A Horse Cannot Grow Fat Without Night Grass
Because of frequent spell detection magic, Yu Yu's detection magic skill level actually upgraded, changing from beginner to proficient. The spell consumption dropped from 3 to 2, which was cause for celebration. With 36 points of spirit, she could use it 18 times, covering a ten-meter radius each time, which was actually quite a large area.
However, this was in the mountains and forests after all, with rugged terrain that wasn't easy to traverse. During her 17th detection spell, Yu Yu sensed something different. "Be on guard."
Keya gave her a surprised look, then also ordered everyone to be vigilant. A moment later, a magical glow flared. Keya's eyes narrowed as she triggered Offensive Stance and Charge.
Yu Yu blinked. How does an NPC charge that far?
Shu Tu rode up on her tiger. "Will they leave us any gear?"
"No clue," Yu Yu said, "but we should get a share. Hurry, follow them! If they kill the monsters, we won't get experience."
They'd seen a four-person monster squad, but as Kya charged, Yu Yu realized the enemy had sixteen—four full teams.
"…Good thing we didn't fight," she muttered.
Shu Tu stayed silent. Yu Yu readied Acid Ray, poised to strike.
Shu Tu nocked an arrow.
Amid the guards' heavy sword swings, a sickly green ray lanced through, coating an enemy warrior in corrosive ooze.
The guards cheered, hacking harder.
The warrior's iron armor seemed slightly weakened.
But Yu Yu noticed a problem: the guards weren't winning.
The enemy's four teams included two spellcasters. One bolstered the monster tanking Kya, while the other supported the main force. Whenever a guard was about to finish a foe, a spell from the enemy spellcaster undid their progress. If Keya weren't holding off four enemies single-handedly, the battle's outcome would be grim.
Shu Tu saw it too. "This isn't sustainable."
Yu Yu frowned. "I haven't had time to buy new spells."
The battlefield was a stalemate. No deaths yet, but dragging on could change that. Most guards were warriors, with two rogues and two rangers. Outnumbering the enemy slightly, the warriors pinned the monsters, freeing the rogues and rangers to weave through the fray.
This kept them from falling behind—for now.
A rogue guard glided over like a specter. "You two, leave the battlefield." She pointed at Shu Tu. "You, head to camp. Tell the vice-captain we need reinforcements."
Before Shu Tu could reply, the quest log updated: [Quest: Battlefield Aid (The City Guard is in a fierce battle. The rogue needs you to return to camp and request reinforcements from the vice-captain)].
Shu Tu shot Yu Yu a look, nodding gravely. "Understood."
She rode off on her tiger.
To Yu Yu, the rogue's tone softened. "Stay back. If you get hurt, we'll have trouble explaining to the Academy."
Flattered, Yu Yu nodded. "Got it."
She retreated farther, hiding among the foliage, then felt exposed and climbed a tree.
High ground secured.jpg
Her Spirit was nearly drained. Joining the fight now was tough—she'd rather save up for a big play. With Shu Tu gone for help, this was her shot to snag experience. She couldn't waste it. As time dragged, a guard took a hit, blood pooling, yet he swung his sword heroically. His Constitution had to be at least 10.
Yu Yu's Spirit neared 30. Where was Shu Tu? Given their earlier speed, reinforcements should've reached the woods by now. Uneasy, she cast Summon Raindrop behind her.
Rain fell steadily, pooling in the pitted ground. She considered checking the forum but feared a stealthed rogue ambushing her. Torn, she hesitated.
Just one peek.
As expected, trouble brewed. Players reported an NPC skirmish at the rock-woodland border. Humanoid monsters had circled behind, clashing with the reinforcements—and players had spotted them.
Yu Yu: "…"
Normally, she'd sneak back to camp, grab the loot, then return to leech experience. Even if she died, the loot would cushion the loss. But this game's NPCs were too clever. Ditching the fight to pilfer? Not an option.
Yu Yu sighed. Be content.
Glancing down, she caught a glimmer in her peripheral vision. She rolled off the branch, sprinting toward the battle.
"Rogue!" she shouted.
The battlefield's rogues glanced over, spotting the glint of a dagger behind the young spellcaster. Yu Yu had no time to chant. Her only instant-cast options were Gust and…
When a blade-wielding foe chased her, she forgot this was a game. Her heart pounded like a drum, past gaming experience useless. She stumbled into a puddle, rolling behind a tree.
No, this won't do.
She had to stay calm.
Mentally listing her spells—Gust, Flare, Acid Ray, Self-Ignition, Lightning Bolt—she cursed her lack of chantless options.
