He wasn't certain, but the possibility was all too real.
Strange things were happening because of the altered story.
Things he'd never written, things he'd never known.
This story alteration was Hastora's biggest threat now.
They both stopped at a bus stop.
Walking from here to the Arcanum Pool would be exhausting.
The distance was considerable; it would probably take half a day to walk there.
Soon, the low growl of an engine approached.
A dark blue bus appeared in the distance, slowing as it neared the stop.
As the bus arrived, the automatic doors hissed open.
They stepped aboard, glancing inside.
Before sitting, Hastora dropped two silver coins into the fare box near the driver, then chose a seat by the window, saying nothing.
Once the doors closed, the bus let out a soft hiss before slowly pulling away.
A gentle vibration ran through the floor as the wheels turned, carrying them away from the stop, which gradually disappeared from view.
---
Five minutes into the journey, the bus slowed and stopped at the next stop.
The automatic doors opened with a hiss, followed by a gust of wind that ruffled Hastora's hair.
They rose and stepped off, leaving the bus to continue its route after the doors closed behind them.
Hastora walked to a nearby beach and bought scuba gear.
Seeing it, Elyshara's eyes narrowed. "What's that?"
Hastora glanced at it briefly.
"Just diving gear."
He couldn't breathe underwater.
The scuba gear was key to diving without interruption.
Hastora donned the gear and approached the sea.
"You can breathe underwater, right? You don't need this. Just follow me."
Hastora plunged into the water and swam deeper.
Elyshara didn't object.
Hastora's guess was 100% correct.
Although Elyshara was a character born from the story's alteration, Hastora could easily guess her abilities.
Without hesitation, Elyshara entered the water and swam after him.
They found an underwater cave after diving deeper.
It was narrow.
If Hastora were slightly larger, he might not have been able to fit.
They swam in a straight line to get through.
The cave had oxygen; he could feel it after passing through.
Hastora removed his scuba gear and went deeper.
Hastora hadn't mentioned their destination.
He'd simply told her to follow without explanation.
Elyshara's curiosity surged.
"Where are we?" Elyshara tilted her head.
"Underwater cave," he replied curtly.
Hastora didn't look back, his gaze fixed ahead.
The Arcanum Pool was the priority.
Nothing else mattered.
He had no time for anything but the Arcanum Pool.
It would only waste time.
He had to ascertain whether the nobles had already found it.
If they had, it was a major problem.
War would break out sooner.
Hastora wanted to control the Arcanum Pool secretly.
He would swim in it and drain it completely.
The Arcanum water was invaluable to him now.
He could enhance his magical energy faster.
He could also easily cure curses, crucial against curse-wielding Battlemages.
After five minutes of walking, a massive boulder blocked their path.
It was massive—unyielding, and firmly blocking the way.
Could something be hidden behind it?
If it exists, it's most likely an Arcanum water pool.
In the novel, it was described as a deeply hidden place—one that few ever heard of, let alone found.
But everything changed when the nobles discovered it.
He knew about it—after all, he was the one who wrote it.
However, the location had slightly shifted, altered by the changes in the story itself.
"Let's move this to the right; it's blocking our way."
Hastora created a chain of darkness and wrapped it around the boulder.
He pulled, using all his strength.
"Hey! What are you looking at? Help me, quickly!" Hastora glared at Elyshara.
"... "
"Hurry up! Help me, damn it!"
"...Okay, but don't yell."
Hastora sighed. "Fine. Now help."
"Alright."
Elyshara focused her mana on her muscles and helped Hastora move the boulder.
Their efforts paid off; after more than five minutes, they shifted the boulder.
The Arcanum Pool was revealed.
Hastora quickly approached it.
"I'll drain this later. Now, I want to..."
The only thing Hastora thought about upon seeing the pool was bathing in it.
Bathing in the Arcanum Pool increased magical energy and strength.
Curses also didn't affect those who bathed in it.
He couldn't resist jumping in.
But there was a problem...
Elyshara.
She was here.
Bathing alone required nudity.
He couldn't do that with a beautiful woman present.
Hastora turned.
"Elyshara, could you turn around?"
He added, "I need to do something important, and you can't see it."
Elyshara's eyes widened; her curiosity was piqued.
"What are you going to do?"
"I need to bathe; you can't watch."
Elyshara tilted her head.
"Why should I leave? Bathe if you want; I won't bother you."
"...It's not that simple, I..."
Hastora closed his eyes briefly, then glared.
"Hoping to sneak a look at my body? Keep dreaming. You're not seeing me naked. Turn around before I gouge out your eyes."
Hastora began undressing.
Elyshara's cheeks flushed; she turned, crimson-faced.
"No peeking! One glance and I swear you'll regret it. "
Hastora warned.
Elyshara nodded, clutching her thumb.
Hastora stripped naked and entered the pool.
He felt immense power coursing through him.
His mind sharpened, his vision clearer.
This was the effect of enhanced magical energy.
He'd never felt this strong.
His hands throbbed with energy.
With this power, he could easily defeat Elyshara with one blow.
Hastora glanced at Elyshara.
His mind urged him to attack, but his body resisted.
He wanted to test his strength.
His curiosity surged.
"Elyshara," he called.
"W-What?"
Elyshara replied without turning.
She seemed to be heeding his warning.
"Will you spar with me?"
Elyshara's eyes widened; unknowingly, she turned and accidentally saw Hastora's naked body.
Her body froze, her face tomato-red. She stammered, turning back.
"S-sorry, I didn't mean to. W-why do you want to fight me?"
Hastora remained calm.
He didn't react to a beautiful woman seeing him naked.
With a flat expression, he explained.
"I want to test my strength. You're the perfect opponent."
He exited the pool and dressed.
"You can turn around now."
Elyshara turned.
Her face was still flushed; she seemed to be replaying the incident.
"So... um... I—"
She gathered her courage.
"I'm sorry for accidentally seeing you naked! Y-your body's actually... pretty great. N-not bad at all!"
She calmed down after saying that.
"...?"
Hastora stared in surprise.
His eyes narrowed.
"I'm not discussing that. Forget it, you pervert."
He created a dark sword and drew it.
"Let's begin. Don't hold back, okay?"
To be continued in the next chapter…