"Sell for gold or cash?"
Shu Tu picked up the small plaque, examining it. "If you're selling for gold, wait until the tournament ends—people will have more money then."
Yu Yu pinched her chin. "I want cash."
"Gold's important, but only players buy it. Even if you drain every player's gold, how much could it be?"
Despite the apocalyptic chaos outside, it had only been a month—far from catastrophic. Money still held significant value.
Shu Tu nodded, unable to hide a faint smile. "Destiny's first guild token fetched 80 million, and that was just among major guilds… Eternal Darkness's will be pricier."
"You're about to be filthy rich," her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Congrats."
Yu Yu puffed up proudly. "Born with talent, I'm bound to shine. Spend a thousand gold, it'll come back in time."
Fuyu raised her hand. "Rich lady, hungry, food!"
Zi Shu waited for them to finish before speaking. "Forums haven't reacted much yet—just see it as NPC revenge. Everyone tied to 'Blood Clan' got nabbed. No one's cursing you, but you've got a ton of new fans… Actual fallout might take time to brew."
She asked, "What's the Grand Archon's take on you?"
Yu Yu finally sat, pouring a cup of hot water. "Didn't say. Probably waiting for Meng and them to report."
Thinking of the Grand Archon, Yu Yu's mouth twitched. "She's too scummy. I can't figure out what she's after."
Zi Shu: "She's deliberately hyping you up, likely setting you up for a role."
She looked concerned. "Being in the spotlight isn't always good."
Yu Yu was more pragmatic, sprawling in her chair, limbs spread. "If I can dodge, I'll try."
"If I can't, I'll just grit my teeth and deal."
"Life's full of risks—as long as there's payoff."
Her eyes lit up, waving the plaque. "This is the payoff!"
She'd been upfront with the Grand Archon, who reciprocated. To NPCs, a guild token was worthless. But to players, the first guild's prestige was maddeningly coveted. And bidders might not just be players…
Beyond the Federation, plenty who hadn't entered the game were buying too. If the outside world wasn't so dangerous, with travel nearly cut off, Yu Yu and her crew probably couldn't live so peacefully by the river.
Zi Shu: "How you planning to sell it?"
Yu Yu propped her chin. "Still thinking. Got any good ideas?"
Since gold could be exchanged for cash with the Federation, they'd passed their most cash-strapped phase. But who'd complain about more money?
After some discussion, they settled on plans A, B, and C, waiting for the tournament to end. They might not take first, but even early tasks had them raking in rewards. Warriors, rogues, and rangers outnumbered spellcasters by a mile.
Larger player bases meant more tasks and longer tournaments than spellcasters got. Plus, they didn't have the Grand Archon meddling with 16-player free-for-alls—just straight arena duels. So far, rangers had reached the top four. Warriors and rogues just finished the top 16.
They had so many players, competing from dawn to dusk, and still weren't done. Warriors, with high HP, defense, and Constitution, dragged matches into overtime daily. Checking their schedule, Yu Yu said, "Tomorrow, we start with Shu Tu. Her match should wrap up."
"Then Fuyu's, also morning."
"Zi Shu's is near noon. Barring surprises, we should catch it all."
Zi Shu sipped her cola. "Sounds good."
Warriors, rogues, and rangers got tasks starting from the top 256. Rewards were generally lower, but EXP was slightly higher than spellcasters'. Shu Tu had earned rewards for top 256, 128, 64, 32, 16, and 8, with top four and finals tomorrow.
EXP was 1000+2000+4000+8000+8000+8000, she said. Top four gave 16000, finals likely 32000.
She was level 6 (2800/30000) before, now level 7 (3800/40000). If she won first, she'd hit level 8, like Yu Yu.
Yu Yu calculated. "Why do I feel like I'm losing out?"
Zi Shu glanced at her. "Didn't the Grand Archon's task give EXP?"
"Still a loss," Yu Yu muttered. "It's her fault. She could've done one-on-one duels but went for a chaotic brawl, costing me EXP. No idea how it's calculated."
[Assist the Magic Circle in Punishing Outsiders (Completed)]
[EXP +12000, Gold +100, Points +30000]
The task was generous, especially with points. This felt like the Grand Archon's commendation. Her task privileges seemed higher than Senior's. Plus a guild token bound to fetch a fortune—Yu Yu was thrilled with this task.
