The players averted their gazes, frustration simmering beneath the surface.
Yu Yu, meanwhile, had been whisked away by Yu Bai to a secluded spot where a tent was already pitched, fully equipped with supplies. They were at the foot of a modest, barren hill, the rendezvous point buzzing with activity.
Fine. Understood.
Yu Yu got a personal briefing, while the rest of them were stuck with a group explanation.
The resentment bubbled up again.
As Yu Bai spoke, Yu Yu's expression shifted subtly. "Giant ants? A colony?"
"Exactly," Yu Bai said, her tone grave. "Their reproduction rate is staggering, but for some reason, they haven't surfaced. They're tunneling underground instead. If not for your tip, we might not have noticed until it was too late."
"Experts estimate they've hollowed out most of Jianhe District's subsurface," she continued. "We don't know how they've done it without disturbing the surface. It was sheer luck—a military operation stumbled across them. Now we're worried that any disturbance could cause a collapse…"
Yu Yu cut in. "Have people been evacuated?"
"We're working on it," Yu Bai replied, her voice heavy. "But it's slow. Many residents have their entire lives here, and our operations…" She met Yu Yu's gaze. "We need a deeper investigation to assess the urgency. We're deciding whether to enforce a mandatory evacuation. Also, the experts' projections on their breeding speed… aren't optimistic."
A staff member dragged over an ant corpse. The creature was the size of a watermelon, its black-red exoskeleton gleaming with menace—a common ant magnified a thousandfold.
Fuyu, unable to resist, emerged from stealth. "That's way too big!"
Shu Tu unsheathed her sword and prodded the corpse. "Trouble."
Yu Yu's brow twitched. "With that size, they'd devour a person in minutes, wouldn't they?"
Yu Bai's expression darkened. "Seconds."
"If they catch you, you're bones in seconds," she said. "The military sent several teams to scout their nest and locate the queen, but…"
"None of the earlier teams returned. The last group only survived because they didn't venture deep enough."
Yu Bai's voice grew quieter. "They said if the ants catch you, there's no time to scream. You're gone in a blink. And the swarm is fast…"
Fuyu rubbed her arms, a chill creeping over her.
Shu Tu murmured, "If they keep breeding for a month, the whole city might fall to their jaws."
Yu Bai nodded grimly. "And there's the river. Their tunnels are heading straight for the Chongjiang. If they break through, the flood will be catastrophic…"
"Experts estimate they're just 7.3 kilometers from the river. At their current pace, they'll hit the danger zone in days."
Yu Yu frowned, thoughtful. "The mission gives us a month. Is that when they'll fully hollow the underground and breach the surface?"
Yu Bai shrugged. "I don't know. How did Eternal Darkness even find them?"
Eternal Darkness had flagged the issue a month early, likely when the colony was just forming.
Yu Yu wasn't sure. "Maybe high Will, scanning from afar? Or a wide-range detection spell?"
How was she supposed to know how Eternal Darkness worked?
Yu Bai waved it off. "That's not the point. We called in players because the underground is beyond our capabilities now."
Her tone turned deadly serious. "If the ants overrun the surface, with their feeding speed, we'll either die to anomalies or to the swarm. Nansheng lies on the Huaisi Plain, with cities packed tightly. If Rong City falls, the surrounding areas won't stand a chance. We fear anomalies; these ants don't."
Yu Yu's expression mirrored her gravity. If these creatures reached the surface, Rong City's dense population would face a disaster of apocalyptic proportions. And being in the city center, the military's hands were tied. If the ants consumed Rong City, with millions as fuel, how far would they spread?
The entire Huaisi coast could live under their shadow. Yu Yu thought of her riverside garden, her face darkening further. These giant ants had to die.
Shu Tu spoke softly. "To wipe out the swarm on a large scale, we'll likely need heavy firepower. The underground's been hollowed out—surface structures won't survive. Not just homes, but Jianhe District has a power plant. Rong City relies heavily on it, not to mention other infrastructure…"
The losses would be far more than financial.
Yu Bai's face twisted with bitterness. "That's what the higher-ups are grappling with. We're out of options."
Who would choose to face such a calamity if they had a choice?
