Arav carefully stepped through the thick grass of the dense jungle. The sun was slowly dipping lower, painting the sky in shades of red and orange. The shadows of the jungle grew longer, as if each tree was stretching its fingers toward him.
The cold feeling of the black book still lingered in his hand. Every time his eyes fell on it, a strange pressure pressed against his heart. As if the book was alive.
But now, he had no time to stop. He slipped the book into his inventory and walked straight ahead.
After a long walk, when only a sliver of sun remained in the sky, Arav spotted a tower-like structure in the distance. He squinted—yes, it was a village watchtower.
His heart quickened. "Finally… someone will be there who can understand me."
As he neared the village, he saw small houses built of cobblestone and wood. Villagers were hurrying into their homes, fearing the night. Their faces were blocky and simple, but there was a strange rhythm in their movements. Each villager made the typical "Hmmm…" sound.
Arav ran up to one of them and said, "Hey! I need to talk to you. I need help!"
The villager only looked at him, said "Hmmm," and shut the door.
Arav pleaded, "Wait, please!" But night had already fallen, and all the villagers hid inside their homes.
---
As Arav moved further, he saw a larger house lined with bookshelves—this was the librarian's house.
The door was half-open. Inside, an old villager sat, his long white beard hanging below his blocky face. He was deeply engrossed in a large book.
Arav, trying to steady his heartbeat, stepped inside.
"Hello… I need your help."
The librarian lifted his pale eyes and stared at Arav.
"Hmmm… you are new here," he said in a deep voice. "There is fear in your eyes, and also a question."
Arav nervously replied, "I… I found this."
He pulled the black book from his inventory and placed it before the librarian.
The moment the book hit the table, the librarian's eyes widened. He immediately covered it with his hands, as if a grave mistake had been made.
"You… where did you find this?!" he asked, trembling.
Arav quickly explained—about the cave, the glowing symbols, the chest, and the whisper.
The librarian took a deep breath. "I never thought an outsider… would stumble upon this so soon."
---
The librarian opened the book. Its pages were old and worn, but the words written inside still glowed faintly.
He read slowly:
"Herobrine… the one who was erased from the code. The one who lingers between blocks, unseen yet watching."
Arav anxiously asked, "Who is Herobrine?"
The librarian's voice grew heavy.
"Herobrine is an ancient shadow. They say he was once a miner, a builder—just like you. But he tried to break the rules of this world. He dared to alter the game's code. And the system erased him… or at least, that is what everyone believes."
Arav shivered. "But… he's still here, isn't he? I saw his eyes."
The librarian fell silent. He closed the book and opened a small drawer. Inside was an old map.
"What you saw… was a sign," the librarian said. "This world is not safe. Herobrine is trying to reclaim his Lost Code. If he gathers it all… this world will end."
Arav's breath stopped. He clutched his head.
"Then… what do I have to do?"
---
The librarian placed the map in Arav's hands.
"This map is incomplete. The fragments of the Lost Code are hidden across different parts of the world—deep caves, beneath the ocean, within the fires of the Nether. If you truly wish to save this world… you must find these fragments and destroy them."
Arav stared at the map. Only a few places were marked, the rest was blank. Yet in his heart, a strange strength awakened.
"I… I'll do it," he said.
The librarian's eyes softened.
"You are different, Arav. Perhaps you are this world's last hope."
Outside, the groans of zombies echoed—"Uhhhhh…" Skeleton arrows clattered against the door. The night was deepening.
The librarian spoke softly, "You must stay here tonight. Tomorrow morning, your real journey will begin."
Arav placed his pickaxe on the table and looked straight at the librarian.
"Then from tomorrow… I'll begin the search for the Lost Code."
—
To be continued…