Welcome to the Innocent World - Chapter 95

Chapter 95: The Hunt Begins

The sun blazed high in the sky, casting golden rays over the sprawling college grounds. Students gathered in the central arena, their excited noises filling the air.

The Treasure Hunt—a tradition passed down for generations—was about to begin, and it was bigger than ever.

The event was hosted by the Archeological Studies Department, a fitting role to their field of expertise. Professors and students alike had spent months preparing for it, and their hard work showed in the grand stage, maps, and the energy rippling through the sudents.

I stood with my group, my arms crossed, my mind sharp and focused. I have to win this, I thought, my curiosity regarding that stone roaring to life. The treasure chest would be ours. No matter what.

“Welcome to this year’s Treasure Hunt!” boomed Professor Gerald, the head of the Archeological Studies Department, from the stage. His voice carried across the field, silencing the crowd.

“This event will test your wit, teamwork, and endurance. There are riddles to solve, challenges to overcome, and a final treasure to uncover. It will not be easy, but for those who prevail—” He paused for effect, his smile widening. “—Big prizes and consolation awaits!”

Cheers erupted around us. Claire punched the air with a fist. “Yes! I’ve been waiting all year for this!” she said, her face glowing with enthusiasm.

Natasha stood beside her, her hands clasped nervously in front of her, her gaze darting around the field. “This is… really big,” she muttered under her breath.

“Relax,” Maya said, her tone cool and composed as always. “It’s just a game. Stick together, and we’ll be fine.”

Zayn adjusted his glasses, a slight frown on his face. “Easy for you to say. Some of us aren’t exactly athletic.”

“Don’t worry,” I said, smirking as I clapped him on the back. “We’ve got brains and brawn. We’ll crush it.”

Professor Gerald raised his hand, silencing the disturbing voices. “Here’s how it works: You’ll be divided into groups of five. Each group will receive a map and the first riddle. Solve it, and it will lead you to the next clue. There are twists, traps, and detours, so choose wisely. The final clue will lead you to the treasure, buried somewhere on campus.”

He gestured to a table behind him, where stacks of aged maps and rolled parchment lay. “The treasure is locked in a chest. The key is hidden within the challenges. Only the most determined group will succeed. Are you ready?”

“HELLL YEAHHH!!!”

The crowd roared in response.

“All right,” Gerald continued, “find your groups and collect your materials!”

We gathered in a tight circle, exchanging nods of encouragement. I could feel the energy buzzing through our group—Claire brimming with excitement, Natasha looking everywhere but at me, Zayn nervously fidgeting with his map, and Maya standing like a pillar of calm amidst the chaos.

“Let’s get this done,” I said, taking the lead as we approached the table.

The assistant handed me a map and a parchment with the first riddle. “Good luck,” she said with a knowing smile.

We huddled together, unrolling the map and reading the riddle aloud.

“I mark the start of every race,

But in my place, you’ll find no face.

Where am I?”

Claire tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Start of every race… It could be the starting line!”

“But it says there’s no face,” Natasha pointed out, biting her lip.

“It could mean a statue or something,” Zayn offered. “Something that represents a start.”

“No,” Maya interjected. “It’s the flagpole. At every race, the flag signals the beginning. And there’s no face on a flagpole.”

I grinned. “Good catch. Let’s head to the flagpole.”

We jogged across the field, weaving through other groups as the race officially began. I kept glancing at the map, noting landmarks and potential shortcuts. Focus, Austin. Stay ahead.

When we reached the flagpole, a small box sat at its base, hidden in plain sight. Claire crouched down and retrieved it, revealing the next clue inside.

The challenges grew tougher as we advanced. The riddles tested our logic, the detours challenged our patience, and the physical tasks pushed us to our limits.

At one point, we found ourselves in the old library basement, searching for a specific book among thousands. Natasha’s hands trembled as she pulled a dusty tome from the shelf. “Is this it?”

“Yes!” Zayn exclaimed, flipping to the marked page where the next clue awaited.

Another challenge took us to the botanical gardens, where we had to identify a rare plant among dozens. Maya’s calm precision saved us there, her knowledge cutting through the confusion.

But the most grueling part came when we reached the maze near the sports complex. The paths twisted and turned, with dead ends and misleading signs at every corner.

“Stay close,” I warned, taking charge as we navigated the labyrinth.

Claire laughed, her voice echoing. “This is insane! I love it!”

Natasha stayed quiet, her eyes wide as she followed closely behind me. I could tell she was nervous, but there was also a determination in her step.

After what felt like hours, we reached the center of the maze, where a small pedestal held the final clue. I snatched it up, unrolling it quickly.

“Beneath the shadow of the tallest oak,

The prize you seek lies buried below.”

We exchanged glances. “The old oak tree near the amphitheater,” I said.

By the time we reached the oak. The air buzzed with tension as other groups converged, each racing to find the treasure.

“There!” Claire shouted, pointing to a freshly disturbed patch of earth near the tree’s base.

I dropped to my knees, clawing at the dirt. Natasha joined me, her hands trembling but steady as she helped dig. Zayn and Maya kept watch, while Claire bounced on her heels, urging us on.

Finally, my fingers scraped against something solid.

“Got it!” I exclaimed, pulling the chest free. It was small but ornate, its surface etched with weird patterns.

“Open it!” Claire shouted, her voice filled with excitement.

Brushing the dirt off as I inserted the key we’d earned from an earlier challenge. With a satisfying click, the lock released.

—But as soon as I lifted the lid, a blinding light burst forth, illuminating the entire area. The ground beneath us began to shake violently, sending tremors across the field.

“What the hell?!” Zayn shouted, stumbling backward.

Screams erupted around us as students scrambled for safety. Natasha clung to my arm, her eyes closed with fear.

“Austin, what’s happening?!” she cried.

“I don’t know,” I said, shielding my eyes from the light.

The chest glowed brighter, its energy pulsating like a heartbeat. And then, with a deafening roar, the ground split open beneath us, swallowing the oak tree whole.