NFBE Chapter 104 The Spire of Eldine
Chapter 104 The Spire of Eldine
Eldttin Spire.
This is one of the largest mountain ranges in the southern part of the Valerian Federation. It is filled with highly concentrated and pure mana, as well as countless alien creatures not yet recorded in the database.
The abundant and pure magical energy here makes this place a popular destination for those seeking self-improvement. Hunters, mercenaries, apprentices aspiring to become martial arts masters, mages hoping to join the mage tower... countless people with these titles flock here.
In addition, due to the highly concentrated magical energy compressed within the mountains, this place has also nurtured many natural treasures.
Therefore, this is also a place frequently explored by treasure hunters.
Since the day of the "Nexus Fusion," when magic descended upon the world, the very nature of the world has changed. Those natural treasures now take on countless different forms.
Some are evolved herbs, some are alchemical materials, and some are mana-compressed ores used for forging equipment.
Among these treasures, there is a special profession known as the "Rune Seeker".
Rune Seekers are people who travel to places with special mana densities to search for runes.
So, what are runes?
Runes are a special kind of magical artifact that can be directly integrated into the body or soul, granting the recipient special effects.
It can take the form of enhancing skills, strengthening psionic imprints, increasing attributes, increasing talent caps, strengthening traits, or adding hidden attributes.
Runes are a special natural product, so rare that they can be sold for at least one million valor.
Simply put, finding a single rune is enough to drastically change the life of an ordinary person, allowing them to live a life free from worries about food and drink.
This is why some people dedicate their lives to finding such amazing things.
Nathan Lake was one of those people who hoped to get rich by finding a rune.
His special talent allowed him to see the unique magical properties of things around him. Although his talent wasn't powerful or advanced, it was still very useful in his work.
He traversed the rugged terrain of Eldtim's Spire, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any mana fluctuations that might indicate the presence of runes.
The air was thick with an atmosphere of adventure and potential wealth.
Suddenly, in the woods, he noticed a figure in the distance—a young man wearing a hood that obscured most of his face. The quality of his clothes and boots, as well as his overall demeanor, suggested that he was also a rune seeker.
After all, he knew that rune seekers often climbed mountains and regions filled with extraordinary magic, so they needed sturdy clothing to deal with special situations.
'He must be a newbie.'
The young man's clothes looked brand new and unused, so Nathan immediately assumed he was a novice.
'Looks like I've found a good target.'
He chuckled inwardly. In this place without any surveillance, people were never as naive as they seemed.
Especially those who, like rune seekers, do not have a stable income.
"Hey!" Nathan called out as he approached. "Are you a Rune Seeker too?"
The young man turned around, revealing a handsome profile beneath his hood. He looked somewhat weak and pale. He appeared younger than Nathan had imagined.
However, those glowing purple eyes seemed to see through his thoughts, as if they could see through everything.
Nathan felt a little strange and slightly uncomfortable feeling as he sensed those eyes watching him.
'It's probably because we haven't encountered this situation for a while.'
The hooded young man looked weak and young, the perfect target for Nathan's usual intimidation tactics. His hand stealthily moved towards the dagger at his waist, a move he had practiced countless times, so as not to reveal his intentions.
“Finding runes can be very profitable,” Nathan continued, feigning enthusiasm. “But you see, this place isn’t for the faint of heart. Dangerous creatures and complex terrain await the untested.”
His words were meant to intimidate the person in front of him, making him feel uneasy and panicked. This was a trick he had practiced countless times.
However, the young man remained expressionless, his purple eyes seemingly piercing through Nathan's disguise. This unsettled Nathan, making him begin to doubt his own strategy.
This unease grew stronger, but the allure of dominance propelled him forward. Judging from the clothes and equipment alone, he knew the guy had a lot of money.
Nathan slowly approached, preparing to execute his usual plan: to threaten and intimidate the newcomer. He would demonstrate his supposed superiority, and perhaps even force the young man to leave the place.
However, as his fingers touched the hilt of the dagger, doubt began to gnaw at his heart.
His talent, which allowed him to see the special magical properties of other objects, was activated, and now he saw the reason why.
What the hell is this?
The young man's aura was unusually powerful, completely different from Nathan's expectations. The dark purple aura and the light that kept changing from white to green, red, and then blue-gold indicated that this guy was no ordinary person.
His hand paused, hesitant, unsure whether this newcomer was truly the easy prey he had imagined.
In that instant, he suddenly felt tiny, shadowy tentacles approaching him.
'This is......!'
Fear gripped him.
“Listen,” Nathan stammered, trying to maintain a facade of confidence, “if you’re not suited for this place, you’d better go back. The Eldine Spire is ruthless to the unprepared.”
The young man remained motionless, but Nathan had already begun to cautiously back away.
He couldn't shake the feeling that this encounter wasn't as simple as it seemed. The young man's gaze pierced his heart, making Nathan begin to doubt the situation he had originally intended to turn around. His inner intentions clashed with the newcomer's mysterious aura, creating an atmosphere filled with uncertainty.
The young man finally spoke, his voice calm and composed: "Have you noticed that there's a tree in this area that feels different from the other trees?"
This question both surprised and terrified Nathan. How could this young man know about the peculiar tree he had sensed earlier? Panic surged within him as he realized this man seemed to know about his unique abilities.
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Nathan stammered, trying to hide his growing fear.
He didn't want to reveal the tree's location. He knew, with his special abilities, that it was a special place. Although he hadn't found any runes during his search, he knew there was something unusual there, and therefore he wanted to hide it as much as possible.
The young man's gaze remained fixed on Nathan, unwavering and intense, as if he could see through all the pretense and lies Nathan had constructed.
"Are you sure?"
The young man asked a simple question. His tone and eyes held no emotion, neither anger nor greed. It was as if he were gazing into nothingness, which made Nathan increasingly frightened.
Nathan felt an increasing fear with each passing moment; he believed this young man was someone he shouldn't have messed with.
No, it should be said that this young man was someone he shouldn't even get close to.
Finally, in a trembling voice, he said, "Well, there's a tree not far from here that feels different from the others. It... is special. But I don't know what it is, I swear!"
The young man's gaze lingered on him for a moment, scrutinizing him as if assessing his fear and honesty. Then he spoke, "Where is the tree?"
Driven by fear, Nathan became compliant and described in detail: "Go southwest from here, near the edge of the cliff, through a small clearing. The tree trunks are thick and twisted, and the roots form intricate patterns on the ground, like veins full of energy."
The young man nodded, absorbing the information. Nathan could feel his heart racing, and anxiety spreading through him. He couldn't help but wonder about the mysterious man's intentions.
"Thank you," the young man said simply, then turned and left. This sudden action puzzled Nathan.
"Wait!" Nathan blurted out, fear gripping his heart. "Who are you?"
The young man glanced back, his hood still partially obscuring his face. "Does it matter who I am?"
"Ah...yes..."
“I have a suggestion for you,” the young man said, his voice steady and calm. “For the next three days, it’s best to avoid the northeast exit of the Eldine Spire.”
"Exports from Northeast China? Why?"
"There will be rivers of blood there. It's best to stay away from there."
Nathan felt a chill run down his spine from the seriousness in the young man's words. He nodded forcefully, swallowing his fear. "I'll remember that. Thank you for your advice."
Whoosh!
Without saying another word, the young man disappeared into the shadows, leaving Nathan standing there alone, filled with doubt, as birdsong filled the air.
"Ha...what a strange person."
As the young man disappeared from his sight, the strange feeling in his heart vanished, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
I think I'd better avoid that place.
Then, he began walking toward his next destination.