The Black Locust Swarm Shall Overflow
Luna and her companions, having learned their lesson from the ambush on the first floor, advanced to the second floor with thorough precautions. Luna summoned tentacles to smash the door without even bothering to open it, while Walter unleashed a barrage of crimson fireballs through the shattered gap. After the onslaught ended and about five minutes had passed, the group cautiously entered the second floor.
The door creaked open with the groan of aged wood, revealing a scene of utter devastation. Shelves that should have been neatly stacked with books were charred and crushed to splinters, and the clean chairs and tables where patrons once read had been reduced to piles of firewood.
But then.
"Why are there no books?"
As if answering Walter's question, red books clinging to the shadowy arched ceiling rained down on the group.
"..! Damn it!"
"Shit!"
Walter and Luna hurriedly prepared spells, but it wasn't enough to intercept the falling books. Just as the group braced for impact—
Divine Law - Goddess's Mercy
A golden barrier enveloped the group. The books pelted down like hail but bounced harmlessly off the shield, falling limp to the floor. Only after the last one dropped did the barrier fade away.
"Haa. Haa."
Flora, who had single-handedly shielded them from the bombardment, staggered and collapsed.
"Flora!"
Walter and Luna rushed to check on her. Flora managed a smile, as if she was fine.
"I just used too much holy power..."
She suddenly vomited a mouthful of blood, unable to finish.
And in that moment.
[Kkirik-kkirik-kkirik— So annoyingly persistent.]
In the pitch-black darkness of the Golden May Library's second floor, from the deepest shadow, a red book adorned in blazing crimson emerged, dispelling the gloom.
"You're the culprit behind all this."
Walter, frantically checking on Flora, ground his teeth and glared at the main body floating in the air.
[Hahaha— Red sorcerer. I originally planned to take your life.]
The red book brushed off Walter's murderous glare and, like some theatrical actor despite being a book, spun gracefully in the air, tilting toward Flora.
[But this pathetic servant of the goddess sacrificed herself in your place. Isn't it beautiful?!]
Kkirik-kkirik-kkirik—
Walter and Luna glared back at the book mocking them with its twisted, choking laughter from midair.
...Well, precisely, only Walter did. Luna kept a cool expression as she stealthily summoned shadows.
[Luna.]
'Yes, Master.'
[How did it feel seeing Flora collapse?]
'As if I wouldn't care.'
Luna gripped me tighter as she replied.
'I'm just holding back because getting swept up in emotions right now won't help.'
[...Heh. You've become a proper mage in heart, at least.]
I felt a swell of quiet pride watching the mountain girl who once trembled at mercenaries now control her emotions so well.
As I gazed at her fondly, Luna suddenly asked me a question.
'Master, that thing flies around, talks, and casts magic too. Is it your friend by any chance?'
[......]
What the hell is this girl saying?
Stunned by the absurd remark, I looked at Luna's face, and—
'Master?'
She stared back with her usual innocent expression, urging me for an answer.
Comparing me to that worthless trash mystic? Suppressing my rising fury, I explained slowly.
[...Sure, it shares some superficial traits with me. But that thing is a pathetic construct patched together from gutter mystics' trash. I, on the other hand, contain the refined mystic of a great and fearsome entity renowned even across the cosmos.]
Luna nodded in understanding at my gracious explanation. Phew, better late than never...
'Anyway, it's still a grimoire like you, right?'
This, this insolent brat!!
As I trembled in humiliation in Luna's hands, the fake grimoire in the air and Walter seemed to have finished some exchange and entered combat stances.
2nd Circle Magic - Fireball
With Walter's short incantation complete, intense heat gathered around his hand, swirling and expanding into a fireball. Once the flames compressed into a sphere, he thrust it toward the book without hesitation.
True to its reputation, the fireball smashed through obstructing shelves, incinerating them as it hurtled forward. The book watched impassively, then raised surrounding books into a sturdy barricade.
The thick wall of books looked solid enough to withstand swords or arrows, but—
Boom—!
Like most fortifications, it couldn't hold against a seasoned mage's earnest strike.
[Oof, so troublesome.]
As if expecting the breach, the red book emerged from behind the half-ruined shelf.
[This is why I'd rather take the red sorcerer over that goddess's mangy dog.]
Tsk-tsk-tsk—
The book clicked its tongue lightly and continued.
[Repeating this attrition war would surely end in my defeat.]
