Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Library Takeover
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1
“I never thought I’d get to see the Minenbar Library in person.”
I slowly looked around the lavish lobby of the five-story library.
The first-floor lobby, the only area without bookshelves, was filled with windows on all sides.
Thanks to that, it was packed with students enjoying books or casual chats amid the still-bright outdoor scenery.
Luxury was evident everywhere I looked.
Well, with five floors above ground and one below, totaling six floors, it was only natural.
Even considering its size and collection, it surpassed most public libraries.
The basement was a restricted area, the first floor served as the lobby and lounge, the second was a reading room, and books were stored only from the third to fifth floors.
Yet, despite housing the equivalent of three floors’ worth of books, it boasted the second-largest collection after the royal library—that was what made the Minenbar Library impressive.
Finding the specific materials I needed among all these books would have taken quite some time.
It was a relief that Leon had stepped up to help first.
Leon himself hadn’t arrived yet, as he wasn’t in the lobby.
We were supposed to meet in the lobby, so I’d wait.
If I finished the assignment early, I should look up some info on Deathwise too.
-Oh ho, you wish to read of this body’s grandeur in print? No need—just ask, and I shall explain anytime.
This guy, popping up out of nowhere like that.
The sun hasn’t even set yet, so go back to sleep.
-I refuse. Time is no object when proclaiming this body’s might. Listen well: In my prime, I cleaved the seas and my blade tip pierced the heavens! The title Demon Sword was earned by slaying ten thousand demons! Now, praise this body all the more!
….
Was that bravado or not?
I had no knowledge of Deathwise, so I couldn’t judge.
-You there! Do you doubt this body’s words!?
Doubt? Of course—with no proof.
Sure, being named a Demon Sword meant top-tier performance, but whether it could truly split the sea in half? Who knew.
-You dare insult this body…! When I slew ten thousand demons, none dared question my words…!
To begin with, only qualified wielders can hear your voice.
Conversely, Deathwise can only read the thoughts of its wielder.
Since it was all things he himself had said, Deathwise fell silent for a moment.
-I shall surely prove this body’s greatness… .
If you show me, I’ll worship you or whatever.
Even if my Demon Sword was only strong at night, if it was the world’s strongest, of course I’d treasure it.
-Remember those words well…!
The Demon Sword grumbled for a while longer.
At that moment, the library doors burst open.
With a noise shattering the quiet, people in black robes flooded into the lobby.
The lobby tensed at the sight of the obviously suspicious group.
Before anyone could move, the black robes drew their weapons.
Swords, of course, but also the occasional staff.
Then, as the black robes whispered, their staves began to glow.
Chanting and catalyst activation.
The two essential steps for casting magic were completed in an instant.
At the same time, translucent barriers appeared over the windows and doors.
“As of now, the Minenbar Library is under the control of the Equal Reading Society. Obey our words quietly, and no one gets hurt. So please refrain from any foolishness.”
The students in the lobby flinched at the words of the black robe who stepped forward.
They must have realized the translucent walls on the windows were barriers.
Not to block external intrusion, but to prevent escape from inside.
“Bring all the students from every floor down to the lobby.”
At the command of the apparent leader, about half the black robes rushed up the stairs.
The remaining half approached us students, ropes in hand.
The situation was sudden, but my mind was strangely calm.
That was because… I remembered this event.
‘Minenbar Library Occupation Incident’
One of the early ‘incidents’ in Broken World.
An illegal club calling itself the Equal Reading Society had occupied the entire library to demand public access to the forbidden books stored in the underground vault.
They systematically seized the library, cut off external communication with magic, sealed escape with barriers, and threatened a hostage crisis if outsiders intervened.
…They weren’t right in the head, but it was canon.
No wonder Broken World got called the world’s worst trash game.
Many players progressing through the main story got wiped out here.
The number one reason for refunds, the newbie shredder.
And this was tame—the real problems piled up worse as you went on.
Anyway, what happened next?
Hmm… right, I remember.
The Equal Reading Society’s library occupation demanding access to forbidden books wouldn’t last long.
Leon Hilfenberg always showed up at incidents like this.
He infiltrated the Minenbar Library alone, freed all the hostages, and even annihilated the Equal Reading Society in response to their hostage-taking atrocities.
That feat made him fairly famous on campus.
It also became the hook for connecting with other characters later.
In short, if I left it alone, Leon would handle it.
“Of all days, an incident on a day like this….”
The problem was me.
The incident happening was a given, no issue there, but on an assignment day, of all things….
My head hurt, but complaining wouldn’t help.
I just hoped Leon would rescue us soon.
“Theo Agrit.”
My wish must have been desperate, because I could swear I heard Leon’s voice.
No, I really did hear it.
I turned to see Leon descending the stairs, hands raised.
“…Just to check, you’re here to save us, right?”
I asked, clinging to the slim chance.
But Leon just shook his head silently.
“I got caught too.”
“…….”
Hey, if even you get caught, what then…?
2
My wrists were bound behind my back with rope.
I sat on the lobby floor just like that.
Gathering all the students in the same boat, there were just under fifty.
Even all students combined were fewer than 190, so this was a lot.
At least no outsiders were here—that was a blessing.
Five black robes were guarding the hostages.
The others had all scattered to other floors.
To open the forbidden vault.
“…What were you doing to get caught?”
