EBE Chapter 4 Essence of Life
Chapter 4 Essence of Life
What needs to be done now is to leave the academy, but at the same time, we also need to prepare for what comes next.
"Nothing in this world is free," I thought to myself as I prepared for the night.
Since it's Friday, I'm free to come and go from campus.
I picked up the dagger issued by the academy and the prepared bag, and left my room.
The sun has set, and night has fallen; the roads of the academy are deserted.
I began to recall the history of this world.
As most people know, the Hunter x Hunter theme is a fairly popular fictional concept. It involves the sudden appearance of numerous portals around the world, the invasion of our world by magic and supernatural creatures, and so on.
The game's background is also set based on this.
Five hundred years ago, on the day of the hub's fusion, the barriers that hindered the fusion of dimensions were removed, resulting in spatial connections between different dimensions.
On that very day, the fate of the planet Cynthia was altered. Magic was introduced into this world, and subsequently, elves, orcs, dragons, and other races from other worlds invaded our world.
In the beginning, humanity was weak because our world originally possessed no magic and no ability to fight them. We were easily repelled by powerful invaders. The races from other worlds were not friendly; they had their own religions and beliefs.
But what are we humans best at?
That is adaptation and evolution.
As time passed, humanity rapidly developed during times of crisis. Technology advanced, magic entered our genes, and most importantly, we regained control of the world.
Until the last hundred years, demons began to invade our world, and with the appearance of demons, all races in this world had a common enemy.
A race that destroys other worlds, pursuing what they perceive as 'paradise'. That's the game's premise.
The word "hunter" has a simple meaning. It symbolizes awakened individuals who stand in opposition to monsters, demons, and other races. Initially, they were called adventurers or heroes, but over time, they ceased to be those who saved others and instead became those who sought personal gain.
Therefore, the Hunter Association felt that the name 'Hunter' was more in line with their identity.
In any case, on the first day that magic appeared, when the day of the Nexus's fusion arrived, humanity was plunged into crisis. They formed a simple alliance.
Because this alliance was founded by the legendary hero Valerian, it was later named the Valerian Federation, with Arcadia City as its capital.
Arcadia Academy is an academy belonging to such a city. In the Human Federation, Arcadia Hunter Academy is one of the most prestigious hunter academies in the Human Federation.
It occupies a considerable area in the center of the city, enough to be considered a small city.
It includes training facilities, artificial dungeons, research institutes, and more.
Therefore, it took me a long time to reach the college gate. Because it was nighttime, not many people would be leaving the college.
As I approached the gate of the Arcadia Hunter Academy, a guard approached me. He had a serious expression, wore a uniform, and had the academy's badge on his shoulder. He said in a slightly deep voice, "Identity."
“Here.” I showed him my identification and waited for his reply.
After glancing at him, the security guard nodded, his face still stern, and said, "Remember, you must make sure you return to the academy within a reasonable timeframe. Stay vigilant; there may be unforeseen dangers outside."
"Yes."
After a brief exchange, I left the college and headed towards the train station.
Since the college is located in the city center, and the train station is very close by, it didn't take me long to get there.
Of course, there are teleportation portals in this world, but considering my current financial situation, I'll pass on that idea; I only have 1000 Vales. And the train is free for all students at the academy.
Vale is the currency of the Federation of Humans, and the origin of its name needs no further explanation.
Upon arriving at the train station, I showed the ticket seller my student status.
"...You're a student of Arcadia Academy? You may leave now, young hunter. Have a safe journey." With that, he bowed respectfully.
In this world, most ordinary people have great respect for hunters, because in their eyes, hunters are like superheroes.
After boarding the train, I found that most of the seats were empty, because it was already late at night and my destination was not a famous place.
Olivier is a relatively unknown city. It's not a border city, so there are no troops stationed there, nor is it a major metropolis or academic city.
It's just an ordinary city. So most of the seats were empty, which I was quite grateful for, because I don't like crowded places.
"The train will depart in one minute." As the pleasant mechanical sound reached my ears, I began to prepare for what was to come...
......
When the train arrived in Olivier, I stepped off the platform.
Although Olivier is not a famous city, it has its own unique charm. The buildings lining the streets are in a classic European style, and the cityscape is dotted with small parks, quaint cafes, and local shops.
The atmosphere was peaceful and serene, with a touch of simplicity. People went about their daily lives, contentedly doing what they were doing.
Here, time seems to flow at a relaxed pace, allowing one to escape the hustle and bustle of the big city. Even though it's late at night, the city remains lively.
But none of that matters to me; I'm moving toward my goal.
The essence of life is located in the forest of Olivier City.
Because it's one of the game's Easter eggs, unlike other treasures, it can be obtained without fighting. Instead, its difficulty lies in the chaotic and complex illusion that guards its location.
The Essence of Life is the essence of a special evolutionary tree, possessing a unique property: it can release special substances into the air, causing hallucinations when people approach the tree.
Knowing all this beforehand, I was prepared for this situation. First, I picked up a bottle of ordinary potion to enhance my senses and drank it down in one gulp.
Huhuhu~
The moment I drank the medicine, the wind chilled me to the bone, making me shiver involuntarily.
I took a deep breath and tightened the blindfold over my eyes. By eliminating my dependence on sight, my goal was to render those illusions that deceived me ineffective.
"With this, I can begin now," I thought to myself, feeling the fabric touch my eyes. The enhanced senses made me slightly uncomfortable, but I ignored it and continued walking.
I relied on my enhanced senses to navigate the treacherous forest. Each step I took created vibrations in the ground, providing valuable information about the terrain beneath my feet.
I could feel the soil beneath my boots, distinguishing the soft earth and the occasional protruding tree roots. I adjusted my pace to maintain my balance and stability.
As I ventured deeper into the forest, the air was filled with a variety of scents, vividly depicting my surroundings.
The scents of damp earth and sweet flowers mingled together, while the crisp fragrance of pine needles whispered the aromas of nearby leaves. To my sense of smell, these clues acted like threads, helping me navigate through the labyrinthine illusion.
Shashasha~
With my sight obscured, my hearing becomes acute, and I can detect even the faintest sounds.
The soft rustling of leaves overhead guided me through the dense woods, indicating the direction of the wind. I listened carefully, watching for any irregularities in the natural rhythm, wary of potential dangers and disturbances. "I'm very close," I thought.
In this sensory ordeal, the knowledge I gained from the game proved invaluable. I recalled fragments of information gleaned from other players, fragments hidden deep within my memory. To some extent, even on Earth, I am someone who appreciates small details.
But my auditory memory is much weaker than my visual memory, so I've probably circled around here several times already.
As I relentlessly pressed forward through the illusion, guided by instinct and knowledge, a faint odor entered my nostrils. It was a nauseating smell.
Just like in the game, whenever the player approaches the tree, the character immediately reacts, saying how awful the stench is.
I felt as if I had woken up from a dream and was standing in front of a tree.
Its branches reach for the sky, adorned with delicate leaves that shimmer with the light of nature. The air around the tree seems to hum, exuding an ancient power that fills me with awe and reverence.
It is a tree that contains the essence of life; even with my eyes covered, I could feel the shimmering fluorescence inside the tree.
I slowly reached out my hand, feeling the rough texture of the bark beneath my fingertips. The essence rapidly entered my body, filling me with energy...