Yu Bai lowered her voice. "Yesterday, we got word that a city in Xiaodong went completely dark. It likely happened earlier, but we only just found out…"
Yu Yu's eyes narrowed. "What caused it?"
"No clue," Yu Bai admitted. "They reported a plant anomaly before losing contact—purple, broad-leafed plants, tall and fragrant. The sap was potable, with beneficial compounds, and it attracted giant dragonflies…"
"And then they went silent?"
Yu Bai nodded. "It was sudden. We don't know what happened."
"Maybe a new A-rank anomaly, or they botched handling a low-tier one. Could be the plants or dragonflies…"
"With transportation crippled, it'll take ages for the Federation to investigate. Who knows when we'll get answers."
As they spoke, a commotion erupted among the players.
Yu Bai frowned. "What's going on?"
Yu Yu exchanged a glance with Shu Tu and Fuyu, then stood. "Let's check it out."
They were about to dive into this mission together, after all. The source of the disturbance surprised Yu Yu.
Shang Wei's voice was low and firm. "Move. I'm going back."
The staff member blocking her looked equally displeased. "Sorry, no players can leave until this is resolved."
Yu Yu raised an eyebrow, glancing at Yu Bai.
Yu Bai coughed awkwardly. "It's not exactly that. With so many people, we're worried about leaks sparking panic and disrupting the evacuation."
The uniformed staff member's face was stern. "The situation's been explained. You signed up—you can't bail halfway. If you don't want to go down, stay up here."
Shang Wei stood silently, weathering their scrutiny. Yu Yu sensed a surge of anomalous mental energy and tensed. Good grief, was she skipping words and going straight for action?
The moment Yu Yu detected it, she unleashed a spell she'd never used before—Spell Counter
Shang Wei staggered, coughing blood, her face ashen.
Her gaze snapped to Yu Yu, who stood nonchalantly to the side. "Yu! Yu!"
Her eyes burned with venom, her voice sharp as a blade.
Yu Yu folded her arms. "Hm?"
Xiang Qin, wincing as if struck by a headache, stepped forward to explain. "It's like this—she just brought her mother to live with her last week, in Jianhe District. She's from a single-parent home and fiercely protective of her mom. She's anxious, not trying to run…"
Shang Wei snapped, "Shut up!"
"Yu Yu, stay out of my business!"
She cast again, a silent, passive spell.
Yu Yu, arms still crossed, said coolly, "I thought it was a big deal. Just have the Federation get your mom out."
The players blinked, stunned. What, you think the Federation's your personal errand service?
Yu Yu nodded toward an open area. "There's a helicopter right there."
Yu Bai, equally shocked, exchanged quick glances with the others, her hands flashing subtle signals.
She plastered on a smile. "Miss Yu's right. It's doable."
Yu Yu's tone was matter-of-fact. "Anyone with family in Jianhe District, give your addresses. Let the Federation handle it. Bundle them together."
She looked at Yu Bai. "We're risking our lives here. The Federation covering our backs is only fair, right?"
Yu Bai nodded solemnly. "Of course. Miss Yu's absolutely right. We overlooked this."
The players stared, dumbfounded.
Yu Bai turned to Shang Wei, her tone warm. "Miss Shang, could you provide an address?"
She added, "It's not about keeping you here. If you rush off to get your mother, it could cause chaos. We'll arrange everything properly—don't worry."
Shang Wei's expression wavered, complex emotions flickering across her face. She finally dampened her mental energy. "It's…"
The uniformed staff member gaped.
That's it? You couldn't just say that?
Unbeknownst to him, he'd narrowly escaped a curse spell to the face. Only a handful of spellcasters in the crowd—plus a few low-tier ones too weak to sense the mana fluctuations—knew what had transpired.
Qian Qing glanced at Yu Yu, his expression unreadable. Another unknown spell. How had she disrupted Shang Wei's casting?
Xiang Qin and Zhong Ye exchanged a look, their faces even more complicated. Shang Wei's mother was her one trigger. Mention her mom, and she'd lose all reason, lashing out recklessly. Provoking Shang Wei was as simple as insulting her mother—guaranteed chaos.
She'd caused no small amount of trouble over it. With the matter settled, Yu Yu ignored their reactions and sauntered off, arms still crossed. "Is there food? I haven't eaten all day. Starving."
Comforting Chang Yu had left them little appetite earlier.
