One day had passed.

Now, it was morning. The sky was pale, quiet, as if it knew something I didn’t. There was a chill in the air, and I could hear the irregular wail of distant trains. During the night, I’d moved forty thousand dens—Noah’s parents had left some money behind in a TOD (Transfer on Death) trust account—into my own. My mind was spinning with plans to secure my survival.

Den. That was the currency here, in Tressia. And I was in St. Sebastin, a country that fell in the Tressia continent.

Stepping out of the complex, I made my way towards the train station. Right now, my first priority was to get my hands on the Mystery of Teleportation.

With that Mystery, no matter what came after me, I would always have an escape. Then, I could decide what to do with my life next.

To find the Mystery of Teleportation, I needed to visit Avalonia forest, which was on the outskirts of Avalonia village.

"Here’s my card!" Passing the card to the lady at the ticket office, I checked the map of the station.

"Where to?" she asked.

"Avalonia," I replied.

"That’ll be fifty den." She handed back my card.

Lost in thought, I boarded the train and settled into my seat. The train chugged along, but my gaze suddenly fell on two teens moving to the row in front. I wouldn’t have paid them any mind, but something about them felt odd.

Odd.

What was so odd about them? They were just teens, a boy and a girl.

But… there was something, some invisible thing that scraped against the surface of ordinary.

It felt like a swarm of ants were crawling inside my chest, an intangible giddiness that didn't stem from joy but from some deeper, indefinable disquiet. What is this?

My brows furrowed, then shot up as my gaze locked onto the space above their heads. My chest tightened.

Floating there, as clear as day, were two shimmering blue boxes above their heads:

[Deuteragonist] [Tritagonist]

Immediately after, information flooded my mind along with a splitting headache. I saw names, images, places, people, things that were going to happen, or had already happened? I instinctively grabbed my head, squinting my eyes. It hurt.

But the pain didn’t last.

I exhaled, opened my eyes, and saw the girl sitting just ahead of me.

Red eyes and black hair: Aurora Lewis.

I knew her, thanks to this strange ability of the Manuscript.

Her name...is Aurora.

Aurora Lewis, also known as—or will be known as—the Queen of Thunder. The Tritagonist of this… 'story’, according to the Manuscript.

And beside her, my eyes moved to the other guy, Takahashi Aoi. A rival to the Protagonist—and the Deuteragonist of the Manuscript.

Two members of the main cast were here.

Moments later, the glowing boxes vanished from above their heads.

* * *

Distorted. Tangled. A mess, yes. But, definitely not making sense. That’s the gist of how their chatter hit me. Their voices filled the air, but it all went right over my head. It was all... fuzzy. I caught their tones, the highs, the lows, the emotions... but the content? Lost.

Then, the train let out a noise as it started to move. Probably because it’s stuck in the past.

To me, it felt like a relic, but here, it passed for modern. An electric train, zooming at 150 km/h. Back home, we had hydrogen-powered trains floating on mag-lev tech; this was a step down. My snooping attempts were futile, thanks to the train’s chaos and clamor.

Yeah, frowned upon, but I felt justified to eavesdrop on the two kids sitting ahead of me. After all, they were the main characters of the world.

"I just wish I could hear them properly," I sighed.

[That can be done, Master Noah.] Nano’s mechanical voice resonated in my head.

Confused, I spat, "How?"

[With the advanced nanotechnology of the 24th century, as a nanite, I have the ability to enhance the hearing and other senses of the user.]

My brows instinctively furrowed at the revelation. Although I was ‘somewhat’ aware of Nano’s biotechnological prowess—Grandpa Hope briefed me on the subject—I didn’t expect something like…this.

I gave a nod, trying to wrap my head around it.

[Affirmative. Enhancing auditory input abilities...] Nano confirmed.

Suddenly, every little sound in the train hit me like a ton of bricks—from the gentle wheezes of passengers to the clanking of chains.

[Adjusting...]

[Task completed.]

Nano confirmed the audio tweak was good to go.

