The Master, The Librarian and The Guide (2)

The voice of the man was soul-piercing. I wanted to turn back, but I couldn't. My body wouldn't listen to me.

"Speak in a normal voice, Luke. The new librarian has just entered the Tower," another voice said. This voice was much calmer and huskier than I had heard before.

"And turn off your aura! The new librarian won't even be able to move in front of you if you keep it up," the hoarse voice continued.

"I forgot that new people are this weak. Thank you, Ying," replied the man standing behind me.

Suddenly, the presence I was feeling disappeared. I was finally able to breathe again. Inhaling a substantial amount of air, I fell to the floor. What just happened?

I barely stood back up on my feet as I continued gasping for air.

Mustering all the courage in my mind, I looked behind me.

A man who was handsome beyond comprehension was standing in front of me. He had fair skin, narrow eyes, a sleek nose, medium-sized ears, and a pointed chin.

The man wore a black shirt with black pants, a black overcoat extended down to his ankle, and hung loosely on his shoulders. Even in the low light, his face radiated charm. But, he wore shackles on all four of his limbs.

[Arcane has started entering your body due to current circumstances]

.

[Arcane has increased by 1]

[Arcane has increased by 1]

[Arcane has increased by 1]

[Arcane has increased by 1]

.

I felt as if my body was going to burst. It felt as if energy itself was seeping into me. I felt a power that I had never felt before. I fought the urge to scream, falling to my knees.

My head felt like it was going to burst at any moment. It felt like a million needles were inserted into me and taken out in rapid succession.

"Arcane?" asked the handsome man in front of me.

"Yes. The first encounter with Arcane is always painful. The presence of both the Library and us must have forced arcane into him," replied the hoarse voice.

"I see," replied the man in front of me.

Gasping for air, I let out several coughs and groans. After what seemed to be an hour, the pain finally subsided.

I managed to get up on my feet, barely. Clenching my chest, I looked towards the other voice.

What!? How?

It was a gorilla, about four meters tall. Black fur covered its entire body; it wore bright, shining golden armour, glistening even in the dim light.

The armour was a work of art and beauty; it had magnificent red jewels and beautiful engravings, with what looked like an insignia on the center of the chest piece. It also wore a golden monocle on its left eye.

"Hi, my name is Luke," said the man standing before me.

"My name is Yinghuo; I am Luke's guide," said the gorilla.

"Wh- What is this?!" I barely managed to say.

"I guess it is confusing. You are currently at the entrance of the Eternal Library, Luke here is the master of the Eternal Library, and I am his guide," said Yinghuo.

Eternal Library? Was this because of my passive skill 'Ability to enter the Eternal Library' and my title of a 'Librarian'?

"I-I don't understand," I managed to say.

"You have been chosen as the librarian for the Library. What there to understand?" said Luke in an irritated voice.

"Well, well, Luke. Calm down. Do you want me to tell the newbie how you were when you first entered the Library?" asked Yinghuo, giggling a little too loudly.

"Shut up! Just call his guide out, Ying," said Luke as his face turned bright red.

"Hahaha! Let's talk to the newbie first," replied Yinghuo.

With a considerable sigh, Luke said, "Tell me your name."

"Nox Mill," I replied.

"Well, Nox. You have been chosen as a Librarian for the Eternal Library. Any questions till here?" asked Luke.

"How was I chosen?" I asked.

"The Librarian of the Eternal Library is chosen at birth. In short, your fate was sealed when you were born," replied Luke.

"How is that even possible?" I asked. Was my fate already decided for me?

"The tower works in mysterious ways." Replied Luke.

"I see. May I ask what the Eternal Library is?" I inquired.

"Uff... Why does he have so many questions? I can't do this anymore! Answer his questions, Ying," shouted Luke as he stared at the gorilla.

"Forgive him for his rudeness; it's just that he hasn't had human interaction for a very long time," said Yinghuo as he approached me.

"Shut up, dumb gorilla! Just answer his questions," yelled Luke in a voice that made my ears ring.

Yinghuo just laughed it off and said, "So about your question. Think of the Tower as a palace. A palace has many parts or buildings, right? One of those parts is the Eternal Library. There are other parts too, but let's review them some other time. Does that clear your question?"

"Ah, I see! But what should I even do as a Librarian?" I asked.