Yu Bai perked up. "Yes, of course!"
As she spoke, the helicopter's roar faded into the distance.
Yu Yu: "…"
Yu Bai didn't miss a beat. "Haha, it'll be a moment. Tell me what you want—I'll make sure it's your favorite."
Even Shu Tu and Fuyu exchanged exasperated looks.
Was this level of fawning really necessary?
Yu Bai stole a glance outside, ensuring no colleagues were nearby, then leaned in and whispered, "Keep developing your enchanting and alchemy. They're discussing granting you a researcher title."
Yu Yu blinked. "Researcher?"
Yu Bai nodded vigorously. "The Federation Academy of Sciences. Only the biggest names get in. If not for this mission…"
She coughed, lowering her voice. "Let's just say, that title will open countless doors. Normally, certain privileges are off-limits, but as a researcher, you could mobilize vast Federation resources with a single word."
"Even if some old fogeys grumble about your age, the title legitimizes everything. It'll smooth over any obstacles…"
Yu Yu's mind wandered. "Sounds like a lot of work. I'm not keen on running around."
Yu Bai: "…"
"It's not like that," she insisted. "You'd call the shots. Among all the players, you're the only one studying real techniques."
"We've sent other spellcasters to learn enchanting or spell models, but…"
Yu Yu's curiosity piqued. "What happened? The seniors wouldn't teach?"
Yu Bai mimicked an arrogant sneer. "'Outsiders studying models? Laughable. Absurd.' Or maybe the guy we sent had low mental stats. Either way, he came back fuming. Magic circle spellcasters are… tough to deal with."
She emphasized, "Very tough."
"Those quest chains? Dozens of steps, and still no end in sight."
Yu Yu hesitated, touching her nose. "Maybe they're under orders not to share with players yet."
Yu Bai stared at her, silent.
Yu Yu coughed. "I might be an exception."
She wasn't sure why she'd had it so easy. Probably Senior Meng's doing?
When she first joined Silver Moon, Senior Meng had introduced her to the Grand Archon.
A meteoric rise.
Could other players say the same?
Yu Bai sighed. "The magic circle is still wary of us. They won't share the important stuff."
Except with Yu Yu. Others weren't barred from learning—they just couldn't get a foot in the door. Studying enchanting without knowing where to start? How could they compare to Yu Yu, who had high-tier spellcasters guiding her every step?
The higher-ups often joked that Yu Yu alone received more resources than all other Federation players combined.
And not just any resources—the kind that could be passed down. Take the recent website fiasco. The magic circle had crushed them, but Yu Yu secured ten admin slots, saving the Federation's face and preserving their dignity.
By every measure, they had to treat Yu Yu with utmost care and respect. She held the technical knowledge the Federation coveted. She was the only one who could speak directly with magic circle elites. Wasn't that enough?
Plus, Yu Yu had shared countless secrets with the Federation. Her contributions were undeniable. And she was naturally inclined toward researching spells and enchanting. The researcher title suited her perfectly.
Yu Bai pressed on. "As a researcher, you'd have Federation protection wherever you go. One word, and you could command resources a hundred times greater than now. You could request garrisons, dedicated helicopters—two, just for you. We could even assign player missions to guard you round-the-clock…"
Yu Yu's eyes lit up, a faint smile breaking through. "I'm just a novice. A researcher at my age? Doesn't that seem… premature?"
Yu Bai grinned. "Not at all. We see your potential. Keep growing, and one day, you'll repay the Federation tenfold."
Yu Yu demurred politely a couple of times before saying, "It depends on the Federation's decision."
Yu Bai knew she'd won. Victory! she thought, mentally flashing a V-sign.
Yu Yu was loyal to the Federation. Mission accomplished.
"I'll check on the food," Yu Bai said, darting off.
As she left, Shu Tu teased, "Not bad, Researcher Yu. We're counting on you~"
Her tone was playful. "My ultimate goal was the Federation Academy. I had a fifty-year plan. You're barely in your twenties, waltzing in like it's nothing. Back in the day, people would've gone mad with envy…"
Fuyu chimed in, "Still pretty enviable now, right?"
