Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Deep Sea Chronicles
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After a prolonged struggle, Ian finally managed to pull his hand free from between the two grimoires.
The hand crushed by the thick books was flushed bright red. The fingers could still move, so it wasn't broken, but goddamn, it hurt like hell. A throbbing pain spread all the way to his wrist.
[Whumm!]
[Whummm!]
Even after Ian's hand was freed, the grimoires kept slamming into each other. They bashed at each other's covers with their corners and spun around to smack each other's sides.
It was like a UFC match. The only differences were that blood was replaced by sparks, and the fighters were books instead of humans. The two grimoires thrashed in earnest, truly intent on shoving each other away and killing one another. Their forms might have been comical, but the murderous intent emanating from both books was dead serious.
"......Haa."
Ian sat in his chair and watched the spectacle.
A pristine white grimoire and a pitch-black one.
The sight of the two books with opposing colors clashing was so childish that it was hard to believe they were penned by an Outer God. It was the kind of thing a little kid might enjoy.
'But two grimoires......'
A second grimoire had suddenly rolled in, but this wasn't the situation Ian had hoped for. A normal grimoire might be one thing, but owning two written by Outer Gods opened the door to all sorts of potential problems.
The saying "moderation in all things" didn't exist for nothing. The power of an Outer God's grimoire was unparalleled. The absurd ability to reassemble anything into any desired form. Even Yuna, with her unique magic, would be amazed at how it offered such immense scale and potency with virtually no risk.
The [Deep Sea Chronicles] was surely something similar.
It claimed the ability to summon creatures directly created by its author, but Ian doubted they were ordinary.
The book's title was tied to the sea, after all. It probably allowed control over deep-sea monsters, including krakens and the like. Since they were beings crafted by an Outer God, they could likely operate on land as well.
Not a bad spell for bolstering weak offense.
Yeah, not bad...... but he hadn't wanted it anyway.
"Hoo......"
Ian lit a cigarette and pondered deeply as he smoked. He left the still-fighting grimoires alone and crossed his arms while eyeing the Librarian pasting notices everywhere.
He knew that being chosen by a grimoire was entirely up to the grimoire's will. A mage could seek one out if they tried, but it was more common for grimoires to come to them.
The Book of Moses 8 that had just been torn apart alive had probably wandered in out of curiosity and gotten captured and dismembered. It wasn't intentional, but it was a shame.
In any case, being selected by a grimoire was beyond a mage's control. A normal grimoire could be refused, but an Outer God's grimoire made that impossible. The moment it appeared, it forced its cover open and made you read it—there was no time to resist.
Ian let out a deep sigh as he looked down at the exhausted grimoires sprawled motionless on the table.
Two books of opposing colors lay still on the table.
He tapped the table with his finger, then spoke softly.
"......Summon."
At that moment, the Deep Sea Chronicles flew into his hand.
[......!]
The Hand of Recreation trembled as if betrayed, while the Deep Sea Chronicles fluttered its cover. Ignoring their contrasting reactions, Ian began reading the Deep Sea Chronicles with a serious expression.
'I need to check it out anyway.'
Responding to the summon meant he was already its owner. Even if it was an unwanted second grimoire, ownership was ownership—there was no going back.
Refusal wasn't an option, so adaptation was all that remained.
Denying reality wouldn't change a thing. He needed to decide quickly. Accept what had to be accepted.
'Still, I should ask the community. Are there mages with two grimoires?'
With that thought, Ian slowly read the grimoire's introduction.
[Deep Sea Chronicles]
[Author: Master of the Outer Sea]
[This grimoire was penned by the Outer God, Master of the Outer Sea ■■■, and records magic for summoning and controlling the creatures of the Outer Sea that ■■■ personally created. It also contains spells like breathing underwater and turning fresh water into seawater. As it has no previous owner, memory perusal is impossible. You may rejoice.]
An introduction similar yet different from the Hand of Recreation's. Ian tapped the table as he turned the page.
He skipped past the table of contents listing various spells and reached the main section on summoning.
[All creatures of the Outer Sea are inherently hostile to lifeforms. They loathe and hate all living things, including each other. Their lives are pawned to the master of the sea they inhabit, and they obey no one but her.]
[However, it is possible to summon and control them via this grimoire. Required materials are the owner's blood and Anomaly flesh. Internal organs are preferable.]
[The summoned creature's size varies with the amount of blood and flesh used. But beware: a botched summoning circle will suck you into the Outer Sea instead.]
[Also, after summoning, you must pay the price it demands—i.e., provide ample food—or it will turn on the owner.]
[The summonable creatures and their circles are as follows.]
[Messenger]
[Parasite]
[Failed Creation]
[Unseeing Eyeball]
[Predator]
[Saw]
.
.
.
"......A filthy lot of them."
