When the walls before me parted, I saw an enormous wooden door.
Pushing it open, my nostrils were attacked by a musty smell of books!
This is a real treasure trove! Imagine all the skills I can get here!
Wooden shelves covered the entire room that looked to be at least 300m2.
Moving through the rows of shelves, all I could see were books in hard, black covers.
The only difference were the patterns on them, some seemed like inscriptions, others like seals and incantations.
Opening a few of the books at random, I noticed that it’s a language that I cannot understand.
There was no need to ask Eshel, it was evident that these books were written in Dark Trackers’ language.
That didn’t stop me from pocketing every single one of them.
To my surprise, I’ve found one book which had some readable words.
If my guess is correct it was a “human tongue manual” or something like that.
Basically, it was meant to be a guideline on how to learn the human tongue for these abominations
I swear to God, if you don’t have anything good in these books, I’ll skin all of you Dark Trackers alive!
Heaving a sigh, I started collecting every single book. I was a little hopeful.
I mean, maybe at least one of them is a skillbook!
That would make this whole struggle to find the exit and then battle these shadows extremely worthwhile.
Not a speck of these creatures’ corpses was left, so I couldn’t even search them for items…
Who knows how many resources were lost.
Oh well, maybe they have left something stored in their barracks.
While I chewed on that thought for a while I did a few more rounds through the library to make sure I had not overlooked any potential plundering.
On what I told myself was the final go around I stopped at one of the corners of the room, more than a little confused.
Why does the map show there is still more space when all I see is a wall here?
Could these bastards be holding anything else here?
Something valuable?
Tyxx: Are you okay, Master?
My minotaur was constantly following me.
I don’t know what he was thinking, but I didn’t really have time to bother with that.
Something felt off.
I tried feeling out the space in front of me.
It was vibrating, like an invisible barrier!
Dark Trackers really were protecting something!
Fufufufu, now it will be all mine!
Taking out one of the keys, I felt it resonate.
Jeez, if I wasn’t perceptive enough, I wouldn’t know there’s something in here!
These goddamn Dark Trackers keep everything in those barriers of theirs…
Still, I have to congratulate you, devs.
Not only did you make the exploring worthwhile, there are even riddles and hidden treasures!
Your riddles are stupid, but who doesn’t like treasure?!
Closing in with my key, rippling filled the air, then the barrier broke like a bubble and revealed a huge, 4m high black monument.
It was made of black wood like the shelves that littered this whole library.
I was pretty disappointed. What the hell is this supposed to be?
A cultural advancement of shadowy creatures?
Fuck!
Rage surged inside me.
My thoughts were revolving around burning this place to the ground, raising a fire so high that even these goddamn shadows would be burned!
I would call it a holy fire and accuse the church…
*sigh* I spent so much time here, might as well sacrifice some more.
Touching the monument I didn’t feel much.
It was sturdy, but there wasn’t anything off, something that would let me crack this mystery.
[Observe] didn’t provide me with anything, nor could I feel much with the [Sense presence].
The only feeling I had was it that it belonged to [Dark Trackers].
Eureka!
My gaming senses were tingling.
What dropped from the leader?
Keys, grimy arrow, pills… and the necklace!
I had the exact same sensation from it!
Pulling out the [Mysterious Strange Necklace], I pressed it against the monument.
Black light flashed.
*rumbleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee*
What the hell? It worked!
Everything around me started shaking, the ground, shelves, even the ceiling!
What a powerful aura!
Looking at the necklace, I saw strange symbols appearing in the air, then integrating into the monument.
I felt like an exorcist, using the power of Christ to make the spirits leave this damned place!
The power of Christ compels you!
As I thought that, the rumbling intensified and more and more seals appeared in the air.
Strange words started floating in the air, seeming like a scripture that was meant to unravel the mystery.
Around me there was an area of black dust, making a circle that seemed like a sealing formation.
Don’t tell me this shit wants to bury me here!
Franticly looking around, I didn’t see anything off.
Even if this is a trap, I can teleport back to the [Zaryoux Temple], so there’s not much danger.
More and more circles with strange symbols appeared.
After a while another black light flashed and the formation of black dust turned into a huge barrier, slowly closing in on the monument.
*creak*
Hearing something similar to shattering glass, I looked at the middle of the monument.
A hidden compartment was slowly opening up, revealing inside a stand upon which a black fur cloak hung.
Reaching out to it, nothing stopped me.
Phew, at least I can something out of this place.
Examining the fur closely with [Observe], I was utterly stupefied!
*gulp*
Now this is what I call overpowered!