"Look at us players. We're out here hitching rides to Federation gigs. Meanwhile, she's got a private escort…"
Yu Yu shot her a look. "Jealous? If I get the title, I'll hire you as my assistant—full benefits. If we get word on your parents, you'll know first."
Fuyu threw her arms around her. "Point me east, I won't go west. Tell me to kill a dog, I won't chase a chicken."
They bantered affectionately as the other players settled down.
Shu Tu mused, "You spoke up for Shang Wei… Did you know she terminated her contract?"
Yu Yu blinked, surprised. "Terminated? What contract?"
Shu Tu chuckled. "Figures. I only just heard myself."
Yu Yu knew Shu Tu ran a player chat group, her intel network growing sharper by the day.
She shrugged. "We're diving into this mission together. Gotta smooth things over, or it'll get messy."
"I wasn't defending Shang Wei," she clarified. "Her reason's understandable. She's been obsessed with her mom forever. Anyone insults her mom, she loses it…"
"You wanna hit her weak spot, pick the right moment," Yu Yu muttered. "I get where she's coming from. If she was just scared and running, you think I'd be this nice?"
"Plus, some players have family in Jianhe District. Getting the Federation to handle it is only fair."
Even emperors don't starve their soldiers.
Shu Tu nodded thoughtfully. "The Federation's been rushed this time, scrambling without proper prep."
Yu Yu sighed. "Cut them some slack. They're stretched thin. Not enough hands."
"Hopefully, the Federation sorts out the bronze artifact disputes soon, restores order, and gets production back on track."
Even Yu Yu knew the provinces were nearly at war over the uneven distribution of bronze artifacts. Ancient capitals and famous cities hoarded more relics, but share them? They'd sooner hide a few than give them up.
With transportation crippled, prying artifacts from their grasp was like asking for their lives. But smaller cities, lacking historical weight, couldn't just be abandoned. Then there was the player distribution issue.
Some tiny cities had barely a handful of players. Major hubs? Thousands.
How should the Federation allocate them?
Small cities begging for player aid—wasn't that their right?
But players were people, not commodities to be shuffled around. Cities, clinging to survival, hoarded their players and stonewalled the Federation, who lacked the authority to force compliance. In short, a mess. Toss a brick, and you'd hit a brawl.
Take Rong City.
A historic capital surrounded by other ancient cities, it thrived economically. For reasons unknown, many pro players originally based in Huyou City had relocated to Rong City before the anomalies surged. Over half the Hall of Fame was here, thrusting the city into the spotlight.
And then there was Yu Yu, a Federation-wide celebrity.
Yet Rong City was no exception. To outsiders, it played the victim or feigned weakness, refusing to share resources. Want something? Come take it.
We barely have enough for ourselves.
From Rong City's perspective, Yu Yu didn't know what to say.
In an apocalypse, self-preservation came first. What else could they do?
Rong City was far from stable enough to save the world.
This ant crisis could doom the entire city if mishandled.
Yu Yu pushed the headaches aside. They weren't her call to make.
"Shu Tu, I wanted to talk about something."
Shu Tu turned. "Yeah?"
Yu Yu leaned in. "I've been looking at advanced spell models. They rely heavily on calculations. I'm wondering if we could use modern computing to build a program that analyzes spell models…"
Shu Tu's eyes lit up, her tone intense. "Tell me more."
When Yu Bai returned, she found them deep in discussion, utterly absorbed, while Fuyu blew bubbles, bored out of her mind.
Yu Bai carried a pot, trailed by staff hauling tables and chairs. "Food's here! Hungry?"
Her smile was radiant. Yu Yu snapped back to reality. "Starving."
Shu Tu's eyes gleamed with fervor, her whole demeanor electric. Even Yu Bai shot her puzzled glances.
What's with her? Why's she suddenly so hyped?
Yu Yu said casually, "No rush. After I used the Warrior's Oath, Lynn said she unlocked tons of skills. Maybe warriors can dual-class into magic-warriors someday."
"Anything's possible."
Shu Tu nodded firmly. "Makes sense."
The meal was delicious. Despite all the "we're doomed" talk, the Federation's stockpiles were still plentiful.
Enough to last a while.
Shu Tu, though, was lost in thought.
She'd noticed that in reality, Yu Yu was more reserved, her emotions muted compared to her lively game persona.
Why was that?
