Chapter 14: Nocturnal Groove.
Adam POV
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Man, those last five minutes were straight out of a fever dream. I mean, what even happened back there? Phasing through buildings, witnessing things I never thought I'd see, pulling off stunts even a grown-up would hesitate to attempt...
These runes are like playing Russian roulette with magic—sometimes they're a godsend, other times they're a curse straight from the depths of heck. And don't even get me started on their supposed functions. Like, what's the deal with the chaos effect being the star of the show? Shouldn't the runes themselves be stealing the spotlight? And the cherry on top? I won't get to know the answer until I've used each one of them once which leaves only the rune of fortification the only one I haven’t used yet.
As I rumbled through the wilderness on the motorbike, feeling like a giant in a mini car, I couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected light show nature was putting on. Glowing plants, floating orbs—it was like stumbling into a rave party hosted by Mother Nature herself. And let's not forget the glowing pond with its own personal rain cloud. Talk about a surreal sightseeing tour.
But amidst all this luminescent wonder, reality came knocking back with the return of the bike's noisy engine. Suddenly, my covert escape felt a lot less stealthy. I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that there were more ways for those clan folks to track me down than I had fingers to count them.
“Alper, I have several questions.” Nove said. She had been asking for a long time and had been nagging me all this time to explain myself, which I haven’t done so.
"Nove, I promise I'll spill the beans on everything later," I reassured her, trying to quiet her incessant curiosity. "Right now, I just need you to trust me."
With a quiet sigh from Nove, I finally found a spot to stash the bike using a little earthbending trickery. Dirt block here, motorbike there—hidden in plain sight. Who needs a GPS when you've got a magic Ai to keep tabs on your hiding spots?
Hiding the bike was a no-brainer. I mean, if those clan folks are tracking my every move like nosy neighbors, the last thing I need is a neon sign pointing to my exact location. Plus, navigating the wilderness on foot might give me a better chance of blending in with the scenery—like a ninja, but with less cool ninja skills and more stumbling over tree roots.
Nove's warning about nighttime monster mash-ups definitely added some spice to the mix. And with half my NEP already spent, I knew I had to tread carefully. Swapping out the stone core node for the dirt one seemed like a smart move—gotta keep those dirt boots in tip-top shape for all the impromptu cardio sessions ahead. A quick Base arts repair job later, and voila, good as new.
Surviving this wild ride was suddenly my main mission. And let's face it, in a world where glowing ponds and floating orbs are just the tip of the iceberg, I might need more than luck to make it through the night in one piece.
I looked around in this forest could help but be awed, guided by the soft glow of the luminescent forest, I couldn't help but marvel at the vibrant and surreal sights around me. A deer with its antlers adorned in glowing fungi gracefully pranced away, leaving me in awe. It was a stark contrast to the bright cities I was used to, and I couldn't deny that this unexpected natural beauty felt like a breath of fresh air.
Curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to consult Nove, “Nove, can you point me to any nearby human settlement?” I asked in a hushed tone, not wanting to disturb the enchanting serenity of the surroundings.
To my surprise, Nove's response took a different route. Instead of guiding me to a bustling human settlement, she suggested staying the night in the forest. Now, this raised a red flag in my survival instincts. "Wait, didn’t you just say that nights in the wilderness are extremely dangerous?" I questioned, a bit puzzled.
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Nove, being the bearer of both good and ominous news, explained, "This is a Nocturnal Groove biome. The nights here are filled with peaceful monsters, and disturbing them is a big problem. They're powerful, but they mean no harm as long as you don't cross their boundaries." The thought of coexisting with these nocturnal wonders sounded intriguing, but the cautionary note about other common creatures like boars, wolves and snakes still lingered in the air.
"Guess I'm in for a wild night of monster partying, then," I chuckled, realizing that even in the midst of magical landscapes, some things never change—like the unpredictability of nature.
