NOVEL WEB Chapter 551: So Bored At A Library
****(POV)
The man points to a young scholarly-looking man. But why is he daydreaming?
His appearance looks neat at first glance, but then the fact that he seems to be sleeping while standing is definitely weird. I look toward my guide, but he just gives a small smile.
"He has been here for a while already. He is probably just resting his eyes for a moment—no need to worry. Alright, I will leave you to it. Take care of the books. If there is anything you need, you can ask the janitor."
I pass next to the young man. Resting his eyes, was it? He's even slightly drooling! He is indeed sleeping. Oh well, I begin my search. But soon I am facing a problem. This place is huge, and I'm not even sure what I'm looking for. That is when I spot a man with a broom enters.
"You! Come here."
He slowly walks over before standing nervously before me. Yes, he is standing.
"Didn't anyone teach you manners? A lowly servant like you should kneel before your betters."
"S-s-o-rrry!"
At least he can recognize his errors. Perhaps he isn't beyond redemption.
"Go find me every book on ascending to the fifth rank. Now."
At first, he seems lost, but then I let out a bit of my killing aura. He shakes like a leaf and darts toward the bookshelves. This is how the world works. I go take a seat while I wait. As long as he doesn't take too long, I won't punish him.
I'm bored. So very bored. But that's when my gaze meets the sleeping young man. Perhaps I can have some fun. Shall we play a fun game?
I slowly let out some killing intent. I'm curious to see how much of it he can tolerate before waking up or even going insane. I can already see his shoulder slump, and his face shows slight despair.
I raise the intensity. All the way until…wait. There is something wrong. He is somehow ignoring me right now. What I thought to be him fearing me seems to be just a bad dream. I can hear him mumble.
"So many books to organize. Will I ever see the end of it?"
I heard about blind people like him, but it's my first time meeting one. Is he dreaming about books? This is so pathetic. Should I wake him up? I slowly approach him, and then I take out a sword.
The servant notices me and opens his mouth in a silent scream, but I gesture him to stop. If he talks, he won't be spared. I slowly insert my weapon into the man's stomach. I was almost expecting him to wake up and fight back.
No, he keeps sleeping. It's only when I give it a good twist that he finally opens his eyes. I can hear him cry in pain. I can see the confusion on his face, he is sweating crazily, and blood is slowly appearing on his clothes.
I give him a bright smile.
"Morning. Sleeping in front of others is the stupidest mistake one can make. Lucky for you, I don't have any bad intention or else…."
I can't help but want to see him squirm, beg for forgiveness, perhaps more. It will at least bring me entertainment. He lowly grunts.
"Why? Who are you?"
"Just a traveling swordsman here for books about rank 5. Now, how about we play a game? The goal is simple. The playfield is this huge library. If you can find a book that satisfies me, I will let you live. Otherwise…"
He should understand my meaning. Or not, seeing as he just sits and closes his eyes once more. Pretty arrogant, isn't he? Ignoring me is so rude!
A few seconds later, he is already sleeping once more. That's when I playfully stab him. Let's see how he will react this time. But, at the very last instant, he moves sideways, making me miss.
Is he pretending to sleep? Does he think I am afraid to commit a crime here? Not in the least. There is no way they will make an enemy out of a peak rank 4 for some obviously weak scholar.
That's when he opens his eyes, giving me a reproachful look.
"I can't search if you are disturbing me. Let me complete my mission."
That's when he closes his eyes again. I have officially found a natural jester. I'm not sure if he's crazy or plain stupid. He just doesn't seem to realize the danger he is in. That's when the servant comes back.
"Sir, here are fascinating books about the topic!"
I grab them off him and begin reading. Ah, but there is one thing I need to make clear.
"For every book that you bring that is irrelevant, I will stab you once."
I can see his face twist in a mask of fright. He realizes that his fate is in my hands. Some people advocate that all weaklings should be killed, but I beg to differ. They have their role in society. They have to serve the strong and, in this case, entertain me.
But the more I keep reading and the more disappointed I become. All of these are worthless. I stab him a few times lightly, and he vows to do better. Ah, this place is so damn boring.
Just as I'm thinking that, I hear a commotion outside. A bell starts ringing. I can hear the city gates closing. There are shouts of panicked guards.
Whatever is attacking seems to be a monster. This is why such a city is worthless. What is the point of having a big library if they lose their cool as soon as the first enemy shows up?
Ridiculous, so ridiculous. But that's when I hear a huge commotion once more. Somehow it seems like the city gates have fallen and perhaps even an entire wall.
I can't help but feel excited. Whatever did this is actually coming this way. I can hear the sound of a mad gallop. Shall I kill the intruder? Not for them, just because I'm very bored.
Let's have some fun!...