Yu Yu asked, "Everything arranged?"
Yu Bai, just setting down her chopsticks, nodded. "I'll check."
She tapped away at her phone.
"All set," she confirmed. "Their families are out."
Yu Yu suggested, "Why not ask if they'd agree to have their families centralized under Federation protection, within the bronze artifact range?"
Yu Bai considered it. "I'll report it."
With so few artifacts—and who knew how many would be shared—spots were tight.
But players? They might get through.
Everyone knew players' value now. Even the stiffest military brass were warming to them, granting requests left and right. With their limited numbers, losing even one was a blow to Rong City.
Yu Yu fell silent. "When do we head down?"
Yu Bai checked her watch. "We're ready. Anytime."
Yu Yu glanced at the player count. "Cool. Let me log in quick."
Minutes later, she was back. "Let's go."
Yu Bai, assuming she'd filed a report, asked eagerly, "Any tips from the magic circle?"
Yu Yu gave her a look. "Didn't ask."
Yu Bai deflated. "Why not?"
Yu Yu shrugged. "No specifics yet. What's there to ask?"
Without basic intel, they'd just get blank stares. Pointless.
Just then, Yu Yu received the mission notification—
[(Epic) Subterranean Anomaly]
Rewards: Base Attribute Points 2, Base Skill Points 4
Yu Yu's eyes widened. "!!! Attribute points?!"
"Holy crap, attribute points?"
"Wait, we can get missions in reality?!"
The players erupted into chaos, Yu Yu quietly thrilled. Since hitting 16 Mental, she'd learned that raising it further required 4 base attribute points. Normally, she'd need four more levels to reach 17 Mental.
Four levels!
She was only level 9 now. Hitting 13 for 17 Mental was a slog.
And 18? 19? 20?
Don't forget, the baseline for Legendary was a main stat of 20!
Her current Mental could forcibly disrupt Shang Wei's casting. What would 20 Mental do?
Yu Yu couldn't even imagine.
Of course, proximity helped, and Shang Wei's lack of a mentor—and relative weakness—played a part.
There were only 47 players total, all elites. The weakest were level 7 beginners; the strongest, like Yu Yu's group, were mid-tier.
From the outset, the players moved with disciplined precision.
Warriors took the front, rogues scouted the flanks and rear, spellcasters stayed center, and rangers formed a loose perimeter around them.
The Federation team brought up the rear.
They were the most vulnerable, so they stayed back, tasked with logistics—carrying supplies, medical aid, stretchers, small arms, infrared, oxygen, and emergency comms.
Yu Yu frowned at Yu Bai. "Why're you coming?"
Yu Bai was a true civilian, utterly out of her depth. What was she doing here?
Yu Bai forced a smile. "You're going. I have to follow."
"Don't ask," she groaned, pain flashing across her face. "It's the mission. Just ignore me—I'll handle myself."
Yu Yu sighed, exasperated. "Fine. Watch yourself."
She casually tossed a Light Body spell on Yu Bai, who brightened instantly.
Yu Yu ignored her, peering into the depths. The Federation's floodlights were blinding. With this many people, stealth wasn't an option.
Zhong Ye's calm voice cut through. "Heads up. Ants, about 300 meters ahead."
Yu Yu cast Sense Life.
A moment later, she clenched her fist, a milky-white orb forming in her hand. Faint red silhouettes appeared ahead, visible to everyone.
Yu Yu muttered, "Huh, a group-display spell?"
Wen Ming couldn't help himself. "What's a group-display spell?"
Of the 47 players, only six were spellcasters, including Qian Qing and Shang Wei. Both, annoyingly, stuck close to Yu Yu, much to her irritation. Wen Ming, one of the only two male spellcasters besides Qian Qing, got a curt reply. "Means everyone can see the spell's effect."
Qian Qing asked, "What spell is this? Life detection?"
Yu Yu: "Second-ring, Sense Life, sustained casting."
The mental drain of a second-ring spell was negligible for her now. She didn't mind making the mission a bit easier.
Yu Bai chimed in. "Our goal is to assess the swarm's status and install the instruments per the experts' specs. The more data they get, the better the Federation can plan…"
Yu Yu glanced at her. "How many instruments?"
