As Taesan set foot on the 78th floor, he was taken aback.
This floor was unlike any he had encountered before.
Endless rows of shelves stretched out as far as the eye could see, with narrow paths just wide enough for a single person to walk through. The shelves were packed with an uncountable number of books, densely arranged.
There were no monsters in sight—only the lingering scent of old paper filled the space.
Despite the lack of visible light sources, the area was bright enough for reading without any trouble. And it was vast—Taesan had never seen a floor this expansive.
It truly seemed endless.
**[You have activated Lerasier’s Domain Detection.]**
He cast his dark magic, yet even with this, he could not locate the end of the floor.
It was like the floor contained every book in existence.
'Just like I heard.'
This 78th floor, the Library of All Things, was one of the places Taeyeon had spoken about frequently.
**[Nothing’s changed here. Though, it’s a place that can’t really change. I missed this.]**
The Wraith muttered with a hint of nostalgia.
Taesan walked between the shelves, inspecting the book titles.
**[Goblin Ecology]**
**[The Great Adventurer Palanca’s Guide to Cooking Monsters Deliciously]**
**[Are Elves Truly as Gentle and Nature-Loving as People Think?]**
“Quite the variety.”
There were books ranging from completely useless trivia to ones requiring deep knowledge to understand.
**[This is the Library of All Things. If it exists in book form, it’s here. Literally anything.]**
“So, did the mage and Valvavamba create a place like this?”
**[No. This place was created by the God of Knowledge, Metis.]**
The Wraith continued, calm and steady.
**[This is Metis’s domain, where all of her accumulated knowledge is organized and preserved. That’s what the Library of All Things is.]**
“Knowledge, huh?”
Taesan pulled a book from the shelf. It was a simple novel, seemingly out of place in a god’s domain. But, given that this was the realm of the God of Knowledge, it made sense.
For a god, their domain is their essence and all-encompassing. The God of Knowledge desired and gathered all knowledge that existed in the world.
Taesan placed the book back and moved deeper into the library.
He walked endlessly, passing rows upon rows of shelves filled with books, until the overwhelming sight was almost too much to bear. Eventually, he found a small open space.
It was a reading area with several tables and chairs—a perfect place to read.
There, a man sat, engrossed in a thick book resembling an encyclopedia.
He wore glasses and had neatly trimmed hair, giving him an austere appearance. Despite sensing Taesan’s presence, he continued reading unbothered.
**[You have encountered Jorge, the Librarian of the Library of All Things.]**
---
Jorge said nothing.
He simply continued reading his book.
Taesan, without disturbing him, picked up a book titled **[A Study on the Beards of Female Dwarves].**
In the silence, only the sound of pages turning filled the air.
When Jorge finally finished his book, he closed it.
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“A polite guest.”
His voice, like his appearance, was curt but had an air of dignity.
“The process of gathering knowledge must not be interrupted. Those who have come here before you lacked manners, but at least you have shown some courtesy.”
Jorge’s gaze held a trace of approval as he looked at Taesan.
‘So it was true.’
Taesan reflected as he closed his book.
Taeyeon had once told him how, on the 78th floor, she had come across Jorge reading and had spoken to him abruptly, interrupting his reading. Jorge had been visibly irritated and had treated her coldly ever since, making her time on this floor challenging.
Remembering this, Taesan had made sure not to disturb Jorge.
**[It’s been a long time.]**
“...Warrior.”
Jorge’s eyes lit up as he recognized the Wraith.
“You died. I truly thought you could reach the end of the labyrinth. What happened?”
**[A mistake on my part.]**
The Wraith answered quietly.
**[The Lion King and Society—have they passed through here?]**
“Yes, not long ago. They were discourteous.”
Jorge clicked his tongue and glanced at the Wraith, seemingly understanding something.
“Betrayal, perhaps? It makes sense. You often spoke of them to me. I regret hearing it turned out this way.”
**[It’s in the past. I’m dead now, beyond any further involvement.]**
“True enough. This time, it’s the adventurer who has come. I should speak with him.”
Jorge turned his gaze to Taesan and spoke.
“Adventurer, what is your name?”
“Kang Taesan.”
“Kang Taesan. Do you know where you are?”
“The Library of All Things, the domain of the God of Knowledge, Metis.”
“I suppose the warrior told you. Yes, that is correct.”
Jorge nodded.
“This is the domain of Metis, where all the knowledge she amassed is stored.”
A sea of books stretched endlessly, impossible to read in a single lifetime.
“By her grace, I have been honored as the custodian of this place, and I reside here as its librarian.”
A satisfied smile crossed Jorge’s face as he spoke, pride evident in his tone.
