The Unexpected NPC

Chapter 15 Trial (1)

Chapter 15 Trial (1)

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I was currently on a bus to Lake Audryan, a large lake about 3 hours away from Hollis Academy.

Lake Audryan was famous for its beautiful, romantic scenery, very suitable for picnics. It was also an ideal place for couples to express their feelings.

And of course, I didn't go there to play. My goal was a Special Skill Book hidden nearby. That book was exactly what I needed right now.

I sat in the bus, my chin resting on my hand, looking out the window. The bustling city view, the skyscrapers passing by quickly. My thoughts were caught up in it and a bit hazy.

It seemed that the horrible images of my previous life had somewhat damaged my mentality, making my mind a bit sluggish. Hopefully it will recover over time...

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"We've arrived at stop number 15."

The mechanical sound of the bus's radio system pulled me back to reality. I stood up and left my seat, stepping out of the bus.

Getting off the bus stop, I opened my BracePhone and checked the map. Searching for the location of Audryan Lake.

"Here it is."

It didn't take long for me to find its location on the map. I quickly turned on the navigation function and moved to the designated place. I didn't have much time left. The academy would open soon and I needed to finish all my work before then.

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"Wow... So this is Audryan Lake."

Standing at the edge of the lake, I felt as if I had stepped into a dream. Audryan Lake was a masterpiece of nature, with its crystal-clear waters teeming with colorful fish and its banks adorned with lush vegetation. To the north, a low mountain range was covered in ancient, towering trees. It was as if the lake had been plucked from a fairy tale, so unreal and beautiful. I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with the fresh, cool air.

"This place is even more beautiful than I imagined." I said with a relaxed mood and clear mind.

After looking at this beautiful scene for a bit longer, I smiled and turned to leave. I didn't come here to visit.

I opened the map again, zoomed in on Audryan Lake, and roughly estimated the location.

'Let's see, if my memory is correct, it should be north of Audryan Lake... This must be it!'. Having determined the location, I quickly moved.

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"Here I am!". I let out a breath and happily exclaimed.

I was standing on the mountainside north of Lake Audryan. In front of me is a big tree, just like all the others around it. But under this tree, there's a small hole hidden by dry leaves and weeds. It's a hole that goes into the ground, just big enough for one person to crawl through. This is the entrance to what I'm looking for.

But I have to say, finding this cave was a real torture for me. I didn't even know its exact location. The novel only described it roughly as a passing event, everything else had to be done by me, digging through every tree I thought was suspicious. It took me nearly 3 hours of searching before I was discovered. The sky was now turning yellow, signaling the approaching sunset. But that's okay, everything has its price. This price is too small compared to what I'm about to achieve.

In the original novel, this place was discovered 7 years later by an E-rank Awakener on a quest to find a lost pet. He found the resting place of a Sword Master after crawling through a hole under a tree. This place contained the master's life's work. By completing the challenge he set, one could perfectly inherit a Special Skill Book - the unique sword technique he left behind. Unfortunately, he was unable to pass the challenge.