“Looking for materials I needed.”
We kept our voices low to avoid the black robes’ ears.
We were so close that even whispering felt risky.
“Besides that. You could take down the Equal Reading Society easy.”
Leon gave a wry smile, hit right on the mark.
“…If I act, there might be unnecessary casualties. I judged it best to get captured for now.”
He didn’t mind getting hurt himself, but hated others getting hurt.
So he’d let himself get caught on purpose.
People being too nice was a flaw too.
But this complicated things.
Not only was my assignment time shrinking, but Broken World’s main story might go off the rails.
Originally, Leon was supposed to single-handedly wipe out the Equal Reading Society and gain fame for resolving the crisis.
If not, the entire story afterward would twist and break.
Esterro Academy was already full of insane incidents.
Lose one key cog, and who knew what would happen.
For main story events, best to let them follow the original.
“So why’d you get caught?”
Leon asked suddenly.
I had no choice.
The sky outside was still bright.
Even at night, I couldn’t wield Deathwise properly, limits clear.
Above all, no intention of stealing Leon’s spotlight.
“I’m like a talking potato.”
“A talking potato?”
“Means I’m useless.”
I brushed it off vaguely, since I couldn’t explain fully.
But Leon just nodded as if accepting it.
“I won’t pry.”
“Thanks…. But you planning to just sit here?”
“The academy administration will hear soon. It’ll resolve shortly after.”
No, the administration resolving it is the problem?
The guy who acted alone without waiting for them was being calm and rational now.
…No, I got it.
In the original, he didn’t know the internal situation, so he acted solo. Now, experiencing it firsthand, he saw no need to step up.
In other words, give Leon Hilfenberg a reason to move, and he’d leap up immediately.
A way to make Leon Hilfenberg act.
Equal Reading Society.
Hostages.
The method came instantly.
Hesitant to execute, but….
All for my peaceful, comfy life.
I squeezed my eyes shut and leaned forward.
“Cough!”
“…You okay?”
All eyes turned to us at the sudden coughing fit.
Leon shot me a worried look from right beside.
I forced more coughs, heaving my body under his gaze.
“I’m fine… not…. Cough! Chronic illness, when stress builds… cough cough! It gets like this…….”
“No medicine?”
“In the dorms… hack…….”
To seal the deal, I bit the inside of my cheek.
Even accidental bites brought tears; intentional was just as painful.
Coughing then, a bit of blood sprayed out.
A hemoptysis patient right in front of him.
No stronger motive for Leon Hilfenberg.
“…I’ll get you out soon. Hang in there.”
Nailed it.
Leon yanked at his bound arms.
Rip—shredding the thick rope with raw strength, he untied my ropes too.
To reduce my stress, probably.
Then, before the alerted black robes could react, he moved.
Thwack!
Striking the nearest black robe’s nape with a palm strike, Leon didn’t stop.
Like a feral beast, he struck foes with minimal motion.
Precisely targeting vitals, dropping them instantly—no chance for them to call reinforcements.
In moments, all five black robes were down.
Catching his breath, Leon stared at the door leading to the lounge.
“I’ll take care of the reading society like this. You go first.”
Declaring he’d charge enemy lines alone, Leon grabbed his confiscated training sword.
Then dashed into the lounge solo.
Only after he vanished completely did I stop the fake coughs and stand.
I retrieved my confiscated Deathwise, strapped it to my waist, and the Demon Sword chuckled.
-You’ve a talent for acting. Fooling him completely.
Talent my ass.
Leon’s good heart let him fall for it.
To Leon Hilfenberg, whether I was really sick didn’t matter.
What mattered was a weakling suffering from unjust acts right before his eyes.
-You acted pretty desperately for that. Even bit your cheek. Tears welling up.
At the Demon Sword’s words, I wiped my eyes with my sleeve.
The sleeve was slightly damp—tears really had formed.
Bit hard enough to draw blood, couldn’t be helped.
Honestly, it still stung like hell.
Faked an illness, ended up with a real injury.
No choice.
For my peaceful life, this was acceptable.
Suppressing the pain, I rotated my wrists.
Anyway, plan worked.
Even got freedom to escape.
Looking around, the remaining hostages stared at me.
Freeing them all would take time.
“This is a hassle….”
I used Deathwise to free the nearest hostage.
Handed him a suitable blade, and he freed another.
Soon, all hostages were free and armed.
“Let’s get out first.”
“But that guy earlier? He went to fight alone, right? We should help….”
Someone said.
Reasonable, brave words, but I shook my head.
“Now’s the time to escape. He told us to go first. You saw his skills—he won’t lose alone. If we get recaptured, we’d just hinder him.”
They nodded at my brief explanation and hurried to the main entrance.
One of the downed black robes was a mage—the barrier was gone.
Thus, the hostages all fled.
I was about to escape too when.
“Have all the hostages escaped…?”
A nonchalant voice came from behind.
Turning, I saw a green-haired man descending the stairs from the upper floors.
His half-lidded, sleepy eyes and green necktie marked him as a third-year senior.
Green hair, sleepy eyes, third-year.
Putting it together, one name came to mind.
Louis Lefersha.
The president of the Equal Reading Society.
The boss of this event.
“This is a problem… Your doing?”
He slowly opened his sleepy eyes.
The boss who shouldn’t be here questioned me.