Stepping into the library, I couldn’t help but marvel at the sight before me. The wide hallway stretched endlessly, its sheer grandeur making it feel more like a palace than a library.
High above, massive chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their golden frames catching the light and scattering it in warm, soft hues. The air smelled faintly of parchment and polish, the latter evident in the impeccably cleaned, well-furnished tables that lined the space. Everything about the place felt regal, almost sacred.
It was far more majestic than it had looked in the game.
As I approached the registration desk, I spotted a bearded man slouched in his chair, snoring loudly. Or rather, not a man—he was a demon from the Sloth family. His horns curled lazily around his head, and his entire presence radiated lethargy.
I tapped the desk lightly and spoke. "I came here to register."
The demon twitched, his body jerking slightly, and a hoarse voice escaped his lips without him even opening his eyes. "Go over there. Fill your name, class, and rank. Then go away. Don’t make noise."
I raised an eyebrow. How much practice does it take to talk so clearly while half-asleep?
Still, I did as instructed, scribbling down the details on the register. Then, a thought struck me. "Where is the book named The Guidance to Celestial?"
The demon muttered something incoherent, his lips barely moving. Then, as if on autopilot, he rattled off the exact location: "Bookshelf 12, Row 5, Shelf 3, Book 7."
I gave him a subtle thumbs-up. This guy might be the epitome of laziness, but he’s surprisingly efficient. It certainly made my search easier.
After finishing the procedure, I turned to leave after which the demon cracked one of his eyes open slightly.
A faint, eerie glow shone from it as he whispered, almost to himself, "So, he’s finally here to take his mantle."
I paused for a moment, unsure if I’d heard him correctly. But before I could say anything, the glow faded, and the demon slumped back into his chair, blurting out nonsense before falling asleep again.
Shaking my head, I walked toward the shelves, my curiosity only growing. What did he mean by that? But more importantly, I had a book to find.
I walked toward the section the demon had mentioned: "Bookshelf 12, Row 5, Shelf 3, Book 7." The numbers on the towering shelves made it easy to find.
The entire section stretched endlessly, packed with old books that smelled of parchment and dust. The library was silent, except for the occasional sound of pages being turned.
Crouching down, I scanned the spines until I found it The Guidance to Celestial. The book’s cover was worn, with faded gold lettering barely visible. Dust covered it as if no one had touched it for ages.
I carefully pulled it out and opened the cover. The first page was blank except for a glowing symbol in the center. I stared at it, feeling a strange pull. Turning to the next page, I saw ancient scripts written in a language I couldn’t recognize.
But as I looked at the words, they began to shift, changing into something I could read. It felt like the book was speaking directly to me.
"The Guidance to Celestial," I whispered the title, feeling the weight of the words.
The first line read: "To connect with the stars, one must first harness the flow within."
"Yes this is it," I muttered looking around.
Registering the book along with a few ones from other receptionists who just appeared, I snuck into my room.
...
Sitting on the bed, I bite my thumb, spilling a drop of blood over the book and rubbing my hand, slowly singing the poem.
When night unveils its velvet shroud,
And stars shine bright, a gleaming crowd,
Seek the one that burns so near,
A guiding light, both pure and clear.
SWISH!
A bright light illuminated the entire space. My vision became blind for a moment and I found myself in a frozen state.
Then,I opened my eyes to find myself standing on a floating block, suspended in an endless white void. Around me, countless other blocks floated silently, forming a maze-like pattern in the vast expanse. The air felt alive, humming softly with energy, as if the entire space was a living, breathing entity.
Before I could take another step, a deep, resonant voice echoed around me.
"Welcome..."
The voice was steady, warm, and commanding. I turned my head sharply, searching for its source.
"Welcome to the Repository of Knowledge and Guidance."
I snapped my gaze to a figure floating a few meters away. He wasn’t standing but effortlessly hovering in mid-air.
Draped in a pristine white cloak, his face was concealed by a hood, leaving only a faint, glowing outline where his features should be. His suit and pants shimmered with an ethereal glow, matching the gleaming staff he held in his hand. The staff itself seemed alive, its surface pulsating with light like a heartbeat. The man’s presence was regal, commanding awe without a single word.
"Young Seeker," he began, his voice carrying a majestic weight, "since you were lucky enough to stumble upon this place, from now on, you are a free member of this Repository. You may seek the knowledge you thirst for—knowledge that aligns with your path—or leave your own wisdom behind for others to discover."
With a casual snap of his fingers, the world around me transformed.
The empty white void dissolved, replaced by a grand library stretching beyond what the eyes could see. Shelves stacked with books of every size, color, and material rose high into the heavens. Some books floated mid-air, their pages flipping gently as if whispered to by an invisible wind.
The scene shifted again.
Suddenly, I stood in a laboratory brimming with tools and equipment far beyond my comprehension. Strange devices floated in containment fields, humming softly. Holographic screens displayed complex equations and shifting blueprints, while robotic arms worked tirelessly on unknown creations.
Then another shift.
A sprawling hall appeared, filled with gadgets and artifacts. Each one sparkled like a treasure, radiating power and mystery. The walls of the hall shimmered with moving patterns, showing glimpses of celestial maps and ancient runes.
Every space exuded magnificence, as though the very essence of knowledge and innovation had materialized before me.
Hearing the man’s proclamation, I smiled, tilting my head slightly. My demeanor remained calm, my confidence unshaken.
"Sorry," I began, my voice steady, "I am not here to seek knowledge."
The man, taken aback, tilted his head. "Huh?" His voice held genuine surprise, and his glowing gaze pierced through the hood. He stared at me, a questioning look etched into his aura.
Meeting his gaze without hesitation, I spoke again, my tone sharp and resolute. "I am not here to gain knowledge. Rather, I am here to own it."
The man’s expression shifted slightly, his presence seeming to ripple as if taken off guard. But his surprise didn’t deter me. I stood firm, my confidence unwavering as the vastness of the Repository surrounded us, every corner brimming with endless possibilities and all of it ready to be claimed.
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