Gust and… Mage Hand?
Desperate, she cast Gust. The earlier Summon Raindrop had left dew on the foliage, and her gust sprayed the rogue with water.
Mage Hand.
A translucent hand appeared, stalling the rogue for a split second. Yu Yu scrambled up. Maybe the wet woodland hindered rogues, or maybe the puddles betrayed his stealth, but Yu Yu heard his movements, dodging just in time to lead him in circles through the rain-soaked terrain.
Thick trees blocked his throwing knives, and dripping leaves frayed his nerves. How was a mere apprentice spellcaster this hard to kill?
Annoying.
The real fight was ahead. He didn't want to waste stamina on an apprentice, but…
His eyes darkened, and he melted into shadow, vanishing. Yu Yu sensed danger and dove to the ground. Shadow Leap. The rogue materialized beside her, dagger descending.
Clang.
A guard's crossbow bolt flew, aimed at his heart. The rogue parried, abandoning his strike.
Yu Yu: "…"
Her heart nearly stopped. The terror felt real, as if someone truly meant to kill her. While the guard rogue pinned the monster, Yu Yu crawled out of the combat zone, legs trembling, pulse deafening, unable to calm.
She hated rogues!
If she were a warrior, she'd at least trade blows. Brandishing a tiny dagger to scare her? Terrifying. Rogues were fast. The two clashed across the clearing, and Yu Yu retreated to the battle's edge.
I'm waiting for Spirit to recover. What are you waiting for?
She watched the dueling rogues, biding her time.
28… 29… 30…
Glancing at the main fight, she saw it had turned brutal. Both enemy spellcasters were far off, unable to interfere.
So…
She chanted softly, a deep purple Lightning Arrow forming before her. Crackling with fierce arcs, it radiated raw power. As the rogues parted, poised to re-engage, the bolt struck. A violet arc exploded on the enemy rogue's chest, freezing him mid-motion. In that instant, the guard rogue surged, her dagger flashing green—Throat Kiss.
Blood sprayed, and the rogue collapsed. Panting, the guard rogue stared at Yu Yu, stunned.
Aren't you an apprentice spellcaster?
Yu Yu was thrilled.
Level 4 (471/10,000)
Four hundred experience from one kill. What was this?
A walking experience piñata!
Checking her log, the rogue had 59 HP. The guard had chipped away most of it, but Lightning Bolt dealt 17 damage and applied a brief paralysis effect.
A 1st-circle spell with that much damage?
If her Spirit grew and Lightning Arrow's proficiency rose, could she instant-cast it?
So strong.
The guard, recovering from paralysis, beamed. "You know 1st-ring spells?"
Snapping back, Yu Yu nodded eagerly. "Just one. Haven't had time to learn more."
The guard mused, "Right, Academy spells cost money."
Yu Yu blinked.
The guard's smile warmed. "How long till your next cast?"
"About twenty minutes," Yu Yu said regretfully.
The guard didn't seem disappointed, patting her shoulder kindly. "Take your time. When you're ready, hit them like that again."
"Where's the vice-captain?" she muttered, rejoining the fight.
Yu Yu explained, "They got ambushed."
The guard froze. "?"
Yu Yu recounted briefly.
"How do you know?" the guard demanded.
Pointing at the battlefield, Yu Yu said, "All the original rogues are here. Where'd the extra one come from?"
The guard's face darkened, but she rejoined the fray. Yu Yu looted the corpse.
Stealth, Shadow Leap—two skills. Scroll: Fade into Shadow—one scroll.
Shadow Leap screamed high value. Yu Yu's grin widened.
She'd keep the scroll.
Stealth would sell well—every rogue needed it.
Rummaging further, she found nothing else. She returned near the battlefield, wary of her back while waiting to recover.
Five seconds of glory, twenty minutes of downtime. Absurd.
In a mainstream game, this would've been roasted. Crouching, Yu Yu had a sudden idea. She went back and stripped the rogue's gear.
Rogue's Mask, Rogue's Hood, Woodheart Camp Leather Armor, Woodheart Camp Boots, Woodheart Camp Trousers.
Yu Yu didn't know what possessed her to do it.
Gross.
She'd delegate looting to others in the future. Too gross. Why make trivial details so realistic? Ugh.
She'd sell it all immediately. Players wouldn't care. She stuffed the gear into her satchel, out of sight, out of mind.
Woodheart (Muxin) Camp?
Another faction?
Why else would they have standard-issue gear?
