A Bug In Fate

Sunlight streamed through the window, falling across Alden’s face.

His eyelids twitched before slowly fluttering open.

For a brief moment, he simply lay there, staring at the unfamiliar ceiling.

Then yesterday’s events came rushing back.

"...Right."

He had arrived in the city.

Turning toward the window, Alden watched the bustling streets below. Merchants were already opening their shops, food stalls filled the air with tempting aromas, and children ran through the streets with carefree smiles.

The city had awakened long before he had.

After washing up and changing into his new clothes, Alden headed downstairs.

The inn was much livelier than it had been the previous night.

Several customers were enjoying breakfast while chatting amongst themselves.

Behind the counter, the same young woman from yesterday was busy sorting through stacks of paperwork.

After finishing his breakfast, Alden walked over.

"Morning."

Mary looked up and smiled politely.

"Good morning."

"You seem pretty busy."

Alden glanced at the pile of papers scattered across the counter.

"You can call me Mary. Everyone else does."

She smiled before letting out a small sigh.

"And yes... the city tournament is only two months away. Things are always hectic around this time."

Alden blinked.

A tournament?

He had only arrived in the city yesterday, yet it sounded as though something important was about to happen.

Curiosity immediately got the better of him.

"What kind of tournament is it?"

"...Huh?"

Mary looked at him in surprise.

"...Huh?"

Alden answered instinctively.

An awkward silence settled between them.

Mary stared at him as though she couldn’t believe what she had just heard.

Alden scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

"It’s my first time visiting this city."

"...Ah."

Understanding dawned on Mary’s face.

"You must be from a remote village. That would explain it."

"Uh... you could say that."

Alden nodded with an awkward smile.

"So... what’s the tournament about?"

Mary glanced at the paperwork in front of her before answering.

"I’m a little busy, so I’ll keep it short."

"It’s a tournament held by the city every year. Its purpose is to discover talented cultivators and give them opportunities. Of course, the winners also receive generous rewards from the organizers."

Alden nodded thoughtfully.

A tournament open to every young cultivator in the city...

As someone who liked to think of himself as a genius, he couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like.

"Are there any restrictions?"

he asked.

Mary finished writing a few lines before replying.

"Yes. Only cultivators under the age of eighteen are allowed to participate. Apart from that, there are no restrictions. It doesn’t matter whether you’re rich or poor, or what cultivation realm you’ve reached. Anyone who meets the age requirement can enter."

She smiled faintly.

"After all, everyone wants a chance to make a name for themselves."

"I see."

Alden nodded.

The last traces of sleepiness had completely disappeared from his face.

"Anything else?"

Mary asked while continuing her paperwork.

Alden was about to shake his head before another thought crossed his mind.

"Actually... yes. Is there a library somewhere in the city?"

Mary looked up.

"There is. Follow this road straight ahead until you see the largest building in the district. Turn left there, and you’ll find the city library. There’s a sign outside, so you won’t miss it."

"Thank you."

Alden smiled.

"I won’t keep you any longer."

With that, he turned around and walked toward the exit.

The moment he stepped outside, the lively sounds of the city greeted him once again.

---

The sun had already risen above the horizon, while the twin moons lingered high in the sky, their pale glow fading beneath the morning light.

Alden followed the bustling streets toward the library.

He had barely walked a few dozen steps when a rich aroma drifted into his nose.

His feet kept moving...

Just in a different direction.

A few moments later, he found himself standing before a small food stall where an elderly woman was stirring a steaming pot of soup. The fragrant broth bubbled gently as fresh herbs floated across its surface.

"One bowl, please."

After paying ten silver coins, Alden quietly enjoyed his breakfast before returning to the main road.

Following Mary’s directions, he continued straight ahead.

Before long, a massive building rose into view.

"So that’s the landmark she mentioned..."

Without stopping, Alden turned left.

A short walk later, another building came into sight.

Unlike the bustling shops surrounding it, this one stood in complete silence. It was three stories tall, built from smooth white stone that had weathered the passage of countless years. Tall arched windows lined its walls, allowing warm sunlight to spill inside. Above the entrance hung a large wooden sign with elegant golden letters carved into it.

City Library.

There were no flashy decorations or extravagant sculptures.

Yet the building carried a quiet dignity, as though knowledge itself had settled within its walls.

Alden stood there for a few moments before climbing the stone steps.

Pushing open the heavy wooden doors, he stepped inside.

A cool, faintly woody scent greeted him.

Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched across the spacious hall, each packed with countless books. Soft whispers drifted through the air as readers quietly discussed something only their companions could hear.

Most people wore ordinary clothes, but a handful were dressed in long scholar-like robes, their attention completely absorbed by the books in their hands.

Alden slowly looked around.

To him...

It felt like stepping into an entirely different world.

His gaze eventually landed on the reception desk.

Behind it sat an elderly man with a long white beard, leisurely reading a thick book as though nothing else in the world mattered.

A hidden expert...

The thought immediately flashed through Alden’s mind.

I’ve read enough novels to know how this works.

The old man in the library is never ordinary.

Deciding he wasn’t interested in receiving a painful lesson in humility, Alden quietly walked toward the reception desk with his best-behaved expression.

"Hello."

Alden spoke softly, careful not to disturb the peaceful silence that filled the library.

The old man looked up, his calm eyes briefly sweeping over Alden before returning to the book in his hands.

"One gold coin. Three hours."

Alden blinked.

That’s expensive...

Even so, he didn’t complain. Knowledge was often worth far more than money.

He placed a gold coin on the counter and quietly walked away without disturbing the old man any further.

Rows of bookshelves stretched before him, each labeled according to its contents. His eyes wandered over countless titles. Some immediately caught his interest, but he resisted the temptation.

Later.

Right now, he needed to understand the world he had been thrown into.

After passing two shelves, he finally reached the history section.

His fingers skimmed across the worn spines until one title caught his eye.

"The WORLD of UMBERSOUL"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!