Translator: WH Editor: Sasha
1.
There was silence in the Great Library.
Hunters with weak stomachs felt nauseous. Hunters with strong stomachs, thought prudently while staring at the quest that jumped out in front of their eyes.
Only the Constellation.
“Ah.”
Only the librarian opened his mouth while fluttering his 5m long sleeves.
“Please clean the vomit yourself. Isn’t that just basic manners? The hygiene of the library can only be maintained if all the users work hard.”
Clap!
The librarian clapped lightly. On the backside of the bookshelf. From the dark corners of the shadow, unknown things came close. It might’ve seemed human at first glance in terms of running limbs…
The Witch squinted her eyebrows.
“… Bookmarks?”
The unidentified things had bookmarks as their bodies.
There was even a strange picture in the middle of the bookmark. Servant clothes? Maid clothes? Anyway, the clothes that were worn by maids of the old were engraved as pictures.
“Ohh. You pointed it out exactly. These are bookmark maids!”
The librarian went ‘Ehem’, and assumed the hands-on-hips pose.
“They will be looking over the lot of you until you clear the 30th floor.”
The bookmarks that had maids engraved on it, bowed down.
“When you want to eat or go to the bathroom, tell the bookmark maids. Though they look like that, they are still quite capable.”
“Monster…..right? For starters?”
The librarian covered his mouth with his sleeves.
The Constellation’s eyes were smiling.
“You can think of it that way.”
The librarian’s eyes were grinning, but his voice didn’t have the same feel. The Hunters flinched. The voice of the Constellation, which had been consistently bright, was cold for the first time.
“Everyone, you should be mindful of a few things while staying here.”
The librarian said.
“First. Never touch a book without the great me’s permission. Just don’t touch it. These are all hard-earned books that I shed blood and sweat for. These are the one and only Apocalypses in this universe. Bastards who don’t even ask the consent of the owner and touch these books carelessly…”
“Fuck.”
At that time, a Hunter cursed out.
“What a load of bullshit? In the end, aren’t you the boss monster, you bastard?!”
“… Hmm.”
“Hey! You guys arm yourselves! The quest is a whole load of shit, we just have to kill that guy and we’ll be able to clear up to the 30th floor. ‘Great me’ my ass! If 300 people attack him together, we’ll be able to beat him anyways!”
Everyone became noisy.
The librarian didn’t particularly stop the instigators. He just smiled and watched silently. Upon seeing the silence of the Constellation, the Hunters became more amped up.
“Us too, we can beat that little kid! Even a greenhorn such as the Death King or what not cleared the 20th floor alone.”
“……..”
Were they trying to win me over?
“Is there anything we can’t do?! Huhhh!?”
When the instigator pointed at me, several people looked towards my direction. Everyone was of different ethnicity. The colors of their eyes were also different. However, the glare in their eyes and the colors of their emotions were the same.
Envy. Jealously. Greed.
They were all the feelings that I was very familiar with.
“You all, leave me out of this! No, all the top 5 guilds should stand down!”
It wasn’t just me, the Hunter also shouted at the Witch and Sword Saint. He even shouted at Heretic Questioner, Count, and other top guild leaders.
“I didn’t like the fact that the lot of you monopolized the attack from the 11th floor onwards. Huh? Like only you guys are the representative of the tower. Then you dragged a greenhorn from somewhere and then you framed him up as a new hero or something. You think we don’t know the bullshit you guys are making up?”
The Witch was infuriated.
“Who do you think you are talking to now…?!”
Kuuuuuk.
[T/N: Sound of grabbing something.]
I grabbed the Witch’s wrist.
“Bear with it.”
“But, Death King. If you leave those kind of people alone…”
“But for now, bear with it.”
I whispered to the Witch.
“This now. Everything is being ‘live broadcasted’.”
The Witch batted her eyes.
“A live broadcast? What are you talking about.”
“They are projecting via hologram videos on Babylon Square.”
“…….”
In the past, I couldn’t even step foot on the 21st floor because I didn’t receive a Title. Nevertheless, I knew in detail how the stage was going to be carried out, and what the quest would be about.
