So majestic?

  Was that an accurate description of the creature in front of him? It was the first word that came to Rue’s mind. But perhaps it was not accurate. The grandness of this golden-hued library took his mind off in wonder for a second. On second look, Roh looked like someone who bore regality, especially with his straight posture and that dark blue robe lined with a bulky silver collar that went around his neck in a circle, etched with a silvery glyph, messily drawn across it like a child’s work on a blank page.

  The skin that his attire didn’t cover was just his hands, both of which he clasped atop the table. Those looked like a dark gauntlet, but something inside Rue told him that it was not armor—it was a carapace. He watched the lined outline of his hand flex as he moved. And finally, perhaps the most unnerving part was his face. It was completely blank.

  “Welcome,” he said again. “Please don’t be nervous. I’m here to guide you.”

  Guide him?

  Rue looked around the library. Golden orbs of light swayed like a hanging lantern, some even formed a cloud of warm brightness under a particularly huge circular table—they also shone into the gargantuan bookshelves, which seemed endless and required a staircase that might as well be a mountain to reach them.

  “Where is this?”

  “This is the Library. Ah, libraries have special meaning, you see, in System-bound worlds—which, well, the universe. The system bound itself to libraries, and we librarians act as the System orator. Think of it like this: Libraries were the system’s knowledge it was willing to share. Weavers are a race created by the system to process it. These books, you see? Every book here was written by the Weavers; none of them is currently here. And finally, me, a librarian, protect these libraries and the weaver and guide those like you into the System’s embrace.”

  “And the system is?”

  “Hm, this might be hard to grasp. The system is the flow of the universe. The Origin of Everything. Representing every principle behind life, creation, and progression. The best saying on the universe is that the system is the Weaver of life.”

  “I think I need some time,” Rue muttered.

  “Yes, this is your first time here, isn’t it? Those who undergo normal tutorial normally would be transported into a Lesser Library to choose their class and spend their creation points. Take some time to relax, Rue Hazard. You have a choice, and it will be better to have a clear mind to decide upon. Why don’t you browse the System shop? Being in a piece of the Grand library offers a huge selection.”

  [System Shop]

  Creation point: 230,000

  Core: Arch Core

  [Knight] Shop

  [Mage] Shop

  Well, this was interesting. Grid upon grids of equipment lay bare across his eyes. Their rarity was put just above their picture, and they were sorted. Aside from them, their prices were listed.

  Knight’s Arms

  [Common]

  [Iron Short Sword] [1.000]

  [Plain Broad Sword] [3.000]

  [Arming Sword] [2.000]

  [Basic Long Sword] [2.000]

  [Saber] [1.000]

  [Basic Spear] [1.000]

  [Basic Shield] [1,000]

  [Uncommon]

  [Captain’s Long Sword] [60,000]

  [Oath Keeper’s Spear] [50,000]

  [Steel Hardened Spear] [50,000]

  [Oaken Shield] [52,000]

  [Frontier Arming Sword] [60,000]

  [Side Blade] [70,000]

  [Rare]

  [Storm Lash Blade] [210,000]

  [Frostbrand Sword] [220,000]

  [Aegis Shield] [200,000]

  [Wind Piston Spear] [210,000]

  [Echo Saber] [200,000]

  [Winter Thorn] [210,000]

  The sword section kept extending until it stopped on Rare.

  “This is it?” Rue asked, a bit disappointed.

  “We’re just in one separated part of the grand library,” Roh explained. “So, of course, the Grand Library Authority decreased. Rank beyond such as mystic, all the way to legendary, will be restricted for now. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, Rue Hazard. But, 'tis necessary. The Grand libraries will be formed again in the Last World, you see, but its power is magnificent, so we need to do it one by one, and perhaps it will take an entire year—”

  Roh slapped his dark, carapaced hand to his hood. Making a loud thud.

  So there is a head there?

  “Uh, are you not supposed to tell me that?”

  “No! Of course not. Surely you can guess how many times the Grand Library has been targeted by an outside force. And now I just revealed the timeline where the Library’s natural barrier will be wea—”

  “Stop!” Rue cut the fallen angel off. “Don’t—Don’t tell me that. Look, I will try to forget it, alright?”

  “I—yes, that will be preferable. For both of us.”

  Was that a threat? Rue chewed his lips and battled a sigh. Then he decided to change the topic.

  “It looks like I’m poor. Is there any way to gain more Points?” He asked, eyeing the Frostbrand Sword. With his Statis of Obsidian ice, he could turn that sword into dark obsidian by touching it. Still, it almost cost him all of his points.

  “More points? Why yes, of course you can. The second stage of the tutorial is the perfect place for that—once you’re teleported, you and your bastion need to first purchase a library with—ah, can’t tell you that either. My point is, as your guide, I highly suggest that you spend almost all of Creation Point here.”

  So another library would exist inside the second stage once unlocked, but not as powerful as this one? Considering this library only offered up to ‘Rare’, should he buy the sword?

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “So, Roh is it?”

  “Yes.”

