Kapitel 24: The Ciphered Library

"Let's get going, this must be the final quest." I voiced, feeling as if I had been here for months rather than just a few hours.

The Ciphered Library loomed before us, its dark stone walls etched with cryptic symbols and enigmatic glyphs.

As we entered, the gloominess made me feel uneasy knowing that if we didn't solve this place's mysteries within the limit of the time offered to us, we would be stuck forever.

But before we proceeded, we had taken a much-needed respite to gather our strength and strategize our approach.

"This is your go-to, Evie," I smirked as I gazed in her direction.

"Leave it to me, sir!" She pumped her biceps.

Evie, with her keen eyes and expertise in deciphering ancient texts, was determined to unravel the mysteries within this library that contained sacred texts.

As we settled down on the cold, dusty floor, she began poring over the centuries-old manuscripts, her nimble fingers tracing each character with reverence.

The rest of us watched in awe as her passion for history and the thrill of discovery radiated from her.

"I've never seen anything like this before," Evie murmured, her eyes bright with excitement and a hint of trepidation. "These texts are ancient, and some are written in long-forgotten languages. But I won't give up, muwhehehe." She grinned weirdly as she flipped the pages around, writing symbols in her notebook.

Her speed and dedication filled us with hope, and we were determined to support her in every way we could.

Cleare offered her a reassuring smile, Smool handed her the pouch of water, and I encouraged her to take her time and be correct.

We all knew that unlocking the secrets of this library was our only way out of the labyrinth.

As Evie immersed herself in the deciphering process, we couldn't help but marvel at the intricate design of the library.

The ceiling soared high above us, depicting scenes of forgotten history and mythical beings. The walls were adorned with intricate carvings, telling tales of ancient civilizations long gone.

"Whoa…" I breathed out in astonishment, "Is that Zeus's and Hades's fight for the reign over Olympus?" I asked out to particularly no one as I wandered through the drawn halls filled with rows of books.

"That there looks like Poseidon, doesn't it? It's holding a trident on the water and all that… there's a city too…" I wonder if that's Troy.

I should be taking notes for whatever pictures and meanings are depicted on these walls, for they are surely real and will prove useful if I dare meet them at any time in the future.

Although, the possibility of not meeting them seems way lower, considering I've got that Ares as my Lenticular Supporter. And Ares is one of the most known beings of the whole Greek mythological times.

"This looks like a person symbolizing the sun, the king of the sun, huh…" He's most definitely got something to do with the Indians considering the red circle on his forehead.

Then, I saw a slouched old man staring into a telescope up into the dark night sky at a planet with multiple moons, "That's definitely Galileo, isn't it?"

"That guy is cutting bamboo and is taken aback by a baby found inside the trunk, huh? Write it down, write it down."

"This guy has a Yukata on and is covered with flames…"

Just like that, in fascination, I went over the walls covered by drawings, asking the party members one by one if they knew of anything.

Hours passed as I turned into a history freak whereas Evie delved into the texts and glyphs found at what seemed like a door to our exit.

The library seemed to have a malevolent aura as if the knowledge it guarded came at a terrible price which, Marcus, who seemed curious to learn, couldn't resist the temptation to touch one of the forbidden scrolls.

"Be careful, Marcus," I shouted to him, but it was too late.

As his fingers grazed the ancient parchment, a dark mist engulfed him, and his eyes widened in horror.

"Brgh–?" His eyes popped in his sockets

The room trembled and a sinister force lurked in the shadows, unleashed by Marcus's inadvertent act.

I tried to pull him back, but the darkness consumed him, leaving nothing but a heart-wrenching scream that echoed through the chamber.

My heart sank as I saw Marcus's lifeless body crumpled on the floor, his features contorted in agony. The darkness retreated as quickly as it had appeared, leaving us in stunned silence. The library had claimed its price, and I couldn't help but feel responsible for Marcus's untimely end.

Grief and shock washed over me as I gazed upon his distorted body, limbs turned into an unnatural degree, his jaw was slit open with his tongue missing, his eye sockets had become empty holes that gave view to his brain as pieces of his scalp protruded through his skin.

"Kgh…" I whipped away from his corpse in disgust and fell to my knees, covering my nose to not smell the scent of his dead body.

I held my mouth, 'Fuck I want to puke out so bad!' I thought as my attribute activated by itself.

[Mythical Race Attribute: (Rationality) Is in effect]

"K-Kgyaah!?" Izzy screeched out as she fell on her ass, terrified at the sight in front of her, "Bluerghh–!" She immediately puked out the contents of her stomach. The tough-to-bear smell of blood and gastric juices took over the vicinity quite quickly.

Similar reactions were seen and heard from my other comrades too, including Evie who got disturbed from her job of deciphering the texts and symbols.

"I must do it…" X voiced as he approached Marcus' corpse and offered to cremate it.

"Ah, fuck." I cursed, "It really hurts to see someone you had responsibility over die…" I sat with my back against the wall as I rested my elbow on my bent knee.

Cleare sat by my side, taking hold of a handkerchief in her pockets to wipe my face.

"You've gotten so pale, Adrenoid…" She whispered as she pulled my head into her lap, her hand shivering.

"You must rest a bit. I know you've been pushing yourself since the very beginning. Smool and I will be taking over in your stead."

"Ah, will that be okay?" I asked as I gazed into her emerald eyes.

"Yes, you can sleep for a bit." She caressed my forehead, my eyelids feeling heavy as if they were being pulled down by a truck.

"Goodnight."

***

Ding.

[You Have F@?!d ?2?>$"!]

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