A Comprehensive Network: An Endless Adventure Begins as a Wanderer

The bell rang, and the teacher, who was talking non-stop, immediately stopped.

The classroom immediately became noisy, and in an instant, only Cheng Yi was left sitting alone in the corner.

Cheng Yi had gotten used to hiding in a corner since some point in his life. He wasn't used to standing in the spotlight, and it wasn't that he disliked it, he was just not used to it.

In this sense, the profession of "wanderer" is particularly suited to him.

At this moment, Cheng Yi was squinting, unconsciously twirling a pen in his hand, looking as if he were lost in thought.

The semi-transparent panel displays text and data like a cascading waterfall of stars, exuding endless brilliance and mystery.

[Detected that your character has not yet selected a Wanderer specialization for their current level. Please select your specialization skill from the following options.]

1. Backstab (Normal/Professional Skill/Assassination School)

2. Elegant Dance Steps (Rare/Class Skill/Rogue School)

3. Trickster's Hand (Rare/Class Skill/Trickster School)

[Please note: The choice of specialization skills is limited to expanding the player's skill pool and does not imply the selection or planning of a specialization school or advanced class.]

The space stretched out, and the view became deeper. Within that elongated space, three images appeared before Cheng Yi.

A hidden dagger, reflecting a dim yet dangerous light;

A slightly tattered, travel-worn, and flamboyant trench coat;

There is also a transparent hand that floats in mid-air.

Backstab

Type: Professional Skills/Assassination School

Description: Perform a standard action, and a character in stealth mode can launch a fatal attack on an enemy with their back to you. This attack also triggers a sneak attack.

P.S.: Backstab, provided you can actually stab it... — Bristleback, Roller, Reverse Light

Elegant dance steps

Type: Job Skills/Wanderer School

Description: You have learned how to strike without any opportunity, leaving your enemies with no chance to attack. If you launch a melee attack on a creature, that creature cannot launch an attack on you until you leave its attack range.

P.S.: Cherish your time here, leave as you please. ————Wanderer's Heart, Part Two

The Hand of the Trickster

Type: Class Skills/Trickster School

Cost: 1 mana

Description: You have learned the 0-ring spell, Mage's Hand, and unlocked your mana pool. When you cast Mage's Hand, you can cast it with a Swift Action, and you can make Mage's Hand invisible. You can control Mage's Hand with Swift Action, and you can use it to attack and make Dexterity (Skillful) checks.

P.S.: I think this should be the signature skill of our Master Thief School. ————The Unknown Thief (without a monocle)

Cheng Yi seemed to be deep in thought. Having been immersed in D&D for many years, he subconsciously examined these three skills using the mindset of a car driver.

First, backstabbing.

In Cheng Yi's view, this skill would be extremely powerful under the rules of the board game. It would directly enable the Wanderer to reliably launch two sneak attacks (yes, the Thief can only launch one sneak attack per turn, damn it! (´A｀。))

But Cheng Yi shook his head. The constraints of the rules on paper clearly couldn't restrain this extraordinary "Comprehensive Network." From this perspective, backstabbing was merely a means of unleashing power, and it came with many prerequisites and limitations.

Sigh, I have no choice but to painfully give up this precious double sneak attack QAQ.

Then came the graceful dance steps.

Cheng Yi paused slightly as he twirled the pen, his gaze lingering a moment longer on the dusty, flamboyant trench coat.

The Ronin School is characterized by its swift and unpredictable nature, moving from place to place without being bound by material things.

Looking at the skill description alone, the Elegant Dance solves the most troublesome problem for the Wanderer in melee combat—escape. With a single swing of the blade, whether it hits or not, as long as the speed is fast enough, one can easily withdraw.

This is practically a god-tier skill in 1v1 situations. It arrives unexpectedly and departs without a trace—truly living up to its name of elegance. It's an excellent mobility and survival skill.

Cheng Yi was tempted, but his gaze eventually fell slowly on the third option—the semi-transparent hand that floated in the void.

The Hand of the Trickster.

Stealthy, swift in action, capable of both offense and theft.

No matter how elegant close combat may be, it is still a battle of flesh and blood. But an invisible, intangible hand that can control everything from afar... that is the true art of the shadows.

And more importantly—

Mana Pool.

Tell me, who doesn't dream of becoming a master mages?

The Mage's Hand was merely the starting point for him to embark on his path to becoming a mage!

If one is merely a wanderer, does that mean that if one encounters a dragon in the future, one should also try to pierce its scales?

[Your choice was successful. You have acquired the class skill: Trickster's Hand]

[The Mana Pool is now open. Based on the character's current Intelligence attribute, the initial Mana value is 5/5.]

Mana regenerates over time.

Feeling the sudden surge of energy flowing within his body, Cheng Yi smiled faintly.

To be honest, Cheng Yi still had some doubts about everything that had happened.

After all, it is extraordinary.

Even though everyone has had those childish fantasies, about the fantastical undercurrents hidden in the shadows of the city, the secret heroes who uphold justice, or flying like immortals on swords, with a cold, gleaming blade.

But more than 20 years of materialistic education and the reality before your eyes clearly tell you: those are nothing but nonsense for teenagers.

The barriers built by common sense cannot be broken down in a short time.

Although Cheng Yi never gave up his dream, and D&D tabletop role-playing games were always his way of expressing this dream, before that, these were just the stubbornness of youthful spirit.

But now—

Cheng Yi loosened his grip on the pen, but it didn't fall. Instead, it hovered steadily in mid-air, slowly and awkwardly beginning to spin again.

A faint yet distinct energy emanated from his body.

Cheng Yi smiled. From this moment on, he had found the truth.

In his eyes, a semi-transparent hand was being manipulated by him, turning the pen with increasing fluidity and ease, until it was like a third hand.

------

Cheng Yi walked along the tree-lined path, but was pondering the question of where to stay.

As I venture further into the world of online exploration, my dorm room no longer meets my need for privacy. With so many people coming and going, there's a risk of accidentally exposing something I shouldn't.

Fortunately, Cheng Yi also owned a house near the school, inherited from his deceased parents. Although Cheng Yi was somewhat withdrawn before, he also enjoyed places with people. Therefore, he hadn't moved there. But now, it seemed that living alone off-campus was the safest option.

He went to the administration building and explained the situation to his advisor.

The counselor was very understanding and the process was quick. However, the way he looked at Cheng Yi with a knowing smile made Cheng Yi vaguely feel that the counselor probably thought he was a student who wanted to move in with someone else.

He was too lazy to explain, he just stamped and signed.

I returned to my dorm and greeted my roommates.

He was a man of few words at school and not particularly popular, so no one asked him much. Cheng Yi packed his few belongings—a backpack and a suitcase—and left the campus lightly.

As he stepped out of the school gate, he glanced back. It was still the same ordinary world, bustling yet peaceful, just as always.

But he has already embarked on a different path.