Ethan's preparations began with a list, carefully divided into four main categories. He wanted to be meticulous—if the system was serious about throwing him into some historical era, then the difference between life and death could come down to how well he planned ahead.
First on the list: tools.
Transportation was the very first problem that came to mind. Treasure hunting was bound to involve travel, and without a way to move quickly, he'd waste precious time. His solution was simple: he went to a dealership and purchased a small folding electric bike. It was light, compact, and powerful enough to get him around quickly. To make sure he didn't get stranded, he bought six spare lithium batteries. Folded neatly, the bike and batteries slipped into his system's storage space with ease.
Satisfied, he turned his focus to outdoor gear. The unknown was dangerous, and he had no idea if he'd have access to shelter once he crossed. A small tent, collapsible shovel, lightweight lanterns, ropes, and multipurpose tools filled his cart. Every item he chose was foldable, light, or compact—anything bulky would be wasted space.
Second on the list: weapons.
Ethan knew he wouldn't be able to get his hands on firearms, but that didn't mean he'd go unarmed. With some connections and a bit of persistence, he managed to gather plenty of alternatives. Pepper spray, stun batons, extendable sticks, a pair of nunchucks, even a few heavy-duty knives. Anything that might buy him time or protection made the cut. He laughed to himself while testing the weight of the nunchucks, remembering the "Nunchuck Practical Course" sitting safely on his shelf. Guess it's time to put that to use.
Third on the list: trade and influence items.
Even though the system had made it clear that he couldn't smuggle treasures back from the past unless they were system-approved, Ethan still saw the value in carrying modern goods. Flashlights, disposable lighters, instant cameras, batteries, basic medicine, bandages, painkillers, water purifiers, canned food, protein bars, and even cosmetics. He even picked up a couple boxes of… ahem… "precautionary measures" in case he found himself in an unpredictable situation involving romance.
The more he bought, the more secure he felt. But Ethan wasn't finished. He stopped at a bookstore, downloading hundreds of historical texts onto his phone, as well as collections of poetry. If the past valued scholars and poets, maybe he could bluff his way into favor. The Obsidian Writing Slate he'd earned earlier could come in handy too—it would make him look like a serious scholar if needed.
Fourth on the list: clothing.
As he was passing a clothing shop, another thought struck him. What if I arrive dressed like this? Jeans and a hoodie aren't exactly timeless. If he stood out too much, it could put him at risk before he even got started. So, he stopped by a store that specialized in theatrical costumes and rented a large selection of old-style outfits. Robes, tunics, cloaks, boots—enough to blend in across a range of centuries. He stuffed the entire bundle into his storage, barely managing to squeeze it all in.
When he finally stepped back and looked at what he'd gathered, Ethan felt a wave of pride. Alright. That's everything. Now I'm ready. The only thing missing is the green light to cross.
Back at the internet café, Ethan locked the doors and sat down to think. If he was going to make his first real jump, he needed to decide when.
After careful thought, he chose midnight. The cover of darkness would help him remain unseen if he appeared somewhere exposed. Plus, the stillness of night would give him space to get his bearings.
"Alright then," he muttered to himself. "Nap first, jump later."
At 2 a.m., Ethan slipped quietly into the small storage hut at the back of the café. The system had explained that he would always return to the exact spot he left from, so the hut felt like the safest anchor point.
He dressed with deliberate care. Lightweight armor underneath, a plain long-sleeved tunic from his costume bundle over top. Just in case, he pulled a motorcycle helmet over his head. The mismatched outfit would have made Chloe howl with laughter if she'd seen it.
His storage space was packed tight, but paranoia got the better of him. He grabbed an extra backpack, stuffed it full of food, and slung it across his shoulders. The straps cut into his arms under the weight, but he told himself it was worth it.
By now, his heart was hammering so hard it echoed in his ears. Time travel—something he'd thought of as a fantasy—was suddenly at his fingertips.
He summoned the system's interface, scrolled to "Current Task," read through the mission requirements one last time, and pressed Accept.
The screen dissolved. A flat, matter-of-fact voice echoed in his head:
"Congratulations. A new round of missions has begun. The treasure hunting space of the historical plane is initializing. You will be sent to a random time before the year 2000. Please complete the mission within the specified timeframe."
The voice paused, then added:
"Reminder: You have chosen mission mode. Once you enter, you cannot return until the mission is completed. Space selection cannot be reactivated midway."
Another pause.
"Note: During traversal, you may experience discomfort including dizziness, tinnitus, or stomach spasms. These are temporary. No permanent harm will occur. Beginning transfer. Good luck."
Ethan's throat went dry. For weeks, he'd thought of time travel as exciting, even glamorous. But now, with the system's cold announcement ringing in his skull, reality hit. This wasn't playacting. This wasn't a game.
It was too late to turn back.
The world shattered around him.
A deafening roar filled his ears, like standing beneath the engines of a space shuttle. Wind slammed into his body, pulling at his arms and legs, squeezing his chest until he thought his ribs would crack. His skin prickled with static, his vision went white, and though his mouth opened to scream, no sound came out.
Four, maybe five seconds—that was all. But it felt like forever.
Then it ended.
Ethan collapsed onto muddy ground, stomach convulsing. He ripped off his helmet and vomited violently. Every symptom the system had warned about hit him at once—dizziness, ringing in his ears, the crushing weight of disorientation. He stayed on his knees, panting, sweat dripping down his face, waiting for his body to calm.
Finally, he dragged himself upright.
"God… damn," he whispered hoarsely. "That was brutal."
His clothes were smeared with mud, rotten leaves clinging to the fabric. The stench of decay filled the air, sharp and sour, burning in his nostrils. He gagged and fumbled for the flashlight clipped to his belt.
The beam cut through the darkness, and what it revealed made his breath hitch.
All around him stretched towering trees, trunks as thick as pillars, branches stretching so high they vanished into the black sky. Dense shadows crowded between them, broken only by the faint glow of his light. The air buzzed with the sound of insects, the distant calls of unseen animals.
He turned in a slow circle, the realization settling over him.
A forest. A massive, untouched forest.
His mind flashed back to the system's words: "a relatively safe place, not too far from people, not too exposed." He clenched his fists.
"This is your idea of safe?" he muttered bitterly.
He tried checking the system for more details, but it offered no additional information. No map, no hint of the year, not even a vague suggestion of where he'd landed.
"What a mess," Ethan groaned, shoving the flashlight back into his pocket. "Not even a clue? You've got to be kidding me."
Mud squelched under his boots as he shifted his weight. His tunic clung damply to his skin, sticky with swampy residue. The foul air pressed in, thick and heavy, making it hard to breathe.
He sighed, rubbing mud from his hands onto his thighs. "Great start. Just perfect."
He looked up at the looming trees once more. Somewhere out there, beyond the dark forest, was his mission. Somewhere out there, treasure awaited.
But for now, all he had was mud, shadows, and questions.
(End of Chapter 12)