Chapter 74
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 74
Chapter Title: Library of Records (8)
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"...Ugh..."
'What...? Did I come back?'
Whether it was because I'd taken in so much information and emotion at once, my feelings refused to settle easily.
"Damn it... What the hell is this, this is insane..."
I couldn't control my trembling body and spat out curses when Utt's voice suddenly came from behind me.
"Haha, this is quite the entertaining tale."
"...What?"
"My, my... This iteration's protagonist was truly exceptional. Far more than I expected."
"Fuck... What the hell are you talking about?"
Before I could even compose myself, his irritating words—something about it being entertaining and exceptional—grated on my nerves, and harsh words slipped out unbidden. I was flustered by my own lack of control.
"Hm... It'll take some time for you to calm down. I understand."
"....."
'Damn it... No good. Calm down, calm down. Shit...!'
Forget my shitty mood—snapping at this guy wouldn't improve the situation anyway.
"Hoo... Hoo..."
After deep breaths for a while to steady my emotions, I felt my unstable mind gradually settling.
"Ready to talk now?"
"...Why are you here?"
I definitely remembered entering the Record Room alone.
"Ah, your records were simply too intriguing, so I wanted to chat."
"...Chat? About what?"
"A conversation that benefits you. It's just that the cost-benefit doesn't add up."
'...Cost-benefit? What bullshit is this?'
"Hm... That look says you don't get it. In simple terms: the level of your records doesn't match the library's rewards."
"What... What do you mean? You can't give me the reward?"
My face soured at his sudden shift in words. It sounded like he was refusing to give me the reward.
"No, no—I just said it would benefit you."
"....."
"Your rewards are too low compared to your records."
"What..."
"You didn't see your full records, but I've seen them all. The Library of Records is fair. It gives rewards matching value—that's the rule."
"...I didn't see my full records? What does that mean?"
"Hm... Normally, when viewing your records, great mental shock or stress bounces you back to reality, even if more remains."
So, he was saying I'd been ejected mid-viewing.
"Haha... I never imagined this world's time had rewound once. Such cases are exceedingly rare."
'...So he knows about the regression too.'
That only deepened the mystery. Why show interest in me instead of Seo Yu-ju? She was the Regressor.
"Why... show interest in me instead of Seo Yu-ju?"
He answered my question with a grin he couldn't suppress.
"Heh heh... That's a secret. It's a record I can't discuss."
'This fucking bastard...'
"Don't make that face. It's not teasing— I truly can't say. Speaking of records the subject doesn't know is taboo."
"...Fine, another question. Why... did I see scenes from the first iteration? I have no memories of it."
This was my biggest question. I had no first-iteration memories. If they appeared unrelated to regression, others should have seen them too.
"Fortunately, I can answer that. It's because you're aware."
"...What do you mean?"
"Hm... You lack first-iteration memories, but you know this is the second iteration, right?"
'Because I know there was a first iteration?'
"Awareness is key. The library showed them because you recognize the time rewind."
"...So others...?"
"Naturally, it didn't show first-iteration records to anyone but you and Seo Yu-ju. They don't know."
"Ha..."
"Convinced now?"
"...One more thing—can I view more records?"
This mattered to me. Unlike Seo Yu-ju with her first-iteration memories, I needed details on what happened then.
'...This isn't enough. I need to know what went down in the first iteration.'
Only then could I plan ahead. What happened to me, what path I took—I needed to prepare for the future.
"On that: The Library of Records welcomes return visits."
'Good.'
"But not immediately—return in six months by this world's time. Every six months."
I couldn't view more right away, but return visits were welcome news.
"Understood."
"Ah, on rewards: We'll give you a special one. Payment for a fine tale."
"...Thank you."
No reason to refuse extra rewards.
'From his tone, it won't be shabby...'
Snap.
He snapped his fingers, and a door appeared.
"Enter this door, take one item you want. But—no Mythic-grade items by this world's standards."
I hadn't expected that level anyway. A Legendary-grade reward was gratitude-worthy here.
Honestly, I couldn't fathom this treatment. Considering Legendary item rarity, it was insane.
'...Lucky me.'
Opening the door revealed a treasure trove packed with gear and items—like a pirate's hoard.
'Holy shit...'
Blood-Drinking Sword of the Traitor Janshtoff (Legendary Grade)
The sword used by the traitor Janshtoff, who led the old kingdom to ruin. Its peculiar trait: no matter how much blood stains it, the sword absorbs it all. Thus, it's called the blood-drinking sword. Equipped: Strength +3, Agility +5. When sufficiently blood-soaked, unlocks special ability.
Fangs of the Vampire Count Dundalan (Heroic Grade)
The fangs of Vampire Count Dundalan. Can be used as catalyst or material.
Dreamscape Ring (Legendary Grade)
A ring that dominates dreams. Grants ability to interfere in others' dreams. Equipped: Mana +8.
Surtr's Eternally Burning Cape (Legendary Grade)
An eternally unquenchable burning cape harmless to wearer. Greatly boosts Fire affinity and resistance. Equipped: Resistance +8.
Just skimming showed gems like these. Countless others filled the space—no wonder my eyes bulged.
I even got headaches from overusing my Unique Trait on item windows. The strain on my eyes and head from spamming it was ridiculous.
'...Can't check them all.'
Never felt pain using it before, but now I knew overuse took a toll.
'Prioritize the valuable-looking ones.'
No time limit mentioned, but I couldn't keep using it forever—had to be efficient.
After agonizing long and hard, I decided.
"Oh, going with that?"
Utt's voice startled me from behind—I whipped around.
'Jeez. Sneaks up without a sound. Annoying prick...'
"Ah, yeah."
"Hm... Quite useful depending on use. Good choice."
"Now we leave?"
"Yes."
Pocketing my pick, I returned to the group— they looked anxiously waiting.
"Yun-seong!"
"Hyung!"
'Quite some time passed, huh?'
"Yun-seong, why'd it take so long? We were worried."
"Sorry. It just dragged on somehow."
"...An hour and a half."
'Damn, really took that long.'
I got why they worried. Others averaged ten minutes; Seo Yu-ju maxed at thirty.
Three times that? Natural to fret.
Probably spent too long calming down and picking.
Needed an excuse.
"Just... Some Earth memories hit me. Took time sorting emotions. Not good ones..."
"Ah..."
They seemed convinced. Most knew I grew up in an orphanage—plausible.
As group chat paused, Utt spoke.
"Now, your rewards."
He proffered bags of gold and three small boxes.
Gold was fine, but the tiny boxes puzzled everyone.
"Um... Sir? What's with the boxes?"
As Yu-rim asked, I checked one with my Unique Trait. Slight eye/head pain from earlier, but manageable.
Phantasmal Treasure Chest (No Grade)
A treasure chest of unknown contents. Randomly yields Rare to Legendary items. Higher-grade items more likely. Note: One person cannot open multiple chests.
'...Random?'
Key points: random item, one-person-one-chest limit.
'Random's whatever... But why the one-per-person rule?'
Sudden thought: Luck stat.
'...To stop the highest-Luck person hogging them all?'
Solid guess.
As I mulled, Utt spoke.
"These are Phantasmal Treasure Chests. Check details back home."
"Got it."
Best to open at the clan house, as he said.
"Thanks for visiting the Library of Records. Time to part. Use the elevator to leave."
Finally, time to go home.