Watching the rain, Yu Yu glanced at Shu Tu. "What'd you do out there?"
Shu Tu hummed. "Bought some stuff. Why?"
Yu Yu headed upstairs. "Come on, I've got questions."
Shu Tu paused, grabbed her computer, and followed.
Wei Zishu glanced up.
Shu Tu set her computer on the table. "Kept you waiting?"
Yu Yu stayed silent.
Shu Tu sat across from her. "The Federation told you everything?"
Yu Yu nodded fiercely.
Shu Tu sighed. "Want to know why I didn't speak up for you back then?"
Yu Yu nodded again, just as fiercely.
Shu Tu: "Because I couldn't win against her."
Yu Yu stared, wordless.
Shu Tu: "The power she wielded was beyond me. No matter my fame, I'm just a player."
She skipped the details, explaining, "The more I showed I valued you, the less she'd let you go. Better to let you slip away with an excuse."
She gave a self-mocking smile. "Good thing she kept her word, at least."
"Xiang Qin and the others' reactions were partly my doing," Shu Tu said. "I planned to make it up to you and explain after it was settled, but you were already gone."
Yu Yu didn't comment on the first part. "Why didn't you just tell me then?"
"Just one word!"
Shu Tu: "With your temper, could you have held back from exploding?"
Yu Yu: "I…"
Stumped, Shu Tu continued, "Beyond owing you, there's not much to say. It's in the past."
Yu Yu muttered, "You don't owe me anything."
To her, Shu Tu's kindness was immeasurable.
Shu Tu slid a card across. "I got your money back, but I didn't know how to give it to you."
Another sigh. "Though you probably don't need it now."
Yu Yu took the card, raising her voice. "What about you? You just let yourself get bullied?"
Shu Tu, calm: "My strength's not enough yet. A few more levels, and you won't need to worry."
Yu Yu wanted to speak but held back each time.
She felt Shu Tu's silence about her family and past showed how much it mattered to her.
Still, she wanted to tell Shu Tu she'd always have her back.
Their first meeting was at an internet café, where Yu Yu watched Shu Tu game.
Back then, Yu Yu was in middle school, a top student. Her mom wouldn't buy electronics, so she went to the café even for school assignments.
That day, she couldn't resist watching Shu Tu play, thinking such a pretty sister must be a gaming pro.
Then she saw Shu Tu go 0/10/10, painfully bad, and couldn't help but critique from behind.
Shu Tu, clearly annoyed, turned and locked eyes with Yu Yu.
That was their first encounter.
Their actual meeting came half a year later, at a hospital.
Yu Yu's father had passed early, leaving her with her single mom, who'd just been diagnosed with cancer. Yu Yu dropped out, broke and on the verge of breaking.
Crying in a corner, she was somehow spotted by Shu Tu.
Yu Yu sometimes wondered how unlucky she was—half a year later, Shu Tu still recognized her. Talk about holding a grudge.
Then Shu Tu, like a lunatic, stood there, tossing out snide remarks.
Yu Yu snapped back, nearly coming to blows.
Later, she realized Shu Tu was fishing for her story.
Strictly speaking, that moment changed Yu Yu's fate.
By then, after six months of practice, Shu Tu had made a name in gaming, signed with a studio thanks to her stunning looks, and was a far cry from her café days.
Learning Yu Yu needed money, Shu Tu had no job leads but asked if she wanted to game.
Looking back, Shu Tu was deeply lonely then too.
Yu Yu agreed, though the path was rough.
She faced countless skeptical and dismissive looks, but with no other options, she clung to every chance like a lifeline.
Then Providence launched, and Shu Tu, assigned by her studio, soared effortlessly, quickly making a name.
She earned money and became a saint.
Yu Yu's gaming journey was smooth, every step guided by Shu Tu, plus her own rare gaming talent.
The rest was history: earning money, big money, her mom's cancer surgery succeeding. Yu Yu slowly shed her gloom, climbing to the top alongside Shu Tu.
Shu Tu's support was beyond words—her shadow was in every step.
So when Shu Tu stayed silent, didn't speak up, and seemed to doubt her, it wasn't just a blow—it was devastating.
Yu Yu was beyond aggrieved.
Then her mom's cancer relapsed, and despite pouring in all her money, Yu Yu couldn't save her.
Double-crushed, she wandered listlessly, a walking corpse. By the time she snapped out of it, she was back in Rong City, a year gone.
More than hate, Yu Yu felt unresigned.
She couldn't let it go.
But back then, struggling, she wasn't ready to demand answers.
Then came Eternal Darkness.
She never expected to meet Shu Tu in-game.
Learning Shu Tu's true background, Yu Yu felt only heartache.