Result: I could finally decipher Aurora and Takahashi’s chit-chat. All other pointless NPC noises were kicked to the curb.

"Soft as baby butts," Aurora giggled and squished Takahashi’s cheeks like Play-Doh.

"Stop!" he interrupted, irritation lacing his tone.

After some time, Aurora squirmed in her seat, sneaking peeks at Takahashi beside her. "So, what’s up? We agreed on the arcade today, right?" She tried to sound casual.

Takahashi dropped his phone, meeting Aurora’s gaze. "Yeah, we did. I’m looking forward to it," he replied calmly.

Aurora, confused by his sudden enthusiasm, couldn’t resist asking, "What’s with the change? Usually, you shut down my ideas."

Aoi chuckled, "Well, today’s special." Before she could ask more, he explained, "My parents know me. They’re iffy about me roaming near the outskirts."

It was clear his passion for monster hunting led to this restriction.

He went on, "But when I’m with you, they trust you’ll keep me in check. Funny, huh? It should’ve been the opposite."

Aurora narrowed her eyes, his intentions finally clicking. Threateningly, she warned, "I’ll tell Uncle Takahashi if you’re planning one of those ‘hunting missions’."

"But it’s no biggie if we go together!" he countered. And with a flourish, he added, "Plus, it’s just goblins!"

Just goblins? I was floored by his naive comment.

The Takahashi Aoi—according to the Manuscript, was far too calculating to become reckless and put himself in danger.

Although goblins were low-tier monsters in this world, they were astute and shrewd. Even though their physical strength wasn’t much, they had intelligence and cunning that could outsmart others. It would take at least three E ranked guys to handle a bunch of goblins because of their tactical nature and ability to outsmart opponents.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

As I watched Takahashi Aoi, I found myself thinking, Right, he still needs some time for that character development to kick in.

It was then that a gentle voice pierced my thoughts: "Attention passengers, we’ve reached Avalonia village." It was the intercom.

I glanced briefly at Takahashi and Aurora before heading my own way.

* * *

On the outskirts of Avalonia village, a place so remote it barely appeared on any map, I finally found the only ATM Google Maps could point me to. Avalonia wasn’t the kind of place where one could easily find anything—much less an ATM. I withdrew a modest sum of 5,000 den in crisp notes: two thick 2k bills, with the rest split into smaller 1k denominations.

Yes, this world had Google too. Odd, and something to think about.

Stepping out of the booth, I paused, unsure of where to head next. I scanned my surroundings, trying to shake off the subtle confusion settling in. The place had a timeless quality, with its narrow streets twisting through age-old buildings… it was a typical rural settlement. I had never been to rural areas before. I spotted a bus station bench near the ATM and decided to sit there, if only to gather my thoughts.

“Young man, you seem lost,” a rough but gentle voice interrupted my thoughts.

I hadn’t even noticed anyone else around. Maybe my face had betrayed my confusion. I turned to my left and saw an elderly man, around sixty, his face lined with deep wrinkles and sun-kissed freckles, sitting beside me. He was watching me, his posture relaxed but oddly attentive. The plastic bag in his hand—faded, nearly colourless from use—dangled loosely at his side. His eyes, deep and thoughtful, held the weight of decades. As he smiled, the brown stains on his teeth revealed his long habit of chewing tobacco. He would’ve made an intriguing portrait, I thought to myself.

“Just a bit tired,” I admitted, breaking the brief silence. “I’m looking for Avalonia Forest. Not exactly sure where to find it.”

He kindly pointed me in the right direction. I thanked him and left.

Avalonia Forest wasn’t far, lying just on the village’s fringes, a dense woodland that seemed to stretch endlessly. The locals called it the Dark Forest, and as I approached, I could see why. The trees towered over everything, their gnarled branches forming a thick canopy that blocked out most of the sunlight. The village itself was on the outskirts of Krenada, a bustling city at the heart of Kundanika state. Krenada’s influence kept the region safe from the more dangerous creatures—the highbreeds.

