Chapter 69
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 69
Chapter Title: Library of Records (3)
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Congratulations on discovering the Library of Records.
Everyone froze in surprise at the sudden mysterious voice.
"...Library?"
"...This fucking huge thing is a library?"
Everyone except Seo Yu-ju and me stared in dumbfounded shock upon hearing that this building was a library.
- The building you're seeing isn't what this world calls a dungeon. Entering it won't cause any physical harm to you.
'...Where's that voice coming from?'
It sounded like it was echoing from the building itself, similar to how a voice might resonate from a radio tower.
The group visibly relaxed at the assurance of no harm. They seemed a bit thrown off that it wasn't a dungeon, but they didn't appear too bothered.
- For first-time visitors, there will even be bonus benefits. This is the end of the external explanation.
Everyone's eyes lit up at the mention of benefits.
I wasn't an exception either.
'...So that's why they made this place the expedition target.'
I finally understood why Seo Yu-ju had set this as the goal. The one lingering question was that it didn't seem structured like a dungeon, where you enter once and clear it.
'Bonus benefits only for first-timers... means we can come back afterward.'
Seeing how she'd targeted it right away, those bonuses must be pretty substantial.
With the mysterious voice falling silent, Seo Yu-ju spoke up.
"...It doesn't seem like a dungeon. Given the bonus benefits, I think we should go in. What do you all think?"
"...If it's not a dungeon, that's a different story, Yu-ju. I'm in favor of entering."
After my input, everyone agreed with Seo Yu-ju. No danger, and rewards? No reason not to.
"Great. Let's head in then."
[You have entered the Library of Records.]
Opening the library doors and stepping inside revealed what looked like a lobby. The strange part was how narrow the interior felt compared to the massive size it appeared from outside.
Not so narrow a person couldn't fit, but ridiculously cramped relative to the building's scale.
And like the exterior, the inside was entirely white.
'How is this possible? The insanely huge building from outside has this tiny interior?'
The group looked extremely puzzled. It defied common sense... no, physics entirely.
'...And why is there nothing here?'
Apart from what looked like an elevator, there was nothing. Just pristine white walls everywhere.
I'd heard this world had elevators in mage towers or clan houses, but since this was our first encounter, it felt off.
"...Bro, there's nothing here but the elevator."
"For now... we should probably take it up."
The sight of just an elevator, as if begging us to ride it upward, felt incredibly alien.
"As Yun-seong said, let's take the elevator up."
Moving to the elevator, there were only up and down buttons. The down one was inactive, so no basement apparently.
'No floor indicators.'
The building was so tall, yet no buttons for specific floors inside.
"What kind of elevator doesn't have floor buttons? This is fucked up. Even the inside is all white."
"Well, it's not Earth, so maybe this is normal."
After responding to Kang I-seo, I pressed the button, and the elevator began ascending.
"...This is taking a while."
"Yeah, oppa, we're going up forever..."
It wasn't an exaggeration. It felt like at least three minutes since it started moving.
'How high up is this thing going?'
Just as the building's height started wearing on me, the elevator stopped.
Ding—
"This is..."
Everything was white. Now it finally looked like a library, but the walls, bookshelves, desks—all white. And unlike the first floor, it was vast.
And the most striking thing was...
'...A person?'
A blond boy wearing glasses came into view.
"Hello, everyone! Welcome to the Library of Records!"
No one expected to meet someone here, so we were all taken aback.
'What the hell is this guy?'
I tried using my ability on him.
'...What the hell is this?'
I couldn't snap out of it—this was a status window type I'd never seen before.
'Age 483? Traits and stats unreadable? Insane...'
If the ability didn't work at all, that'd be one thing, but it activating yet showing this was a first.
As everyone reacted awkwardly to his greeting, Seo Yu-ju addressed him.
"...Who are you?"
"Oh, right! I forgot to introduce myself. Such a blunder... I'm Utt, the librarian here."
"...So we call you Utt?"
"Call me whatever's comfortable. Utt or Sir Librarian is fine."
I asked him.
"So, Utt. What are we supposed to do here?"
"Haha, you're in a rush. No need to hurry. First, I'll explain the library slowly."
He was going to explain the library, so I stayed quiet. It seemed best to hear him out.
"This place is called the Library of Records in this world's tongue. It stores most information and records from all dimensions."
'All dimensions?'
Utt sounded excited as he continued enthusiastically.
"From the look of you... you're from Earth, right?"
'He can tell that too.'
At "Earth," the group's eyes wavered. Probably families left behind.
I glanced at Seo Yu-ju, but her expression didn't change.
"...Yes."
After my reply, Wi Ho-yeon, curiosity piqued, asked Utt.
"...You just said it holds records from all dimensions. Does that include Earth?"
"Of course. Not just this continent—Earth's records too."
Wi Ho-yeon spoke with trembling eyes at Utt's answer.
"Th-then... can you tell me about my family on Earth?"
"Ah... You mean your father?"
"H-how do you... C-can you tell me?"
"To obtain one piece of information, you must place equivalent info on the other scale. Unfortunately, I find nothing from you worth trading for."
"N-no way..."
In other words, possible, but he wouldn't.
'...So there's a price for info.'
"Especially since you're Eras natives now, not Earthlings. Other-dimensional info is pricey, so sadly, none of you can access Earth's..."
He looked at me, eyes widening, and trailed off.
"...You... incredible. Or rather... what to call it..."
'...What?'
"You have value. The issue is it's not records or info, so no trade possible..."
'...My Unique Trait?'
Not records or info pointed to my Unique Trait.
"Also... you don't know it yourself... no, I don't fully either, but you hold... unknown records. All of you do, but you're different."
'What the hell?'
Everyone looked baffled at Utt's words.
'Records I don't know? My first playthrough?'
It seemed to refer to the first timeline since it applied to us all, but why was I different?
'Why me and not Seo Yu-ju?'
She's the regressor. I couldn't fathom why he fixated on me, not her.
He had glanced at her with interest, but fleetingly.
"What do you mean?"
"Ah... I can't say. It's not a record I know well—just a vague sense."
'Damn it...'
"But... depending on your situation, you might gain something here."
"...You mean the reward?"
"Haha, no. Doesn't matter if you don't get it. Nothing changes either way."
I frowned involuntarily. His vague bullshit was grating.
'Fuck...'
"Rewards come right before you leave. Now, onto the library explanation."
"....."
"You see countless shelves and books, but sadly, you can't read them."
"What...? Then is it even a library?"
It was absurd. A library is for reading or borrowing books.
"You lack qualifications. You can only access your own records. Like past memories, cherished moments, painful ones... that sort."
"......"
"Not all memories, though. If your brain doesn't recognize it, no access. Even recognized ones might not fully surface."
'Fuck... talks in circles. Damn it.'
"Note: To get rewards, you must view your own records."
"How?"
"I'll guide you to the Record Room. Open the book there."
"Simpler than expected. Just open a book...? Any principle behind it?"
"Hm... Opening it recalls your intense records, storing them in the book. Think equal exchange: your records for the library's reward. Harmless to you."
I got it. Trading our info for rewards.
No downside for us—pure gain. Unlike dungeons risking life, no threats here.
"I'll guide you now. Follow me."