“Thanks to her, I am able to endlessly pursue knowledge. I am eternally grateful and fully committed to fulfilling her will as the librarian of this place.”
Jorge’s tone softened.
“This is the Library of All Things. You may stay here as long as you like.”
“There is no time limit?”
“There is none. Knowledge does not restrict those who seek it. You are free to stay.”
Taesan already knew this.
There was no time limit to clear the 78th floor. One could stay here indefinitely to accumulate knowledge. Taeyeon had spent a considerable amount of time on this floor as well.
“It is a gift from Metis. Be grateful. However... if you wish to leave and continue your journey, I have a request for you.”
“What is it?”
Jorge stood and pulled out a book. He opened it as he explained.
“As the librarian, I have guarded this place for a long time. But even I cannot read every book here.”
The true master of this place was the God of Knowledge, and it was impossible to absorb all of her knowledge.
“I am still lacking.”
Jorge’s eyes shone with a fervent desire for knowledge.
“Bring me a book I have yet to find or read. That is my request.”
**[Quest Initiated]**
**[The librarian of the Library of All Things, Jorge, has an insatiable thirst for knowledge. He wishes to learn all there is to know in the world. Find a book he has not yet read and bring it to him.]**
**[Reward: Dependent on Jorge’s satisfaction with the book you retrieve.]**
“Understood.”
**[Quest Accepted]**
“So you intend to proceed forward. I can’t understand that.”
Jorge looked at Taesan with a look of genuine incomprehension. As a seeker of knowledge, he could not fathom why adventurers would want to leave the Library of All Things.
Taesan asked him, “Will any book that you haven’t read suffice?”
“Yes. Any book I have not yet encountered will do.”
Jorge returned his gaze to his book.
“If that proves too difficult, you can also retrieve a book I cannot access. This is a god’s library, after all. Some books are restricted and cannot be approached without proper qualifications. You may choose the option that suits you best.”
As Taesan prepared to leave, Jorge seemed to recall something and spoke again.
“There are a few rules you must follow while you are here.”
He held up a finger.
“First, do not damage any books. Though as an adventurer, you should not have the power to desecrate the domain of Metis, there are standards of respect. If you cross the line, I will expel you. Second, do not disturb me.”
Jorge turned a page, looking slightly annoyed.
“Some have tried to bother me. But let me make it clear: in this place, I hold absolute authority.”
Jorge idly touched a page.
The air around them shifted.
The will of Metis’s domain pressed down on Taesan at Jorge’s command.
The force was absolute; Taesan could not resist it unless he used his transcendent skills or eternal faith.
“I am the only administrator granted authority by Metis. This is my domain as well. Remember these two rules, and that will suffice.”
Taesan nodded, and Jorge returned to his book. Instantly, the pressure vanished.
“That will be all. Now, roam freely and gather knowledge, adventurer.”
---
The quest required Taesan to find a book Jorge hadn’t read.
At first glance, it seemed simple. The library was impossibly vast, and Taesan couldn’t even see its end.
He could assume that almost any book he chose would be one Jorge hadn’t encountered yet.
But this was the deep floors. Quests on these levels were never that easy.
‘Did it take Taeyeon about three years?’
It had taken Taeyeon quite a while to clear this floor.
She hadn’t been in a rush to clear it, but it had still taken an exceptionally long time.
Jorge remembered nearly every book in this place.
Taeyeon had tried countless times, but Jorge had turned her away each time, claiming he’d read
every book she brought. She had even complained about it on the community forum, questioning whether he was lying.
**[How will you handle this? Clearing it traditionally will take some time.]**
The Wraith seemed aware of the time commitment as he asked Taesan. Taesan moved between the bookshelves.
“For now, let’s take it slow.”
There was no need to rush. He already knew the way to clear this quest. He could complete it immediately if he wanted.
But he had no intention of doing so.
This was the domain of the God of Knowledge.
It was said that all the knowledge of the universe was here.
Taesan slowly scanned the bookshelves, picking out titles that caught his interest and began reading.
“So, this is how you know so much?”
Immortals, transcendent beings, faith, spirits, and more. The Wraith knew an incredible amount and had been a great help to Taesan.
Some of that knowledge was not accessible through normal means.
This library was where he had acquired it.
The Wraith confirmed.
**[Yes. Nearly any knowledge you desire can be found here. If you search diligently, you can uncover answers to almost any question.]**
Taeyeon had been the same. She had enjoyed this floor and spent a great deal of time reading.
Taesan also didn’t intend to simply pass through.
There were many questions on his mind—about faith, divinity, transcendent beings, ancient gods, and more.
He intended to resolve as many of these mysteries as he could. Taesan began turning the pages slowly.