NOVPUB
Chapter 33: 033: I’m back
At the edge of the Shadow Land, inside Lynch’s stone hut.
The faint sound of snoring echoed through the dilapidated stone hut as Lynch lay on the wooden bed, fast asleep.
Since returning to the stone hut, he had been sleeping here.
This sleep felt extraordinarily comforting. He couldn’t even remember the last time he had slept so peacefully—it must have been before he crossed over. Oh no, perhaps it had to be even further back, during his carefree childhood. Only those worry-free days of childhood would allow such an undisturbed, blissful sleep.
If it were up to him, Lynch would choose to sleep like this forever, until time ceased to have meaning and the sun and moon lost their light.
But then, the terrifying image of the Demon Alchemist and Yuri drenched in blood, yelling for him to run, surfaced in his mind, forcing him to awaken.
"Whoosh!"
Lynch sat bolt upright, grabbing the Magic Wand by the side of his bed. He lowered his body and scanned his surroundings with a cold, vigilant gaze, like a feral beast lurking in the forest.
It wasn’t until his eyes fell upon the familiar table and chairs that his guarded gaze began to soften.
"Hmm～"
Relaxing, Lynch shook his head, letting the tension in his body gradually dissipate.
Then, he grabbed the brass pocket watch sitting on the table and checked the time, his expression changing immediately. Something troubling seemed to dawn on him.
"I actually slept for 16 hours!"
At this point, he noticed the daylight outside. However, the thick clouds overhead dimmed the sunlight, leaving the surroundings looking somber and gray.
"This is completely unacceptable!"
Shaking his head in self-reproach, Lynch quickly leapt out of bed to freshen up and prepare for the day’s routine.
Meditation.
[Meditation Chapter skill level +2.]
Spell training.
[Shadow Touch skill level +3.]
Reading...
A few hours flew by as his once vibrant spiritual power was quickly drained until only remnants remained. It was only then that Lynch paused to prepare... Well, Lynch wasn’t sure if it should be considered breakfast, lunch, or afternoon tea.
His stomach had long been empty, though immersed in his state of cultivation, he hadn’t noticed—or perhaps he had, but chose not to let such trivial matters deter his efforts.
After all, missing a meal meant little to him, but missing a day of training? That would leave him restless and uneasy.
It scared him—especially after what had happened.
Ever since the day of his crossing, he’d been aware this was not a safe and peaceful world. Chaos and disorder were its defining features, and he had always anticipated the dangers he might one day face.
But only when trapped in such a dire situation had he realized just how fragile the mental preparations he had built were.
In that moment, death felt so close. Even now, Lynch could still smell the sharp metallic scent of blood—so vivid, it seemed as though just one small step would erase his existence, his will, plunging him into the boundless void of darkness.
Weakness, helplessness, confusion, despair, fear!
Each emotion remained etched deeply in his memory!
And that was merely a Low-level Apprentice whose power exceeded Lynch only slightly. Above that were Mid-level Apprentices and High-level Apprentices, each of whom displayed a significant leap in strength from the rank below. And beyond them? The Wizards— and beings even greater than Wizards!
In this world, Lynch was akin to a bug, easily crushed underfoot by anyone with power.
This had just been an ordinary apprentice trial, nothing particularly unexpected. Yet here in this land—rife with wars, calamities, and countless mysterious phenomena that could strike without warning—danger was ever-present.
In such a world, the only way to live securely was to remain a mortal: to avoid inquiry, to embrace ignorance, to toil endlessly for basic needs, and to conclude a fleeting existence in simplicity—such a life might never encounter peril.
But once one walked the Wizard’s Road, once one sought the truth of this world, danger was inevitably drawn toward them.
On this dark and thorny path, the only dependable ally was the power of oneself—only by becoming strong enough could one counter unknown threats and continue forward for as long as possible.
Eating a quick meal—
Mashed potatoes with flamingo eggs, supplemented with a few bitter-tasting blue mint leaves. The former served to fill his stomach, while the latter—despite its unpalatable taste—helped restore slight spiritual power.
After the hearty meal, Lynch’s spiritual power had been restored somewhat, though still far from enough for the second half of his daily training. He decided to let his Spiritual Field replenish naturally in the meantime, using this interval to organize the spoils of his recent venture.
Sitting down by the chair, Lynch gazed at three items placed on the table—two Space Pockets and a Space Ring.
The Space Pockets belonged to him and Yuri. Opening his own Space Pocket first, he began taking out its contents one by one: the task materials including the soul spark, a variety of gathered Magic Materials, remnants of the Corrupted Tree Demons, and a Soul Crystal.
In addition to these items, there was an odd plant about the size of a palm. Its irregular oval shape, covered in densely intertwined roots, gave its coarse exterior the appearance of an unpolished artifact. Beneath its textured surface, a faint emerald-green light pulsed intermittently, resembling a peculiar and unsettling bulb.
This was the heart of the Twisted Tree Spirit.
After the battle had ended, Lynch had discovered it while clearing the battlefield. The desolate wasteland at the base of the hill had devolved into utter disarray, with Corrupted Tree Demons lying dead on every side, and the Twisted Tree Spirit at the wasteland’s center vanquished as well.
Once Lynch confirmed the spirit was completely lifeless, he’d boldly ventured downward to carve out its heart. The heart of a Twisted Tree Spirit was an extremely valuable Magical Material, worth several hundred Magic Stones.
Thinking back, Lynch realized how incredibly greedy he had been. Even then, having barely escaped with his life, he hadn’t thought about running away but risked everything on treasure hunting. That saying about being miserly and obsessed with wealth surely described him to a tee.
Perhaps at heart, I’m simply a greedy person, Lynch mused.
Staring at the Tree Spirit Heart in his hands, Lynch couldn’t help but recall the terrifying Demon Alchemist. One Middle-Level Apprentice Magic Life along with so many Corrupted Tree Demons had been utterly powerless against the alchemist, ultimately left to be slaughtered.
Thanks to some unknown reason, the alchemist had spared Lynch at the last moment—otherwise, he wouldn’t have had even the slightest chance of survival.
A shiver ran through Lynch.
"I hope I never encounter that monster again. No—that’s wrong. Hoping danger doesn’t appear isn’t the solution. The proper approach is becoming stronger myself. Such peril is something I never wish to face again,"
Lynch silently warned himself, all while setting to work.
He took a flowerpot and buried the Twisted Tree Spirit Heart within. This was the optimal preservation method for the heart. As long as it was watered and fertilized appropriately, it could survive for an extended period. With proper cultivation, it might even regenerate into another Twisted Tree Spirit.
Of course, that would take a very long time—time Lynch didn’t have, nor a desire to breed Twisted Tree Spirits. Before he sold it off, the heart would serve as a tool for grinding skill experience in Extraordinary Cultivation.
Next, Lynch brought out a Life Flower and transplanted the Soul Crystal onto it. Known for its notable life force and its energy-rich structure, the Life Flower was an excellent host for a Soul Crystal. Other than being weak, it had virtually no flaws.
As for its weakness... That wasn’t a concern here. After all, this wasn’t the wilderness; there was no need to fend off the dangers lurking in the forest.
Finally, Lynch sorted various gathered Magic Materials into labeled jars and containers, then placed them back inside the cabinet neatly. With that, the items from his Space Pocket were all dealt with.
Then, he picked up the Space Ring lying on the table—Richard’s, the Black Wizard Apprentice’s.
So, what treasures might be hidden in a Black Wizard Apprentice’s stash?
Lynch couldn’t help but feel a surge of expectation.
