Lucas gripped the steering wheel of his off-road vehicle, eyes fixed on the road ahead as he journeyed northward alone. In a world teeming with opportunities to amass power—especially those intertwined with Leon—he was determined not to miss a single one. His current destination: the Blackbell Forest.
After over thirty minutes of driving, Lucas arrived at a small settlement—Ironridge Village, nestled on the outskirts of Blackbell Forest. It was the closest point along his predetermined route.
Stepping out of the vehicle, Lucas's gaze swept the surroundings. A group of individuals clad in uniform caught his attention—they were unmistakably members of an Order.
Unlike his previous world, where Orders were closely tied to religious institutions, here, Orders were organized entities—akin to sects but far more systematic. Each Order had its own disciples, masters, and grand leaders. Most developed and passed down unique techniques and magic, making them highly sought after by power seekers.
The Englandia Empire was home to many renowned Orders. Among the most prominent were the Dark Moon Order, Eclipse Legion, Vermillion, Creed Mountain, and others with storied histories across the continent.
Lucas recalled a crucial detail: the Drakebane family had longstanding affiliations with the Golden Sun Order.
The individuals before him, judging by the symbols on their attire, were undoubtedly from the Creed Mountain Order.
He approached one of them—a long-haired man seemingly instructing a group of young disciples.
"Excuse me," he greeted.
The man turned, his gaze assessing.
"Can I help you?" he inquired, calm yet cautious.
"This place seems quite busy tonight. Is there something going on?" Lucas asked directly.
The man glanced around before nodding slightly. "We have business in Blackbell Forest. Internal activities. Who are you?"
Lucas offered a faint smile. "I'm nobody. Just a traveler looking to camp. But seeing this activity, I thought it wise to ask before venturing in."
Lucas's courteous demeanor caused the man to relax slightly. "A wise move. If you entered unannounced, our disciples might perceive you as a threat. And the consequences wouldn't be pleasant."
Lucas nodded. "Thank you for the warning. I hope your night proceeds smoothly."
Without awaiting a response, he turned and walked away.
Of course, he had no intention of heeding the warning. He merely wanted to ensure everything was proceeding as it should—as outlined in the original plot.
He slipped beside a house situated in the village's darkest corner, then turned his gaze toward the expansive forest.
Without hesitation, he leaped high into the air, employing an aerial jump technique that propelled him swiftly through the night sky.
Soon, the settlement vanished beneath the canopy of trees. Below, the endless green stretched out like a silent wave.
He reduced his speed upon spotting a small clearing amidst the dense forest. Lucas landed smoothly on the ground—right among towering trees.
He paused briefly, surveying his surroundings. Quiet. Still.
Lucas realized—he lacked a map. However, he had direction. Faint clues from his memory of the original story.
"It's time," he murmured softly.
Step by step, he ventured deeper into the forest. The sounds of nocturnal creatures and the rustling wind were his only companions.
Before long, he stood before a large stone engraved with the words: Blackbell Forest.
He hadn't truly entered the forest yet. But from this point onward, everything would change.
Lucas stood motionless, staring at the stone. His fingers touched its surface, his expression unreadable.
"Once I step in... it means I'm truly challenging the protagonist."
But before he could take his first step, a voice halted him.
Someone stood beside the large stone. An elderly man with a sturdy build and a beard. He gazed at Lucas with piercing eyes, as if trying to read his mind.
"You shouldn't enter this forest, young man," he stated flatly.
Lucas narrowed his eyes. He hadn't expected to be discovered so quickly. Had he landed too close?
"This place isn't a territory you can enter at will, there's some..." the old man's words suddenly trailed off. His gaze shifted as he looked more closely at Lucas's face, stroking his beard. "I feel like I've seen you before. What's your name?"
"Lucas Drakebane," he replied without hesitation.
"Lucas... Drakebane?" The old man repeated, his brow furrowing. The name sounded familiar—too familiar.
Moments later, his eyes widened in realization.
"Could it be... you're that Lucas? Son of Arthur Drakebane?"
Lucas gave a slight nod. "That's me."
The old man fell silent. Anyone acquainted with the Drakebane name knew one thing: they were not to be underestimated.
A sudden smile spread across the old man's face.