Yu Bai swiped her tablet. "Nine total. Three here, three on this level, three over there. Triangular positioning to map the nest's size and population…"
Yu Yu, only half-grasping the tech, nodded vaguely. "I'll do my best."
The underground wasn't easy to navigate, but the Federation had chosen a natural cave system, not the labyrinthine ant tunnels. The visibility was decent.
The Federation came prepared, accounting for everything. Yu Yu's group faced little resistance beyond a few stray ants. The cave's location was well-chosen; ant numbers were low here. Yu Yu reviewed her spell list, feeling her arsenal was still lacking.
With rogues giving early warnings, she'd cast Sense Life to mark targets for the warriors and rangers, then dismiss it after combat. The routine left her idle. She briefly considered summoning an earth elemental as a mount—for comfort and security. But that'd be too flashy. She restrained herself.
Ugh, walking's exhausting…
Fuyu shouted, "Ant swarm!"
Zhong Ye's warning came simultaneously. "Large group approaching!"
Shu Tu barked, "Battle formation!"
She froze when only a few responded.
Wang Mao mumbled, "What's that skill? Never learned it."
A warrior who'd reacted scoffed, "How'd you know I had Battle Formation? I learned it from a hidden quest with a retired vet."
Shu Tu gaped. "None of you learned it?"
Yu Yu whispered, "Idiot. The Duchess's retinue trains in officer command. You think players match her elite guards?"
She caught the odd looks from those nearby and coughed, backtracking. "What spells have you learned? Third-ring."
The spellcasters, about to speak, clammed up.
Sorry, we're dragging. No third-ring spells yet.
Qian Qing hesitated, but Shang Wei cut in coldly. "Wave of Fatigue, Fog Cloud, Raise Dead."
Her words silenced everyone.
You didn't pick any of those, did you?
Yu Bai's voice trembled. "Raise Dead… can it actually raise the dead?"
Shang Wei smirked, her expression taunting. "Haven't tried. Wanna be the first?"
Yu Bai: "…"
You're no saint, you jerk!
Meeting Yu Yu's gaze, Shang Wei's mood soured. "What? I chose wrong? Prioritizing survival's a problem?"
Yu Yu scoffed. "Survival? Others pick shields or speed boosts. You? Wave of Fatigue and Raise Dead. That's your idea of survival?"
Shang Wei was unapologetic. "Works for me. If no one's suicidal, I don't act. Isn't that survival?"
Yu Bai mentally noted to update Shang Wei's psych profile. This woman was wilder than Yu Yu.
Qian Qing, after a pause, listed his. "Summon Phantom Ray, Fire Burst, Mass Sleep."
The other three spellcasters: "None. Sad dog tears.jpg"
They prioritized useful second-ring spells over rushing into third-ring. Points were hard to earn, and they weren't mid-tier yet—third-ring spells were too costly for their mental pools. Yu Yu shot Shang Wei a look.
See? That's how normal people choose. Still think you're fine?
She was so used to roasting Shang Wei, it felt natural.
Yu Bai coughed. "Asking for a plan?"
Yu Yu, hands in pockets, said coolly, "Nah, just checking if they're useful."
Yu Bai blinked. "And now?"
Yu Yu: "Barely. Can't expect more."
Shang Wei, about to snap, suddenly felt lighter.
Mass Light Body
"Whoa! My Agility's up 2!"
"Who did that? Which legend?"
Wei Shu Tu, through her sharp command and raw strength, had become the warriors' de facto leader. For some reason, Xiang Qin hadn't contested her, even cooperating.
Shu Tu said confidently, "Gotta be Yu. Only she's got the cash for support spells like that."
The warriors: "…"
No rebuttal possible.
Then came Mass Bull's Strength.
The warriors howled, "Boss, you're the best! Hit us again!"
Yu Yu smirked.
Mass Endurance.
"Holy crap! Agility +2, Strength +2, Constitution +2! Spellcasters love us!"
Yu Bai's eyes gleamed, scribbling in her mental notebook.
Yu Yu: Multiple mass support spells.
Shang Wei: "…"
Qian Qing: "…"
The three beginner spellcasters: "…"
"Boss, you're a god!" Wen Ming shouted sincerely.
Three third-ring spells at once? How much Mental did she have?
Compared to them, grudgingly casting one spell?