Forget the mess—Shu Tu was just Shu Tu, Su Shu!
Anyone who dared bully her, Yu Yu would blast with Meteor Strike!
Half-sitting on the table, Yu Yu's breathing was steady, but her eyes blazed. "When I hit high-tier, shall I smash the Su family? How's that?"
Shu Tu: "No need. I have my own plans."
Yu Yu stared.
Shu Tu met her gaze.
Yu Yu, unwilling: "What about Shang Wei?"
Shu Tu: "She came to me herself. Her gaming talent was unexpected."
"If possible, hold off on her. I need her cooperation—our goals align."
Yu Yu, grudging: "And Shen Lan?"
Shu Tu laughed. "I don't care. Do what you want."
Yu Yu finally relaxed. "So, what's your plan?"
Shu Tu lowered her eyes. "Ruin him completely, make him wish he were dead."
Yu Yu tilted her head. "What's Shang Wei's role?"
Shu Tu: "Notice her spells? Feel anything?"
Yu Yu pondered.
…Curses, debilitations—yeah, they felt intense.
To pick those spells amidst anomalies, what deep hatred drove her? Yikes.
Yu Yu stood, patting Shu Tu's shoulder confidently. "Whatever happens, tell me. I'll always back you."
"In front of the Federation, the Su family's just clowns," Yu Yu said proudly. "Once I master the Magic Circle's arts, I'll Meteor Strike their estate, leave them a crater!"
Shu Tu stifled a laugh. "Alright, I'll call on Great Mage Yu then."
Yu Yu: "Heh, no problem."
~
The next day, with a weight lifted, Yu Yu logged on humming.
The Federation had cleared her name. As for Su Rongyu, Yu Yu decided to meet her someday.
Without her, Yu Yu wouldn't have suffered so long.
Meeting Su Rongyu was to ask about Shu Tu's childhood treatment, which would decide the spells Yu Yu would use on the Su family.
How they'd face the stars depended on that meeting.
As for Su Rongyu herself, Yu Yu would decide after seeing her.
And Shang Wei, that sly turtle—her hands were clean, manipulating others to leak Yu Yu's password, leaving no trace.
But who was the Federation? What couldn't they uncover?
She and Qian Qing needed a reckoning, but that was for later.
Snapping back, Yu Yu jotted her to-do list.
Lynn appeared on time, slamming a thick book at Yu Yu, pointed ears perked, still fuming.
Yu Yu couldn't resist wanting to pinch them. Lynn dodged nimbly. "Read first! Then tell me your thoughts!"
Her emerald eyes were dead serious. "Hurry!"
Yu Yu couldn't help laughing. "Alright, alright."
"Eaten yet?"
Lynn, coolly: "Not eating."
Today's half-elf had resolve.
Moments later, she was crunching an apple.
In the Magic Circle's den of schemers, meeting a cute half-elf was pure bliss.
To-do: Return Solanine and pollution meds, then research protective arrays at home.
Then buy materials, set up the potatoes.
Next… keep studying protective arrays and the feasibility of real-world Healing.
As a researcher, Yu Yu needed some solid results, right?
Protective arrays weren't too complex. Yu Yu quickly bought materials from the Magic Circle and succeeded on her first try.
Lynn, in the farm, gaped in awe.
"Can I buy land?" she asked. "I wanna live outside the city!"
"You mean a big manor?"
"Hm, maybe…" Yu Yu rubbed her chin, lost in thought.
She too wanted a sprawling, horse-racing manor, with research labs, a library, a cellar.
Maybe grow crops, brew wine. With arrays mastered, could she bring seeds to plant? Grapes, perhaps?
With auctions, she could sell fruit wine, rake in NPC gold!
Like from those invisible nobles!
Did Countess Silver Fragrance have pocket money?
Would Senior beat her for squeezing the pup's wallet?
Forget it—other nobles, then.
The city felt stifling—one misstep, and it's the Enforcement Division. Better to roam outside!
The more she thought, the more excited she got. She locked eyes with Lynn.
"Save money!"
"Buy a big house!"
"A manor!"
"For horse-racing!"
Lynn: "To fly freely and test combat skills!"
Their eyes sparkled.
Yu Yu suddenly paused, glancing at Lynn. "You're still living with me?"
Lynn blinked, realizing, "Oh?" Staring, her face fell. "We could be neighbors, but I'm scared I'll save enough, and those jerks won't sell to me!"
Yu Yu focused on the key issue. "How much is a manor, anyway?"
Lynn stared back, then admitted, "Never thought about it. No clue."
Yu Yu: "Hold up, we'll ask in the city."
After chatting with some players, Yu Yu set a magic disk in the field. Starlight soon cascaded, the disk making the soil shimmer.