Her Lightning Arrow was nearly ready. A guard, noticing her, gave her an odd look. Yu Yu, used to NPC intelligence, ignored it and prepared her spell. Yun Lun had mentioned a 1st-circle summoning spell for bows. Did it provide infinite arrows? If so… Lightning crackled, and a stunning Lightning Arrow formed. Yu Yu, timing it perfectly, fired.
Enemy rogue -1.
Rogues were unique: low HP, fragile, and vulnerable to paralysis, leading to quick executions. Their strengths—speed, stealth, and high damage—faltered in chaotic fights.
A quick-handed warrior stole this kill. But Yu Yu drew the enemy ranger's attention. An arrow flew her way. Unwilling to waste Spirit, she ducked behind a tree. The battle dragged on all day—a true endurance test. Yu Yu checked the forum, monitored the fight below, and fired a Lightning Arrow whenever her Spirit recovered.
She took out the enemy rogue and a warrior, tipping the scales. The enemy faltered, then routed. The rear battlefield held strong. Players, fearless of death, blocked every escapee. Yu Yu's day-long worry about ambushes proved unfounded. When Keya called a retreat, night had fallen, pitch-black. Any longer, and Yu Yu would've been kicked offline. Half-asleep against a tree, Yu Yu stirred as the guards showed faint warmth. One offered, "Miss Yu, can you walk? Need a lift?"
Yu Yu was fixated on the camp's loot—scrolls, potions, sleeping bags…
She stood. "I'm fine. The fight below's probably done."
Someone looked puzzled. "Below?"
Keya, guessing her meaning, snorted. "Those vile cultists. Parasites. We'll wipe them out eventually."
As they moved to leave, Yu Yu delicately prompted, "The camp still has stuff."
A guard paused, stifling a laugh. "Cultists are rats. They've got no wealth…"
The rogue guard coughed. "I heard Academy spells cost money. Miss Yu's new, probably strapped for cash…"
She thumped her chest at Yu Yu. "Don't worry, I'll have someone grab it all for you. It's yours."
Kya, far ahead, shouted, "Rest easy, I'll get you commended tomorrow!"
Yu Yu's face flushed.
You NPCs!
Is a spellcaster's poverty even poverty?
Back in town, Yu Yu learned players could bunk in NPC housing. She logged off in the rogue guard's dorm. Out of the game, Yu Yu hummed a tune.
Today, the common folk are truly happy! Forget the loot—she'd raked in experience. Her once-distant experience bar was nearly full.
She might be the fastest player to hit level 5 server-wide.
Deng deng~ Deng deng deng~~
Humming, she cooked noodles, browsing the forum. Players were ecstatic, swimming in loot despite many blacking out.
A post caught her eye—the rerolling player.
He wore a mask of agony: [I rerolled, and my other stats stayed the same, but Spirit and Will dropped by 1 each. Brothers and sisters, what do I do? Keep rerolling?]
[Weird thing is, these three days were rough. Kept getting fevers out of nowhere. Hospital said I was fine, but it came back. On and off for three days. My parents were freaked…]
FreeLittleBird: [Reroll! Why not? These stats are worse than before. You wasted a reroll!]
—OP: [Makes sense.]
Yu Yu replied: [Didn't you say you'd reroll? Did you?]
—FreeLittleBird: [I did!]
——OP: [You didn't get sick, right?]
——FreeLittleBird: [Nope.]
——OP: [Guess it was a fluke. Alright, I'll reroll again.]
He posted another reroll screenshot.
Yu Yu: "…"
Whatever.
7788: [Good advice can't save a fool. I'm out.]
—OP: [Hey, what's that supposed to mean? I—]
The OP stopped replying.
Yu Yu and 7788 had left the thread.
Her phone rang. "Hello?"
"No way," Yu Yu said, her face darkening. "I don't want contact with them. Give them my number, and I'll change it."
"But…"
"I said no."
The caller sighed, and Yu Yu hung up.
Back then, no one believed her. Now they wanted to play nice?
Tch.
She opened a rental app. Work loomed tomorrow—she'd scout listings now.
Ugh, the working life was exhausting. Glancing up, she saw the fog outside had thickened. City traffic was nearly halted. Luckily, her workplace was close enough to bike.
Two colleagues were already stuck, unable to commute. The fog stirred her unease.
"Huh? Someone died there? I'm fine with that! I don't care!" Yu Yu perked up, checking the address. She'd visit after work.
Settling it early would bring peace of mind. If only she could afford her own place.
Yu Yu checked the clock and headed to work.
This blasted fog forced her to leave early. It was August now, but come winter…
The thought made her shudder.