Chapter 103: Chapter 103: Aether Core [4]
A while later, Kael returned, meeting up with his companions.
In the end, he couldn’t get any information from her about that Tower Creature.
This was a real disadvantage, because they wouldn’t know what kind of opponent they were about to face.
Another unpredictable future?
"Bullshit."
But at least, Kael could deduce that the Tower Creature was related to leaving this illusion.
Also, he tried asking about what the man had discovered.
But guess what?
That woman didn’t know a damn thing!
"So, did you get any useful information from her?"
However, she wasn’t completely useless.
"Yes, I did find out some pretty good information."
The woman had told him a truth that Kael could not ignore.
"The location of the diary of the person who tried to find a way to leave this place."
***
Following the address that the woman gave, Kael’s group arrived at a fairly ordinary-looking area, with nothing special.
Anyone would think that this place was just that.
And perhaps he would have thought the same if he hadn’t heard that information from the woman’s mouth.
"Where is that thing?"
With his face lowered, Kael slowly walked.
Not missing a single centimeter of land.
...
And then, after moving for more than 10 minutes, Kael finally found it.
"...!"
The land where he was looking was very different from the land in other places.
It looked like it had been dug up, then buried again.
"Guys, I think I found where he was buried!"
Without waiting for anyone, and with a triumphant smile as if he had just found treasure, Kael began to dig up the ground.
"Hey, aren’t you afraid? Digging other people’s graves will get you retribution."
Hans gently reminded him from the side.
"Huh? Retribution? What is retribution? Can you eat it? If not, then get lost!"
"..."
The protagonist was truly speechless with Kael.
He was so inhumane and rude!
But such a person was still Hans’s best friend.
Understanding that the protagonist couldn’t move Kael no matter what, he chose to join in.
"You’re right, Kael. Retribution is nothing to worry about."
Having been with Kael for such a long time, Hans had probably been infected by his personality.
The image of the good protagonist had completely disappeared.
What a joy!
Because now, Hans was a little more like a normal person!
...
"Wait Hans, stop."
Kael ordered the second he saw a skull appear in the dirt.
It seemed like he had found the skeleton of the person who was willing to sacrifice himself to find a way back, but couldn’t.
Then, as carefully as possible, Kael began to clear the dirt that covered the skeleton.
He wasn’t so heartless as to lift up the skeleton of a dead person.
And then, finally, Kael found that diary.
"Here it is."
A glint of joy flashed in his eyes as he saw a faded, dirty-looking notebook being held tightly by the skeleton.
Perhaps even in death, that person still wanted to protect that diary.
Because in the eyes of others, this was a ray of hope to leave this place.
"What a hero."
Kael gently took the diary, trying not to move the skeleton as much as possible.
"I won’t let what you sacrificed your life to achieve go down the drain."
Taking a deep breath, he opened the first page.
"Excuse me."
***
— To Mom and Dad.
Just 4 words, and those 4 words took up all the space on the first page.
Flip.
— Today is the first day I’ve been trapped in this strange place. Even though I’m an adult, I’m scared, Mom and Dad. I miss you all so much...
— That’s why I’ll do everything I can to leave here, and return to you as soon as possible!
Kael could feel the man’s anxiety and hope in every word he wrote.
But... how long could his hope last?
Flip.
— I’ve been lost here for so long, I’ve almost lost track of time. I don’t even know what day or time it is anymore.
— Is the time in this world the same as the time out there?
— But at least I’ve found a few people in the same situation. I guess they are now my friends.
— Haha...
— Don’t worry, Mom and Dad, I’m still trying my best to find a way to escape from here.
Flip.
"Hmm..."
Kael paused as he looked at the contents of the third page.
Just like pages 1 and 2, it didn’t have much useful information, just talking about everyday experiences.
And this would probably last for quite a while.
He didn’t have much time to enjoy the entire diary.
That’s why Kael naturally flipped to the middle of the diary.
"Indeed, this is when things really began."
— I’ve been on the road to find a way back for a while, and I think I’ve finally gotten some results.
The handwriting was shaky, perhaps the man had written it while he was emotional.
"And what are they?"
His eyes slid down the next lines.
— Standing on a mountain, I saw an area that was different from the rest. Because it... looked more withered, completely different from this lush forest.
Kael looked around, confirming that there was indeed a mountain not far away.
— Thinking that it was a clue, I did not hesitate to head towards that area, ignoring the dangers I might encounter.
— And there, I saw it.
— A sphere that emitted a warm golden light, looking like a gift from the angels. I really... don’t know what words to use to describe it to be frank.
His eyes lit up when he read this part.
Because what the man was referring to was the [Aether Core]!
— I feel like I’m being urged to get closer to that floating sphere and touch it.
— I’ve never felt like this before.
— That thing is special, definitely.
— Is that the way for me to go back?
— Wait for me, Mom and Dad! Hahaha!
Influenced by this man’s personality, words, and emotions, Kael’s lips involuntarily curled up a little.
Even now, that man still believed in hope.
What a positive person.
Still holding that slight smile, he turned to the next page.
Flip.
— I can’t do it... Mom and Dad.
"Huh?"
Although the handwriting was still the same, Kael had the feeling that the man’s mood when he wrote this had gotten much worse.
It was like he had fallen from the peak of happiness to the bottom of the abyss.