It twisted, shaking its body as it eyed the "wall"—now a gaping hole dripping blood-red liquid.
[And it doesn't suit my tastes anyway.]
The grimoire grinned as it said that.
Rumble—!
As the ominous words ended, books embedded in shelves, ceiling, floor, and window frames melted and were sucked into the main body. Like a chrysalis metamorphosing into a butterfly, red liquid enveloped it roundly.
Sensing danger, Walter and Luna bombarded the red cocoon, but—
Boom—!
Clang—!
It only shook slightly; no impact reached inside.
"Ugh..."
To make matters worse, Flora on the floor looked bad. Luna tried emergency herbs from her pouch, but they only halted the worsening—no real effect.
"This is dangerous. Looks like she overdid her holy power and tangled her circuits a bit..."
"Damn it!"
Luna seemed genuinely worried now, her earlier nonchalance gone. She'd bluffed confidence before, but I'd felt her anxiety through our bond.
[Kukuku—]
The frivolous laugh shattered the tender moment. Luna and Walter whipped around to the cocoon.
From the half-cracked shell, a yellowish reptilian slit pupil glared at them.
Crack!
Crunch!
The emerging form was vastly changed. No longer book-sized, it now spanned half a shelf. Its once-plain red cover was studded with obsidian-like jagged gems.
[I planned to escape this damned library and devour every book in the city to grow, but whatever.]
The red book narrowed its central eye and continued.
[With this power, flattening this puny city will be a joke!]
Hahaha!!
After laughing maniacally, it lowered its massive body toward Walter.
[You, little red sorcerer. Are you scared?]
As it said, Walter froze under the killing intent, silently enduring the mockery.
[Haha. Fair enough. Even I'm astonished by my new—]
"Listening to your drivel is beyond my patience."
[What...?]
Walter drew his hidden hand forward.
"Your arrogance will be your death."
3rd Circle Magic - Red Lightning
Walter had secretly formed mudras behind his back and chanted quietly while the arrogant book ranted, preparing the powerful spell.
"Farewell, you damned book."
With a downward slash like an executioner, thunder rumbled from the ceiling, hot air rushing in.
[Wai—]
The book sensed peril and tried to defend, but no more sacrificial books remained, and its bulk prevented evasion.
Kaboom—!
Like divine retribution on its foolish choice, a crimson bolt far fiercer than any fireball pierced the old ceiling, relentlessly striking the book.
The searing spear pummeled it with blunt force rather than piercing. As the flash and heat faded, the arrogantly floating red book, now ragged like a rag, crashed limply to the floor.
"Haa. Quite. Fitting. End."
Walter muttered, collapsing.
Still on the ground, he continued weakly to Luna.
"Miss Luna. Take me and Flora. To the church. Quick."
Thud—!
He passed out. Probably from forcing a spell beyond his circle.
Luna's eyes widened in panic at the sudden burden, but she dragged Walter to Flora's side.
"Somehow, I feel like I did nothing on this quest."
No witnesses around, she openly addressed me while moving the bodies.
"They're not dead yet?"
I soothed the bristling Luna with a gentle tone.
[Haha. Don't worry too much. You'll handle the most important finale.]
"...Me?"
A chill hit her; she turned, and her dread proved right.
The red book slowly rose, half-burnt and charred. Its glossy cover wrinkled like an old man's skin from the fire. The sly yellow reptilian eye had gone milky white, sightless.
[Damn red sorcerer. Damn red sorcerer!!!]
Unable to contain its rage—or tip its heavy body—it slammed into walls.
[Fine. At this point, taking your lives will make it worth it.]
After rampaging, it fixed its blind white eyes on Luna.
[Brace yourself, shadow trickster. I'll kill you all and get out.]
"...Hah. How is this a safe training exercise, Master?"
Luna muttered, opening me.
[Why? Isn't this plenty safe?]
The annoying patterns and mobs were handled by trusty party members. Only the final desperation left.
"Fine. After all this fun, I guess I should wrap it up."
Swish!
Black tentacles rose from the red book's shadow, coiling around its body.
[Ha! Think this trick will subdue me?]
But the book's violent thrashing freed it quickly. Somewhat recovered, it floated again, glaring down with white eyes.
[You're green, trickster. The previous red sorcerer was far supe—]
Thud.
Thud—!
Before the nonsense ended, a massive black fist from the ceiling smashed the red book.
[Ugh. Ack. Urk.]
