Episode 9 – Library (3)

We rested for a while to regain our mental strength before continuing moving in a straight line.

Once we entered the Gwanak campus, a few dark reapers blocked our way. This time, the battle wasn't hard since we were prepared and repelled them easily.

We turned the corner and came face to face to the entrance of the Gyujanggak library.

[You have found a hidden dungeon!]

[This dungeon has already been discovered by someone. You can't get the first discovery achievement.]

[A new hidden scenario has arrived!]

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[Hidden Scenario – Library Dungeon]

Category: Hidden

Difficulty: A-

Clear Conditions: Defeat the Master of Library Dungeon.

Time Limit: None

Compensation: —

Failure: ―

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Jung Yunhee, the demon slayer of the party, looked at me with a enigmatic expression and opened her mouth.

"Is this the place?"

"Yeah."

"It doesn't look that special."

"We'll know once we enter inside."

Indeed, the entrance of the university's library didn't look like a place where a hidden dungeon will be nor did it possess any strange vibe. Even so, appearances can be deceiving.

"Let's enter."

We opened the door and entered the library. However, what greeted us was not the familiar layout of the Gyujanggak library.

[You have entered the Library Dungeon.]

"Is the library supposed to be like this?"

"No. I don't remember it having flying books."

The party members were dumbfounded. It was understandable. If I didn't read the novel, I would probably have the same reaction.

The interior of the Library Dungeon was a stark contrast to the outside, its design otherworldly, with books floating through the air from shelf to shelf. Like a library, the dungeon was teeming with countless books, each containing Stories—some untold, others renowned throughout history.

It felt as if we entered a magical world. The party members looked around in awe. I also looked around while feeling a little overwhelmed.

As a writer, I was tempted to pick out a few books and begin reading. However, this was not the time to be careless. A dungeon was still a dungeon no matter how innocent it appeared.

At the far end, I spotted a stairway leading to the next floor. If I remembered correctly, there were around 10 floors in the library dungeon. Since we just entered the dungeon, we were on the ground floor.

As we began to move, I surveyed the surroundings looking for anything out of place. But there was nothing strange on the ground floor apart from the flying books.

Jung Yunhee asked.

"There's nothing here. Isn't this a dungeon?"

"It is. But it's a little different from the dungeon in Hongdae."

"You mean the mission is different, right?"

"Something like that."

"Then are we supposed to read these books?"

"Please avoid touching the books."

The library dungeon was a dungeon without monsters. The books are the core of the hidden dungeon. The books were not normal books but trials that walkers can complete to gain rewards. Perhaps Soo Jinyoung had already passed all the trials on this floor and went up.

Our case was a little different. If we decided to pass all the trials on this floor, it would be too late to save Soo Jinyoung from her fate.

"Eh?"

Angell noticed something in the distance and opened her mouth.

"There's something there."

As we moved closer to where she pointed, we noticed a few 'somethings' laying on the ground. Upon closer inspection, it was not 'somethings' but the dead bodies of people who tried to cross here.

The first to speak was Lee Su-hye.

"Who are these people? I've never seen their faces in Gwanakgu."

"Who knows. We're not the only ones that can enter the hidden dungeon."

I said that but I was also confused.

Although anyone can enter the library dungeon, only Soo Jinyoung and me should know about the hidden dungeon. In fact, the library is the last place anyone would suspect to be a hidden dungeon.

Was there a change in the plotline?

There was only two people that can cause such a change. The first one was me and then... No, let's not go into any conclusions. Maybe it was a coincidence that these people managed to find the hidden dungeon.

What I found interesting was how they died. They were cut by something sharp like a sword and their blood was fresh, meaning they died not too long ago. Did these people run into Soo Jinyoung?

No, Soo Jinyoung wouldn't have wasted time on the ground floor since there ware no good stories here. So there was a low chance of these people running into her. Was this the handwork of someone else?

"Let's enter the next floor."

We left the dead bodies behind and moved forward. Angell's gaze lingered on them for a while before she moved. Once we reached the first floor, we came across a strange sight.

Dead bodies was scattered everywhere and the thick smell of blood assaulted my nose. Damn, did someone go crazy in here?

"Uwaak! Forgive... me."

"L-Look! There's someone over there."

Everyone turned their head. There was a large adult figure holding a lone survivor by the neck. The man at the receiving end could do nothing but kick his feet.

What the hell was I saying? It felt like I was watching a child being bullied by a grown adult.

More importantly, that tall figure looked familiar. There was no way I've seen someone that handsome. If such a person was allowed to exist, wouldn't all popular male celebrities lose face.

My eyes slowly widened. Perhaps it was that person. No, it could be...

The large adult man opened his mouth with an indifferent expression.

"Who are you?"

"I-I'm Choi... Uwaak!"

Bam!

The man groaned before he could finish. It was because a fist slammed into his stomach, turning it inside out.

"Did I ask for your name? I'm asking what you are doing here?"

"Haha! What a stupid question. Why would anyone enter a dungeon?"

Bam!

"... Ugh."

"Hm, your body is rather sturdy. Did you master the use of coins already?"

"Y-Yes. Just like you..."

Bam!

The man was silenced by another punch. There was only one character apart from Soo Jinyoung that would use such an aggressive method to extract information.

[Character List has activated.]

[The character list is too long so it will be summarised.]

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[Character Information]

Name: Sung Jaewon

Age: 28

Private Attributes: Regressor (Myth), Former Military Strategist (Rare)

Exclusive Skills: Perfect Adaptability Lv. 8, Eye of Truth Lv. 3, Hand to Hand Combat Lv. 8, Advanced Weapons Mastery Lv. 5, Mental Barrier Lv. 5, Aura Blade Lv. 7, Wind Path Lv. 1, Black Wing Control Lv...Omitted...

