Dream Realm Calling
Saya had absolutely no interest in the emotion of love.
If anything, it was because of her own ability.
“Why would anyone bother with a feeling like that? Reading one more line in a book would be better.”
As the Witch of Records, she could vicariously experience the feelings of protagonists through the books she read.
Indirect experience was something anyone could do, but she had long surpassed that level—allowing her to feel the exact emotions the novel’s heroes actually experienced in reality.
Even in the books scribbled with the authors’ fantasies, she could feel their emotions.
Whenever she wanted, she could feel the passion burning between two men and women in love, and it was no challenge at all for her.
“Love is just a waste of time… I’ll just read a book instead.”
If the emotion of love made her crave something, she could open a romance novel and feel such intense excitement that the loneliness would vanish entirely.
To her, love was simply pointless time wasted and emotion wasted. There were books she could pick up and devour whenever she pleased—what was the point of clinging to a man?
“Um… could you tell me if there’s a book that starts with ‘si’?”
But the moment she faced Evan, every last one of those thoughts vanished.
The pure, primal real love swept away the fleeting fake loves she had experienced until now.
“This… what is this?”
She realized something was wrong with her and immediately pulled out a romance novel. She planned to read it and forcibly purge the emotion she was feeling right now.
Yet she could not do it.
“S-Saya? Y-You said you had no interest in love, right? Right…?”
“…No interest.”
Her eyes were fixed on Evan, and her gaze would not leave the book.
‘A book that starts with “si”… and my name starts with “si” too. Is this fate?’
Before she knew it, her mind was filled with thoughts of Evan. Saya felt she would lose herself if she continued like this.
She had to drive him away. She had to push him out of her sight and make sure he never returned here. Otherwise…
“Saya? Why are you suddenly… Saya? Answer me…”
Saya let the faint voice coming from somewhere wash over one ear and walked toward Evan. He was still absorbed in his book and had not noticed her approaching.
She peeked at what he was reading and noticed something strange. He pulled out a book, skimmed it once, then immediately slipped it back onto the shelf.
‘That’s… not allowed.’
Evan repeatedly pulled out books such as [Succubus], [Succularus], [Succubus on the Beach], and [What Is the World’s Strongest Creature? Dragon vs Demon King], only to flip through them and shove them back into the shelf without a second glance.
This behavior was exactly what people with no interest in books would show, and it was an action that could damage the books themselves.
If anyone else did this, she would have thrown him out and said:
“If you read them that way, the books get damaged. And if you don’t know what you’re looking for, figure it out first and come back.”
Even if the person had been sent by the Spear King, it would not matter to her.
She was the librarian of this library, and within its walls she was as good as a king.
But right now, while Evan was behaving like this—
‘He’s reading so fast… Did he learn speed-reading? Yeah, must be. He loves reading.’
Her mind had already broken.
By the natural drug of love.
***
Asking anyone about succubi was embarrassing. After all, the very existence of succubi was created for such things, so simply asking would make the purpose obvious to anyone.
That was why she had set out to find it herself. In the Royal Library, where every single thing in the world was recorded.
Indeed, the Royal Library was so packed it seemed like every record had been kept there.
…That was the problem.
‘I can’t find it…’
She had skimmed through every single book that contained the word “succubus.” And there were too many of them.
Most were even novels centered on succubi—stories about succubi sneaking into nunneries or succubi going to nude beaches.
Since she had only skimmed them, she did not know the details, but she was certain there was no book about succubi.
“Haang, haang— weird letters…”
After searching for a long time, she suddenly sensed someone behind her and startled.
She had been too focused on finding the book to notice the approach.
‘I’ve been caught…’
“If you read them that way, the books get damaged.”
The library archivist, Saya, quietly reached out and took the book from Evan’s hands without him noticing.
She carefully placed it back on the shelf with a gentle voice.
I let out a relieved sigh and bowed my head carefully.
“…Yes, I’m sorry.”
“What book were you looking for? Tell me. I’ll find it for you.”
“I-I’m a little embarrassed to say…”
“Don’t worry. Whatever it is, I won’t tell anyone else.”
She could not say “Someone finding out is the problem.” Brilliant people would figure it out from just hearing that.
When she finally stayed silent, Saya sighed and spoke.
“…You don’t trust me? Or are you looking for a forbidden book?”
“That’s not it…”
“Good. Let’s do it this way.”
*Snap.* Saya clapped, and a small fairy popped into existence from nowhere!
The fairy, with the appearance of a cute girl, giggled and flitted around her.
“My servant. Since it was created temporarily, its memories and records will not remain. I will disappear, so tell this one. Can you do that much? If you break the book any more, I won’t forgive you.”
“…If that’s what it takes.”
“Be careful.”
Saya spoke and then vanished in a trot. I thought the librarian here was frightening and carefully watched the servant she had left behind.
‘…What book is she looking for?’
“…Succubus. The book that contains stories about succubi.”
“Succubus-? Great!”
The small whisper was pointless, yet the servant answered in a loud voice. Worried that the two people far away might have noticed, I followed the servant.
The servant successfully found a book about succubi that I had searched for for so long. I opened it and confirmed the content, learning how to reach the land of succubi—the Monghwanhyang.
‘Create a summoning magic circle and sleep on top of it…’
I did not know how to draw the magic circle because it was not written in the book, but it did not matter. I had a business card from the succubus who had given it to me.
I should be able to use this card instead of a magic circle. I swallowed hard and closed the book, then returned it to the shelf.
‘It’s almost night…’
“E-Evan? Over here?”
At that moment, Carnelly, arms full of books, approached. I was still gazing at her chest, which was pressing against my arm, when I finally lifted my head to meet her eyes.
Noticing I had peeked, Carnelly blushed slightly and laughed softly.
“T-That… chest… is a bit embarrassing to look at.”
“I-I did look.”
“R-Really? If you want to see, you can look more….”
“I didn’t mean to say that…”
Carnelly pushed her chest forward to emphasize it.
I nodded while watching her swollen chest.
I had not looked because I wanted to—I had simply been there.
‘They’re huge…’
Smaller than the guild master’s, yet large enough. Compared to the enormous ones in the distance, the ones right in front were even more impressive.
I had finally understood the truth of the world.
***
That night.
Evan lay in bed with Penelope’s business card tucked under his pillow.
‘Hurry, hurry and fall asleep…’
The night was pitch black, hidden behind clouds with not even a sliver of moonlight. Perfect for sleeping. Just as he was closing his eyes and recalling the day’s events, Evan soon fell into deep sleep.
When he opened his eyes again, he faced an unfamiliar violet sky.
“…Where am I?”
“W-Whoa, a first-time visitor!”
“Wow.”
Evan’s mouth fell open as he stared at the woman who had spoken to him. She was wearing a revealing outfit that covered only the essential parts of her body.
‘I’m here.’
Evan had arrived in heaven.