Chapter 7: Mountain Path
The sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the rugged terrain, as Noel stood at the base of the mountainous region near Heliko.
Though Heliko was considered relatively safe compared to other regions, danger still lurked outside of any city. Centuries of corruption from an ominous energy could transform even the calmest creatures into monstrous beings. However, Noel was determined to find the entrance to Kaspian's inheritance.
"Alright" Noel muttered to himself, wiping sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "Now where is that boulder?"
He searched through his memories, recalling that the entrance lay beneath a large black boulder on the second mountain closest to Heliko. He knew that near the rock an old tree stump encircled by a dirt ring served as a landmark. With renewed determination, Noel set off along the rocky path, his silver hair clinging to his damp skin.
—
Hours later, Noel's heavy breathing echoed through the mountain range as his legs threatened to give out beneath him.
“Huff..”
"Almost…there…" he gasped, steadying himself atop the rocky path.
Since leaving Heliko roughly 3 hours earlier, he had traveled nearly 28 miles. As he continued deeper into the mountainous region he could feel the terrain beneath him becoming more difficult to traverse.
He knew If he was a normal person without mana, he would've collapsed a long time ago. Still, as this was only his second day in this new body, he hadn't exactly mastered his control over this mysterious new energy.
Finally feeling his body give out, Noel decided to find a clearing nearby in order to let his body rest.
As the weight of his exhausted body pressed down upon a smooth rock beneath him, Noel's chest heaved as he desperately tried to catch his breath. The rough terrain had taken its toll on him, but he didn’t wish to rest for long. Reaching into his backpack, he pulled out a bottle of water before chugging down several mouthfuls.
"Ah, that's better" he muttered, wiping his sweaty forehead with the back of his hand.
As he took a moment to let his eyes rest, Noel could feel the sweat clinging to his body beneath his clothes. Most would consider this feeling gross, but for Noel, who after his accident could only dream of pushing his body once more, the feeling of muscle aches and sweat was somehow both calming and heartwarming.
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
"Only two days since I came to this world, and I've already pushed my body so far" he thought. Without him realizing a light smile grazed his exhausted face.
His silver hair danced in the breeze, the cool wind providing a brief distraction from the aches of his body. As Noel opened his eyes, he found himself captivated by the breathtaking view around him. The massive mountains loomed majestically, their rocky peaks casting shadows on the world below.
"Wow…" he breathed, awestruck by the sight.
Despite the dangers lurking in every corner of this world, he suddenly felt a sense of freedom stirring within him. The sound of birds singing mingled perfectly with the wind's low whistle, creating a harmonious melody that seemed to wash away his pain.
For a moment, he allowed himself to forget the urgency of his goal.
But then, something caught his attention, a peculiar sight that stood out amidst the rugged landscape. An odd tree stump, surrounded by a messy dirt ring, lay just a few feet away from his resting spot.
"Is this…?" Noel whispered, his heart racing in anticipation.
He scrambled to his feet, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten as he approached the stump. The withered wood bore witness to the countless years of weathering and growth It endured throughout its lifetime.
Noel's heart raced as he stood before the ancient stump, its twisted roots stretching out like gnarled fingers reaching for something nonexistent. This was it, Kaspian's training ground and the hidden location of his inheritance.
As the game story went, Noel knew this tree stump was where Kaspian spent his youth training every day. So once he decided to leave an inheritance for his descendants, it should be no surprise that he decided to put it somewhere he considered his second home.
"Amazing" he whispered, his voice tinged with excitement. "I finally found it!"
Climbing atop the stump, Noel scanned the surrounding area, his eyes quickly falling upon the massive black boulder that loomed just behind it. His gaze lasting only a few seconds before a massive grin plastered across his face.
Not wasting a breath, he jogged over to the mysterious rock.
"Now the fun starts!" he muttered to himself, willing his excited heart to calm.
With a deep breath, he retrieved the vial of blood from his backpack, the crimson liquid glistening in the fading sunlight. As the blood dripped onto the rock, an unsettling crackling sound filled the air, as the once formidable boulder started to crumble into dust.
"Even though I expected it, seeing a massive boulder vanish from just a few drops of blood feels so strange” Noel mumbled, his thoughts racing as a dark hole entrance revealed itself beneath the disintegrating stone.
He took one last breath, steeling himself for the trial awaiting him. "Well, here goes nothing"
As he plunged into the darkness, a sense of exhilaration washed over him, mingling with the fear that gripped his chest. The world above quickly disappeared, leaving only the endless darkness to guide him forward.