  “What do you think I should buy?” Rue asked. It wouldn’t hurt to get his input. “My thinking is I should just get one of these rare swords.”

  “Let me hold you there. You are only looking at one part of the shop. Knight Class separated by arms and armor. Try to focus your eyes upon the arms prompt.”

  Turned out, it's not just Arms either. Rue got several more options.

  [Potions]

  [Health Potion] [Minor: 200] [Stilled: 1000] [Blessed: 5000]

  [Mana Potion] [Minor: 200] [Stilled: 1000] [Blessed: 5000]

  [Mage’s arms]

  [Common]

  [Travel Staff] [3,000]

  [Old Oak Channelling Rod] [5,000]

  [Training Battle Staff] [5,000]

  [Casting Bracelet] [3,000]

  [Ashwood Wand] [2,000]

  [Mana Ring] [5,000]

  [Uncommon]

  [Glyph Silver Ring] [75,000]

  [Stonebound Rod] [60,000]

  [Quick Cast Wand] [80,000]

  [Mana Flow Wand] [60,000]

  [BattleMage Staff] [80,000]

  [Spell Guard Ring] [75,000]

  [Rare]

  [Warmaster Staff] [320,000]

  [Frostspire Rod] [250,000]

  [IceVein Wand] [260,000]

  [Soulblesser Staff] [280,000]

  [Mana Prism] [350,000]

  [Core Shard] [323,000]

  “Well, that…” Rue scowled at the prices.

  “Expensive? Have you got to the plate choice?”

  [Plate]

  [Common]

  [Starter Guard Kit] [25,000]

  [Footman Cuirass] [20,000]

  [Field Plate] [30,000]

  [Novice Blacksmith Pride] [28,000]

  [Standard Lamellar] [32,000]

  [Uncommon]

  [Reinforced Knight’s Harness] [250,000]

  [Frontier Guard Plate] [200,000]

  [Captain’s Warplate] [200,000]

  [Vanguard’s Pride] [220,000]

  [Heavy Knight Plate] [215,000]

  [Rare]

  [Frost Warden Plate] [1,100,000]

  [Spell Guard Bulwark] [1,000,000]

  [Glacia Warplate] [1,120,000]

  [Brim Frostwinter Plate] [1,5000,000]

  [Grim Panther King’s Plate] [1,800,000]

  “These seem… excessive? Couldn’t I just put my point into my spells?”

  “Ah, those are only available during the early stage of the tutorial, I’m afraid. Usually, it can be done inside a Library the moment the first stage starts, but yours is a special consideration. There are ways for you to be able to do that again, but. It comes with a certain profession. For now, I do recommend you buy gears that will suit your fighting style.”

  “How am I supposed to buy those?” What was he supposed to do? Kill ten Srukas?

  “Well, take it as your next goal for the Second Stage. Or…” Roh paused. “If you’re willing to take the special stage, then you might have a chance of affording these even before the second stage starts. Although I have to warn you that you will not be transported here again once you're done with this special stage, but instead straight into the second stage, as it will be underway once you’re done.”

  “Special stage? Again? I also like to know more about this second stage.”

  “The Second stage is the last part of the tutorial. A real copy of the situation you will face in the war you shall face when you enter the Last world to secure it. Gods and various organizations will reach out to you during the second stage. To offer their patronage in exchange for future partnership. Not only closing rift, but you will have to be a part of a functioning society that exists inside…”

  The fallen angel paused, thinking.

  “Well, you get the gist. I will not tell you more than that. Now, for the special stage. Are you interested?”

  “Will it be like the last one?” Rue asked.

  “Probably harder… or maybe easier? Hm, hard to tell. But you at least will be much better equipped.”

  “Well, I’d like to hear what it will entail first.”

  “Perfect, but to make sure you get the whole situation—on why this special stage existed—I will explain from further past, I will summarize it. This will explain your Mana Sickness as well.”

  Mana Sickness.

  Rue clutched his hand under the table, pressing his finger to his palm. He’d not forget that happened. Being here, in front of this creature, with Rue’s body fully functioning, it was like he was living in bliss.

  “World—Planets are being destroyed at incredible rates this past century.”

  That's quite a start…

  “So, finally sensing the danger. The Tutorial did something unprecedented. It—”

  “Wait, who destroys planets?”

  “Ah, I shouldn’t skip those. A dark space dragons. To be more accurate, a force called the Darkling can move between spaces; they always forms into the figure of a dragon for an unknown reason. Millions of bodies stacked against each other, and they pierce through the atmosphere and planetary defence.”

  “I see, planetary defense, moving across space like a dragon, breaching atmosphere.” Rue tried to find a word. “Is that normal?” He blinked.

  “Some beings indeed can fly through space. An Apex-Being such as myself, for example. But you shouldn’t concern yourself with that for now. Right now, you and nine trillion others were merely Null-Beings. I can flick the air between us, and you will be blasted all the way to the Eldtree.”

  What the hell was an Eldtree? Not important. More importantly…

  “They will be in this last World, right?”