I couldn’t help my mind from drifting to important details about this world. The planet Draeth was divided into five continents. In the south pole, a massive ice volcano loomed over the frozen wastelands. Nobody ventured there, unless they had a death wish.

One of the eight Mysteries was hidden there.

'Mystery' was quite a strange concept—confusing, almost, from what little I managed to grasp through the Manuscript. To put it into words? That was just as hard. The confusion spilled over. Still, if I had to give an example—Mystery was like a cheat code in a game, but this cheat code was of the universe itself. With it, anything could be possible.

Whatever secrets and knowledge the Manuscript pushed into my head, they had made one thing clear—this world was magical. And in this magical world, if there was any force more powerful than all others, it was these Mysteries.

Such were these Mysteries—there were eight of them, and they came in pairs. Each pair was harder to find than the last. And every Mystery was hidden in some form. But they weren’t all-powerful; there were always limits, always a price to pay.

Six of these Mysteries were scattered across the five continents, each waiting for the right—or perhaps wrong—hands to claim them. As for the eighth Mystery? God knows. The Manuscript didn't reveal much about the eighth Mystery or its location.

I was currently on the continent of Tressia, in the human domain. The other four continents were inhabited by Elves, Orcs, Rulers, and Dwarves, each with their own domains.

Yes, beings like Elves and Dwarves existed in this world for real. I wasn’t even sure if anyone in this world knew about the existence of the Mysteries other than me, since I learned about them from the Manuscript which didn't reveal much.

But there was always the possibility they did, and that small chance could make seeking them a deadly game.

* * *

"Huff..fuck...!"

The terrain of Avalonia forest was rougher than I expected, making it hard to collect my breath as I went deeper inside the forest.

I had to pause to get my bearings since there was no clear path for me to follow.

Two hours had already passed since the start of my journey, and my breathing had become a bit labored. My lungs felt the strain.

I was trekking towards a spot in the forest where there was supposed to be a huge stone below a giant banyan tree.

That's where the Mystery of Teleportation resided.

The reason why no one was able to find it till now is because you had to do a certain ritual for it to show itself.

Banyan trees usually grew in forest clearings, at least according to one book I read. And from what I researched, there was indeed a grand forest clearing up yonder in the northern sector of the Dark Forest.

Time passed as I kept going. Thanks to the phone's compass, I was able to keep my direction straight.

As I was thinking this and that, beads of sweat began to trickle down my back, clinging to my shirt. Unbothered, I pressed on deeper into the foliage.

But I swear, every now and then, I couldn't help but notice a peculiar sensation—a static tingle dancing across my skin, followed by a certain pulsation in my blood...veins?

Strange, yes. But not strange enough to warrant immediate concern so I decided to check on it later.

Minutes passed, and then I saw it.

“Haaah…” I let out a long, relieved breath, standing there in a daze, taking in the sight before me.

“I expected something unusual, but this…”

Yes, this was beyond ordinary.

A towering banyan tree stood before me, its aerial roots twisting down like pillars, turning the ground into a maze of trunks. Its vast canopy cast a shadow that stretched endlessly, enveloping everything in a hushed stillness.

“Wonders of fantasy,” I murmured.

I reached into my pocket, my fingers grazing the cold steel of the knife.

For a moment, I felt hesitant, not out of fear of pain but the realisation that I was crossing an invisible threshold.

I gripped the blade tightly and dragged it slowly and deliberately across my palm, wincing as the flesh parted, exposing the raw, glistening red beneath. Blood welled up, warm and sticky. I stared.

Nano's robotic voice interrupted my thoughts: [Injury detected. Initiating the healing process.]

To my amazement, I watched as the cut on my hand sealed itself, the skin stitching together as if an invisible spider were weaving its delicate web across my flesh.

In moments, the wound was completely healed after the blood was absorbed back into my hand. There wasn’t even a scar.

"Fascinating," I whispered, transfixed by the unnatural perfection of my healed hand. “How did you do that, Nano?” I muttered eventually.

