuyu, dagger in teeth, grumbled, "I wanna go. Why not us?!"
Shu Tu: "She's with Senior Lynn. Should be safer."
Catching their gripes, Yu Yu waved, smiling. "Relax, next time we'll go together. We might not even hit the main continent this trip."
Fuyu: "Hmph."
Yu Yu managed, "Watch my farm and potatoes. I'll be back~~"
Her voice trailed in the wind, fading.
Lynn smirked, "You outsiders don't die. Acting like it's a farewell. Can't I protect you?"
Yu Yu: "…You don't get it."
Lynn: "Hmph, hold tight. I'm speeding up."
Yu Yu: "Easy! Hooves don't glide on air!!!"
Northward, Yu Yu passed fields, orderly towns, forests, and roads. The farther north, the lower the sky seemed—dimmer, heavier. Vegetation withered visibly. Beyond roads, desolation reigned—no fields, no people, nothing.
Lynn: "Feel it?"
Yu Yu frowned. "Don't like it."
Lynn: "First-timers feel that. The anomaly's aura is thick. Stay long, and your mind and body start to… change."
Yu Yu gasped, "Change? How?"
Lynn, casual, said, "Physical changes are obvious—scales on ears, slit pupils, sharpened toes…"
"Low-level changes, often reversible with reduced corruption."
"Worse ones—eyes on foreheads, split skulls, eyes or tendrils under clothes—those don't heal."
Yu Yu, quiet, asked, "Worser?"
Lynn glanced. "Then you're not human."
"I don't buy that tentacle-eyed monsters are human."
"Mental and personality shifts are trickier, silent," Lynn said. "Your magic circle excels at resisting corruption. They say you stay sane past 50 corruption, keeping mind and personality stable."
Yu Yu: "The magic circle changes too?! Physically?"
Lynn frowned instantly. "They're human, of course they change!"
"Bodies? Sure, they shift! They wear black leather all day—no one sees!"
Yu Yu tilted her head. "Don't say 'black leather' in Silver Moon."
Lynn huffed, "Withered Wood Town's all-class turf. The magic circle can't rule here."
She lowered her voice, "Be careful. The magic circle has many mainland camps, staffed by spellcasters."
"The mainland's anomaly aura builds corruption even standing still," she said. "If you can, avoid those missions."
Yu Yu: "Camps? What kind?"
Lynn, dismissive: "All sorts of junk, who knows."
"Your goodies? They come from the magic circle hogging resources."
Yu Yu froze. "Seniors guard resource points out there?"
Lynn glanced, "What else?"
"Without your glut of high-tier spellcasters, others wouldn't stay so compliant."
Envious, she added, "Carving camps amid evil gods, anomalies, and beasts—I respect the magic circle for that."
Yu Yu, quiet, said, "Stop talking, run!"
If high-tier spellcasters went, why couldn't she?
Unless the magic circle gatekept resources from outsiders.
Otherwise, she'd go where they went.
Lynn: "Think I don't want to? Look ahead."
"Dismount. We're here. Array check."
Yu Yu slid off, adjusting her clothes, eyeing the scene.
The light here was dimmer than Silver Moon's by a mile.
It felt like Moon Bay Town.
Daytime, yet overcast, like endless drizzle.
Stay long, and you'd get depressed.
Black-robed spellcasters, leather-clad archer rangers, invisible rogues, and disciplined warriors.
All high-tier?!
Yu Yu, stunned, let Lynn lead her to queue.
The line was short—three or four people. Their turn came fast.
"Wind Singer, Lynn," Lynn announced.
Yu Yu, slightly nervous, said, "Yu, spellcaster."
The black-robed spellcaster's gaze landed. "Mid-tier?"
Yu Yu nodded cautiously. "Greetings, Senior."
The spellcaster's voice rasped oddly. "First time?"
"Yes."
She turned away, cold. "Survive, then talk to me."
Yu Yu: "…"
Why curse me, Senior?!
I won't die!
If I do, I'll pop up at the spawn point and say hi!
Grumbling inwardly, Yu Yu let Lynn pull her through the array.
Passed smoothly.
Withered Wood Town… well…
It could pass for a necromancer's graveyard.
Gaunt figures—black robes or grotesque, organ-like growths—shuffled down streets under dim skies, deathly still. Yu Yu instinctively grabbed Lynn's clothes, hiding behind her.
