Chu Wang's Strange Class Requirements

Cyrus stared at the requirements for his class-up for a bit.

He had to 'enchant' an item, and gain the approval of a rookie blacksmith with said creation.

Truthfully, he still did not understand the crux of his class.

He didn't seem to be a blacksmith, nor was he a craftsman in another field.

As he was thinking about his future proceedings, he perceived a notification in his peripheral vision.

Cyrus pressed on the notification, and, out of a sudden, a piece of paper appeared in his hands.

He examined it closely.

There were various complex calculations and a detailed blueprint for a sword.

Under that, there were instructions and a list of materials.

The title at the top of the page read, 'The art of enchantment for stupid apes: sharpening a sword...'

Cyrus grimaced when he saw this title.

'Seems like Polymedes had a sense of humor...' He sighed, and carefully read through the blueprint.

Fortunately, the developers of the game were kind enough to make this world use metric measurements, so craftspeople would have a much easier time.

'2 liters of double-distilled water, a large black quartz polished gemstone, a metal sword, an ample quantity of mana...'

Those were the materials specified in the blueprint.

Cyrus read through them once again, and unfortunately, he realized he was short on materials.

On top of that, there was another problem.

'An ample quantity of mana? I haven't allocated a single point into wisdom...' Cyrus looked at his pathetic mana count of 100 and frowned.

There were also other problems he'd have to solve, such as getting access to adequate smithing equipment, and his own lack of knowledge on this profession.

Eventually, he just sighed and decided that he would ponder further on this later.

'Oh, Chu is online!' He also recalled that his party member had logged in, and sent her a message.

(Paragon Cyrus: Hey, Chu, I've reached Level 10 and need to do my class quest, do you want to go grind experience?)

(Chu Wang: I've lost a level, I'm only Level 6 now.)

She didn't tell him how she died, as it still terrified her, and she recalled his weird reaction to gunshots.

(Chu Wang: What class have you gone with?)

Cyrus looked at her information on the top-left corner of his vision, and indeed, she was Level 6 now.

He was curious, but he didn't inquire too much, and instead, he swiftly replied.

(Paragon Cyrus: Oh...just an average blacksmith.)

Production classes were often overlooked in games, so he fully expected her to have an unfavorable opinion on this, but she nonchalantly sent him a thumbs-up, and they set up a location to meet in.

The two were both heading towards the tall windmill in Heuveltop District.

While on the way, Cyrus opened up the forum to waste some time.

The top post concerned Cape Immergroen and was rather interesting.

(Healer classes are now available in the Republic of Savoy!)

(StasiaLovesVR: Previously, only the Kingdom of Labricia had opportunities for players who wished to take on healer classes, but the church from the kingdom has set up a diocese in Cape Immergroen, so any players willing to go that route can now do so!)

As usual, there were many responses under the post.

(ImIntoFeet: They can heal wounds, but can they also heal my broken heart?)

(InsertWellThought-OutUsername: With that username, I don't think it's your heart that is broken.)

(VladTheImpaler: On a more serious note, any healers can contact me, I can offer some very favorable terms and carry you to higher levels too!)

Cyrus chuckled and closed the forum.

By a mere coincidence, he had passed through a building under construction, and the pointed roofs and gothic architecture resembled those of a cathedral.

As he focused on this, a bearded man passed next to him.

'You tried to chase me out, Augustine, huh? Now I'll show you what I can do with the power of all the immortals under me...'

He was muttering something strange, and when Cyrus looked back, he felt that the man's face was familiar.

Eventually, he shrugged as his memory failed him, and continued on the road.

Soon, the wide and tall blades of the windmill rotated at high speed directly over him, and a cloaked woman focused her eyes on his silhouette.

"Chu."

"Cyrus."

Their greeting was quick and simple.

The two didn't even have any small talk, and instead, directly discussed their plans for now.

"I'm stronger now, do you want to grind in the deeper reaches of the swamp?" Cyrus proposed, and looked out for her reaction.

Suddenly, the two slanted their eyes and frowned.

A ray of orange sunlight peered through the narrow and tight habitations and hit them directly in the face.

"Let's do that."

Since she agreed, they immediately climbed down from the artificial hill, and into the western side of the port.

The road was bumpy and long, and the two were in utter silence.

The silence was somehow more deafening than a loud noise, and they felt lonely.

They both kept their distance from each other, as they were but party members.

"Chu?"

"Yes?"