Yu Yu pondered.
The array's core was clear: will.
In Silver Moon, it was the stars. In reality, then?
Materials and models were manageable, but the core?
Bronze artifacts, or… people?
A creepy image flashed in her mind.
Chang Yu, atop a disk, shivering as a scarecrow in the field.
Yu Yu: "…"
Lately, Chang Yu, escorted by the Federation, was off claiming her parents' vast estate.
Yu Yu was rich, but compared to Chang Yu, maybe not quite?
Out of ideas, Yu Yu decided to ask Senior after Deadwood Town.
"Let's go… hm?"
Yu Yu: "Logging off a sec."
Lynn steadied her body. "You just log off like that?"
"What's up?" Yu Yu asked, puzzled.
Yu Bai: "Where's your in-game address? We're in, with your guards."
Yu Yu: "?"
She thought, then asked, "Can you farm?"
Yu Bai: "???"
Soon, Yu Yu brought Yu Bai's group to the farm. Under their stunned gazes, she said gravely, "My farm's in your hands."
Behind Yu Bai stood two rigid young men, clearly military.
Yu Bai, floored: "You've got a farm?"
Yu Yu: "Hang out here when free. These are my potatoes."
She paused, showing Yu Bai the disk. "I'm researching protective arrays. This is a test site—take it seriously."
Yu Bai's expression shifted. "Task guaranteed!"
The two men, thrilled, snapped salutes. "Researcher, rest assured—we'll protect this place!"
Tail: "Guess what I saw? Federation soldiers saluting Boss Yu!"
Rabbit Head: "Log off and check the forums, quick!"
Eyeing her potatoes, Yu Yu recalled Vine Growth could accelerate crops.
Should she split them—half boosted, half natural—for a control group?
With the array, they shouldn't mutate, right?
What could potatoes mutate into? They weren't hit by Wither Curse!
After pondering, Yu Yu asked Yu Bai, "How many spellcasters came in?"
"Not many. Picking spirit 7s without you is like finding needles in a haystack. Players resist Insight. Only eleven total."
Yu Yu: "Fine, let them level up for now."
She logged off briefly.
Checking the Federation's pinned clarification and researcher announcement, she figured newspapers and media were all over it.
[@Spellcaster players, anyone learned Vine Growth? Wanna farm? Crowdsourcing spellcaster pals~]
Her post exploded with players.
Eating Without Washing Dishes: [Me! Spellcaster! I actually learned it! Crimson Boss, I'm your fan!!! Name it!]
—Yu: [#Address#, swing by daily, please~]
Wen Ming: [Crimson Boss, me me me me!!!]
Instantly, a swarm of spellcaster players popped up, all hyped.
Qian Qing: [Bet you're hunting slaves?]
Shang Wei: [Tch.]
—Eating Without Washing Dishes: [How dare you show up? No shame?]
—Shang Wei: [Nope.]
Chang: [Hm?]
Meng: [This works?]
Felix: […]
Outsiders… truly…
Yu Yu: [Enough, my plot's small—don't need a crowd.]
Qian Qing: [You've got land???]
After cozying up to Senior, Yu Yu said, [Be my slave, and I'll spill how I got it.]
Qian Qing: [Hmph, even if I knew, I couldn't copy you. Trust you? Pfft.]
Yu: [Tch, too bad.]
Having found her "slaves"—er, players—Yu Yu wasn't paying.
Spellcaster wages were steep, even for players. Better to skip pay and bring them along later.
"Sigh, why am I so poor?" Yu Yu sighed to Lynn upon logging in.
Lynn echoed, "Why am I so poor?"
Yu Yu, thinking, glanced at the farm. "Why so many people?"
Yu Bai: "This place is critical, so I called in more. It's all fields—log off, lie down, done."
Yu Yu: "…No need for that."
Really, she was just growing potatoes to stockpile food… why the fuss?
Once the array research was done, that was it.
Ugh, so few "slaves." Why didn't the Magic Circle sell Vine Growth magic puppets?
She'd buy one in a heartbeat!
"Let's go ask about manor prices in the city and save up!"
With Yu Bai watching, Yu Yu left it be, assigning Tail and her hired NPCs too.
People should master using "tools."
~
"Whoa, there's really a city lord's mansion?" Yu Yu marveled.
Lynn, confused: "Why wouldn't there be?"
Yu Yu: "Let's go ask."
Lynn tugged her. "Is that spellcaster there?"
Yu Yu thought. "Elder Chang?"
"She pops up everywhere except the mansion! Don't worry!"
Lynn nodded. "Makes sense."
Chang: "Who's slandering me at my doorstep?"
Yu Yu: "!!"