The gap was astronomical.
Qian Qing admitted, "Impressive. I'm outclassed."
Shang Wei snorted, turning away.
Yu Yu asked, "What's the phantom ray for?"
Qian Qing explained, "Flying summon. Big, but slow. Good for transporting goods or mass troop movement."
Yu Bai's ears perked up. "Troop movement?"
Qian Qing tapped his temple, his refined face breaking into a sheepish grin. "Not literal troops. Guild wars got us hooked on tactical spells. Just a figure of speech."
Yu Bai nodded, jotting down: Qian Qing's Phantom Ray can transport troops or supplies.
Shang Wei and Yu Yu eyed him, unimpressed.
Keep acting, scorpion. Pretending to be pure? Disgusting.
With 47 players working in sync, the scattered ants stood no chance.
The installation progressed smoothly.
Any surprises were crushed by Yu Yu's endless spell repertoire.
Mass Fear.
Mass Animal Hold.
Mass Stoneskin.
Yu Bai marveled the whole way. Only with Yu Yu did they truly grasp the chasm between having a spellcaster and not. If Yu Yu was the complete package, Qian Qing and the others were… well, "miscellaneous." Hopelessly outclassed.
And Yu Yu wasn't just support. Fire Burst, Chain Lightning, fire elementals, earth elementals…
She was a versatile anchor, handling every curveball.
The frontline warriors felt it most.
They'd started nervous, but over time, their tension faded.
Yu Yu always had a solution.
Having a spellcaster at their back was so reassuring.
Was this the allure of a true mage?
They envied Shu Tu.
Zhong Ye's voice cut through. "Trouble. Big swarm incoming."
Yu Yu asked, "Installation done?"
A sweating staff member replied, "Almost! This is the last one!"
Yu Yu nodded. "Alright, hold them off. Once you're done, evac immediately."
Qian Qing, initially curious about Yu Yu's spell list, gave up.
She'd already shown over ten third-ring spells.
What was the point of asking?
They weren't competing anymore. Before, he could've claimed loyalty to different factions. Now?
Yu Yu was on another level. No need to clash with her.
Better to chill.
Qian Qing adapted fast, soon offering, "Need me to cast Mass Sleep to ease the pressure?"
Yu Yu, too focused to care, muttered, "Whatever."
Stone to Mud.
The ground ahead turned to sludge, morphing into a swamp-like mire. As Yu Yu poured in more Mental, it expanded.
The ants, charging in, sank into the mud, their speed crippled.
Wang Mao gasped, "What's that spell?"
Shu Tu guessed, "Stone to Mud or Mud to Stone?"
Yu Yu's spell choices were always unconventional but shockingly effective.
She'd said she loved terrain-altering spells, aiming to be a "grand architect."
Maybe she was onto something.
Shu Tu, getting word from the rear, raised her sword. "Last one's almost done. Hold a bit longer, then we evac with the Federation."
The Federation's prep was thorough, their route cleverly chosen. They'd faced no real challenges.
…Or maybe Yu Yu's buffs made it feel easy.
Lost in thought, Shu Tu glanced at Xiang Qin.
The woman's face was calm, her presence steady. She held the left flank without faltering, utterly reliable.
What was she thinking?
Xiang Qin caught her stare. "What? Done commanding?"
Shu Tu asked, "Why aren't you commanding?"
Xiang Qin shrugged. "You're doing fine. Why would I?"
She glanced at Shu Tu. "If you can't handle it, step back. I'll take over."
Shu Tu bristled. "Warriors don't quit!"
Xiang Qin looked away, silent.
Shu Tu: "…"
What a stoic.
Meanwhile, Yu Yu stayed relaxed.
Truth be told, scattered ants were weak.
Fierce, sure—but only to civilians.
For players, a level 9 Agility player could outrun them casually.
Unless they tired and slowed down.
Rogues and rangers? Agility 10 or higher.
Warriors? High Constitution and Strength meant tough skin, long endurance, and raw power.
Unless swarmed, they weren't dying anytime soon.
Plus, most wore combat suits. Even Shu Tu had one.
By that logic, spellcasters were the weakest.
But…
Yu Yu smirked.
Ever heard of Feather Fall Gust?
If not for the risk of a real-world mishap—like a broken leg—she'd have tried flying already.
