I am the Arcane Archer, and all my skills are self-created.

Beginner Village #102, Blazing Canyon.

This is the universally recognized leveling hotspot in the entire newbie village. It has a high density of monsters, a fast respawn rate, and open terrain, making it ideal for large teams to pull monsters and farm in groups.

At this moment, a "good show" is unfolding in an open space deep in the canyon.

"Quick! Keep up the treatment! Don't let Brother Yu's blood drain away!"

"Mage group, prepare for the next wave of fire walls! Heed my command!"

"Rogue, be careful to interrupt! Don't let that elite monster unleash its charge attack!"

A warrior dressed in a full set of excellent plate armor, who looked like the team commander, was shouting at the top of his lungs.

Under his command, a team of nearly thirty people was methodically besieging a giant lava lizard.

At the very front of the team, a warrior wielding a giant axe was bravely enduring the BOSS's fierce attacks.

He is Zhao Tianyu.

His equipment was the best in the entire team; the warrior badge on his chest was polished to a shine, and every time he swung his axe, it brought a fierce gust of wind, drawing cheers from the surrounding teammates.

"Brother Yu is awesome! Who can withstand that kind of damage?!"

"That's right, Brother Yu's talent is 'Intermediate Strength Enhancement,' he's a natural-born warrior!"

"Following Brother Yu is awesome! Once this boss is down, we can get several more pieces of equipment!"

Listening to his followers' flattery, Zhao Tianyu's mouth practically stretched to the sky.

Before entering the Realm of Origin, he quickly built up a team by relying on his money, which allowed him to thrive in the No. 102 beginner village.

He thoroughly enjoyed the feeling of being worshipped and surrounded by people.

He glanced at a figure standing not far away, focused on healing the team.

Li Qiuyue.

She was dressed in an ordinary priest's robe, her appearance still beautiful, but her face had lost some of its former innocence and gained a more cautious, ingratiating look.

Noticing Zhao Tianyu's gaze, she quickly forced a sweet smile.

Zhao Tianyu nodded in satisfaction.

See? What can that good-for-nothing Li Wu give you? Following me is the best choice you can make.

After defeating this boss, any piece of equipment that drops will be enough to make her happy for days.

Just as Zhao Tianyu was feeling triumphant and preparing to deliver the final blow to the BOSS.

A crisp and pleasant system notification sound suddenly resounded throughout the world of "Origin Realm".

[Server-wide announcement for Area 21: Congratulations to the teams 'Seeing Through the Mist' and 'Searching for the Mist' for successfully achieving the world's first kill of the level 10 dungeon [Shadow Lake Island]!]

The instance "Shadow Lake Island" is now officially open. All players who have reached level 10 can challenge it.

As a first-clear reward, players whose "Seeing Through the Fog" and "Searching for Fog Among Flowers" skills level up by 1, receive 1 "First Clear Lucky Chest", 500 reputation points, and 1 luck point!

……

The announcement was played three times in a row.

The entire Blazing Canyon fell silent instantly.

All the players' movements seemed to have been paused, frozen in place.

Zhao Tianyu's battle axe, which he had raised high, froze in mid-air.

"Fog...seeing flowers through the fog? Searching for fog among the flowers?"

"It's them again?!"

"Holy crap! First kill? First kill of a level 10 dungeon?!"

After the deathly silence came a deafening roar!

"Who are these two? Are they crazy?! They've even gotten the first kill in a dungeon?"

"What kind of instance is Shadowy Lake Island? I've never even heard of it! How did they find it?"

"Two people... a whole team? Two people cleared a level 10 dungeon? Are you kidding me!"

"Reward level +1, plus a lucky treasure chest, and most importantly, that 1 point of luck! Damn, these rewards are insane!"

The murmurs, the jeers, the envious voices, the jealous voices, all mingled together, like one resounding slap after another across Zhao Tianyu's face.

The smugness and smugness on his face vanished instantly, replaced by a grim and distorted expression.

These two names again!

It's that feeling again—being overshadowed by others, unable to even see their backs when you look up!

On what grounds?

Zhao Tianyu has money and connections, so why are these two guys who appeared out of nowhere stealing all the limelight from him?

"roar!"

In the instant he lost his focus, the bloodied lava lizard roared and rammed its head into his chest.

-189!

A huge damage number appeared, and Zhao Tianyu was sent flying, landing awkwardly on the ground.

"Brother Yu!"

"Quick! Protect Brother Yu!"

The team was instantly thrown into chaos.

Li Qiuyue was also startled. Her staff lit up and a healing spell was quickly cast on Zhao Tianyu.

But she was more shocked than anyone else.

Seeing flowers through the mist... Searching for mist among flowers...

These two names, like a curse, had been lingering in her ears ever since she entered the game.

Every time she thought she had clung to Zhao Tianyu like a big tree and could walk steadily ahead of others, those two names would create one miracle after another in a way she couldn't understand, leaving everyone far behind.

She couldn't figure it out.

Everyone entered the game at almost the same time, so why is there such a big difference?

Are they really the so-called genius gamers?

Subconsciously, she thought of Li Wu again.

I wonder how that guy who awakened a useless profession is doing now.

Haven't you reached level 2 yet? Haven't you even left the starting area?

Thinking of this, the panic she felt because Zhao Tianyu had been beaten subsided considerably.

Compared to those unattainable masters, I am already very lucky.

At least, I made the "right" choice.

"What the hell are you all standing there for! Kill that beast!"

Zhao Tianyu got up from the ground, roaring angrily.

Having been overshadowed by the world announcement and humiliated in front of his woman, all he wanted to do now was quickly take down this BOSS and vent his anger.

However, he did not notice that when Li Qiuyue heard his roar, her body trembled imperceptibly, and a complex and inscrutable emotion flashed in her eyes.

She suddenly realized that the enraged man in front of her was in stark contrast to the young man who, even when publicly humiliated, had simply dusted off his shoulders.

One is the "future" she chose.

The other is the "past" she abandoned.

But why does she feel no peace or relief at all right now?