Thank you for the gift of nature

[Small Satchel]

Quality: Common

Weight: 1

Durability: 50/50

Attributes: 10 slots, items in satchel weigh 50% less

[Silver Moon Short Staff]

Quality: Common

Attack: 0–1

Weight: 1

Durability: 200/200

Attributes: Casting cost -1, slightly reduces casting time for 1st-circle and lower spells

Description: Standard-issue Silver Moon staff, lightweight and durable

[Magic Circle Apprentice Robe]

Quality: Common

Armor: 0

Weight: 1

Durability: 100/100

Attributes: Slightly accelerates Spirit recovery

Description: Standard-issue Magic Circle robe, sturdy and reliable

The short sword was identical to her previous find, so no need for details. The 20 silver coins alone made Yu Yu's purse feel satisfyingly heavy.

Her equipment slots had been barren, as she'd never looted anything she could use. Now, thanks to the City Guard's gratitude, she was flush—armed with a weapon, clad in a robe, and even equipped with the satchel she'd been eyeing. And she hadn't even finished the quest!

Hidden quests were, without a doubt, lucrative.

The apprentice robe was black, hooded, with a peculiar silver-threaded circle embroidered on the chest. The short staff was about the length of her forearm, its handle adorned with a silver crescent moon, slimmer than a water bottle cap. It felt remarkably light.

Yu Yu was in high spirits. She glanced at the commendation certificate—a simple award—and tucked it into her satchel. Studying her reflection, she grinned.

"Looking good."

"Absolutely," came a voice.

Yu Yu turned. "Weren't you at the plaza registering people?"

Yun Lun pointed skyward. "Lunchtime."

Yu Yu glanced up, squinting at the perpetually gray sky. She'd never seen the sun in this game—how did NPCs even tell time?

"The City Guard actually gave you stuff," Yun Lun said, impressed. "Once you hit level 5 and pass the Magic Circle's test, you can join us."

Yu Yu's eyes sparkled. A faction?

"How do I join?"

Yun Lun grinned. "Talk to me when you're level 5."

"I'm level 3 already," Yu Yu said.

"You outsiders level up fast," Yun Lun admitted, "but that's just the start. It slows down later."

She continued, "Every spellcaster in the Allen Peninsula joins the Magic Circle. It's the only place with a complete spell lineage. Even we've lost most of our traditions on the mainland…"

"Yun Lun!" a sharp voice cut in.

Yun Lun stiffened. "Senior!"

A woman in a black robe swept her cold gaze over them. "Watch your words."

Yu Yu recognized her and waved cheerfully. "I paid off my debt!"

Yun Lun's eyes widened.

The woman studied Yu Yu for a moment, nodded, and left.

The moment she was gone, Yun Lun bounced up. "You didn't tell me you borrowed from Senior Felix! How did you even dare?"

Yu Yu blinked, puzzled. "I didn't expect her to actually let me."

Back then, she hadn't realized how lifelike the NPCs were. It was just a casual remark.

Yun Lun nodded vigorously. "She's only a year older than me, but already a mid-tier spellcaster. She specializes in necromancy and enchantment. Rumor is, she's close to becoming a high-tier spellcaster and might even study under..…"

Yun Lun rambled on, and Yu Yu listened, amused. This NPC was a chatterbox, bursting with words the moment she saw Yu Yu. An NPC this talkative was a rarity.

Thinking of her quest, Yu Yu asked, "If a patrol team went missing, where would you look?"

"Missing? Impossible," Yun Lun said, her face paling. "Crescent Town's so close to Silver Moon City, under the Crowns's protection. No calamity could get near. How could anyone go missing?"

Calamity?

Yu Yu frowned. "It was human-caused."

Yun Lun exhaled dramatically. "Oh, thank goodness. You scared me…"

She looked shaken, and Yu Yu pressed, "What's a calamity?"

Yun Lun's face froze. After a pause, she said, "I can't tell you. You outsiders will find out when you encounter one."

She lowered her voice. "Don't stray beyond Silver Moon's borders. You'll die."

Yu Yu: "…"

This game sure had its tricks.