Overall Stats: Stamina Lv. 28, Strength Lv. 27, Agility Lv. 26, Magic Power Lv. 25.

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My initial suspicions was right on the mark but it didn't mean I was happy. Damnit, why was this guy here? He's not supposed to discover this place yet.

Lee Su-hye opened her mouth.

"Who is that man?"

"Shhh! Reduce your voice."

"Sorry. Who is that man? And why is he beating that man?"

"How would I know? Maybe he's just a pervert that likes bullying defenseless people."

Sung Jaewon.

He is one of the twelve Monarchs known as the 'Celestial Wing' and the primary antagonist who frequently clashed with Soo Jinyoung. Notably, his character was inspired by two handsome characters so he was absurdly handsome to a ridiculous level. I hold the author responsible for that.

(Note: Can you guess who those two characters are?)

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Speaking of the devil, that bastard was going crazy over there. The skinny man trembled with each hit. It was impressive how he was able to endure the strength of Lv. 28.

"Hah... Hah... No more, please."

"Are you ready to talk now?"

"Y-Yes.. yes. I'll talk."

The man nodded his head repeatedly and Jaewon lowered his fist.

"How did you acquire the information about the library dungeon?"

"... It's the apostles. They told me about this place."

"What?"

Sung Jaewon looked confused. Not only him, I was also confused as well. It was because of the term that man just used.

'Apostles?'

Was that supposed to be the name of a group? In any case, it was a term I did not know despite reading the novel to the end. I needed some content. I listened carefully as they continued speaking.

"Who are they? Elaborate."

"To be honest, no one really knows. We only know they called themselves the 'Apostles' and claim to hold knowledge about the future."

Future?

"Knowledge about the future? Are you saying they're prophets?"

"I don't know but maybe that's the right term to use."

"Is that how you knew about this place?"

"Y-Yes. That's right."

"How did you contact them?"

"I didn't. They contacted me."

"What?"

Sung Jaewon narrowed his eyes. Indeed, if I was in his shoes, I would be suspicious as well.

"No... No... I'm telling the truth. A hooded figure approached me and gave me a single page of what they call the 'Divine Revelation' for 1000 coins each."

Book? Hold on, what's with this development?

"Where are those pages now? Let me see."

"It's exploded after I read them."

[The character 'Sung Jaewon' has used Lie Detection.]

['Lie Detection' has determined the spoken words as the truth.]

"I see."

Lee Jaewon lowered his head. He seemed to be thinking about something. Then he opened his mouth and asked.

"How much do you know?"

"I know alot of things including the fact you're looking for the Immortal flame."

"What?"

Lee Jaewon opened his eyes wide. I was also shocked at well. The Immortal flame was the code name of the reincarnator, Soo Jinyoung. How the hell did a nameless background character know that name?

"You know about that person?"

"That's right."

"Is that your true motive for you coming here?

"Yes. Although I didn't expect the [Celestial Wing] to be here as well."

The skinny man smiled as if he won. He did not know he has already sealed his fate. Now only a single thought crossed Jaewon's mind.

「 Kill 」

Puookkk!!! Spurt!

Sung Jaewon casually ripped off the man's head with one arm as if it was no big deal. Certainly, that was a brutal way to kill someone.

「 He's too dangerous 」

「How did he know I was the Heavenly Wing? 」

「 The Apostles? Do they also know about me? How many? 」

「 I have to investigate 」

「 Find any disturbing elements and kill 」

Those cold eyes reminded me of a heartless killer. Confronting him now would only lead to death. But I have to find a way to block him. I can't let him reach Soo Jinyoung no matter what.

「 But first... 」

Sung Jaewon suddenly his head and looked at our hiding spot. Well, it makes sense he would be able to find us.

「 What should I do with those people? 」

「 Maybe I should beat them up and extract information 」

My body trembled. If that guy decided to fight us, there was a zero chance of winning. Of course, I'm talking about my party's chances of beating that guy.

「 No. That will waste too much time 」

「 I have to meet up with the reincarnator 」

「 Let's hurry 」

Sung Jaewon turned around and walked off somewhere.

Was he leaving just like that? As I was thinking, my back suddenly became noisy.

"Did he leave?"

"I thought we were discovered for a moment."

"Who was that guy anyways? How did he rip off someone's head like that?"

"I'm more interested in what they were talking about? What's the heavenly wing and immortal flame? Is that some hidden code or something?"

I ignored the girls talking behind me and began to think. It was strange. Namely, that bastard actions just now.

If he knew we were here, why would he suddenly leave?

Normally, he would have blocked us before giving us a good beating. Then the torture and extraction of information before killing would arrive next. But he just left without a fight.

Were we spared? No, that bastard was not that merciful.

My eyes opened wide. That bastard, he wouldn't...

Kwang!!!

A loud sound echoed and a shelf was destroyed.

Frr!

The books scattered in different directions in the air as if angered. That bastard, this was what he was planning.

"What was that sound?"

"Shit! That bastard broke one of the shelves."

Swish!

A random book came flying our way upon sensing us. Jung Yunhee drew the sword and stepped forward.

"Don't worry, I'll cut them."

"No!!! Don't!"

It was too late. Jung Yunhee has already jumped and swung the katana-like sword. Her opponents were books so she was confident. The problem laid inside those books.

Slash—

Once the book was cut, our bodies began glowing with a white light.

[You have selected a book.]

[The trial will begin.]

The landscape started to slowly change as we were swallowed by the story.