After the tournament, if she won first in the all-class or team bracket, she'd whip out the token as the top prize and auction it! Just thinking about it was delightful.
Shu Tu's EXP was hefty, but her gold rewards were lackluster.
Starting at 5 gold, doubling each time: 5+10+20+40+80+80. Top four was still 80, likely 160 for champion.
Total, she'd get 475 gold, currently at 235.
If she didn't win first, it'd be even less.
But Shu Tu's expression showed confidence.
The top ranger title carried weight.
Zi Shu and Fuyu's rewards mirrored Shu Tu's, but as they'd just hit top 16, they had one less task.
Their EXP was 1000+2000+4000+8000+8000, totaling 23000, with 155 gold. Shu Tu was level 7, they were still 6.
If they won first, they might scrape level 8. They'd been grinding tasks too. Notably, their main stats were all 12. Reaching 13 required two more levels. Top players' stats were likely 12, with rare few exceeding it. Higher starting stats meant higher current stats, but Constitution-heavy stats were hard to stack. Unless a special class, most hit 6 max. By that measure, Zi Shu and crew were healthy and well-trained.
Yu Yu: "Xiang Qin's stats should be close to yours, not over 12."
"Constitution, I'm unsure. She trains hard, but 6 is questionable," Yu Yu said. "Her Agility's likely 6 too."
Recalling, she added, "I remember her being fast. Once, at a suburban event, she chased a goose for two blocks…"
Fuyu finally couldn't resist. "Chasing a goose two blocks makes her fast?"
Yu Yu pondered. "…That's not fast?"
Shu Tu coughed heavily. "Stop it. Xiang Qin's serious about training. She's got a private coach, a tailored diet, and a live-in nutritionist."
Yu Yu declared, "So Xiang Qin's got a great figure."
Zi Shu: "…"
Fuyu eyed Zi Shu, pinching her arm, sighing deeply. Zi Shu's forehead vein twitched.
Fuyu: "The nerd's done for. She never exercised, always buried in books. Strength at 6 is her sheer talent—she's just a frail college girl!"
Zi Shu turned, glowering.
Fuyu remained oblivious, rambled, "She used to be a stick. Only now does she have some meat."
"Wei Zishu, why's your arm suddenly hard?" Her tone was amazed. "I could pinch it before!"
Wei Zishu grabbed her collar. "Because I want to hit you."
She hurled Fuyu toward the window.
Fuyu yelped, tumbling off the balcony, her vibrant voice echoing. "Wei Zishu, you're dead! Can't you warn me next time? I almost tripped on the railing! My calf could've cramped!"
Her voice grew closer as she hopped back. "Look at her!"
Zi Shu rubbed her arm. "I feel my Strength's jumped a lot."
Yu Yu marveled, "You guys level up and turn into superhumans."
One yeeted a full-sized Fuyu off the balcony; the other, caught off guard, landed without a twisted ankle. Shu Tu didn't react, clearly confident in her 12 Agility.
Fuyu shouted, "13 needs two base stat points. I'm trying Constitution next level. Anyone with me?"
Shu Tu glanced up. "I'll try."
Zi Shu: "Me too."
Yu Yu felt her teammates were increasingly superhuman, while she lagged, clinging to her fragile human dignity. She sipped her hot water gloomily. Maybe she'd try Constitution next level?
Fuyu: "Xiang Qin's that intense. What about Zhong Ye? She's not that hardcore, right?"
Yu Yu was confident. "Nah, she's like you. Listens to music, games all day, stays up late, anemic—not intense."
Shu Tu disagreed. "She's like Xiang Qin."
Yu Yu: "?"
As they locked eyes, Fuyu asked, "Who do I believe?"
Yu Yu: "Like Xiang Qin?? No way! She games all day!"
Shu Tu looked at her. "She games daytime, runs mornings, has a nutritionist. Xiang Qin's third trainer was her recommendation…"
After a pause, Shu Tu said, "I don't know why you see her that way, but Zhong Ye's pretty disciplined."