Not only is it an [Artifact], it’s [Ancient] and [Legendary]!
Thirty percent damage reduction!
Twenty five percent dodge!
I’m sure this item is on par if not better than [Celestial Sword]!
These three thousands units of pressure though…
Whatever, if I can’t handle that, then why would this item allow itself to be worn by me?
1500 stat points will be tough, gaining wisdom will definitely get harder and harder in the future.
I’ll probably have to rely on my [Mastermind] subclass.
Who the hell could be its creator anyways?!
Such overpowered stats and this in nothing more than a “remnant energy”?
It says “Phantom Emperor”, I wonder just how strong this person was.
Maybe Eshel knows.
Icicle: *Oi Eshel, do you know of Phantom Emperor?
Eshel: *Don’t ask me about such beings again.*
I knew it, he was overpowered!
Icicle: *Come on, I don’t need his CV, all I need to know was who exactly was he.*
Eshel: *Figure it out on your own. You’re not supposed to even know about that person yet.*
Hmm… my guess goes to the Dark Trackers’ former leader of even founder.
Icicle: *Okay, whatever. Tell me about something else. I need to know how much a unit of pressure actually represents.*
Eshel: *It’s hard to put it in words, but if I were to, then the pressure Nyuva exerted on you can be amounted to 15 units of pressure.*
…I’m fucked.
How the hell am I supposed to withstand 3000 units then?!
Wait, [Indomitable] should be able to reduce it to 300 units.
That’s still twenty times more than what I can stand right now!
This overpowered item is a death trap for idiots that think they can use it!
This cloak would save me all the troubles of wearing armor, sneaking around and even wasting some of my mana!
Arghhh!
Now that I think about it, if it really belonged to a strongest Dark Tracker, then this Middle-ranked Dark Tracker may have been his direct descendant!
Shit, I need to scram before anyone notices this situation!
If I get caught by whoever was in charge of babysitting this dead retard, then I’m 100% dead!
Looking at the black monument, it had cracks appearing all over.
I had no idea what was going on, but suddenly the shaking returned, though much stronger than before!
Eshel: *Run brat, this whole area is going to collapse!*
SHIT!
Unsummoning Tyxx, I pocketed everything, leaving the barrier before the stand as well as the one before the doors deactivated.
Who cares about them when this whole place is going to crumble anyways!
Dashing off at top speed, I reached the entrance to the first floor in 10 minutes.
According to my map, there was another barrier on the right side, next to the entrance.
Taking out the [Skeleton Entrance Key], I quickly got rid of the barrier and walked into the 3m x 1m dark entrance that had a blue swirling energy inside it.
Only after I saw this message did I remember to check my condition.
*bleeergh*
Ughh, I vomited blood.
Fuck, I completely forgot about being hurt and run like the wind…
Thanks adrenaline rush, now I’m on the verge of dying… again.
I looked around.
Except for the two dimly lit torches on both sides of the entrance, everything around was dark.
All I could see was a part of marble spiral stairs going down.
After using the key on the entrance to activate the barrier again, I summoned Tyxx.
Taking out [Dark Moon’s Lantern] to illuminate the way, we started heading to the bottom of whatever this floor was.
Let’s pray it doesn’t lead straight to hell.
Tyxx started worriedly asking about my state.
Seeing me vomit blood scared the shit out of him.
He even went as far as to offer me a piggy back ride.
Then to carry me like a princess…
Whatever it was, I firmly refused.
Even if Tyxx’s genuinely concerned, I can’t show that much weakness.
Slowly moving down the stairs with nothing but [Dark Moon’s Lantern] for illumination, I made it to a large vortex of swirling blue energy, a portal.
Not being able to see your not even the walls, made me uneasy. Seeing the portal ahead of me didn’t help the matters either.
During the five minute walk to the portal, I’d coughed blood a few times.
There was no time to waste, so I put my uneasy feelings aside and walked right into it.
The entire scenery changed.
We were still on the stairs, but it seems Tyxx and I were teleported to the other side.
Wherever I looked there was lush green grass, even a decently sized village at the distance.
Sun shined brightly at the horizon.
The moment I looked down, I saw a brown haired girl with ponytails playing at the bottom of the stairs.
She was wearing violet dress with frills at the end.
Our gazes interlocked and she called out.
Girl: Who are you, mister?
I saw that her name was Eri, but I couldn’t suddenly call her by her name, could I?
That’s why I acted like a stranger.
Looking at her blue innocent eyes, I couldn’t help smiling.
Icicle: I’m Icicle, what’s your name?
