Soul Stone Hunt
True to the academy's reputation, the grand library housed millions of volumes. It was said that devouring every book here could turn anyone into the continent's foremost scholar—a colossal repository of knowledge.
'Kinda small...'
Of course, that was only by this world's standards. From the vantage of Earth, where printing presses churned out tens of thousands of books even in neighborhood libraries, this place was just a modestly upscale local branch.
'Whatever. What I'm after should be here somewhere.'
The librarian gave me an approving nod as I entered, but no special fuss. A few other oddballs showed up at this hour too, after all.
'What the hell are these guys even doing?'
Heading deeper in, I couldn't help admiring the students already knee-deep in stacks, lost in their reading trance. Mad respect—I could never pull that off.
Rifling through the shelves, I finally hit paydirt: the section the librarian mentioned.
'There we go.'
I grabbed a handful of tomes on Soul Stones and hauled them to a table. Dumping the pile down, I cracked open the top one.
It had been ages since I'd hunted info in a book. Back on Earth, Google had my back. No wonder the cover alone made my head spin.
Flipping past the boredom, I dove in—only to find grad-level theses on crap like "Can beast souls crystallize into Soul Stones?" Useless filler everywhere.
"...Hmm."
I skimmed the rest in a rustle and slammed it shut. Nothing here. Fine—plenty more where that came from.
Rustle. Rustle-rustle. Rustle-rustle-rustle—
"Um, excuse me..."
"...?"
"Turning pages like that... damages the books..."
"Oh, sorry."
As I powered through, the gloomy girl at the next table over—the one buried in her own book—finally spoke up. I bowed my head apologetically and eased up on the pages.
Tell me where to get Soul Stones and how. Don't care about light refraction rates.
Deep into the grind, she piped up again, maybe sensing my frustration.
"Uh, looking for something...?"
"Soul Stones."
"What about Soul Stones exactly...?"
"You know your stuff?"
"K-Kinda..."
Jackpot. I shut the book and scooted over. She yelped "Eek!" and shrank back as I approached.
"Know where to get Soul Stones?"
"Wh-Why do you need Soul Stones..."
"Need 'em. Where?"
"They're byproducts of summoning rituals, so cadets take them after... Families usually stash them in storehouses..."
She kept sneaking glances at me. Too close? I mirrored her, staring right back.
Our eyes met; she ducked her head, black strands parting to reveal dark eyes.
...I've seen that somewhere before.
Black hair, black eyes. Massive chest straining her baggy uniform. Hidden beauty. And that green ribbon—unlike the blue ones on ours.
Click. I knew who she was.
Dinua...?
Dinua Erebos. Chapter 4's final boss. Right in front of me.
Dinua Erebos. To players, just "Erebos"—humanity's betrayer, commanding monsters in her skimpy getup. Demon summoner. Legion commander.
...Hasn't turned yet, huh?
Info on her was sparse. Academy student who flips to the demons' side at some point. Exact timing? Unknown.
But I can find out.
Playing it like a fresh realization, I pointed cautiously at her ribbon.
"Senior... green one?"
"Ah, yeah... it is..."
"Then why the formal talk? Loosen up."
"Sh-Should I...?"
Still awkward. I snuck a peek at her hand. White pattern—no black taint yet. Demons corrupt that mark. Good—she was clean.
"What're you doing here this hour, senior?"
"I-I like reading... yeah. Just reading..."
"Skipping class?"
"N-No class today..."
Unlike us first-years' grind, second-years had breathing room. Explains the solo library sesh.
...Solo?
Hit me then: she was alone. Erebos family wasn't small potatoes, but solo reading screamed bad socials.
Makes sense. Teen angst boils down to a few culprits.
School stress, friends, family drama. Dodge those, no derailment.
I eyed her face gently.
"Senior... got no friends?"
"Wha—?"
She froze stiff. Fair—I'd flip too if a rando underclassman hit me with that.
But no outburst.
"N-No, I mean... friends are..."
"Nah, that's answer enough."
"...Mean."
Mean—her max volume. No rage, no curses at the rude kid. Hard to buy this girl turning traitor.
Would take years of torment.
Right now? Just a gloomy chick.
I pondered: befriend her? Reality had warped plenty already. Bosses vanishing? Wouldn't shock me.
And above all...
She's hot.
Smoking body, especially. Users pledged treason just seeing her demon arc.
I extended my hand. She flinched, stared, then met my eyes slowly.
"What's this...?"
"Ian Clark. You?"
"Dinua Erebos... but why names all sudden...?"
Ignoring her confusion, I grabbed her hand for a shake. She locked up at the contact; I pumped it anyway.
"No friends is sad. I'll be one."
"Uh, uh-huh. Can you let go now...?"
After an eternity of shaking, I released her.
Back in her room, Dinua stared at her still-warm palm. Ian's forceful grip lingered.
A touch after forever.
Squeeze-release. Wiggle.
...Friends.
She had none. Not family issues, weak summons, bad grades. Just her personality drove them off.
If her house was lesser, some girls might've recruited her. But nope—Erebos Count, near-marquis tier.
Ehehe, friends...
Couldn't whine to family about it. No one to confide in. Over a year solo.
Left her starved for affection.
Underclassman, but a friend...
Ian Clark ditching class? Suspicious. But who skips to study?
And...
Couldn't believe such a handsome delinquent existed. His approach felt pure kindness—no gawking at her looks or name.
Ian Clark.
The name etched in her mind. Hugging her pillow, she rolled, replaying it all. Already dreaming of grandkids with him, happy old age.
Not far off: future boss befriended. I left the library for my room.
Grabbed paper and pen on arrival.
Soul Stones in family vaults, huh...
Clark Barony was tiny, but they'd have a few stashed. Isekai folk didn't know their use—just warehouse fodder.
No way zero. I scribbled: Send Soul Stones. Ian Clark.
One snag.
...Where the hell's home?
Sender/recipient? Easy. My address? Blank. Dropped here straight to dorms; body-memories weren't perfect.
Key facts stuck; home address? Never bothered memorizing.
Post office'll figure it?
Off I went. Cue clerk tussle.
"To Clark family?"
"...Which territory?"
"Clark Barony—know it?"
"Barony... Sigh—kid, get a real address."
Rejected. Duh. I'd grill any baron's kid who didn't know their turf.
Dozens of counts/marquises/dukes to track.
Scanning the wall map for home, someone poked my shoulder.
"Ian? What're you doing?"
"...Noah?"
The protagonist beamed at me. I scratched my cheek, spilling the truth.
"Uh... don't know my territory?"
"Yeah."
"Happens! I didn't know mine till leaving the sticks!"
She waved it off, pinpointing Clark Barony on the map quick. Not listed, but she knew it personally.
"How'd you know that, Noah? Impressive."
"Eh?"
"Clark Barony—where'd you learn?"
"Oh, uh, just... coincidence."
Lucky break. What a coincidence.