It was already afternoon.
Alka lay on the beach, resting in the shadow of the cliff.
A short shovel was stuck in the sand beside him.
All around were various kinds of pits. These pits hadn't been dug randomly; they were all exploratory, based on the surrounding, unchanging landmarks.
Resting, Alka once again flipped through the Treasure Hunting Manual in his hand. It was full of all sorts of information and conjectures about the "Magic Treasure."
Looking at these conjectures from a modern perspective, he had to admit there was some talent there. If not for the Curse of Extraordinary Power that had caused his death, this body's original owner might truly have become a real Treasure Hunter.
Alka couldn't help but study them carefully.
These pieces of information and conjectures all indicate that when Jack died, he intentionally left clues to his treasure.
Could it be the one I just saw?
Thinking of this, Alka immediately stood up. He took a few steps back, his gaze fixed upwards as he carefully scanned the cliff face.
Sure enough, under a robust tree slanting out from the cliff, he saw a cave entrance.
Could it be there?
Never mind. If I delay any longer, it'll be dusk. I'd better go up and take a look. If that doesn't work out, I can always draw a new, more detailed map.
Alka quickly went to the tool bag beside him and pulled out a coil of thick hemp rope, along with a grappling hook.
I haven't found any treasure, but this gear certainly looks the part. An underperformer with too many tools?
Grabbing one end of the grappling hook, he looked up at the gnarled tree, which was about ten meters high and growing at an angle. He swung the grappling hook fiercely towards the tree.
Very smooth.
Although it was his first time swinging it, Alka felt the motion was very smooth.
It seems the lingering memories and physical instincts of this body have practiced this a lot.
Although the swing felt smooth, the hook unquestionably flew wide, missing the tree by at least two or three meters.
AHEM.
Well, it's the first time. Missing the mark is normal.
He walked over, picked up the grappling hook, and swung it again. After several trial-and-error attempts, he finally managed to hook the tree.
I have to admit, the strength of this Otherworld body is incredible. If my body from Earth had tried this, it definitely wouldn't have worked. Not to mention, this body belongs to a sixteen-year-old.
With the rope wrapped twice around the tree trunk, Alka gave it two hard tugs.
Very sturdy.
He went over, slung the tool bag onto his back, looped a short piece of the remaining rope around his waist, and tied a safety knot connecting it to the main climbing rope.
Working at heights requires proper safety measures.
Taking a deep breath, he gripped the rope with both hands, braced his feet against the cliff face, and slowly began to climb.
Before long, Alka reached the cave entrance. He peered inside, aided by the sunlight. Although it was dim inside, he could sense it wasn't very deep. A faint, musty odor hung in the air, a smell he recognized from exploring caves as a child.
Sitting at the edge of the cave entrance, he untied the knot around his waist and secured the rope under a nearby loose stone.
Right there at the cave entrance, Alka took out a torch from his backpack. He took out a flint and lit the torch. With the torch lit, the gloom within the cave was instantly dispelled.
He stood up and walked inside. The entrance passage, about two meters long, was somewhat narrow, but it grew wider further in. After taking only a few steps, he could vaguely see the back of the cave.
WHOA!
The torch he was holding upright trembled. Alka was so startled he couldn't help but take a step back.
In the area illuminated by the torch, a skeleton appeared.
Neither his original self from this world nor his self from Earth had ever seen such a sight. He took a deep breath, calming his emotions. Gathering his courage, he approached the skeleton. He had to find out how this person had died.
The skeleton's clothing had rotted away to tatters, and the body was in a prone position. The skeleton had a noticeable fracture around its sixth lumbar vertebra. Examining the ribs directly opposite the injury, he saw that, as expected, there were also signs of injury there, though they were much smaller than the damage to the vertebra.
Attacked from behind? A fatal blow?
Alka actually felt a sense of relief knowing it was a human killer. He had been afraid the death was caused by something inherent to the cave itself.
But on second thought, it makes sense. The Difficulty was only 'Adult,' with no special requirements. Ultimately, I just scared myself.
The immediate task was to return the Silver Coin. He fumbled in his pocket for a moment and then pulled out the Silver Coin.
CREAK! SNAP!
"HOLY SHIT!"
Alka couldn't stop himself from cursing. The torch nearly slipped from his grasp as he stumbled back several steps in fright. The sudden shock made his heart pound as if it would leap out of his throat, and a chill shot through him, as if he'd stepped into a freezer.
"Calm down! Calm down! This is fucking 'Adult' Difficulty?!"
"Are adults in this world this formidable?"
The skeleton that had been lying on the ground stood up.
In a panic, he passed the torch to his left hand, crouched down, and grabbed the Mountain-Cutting Saber from his pouch.
Wait, that's not right. he thought, immediately switching the Mountain-Cutting Saber for the short shovel. The shovel has more reach.
Alka had retreated all the way to the edge of the cave. If the skeleton charged, he would immediately slide down the rope. However, after standing up, the skeleton made no further movements, merely staring at him with its empty eye sockets.
GULP!
He swallowed hard. Alka's heavy breathing echoed throughout the cave.
The skeleton's right arm slowly rose.
"HAAH!"
Alka yelled, his body tensing, and he raised the shovel in front of him, trying to bolster his courage.
The skeleton spread its five fingers, then stopped moving. Suddenly, as if it had run out of Energy, the skeleton collapsed, its bones scattering into a pile.
The Silver Coin Alka had been holding also flew towards the pile of bones.
Instantly, Alka felt a change in his body—a sensation of greater comfort and ease. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced since he'd transmigrated. His whole body felt healthier.
Has the Curse disappeared?
A thought struck Alka, and he couldn't help but pick up the torch and walk forward again. He approached the pile of bones and poked it twice with the shovel. After confirming they were just bones, he cautiously moved closer. The pile of bones remained motionless. Still uneasy, Alka used the shovel to completely scatter the pile of bones. After confirming there was no further movement, he finally relaxed.
He couldn't resist crouching down to examine the bones carefully.
That was definitely Supernatural Power just now, wasn't it? So, this world definitely has Extraordinary Abilities. It's not just Curses that can kill you. A moment ago, Extraordinary Power manifested right before my eyes—something I could see.
Thinking of this, Alka couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement.
This is Extraordinary Power!
Just then, he noticed a Ring on the ring finger of the skeleton's left hand.
"Forgive me, no offense intended," Alka muttered, "I promise I'll give you a proper burial later."
Alka crouched down and carefully removed the Ring from the skeleton's finger bone. The Ring was tarnished black and yellow, clearly made of silver. The band was about a centimeter wide. He blew the dust off it, and it looked somewhat familiar. He examined it closely with the torch.
Tiny letters were engraved on the inner band of the Ring.
"To my beloved Lisha Monk—Sifus Laku."
Memories surged wildly through his mind.
These were his father's and mother's names.
Then this skeleton...