"Where would you look for the other missing patrol members?" she asked.

Yun Lun relaxed. "Probably some shady group stirring trouble. Let the City Guard handle it."

Yu Yu, thinking of her quest rewards, persisted. "What if I want to help?"

"You outsiders are so oddly enthusiastic," Yun Lun said.

Yu Yu: "…"

"Do you know Human Location?" Yun Lun suggested.

"Nope."

Item Location?

"Don't know that either."

"Then you're on your own," Yun Lun said regretfully. "I don't know them either."

"But the City Guard might ask the Magic Circle for help, so you probably don't need to…"

Given this game's dynamic quest system, if Yu Yu didn't find the others fast, the NPCs might resolve it themselves.

No way. Absolutely not.

She wasn't letting those rewards slip away!

Yu Yu turned in her black-tailed redheart grass quest, netting 2 more silver and a new cantrip—Summon Raindrop. With Magic Ember, she now had seven skills. Her funds stood at 22 silver 90 copper. Feeling relatively flush, she wanted to buy a higher-tier spell. This game had no skill cap, letting her learn as many as she could afford. Yu Yu loved that freedom.

"You want a 1st-circle spell?" Yun Lun asked. "Is your Spirit high enough?"

"How much Spirit does it need?"

"Varies, but usually over 30. You might buy it and still not cast it."

"Anything super powerful?"

Yun Lun gave her a look. "There are tons of 1st-circle spells. Which school do you want?"

"Which is the strongest?"

Yun Lun: "…"

Yu Yu clarified, "Highest damage—something that can wipe out enemies in a pinch."

Her current Acid Ray and Self-Ignition were too weak, barely scratching foes.

"Then go for evocation or elemental," Yun Lun said. "1st-circle summoning isn't great for damage, though Summon Longbow or Summon Warhammer are popular for their value. People rave about their cost-effectiveness."

Yu Yu: "…My Constitution's only 4."

Yun Lun shrugged. "Guess you're a traditional spellcaster."

"I was gonna suggest transmutation," she added with a grin. "Late-game, you can turn into a bear."

Yu Yu: "…"

Hard pass.

"Evocation's Force Missile, Force Shield, or elemental's Lightning Arrow are solid for beginners," Yun Lun recommended. "Burning Hands, Frost Touch, and necromancy's Fatigue Touch are good too. Vine Whip, Ice Blade, Wind Blade, and Small Fireball are standard."

"If you're not set on damage, evocation's Animated Rope is amazing. Trust me."

Water Sphere pairs well with Ice Blade or Cold Ray for extra effect."

Yu Yu's head spun with options, itching to learn them all.

But a 1st-circle spell cost 20 silver. She couldn't splurge.

So expensive.

Yun Lun kept going. "For self-defense, enchantment's great. Daze, Grease, Sleep—all fantastic."

"Transmutation's Barkskin is tough. Most rogues can't pierce it."

"Or maybe Arrow Deflection Field suits you?"

Yu Yu sighed. "I've only got 20 silver…"

"No worries," Yun Lun said. "Keep earning, and you'll get there."

She pushed Force Missile and Lightning Arrow toward her. "Force Missile is versatile, quick to cast, low cost, and hard to counter. Lightning Arrow is top-tier for 1st-circle elemental spells—fast, powerful, and long-range. Downside? High cost."

Yu Yu agonized, then decided. "I'll take Lightning Arrow. I'll get Force Missile next time."

"Deal."

Her skill list gained a purple spell.

[Lightning Arrow]

Rank: 1st Circle

School: Elemental

Casting Distance: Long

Spell Range: 20 meters

Casting Cost: 30

Casting Time: 5 seconds

Proficiency: Novice (0/200)

Yu Yu asked, "I heard the Academy buys bug silk?"

"Yeah, how'd you know? Senior Meng An collects it, 10 silver per unit. Got any?"

"Can I sell directly to her?"

Yun Lun nodded eagerly. "Yup! If you skip the quest cycle, she'll pay 14 silver per unit. You could buy more cantrips."

Yu Yu: "Perfect. I'll bring her some when I get it."