Yu Yu slammed the table. "So she fools people by day and grinds in secret at night?!"
Fuyu got it. "Got it, a crazy strong, hardcore big shot."
She sighed. "Should I use a skill point?"
"I added one to Stealth before, hit 'Mastery' early, which carried me this far!"
"But at top 32, the edge was gone. Opponents were 'Mastery' too, with similar skill proficiency. Stealth's next level needs 2000 proficiency—I'm 500 short, no hope short-term…"
Fuyu counted her strengths. "Early on, I could overpower with gear, skills, and proficiency. Now, I've got no edge."
"My gear's slightly better, but not enough to keep going," she scratched her head. "So much pressure."
Yu Yu: "We'll buy gear at the magic circle!"
Fuyu thought. "Nah, my HP's fixed. Rogue fights are too fast, too skill-based."
"Even with gear, I'm not confident."
Rogue fighting style was like a viper—miss once, retreat far.
Fights erupted briefly, then vanished.
Mutual Stealth, mutual observation.
With low HP and defense, fights ended fast.
Whether the gap was obvious, they knew deep down.
Fuyu felt she couldn't hang. "Last round, I won by poisoning her."
"Beyond that, I've got no edge," she admitted, spreading her hands. "Gear doesn't help much."
Her reactions and skills were lacking.
Yu Yu considered. "Fair. Just do your best."
For Fuyu, Yu Yu saw no need to pressure her.
Her foundation was there—take it slow.
"Zi Shu, you?"
Zi Shu: "I feel about the same."
"But," she hesitated, "my pressure's manageable."
She felt opponents were evenly matched, but she kept winning somehow.
The pressure came from not knowing if others were stronger, but in combat, she felt okay.
Yu Yu decided, "Let's go pick gear at the magic circle."
"If money's short, I'll loan you. You've gotta beat Xiang Qin!"
Zi Shu wasn't confident. "Should I use a skill point? They might matter later, but now's kinda critical, right?"
"Critical my foot," Yu Yu said. "We're low-tier—how's this critical?"
Yu Yu was certain. "Xiang Qin's steady as a rock. Even if she loses, she won't use skill points. Plus, Shang Wei's sneaky reminders—they won't either. Don't worry about it."
Zi Shu realized, "Damn, then the issue's others. What if they can't resist using them?"
Yu Yu froze, looking at her. "…Good luck."
Warrior fights were beyond Yu Yu's help.
They were on different tracks.
After some shopping, Yu Yu used her account to buy Zi Shu a batch of excellent gear.
As a spellcaster, she got discounts and didn't need points.
Zi Shu, buying herself, paid full price and needed magic circle points.
Zi Shu sighed. "Without a spellcaster teammate, wouldn't progress be way slower?"
Currently, only the magic circle had an open shop.
Rangers reportedly had one too, but it only sold bows, arrows, and herbs—nothing else.
The next day.
Yu Yu first watched Shu Tu effortlessly crush her opponent, claiming first place among rangers, pocketing EXP and gold.
Bad news: No title or house.
Good news: She got a second animal companion, a snow-white hawk.
Shu Tu was ecstatic, forgetting the house issue, her smile dazzling.
Fuyu mused, "That seems fine?"
Shu Tu: "My companion, Bai Bai."
The proud white hawk perched on her shoulder, black eyes gleaming, full of spirit.
Yu Yu teased, "Can't you avoid double names? So lazy."
Shu Tu ignored her, turning to play with the hawk. Ranger companions were hard to find—wild animals were scarce, and it needed chemistry. This hawk seemed a bred breed, filling the aerial scouting role. In short, Shu Tu was set up, and she loved it.
Yu Yu said, "Let's go, next match."
No need to dwell on the match—Yu Yu's dynamic vision couldn't keep up with rogue fights.
They appeared, vanished, struck briefly, and were gone.
Yu Yu belatedly realized Fuyu was pretty damn good.
She played rogue well.
Soon, Fuyu came off, frowning.
Zi Shu: "How'd it go?"
Fuyu shook her arm, realizing the map's blood didn't carry over. "You made me turn pain to 100%. No advantage, but pain messed with my fighting."
She griped, "That guy kept slashing my arteries. I watched her old matches—she loves bleeding opponents out."
