While waiting for Renata, Raven kept inspecting his surroundings. He felt that the number of players busking or begging on the streets had once again increased.

He closed his eyes and calculated, The game was launched on November 21st at 8 am, according to Earth's calendar and clock. Today on the outside is noon on the 22nd, Monday. It's been one day and 6 hours in reality and this equals 60 hours in the game.

It was now early afternoon on the third day, game time. Here time flew twice slower than the outside, but its flaw was undisturbed and synchronized. Therefore in the span of Earth's nighttime, one could experience both a day and night inside Euclex. This made it possible for many to enjoy the game while perseveringly working or studying outside.

As for the professional gamers, they preferred to adjust their schedule to log in when Euclex's sun was out and log out when the moon exchanged it. Monsters turned more violent at night.

The majority of deaths happened in the initial phase, swiftly after launching. After that many players began thinking twice before going out to hunt. The penalty is 2 Earth days. Heh, those unfortunate souls can enter once again in about two more Euclex days...And they will have half of their cash and items stripped down...

Based on his simple calculations, Raven knew that the poverty-stricken lot would soon increase. Perhaps, even more than trice or four times. The ones busking at this moment were only those who fell victim to native cheats, their own incompetence, or were robbed by other players.

Recovering won't be easy, but it's not impossible. It is based on the premise that they grasp their specialty and find a niche for themselves. They can proceed a different road than fighting; business, arts or crafts. There are enough ways for one to earn a living in the game.

Of course, this will require plenty of effort, luck, insight, and time. Yet time waits for no man.

As if the realistic death was not enough, the game was truly vicious.

Raven felt fearful and amused. Suddenly he thought of a rumor from the outside. It was said that the psychology business was entering a golden age. There were special offers of 20% to 30% price reductions for players of Euclex. Even up to 50%, or a few free counseling sessions, if one introduced a friend!

"How harrowing..." Raven couldn't help but mumble...

...

On his way to the General Goods Store, Midnight pulled the chatroom window and browsed over the comments.

Unfortunately, this time the chat was deadly silent. The rare entries that he read were ridiculous, playful, lamenting their struggles, or complaining about the game. There was no new or useful information.

Sigh, I guess I can't always luck it out and stumble on the info I desire.

After the initial hype, the mood gradually turned depressing. Not that I can blame them. Euclex isn't a world of nativity and happiness.

Right now, most players were busy pressing on the books and bleeding money to Helene, or they licked their wounds and bled money for potions or to see a doctor.

They all are penniless. And so am I, Midnight thought in self-deprecation and sadness. Then he closed the window, circled a dilapidated hut, and turned into another alley. Suddenly, he felt something and looked upward to his right.

His eyes slid across a wooden fence bordering a backyard and fell upon a cat. It was orange and greatly overweight. It reminisced of a ripened tangerine, just about to burst and spill its juices. And it lay there perched under the warm sunrays, purring in contentment.

A thought unconsciously passed through his head. It was a saying he had heard before, Nine out of ten tabby cats are fat, and one can crush your bed...Indeed. This is the embodiment of human wisdom. He stretched his lips into a goofy smile, and called toward the cat, "Ponta, what are you doing here? I thought you liked the southern area the most..."

This cat was an old friend of his. He had seen it a couple of times, and as a cat appreciator, he had fed it, teased it, and even bestowed it with a name.

Ponta comes from promontory and protrusion. It's just too fat! It protrudes out of anything it lays upon, Midnight silently mused as if to excuse his lack of naming sense.

As expected, the feline did not reply, but it opened one of its green eyes to glance at him. Then it yawned and turned its head away.

"I guess today the sun is warmer here..." He wasn't hurt by the lack of enthusiasm. He chuckled and helplessly answered his previous question.

Then he pulled an apple and his shitty dirk, cut the fruit in half, and chopped one half into many tiny pieces. He stood on tiptoes and reached up to place them in front of Ponta's mouth, gently rubbing the cat's plump buttocks in the process. Finally, he said, " I have a bit of work to do and will be going. See you later. I will bring some threats!" He didn't waste more time and proceeded with his plans.

"Meow~" The cat made a sound of recognition without an ounce of expectations, as it watched the half-ling trot away. Then it bowed down, sniffed the apple, and took a tiny bite. It preferred some dry fish, but what mattered were the feelings in the gift. The cat couldn't help but smile. She liked this kid a lot.

...

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

In less than 10 minutes, Midnight reached the General Store. When he was passing by the garden, he saw two players that were on their way out.

One was a brown-haired muscular man with a sword attached to his hip, and the other, his companion as Midnight guessed, was a bespectacled elf lady. She was hurt and limping, but the displeasure written on her face seemed to stem from something else.

Was she cheated by Bernard into purchasing worthless goods? Or maybe she didn't get the price she wanted for selling items or materials to him? Midnight pondered for a second, but he soon lost interest, pushed the door, and entered.

"Welcome. How may I be of your service?" A girl in her late teens with short blond hair and a myriad of freckles chimed. She had a bright smile plastered on her face.

"Erm, who are you? Where is Bernard?" Midnight was stumped for a response. He had come to ask for information and buy supplies in passing, but his main target Bernard was nowhere to be seen!!! Today, nothing was going according to the plan!

"Oh, I am his daughter Anna. Dad went out to do some things." The girl, who wasn't very pretty, but had a mild and lively disposition introduced herself. She didn't divulge the fact that her dad had stormed out the backdoor with a couple of bloodied pelts while cussing at the work he had to do. Then she said in reassurance, "Do not worry, he is often busy and I have been managing the shop since I was just a child. I am rather experienced despite my age. Please, feel free to ask me anything. I can even assess your goods and I promise you a fair price!"