Thank you, guard!

Bidding Yun Lun farewell, Yu Yu returned to the plaza. Her sign was surrounded by a crowd.

Spotting her, they swarmed. "We barely have silver for ourselves! Can we pay real money?"

Yu Yu: "Sure."

One player tried to haggle. "The City Guard teaches these skills. 10 silver each."

"I know the Guard's trainers teach them, but it takes 15 days to learn," Yu Yu said. She'd checked the forums and knew the market. "10 silver's fine, but 15 days is the real cost. Don't think I'm easy to fool."

"As for weapon mastery, I haven't heard of anyone teaching it," she added. "Even if they do, it'll take ages. Don't lowball me with 'basic skill' nonsense."

Time-intensive skills were gold to players. That's why she'd opted for an auction-style listing. If they were ordinary skills, she'd have set a flat price. Her spells, instantly learnable, couldn't fetch much of a premium.

"Boss, you selling that sword?" The broke guy from before was back, eyeing her short staff and sword. "How do you even get gear? We're stuck weeding or feeding cats in town. Can't find a single monster outside…"

Yu Yu: "East Gate's got bug nests. Try there."

"Thanks, boss! You're the best!"

The crowd cheered, thrilled at the tip.

Yu Yu seized the moment. "If you kill bugs, bring me the silk. I'll buy it at 50 copper per unit."

"What's it for?"

"Spellcasting material," she said smoothly. "Buy in bulk, use it later."

They promised eagerly. "Deal, boss! Wait for us!"

Most of the crowd dispersed, racing to claim monsters. The East Gate led to rugged, rocky terrain. Many players gave up after a short trek and wandered to other gates, leaving plenty who'd never fought a monster.

The broke guy persisted. "You selling the sword? Spellcasters don't need swords, right? You've got a staff."

Yu Yu ignored him, focusing on her main buyers. "What's your offer?"

The crowd was gearless, clad in hemp rags. Yu Yu, in her black robe, stood out as a top-tier player.

"Can we see the skill descriptions?"

"Sure."

[Offensive Stance] (Core warrior skill, prerequisite for many techniques. Must-learn.)

[Basic Weapon Mastery – Longsword] (Prerequisite for certain techniques. Enables proficient longsword use.)

The players drooled, jealousy palpable. One seemed to recognize her. "Didn't you get these from a hidden quest?"

Yu Yu didn't respond.

"Either way, they're early-game skills," a woman in boots said hesitantly. "I'll pay 500 for one. No more."

"Same, 500," another woman echoed, aligning with her.

"I'll pay 1,200 for both!" the broke guy declared.

The women: "?"

Yu Yu stifled a laugh. "Well, then…"

"700 for one," the boots woman said, wincing.

"Me too," the other added.

The broke guy hesitated. "If you sell the sword, I'll pay 2,500 for everything."

Yu Yu considered, glancing at the two women's pleading eyes. "Let's do 600 each."

The game was new—overcharging too much would hurt her future hustles.

The broke guy: "I'll take both!"

"I'll take your dad!" one woman snapped.

As they nearly came to blows, Yu Yu noticed the guards watching. "Alright, I'll sell you the sword," she told the broke guy.

He grinned. "But the skills are important too, maybe I—"

Yu Yu cut him off. "Buy the skills, and you'll still die outside. Take the sword."

She recognized the two women vaguely. Her gut told her they weren't pushovers. If the broke guy bought the skills and got killed, it'd tarnish her rep.

Dying in this game meant a three-day blackout. In the end, Yu Yu reluctantly sold her reserved short sword, pocketing a tearful 1,800 bucks. A month's worth of meals, secured.

Thank you, nature's gift.

All three buyers left happy, chatting cheerfully.

"Rich idiots," someone muttered. "600 bucks for a few days' advantage? Must be nice."

"You wouldn't get a tycoon's world."

Yu Yu ignored the chatter and logged off early.

Outside, the fog still blanketed the world. She glanced at it, unbothered, and opened the forum to post.

Title: [Spellcaster Beginner Guide]

ID: [Boss].