“It’s like a television program. People in the plaza are seeing everything we do. Live.”
“Why is that kind of thing…?”
“That Constellation said so. We’re no different from [Characters].”
I said softly.
“Of course there would be [Viewers] who’d be watching the characters.”
That’s right.
I also saw it from the plaza in the past. I watched. Although I couldn’t participate in the raid… I watched the whole process of how the Hunters with Titles cleared the 21st to the 30th floor.
‘There will still be a hologram shown in the plaza now.’
Every move the people gathered here made would be broadcasted live.
The lines we say, and the actions we make.
All of it is being watched live by hundreds of thousands of viewers.
In the truest sense, we were on the Stage.
“Don’t let your guard down just because there’s no one looking. Black Dragon Witch.”
“If you say strange things or show a bad image here, they will remain in the memories of others forever.”
The guild master in front of me immediately understood.
How scary it was.
“… Indeed. It isn’t important whether we clear this Stage or not.”
I nodded.
“Yes. ‘How’ we clear the stage is the most important thing.”
Don’t do anything that would cause yourself to be blamed and caught later, even if you actually did it. People, no. In the eyes of our viewers, we really were like the heroes that came out of a book, so we have to act the part and calm ourselves down.
“We are already in the series called [The Great Library].”
It was at that moment.
After the quest popped up, I heard a notification that should’ve been heard.
Not the voice of the Witch, nor the voice of the librarian, but the voice of the tower.
{Welcome, Death King.]
I smiled inwardly.
[The 20th floor clear reward is being given.]
The me yesterday protected the Aegim Empire and the continent.
The time had come for me to receive it.
2.
The tower was harsh on its latecomers.
However, as much as it was harsh, it gave a high price to the front-runners.
[Normal Stage reward.]
[Blessing, the grace of the Goddess of Beauty(美神) is coming down!]
[You can observe the favourability of the characters from the 21st to the 30th floor.]
The reward didn’t end at that.
The returns for completing the hidden quest still remained.
[Hidden Stage reward.]
[Blessing, the grace of the Goddess of Vitality (能神) is coming down!]
[You can observe the psyche of the characters from the 21st to the 30th floor.]
‘Fantastic!’
These were perfect bonuses.
In this quest, the key was how well you perform with the role you were given.
‘These bonuses are exactly what I need right now!’
To perform a role, it wasn’t enough to be good alone. People other than me. I had to be able to see through the mentality of other characters too.
Performing is always about team play, and not solo play.
‘Status window.’
Before fully working on the quest, I checked my status.
+
Name: Death King(死王)
Rank: D-Class
Skill (5/6)
1. I Want To Become Just Like You (S+)
2. Returner’s Clockwork Watch (EX)
3. Sword Constellation (A+)
4. Goblin High Society (F)
5. Hundred Ghosts Reincarnation (SSS)
6. None.
※Goddess of Beauty’s (美神) grace is being utilized.
※Goddess of Vitality’s (能神) grace is being utilized.
+
‘Okay.’
I glanced back at the Witch. Only then did I realize that I was still holding on to the Witch’s wrist. While I tried to let go of her wrist as naturally as possible, I recited some decent instructions in my mind.
‘Character window.’
Softly!
A hologram popped up in front of my eyes.
And I saw a status window for the first time in my life.
+
Name: Black Dragon Witch(黑色魔솟)
Favorability: 82
Favorite Genre: [Romance]
Unfavourable Genre: [History]
Favorite Characters:[Prince on White Horse], [Young Man], [Wolf Man], [Dazzling Man]
Unfavourable Characters: [Psychopath], [Soldier], [Politician], [Incompetent Female Lead]
Preferred Plots: [Repay], [Sacrifice for the greater good]
Undesired Plots: [Oblivion], [Betrayal], [Delusion of the Female Lead]
Psychological State: ‘If whatever we do is broadcasted at Babylon… We’ll have to act as a noble figure in the future. Stage Clear is a secondary goal. Mmm. I’m going to have to make some thorough political calculations. After that, the wisest tactic is…’
+
Uhh.