Girl: My name is Eri. What are you doing here, Icicle? We never have any guests.
Yeah, no wonder…
Icicle: I was passing by and decided to stop by.
I was trying to smile, but the pain I felt made my lips quiver and my face twitch.
Eri: U-Umm…
Icicle: What is it? Don’t be shy.
Eri was struggling with something, but with my encouragement openly asked.
Eri: This shining pumpkin balloon of yours, can I have one too?
Icicle: Sure you can. Here you go.
Handing over one of the nineteen [Dark Moon’s Lanterns] to Eri, she seemed ecstatic.
Although it is just a game, her happiness truly moved me.
Eri’s smile was innocent, like a real human child’s.
Eri: Say, Icicle, do you want to see the village? I can show you various beautiful areas!
Icicle: You would do that for me?
Eri: Hmph, of course! Don’t treat me like a child, okay? I know how to repay kindness! So, how will it be?
Icicle: I can’t say no to such a polite girl like you, Eri.
Eri: Hehehe, you’re in luck, my mom is the best cook in the whole village! Come, take your minotaur friend too.
She’s not even fazed while facing Tyxx, something’s off with these people!
Eri: Is your friend new around here? I haven’t seen him before.
Giving Tyxx a meaningful look, I answered for him.
Icicle: Yes, in fact, he wanted to see his old friends, so I decided to accompany him. *cough* *cough*
It started again.
Blood splattered on the lush green grass.
Eri: Are you okay, Icicle? Hold on for just a second, I’ll call someone to help you!
While I was still in a coughing fit, Eri ran towards the village.
Looking at the time, I only had three minutes before I left this world and respawned inside the [Zaryoux Temple].
If it wasn’t for the [Let’s paint the whole world red!], I would have already been six feet under.
Two minutes later, Eri, someone who looked to be her mom and an old man, which I assumed to be a doctor, ran over.
Eri: Mom, doctor, can you help Icicle?
Checking out their names, the mother seemed to be called Lariette, why the doctor was called Ourang.
Lariette: T-This…
The old doctor closed in on me and asked.
Ourang: Why would we help a criminal?
*sigh* That goddamn Player Killer status haunts me forever…
Icicle: Listen, I realize you do not trust me, but I have no ill intentions. I have only around a minute left, then I’ll bleed out. *cough*.
Ourang: Whatever you say, I don’t trust you.
Icicle: You have two choices right now *cough*. It’s either that *cough* you’ll help me and *cough* trust that I won’t kill all of you later, or leave me here to die *cough* and pray that my familiar behind me won’t annihilate your village. Which do you think is more likely? *cough*
This goddamn coughing is becoming more and more severe.
The pain it causes made my knees weak and I dropped to the ground.
Tyxx: Boss, are you okay?
Eri: Icicle, hang on! Doctor, help him, please!
Ourang: You had better not betray my trust, brat! Here!
Snatching the health potion from the doctor’s hand, I uncorked it and hastilly chugged the liquid down.
It was bitter, but I swallowed it nonetheless.
Coughing lightly afterwards, I laid on the ground, panting.
Eri: Are you alright?
Struggling to put my hand on Eri’s head I patted her lightly.
Icicle: I’m okay, I just need to rest for a few minutes.
Lariette: Are you sure about all this, doctor?
Ourang: What other choice do we have? It’s either that or praying that this minotaur won’t cut us into thousand pieces after its Master’s death.
After a few minutes, everything returned to normal.
Eri took my hand and started dragging me towards the village.
I unsummoned Tyxx to let him rest and heal his wounds, as well as not to scare the villagers.
Eri’s mother, Lariette and the doctor were worried, but there was nothing they could do.
Tyxx telepathically told me that this place wasn’t familiar at all.
What the hell happened here?
Is it that this so-called “seasonal change”?
Yes, they mentioned it in the update, but isn’t it too much?
To rebuild the whole dungeon…
*sigh* Everything seems much more troublesome now.
Eri smiled and showed me every nook and cranny of the village.
I was surprised.
It really was a village, but it looked more like a small town.
Apart from wooden houses there were several build from stone.
Various professions were available in the village as well.
Blacksmith had his workshop, there was a general store, herbalist’s shop, bakery, windmill, apothecary and tailor shop.
I’ve seen a granary, some sort of impromptu town hall, which I assumed to be mayor’s residence, some people with pickaxes loitering around and of course the inn!
From what I was told there were no visitors, so I guess that’s where they brewed their alcohol.
Overall, although the village wasn’t large, it had decent technology.
The only worrying thing was the lack of military.
