Chapter 18
Chapter 18
Ahead, the library came into view.
“This library is huge. They weren’t kidding when they said it was big.”
“Right? I was just as shocked the first time I came to the Fourth District.”
Admiring its grandeur, I stepped inside.
A strangely fragrant scent of paper lingered in the air.
The atmosphere was calm and quiet, not just filled with adventurers.
Turning my head left and right, books were everywhere—here, there, on countless shelves.
“But why the library? Is there some special information we need?”
“How much do you know about magic? For example, magic that can track someone.”
A moment of thought, and Yeriel shook her head.
“Hmm. Sorry. Since I’m a priest, I only know the basics that anyone would. Should we ask the librarian?”
“Yeah. That sounds best.”
It would be foolish to hesitate when an expert is right here.
“Hello. Could you help me find some books?”
I approached the desk and greeted the librarian, who looked like a mage in robes, then explained my request.
“Yes. Please tell me what kind of book you are looking for.”
“Is there any magic that can track someone’s location in a maze, or at least indicate the general direction? If it’s not magic, that’s fine too.”
“Hmm. Regardless of your intention, the library is open to everyone, so I’ll do my part. Tracking or compass-related… one moment.”
Relief washed over me. I had feared the librarian would interrogate me, thinking I had some impure purpose.
The librarian placed a hand on a square magical device on the desk and chanted a spell.
“Inveni Quierio.”
A hum resonated through the air.
After a moment, the librarian lifted her hand, and a blue hologram appeared on the surface of the device.
She studied it carefully and then spoke.
“Within the magic-classified shelves on the second floor, you will find the contents you seek in two books: The Common Magic and The Compendium of Curse Magic. I hope you find the information you need.”
“Thank you.”
Expressing my gratitude, I left the desk and went upstairs with Yeriel.
“Wow! The shelves here are full too. You said these were magic books? Let’s split up and search.”
“Yeah, that’s fine. You could have rested, but you even helped me find books. Thanks.”
“Hehe, it’s nothing. There’s nothing to do anyway besides follow you around, Aren.”
We smiled at each other, then went in opposite directions to search the shelves.
‘Mythology shelves, history shelves, religion shelves, novels—huh?’
Passing a shelf filled with novels, a book in the corner glowed brightly, catching my attention.
No one had noticed it? The glow was hard to miss.
I reached for the book and pulled it out.
“Let’s see… the title… none?”
Strangely, the cover was just a blank white background.
I turned the cover and opened to the first page.
───────────────
I, Sophia, apostle of Nephthys, the goddess of wisdom, declare myself the author of this book.
I leave small preparations so that forcibly summoned Transfers are not easily exploited by a group or die meaninglessly.
Labyrinth of Deity.
Also known as the Divine Maze.
A game-like medium used by the gods to summon people from Earth after halting their wars.
It is a minor game, so only a few users are summoned after clearing a specific Rift.
Those summoned are divided into three types.
Apostles
Those whose latent talent far surpasses their life experience on Earth, or those with an astronomically improbable future destined for success.
In such cases, immense causal cost is paid upon summoning, and through it, extraordinarily powerful traits are arbitrarily granted.
They are extremely rare, blessed by the gods, and most become endlessly strong using their granted traits.
Divine Followers
Most summoned people belong here, regardless of whether the god is good or evil.
Users who appear to consume little causal cost after clearing a Rift are chosen.
Most gods, seeking supremacy over all others, guide these individuals—granted moderate traits—to enter the Grand Maze.
Slaves
If an evil god summons someone and judges them utterly unworthy.
They may stake the person’s life, mark them, and send them to the Grand Maze, or use them in the Maze City for their wicked purposes.
───────────────
“Wow. What is all this?”
I flipped through the book. Besides the three types, it listed groups that protect Transfers and groups that persecute and kill them.
It even contained the known apostles within the Maze City at the time of writing.
“Aren, what book are you staring at so intently?”
Hm. It would be strange to hide it as if it were nothing.
I opened it to show Yeriel the contents.
“Huh? Her waist bent like a bow? Ugh… it’s obscene. Is this your taste?”
“What? A section of erotic novels seems to be classified separately in the library. If it pleases you, I won’t complain…”
Wait, what? Did the text automatically change for Transfers to read like this?
I suddenly became a pervert reading erotic novels in a solemn library.
‘Screw it. Better this than being a suspicious guy.’
“Anyway, I found the books. Are these the ones?”
The Common Magic.
The Compendium of Curse Magic.
“Well done, Yeriel!”
“Hehe. Let’s read them quickly.”
We started with the first book.
Alarm magic, barrier magic, basic magic based on mana.
As I turned the pages, I found what I was looking for.
‘The Compass of Bonds. Ah, this links the locations of companions who enter the maze together. Not what I need.’
Disappointed, I opened the second book.
‘So many curses. Not this, not that…’
Found it!
“The Curse of the Tracking Arrow!”
“You found it? Glad you got what you wanted quickly!”
“…I found it, but we still need to locate a black magician or a curse caster, or find a magic tool. Let’s remember this and explore the Fourth District further.”
I checked out the book on curse magic and Sophia’s preparation of the erotic novel.
Since I had not yet finished the beginner adventurer training, I had to borrow them under Yeriel’s name.
“Confirmed three-day rental under adventurer Yeriel’s name. Late returns will incur fees, so please be careful.”