"Well, at your current level, it's best to think of the Eternal Library as just a skill. You will know more as you progress further in the Tower," replied Yinghuo calmly.

"As far as I know, you were knocked unconscious by the Great Wolf, is that right?" asked Luke.

"How did you kno-" I began to say, but was interrupted by Luke.

"I know a lot, boy! Call out his guide already, Ying; talking to a fool like him is making my head spin," said Luke.

"My guide?" I inquired.

"Yes, your guide. The Tower bestows the librarian with a guide when he is born. Why does the Tower do so? I don't know. But the guides are mainly chosen from among the strong beings of the Tower who died. At least for me, when

I was on my last strings; the Tower gave me a choice to either become a guide or descend to the underworld, and I chose the former. When my eyes opened again, I was in the Eternal Library, filled with an intense desire to assist the librarian.

I also received all the basic information about the Eternal Library and the Tower. It's more like a contract, but I will tell you that some other time," replied Yinghuo.

"Enough with the chattering!" Shouted Luke.

"Well, I better call your guide out. Normally guides come out themselves, but your guide must be finding that difficult due to my presence," said Yinghuo as he put his palm on my chest.

His hand glowed bright yellow as he began murmuring some words.

"COME !" He shouted.

Nothing happened.

"Luke," said Yinghuo.

"Yes?" asked Luke.

"You have to do it yourself, Luke. His guide isn't heeding my call," replied Yinghuo.

"Useless Monkey!" shouted Luke as he approached me, stomping his feet at every step.

"COME OUT!" ordered Luke as he snapped his fingers.

"Kekekekkeee," laughed a voice from behind me.

I quickly turned around and was shocked at the sight in front of my eyes. A figure was emerging from my shadow!

The figure first put his hands through the shadow and used them to push himself to the ground. After about a minute, the figure had fully emerged from my shadow.

How was this possible!? The figure looked exactly like me!

It had fair skin, narrow eyes, and a sleek nose. Its ears were small, just like mine, and its hair was wavy and a little long. But, unlike my coal-coloured hair, it had snow-white hair, and unlike my blue eyes, it had bright yellow reptile-like eyes.

Also, unlike me, who was wearing at least a tattered tracksuit, he was completely naked.

"Kekekekkee, to think that the Library's Master himself would summon me himself. Kekekeeke," said the figure, laughing weirdly.

Yinghuo examined the figure for a moment.

"Interesting, to think that you were powerful enough to devour his guide," said Yinghuo as he adjusted his monocle.

Devour my guide? What did he even mean?

"Well, his guide was weak back then since we were not in the Tower," replied the figure.

"So, what are you?" inquired Luke calmly.

"I am Nox's alternate psyche. I am ever-present in him, but he never notices me. Kekkeeekee. You can call me, Caligo," replied the figure, giggling.

"I don't understand! What's happening?" I managed to say, suppressing my shock.

"Poor Noxie never understands anything. No wonder I had to do all the heavy lifting, even back on Earth. Kekeeekee," the figure laughed.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Although it was me who made you stay in a constant state of confusion and think non-sensical thoughts, kekekkee, it was me who helped you conjure up complex plans in an instant," replied the figure.

"Wh-" Before I could ask any more questions, Yinghuo interrupted me.

"He is not your chosen guide, Nox. He is your alternate personality, who lives in your mind. Since you were on Earth, your guide had less power. The Tower is the power source for all beings, especially guides, which only exist in the metaphysical world.

Your guide existed in your mind along with Caligo here. Caligo is a fragment of your imagination, most probably a being you created in your mind to cope with extreme pain or suffering," Yinghuo explained.

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"You fool! It means that since Caligo was born on Earth, he had more power than your guide on Earth. So, he devoured your guide. Unlike your guide, who was obligated to help and support you, Caligo has no such obligations. He most probably acquired all the powers and information that your guide had when he devoured it!" said Luke, with an irritated tone.

"No wonder you are the strongest and the wisest amongst all the beings, kekekekee," laughed Caligo.

"You are an eyesore," said Luke as he snapped his fingers. A white shirt, white pants, and a black belt appeared on Caligo's body.

I didn't understand what was happening at all! I was supposed to get a guide, but my dual personality devoured my guide?

"What am I even supposed to do now?!" I asked.

"There's nothing you can do, kekekekee," answered Caligo, laughing maniacally.