I don't have anything to sell, and I barely have any money left! What I want is information! Midnight roared inside, but he forced himself to maintain his natural expression and considered if he should come later.

Instantly the unhappy elf flashed through his mind. He suspected that she was a victim of Bernard's schemes! Indeed, he is too a willy old fox. In comparison, this Anna girl seems kind-hearted. If she didn't lie and has been working in the store for long, then she may grasp the information that I need. Squeezing it out of her should be relatively easy...Excluding Helene, most ladies do like children...Hehe, I happen to have the appearance of one...

He snapped away from his initial daze and grinned, "Sorry, I was just surprised. I have come a few times and it was always Bernard manning up the store. Miss Anna, I do not doubt your professionalism or experience. Yes, I am looking to purchase some items. I plan to go out and harvest herbs and fruits. But I am worried that I may meet a wild animal or monster. Can you please give me medicine with healing properties?..." Midnight intentionally didn't start with questions. This was his way of showing his earnest feelings in supporting their business. Finally, he added, his voice a bit subdued and quivering, "I...I only have 3 small copper coins..."

Why am I embarrassed? It is nothing shameful to be poor! Look, I may have just a few coins, but I am still willing to pool them all into this store! I am such an exemplary customer...He reflected on the complexity of his emotions.

Without looking surprised or unhappy, Anna's smile didn't falter, as she said, "Three scops, no problem! You can buy one small bottle of healing salve for 2 scops and one knopp." She hurriedly went to the shelves in the rightmost corner of the store and took one of the bottles on display. It contained a yucky green liquid that slightly resembled a silky pesto or a herb and vegetable smoothie.

She brought it to the counter and explained, "This is a topical ointment. You scoop some of it and apply it directly to the wound. Of course, it is best if you clean the wound beforehand. It doesn't sting and has a slightly cooling-down effect. It can reduce swelling, stop bleeding, and even accelerate natural recovery. But it doesn't directly mend the wound and doesn't work on fractures."

Then as if she was afraid that Midnight might not know what the word 'topical' implied, she repeated, "Please note down that you shouldn't eat it. Not only the effect will be wasted, but it may even bring you harm."

Do I look that stupid? No, do I look so hungry as to eat this disgusting-smelling thing?

While listening to Anna's explanation, Midnight had already taken the bottle from her hands and had unplugged the cork. An unpleasant smell drifted through the air, making him suspect that the healing ointment had more ingredients than herbs.

It doesn't have crushed bugs in it, right? I read about quite a few worms, mollusks, and insects used in potion-making. Just thinking about drinking such a potion makes my stomach churn. I may barf it all before it has an effect! It will be such a waste of money if I do...

"Thank you," nodding in understanding, he thought about the price. Just this healing ointment cost 2 small coppers and a knopp! This was simply outrageous. If I buy it, I will be left with just 9 knopps. But this is indispensable. I really need a healing item. Judging from her voice and expression, the legit healing potions cost much more. I won't even ask, to save myself from the psychological harm the price will deal to me. Sigh, what a game, what a world, what a bastardly development team!

Thankfully I don't need to buy a staff. The magic book mentioned that staffs, wands, special orbs, and books are just used to help the caster concentrate. With my Vespertine Scholar, I can probably save on buying one. Hmm, a staff with good additional effects can be useful, but I can't buy one, nor do I believe Lesotte has such weapons...

He gritted his teeth and said thankfully, "I will listen to your advice and purchase this item. Hmm, can I get two apples? Yes, I want some Valeriana and a few stalks of Catnip too." Having 9 knopps didn't stop Midnight from recalling his promise to the cat. Inwardly he thought, And those things are cheap...I can play with Ponta to refresh my mood. I wonder if Euclexian cats like the scent of Valeriana?

"Yes, of course. Two apples, a small vial of ground Valeriana, and 5 stalks of Catnip will cost an additional two knopps. The total is 2 small coppers and 3 knopps." Anna didn't ask why, and she rushed to get the items. Then she handed them and received the coins from the exhausted-looking half-ling.

Feeling that he had already more or less warmed the atmosphere, Midnight considered his words for a second and said, "Actually, I am very interested in things like magic. I have heard that there is a mage living in Lesotte, but I couldn't catch up on the details. Do you happen to know where I can find the mage?"

He wasn't 100% certain that there was a mage in this poor village. It was just his inference. The chance was very high because Euclex was brutal, but very fair game.

"Magic?" Anna tilted her head in surprise, and then her smile brightened, "I am very interested in this topic too. I even once dreamed of being a magician myself. Unfortunately, I lack the aptitude. However, I do know about his whereabouts. In fact, there are two mages in Lesotte. One lives in the forest to the South. He is a half-ling just like you. He is very kind and friendly. The other mage is from the elven race. He lives in this borough very close to the border of the village. You will easily find his hut. Its roof is covered in exuberant plants that somehow bloom throughout the year." Anna answered, her emotions clearly ecstatic. Then she glanced at Midnight and added with a weird voice, "But he is...a bit peculiar..."

Why is she looking at me with pity? And what was that strange pause in her words? Midnight's heart skipped a bit and he had a bad feeling close to premonition. He inquired with some difficulty, "Peculiar? Can you please elaborate?"

Cough

Anna cleared her throat and smiled poignantly, "You will know when you meet him. Well, this is based on my impression. He is still a fairly good person. Yes, a fairly good one."

Adding such an explanation and repeating the word fairy only makes me even more afraid! Midnight thought exasperated and clenched his hands hidden in his sleeves. He didn't ask again and decided to confirm his bad suspicions. Besides, he had no better choice. He couldn't venture into the Southern forest unless he had a death wish!