3 Skill Court: Origin City Branch

"I choose…" Lin Ke hesitates for a slight moment, "I choose to explore. I choose to travel the world. I want to see what this world is all about, to explore every crack and crevice! I want to see! In my previous life, I locked myself in a room, drawing pictures and artworks nonstop for people online, people who I couldn't even attach a face to. But not this time. This time will be different! I'll let people know that I, Lin Ke, am the best goddamn artist you'll ever find!" By the end of the speech, Lin Ke was a little short of breath.

"Woahhhh. That's a great speech coming out of you!" Lily said. Lin Ke looked over at Lily to see her holding a bag of popcorn eating it slowly. When Lily saw Lin Ke's gaze, she paused her munching. "Don't worry about me! Continue on with your inspiring tale. It's so emotional it's going to make me cry!" She fakes a few sobbing noises.

"Grrr." Lin Ke clenches his fists. This little cat… 'I'll flay you at first opportunity!' He thought to himself

"Well anyways! You have chosen your path, there is no turning back now! If I were to say, the Roaming path is definitely way more dangerous! Yup! Way more! The other path is definitely way safer! Plus, you'll probably arrive at the same destination, soooo…" The cat seems to have not paid any attention at all to what Lin Ke had said earlier.

"Are you trying to make me doubt my choice or something? Can I switch?" After hearing what Lily just said, Lin Ke was feeling a little doubt towards his choice.

"Nope! You can't switch! You've already locked in your choice. When you make a choice, you will stand by it until the end! Now then, let's move! First stop, Origin City! Make sure to buckle your seat belts, and please don't throw up."

With this said, Lin Ke suddenly felt his vision go dark again. This time however, it only lasted moments. In the blink of an eye, they were there, standing in a dark alley. Rays of light were peeking into the alley, with the chatter of a populated city all around.

Lin Ke blinks, taking in the stifling city air. The air was polluted with the smells of stalls, of random peddlers selling foods, and others. It was very much different from the smell of the cool plains.

He stepped out to a bustling street with many stalls and shops littered all around. Many people were walking around, some haggling with shop owners, others with their kids in tow, and some dragging along carts. The city gave off a very ancient feel, with cobbled streets that were worn from the countless feet that trod them.

As Lin Ke walked along the street, he took in the sight of people trading all assortments of goods, from glowing crystals to weapons and armor.

"Those crystals are known as Chaos Stones, according to legends, they were formed along with the world. That is the primary form of currency in this world. Chaos Stones can be divided into 3 grades, low, mid, and high. Pretty self explanatory right? Now, the conversion rate for each of them is as follows, 1000 low grade Chaos stones is equal to 1 mid grade, and 10000 mid grade Chaos stones is equal to one high grade!" Lily explains. "Now, for your first mission! Become a D-ranked Artist! This will be your first step on your road to let your brush sweep over the world!"

"Wait a minute, hang on, I don't even have any supplies, how will I even take the test? Also, how do I get there… to this Skill Court that you were talking about?" Lin Ke asks.

"Now, your supplies you don't have to worry about. The system will be providing you with the necessary tools to complete this mission. Of course, this will be a one time thing! The next time you want to borrow the system's tools it'll cost a few bucks..." The cat replies. "As for directions to the place, just ask one of the merchants on the streets. They know this place really well."

Lin Ke sighs, why did Lily have to be like that. She was a system right? Wasn't she supposed to be the one providing all the information he needed? Why was she giving him some info but withholding the other? What is this? "Whatever, guess I'll just go ask someone on the street."

He walks up to a man who was sitting on a stool on the side of the street. "Hi there, I'm new to this city and am kind of lost. Do you know where the Skill Court is?"

The man, who was in the middle of sharpening his sword, suddenly stops and looks up. "Hm? A newcomer? Ah, well whatever. Anyways, you're pretty close to the Skill Court already, just continue walking down this way and when you get to the end of the street make a right and keep walking. You should see it if you keep walking."

"Thank you so much!" Lin Ke gives a small bow and walks away. Watching him go, the man thinks out loud.

"Hm. Headed for the Skill Court, huh? He seems rather young and not that strong, I wonder which profession he's testing out?" As Lin Ke's figure was swallowed up by the crowd, the man turned back to sharpening his sword.

"I should probably warn you." The cat begins, "The place you are in right now, Origin City, is a neutral zone, set in the center of 4 different countries. The ruler of this city is a man who has a high appreciation of art. That's right, and because of that, this city's branch of the Skill Court is particularly harsh on it's demands for art so good luck!"

"What? For real? So this test will be more difficult?" Lin Ke asked.

"Well… Kind of… but you should be fine." Lily replies.

Following the directions given to him, Lin Ke quickly arrived in front of a majestic structure unlike those around it. It was quite huge, taking up an entire street almost. The entrance was grand, with many guards stationed at the doors, and a huge sign which wrote: Skill Court: Origin City Branch.

"We're here."