"Do you go to school?" Cyrus suddenly asked her.

However, he instantly regretted it, as he realized that they were not exactly friends who confided with each othe-

"I don't."

This was perhaps the first time she did not lie about her life.

Chu Wang had never got the chance to enroll in school, and although she felt rather sad about it, education was not as important of a priority to her as surviving.

"What about you?" Chu Wang wondered if she could relate with him on this.

"Oh, I go to university in Valgrade," Cyrus did not expect her to ask him, but he replied honestly.

'University? If only it was as universal as the name suggested...' Chu sighed and kept her thoughts to herself.

In the depths of her mind, she didn't want to admit it, but she felt a sense of envy when she looked at him.

His plump face, healthy complexion, and toned body were signs that he grew up in relative wealth.

"W-what do your p-parents work in?" In Kowloon, children often asked each other this question, as a way to compare each other.

The competitive culture of the slums started in childhood and kept on throughout all of their lives.

However, she did not understand his sudden change in expression.

His previously bright eyes slowly drooped down, while his strong shoulders were more laid-back than usual.

"I don't have...parents."

In a millisecond, she felt a small resonance between the two of them.

"Same!" She exclaimed as she clenched her fists.

'Are parents who leave their kids to die really considered parents?' She might as well have been considered an orphan.

Cyrus also felt surprised by this declaration.

He hadn't thought that they would relate to this fundamental facet of their life.

_________

For the rest of their trip, they didn't speak much, but they understood each other more now.

Chu Wang had a theory on why Cyrus reacted so aggressively the other day to gunshots.

'Did his parents die from being shot?' She sneakily stared at his hazel eyes and wondered if she was right.

As she pondered on that, the soles of her feet sunk in a bit.

This was a sign that they were approaching the swamp, so the two got more careful with their movements, and readied their weapons and spells.

A few monsters menacingly greeted them, but now, the tides of strength had changed with the Level 10 Cyrus.

The grind was rather monotonous, but Chu steadily increased her levels, as they killed stronger, and more numerous monsters.

They continued this for a few hours, and then...

Chu joyfully stated, "I've hit Level 10."

Reaping the rewards for something they've worked on very hard felt very pleasant.

Then, as she checked her class requirements, her mood dampened down.

Even though she was technically already a Necromancer, she didn't have any rank, therefore, to advance, she needed to graduate to a Rookie.

The requirements for that, however, were rather complicated.

(Class Attainment Quest)

-Express your necromantic powers in front of a Rookie Necromancer and gain their approval.

"Where are you supposed to find a necromancer?" Cyrus grimaced when she showed him her quest.

"Ask the game."

As if the algorithm heard her request, a new line of text appeared.

(Algorithm has determined the quest to be impossible under natural circumstances.)

(COMPUTING POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS...)

(PLEASE WAIT.)

Chu waited, and then, the class attainment quest updated itself.

A new line was present under the previous text.

-Use the World Bank's postal service to send this letter to Muntenero, Truscan Empire - John Doe.

The text had coordinates and the name of the receiver 'John Doe', which was obviously a placeholder name.

A letter appeared in her hands, and the contents were rather simple, as it was just a request for aid in her class attainment quest.

She informed Cyrus of this, and they had to make their way back to the city.

They both knew where the branch of the bank was situated and made their way to the familiar, monotonous lobby.

A bald female attendant greeted them at her desk, and Chu Wang offered them the information to send the letter.

The bald woman looked at the coordinates in a strange manner, and for the first time ever, a hint of emotion passed through her face.

She looked at her with a somber face, and said, "Regretfully, I'm not sure your subscription can cover the letter, can you give me a moment to communicate with the headquarters?"

Chu Wang nodded, and the woman brought out a clay tablet.

Then, she engraved a paragraph onto the tablet with an intricate stick and swiped her hand on the tablet.

When she did so, the contents miraculously disappeared from the tablet.

A few seconds later, different text began appearing on the tablet.

Surprise passed by the face of the attendant, and she said in a high-pitched tone, "Are you, by chance, an immortal?"

Chu Wang recalled that the hateful clergyman had also called her that, so she nodded.

"Headquarters has dispatched an envoy to send the letter, please come by later."

The two thanked the attendant and left the bank.

"Chu, could you accompany me to the jeweler?" Cyrus noticed a jewelry job on the opposite side of the street, and since he had business there, anyways, he took advantage of it.

Chu nodded, and they crossed the road, entering the heavily ornamented shop.