Were there really no monsters, nothing to defend from?
What about robbers, rapists and so on?
Who would uphold the rules?
As I was pondering that, Lariette came outside her house and called us for a meal.
Eri skipped hastily dragging me along with her.
I have to say that every single villager looked at me with strange eyes.
No wonder, no one had access to that village and suddenly a murderer walks by as if nothing happened…
Not to mention a little girl dragging him behind her, holding hands.
Entering a seemingly small wooden house, its interior was much bigger.
I’ve seen such a scene early on in Lasos City, in old man Nirvarus’s home.
It looked like a 15m2 shack, yet the interior was spacious and grand.
Although this house was only spacious and not richly decorated, it has definitely met the criteria.
Are these places somehow transformed?
Maybe they are dungeon-like?
So many questions…
Rich aroma woke me up from my musings.
Looking at the sumptious feast at the table before me, my stomach started growling.
Eri happily took a seat and invited me to sit next to her.
Doctor Ourang was sitting next to her, at the opposite side of the table.
I was about to sit when Lariette took my hand and dragged me to a small room, making up an excuse of “Icicle needs to rest”.
There was nothing I could do, I mean, it wasn’t my house to begin with and these people have helped me out.
It would be rude to impose myself on them.
Taking off my shoes. I laid on the bed.
Wooden nightstand was next to me, having a little beige lamp on it.
Looking at the window in front of me, rays of sun lazily made their way through.
Lariette walked in with a dish resembling spaghetti.
I was starving, so I after showing my gratitude, I immediately proceeded to devouring the food.
At least I wanted to.
White powder showed here and there, making me feel uneasy.
Lariette lightly smiled and was about to leave the room.
Using [Observe], I wasn’t surprised.
I knew it.
Propping myself up I sat at the side of the bed.
Icicle: Umm, Lariette…
Lariette: Yes, what is it?
Icicle: I just wanted to thank you again for saving me.
Eri’s mother closed in on me, placed her hand on my head and started lightly stroking.
Lariette: It’s nothing much. Now, enjoy your meal before it gets cold.
Turning around, she was once again about to leave.
I placed the dish on the nightstand, caught Lariette’s hand and pulled her towards me.
She landed on my laps.
Lariette: Ahhhhh!
Icicle: You’re pretty bold for a pretty face. The dish you’ve served me is actually poisoned.
Eri: Did something happen, mom?
Eri’s voice sounded out from the kitchen.
Icicle: You had better tell them everything’s okay. I don’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble, but you’re forcing my hand here.
Struggling a little, Lariette hurriedly assessed the situation and replied.
Lariette: No Eri, I was just surprised how fast Icicle devoured the meal. He has some additional injuries, so after wrapping them up I’ll come back to you.
Eri: I see, take your time.
There was something off.
Lariette probably tipped off the doc, but who cares.
It’s not like I want to kill them anyways, but a little scare wouldn’t hurt.
Icicle: Here.
With great difficulty I lifted Lariette up and sat her up next to me.
She wasn’t heavy, I was simply weak and exhausted.
Icicle: Now then, why don’t you tell me what’s happening here? You do have a blacksmith, yet there are no guards nor any military. I haven’t seen any weapons being produced either.
Lariette: W-What will happen to me and my f-family?
Finally someone who has their priorities straight.
Icicle: *sigh* It seems you have misunderstood me. Yes, I was a little angry that you have served me a poisoned dish. You could have at least hidden the powder, you know? However, I’m weird. Showing me that you’re not only a pretty face, but actually a woman with some gall is commendable. After all, doctor Ourang visiting you can’t be a coincidence, right? Not to mention that hushed “I’ll let you rest” antics. It appears you’re pretty crafty.
Lariette: Crafty, huh? If I indeed was so crafty, then I wouldn’t be in my current predicament.
She actually sounds grieved!
Hahahaha!
Icicle: Well, you tried to pull a fast one on someone who’s experienced, that’s all. I’ll tell you a little secret though. I am not from this world. Even if you did kill me, I would revive. I suppose you should consider yourself lucky.
Lariette: Why would you ask us for help if you could revive? Hmph, that’s obviously a bluff, a stupid one to say the least.
Icicle: I’m not bluffing. This place is cut off, so you don’t know anything about the outside world, but there are many people like me currently arriving in this continent. The only reason I asked you for help is that I’m pressed for time. It would be tiresome getting back here again.
Lariette: Oh really? Then what abou-
Icicle: I’ve told you enough. It’s time for you to tell me about this place. In detail, please.
Lariette: W-Well…
…
Rebirth Online World 