Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

Chapter 5: Forest Hunting:- Hunter's Haven

"Fuuu…how refreshing!"

It's 5 in the morning, so there aren't that many people who should be out.

Stretching my arms, I headed towards the Garage. Dad already closed the door, and I'm still in the yard of our house.

You see, my dad, when he was young, had a bike. So, when I turned 16, he gifted me his old one. I know that it's old, but who cares? This world of technology is way past 'old earth.'

Anyway, I opened the garage.

*Shuuua-*

There are two things I found. One is a Bike and two supercars; they are probably my parents.

As I told earlier, I may be the author, but I did not create everything, and one of those things is this bike.

**Celestial Thunderbolt XT-700.**

The Celestial Thunderbolt XT-700 is an exceptional superbike that seamlessly combines advanced technology with stunning design. The bike's matte-black finish is highlighted by luminous blue accents, and its name is elegantly displayed on the fuel tank.

The bike's frame was a symphony of curves and angles, forged from a blend of lightweight alloys that offered both strength and agility. Its matte-black finish was accented by luminous streaks of blue, reminiscent of lightning dancing across the night sky. The bike's name, "Celestial Thunderbolt," was emblazoned on the fuel tank in elegant silver script.

This is one of the coolest bikes I have seen in my entire life, but here Etheria is the second-cheapest one. A fun fact is that you can turn this bike into a briefcase so I can carry it around.

As I straddled the bike, feeling the hum of its fusion engine beneath me, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement and gratitude.

As I revved the engine, the bike responded with a satisfying purr, eager to explore the open road. And as the wind swept through my hair and the horizon stretched ahead.

With a deep breath, I turned my attention to the holographic display on my helmet visor, my voice resonating with a calm command.

"Aurelia, mark the mountain forest hunting area at the end of the city."

The AI assistant, Aurelia, responded with a soothing tone. [Marking location, Lucas. Engaging autopilot mode.]

As the bike's engine hummed to life, a series of blue holographic lines appeared in my visor, outlining the path that would take me to the designated hunting area. I felt a sense of anticipation building within me as I let go of the handlebars, allowing the bike to take control.

In a matter of seconds, the surroundings blurred as the bike accelerated, weaving through traffic with a precision that only advanced technology could achieve.

The wind rushed past me, and the cityscape transformed into a blur of light enclosures. The holographic path in my visor guided me flawlessly, adjusting to traffic patterns in real-time.

Just twenty minutes later, the urban landscape gave way to the outskirts of the city, and the lush expanse of the mountain forest stretched before me.

As I approached the entrance to the hunting area, I brought the bike to a graceful halt.

The guards stationed at the entrance glanced at me with a mix of curiosity and acknowledgment that their expert hat sessions were a reflection of their duty to uphold safety and regulation.

I dismounted the bike and approached the guards, a polite nod exchanged between us.

"Guard fees, please," one of them requested, holding out a small device.

I swiped my identification card, the device emitting a soft beep as the transaction was completed. With a nod of appreciation, I received a temporary pass and a holographic map that displayed the designated hunting zones within the forest.

Glancing at the guards, who had returned to their posts, I stepped away and moved into the forest, feeling goosebumps run down my skin as the shadows of the trees enveloped me.

The air was thick with a sense of mystery, and the distant sounds of rustling leaves and distant calls of wildlife.

With every step, the forest seemed to close in around me, the trees forming a natural canopy overhead. My heart beat with a mixture of excitement and curiosity as I followed the holographic map's guidance, maneuvering through the underbrush and over fallen logs.

The Luminar pieces are hidden in this mountain somewhere because it's still hidden from people, so even AI Aurelia could not find them, so I deactivate her.

But before I search for Luminar pieces, I must see my strength with my own eyes. This forest only has G-F rank monsters, but even so, I could die. Hell, this will be the first time I will hold a sword. I hope Lucas's body has memorized his body movement.

---

Amidst the tranquil embrace of the forest, I unclasped my daimancail bracelet, my fingers deftly retrieving the sword concealed within. The blade glinted in the dappled sunlight, the metal cool against my skin as I held it in my hand. It was a simple weapon, an F-rank sword—a mere reflection of my novice status in the realm of combat.

As I stood alone amid nature's splendor, I seized the opportunity to scrutinize my Status window. My eyes moved over the intricate interface, a web of statistics, skills, and attributes that defined my existence in this new world. With a purposeful tap, I navigated to the section that displayed my proficiency with the sword, my newly acquired skill—Swordsmanship level 2.

Gripping the hilt of the sword, I took a steadying breath, steeling myself for the task ahead. A mixture of excitement and apprehension surged within me as I raised the blade, my movements cautious. The reality of my situation was clear: I was far from the seasoned protagonist of the story, possessing neither his prowess nor his innate talents. I was Lucas DarkHeart—an extra.

With a silent reminder to tread carefully, I began to test my swordsmanship.

The blade cut through the air with a muted swish, my form awkward and hesitant. It was humbling, to say the least.

I watched as the blade moved through its motions, my strikes lacking the grace and fluidity that I had envisioned.

Each movement felt crude, every swing unrefined, and my coordination with the sword seemed almost comically off-kilter.

The sound of metal meeting air was accompanied by a hint of frustration that simmered beneath my determination.

The disparity between my abilities and those of the protagonist was glaring—a stark reminder of my limitations.

My mouth curved into a wry smile as I muttered to myself, "Wow, I'm really slow!"

It was true. The gap in power, technique, and experience was a chasm that I could scarcely fathom bridging.

The protagonist had honed his skills through countless battles and training sessions, while I was an interloper—fumbling, struggling to keep up.

My strikes were awkward, each movement seemingly at odds with the finesse and grace of a true swordsman.

It was as if I were a child mimicking the gestures of a cartoon character, a mismatched display of effort.

Despite my ineptitude, there was a glimmer of effectiveness in my motions, a testament to the Swordsmanship level 2 skill that I had acquired.

But the truth couldn't be ignored. I was an outsider in this body, an alien consciousness navigating uncharted territory.

My struggle with Swordsmanship level 2 was a stark indication that the skills and memories of the protagonist did not naturally translate to my physical form.

I was an embodiment of potential, but my path to realizing that potential was fraught with obstacles.

A wistful sigh escaped my lips as I continued my clumsy practice.

As I continued to practice, each clumsy swing of the sword was a step towards a future where I could wield it with true skill.

Just like that 4 hours passed, and I was on flat surfaces of the forest gasping for breath.

"Huua- now hahaha- I can finally begin the search for Luminar crystal pieces."