"Haha! If Young Master Lucas wishes to enter this forest, it's certainly no problem! Disregard my earlier words," he quickly said.
Lucas responded with a small smile. "To be honest, I spoke with someone earlier who mentioned this forest was reserved by the Creed Mountain Order. But I have personal matters that can't be delayed here."
The old man nodded slowly. "I won't lie. I'm from the Creed Mountain Order. My duty is to guard the forest's boundary. But for you, Young Master Lucas... I have no objections."
A thin smile formed on Lucas's face. "Then accompany me into this forest," he said.
"Me?" The old man was momentarily stunned, both eyebrows raised.
His gaze briefly shifted to the darkness of the forest behind Lucas. His duty was clear: guard the border. But...
This was a rare opportunity—to connect directly with the Drakebane family.
At this moment, he knew exactly what choice to make.
"Very well. I will accompany you, Young Master," he said, this time with a deeper smile—a smile of a man aware of the value of social investment.
"Good," Lucas nodded, then without further delay, stepped into the forest. The old man followed silently, his steps steady despite his racing thoughts.
---
The forest was wild. No paths, no boundaries. It was as if every trace of human presence had been swallowed whole by nature.
Weeds grew fast and thick, devouring any trail that might've once existed. But on some of the older trees, small pieces of cloth were tied in patterns—faint traces left behind by previous adventurers.
Lucas narrowed his eyes, scanning the surroundings.
"By the way, what's your name?" he asked calmly, without turning around.
"Bennet Quinn. I'm one of the Elders from the Creed Mountain Order," the man replied, still walking behind him.
Lucas abruptly stopped and turned to face him. "Elder?"
Bennet gave a thin smile. "Yes."
Lucas shook his head and kept walking. But his mind didn't rest.
In the original story, the protagonist—Leon—encountered an Elder from the Creed Mountain Sect while in Blackbell Forest. That Elder granted him access to a rare technique and vital clues. But the man behind him now…
Lucas glanced sideways. Silently, he evaluated the man: Bennet seemed more like an ambitious bootlicker than a wise master worth emulating.
---
The sky was darkening. Shadows of trees danced above their heads, and the path ahead was nearly invisible.
Thankfully, Bennet raised his hand and summoned a small flame—a hovering ball of light bright enough to guide their steps without setting the leaves ablaze.
Still, they were forced to stop when a massive cliff loomed ahead—tens of meters tall, towering like a colossal wall dividing two worlds.
"A dead end?" Lucas frowned. "There should be a lake around here…"
In the original plot, Leon had found a lake near a tall cliff—this had to be it. But the narrative never explained how. Leon just… found it.
Lucas stared at the rock wall, stepping closer.
"Young Master Lucas," Bennet said, squinting at the cliff. "Looks like this path is blocked. Perhaps the treasure you seek lies elsewhere. Do you have a map?"
"No," Lucas answered flatly. "But I know this is the place."
Bennet gave a slow nod, trying to remain polite. "Think again, Young Master. Not every secret can be found by instinct alone. Blackbell Forest holds many mysteries… but not all of them can be claimed."
Lucas didn't respond. He placed his palm against the cliff's surface.
Strange.
This rock… didn't feel like ordinary stone. There was emptiness behind the surface. Like a wall waiting to be opened.
An idea sparked in his mind.
"Elder Bennet," he said, turning to him. "Hit this spot. As hard as you can."
Bennet raised an eyebrow. "Hit it? You mean now?"
Lucas nodded. "Yes. With everything you've got."
Bennet sighed, then steadied his stance. Energy gathered in his right hand, radiating heat as it built into a powerful aura. He clenched his fist—and slammed it into the cliff face.
BOOM!
The impact left a massive spiderweb of cracks. Dust rained down, and the sound echoed deep into the forest.
But… the cliff stood unmoved. Unshaken.
Bennet stared at the result of his strike, his face clouded with disbelief and confusion. With his Spirit Realm strength, he could shatter a mountain. But this?
Lucas said nothing. He examined the rock again. Then his eyes caught something.
At the far right corner of the cliff, hidden behind tangled roots and dense shrubs… was a crack. Large enough for a person to pass through.
A slow smile crept across his face.
"I found it," Lucas murmured, his gaze sharp with certainty.