Chapter 2

As usual, the library room was very quiet. There was no sound at all here, while the eyes could only catch the light of the lanterns mounted on the walls as a source of light to see the rows of bookshelves that filled the entire room.

Ignoring all of that, I glanced around for a moment, thinking about what had happened to me a while ago. Why did I wake up at my desk as usual? Was that just a dream that felt so real? But why was the black book I was reading no longer on my desk if that was just a dream? I mean, if I fell asleep while reading the book, I wouldn't have returned it to the shelf yet.

That was a strange experience, but not impossible. "Which witch did this to me?! Come out, you bastard! You're making me unsure of what's a dream and what's reality!"

I knew that shouting wouldn't make a difference; it could be said to be pointless, but it could be done to vent my frustration. However, I was serious when I said that I wasn't sure if I was dreaming or not.

"Sigh ...." Giving up on thinking about all the oddities that had just happened, I decided to check whether the black-covered book I had read earlier had been returned to the bookshelf or not. Even so, I didn't know how to react when I saw that the black book was actually there. Could I interpret it as me hallucinating from overwork? Even though my job was just sleeping.

Unfortunately, it seemed I was not allowed to think so. The contents of the book I read when I was in that strange room were still stuck in my head. Every word, even the punctuation marks, were not forgotten. Damn, this gradually led me to the conclusion that I was indeed being tricked by a mischievous witch who was probably laughing at my confusion now.

Stop thinking about all that, I returned to my seat. At the same time, the library door opened again; it was Old Man Joe's second visit today—of course, because it was impossible for anyone else besides this Old Man Joe to visit here.

Old Man Joe approached, observing me from head to toe like a disgusting stalker. He had never done this before, it made me shiver.

Before I had the chance to express my discomfort, he suddenly asked, "Ars, what do you think of the world out there?"

I didn't answer immediately, rather I took a few seconds, then said, "I don't know, I'm not sure. But the way you ask makes it seem like I've never lived in the outside world and have only been confined to this library."

Old Man Joe shook his head, "No, I'm wrong, sorry. I mean, do you want to go back to living in the outside world? Leaving this library and living freely? I think you've gained enough knowledge from books to survive on your own."

Honestly, I wasn't sure of the answer to this question. If Old Man Joe had asked this question a while ago, before I read the book whose contents were still stuck in my head until now, I would have firmly answered no. But now, I wasn't sure.

"I'm not sure if I want to go back there or not," I replied.

"In that case, you really should go back," said Old Man Joe.

"Why so suddenly?"

"As I said, Ars. You already have a lot of knowledge that can make you survive in the outside world." Old Man Joe paused. "I can only hope wisdom and knowledge will always guide you."

"I'm not sure if I will leave here or not, Old Man." Honestly, I wanted to ignore this conversation. "But the way you say it is like you're subtly kicking me out."

"Sorry, Ars. I know this is sudden, but there's no more time. It's time for you to go!" As usual, Old Man Joe reactivated his right eye, which emitted a blue light to intimidate. At the same time, a tiger coated in blue light emerged from Old Man Joe's body, then stood next to the old man.

"Sigh...." Turns out I was indeed kicked out now. "Alright, I will leave. After all, it's impossible for me to defeat a Beast Tiger the size of an elephant."

Before leaving—without packing belongings that I indeed didn't have, Old Man Joe gave a fairly thick envelope. Of course, I didn't know what was inside, but because the old man gave it while showing off his Beast Tiger, I immediately accepted the envelope.

"That's your salary, Ars. Use it wisely," said Old Man Joe.

"More precisely, the first and last salary after five years of working, right?" I replied, "but, thank you. It seems I can survive at least a month now."

Without an emotional farewell, I stepped out of the library after so long. I knew Old Man Joe must have had his own reasons for kicking me out, or maybe because I accidentally entered a secret room—which I thought was the work of a mischievous witch?

Never mind, it doesn't matter what the reason is, now I'm officially out of the library. No more free food. It seems surviving in the outside world after lazing around in the library is very difficult. But never mind, maybe this is the fate I have to go through.

Not wanting to be bothered by things that haven't happened, my footsteps continued to tread on the bare ground, different from the library. If my memory is correct, it won't be long before I can reach the end of the hallway leading to this basement.

Speaking of the basement, I wondered what sunlight feels like. It seems I have officially become a narrow-minded person who doesn't understand the outside world.

However, as if to destroy my sweet dream, four masked men surrounded me from all directions. This is troublesome. They looked like they had been waiting for me to leave the library and immediately acted. But what is their purpose? Do they want something from me?

"What do you want?!" I stopped walking, standing tall while speaking in an intimidating tone. I was lucky my father had taught me how to fight, including intimidating enemies, so things like this weren't difficult.

The masked man in all black laughed for a moment hearing my intimidation. Without the slightest hesitation, he pointed the tip of his sword forward, right at my face.

"You are surrounded, Ars!" said the masked man. "We already know everything about you. It's better for you to kneel and hand over all the valuables you have!"

From what happened and the words of this masked man, I had a few rough assumptions about what was going on. However, there was one strong assumption I didn't want to believe, namely that Old Man Joe had actually sold me to them. But, I'm not that valuable to be traded, except to be a slave.

"Why are you silent?!" shouted the masked man earlier. "Do what I command immediately!"

I smiled slightly. Situations like this wouldn't scare me; on the contrary, they excited me. "I'm a little interested in the sword in your hand. As an apology, you can hand over that sword to me."

***

In the library, Old Man Joe smiled slightly as his Beast Tiger slowly faded, blending with the air. He was very calm, taking a deep breath while gazing around.

"Exactly as you said, my friend." He paused. "Ars truly awakened his true power five years after you were gone .…" The old man felt his hand tremble. "I don't know whether I should laugh or cry. As usual, you were careless and always sacrificed yourself without being asked."

Slowly he looked up, staring blankly at the ceiling as the blue light from his right eye faded. Not long after, he bowed his head while exhaling deeply.

"Ars, before you leave, you must pass the very last obstacle from me before you face various obstacles in the future," muttered Old Man Joe while sitting in Ars' chair. This old man who had no children or wife lay his body on the table, releasing the burden on his back.