  “Ah, yes, but they are currently still galaxies away. So, you have time. This kind of thing should be talked about with the Last World Council formed by the Integrators, not here. Anyway, continuing, the Tutorial formed a Grand Tutorial, enveloping its authorities toward millions of untouched worlds. Scholars, oracles, and mages said that the System did this because it sensed that no one would be able to stop the Darkling’s advance. Which is why it meshed millions of worlds into one to serve as the Last Bastion.”

  “This act caused a lot of error you see. Such as a bizarrely huge amount of mana spillage that affected you. Many cracks formed by the system, and those cracks were used by various forces that tried to be among the first to touch their toes in the last World.”

  “Why would they do that?” Rue asked.

  “Newly integrated world offered so many chances, so much wonder, and so much…magic. A golden land that grew corpses in mere seconds? Those found in one world. A sea that froze into a diamond? A Sky Island filled with treasure? You can name random things, and it happens. Dangers always follow, however. The newly integrated world often had a Rift thanks to the grand rupture of mana. These rifts will birth monsters, and some will almost certainly occupies large amount of land. This is what you will face, Rue Hazard.”

  “Continuing to the forces who tried to get into the Last world early. Their methods vary. Mainly can be split into two.”

  “One is the sensible ones: They tried to control Integrators. Like the Succubus Sruka tried to do. The purpose is that once access to the last World is opened for everyone, they will have important lands secured or various artifacts. “

  “Second is honestly stupid ones: They tried to ride out the Planet merge.”

  “They can do that? Wait, how does a planet get ‘merged’ anyway?” Rue asked.

  “No, they cannot do that! The system will kick them out, but they still have their luck with their scrubs. And how did they get merged? It's by compressing the planets into pure mana and combining them, which is how the term ‘Mana Spillage’ came from.”

  Roh continued. “As you are aware, Rue, one way to combat Mana Sickness is by taking the blood of those who are fully affected.”

  Oh, I’m well aware. Rue thought bitterly. He leaned back, and his white hair fluttered just above his eyes. So, this was the cause, the universe itself. Rue very much liked to have someone to blame, but perhaps this way was more peaceful…that was until what Roh said next.

  “However, those methods have unintended consequences.”

  Rue jerked up, staring at the blankness of the fallen angel’s face.

  “Your Mana Spillage is strong enough that the system can recognize you and even compensate you. But, for those who inject fabricated mana into their body as a result of taking your blood…”

  His breath held, and Roh said.

  “They cannot be recognized by the system to execute teleportation. Currently, Rue, your world is facing an invasion by the Blightrat, and those who have not teleported are being slaughtered as their weapon too lacking.”

  “Couldn’t you help them?” Rue found himself asking. But, he could not stop the grin tugging at both cheeks. Rue bit the inside of his mouth, even his tongue. Stop smiling… He covered his mouth and shielded his eyes with his other hand.

  Ah…serve them right.

  “Rue…” Roh said softly. “I’m sorry. This is a system failure. Wait—why are you laughing?”

  Am I laughing?

  He was.

  A wave of pleasure surged through his body, and Rue openly burst out in a loud cackle. He tried to cover the unsightly sound with his palm, but he could not hold it back. Rue planted his forehead on the table, and he kept laughing. What an irony!

  “I see, this is you laughing it out in response to stress…”

  It was quite the opposite, but he did not bother to correct Roh. He kept laughing, almost pricking his eyes to the table edges. Rue head left the table, and he took a deep breath, staring down at the library's brown carpet. Huh, he just noticed them; the plush feeling they brought to his feet.

  “Do not worry, Rue, you can save them. Some of them at least.”

  “Excuse me?” His head snapped up.

  [Quest: System’s Hand]

  [A group of unfortunate failed to be reached by the System. Instead, it was decided that an impromptu first-stage tutorial shall be enacted inside Planet D-389. You have been tasked to carry the Golden Seed and plant it. The seed shall birth the System Tree, which shall grow fruit capable of offering class to those who never touched by the System—the System shall summons one rift to be the obstacle of the new Integrator. You are not allowed to enter the Rift under any circumstances. Your Job was to oversee them and protect them from BlightRat attack. By no means are you allowed to fight the System’s call monster.]

  [Guide them, teach them, and protect them from the Blightrat]

  [Reward: 1000CP for every surviving Integrator]

  [Note: Only the Integrator who eaten the System fruit which born from the System seed’s tree given shall be counted]

  Help them?

  Hold on.

  “The Watcher had been assigned to bring the seeds, but the world is vast. For you, though, the Tutorial can teleport you to the place you took from.” Roh said.

  Before Rue balked at the quest, he did a quick count. The population of Lost Arrow City was about three million…

  If he even saved five thousand of them, that would give him five million Creation points.

  “I think…” Rue muttered.

  But still, going back? To save them?

  The armor he could buy with these Creation points, though. Five millions... or even more. He could get both Frost armor and the sword...

  Ah, Damn it.

  “I'd better get proper gear then.”

  “Ah, perfect. Now I recommend that you get the Uncommon full set, potions, and…"

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