NOVEL WEB Chapter 550: Literary System
****(POV)
What the Hell is all this?!
What is up with the missions? Why is there one to copy all the books here? Also, world domination?! Are you kidding me?!
<Fret not, host. The last one is a long-term mission>
Does it matter if it's long-term?! That's beside the point. How is world domination related to literature in any way?! What kind of shady being are you?
<No, it's completely logical. A great author will have countless fans, but a legendary author will have all bending in front of him, begging for just a few lines more of—>
That is bullshit. Truly bullshit. Plus, how am I supposed to witness and write down History if I am stuck here trying to copy the work of others? How can I unbind you?
<The only way for me to leave is if you perish.>
That is horrible! Wait, I don't remember you saying anything about such a clause.
<Host never asked. But do not worry! Our goals align. Here, this should help! Ding! Unlocked Dimensional Library.>
What is that?
<The Dimensional Library is very much like a normal library but instead, it aims to possess all the knowledge in the multiverse. Well, that and the fact that it doesn't truly exist and only the host can access it.>
...
<Here, try touching a book, any.>
*Sigh* I may as well try. For better or worse, I am stuck with this thing, it seems. I carefully extend my hand toward a random book. That's when it happens. A line appears in front of my eyes.
<Would you like to copy the book: 'How to catch a champion's eyes with 100 various methods.>
…. Quite questionable…Sure, I guess. That's when my entire surroundings change. I find myself in a dark space. In there, the only thing I can see is a single old bookshelf standing there in the very middle of the space.
Inside lies a single book. Yep, the one I just touched. As I approach it, it seems to be accurate to the title and filled with nonsense. Wow, just wow! Copying a book is that easy? I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry.
Right now, I'm having flashbacks of all the time I spent copying in my life to save an old edition. This is so crazy!
<How is it, host? Are you impressed?>
What happens once I touch every single book here?
<You will have a phantom copy with you whenever and wherever. Then, you can use those as reference material. Isn't it great?!>
Actually, it is. How do I get back?
<Whisper this three times: The Literary System is amazing. That will get you out.>
The Literary System is amazing, The Literary System is amazing, The Literary System is amazing, …..
<this system is going to blush. Oh right, To exit, just think hard about it.>
A few instants later, I'm out of that weird realm. In front of me is a man waving his hand. He seems to be a janitor here.
"Are you okay?"
"Yes, of course!"
He gives me a weird glance but goes back to his duties. Alright, complete the first mission, shall we? I tread all around the huge library, slowly making sure to touch every tome gently. At some point, I feel a heavy stare.
The janitor is looking at me, wondering why I'm caressing the covers as if long-lost lovers. Luckily, I don't have to explain myself to him. It would be hard. Who'd believe this whole system thing anyway?
At first, he's weirded out, his eyes bulging more and more as he watched me. But after a while, I see him shyly approach. That's when he starts doing the same! Then I see him shudder in pleasure as he gives me a wink.
What the Hell is happening?! He gives me the most innocent smile ever and keeps touching the books too.
<Perhaps he has a system too! Should we check?>
How would you even do that?
<Like so: OY! ANYONE HERE?!>
Why are you shouting?! Ah, calling out to the other, I see. How many systems exist?
<How many humans exist?>
How would I know such a? …Oh.
<Probably from a few dozens to a few hundred. Maybe more? It's hard to say. My guess is that we will eventually meet many toward our quest to reach the peak of this world.>
I like his confidence, but I really just want to write. Am I even obligated to finish this task?
<No, but it will help, so may as well.>
Fair enough. That is why I steady my resolve, and I keep going. My legs hurt from walking, my fingers are numb from touching, my sight is getting blur.
At this point, I have no idea what I'm touching. That's when the janitor comes next to me with a worshipping gaze.
"Brother, you've been going for hours! I wish I had your stamina! What's your secret?"
What is he talking about? How do I make him go away?
"My secret? It is experience. Once you have lots of experience in a library, you will not find moving in it tiring at all."
Of course, that is an obvious lie. Sill, he lights up as if enlightened and goes back to touching books too. Shouldn't he be doing his job instead? Then again, we seem to be the only ones here. Who could even notice?
It takes me the whole day, but I finally manage to touch the few thousand books here. The hardest part is moving and going up the ladder, really.
<Ding! Congratulation! Mission accomplished!>
<Reward: Everflamme Candle for the Dimensional Library!>
What is all this? I concentrate hard, and I try to access that weird space. That is when I come upon a dark space, and …No, there is a difference now. In the corner, there is a small candle that burns gently.
Somehow, it doesn't emit heat and doesn't seem t really be burning either. It seems that by completing the task I received a reading lamp. This is amazing!
Doing quests to receive rewards?! How mystical is this?! Not only do I have a free reference library, but I'm getting free stuff to boot! Wow!
On a side note, this single bookshelf increased in size. It now holds all the books I have compiled. It is wide. It is tall. It is impressive.
I slowly approach it, and I pick one book to browse randomly. That's when I realize something…won't organizing this place become a nightmare soon enough?! Especially so if I keep getting a mission to copy all books, even the most useless ones!
<I feel like later on, we might unlock abilities to sort it all out, but it will probably happen so late that you won't need this place anymore by then.>
It's still amazing, but…. can I get rid of some books?
<Absolutely not! Literature is sacred!>
Ah, this will be a pain…Guess I just have to sort through all of this. I busy myself…But then the entire world starts shaking. What the Hell is happening?!...