Ian shook his head as he read through the lengthy list of circles, appearances, and descriptions.
There was too much to read right there on the spot. But he'd grasped the gist.
In game terms, it was summoner-class magic.
The only issue was that the summoned beings weren't benevolent like fairies or spirits. They were savage, ravenous things that devoured every visible lifeform. Fail to pay the toll, and they'd even turn on the summoner.
Compared to re-creation magic, which demanded no specific price, the fuel efficiency sucked. But gaining a ranged attack option was worth welcoming.
'Can't use re-creation and summoning together......'
As owner of both grimoires, he instinctively knew it.
Only one grimoire's spells could be used at a time. No re-creation magic while holding the Deep Sea Chronicles.
Thankfully, the lesser spells from either were still accessible. That was a relief.
"Um, sir."
As he sat reading, the Librarian approached. It could barely hold itself together now, trembling even while standing still. It was forgetting how to stand properly. On the verge of becoming a total idiot.
Leave it like that for five more minutes, and it'd collapse and die on its own. Ian didn't particularly care if it lived or died. But he needed it to escape.
Ian closed the grimoire, stuffed both books into his bag, and stood.
"Finished placing the rulebook?"
"Yesss...... I put up notices everywhere too. But I don't really understand why......"
"No need to. Hand over the original rulebook."
"Oh, here......"
The Librarian handed over the neatly folded paper. Ian pocketed it and spoke.
"Good. Business done. I'm out."
"Ah, yes...... Follow the proper procedure, and I'll let you leave."
The "proper procedure" the Librarian mentioned was borrowing one library book and promising a review. Ask for the exact timeframe, promise it, and you'd be forcibly teleported back when time was up.
Knowing that meant no need to fall for it.
"Deep Sea Chronicles. I'm taking it now. Not borrowing—owning. No time limit."
"Ah, uh...... Is that...... right? Feels off somehow."
"You doubting me now?"
"Ah, no. You can go......"
The Librarian scratched its head awkwardly and pointed to the library entrance.
"Going out now leads to reality...... Please visit again......"
"Got it. Oh, and there's paper stuck to your back. Peel it off."
"Ah, so there is. Thank you......"
Ian gripped the doorknob and turned it while watching the Librarian stretch its long arm to remove the paper.
With a ripping sound, a sheet of red paper peeled off, taking flesh with it, dangling from the Librarian's hand. In that instant, its vacant eyes bulged wide.
"You fucking mage—!!!!"
"Later."
Ian didn't bother engaging and stepped out the door.
No corridor awaited him—just the deep night sky.
Back to reality. No need to lock eyes with the monsters outside the window, thankfully.
He let out a sigh of relief and leaned against the library wall to light a cigarette.
"......Hoo."
He exhaled breath and smoke into the air. Through the acrid smoke drifting skyward, stars and the moon came into view. The housing complex had so little light pollution that the stars were vivid. The moon was eerily bright.
'......Somewhere among those stars are the true forms of the Recomposer of All Things and the Master of the Outer Sea.'
He had no idea what they really looked like, but they probably weren't pretty sights. Lucky if just looking didn't drive you mad.
Lost in idle thoughts, he tossed the spent cigarette into a nearby trash can and started walking.
The wind was still quite chilly.
*
Back home, Ian showered immediately, sat in his chair, and contacted the Cartel.
[Me: Library job done. How do I get paid?]
[Cartel Staff: Good work. For payment, visit the nearest Cartel branch, report completion, and collect it. Branch location is shown in this app.]
[Me: Says it's an animal hospital.]
[Cartel Staff: Correct. Just show the Cartel app there.]
[Me: Identity protection is solid, right?]
[Cartel Staff: Yes. No worries.]
[Me: Alright, got it.]
[Cartel Staff: Thank you. This has been Cartel consultant Ex. Good night and have a pleasant day.]
Ian closed the phone screen and tossed it aside.
Indemnity delivered instant payment, which was nice, but otherwise, he had to go in person. Pretty slick service.
Still, he couldn't use a multimillion-won service every time. Better to use it sparingly, when needed.
"Should get some wheels."
Ian muttered as he glanced at the two grimoires on his desk.
They'd been brawling like crazy at first, but now they were quiet.
Reconciled? Accepted each other?
Who knew. Better than constant fighting, at least.
Ian stacked the grimoires cover-to-cover, tapped their backs, and said,
"Get along. I'm sleeping."
With that, he lay in bed and pulled up the covers.
Time passed, and as Ian's breathing evened out into sleep, the two grimoires started fighting again.
[Whumm!]
[Whumm? Whumm~]
The white book raged, the black one sneered.
[Whummm!!]
Finally, the Hand of Recreation lunged first.
In the dead of night, when all was asleep.
The two grimoires' fierce battle began.