The Eye That Saw The End (3)
[System Notification]: You have entered the "Dra'Myr Library."
[Here you can study the history of the world, decipher ancient texts and find hidden knowledge.]
Atlas didn't waste time searching and immediately approached the librarian. Behind the counter sat a tall, thin man in a dark blue raincoat, with round glasses on his nose.
[Name: Livius Arden]
[Rank: Chief Librarian of the Dra'The world]
[Feature: Keeper of Forbidden Knowledge]
Livius looked up at him, calm but attentive.
–A traveler? – His voice was quiet, but there was a stern intonation in it.
–I need to find out about this artifact. – Atlas took the find out of the inventory: – Perhaps you can help?
Atlas placed the artifact on the table in front of Livius.
The man recognized him instantly.
–...You've brought something dangerous to these walls. The librarian said softly, barely touching the artifact with his fingertips.
–I want to know what it is. –Atlas said firmly.
Livius looked at him intently.… The Eye of Silence. It shouldn't have fallen into your hands.
Atlas didn't look away.
–...Because it saw something that was supposed to disappear.
The librarian was silent for a few seconds, as if deciding whether to continue.
[System Notification]: The "Eye that Saw the End" quest has been updated!
New goal: To gain access to the library's Restricted Archive.
Livius finally made a decision: –If you want to understand what you're holding in your hands... you'll have to go down to the archive.
– And where is he?
– Downstairs. The entrance is sealed. And if you want to get there, you'll have to fulfill one condition.
Atlas didn't hesitate. What is the condition?
Livius looked at him intently, as if assessing him.
– Access to the Restricted Archive is granted only to those who have proven their value to the library. You will have to complete one task.
[System Notification]: You have received the task "Guardian's Test: Library of the Dragon World".
[Description: Prove yourself worthy of the knowledge hidden in the archives.]
–What should I do?
– There is a lost folio in one of the back rooms of the library. No one has seen him for a long time, but he is important for understanding the past of this world.
Livius narrowed his eyes.
–Find him.But be careful – there are places in the library where books protect themselves.
[Task: Find the lost folio in the library halls.]
Atlas looked deep into the corridors of the library.The light flickered dimly among the endless rows of shelves.
The air shark hovered nearby, clearly anticipating that it would not be easy.
Atlas was in no hurry. He had learned well that in this world, one should not rush into the unknown without preparation.The library seemed like an ordinary place... but something told him that there were hidden dangers here.
The air shark hovered quietly nearby, as if it also felt the tension in the air.
[System Notification]: You have entered the "Halls of Deep Knowledge".
[Some books are protected here. Not all knowledge is meant for the living.]
Atlas frowned.
"Guarded?"
He walked slowly between the rows, examining the room.
– What could be dangerous here? He muttered, running his finger along the spines of the ancient folios.
The answer came unexpectedly.Somewhere in the back of the room, something rustled.
Not the wind.Not a rat.A quiet, hoarse sigh.
Atlas stopped, clenching his fists.
Sin tensed, her fins fluttering slightly in the air.
Shadow between the shelves, movement on the edge of visibility…
The rabbit slowly retreated, hiding in the shadow of the nearest shelf.An aerial shark hovered nearby, gliding almost silently through the air.
[System Notification]: You are using stealth. Your footsteps are getting quieter.
The rustling sound did not stop.Conversely.
It was getting louder.Whispers, low, barely audible, as if the books themselves were discussing his presence.Atlas pressed himself against the shelf, waiting.
A figure slowly floated out of the darkness.She was tall, wrapped in a dark cloak, but her face was hidden in shadow.It seemed to be trembling, changing, like a mirage.
[System Notification]: An abnormal presence has been detected.
[Title: The Wandering Reader.]
[Description: Once a researcher who remained in the walls of the library forever.]
The creature froze…And suddenly it turned its head sharply in the direction of Atlas.
Atlas slowly reached for his weapon.The aerial shark wavered in the air, its fins lit up slightly – it was ready too.
The wandering Reader froze, and then…A jerk.
The shadow spread out in the air like a spot of ink, and then appeared next to it, two steps away from Atlas.
[System Notification]: Your current level is 8.
[Your opponent is a Wandering Reader (level 12).]
[Level difference: Average.]
Atlas clenched his teeth.
–That's great. The opponent is stronger. As always.
But he's already used to it.
The reader raised his hand, and the pages of the old books shot up into the air, forming something like a spear.The first blow.