She raised her wrist. "Good thing I prepped, or I wouldn't have made top 8!"
Shu Tu stared at the screen, silent.
Yu Yu: "You're awesome. Don't sell yourself short."
Fuyu: "Really? I'm awesome? I think so too, hehe."
Zi Shu crossed her arms. "Pros outweigh cons. My prediction—believe it or not."
Shu Tu agreed. "I back Zi Shu."
Fuyu sighed. "Fine, I'll listen."
Shu Tu was one thing, but Zi Shu also ran 100% pain.
Warrior fights were bloodier than hers.
They often ended drenched in blood.
If Wei Zishu wasn't scared, why should she be?
Fuyu stood tall, hands on hips. "I'll crush Zhong Ye and take first!"
Yu Yu looked up, her face shifting. "Your next match is her."
Fuyu panicked. "What?!"
"Heh," a lazy laugh came from behind. "I'll wait for you to humiliate yourself."
Fuyu's eyes widened.
Crap, her bold claim was overheard by her opponent.
She was just hyping herself up.
Yu Yu turned, seeing Zhong Ye standing nearby, arms crossed, smirking.
She'd just left the arena, sweat still on her forehead.
Though smiling, her eyes held no warmth. She took a towel from a teammate, wiping her brow.
Her tone was casual. "Always someone overreaching. Who gave you the guts?"
"Yu Yu?"
Shu Tu frowned.
Fuyu didn't dare face Zhong Ye—she had a mental block against her.
Yu Yu stepped forward. "Xiao Ye's getting old, still so sharp-tongued. Not afraid of hormonal imbalance?"
She knew how to jab Zhong Ye, casually slinging an arm over Shu Tu's shoulder. "With the captain's guidance, Fuyu's potential is limitless. How long can you keep being fierce?"
Zhong Ye was prickly with everyone but deeply respected Shu Tu.
Yu Yu didn't know why but found it easy to poke.
Shu Tu sighed.
Zhong Ye's face turned green. "Hope she lives up to your hype."
She tossed the towel to the ground and stormed off.
Shang Wei, grinning, her narrow eyes flicked to Shu Tu, then Yu Yu. "See you in the arena."
She was loving the drama.
Zhong Ye wasn't some saint—she was pumped for the next fight.
Xiang Qin picked up the towel, nodded to Shu Tu, and left.
Zi Shu stroked her chin. "Did Xiang Qin just glance at me a few times?"
"Am I on her radar?"
Yu Yu: "Cold fact—she's had you on her radar forever."
"Same class, and you're with me and Shu Tu. Think she only noticed you now?"
Zi Shu rubbed her head. "Fine, I'll deal."
Fuyu finally piped up. "Zhong Ye's so intense."
That look actually spooked her a bit.
Yu Yu: "That's just her—unlikable."
Zhong Ye's style was pure assassin—sly, erratic, as low as Shang Wei, and vengeful. Yu Yu never liked her; they mutually despised each other.
Shu Tu stayed silent.
"Let's go rest. You're up soon."
Fuyu, back to normal, poked Wei Zishu. "Hey, their teammate handed a towel to wipe sweat. What about you?"
Zi Shu was baffled. "Why me?"
Fuyu, righteous: "Xiang Qin's a warrior! Not Shang Wei handing it. Why wouldn't I ask you?"
Zi Shu groaned. "Can't you focus on something useful?"
"Nope, I won't."
Zi Shu: "…"
"You got this," Yu Yu said carefully. "Zhong Ye's vindictive. She'll likely target you. Be cautious. If you're outmatched, surrender—don't give her a chance to toy with you."
Fuyu waved grandly. "Got it. If I can't hack it, I'll quit. All good. I'm not Wei Zishu—I don't have her baggage."
Zi Shu's mouth twitched.
"Go."
As she entered, Yu Yu locked onto the screen.
The crowd's cheers already filled her ears.
Zhong Ye had a huge following.
Her matches always drew viewers.
As usual, Fuyu vanished into Stealth upon entering.
But surprisingly, Zhong Ye didn't. She twirled her dagger, strolling leisurely.
Yu Yu: "?"
What's she up to?