Chapter 13: Exchanging for Some Cash First

Seeing the quest prompt, Luca smiled.

These types of quests, where the reward is based on completion, tend to be quite generous if done well.

Indeed, opportunities favor those willing to take the initiative.

Sophia's beautiful eyes gazed at Luca, her tone emotionless.

She said calmly, "Tomorrow, I will have Cassman come to fetch you. I hope, Witch Doctor Luca, that you won't disappoint me."

Luca chuckled, "I believe, Miss Sophia, that you will not regret your decision today."

"Let's hope so," Sophia said, giving Luca a deep look before turning and walking out of the alley.

Knight Cassman seemed like he wanted to say something but held back.

To be honest, he didn't believe Luca had such capabilities.

After all, how much could a mere seventeen or eighteen-year-old achieve?

However, seeing that Sophia had made up her mind, he could only sigh.

Sophia and Cassman then left the clinic together.

Soon after, Franklin finished treating Kaman's injuries.

Luca thanked him, "Thank you, teacher, for speaking on my behalf earlier."

If Franklin hadn't vouched for him, triggering this quest would have been much more challenging for Luca.

"It's nothing," Franklin waved it off nonchalantly. He then looked at Luca with some surprise, "I didn't expect your strength to increase so quickly. Judging by your magical aura, you should be ready for the job trial, right?"

Luca nodded, "I plan to complete the job trial soon. Thanks to your Paralyzing Mist and the equipment, I was able to increase my strength so rapidly."

He was being honest; the Black Gold Robe alone provided over a hundred points to his Spirit attribute.

This in the early game is absolutely like having a cheat code!

Franklin thought for a moment and said, "With your Perception at level 10, your magical aptitude must also be high. If you haven't decided on a mage specialization yet, I suggest you try the hidden class trial for the 'Demonic Rune Mage.'"

"This class can compensate for the close-combat weakness of our Witch Doctor class, and they complement each other well. If you succeed in the profession change, your future path will be much smoother."

Franklin had a sharp eye.

Luca had chosen the Witch Doctor class precisely because it complemented the Demonic Rune Mage well.

Luca nodded, about to say something.

When a game prompt suddenly appeared before him.

[Ding! Someone outside is calling you. Would you like to log out?]

Then Susie's clear voice reached Luca's ears.

"Luca, stop playing! Come down quickly. Auntie asked me to call you for dinner. We're having barbecue!"

Luca was startled and quickly checked the time.

It was already 6 PM!

The time flow in the Eternal Game is 1:1 with the real world.

His parents were probably home from work by now.

Luca didn't delay, bidding Franklin farewell before logging out of the game.

Franklin, seeing Luca disappear suddenly, didn't find it strange. In his understanding, this was just a unique ability of adventurers.

...

The world before Luca turned dark.

Back in his bedroom, as Luca removed his virtual helmet, Susie's pretty face appeared before him.

Seeing him awake, she pouted and complained, "You seem to be having a lot of fun in the game."

"I've been helping my mom clean the house all day and haven't even had a chance to log in yet!"

Seeing the sulky Susie, Luca remembered.

In his previous life, Susie hadn't entered the game until the next day because her mom, Chen Yan, had roped her into cleaning.

Luca stood up from the bed, his expression serious, "It's good you haven't logged in yet. Remember, don't choose the Priest class."

In his previous life, Susie chose the support Priest class and awakened a C-level talent, which caused her level-up speed to be painfully slow.

If that's the case, it's better for Susie to pick a different class. She might awaken a higher-level talent, just like he did.

"Why can't I choose Priest?" Susie looked at Luca, puzzled by his serious expression.

Then she huffed, "If you tell me not to choose it, I'll choose it!"

Luca glanced at her and walked out of the bedroom, "The priest robes are ugly. If you want to wear them, go ahead."

Susie paused, then quickly followed him out.

"Really? You're not just tricking me, are you?" Her face showed doubt, full of distrust towards Luca.

"Just check online," Luca said casually as he opened the door to the living room.

The scene outside came into view.

It was evening, the sky was getting dark.

The sun was setting, and it was summer, making the outside temperature a bit hot.

In the small yard, a green lawn had a barbecue grill and white tables and chairs set up.

Luca's father, Donald, was busy at the grill.

The hot wind carried the delicious aroma of grilled meat and spices.

Nearby, two middle-aged women were sitting and chatting, occasionally laughing.

They were Luca's mother, Sini, and Susie's mother, Louise.

Seeing this scene, Luca's eyes blurred slightly.

To them, it might have just been a day apart.

But to him, it had been ten years since he'd seen this scene.

In his previous life, within the first year of the monster invasion, Luca's family, Susie's family, and Susie herself, had all perished in the disaster.

For the next ten years, he had survived alone in a monster-infested world.

Seeing them again now felt like a dream.

Noticing the door open, Luca stood still for a moment.

Sini frowned and called out, "What are you two doing standing in the doorway? Come and eat!"

Sini was an elementary school teacher with a fiery temper. Luca and Susie had often been on the receiving end of her scoldings.

Louise also laughed, "Come on over. Your dad's working late, so we won't wait for him."

"We're coming!" Susie responded quickly.

She gave Luca a push and said, "What are you standing there for? I'm starving. Let's go."

Luca nodded quietly and walked out.

His reaction surprised Susie a bit.

She gave him a once-over, then exclaimed, "Why are your eyes red?"

Luca replied with a blank expression, "Got smoke in them."

Calming his emotions, Luca walked into the yard.

He could see pedestrians on the street and the distant skyscrapers.

Luca's home was in the suburbs of Celephais City. Though it was far from the city center, the environment was nice and peaceful.

The barbecue was almost ready.

Luca's father, Donald, handed grilled meat to Luca and Susie, smiling as he advised, "Even though your college entrance exams are over and you can play games and relax, remember to do so in moderation."

Seeing the kind expression on his father's face, many memories flooded Luca's mind.

His father had once been a soldier and now worked as a taxi driver. In his previous life, when the monsters arrived, Donald sacrificed himself to hold off the monsters, allowing Luca to survive in Celephais City.

Susie took the grilled meat and protested, "Uncle, I haven't been playing. Only Luca has!"

"You're no better. Do you think I didn't see the game helmet you hid?" Louise chided Susie, shaking her head. "You're about to go to college, but you still act like a child, hiding things."

Susie fell silent and focused on eating her skewer.

Speaking of college, Sini sighed, "When they go to college, our expenses will surely increase."

"Indeed," Louise agreed with a sigh.

Though both families had decent incomes, the cost of sending two children to college would be significant.

Even with their incomes, they would feel the financial strain.

Luca ate his grilled meat quietly, not saying much.

However, he was thinking to himself that he should find some time to exchange some of his in-game wealth for cash to help out.