While I was confused and lost my words, the Witch’s expression hardened. She was probably nervous thinking about what to do if some kind of trouble came looking for me.
‘What is it? Did something happen?”
“Uhhh. No, it’s nothing.”
“… Then I’m glad. If you have any other information I need to know, please tell me quickly. I’m still working on countermeasures in my head.”
“Yes, got it.”
The Witch turned her head and was deep in thought again.
With a very serious look.
As I looked at the Witch’s side profile, some kind of emotion hit me.
‘What’s this?’
What was this unidentified sense of guilt?
‘This feels like…. I had secretly stolen someone’s diary…’
-Puhahahaha!
Bae Hu-ryeong, who shared my consciousness, was already rolling around.
He kicked the air with his feet and burst into laughter.
– White, the prince on a white horse! Prince on a white horse…! Keu! A person who grew up, and maintained the youth of her face, at that age, a prince on a white horse! Hey Zombie! Get a nice horse from somewhere and ride it! You look just like a warrior! Doesn’t a warrior who wears a crown become a prince? Wow, you’ll be soul mates!
“…….”
I blatantly glared at Bae Hu-ryeong.
– Hmm? What? Those eyes. Why do you look like you’re looking for a fight?
I muttered quietly in my mind.
‘…Character window.’
-Uh? Huh? Hey, Kim Zombie! What are you trying to do right now!? You bastard! HEY!
Bae Hu-ryeong was flustered and shook his hands around.
But, shaking his hand couldn’t stop the command.
In my eyes, the character window of Bae Hu-ryeong was clearly in view.
+
Name: Sword Emperor (劍帝)
Favorability: 59
Favorite Genre: [Martial Arts]
Unfavourable Genre: [Everything except Martial Arts]
Favorite Characters: [Macho], [Rival], [Mother]
Unfavourable Characters: [Weak Guys], [Pushovers]
Prefered Plot: [Victory], [Cider]
Undesired Plot: [Defeat], [Sweet potato]
Psychological State: ‘Fuck! Don’t tell me that also works on me!?’
+
‘Puhahahaha!’
I burst into laughter on the inside.
My poker face nearly broke.
‘Mo-, mother it says. Mr. Sword Emperor, I didn’t see you that way, but don’t tell me you’re a mamaboy…’
-I’ll kill you!
Bae Hu-ryeong glared angrily. It wasn’t just a glare, he was completely furious. He desperately struggled. He swung his limbs around and started rampaging.
– I’ll kill you! Fuck! Turn it off right this instant! Forget it! Erase it from your brain, fucker! If you don’t erase it right now, I’ll blow your head away! I will really kill you! I’ll really end our relationship, you hear me, bastard!?
It had been a long time since I’ve met Bae Hu-ryeong, but it was the first time I saw him this flustered. Usually, the more disadvantaged someone was, the louder they got. Unlike Bae Hu-ryeong, I was completely relaxed.
“No small talks until the 30th floor, and bow to me. Otherwise, I will open up your Psychological Window whenever I have spare time.’
-Hiiikkk…!
Bae Hu-ryeong huffed. The snort was great. But no matter how epic his snort was, what could he do? Bae Hu-ryeong could never hit me, and he couldn’t block my abilities too.
-Watch out! Someday you’ll suffer badly!
‘Keukeu.’
I wasn’t the least bit scared of the man who asked me to watch out.
While I tried out my new bonus, the Hunters continued to split into two different factions.
On one side was a radical group that followed the instigator and tried to deal with the [Boss Monster] together. On the other side, including me and the Witch, was a cautious faction who wanted to wait and see what would happen.u
The radical group had about 100 radicals.
The cautious faction had about 200 people.
“Foolish people.”
Sword Saint, who had been quiet all this while, opened his mouth.
The Old Detective was looking at the radical faction pathetically.
“Have you already forgotten that the Constellation just showed you worlds themselves perishing? If he wanted to, that Constellation could throw us into such a world, and slip out leisurely. And still, you’re going to fight with such a being. You’re crazy I see.”
“If it’s a group suicide, I won’t stop you.”
With one comment from the Sword Saint, half of them deserted the radical faction.
