Chapter 27

A deer moved easily through the forest until it reached a river. Approaching gently and cautiously, the deer lowered its head towards the water to drink. However, just as it was about to take a sip, it raised its head, alerted by a sound, only to be hit by an arrow.

Groaning in pain, the deer looked towards the source of the noise, discovering a man with white hair and blue-green eyes shaped like a hawk's eye, approaching.

The man crouched down, placing his hand on the deer's head and spoke these words: "May you join the deer's paradise," before putting his knife in its throat to end its suffering.

This man?

It's me.

"The deer is becoming less and less present; it's strange." Saying these words, I surveyed the surroundings of the forest, but only silence followed. However, I could feel, thanks to my senses, a lingering gaze upon me.

"I must return to camp and join Ganon."

I took the deer to the river, extracting as much blood as possible to avoid attracting wolves. Then, I hoisted it onto my shoulders and headed back to camp.

It's been two weeks since the trial, and during these weeks, I've been carefully monitored for any potential side effects. However, nothing appeared. Instead, entirely different changes from a normal Witcher occurred.

Firstly, my eyes were supposed to be cat eyes, but instead, I had bird-like eyes, or rather, eagle eyes. These eyes allowed me to see extremely far while retaining the abilities of normal Witcher eyes. But perhaps most importantly, I could detect anomalies.

I can't explain it, but according to the experiments on my eyes, I had complete immunity to illusions. Moreover, I couldn't be blinded by a flash or blinding light. My eyes also adapted rapidly to changes in brightness and had excellent resistance to cold. For example, during a snowstorm, I would have no trouble seeing through it, and the same goes for fog.

Furthermore, my body was much stronger than a normal Witcher, faster, more robust, and my instinct reached an incredible level. I could predict exactly where danger lurked, and my memory had improved.

But the most significant change was in my magic; now, it's much more stable, though not at the master's level. I lack training in magic, but, for instance, I can create ice spikes or emit an ice aura in a small radius that freezes quickly. The most significant improvement is in teleportation. Previously, I could only teleport a few meters, but now I feel I can teleport at least 10 km from my position.

However, these powers bring about much more frequent visions. I have a hypothesis about this. Since the Elder Blood flows in my veins, I wonder if the blood has become much more concentrated. For example, before my transformation, I was at 10%, and now, I must be at 30 or 35%, and I feel that this will continue to increase over time.

Perhaps you are wondering what I am doing here. Well, I am undergoing the final trial to become an official Witcher. I need to make a contract and hunt a monster.

(I don't know all the cities in The Witcher, so it's normal that you don't recognize some cities. If anyone knows cities in The Witcher or where I can find information about these cities, I would be grateful.)

Currently, I was heading towards Port-Neuve, a coastal city attached to Temeria. Apparently, a monster was attacking fishermen, and the army didn't have time to intervene because of the war.

Speaking of the war, Triss had to return to King Foltest because tension was reaching its peak towards the Nilfgaardians, who continued their small skirmishes to harass the Northern kings.

Arriving at the camp, I saw Ganon lying on the ground, but upon seeing me, he got up and approached me, putting his head against mine. Pushing his head away with my hand, I smiled.

"Come on, Ganon, no need to be frustrated for waiting."

Ganon is a purebred Nilfgaardian horse, a beautiful black horse with a rare red mane.

Starting to skin the deer, I began to think about the next part of the plan.

"So, I have another day before reaching Port-neuve. I'll need an inn to stay for at least four days."

I checked my pouch and saw that I had 50 crowns left.

"I hope this will be enough; after that, I have deer hides to sell."

After finishing skinning the deer, I cooked the meat before eating it and going to bed.

I went to settle on Ganon, who was already sleeping. Putting my head on Ganon, I looked at the stars.

"Even though I always see the same landscape, I am always fascinated by the stars, little lights illuminating the night."

"I would have liked to listen to the music from Kaer Morhen in The Witcher 3 at that moment."

Trying to sleep with difficulty because of the terrain.

"I never would have believed that I would miss the beds of Kaer Morhen."

Then I fell asleep.

----------------------------------------------

"Next!"

After a long day of walking, I had arrived in Port-Neuve, and at the moment, I was queuing to enter the city.

Equipped with my hood, because I didn't know how I would be treated, my turn came.

"Reason for coming to Port-Neuve?"

"It's for work."

Glancing at me, the guard saw me and widened his eyes when he noticed my eyes.

"Witcher?"

"Yes."

"Are you here for the contract?"

"Indeed, do you know who I can speak to about the contract?"

"You need to talk to the commander for the contract; he's in the barracks. I hope you'll kill that monster."

"Why? Are there other victims?"

"Yes, some of our men tried to hunt the monster, but only corpses returned from that journey."

"I see."

"Witcher, welcome to Port-Neuve."

Entering the city, I could feel the changes compared to Kaer Morhen: the sounds of seagulls and the noise of passersby or traders trying to negotiate.

But first, I headed to a fur merchant to sell my deer hides.

In front of me was the merchant, dressed like someone from Ard Skellig. Seeing me, he moved towards me.

"Master Witcher, what brings you to my shop?"

"I have deer hides to sell."

Examining my hides with a kind of monocle, he spoke.

"I usually buy them for 5 crowns, but I'll give you 8 crowns for a good friendship."

"Thank you. Also, do you have any information about the monster?"

The merchant signaled to an employee to take the hides before looking at me again and sighing. Removing his monocle, he looked at me.

"Actually, it's only rumors, but they say this monster is gigantic and attacks both merchants and fishermen. Many avoid leaving the city, which is ruining us traders because fewer people come, and especially, food is starting to run out. Fishing has been stopped by the guards to avoid deaths, and hunting and harvesting are too little for the population in the city, considering we were a city exclusively relying on fishing for food."

"I see. Do you have an inn to recommend?"

"Yes, the Wolf-Shark Inn is a very good inn."

"Thank you."

I moved towards the inn, but the merchant stopped me.

"Master Witcher, I hope you'll kill that monster, or many will die of starvation."

"I will do what is necessary."

Then I continued to walk towards the inn. It wasn't that I was insensitive, but rule number 1 according to Geralt: never promise and remain neutral in our statements.

Arriving at the inn, which had a sign with the body of a wolf, but instead of fur, it had scales, and the head was shaped like a wolf, but the teeth were like a shark's.

"Funny sign."

Leaving Ganon in the stable, I entered the inn and headed towards the one who looked like the owner.

"Excuse me."

"Yes?"

"I would like one room for four days."

"Of course, 15 crowns, including meals and drinks. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes."

Giving the crowns to the innkeeper, who gave me a key in return.

"Room 2 on the first floor."

"Thank you."

As I was about to go upstairs to drop off my gear, I heard an announcement.

"A thunderous applause for the musician and poet!"

"Master Jaskier!"

"Yeah."

Stopping in my stride, I looked towards the stage and saw a man arriving.

"Hello, everyone. Today, I'm going to tell you the story of a Witcher saving the princess from a terrible curse."

But as the story was unfolding, I didn't pay attention because one thing stood out.

"Jaskier?"