Approaching: a tall black-robed figure. Yu Yu's sharp eyes caught small, brown, slimy tendrils spilling from its hood…
Gag.
Suddenly, the main continent terrified her.
Worse: would reality become this?
Her, Zi Shu, Shu Tu, Fuyu?
Would they sprout tendrils?
The thought choked her.
Lynn stayed calm, but the figure paused.
Its slick, wet voice oozed, unnervingly gross. "A delicate bloom from the magic circle's garden?"
"Heh," it spoke with a nauseating edge, reeking of damp sea rot the closer it got. "Am I scary?"
"Useless thing. The magic circle's declining."
Onlookers glanced, spotting the small black-robed spellcaster half-hiding behind Lynn.
Their eyes were icy, losing interest after a glance.
Yu Yu's eyes watered, nausea surging.
Not fear—she wasn't scared, just repulsed.
Something was wrong with that aura. Foul, disgusting…
Her body trembled, face flushed, tears streaming.
As it inched closer, Lynn drew her sword calmly. "Senior, enough."
"Hmph."
The figure lingered, then left.
Lynn didn't move, sighing, "A strong but gentle Senior."
Yu Yu: "?" That's gentle? What's not gentle?
"He didn't return in time, stayed a year on the main continent," Lynn's eyes lowered. "This happened."
"Irreversible change. Worst, his personality shifted."
"He wasn't like this."
Lynn: "That's my point. Leaving or staying—factor in anomalies, cultists, beasts. Will they let you go?"
"Evil gods?"
Lynn, calm, said, "One glance, and your corruption shoots past 50."
"Irreversible."
"If that day comes, if you're still conscious, end it."
"You don't know if you'll still feel human the next second."
Yu Yu fell silent.
After a while, Lynn spoke, "You okay?"
Yu Yu: "Yeah, fine."
Lynn: "Then stop strangling me?"
Yu Yu: "!"
"I didn't! Your imagination!"
Standing, Lynn touched her waist, finding marks. "Nice. Not imaginary."
Yu Yu: "…"
Lynn: "Don't toss 'illusion' around here. Corruption breeds them."
Yu Yu: "…"
Wah, this place is terrifying! I want Silver Moon!
Fearing she'd bolt, Lynn grabbed her hand. "Come on, let's buy supplies from my old friend."
Yu Yu: "I'm not running. Stop pinching me."
Lynn: "I didn't. Your illusion."
Yu Yu: "Pfft, petty."
"I've got a letter to deliver! Where's the magic circle's base?"
Lynn thought, switching directions. "Their stuff's better. Mention you've got a high-tier warrior."
She added, "Our comfort on the main continent depends on you."
Yu Yu, speechless, pulled her hood. "Got it, I'm going."
Lynn flashed a radiant smile, her emerald eyes crystal-clear.
Yu Yu entered the magic circle's camp.
The camp? Well…
Central, massive, grandiose, with walls and watchtowers. On the walls… uh, magic cannons angled down.
Absurd, yet reassuring.
Classic magic circle vibe.
Yu Yu pulled out Senior Chang's letter.
Odd that the magic circle used letters, not night crows.
Few people were around. Yu Yu reached the hall swiftly.
Three high-tier spellcasters.
Yup.
Two seemed asleep, black robes blending into the dark, invisible without light.
The third, chin propped, sat center at an empty desk.
Yu Yu hesitated to speak…
Was it her imagination, or was that Senior's robe… twitchy?
Like a tail under there.
Recalling something, Yu Yu bowed meekly. "Senior, Senior Chang sent her greetings."
"Chang?"
The central spellcaster's voice rasped, dry as sanded glass. "Letter?"
Yu Yu handed it over.
The spellcaster, bemused, opened the envelope.
…Empty.
Spellcaster: "…"
Yu Yu: "!!!"
A night crow appeared, carrying Chang's familiar voice. "Her first trip. Look after her."
The crow flashed purple, ready to vanish.
Quick as lightning, the black-robed spellcaster crushed it. Purple feathers scattered, fading into light.
A human hand—no claws or scales—but that fast!
"Sorry," the high-tier spellcaster said flatly, "don't like feathered birds."
Yu Yu: "…"
Featherless birds exist?
The spellcaster looked up. "Since Chang vouched, little one, what's your name?"
Her raspy voice filled the dim hall, her hooded face obscured. Yu Yu felt like prey under a beast's gaze.
"Reporting, Senior, I'm Yu."