As I ventured deeper into the enchanting forest, each step unveiled a new spectacle of natural wonder. The surroundings seemed to pulsate with an ethereal energy, casting a magical aura over everything. Fragile flowers adorned the trees, their petals emitting a mesmerizing light in shades of blue and pink, akin to the forest's own enchanting lanterns.
Open areas within the forest revealed a spectacular sight—the grass twinkled like a magical spatial carpet, as if the very ground was alive with an otherworldly glow. The allure of this untouched wilderness tugged at my heart, making me hesitant to disrupt its pristine beauty.
When I first arrived in this world, I had harbored a vow to extract and create unique wonders using Metalweaving and Alchemy. However, this forest held a different aura, a sacredness that urged me to leave it untouched. The desire to preserve its natural splendor overpowered any inclination to manipulate it for personal gain.
Continuing my journey, I encountered a giant moth with wings aglow in a deep blue hue, delicately sipping nectar from oversized glowing flowers. The harmony of the scene echoed in the air. Amidst the beauty, distant howling reached my ears, and a pack of wolves emerged with fur that shimmered like the night sky, patrolling their territories with a majestic grace. The forest, with its living tapestry of wonders, felt like a realm untouched by the hands of time.
In my continued exploration of the enchanting forest, I encountered a sight that filled my heart with awe. A majestic butterfly much bigger than normal, adorned in the colors of the rainbow, gracefully danced in the wind. Its flight seemed purposeless, as if it were merely playing and enjoying the breeze without a specific destination. In the serene atmosphere, there was a distinct lack of any entities nearby, as if the forest itself wished for the butterfly's carefree existence.
Caught in the mesmerizing display, I couldn't help but utter, "So beautiful..." The words slipped out, and Nove, always ready to provide information, began explaining.
"That is a celestial butterfly. Not much is known about them, except that they are protected by special beings called Astral Nymphs. Spotting a celestial butterfly during your travels is considered a sign of good luck."
I nodded in acknowledgment of Nove's explanation and cautiously approached the celestial butterfly. Glancing around for any potential guardians, I found none. Feeling reassured, I decided to sit in the small open area where the grass shimmered like the night sky, hoping to spend a moment of relaxation with this beautiful creature as the night unfolded.
As I sat down, the celestial butterfly displayed a momentary wariness before gradually easing in. Eventually, it positioned itself in front of my face, and I couldn't resist waving my hand at it.
"Hey there, little guy. Don't mind me; you keep playing," I said. To my surprise, the butterfly responded by dancing around me, seemingly enjoying my company. A chuckle escaped me at the unexpected interaction.
Deciding to fully embrace the enchantment of the moment, I lay down on the soft, shimmering grass. Though not particularly tired, the allure of the magical forest encouraged me to linger. The notion of living in this captivating environment crossed my mind, but I shook my head, recognizing that my presence might disturb the delicate balance of this enchanted realm.
As I observed the butterfly gracefully frolicking in the wind, it suddenly landed on my nose. The touch of its weightless body felt like silk against my skin. Within seconds, a thin yet delicate hand gently picked up the butterfly from my nose.
Startled by the sudden appearance of the ethereal being, I instinctively rolled away, seeking a safe distance from this mysterious entity that seemed to materialize out of the forest itself.
But what stood before me wasn't merely a person or a creature; it was something otherworldly, almost divine. The being appeared humanoid but exuded an otherworldly aura, as if composed of stardust and moonbeams, an embodiment of the cosmos itself. Her presence was both enchanting and intimidating, leaving me at a loss for words.
Her flowing hair, resembling strands of silver light, trailed behind her like the tail of a comet. As she gazed at me with curious eyes, I found myself momentarily transfixed by her beauty, my words stumbling incoherently in my mouth.
With a curious gaze, she observed me before releasing the celestial butterfly, allowing it to flutter away into the depths of the forest. Still, she continued to scrutinize me, tilting her head in apparent confusion, as if struggling to comprehend what stood before her.
Gradually and cautiously, she took steps closer to me. Despite my initial surprise, I chose to stand my ground, sensing no malice from her. As she approached, her hand extended slowly, until finally… She gently patted my head.