Crack!
Snap!
With brutal sounds, the shadow fist pummeled mercilessly—perhaps excessively.
"For inanimate objects, blunt force beats piercing."
"How was that, Master?"
Luna winked at me lightly. Heh heh. Tentacles as bait? Distract with them to buy time crafting the complex arm, then land the punch.
[Heh, whoever taught you, you're clever as hell.]
At my sincere praise, Luna beamed.
[Ugh. Uuugh!!]
Somehow breaking the barrage, the book floated shakily, burst eye dangling, cover torn.
"Oh? Thought that'd finish you. Tougher than expected for a fake grimoire."
At Luna's words, it halted, then burst into mad laughter.
[Haha! Hahaha! Hahahaha!]
"What? Losing it?"
[Looks like.]
I've noticed before: Luna's words provoke rage without intent—pure evil.
The book stopped abruptly, shedding its smugness.
[Just die, you fucking bastards.]
Flash—!
Six red magic circles opened in the air.
From them—
Clack-clack-clack—!
Kekeke—!
Small books with teeth poured out, snapping incessantly.
The flood of carnivorous books made even composed Luna tense.
Splat!
Boom!
Thankfully weak enough for tentacles, but the numbers were the issue.
Clack-clack—!
Luna gaped as shadows forming fists, tentacles, even beast maws were shredded instantly by the red wave.
[Kekeke— How's it taste? Meant for the city center, but screw it. Killing you is all that matters!]
True enough—unleashed in town, casualties would be massive. The book crumbled too, so not free.
Luna fought the encroaching wave but faltered. Face pale from mana drain, hands shaking, sweat pouring. Without me, they'd perish futilely here.
Perfect: no eyes, Luna gained experience, and that rude grimoire pissed me off.
I slipped from Luna's hand, floating into the air.
"M-Master?"
Luna trembled, near collapse, but watched.
[Good work. Rest now.]
She slumped to the floor, tension gone.
[And watch closely. See why I'm leagues above that trash.]
I muttered, rising to the ceiling.
From above, the scene was clear: red wave converging on fallen Luna and the fainted group.
[How filthy.]
Crunch—!
I casually wove a black dome around them. Lead small books smashed helpless, disrupting the flow briefly.
[Oho— What are you? No cheap spellbook...]
[Shut up. Chatty for gutter-mystic patchwork.]
[What the—]
Furious at my jab, it directed the red wave at me.
Kerrruk—!
Like zombies piling for a chopper, they disgustingly piled, teeth bared.
Crack—!
Thwack—!
Black spears, swords, axes, clubs from shadows assaulted, buying time—but reinforcements filled gaps.
[Haha. Cocky at first, but helpless now. Swept away by my minions and—]
[You.]
[Hm?]
[Lack learning ability?]
Twice burned—by Walter, Luna—shouldn't it be cautious?
[Wha-what?]
It glanced around in panic—too late.
Atop the shadowy arched ceiling: a massive magic circle blanketing it.
Your corpse shall be overrun by the Black Locust Swarm.
...Whirr—
Sinister wingbeats filled the library.
Slice-slice-slice—
Round heads eyeless, noseless, earless—but cavernous maws to their torsos bristled with jagged, malformed teeth in chaotic profusion.
From dark damp corners, shadowed sills, moist shelves: countless Ibemworld pests erupted, devouring red books rapidly.
[N-No!]
The book struggled futilely. Gutter mystics' red wave swallowed by great mystics' black march.
Slice-slice—
As the swarm dismantled circles, the book bowed its bulk, begging.
[Aaah! Lord of distant cosmos! Ruler of demon legions! Turner of stone to gold! This lowly paper was ignorant! Take me into your service!]
No more arrogance—just pitiful trembling.
[Pathetic. Fine. I can do that.]
[Really?!]
It looked up hopefully, but I replied coldly with a laugh.
[Didn't I say?]
[Pardon? What?]
[You'd die surrounded by locusts.]
Whirr—!
The devourers of mystics turned on the last body.
[Aaaah! No! Mercy, please! Aaaaagh!]
Thus, the red book met its pathetic end amid Ibemworld pests. I dismissed them home.
[Well, Luna? Now you see my true worth...]
I sighed at Luna, asleep inside the dome.
[Whatever. Someday I'll show my full glory properly.]
I muttered, waking the fainted Luna.
What a tumultuous day drawing to a close.