Killer Lake

After confirming the Drowner Whistle was a masterpiece by Crimson Fox, Vesemir followed the Witcher apprentice's suggestion and arrived at a long, narrow lake.

It was noon, and the wind was calm.

Ailin walked to the shore.

The gentle breeze couldn't even ripple the lake's surface. Against the backdrop of green grass and trees, the mirror-smooth lake reflected the azure sky and white clouds.

It was tranquil and serene.

A great place to clear one's mind of all worries, Ailin thought.

The Witcher apprentice took a deep breath. The fresh, crisp air, carrying the fragrance of grass and trees, filled his lungs.

The faint anxiety in his heart lessened.

In this leisurely mood, Ailin asked, "Master Vesemir, does such a beautiful place have a name?"

Perhaps it was due to seeing so much, but Vesemir was unfazed by the scenery. Hearing Ailin's question, he casually replied:

"Killer Lake."

"You can call it that if you like."

"Killer Lake?" Ailin repeated.

Why would such a beautiful place have such a menacing name?

Puzzled, the Witcher apprentice directly asked, "Why is it called that?"

Vesemir was silent for a moment, then sighed and said:

"This is the starting point of the Trial of the Mountains."

Upon hearing this, Ailin instinctively glanced over again.

The scenery was the same, but in Ailin's eyes, it was no longer peaceful.

A strong killing intent and the aura of death seemed to be hidden beneath the calm lake water.

"According to your suggestion," Vesemir broke the silence, "this is the most suitable place I can think of to use this whistle."

Just now, after praising the exquisite craftsmanship of the Drowner Whistle and the Sorceress's reputation, the Witcher had excitedly asked where to use the magical item, like a child with a new toy.

"Naturally, the more Drowners there are, the better," Ailin had replied then.

In fact.

Vesemir had chosen a good spot.

There was no better place near Kaer Morhen.

However, was it really within regulations to bring an apprentice to a trial site in advance?

The Witcher apprentice glanced at Vesemir.

The Witcher Master's face was expressionless.

Ailin pondered for a moment, then drew Aerondight and nodded at Vesemir.

"Then here it is. And… thank you… Master Vesemir."

The Witcher Master did not respond to Ailin's latter words.

He raised the Drowner Whistle and, following the method taught by the Witcher apprentice, gently shook it.

"Guala~ guala~"

A sound resembling a Drowner's call came from the cylindrical whistle.

The sound was not loud.

After shaking it twice, the Witcher Master tucked the Drowner Whistle into his chest and drew a silver sword from his back.

This was a silver sword used for apprentice training.

About half a minute passed. There was no wind or waves, and the surface of "Killer Lake" remained as smooth as a mirror.

Did it fail? the Witcher apprentice couldn't help but think. Can the Witcher's Handbook also yield defective items? This is a blue-quality item.

Another minute passed.

Even Vesemir cast a doubtful glance at Ailin and reached into his padded armor, about to shake the whistle again.

Ailin cursed the Witcher's Handbook internally for selling shoddy goods, awkwardly holding up Aerondight, unsure whether to sheath his sword.

Just then, the lake's surface seemed to stir.

The emerald mirror suddenly rippled, with waves spreading in circles from the distance towards Ailin and the others.

Ailin was taken aback.

Immediately after, he saw Vesemir's hand, which had been reaching into his leather armor, freeze.

The Witcher Master watched the ripples spreading across the lake's surface, as if observing something.

A few seconds later, Vesemir's expression changed drastically.

He grabbed Ailin, who was still stunned, and sprinted in the opposite direction of "Killer Lake."

Just as the Witcher apprentice was about to ask, he heard Vesemir shout:

"Run!"

"Head for the mountains, quickly!"

Upon hearing this, Ailin's feet rapidly pounded the ground, following the Witcher Master's retreating figure into the depths of the forest.

Seeing Vesemir's urgency, the Witcher apprentice vaguely understood something and glanced back.

The moment the ripples touched the shore, they shattered, intertwined, and vanished.

Ailin had never seen such a sight.

The lake's surface, which had been as calm as a mirror, was instantly covered in bright red fins.

The clear, light green water had turned a murky blue.

It was a different blue from the sky or the sea.

It was three-dimensional, shadowed, and spotted.

Unsettling, nauseating, and hair-raising.

"Gurgle~ Gurgle~"

The cacophony, faint just seconds ago, quickly grew loud and finally deafening.

Schools of Drowners, one after another, emerged from the water, crawled onto the lake shore, and charged towards the fleeing Vesemir and Ailin.

There was no need to ask the Witcher Master.

Ailin realized with grim certainty that if he couldn't outrun the monsters behind him, he wouldn't have to worry about the Trial of the Mountains anymore.

"Ailin! Didn't Lady Elsa mention any precautions when she gave you the item?"

The Witcher Master didn't look back.

The wind rushing past his ears carried his shock and confusion.

The Witcher apprentice could only barely keep up with Vesemir's speed thanks to the hand gripping his collar.

Ailin, fully focused on the terrain ahead, leaped over a shallow pit and dodged a suddenly appearing low tree branch…

He simply didn't have the energy to answer Vesemir's question.

The Witcher Master didn't need Ailin's reply; he was simply too shocked, with countless questions held back, wanting to burst out.

"Holy shit!"

A loud exclamation.

Hearing Vesemir's rare outburst, Ailin's heart skipped a beat, and he almost tripped over a rock.

"Master Vesemir, what's wrong!" the Witcher apprentice shouted.

"Shut up! Keep up! Watch where you're going!"

With no time to think, Ailin caught a glimpse of the figure ahead abruptly changing direction.

Caught off guard, the Witcher apprentice was dragged by a powerful force on his collar, his feet leaving the ground.

In an instant, they swung in an arc, landing smoothly.

Without a moment to catch their breath, the two quickly sprinted towards a mountain hollow.

Before long, Ailin and Vesemir had moved into a cave.

This cave appeared to be a dead end. Although it was well-ventilated, all sides were solid stone walls except for the entrance the Witcher master and apprentice had used.

Even the narrow entrance could only accommodate two people.

"Hoo— Chh— Hoo— Chh—"

Ailin bent over, his silver sword gripped tightly in his hand, panting like a broken bellows.

Vesemir had run too fast, and Ailin hadn't had time to sheathe Elsa's sword.

"Ailin, are you alright?"

After catching his breath, the Witcher apprentice shook his head.

"Ves…emir… Master, I… I'm fine…"

In the light shining in from the cave entrance, Ailin looked up and saw that Vesemir wasn't even out of breath, his face only slightly flushed compared to normal.

It was as if their intense escape just now had been merely a warm-up.

The Witcher Master stood at the center of the cave entrance, sword in hand, his eyes fixed intently outward.

After about two more minutes.

Ailin finally let out a sigh of relief, stood up, sword in hand, and stood shoulder to shoulder with Vesemir.

At this moment, noisy croaking sounds of "Gu la~ Gu la~" gradually drifted in from outside the cave.

A large group of Drowners.

They were here!

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