Only Kids Choose

Besides, Mu You had thought that in a world overflowing with magic, spells ought to be cheap. He had never expected them to be the most expensive merchandise of all!

Even the most ordinary low-level fire spell cost a hundred years of lifespan! As for higher-level magic, he could forget about it. It was well beyond his reach right now.

Mu You shook his head regretfully and prepared to leave the shop.

Just then, however, new text popped up in the game.

[The old cat shopkeeper seemed to notice your financial difficulties. As a perk for a new customer, he gave you a roll of healing bandages for free, hoping you would continue to support his business.]

[Healing bandages: Emergency supplies for treating wounds. Using them can instantly heal injuries or prevent one death from a physical attack.]

"Oh-ho?"

Mu You's eyes lit up, and he was instantly moved to tears.

What an amazing shopkeeper!

Although these bandages could not directly increase his lifespan, they could prevent a death, which was exactly what he needed most right now.

More importantly: free, free, free!!

In this world filled with malice, the cat's shop was the only place where he could still feel a little warmth.

[Before you left, the cat shopkeeper told you that the Owl Shop stocked three random items every day at midnight. Remember to check back daily. You might find something you need.]

No problem, boss. Once I strike it rich, I'll definitely shop here every day!

Mu You silently made that promise and selected [Leave].

[You left the Owl Shop and set off again.]

[At the end of the snowy road, you saw scattered lights glowing-a familiar sight. You were almost there! A village lay just ahead!]

[You quickened your pace and finally reached the outskirts of the village.]

Finally! Mu You thought. After getting bullied by all kinds of little animals along the way, I've finally found a damn safe zone... There won't still be danger once I'm inside the village, right?

[Just as you were about to enter the village, you noticed a long-bearded hunter lying in a pool of blood near the entrance. Would you like to approach and investigate?]

Oh? Have I triggered some kind of event?

Years of gaming experience told him that a scenario like this probably offered a reward. Mu You hurriedly selected "Yes."

[You approached to investigate. The hunter, who had a hunting rifle slung over his back, seemed to have been injured while hunting in the forest. His body was covered in bite wounds from some kind of beast, and he was bleeding heavily. He looked at you weakly and begged for help. You chose...]

[Rob him: The hunter carried many treasures. With him weakened, this was the perfect opportunity to rob him.]

[Heal him: Use your bandages to treat his injuries. Perhaps he would be grateful and reward you.]

[Ignore him: Pretend you saw nothing and walk into the village, leaving him to quietly await death.]

"Rob him!"

Of the three options, Mu You decisively chose the first.

[Greed gleamed in your eyes as you chose to take advantage of the hunter's plight and rob him.]

[The hunter flew into a rage. Despite being on the verge of death, he suddenly rallied, sprang up, and killed you with a single swing of his axe!]

"Damn! Mr. Hunter, I'm sorry!"

Mu You realized he had still vastly overestimated his combat ability. Even a dying hunter was beyond his power to take on.

Rewind, rewind.

[Time turned back, and you stood before the hunter once more. This time, you chose...]

"Heal him."

Mu You chose the second option.

Healing the hunter would consume his bandages, but under the circumstances, it should trigger some kind of story event. He would see whether it was worth it first.

[You chose to treat the hunter with your bandages.]

[The bandages emitted a faint white glow and healed most of the hunter's wounds. The hunter survived. Deeply grateful for your help, he decided to reward you. Would you accept?]

Here it comes!

This was exactly what Mu You had been waiting for. He accepted without hesitation!

[The hunter was a renowned hunting expert and beast tamer in the village, as well as a master of long-range shooting. You could choose one of the following three spells as your reward for saving him.]

[Sure Shot: A shooting spell. For a short time after casting it, your accuracy with all kinds of ranged weapons would greatly improve.]

[Beast Trap: A trap spell. Consume wood or metal to create a concealed beast trap on the ground, which would trap creatures passing over it.]

[Animal Speech: A beast-taming spell. Grant animals intelligence after casting it, allowing them to understand your commands. The more advanced the animal, the lower the success rate.]

"Spells!!"

Mu You was thrilled!

All three options were spells!

And judging by their descriptions, every one of them was incredibly powerful!

Soon, Mu You found himself facing a delightful dilemma: he could only choose one of the three spells...

Hmm, wait...

Something suddenly occurred to Mu You.

Why do I have to choose?

Other people might have to, but I have the time pocket watch. Can't I take them all?

Spells were different from physical rewards. A spell was a kind of memory.

If the reward were a physical object, it would disappear when he reversed time.

But a memory was etched directly into his mind. Even if time rewound, surely he would not forget it?

Of course, Mu You could not be certain the game would let him exploit such an obvious loophole. He would give it a try first.

Mu You selected the third option, "Animal Speech."

As a pet shop owner, he could not ask for a more useful spell!

[You have learned "Animal Speech"!]

The instant the text appeared, Mu You felt a complicated, tongue-twisting incantation enter his mind. Although it was in a language he did not recognize, he could recite it as fluently as his native tongue.

There was no time to savor the meaning of this mysterious incantation. Five seconds would pass in a flash, so Mu You hurriedly pressed the pocket watch.

Time rewound, returning him to the moment before his choice.

The same three options remained before him.

Meanwhile, the memory of the incantation had not vanished from Mu You's mind!

It worked!

Mu You was ecstatic. He really could exploit the bug!

[Please choose one of the following three spells...]

"Sorry, I'll take them all!"

Mu You decisively repeated the process and soon learned the other two spells as well.

Feeling the three incantations floating in his mind, Mu You was thoroughly satisfied. So this was the most overpowered way to use time reversal!

Keep going, keep going!

After getting three precious spells for free in one go, the two lives he had lost earlier no longer seemed quite so painful.

Besides, he had already reached the village in the game. There were bound to be even more novel events waiting for him to discover!

Mu You's enthusiasm for the game was at its peak. He eagerly clicked to continue playing, only to get...

[Fool, you have used up your action points for today. Forcing yourself to act while exhausted may cause your physical form to dissipate. You had best stop immediately to rest and recuperate, then resume your journey tomorrow after your action points recover.]