Atlas dodged, falling to the side. The paper spear hit the shelf, the books scattered, and their pages began to float in the air, emitting a faint glow.
The air shark abruptly darted forward, biting the void where the shadow had been.
[System Notification]: The Xing Air Shark uses the "Rip Bite" ability.
A hit.The shadow wavered like ripples on water, but it did not disappear.
Conversely.The reader slowly turned to the shark... and opened his mouth.Words poured out of him.
Words that made Atlas's head spin violently.Atlas felt the words pouring out of the Reader's mouth enter his mind.The buzzing in my ears. Dizziness. It was as if thousands of voices had spoken at once.
–Is this... a suppression spell?
[System Notification]: Warning! The "Heaviness Of Knowledge" effect.
[Your stats have been reduced by 30% for 15 seconds.]
Atlas swayed, but clenched his fists.
The air shark trembled, its body lit up – it also felt the impact.
"If I can't rely on strength..." – Atlas abruptly reached into his inventory.
[System Notification]: You are using the "Scavenger Bag".
[View available items...]
Time seemed to slow down.His eyes skimmed over the list of junk he had collected from previous assignments:
·A broken lightstone
·A dried bunch of herbs
·A piece of enchanted cloth
·An old bottle with cloudy liquid
Atlas chuckled.
"Well, it's junk... but there's no choice."
He grabbed the bottle and abruptly threw it towards the Reader.
[System Notification]: You are using the "Old bottle with cloudy liquid" item.
[Effect : ???]
Crashed.Thick, acrid steam poured out from inside.
The reader froze.The hum of voices suddenly stopped.The atlas swayed as the suppression spell disappeared.
[System Notification]: You have avoided the "Burden of Knowledge" effect.
Sin didn't miss the chance.She darted forward, her body lit up, and slammed into the Reader with force, knocking him back.Atlas now had a few seconds to decide how to finish off the enemy.
Atlas wasted no time.The reader trembled, enveloped in the acrid steam, his figure became unstable for a moment.
"It's now or never."
He lunged forward, clenching his fists.
Xing reacted instantly, her body flushed, and she made another sharp jerk.
[System Notification]: The air shark uses a "Rip Bite".
Critical strike!
The shadow shuddered.Atlas didn't let her recover.
A direct hit.One, two.
The fist slammed into the Reader's shimmering body, leaving deep tears on it.
[System Notification]: You deal net damage to an ephemeral creature.
The reader froze, his silhouette began to crumble like old paper.He disappeared soundlessly.
[System Notification]: You have defeated the Wandering Reader!
[Received: 750 EXP.]
[You've leveled up! (9)]
After defeating the Wandering Reader, both Atlas and his Mount Beast have improved several important characteristics.:
Atlas (9)
[Combat Durability] (improved: +1) ( 12 → 13 )
[Effect: Increased stamina in combat. Atlas becomes more resistant to melee damage.]
[ Reaction] (improved +2) ( 16 → 18 )
[Effect: Increased attack evasion speed and time to execute combat commands. This makes Atlas more maneuverable in combat.]
[ Attack Speed] (improved +1) ( 16 → 17 )
[Effect: Increase the strength and accuracy of melee attacks. Atlas is now able to deliver more powerful blows.]
[ Stamina] (improved +1) (19 → 20)
[Effect: Increased health and resistance to negative effects such as fatigue or weakening.]
[ Threat Response skill improved lvl 1 → 2 ]
[ Effect: Improved intuition in combat. Atlas can anticipate the enemy's actions, which allows him to use his strategy more effectively.]
Sin – Aerial Shark (7)
["Explosive Bite" (level: 1 → 2 ]
[ Effect: Increases the power of the Explosive Bite attack, which can now deal even more damage and has a chance of a critical hit.]
[ "Magic Resistance" (level 1 → 2]
[Effect: The air shark has become more resistant to magical attacks and influences that can affect its behavior or physical form.]
[ "Volatility" (improved +1) ( 20 → 21) ]
[Effect: Increased maneuverability in the air, allowing the shark to change direction faster and avoid enemy attacks.]
[ "Art of Hunting" (level 1 → 2]
[ Effect: The Air Shark can now hunt more efficiently and find enemy weak points, which gives it an advantage when attacking.]
Now, with improved skills, Atlas and his beast become significantly more dangerous in battle. However, the upcoming challenges may be even more difficult, as the new quest "The Eye that Saw the End" suggests that even more serious threats await them.
To be continued, please like and save…