Nano explained the healing process, mentioning nanoparticles, stem cells, 3D scaffolding, and synthetic seraph tissue. The healing could be rapid, almost miraculous, but it wasn’t limitless. The nanites needed energy, and their own body, once depleted, could not be replaced, especially without a Reynar Biotech facility.

[The rapid healing isn’t limitless. It consumes energy from the Alpha nanite colony and uses the Beta nanites themselves. Every time rapid healing is used, nanites are depleted and cannot be regenerated without Seraphium. With the Reynar Biotech facility gone, it’s advisable not to rely on the healing too much. Overuse could lead to the nanomachines dying, leaving you vulnerable, though the chances of this happening are slim.]

“Huh… so I basically have an advanced healing factor now—enough to keep me alive, but it won’t last for long?”

[Affirmative.]

I stepped closer to the banyan tree and spoke to Nano, “Fascinating or not, you're all I've got left from home, Nano. You’re my legacy. I won’t waste you. But please, don’t heal what I’m about to do. This is part of a magical ritual,” I let the words out.

“I’m not even sure if it’ll work,” I admitted, casting a glance at the banyan tree.

[Affirmative. Command acknowledged.]

I raised my left hand and sliced my palm again, letting the blood flow freely. This time, it didn't heal.

The blood didn’t stop. It clung to my skin, pooling in my cupped hand. It smelt metallic, and oddly intimate—a reminder that my body is mortal.

Alright. Now.

I focused and began chanting the Sanskrit code I learned for the Mystery of Teleportation from the Manuscript. “Ūrjaṁ kālaṁ cedyugaṁ ca, pravāhaṁ sarvadvāraṁ ca…”

I wasn’t really sure what would happen or what to expect. I felt stupid for trying.

But suddenly, the wind picked up, rustling the leaves in a lively dance.

And then.

With a deafening crack, the boulder beneath the banyan tree fractured, sending jagged shards hurtling everywhere before they stopped. They hovered midair, each edge honed to a lethal sharpness. Sharp pieces, sharp enough to kill.

There were probably hundreds of them.

I frowned, wondering if this was supposed to happen.

All of the pieces rotated until their sharp edges pointed outwards in all directions.

!

My eyes widened in horror.

They shot outwards in every direction, and I instinctively took a step back. My heart was in my mouth. Before I could even react, they were already launched like bullets. There were cries and screams of birds. Some of the nearby plants fell, sliced apart. Dead birds fell from the sky along with scattered leaves. A bird fell near my foot, headless, with only a piece of sticky meat where its head was supposed to be. There were holes in the banyan tree.

I looked at the land around me. Holes and holes and holes all around me. A wave of trypophobia washed over me as I took in the pockmarked ground, the countless holes.

There were still cries of birds in the air.

I blinked, breathing heavily.

And there was something right in front of my right eye. A shard hung suspended inches from my eye, its jagged point as sharp and imposing as a spear's tip. It rotated on its axis in front of my eye.

But my chanting didn't stop.

The piece floated, seemingly alive, moving under an unseen force.

Perhaps it was the chanting keeping me alive. I looked down to make sure. Yeah, no holes in my body.

When I uttered the last word, the shard fell on my palm, sending a sharp pain through my cut, and I winced, grumbling.

I looked at the stone shard in my hand wearily.

Pain lanced through my wrist when the shard melted into my skin, merging with my flesh. I bit down on my lip, the metallic taste of blood now in my mouth, as the shard twisted and shaped itself into a bracelet.

It felt wrong.

The bracelet was warm.

I touched it hesitantly, my fingers recoiling at the unnatural texture—smooth yet somehow organic, like stretched skin over bone.

[Acquired the Mystery of Teleportation! You have acquired a legendary Mystery!]

The message flashed before my eyes.

But I didn't feel triumphant. I felt… used.

I closed my eyes, chanting in my heart, Be not afraid.

I looked up, the blue sky was tinged with yellow. “I must return before evening.”