After leaving the library, I wondered where to go next.
…No, there was something I had to do first.
Yeriel could no longer just follow my stubbornness. I had to say something.
I led her to a secluded corner of an empty alley.
I opened my Chaos eyes and scanned for anyone hiding, but there wasn’t a soul—not even a rat.
‘Good. This should be safe.’
I lowered my voice.
“Yeriel.”
“Yes, Aren?”
Unintentionally, we connected.
“Do you want to speak first?”
“Yes! Earlier we asked the librarian if there was any magic to track someone, right? We even searched the books on common and curse magic.”
That’s right.
“Is something important happening? I don’t know what it is, but could you tell me too?”
Yeriel fiddled with her fingers and smiled awkwardly.
“Hehe. If it’s something I can help with, I’ll do everything I can! Of course, if you can’t tell me, that’s fine too.”
Damn. I had to tell this kind, gentle girl that I must kill someone in the maze because of a grudge.
‘Think calmly. If I tell Yeriel I’m a Transfer, will it backfire?’
Honestly, the chance was low.
I had just read in the book that there were groups defending Transfers and groups trying to eliminate them.
Weeks had passed since falling to the third floor.
Now, Yeriel and Iveline were inseparable from me in the maze.
Revealing I am a Transfer wouldn’t mean immediate death, so it’s best to tell at least these two.
‘Iveline asking about the game name was likely to verify if I am a Transfer and whether I’m aligned with good or evil gods.’
Suddenly asking her to ignore the fact that I have to kill someone would make me look like a crazy psycho.
All my image and actions built up until now would collapse.
Decided.
“Actually… when I saw Isaac’s face at the guild, it reminded me of a memory I had forgotten.”
It was true—I had really forgotten his face until that moment.
“Really? What memory?”
Even now, my teeth grit at the thought.
“One day, I was walking, celebrating a stroke of luck that could change my life, and ran into him. He was so distracted by the item in his hand that he collided heavily with me.”
I exhaled and continued.
“He apologized and grabbed my hand to help me up. That’s when the incident happened. A magic circle appeared at his feet and started consuming his body.”
“The magic circle consumed him? So someone tried to send him somewhere… and that’s why you got caught up too?”
Yes. I nodded slowly.
“At first, he seemed panicked, but soon he smiled as if he knew exactly where the magic circle was headed. Even though I shouted for him to let go, he just laughed, saying strange things.”
Clench.
I unconsciously gripped my fist. Even though it was in the past, anger welled up.
“I barely freed my hand, shedding tears of blood and struggling, but it was useless. Another god observing my resistance found it interesting and summoned me.”
“What… should I do?”
Yeriel looked worried.
“When I came to my senses, I was inside a Rift. After meeting a god there, I was thrown naked onto the third floor of the Grand Maze. You know what happened after, right?”
“Yes… I don’t even know what to say. That must have been awful.”
Yeriel held my hand tightly.
“You were swept away in an instant, dropped into a strange place against your will. You had nothing and knew no one. I would’ve been in despair too.”
Despair… I’d thrown a total fit the moment I fell into the Rift.
“To be honest, it may be blasphemy, but at first I resented Isaac and the god who summoned me.”
It was true. At that time, I judged that the blame for the Transfer incident wasn’t on one person.
“But regardless, a god is a god. I couldn’t dwell on even minor resentment, and at least they gave me powerful traits to survive, so my feelings toward her were diluted…”
Chaos lowered its head nervously.
“Isaac, the culprit, didn’t even recognize me. He was only busy flirting with you.”
Yes. Even if he hadn’t acknowledged me, if he had recognized my face… then!
“Knowing that I meant nothing to him during the Transfer, I was furious. I thought after escaping the maze, I could forget his face and move forward. But not at all.”
“Ah, you villain! The very cause of ruining one person’s life, yet you teased and mocked just now? Ugh!”
Yeriel’s face turned red as she jumped up and down.
“So, I’m sorry, Yeriel, but I have to settle things with him inside the maze. Even if I kill him, will you forgive me?”
Flinch.
Hearing “kill,” Yeriel lowered her head in shock.
“He’s the only person, excluding the gods, who knew my face before I became a Transfer. To prevent him spreading it, I must settle this.”
But after I spoke firmly, she raised her head with determination.
“Fine. You don’t need to explain more. Do as you wish, Aren.”
“….”
“Even if you commit murder, as long as it’s not an indiscriminate massacre, I’ll stay by your side.”
She said this and suddenly hugged me as if comforting.
“You’ve suffered a lot. To me, you’re far more important than that disgusting Isaac guy. So don’t think I’ll be disappointed or see you differently!”
She let go of the hug, smiling brightly.
Then she whispered in a lowered voice.
“This must be a huge secret, but thank you for trusting me. I won’t tell anyone. I’ll take it to the grave! Don’t worry!”
“…Thank you. I’ll tell the teacher myself. Haha, the mood got weird. Now! Shall we explore the Fourth District before sunset?”
“Yes! It’s too hard to find a black magician or curse caster immediately, so let’s go to the magic tool shop first!”
I don’t know why she trusts me so much.
For now, I was just grateful. Coming to this world, perhaps the greatest privilege I received was this kind of fate.
Feeling warmth in my chest, I moved forward.
Let’s go. To the magic tool shop.