Lynn: "!!!"
Moments later, Chang asked, "Why do you need to move out?"
Yu Yu: "The city's too restrictive. I want a bigger place!"
Chang: "? What are you planning to unleash?"
Yu Yu: "Got any houses for sale, Elder?"
Chang glanced at her. "Land outside's not easy to buy. Check yourself."
Lynn, shocked: "You need a title?"
Yu Yu: "Lemme see, lemme see. Baronet? Does third-class baronet count?"
Chang: "That's honorary—doesn't count."
Yu Yu sank into thought.
Got it. Time to grind the Duchess pup's favor for a title upgrade.
Lynn: "They're pricey—fifty, sixty thousand gold. So expensive!"
Yu Yu: "No biggie. We'll dig up treasures outside."
Lynn perked up. "True."
She had full faith in Yu Yu now.
Yu Yu, persistent: "Can spellcasters bypass requirements? Any discounts?"
Chang eyed her. "Nope. These aren't Magic Circle houses—they're nobles'. Land deals just go through the mansion."
Yu Yu whispered to Lynn, "Lynn, join the army. Get a title, then buy a house."
Lynn, exasperated: "You think I can just enlist?"
Yu Yu: "What! You can't?"
Lynn: "No!"
Yu Yu sighed, "The world's so beautiful, yet I'm so poor!" Lynn's pointed ears drooped as she sighed too.
They moped in the mansion, sighing their way out.
Chang: "…Stop acting. Come see the Grand Archon."
Yu Yu nudged Lynn. "Wait at home."
Lynn: "Oh."
Chang approached, pressing Yu Yu's shoulder.
A flash, and she was in the castle.
Eyeing Chang's favor bar, Yu Yu's fingers itched.
Suddenly, she spotted the Duchess. "Duchess! Duchess!"
The silver-haired woman saw her, then circled around and left.
Yu Yu: "???"
"What's her deal?"
"Hm," the Grand Archon's voice came from within. "Probably scared you'll poke her favor bar and ask if 100 favor turns her into a wolf."
Yu Yu, stunned.
How'd you know my plan?
Wait, the pup knew too?
How could she face poking Senior's favor bar now?!
The Grand Archon turned. "Still recruiting slaves? You're good at using people. We train spellcasters to be your slaves?"
Yu Yu protested, "They volunteered!!!"
The Grand Archon: "…Poke again?"
Yu Yu had already flicked open her favor bar, then her smile vanished.
How could someone be so consistently stingy?
Got it—no point grinding her favor. Let her drift away~
Yu Yu, calm as still water: "Grand Archon, your orders?"
The Grand Archon: "Not even hiding your expression?"
Yu Yu, solemn: "What mission, sir?"
After a pause, the Grand Archon said, "Still going to Rock Tomb?"
Yu Yu: "I was about to return Solanine! Ugh, Elder Chong'll say I'm dodging it again!"
The Grand Archon: "Don't return it. Ignore her."
"This is Zong's work—take it." The Grand Archon said, "Chat, photos, streaming, and other junk. It's registered for you."
She handed over a wristband, identical to the one outside.
Yu Yu: "…?"
"Any issues, contact us. How're you going? With Lynn?"
The Grand Archon: "I can send Meng with you."
Yu Yu shook her head like a rattle. "No way! I'll take players—we can suicide back if in danger. Senior Meng can't."
Meng popped up, voice soft: "You're rejecting me?"
Yu Yu: "Absolutely not! I'm worried for your safety, Senior!"
The Grand Archon: "Fine, then."
~
Wei Zishu: "Finally hitting a dungeon? I'm sick of grinding."
Shu Tu: "Mm."
Fuyu did cartwheels, perching energetically on a railing. "I'm not the old me! This time, I'm earning gold for a house!"
Yu Yu: "Let's go!"
Out of the city.
Yu Yu: "Shame Chang Yu's off claiming her estate. I wanted to try bringing a guardian."
"Real pity."
"Why hasn't an elder invented a Phantom Carriage spell?" Yu Yu grumbled. "Walking's exhausting."
Wei Zishu: "…You're on a horse. Hush."
Behind the phantom horse trailed three paper-thin figures.
Yu Yu sighed again. "Lynn's mad—she ran off."
Wei Zi Shu: "…That half-elf, honestly."
Fuyu: "Cute!"
Shu Tu: "Very cute."
Yu Yu: "Too bad my points are negative. Otherwise, I'd learn Item Locator—makes finding people easy. Hope my points are positive after this."
At Deadwood Town.
The quartet dismounted the phantom horse, stepping onto solid ground.
Feng Ye, working, occasionally glanced at the livestream.
They were curious—what would Yu Yu encounter?