The Little Cabin in the Forest

Chapter 44: A Small Cabin in the Forest

At the highest point of the forest, above the peak of the dark clouds, sat a special hemispherical room.

It felt as if the clouds themselves were supporting this special room. Besides a giant telescope made of pure copper, the entire room was constructed from a special type of silica that could reflect all sorts of light.

Name: [Stargazing Room]

Inside the room, there were two people... or perhaps, just one.

"A new student has arrived. Seems quite promising..."

"How can you tell?"

"Physically weak... weaker than any student in past years. To pass a fate event with such a body, they must possess something unusual."

"I remember now. They should be called [Valen Nicholas]... Is it him? The Knight-Errant who passed a four-star event."

"Four-star? It's been a long time since we've had a four-star freshman. Should we increase the test difficulty?"

"I don't think that's wise... Enhancing 'randomness' and 'variables' allows us to better assess a freshman's overall aptitude, rather than just blindly increasing difficulty. Besides, the way he cleared the four-star event might not have been through brute force."

"As you wish. Should the test take place in the [Dark Moon Forest], or within the tower itself?"

"The former. It offers more variables."

"And by what method?"

"Let him choose himself... Also, we need to add one more variable."

"Oh? Isn't that considered increasing the difficulty?"

"The variable isn't dangerous, it's purely a variable, and it holds significant meaning for his future development... If this young man can discern the variable we've set, we should pay special attention to him."

"That's a bit out of character for you... Crow."

"It is fated."

Caw! Caw!

There were more crows than Han Dong had imagined.

The carriage sped along the winding road. Along the way, Han Dong saw crows perched on every single tree branch.

The rhythmic cawing of the crows sounded as if they were relaying some kind of signal.

Suddenly, the carriage, which had been traveling at full speed, came to an abrupt halt... It hadn't even exited the forest area yet.

"Is there no road ahead?"

The forest road that should have led directly to the Mysticism building was cut off midway, blocked by a cluster of trees.

Han Dong had to get off the carriage. At the end of the road, he found a 'signpost' with several eerie characters written on it - [Direction to Dark Moon Forest Exit], accompanied by an arrow.

"It seems I need to walk through the forest to reach the Mysticism Department's building and complete my freshman registration... Fortunately, I came prepared."

Han Dong had always believed 'fire' to be very useful.

At least in the beginner event and the previous Ghoul event, he had used torches for illumination... Therefore, Han Dong lit a torch he had prepared in his backpack and cautiously ventured into the eerie [Dark Moon Forest].

Navigating through this dark forest, densely packed with tall, dead trees, it was easy to lose one's sense of direction and deviate from the intended path.

However, Han Dong's situation was different. He was acutely aware of what constituted a straight path. Even if his physical condition caused his walking route to deviate from a straight line, he would immediately correct it.

This might be due to Han Dong's excellent sense of direction, or perhaps the effect of the [Faceless Head].

After walking for about half an hour, he hadn't left the deadwood forest. Instead, he discovered a delicate wooden cabin within the woods, from which a firelight was emanating...

Since his rebirth into this world, Han Dong had witnessed countless novelties.

"Perhaps this small cabin, less than a hundred square meters, is the main building of 'Mysticism'... Let's go take a look."

Existence implies purpose.

Han Dong cautiously approached and circled the cabin. He found that the cabin had no 'window' design at all... The firelight he had seen earlier was merely seeping out from the gaps in the front door.

Knock, knock, knock~

There was no response to his knocking.

As Han Dong slowly pushed open the wooden door...

It wasn't the grand revelation he might have expected, just an ordinary wooden cabin.

However, the interior of the cabin was filled with many exquisite and peculiar 'props', giving the illusion of stepping into a medieval antique shop.

A letter, appearing from nowhere, landed directly in front of Han Dong.

"Please choose any complete prop from within the cabin (you can even take the door with you! But it must be complete.)

Exit the Dark Moon Forest and submit the prop to the department's administrative office.

(Note: Your performance will determine the Mysticism Department's overall assessment of you.)"

"Another test... just reading a book, and they're this strict.

First there were the Destiny Events, then the interview, and the background checks conducted in secret. And now, before I even head to the main department building to register, I need to undergo relevant tests?"

Han Dong had initially expected to enter the Mysticism Department building and undergo some basic testing equipment to gauge his strengths and plan his future studies.

He hadn't anticipated such a bizarre method.

"The outcome of this test will determine your subsequent studies at the Knight Academy, so focus up."

After several days of stress-free rest, Han Dong's condition was better than ever... not to mention he had attached a 'Ghoul Arm'.

He roused himself and quickly surveyed the various items in the wooden cabin.

The "Green Crystal Craft (Frog-shaped)" placed in a jewelry box.

The "Box of Mourning" sealed under a glass dome.

The "Gas Mask" with its steampunk aesthetic.

The "Stitched Pig Head Mask" hanging on the wall.

The "Silk White Thread" scattered on the floor.

"Not to mention, I can take some of the miscellaneous items in the room with me.

There are twelve 'special items' to choose from alone. Once I make my choice, the subsequent testing method will be decided, and the difficulty may vary.

I'll choose this one..."

Han Dong stared at the "Box of Mourning" within its glass coffin, preparing to select this item that seemed to hail from hell.

Creeaak~ (Sound of wood)

As he stepped out, his foot landed on a peculiar wooden plank, causing it to creak... This detail immediately caught Han Dong's attention.

The sound produced by this plank under pressure was different from the others.

"As expected... a hidden compartment?"

He easily moved the strange wooden block beneath his feet.

Inside a concealed compartment beneath the floor, a small, rusty iron box was stored.

After examining the 'items' contained within the iron box, Han Dong was moved.

After several minutes of consideration, Han Dong selected the iron box and turned to leave the wooden cabin.

"Someone!!"

The moment he stepped out of the cabin, the sound of faint footsteps echoed from the forest.

Instantly, Han Dong's eyes changed, and he entered a state of alert... A green line of plague flowed across the surface of his right arm.

Unexpectedly, what emerged from the forest was a disheveled black-haired girl.

Judging by her skin tone and features, she appeared to be from the Middle East. She wore three golden nose rings on her nose.

The girl clutched a golden card, symbolizing a Knight-Errant, in her hand.

She narrowed her eyes and asked somewhat warily, "You... are you a Knight-Errant?"

"Yeah."

"That's great! ... I've been lost in the Dark Moon Forest for days, and I've finally found the right direction."