Damn, she wanted to fly.
Stone to Mud was brutally effective. The ants struggled, piling up, the rear trampling the front. Under Yu Yu's control, the bottom ants sank, leaving the top ones flailing.
The mission went smoothly, and they withdrew safely. The Federation left specialized chemicals to block the ants' pursuit.
The ants didn't follow.
Mutated or not, they were still ants, with predictable behavior.
Yu Bai, stunned, muttered, "It went… that smoothly?"
Yu Yu gave her a look. "What, you wanted more?"
I kept mass buffs up and gave the frontliners Mass Stoneskin. If that's not enough, what do you want?
Run into the queen or king?
They surfaced, the floodlights still blazing, the sun yet to rise.
The players' morale was sky-high, punctuated by laughter and shouts of "Boss Yu!"
This time, they genuinely saw Yu Yu as a titan, gratitude swelling in their hearts.
With no conflicts of interest, who'd pick a fight with someone this strong?
They wanted to cling to her coattails.
Shu Tu stepped away from the group. "The Duchess's training is so practical. Shame players know so little. If they'd learned her elite guard techniques…"
She was still buzzing with excitement.
Fuyu bounded over. "I killed 78 ants! You?"
Shu Tu shrugged. "Lost count. They were everywhere. No wonder they're called ants."
Fuyu blinked. "Wait, they're called ants because there's so many?"
Yu Yu noticed blood on Shu Tu. "You hurt?"
Shu Tu waved it off. "Dunno. Feels fine."
Yu Yu frowned. "Ants might secrete numbing toxins."
Shu Tu tensed. "For real?"
"Check quick."
Xiang Qin watched silently.
Zhong Ye's face was blank.
Shang Wei met their gazes, then looked away.
Couldn't mimic that vibe if she tried.
Shu Tu gasped, "When did I lose a chunk of my arm?"
Fuyu gawked. "Shu Tu, how'd you get that hurt?"
Dawn crept closer. Those with teammates leaned on them, whining or regrouping. Solo players licked their wounds alone. Yu Yu rummaged through her bag, pulling out a bandage.
Yu Bai cautioned, "Don't wrap it yet. Disinfect first…"
Yu Yu handed it to Shu Tu. "Bite."
Shu Tu obeyed, clamping the bandage in her mouth. A soft white glow bloomed in Yu Yu's palm, gentle but steady. Shu Tu's mangled wound began to knit, flesh regrowing visibly.
Shu Tu's veins bulged, but she bit down, silent.
The players' chatter died. Silence fell.
They followed the others' stares.
Holy… crap?
Yu Yu, focused on the spell, muttered, "Might itch. No clue how Restoration works. Since Heal's doing fine, I'll stick with it. I'll test Restoration on someone later…"
As her palm glowed, Shu Tu's arm fully healed, leaving pink, fresh skin.
Shu Tu spat out the bandage, incredulous. "It's really fixed?!"
Yu Yu puffed up. "Obviously. You know who I am."
Shu Tu grinned wide. "With you around, I'm not scared of getting hurt."
She'd noticed the crowd's stares and kept her words simple.
Yu Yu finally clocked the attention. "What're you looking at? Let's move."
Yu Bai and the Federation staff stared, their eyes practically devouring her.
Yu Yu squirmed under their intensity.
Hadn't she told Yu Bai? Oh, right, she forgot…
She coughed, about to speak, when her phone rang.
She glanced at it, baffled.
00000000021
What kind of number was that? And it worked?
Hesitating, she watched the call connect itself.
A familiar voice crackled through. "Why aren't you online today?"
The Grand Archon's irritated tone blared. "This spell has just been developed and it's hard to maintain. You take over the spell for me."
She hung up.
Yu Bai stared at Yu Yu.
The players stared at Yu Yu.
Everyone stared at Yu Yu.
Yu Yu was like a poor kid who was caught playing games by her parents. Under everyone's gaze, she awkwardly swiped her palm. Deep purple spell patterns spread and soon connected -
The Grand Archon's voice boomed. "Are you there? Where are you? Not online yet? Didn't you even tell me?"
Yu Bai looked at her silently, and said with a cold humour, "...why don't you tell your mom?"
Yu Yu: "…" :,,.