About 50 Hunters remained in the radical faction.
“Hey! Don’t be scared!”
The first person who instigated the Hunters shouted.
“Death King also cleared the 10th floor by himself! The 20th floor was also a solo play by him! Originally, all boss monsters were just like that, but the top guilds are doing this to monopolize the profits. If you’re going to live your life shaking your tails at the top 5 guilds, then fuck off!”
That instigator seemed to be a pretty high ranking Hunter.
Seeing that there were still 50 people that listened to that Hunter’s words.
‘Maybe not to the extent of a top guild, but he’s probably a pretty reliable guild master of a small medium-sized guild.”
But the crucial point was that I couldn’t remember the instigator’s face or Title. Flame Emperor, Alchemy Master, Witch, Sword Saint, and more. This came from me, who obsessively remembered all the top rankers.
If even I couldn’t remember.
“Hmm-.”
There was a reason for everything.
“-Is all the traffic control done and over with?”
The librarian looked down at the 50 Hunters from the radical faction.
Hundreds of books were revolving around the librarian, just like planets revolving around the sun.
“Okay then! Fucking boss monster! Fifty of us are enough for a kid like you…!”
“I’m sorry. I don’t really prefer Clichés.”
Thud!
The librarian grabbed a book.
The title [Epic Tales of the Sealed World] was written on the cover.
‘Let’s just get it over with quickly.”
Shiingggg!
When the book flipped open, a white light emanated out again. However, this time, the light didn’t stop shining. Somber arms. Countless tentacles oozed out,
They swooped up the Hunters from the radical faction.
The Hunters let out a scream.
“What, what’s this!?”
“In this particular Apocalypse, mankind went extinct, and only one wizard survived.”
One person. Two people. Three people.
The Hunters from the radical faction were caught by the monster’s tentacles and dragged around into the air.
“Well, after going through various adversities, the wizard became more like a tentacle monster than a human. The main character was someone the great me was very fond of. It’s on a higher number among my favorite characters.”
“Kyaaaaaaaaaakkk!”
The Hunters who were dragged around in the air were soon swallowed up into the book.
“Sav-, save me!”
The Hunters who luckily managed to avoid the tentacles began to run away, but to no avail. Slurrkkk! Tentacles ten times more than before oozed out from the book. Some Hunters had their wrists, some Hunters had their waist, and some Hunter had their ankles caught by the tentacles.
“This wizard. Basically, the great me’s favorite character specializes in sealing magic. Should I say its a customer and owner relationship? In exchange for the [Materials] I hand over occasionally, the wizard is willing to accept my request.”
In an instant, 50 Hunters were eaten up by the book.
The librarian giggled brightly.
“Just like right now.”
Thuckk.
Thuckkkkk. Thukkkk. Hututukkk. Tukk tukkk.
[T/N: Sound of something falling from the sky, (in this case, the book)]
The book that swallowed up the Hunters began to spew something out.
Binge eating and vomiting.
We held our breaths and looked at the scene unfolding before our eyes. I couldn’t see if from here… The hundreds of thousands of people gathered in Babylon Square was probably holding their breath just like we did.
“Oh yeah.”
What the book spewed out was a huge bookmark.
As tall and big as a person.
Bookmarks with limbs.
“The wizard’s hobby is to make the products that he made wear maid clothes.”
In the middle of the bookmark, maid clothes were engraved.
“I know it’s a little bit perverted.”
“…….”
“Well what could he have done? All mankind had perished except for himself. If he stayed sane, it would be weirder.”.
The Hunters looked around fearfully.
50 bookmark maids stood there silently.
If we looked around the library a little more widely, it wasn’t just 50, but hundreds. Thousands of bookmarks were doing work while holding mops and tablewares.
“…….”
The Hunters went silent.
Counting those in their line of sight was the extent of what they could do.
This Great Library stretched beyond the horizon.
If we could look at the library as a whole, exactly how many bookmarks would be walking around?
“Mmmm. It became cleaner. The useless extras have been taken care of.”
Thud!
The librarian closed the book.
“Now would you all be more willing to become the main characters?”