Bab 8: Chapter 8: Library
Once again, I found myself standing in front of that window in my previous dream, rain hammering down outside as if it had been pouring for centuries. Thunder flared across the sky now and then, briefly lighting up the dimly lit library I was in. That same library—filled with towering shelves, an atmosphere that was somehow both comforting and utterly alien. And, of course, the same stranger was here.
I turned, and there he was. The man who looked like an older, slightly off-brand version of me—like someone had erased my Japanese features with a thick, foreign brush. He was seated behind the desk, reading that book. The book, the one that had sucked me into that dungeon. But unlike mine, his copy seemed filled to the brim, every page dense with writing.
Abruptly, he shut the book with a sharp thud, his eyes meeting mine. A quick, faint smile flickered across his face before disappearing behind his usual stern expression.
"Should I say congratulations?" he said, voice low but somehow mocking. "You didn't give up on the trial."
"The trial? That dungeon?" I scoffed. "Didn't feel much like a 'trial'—more like a death sentence."
He chuckled, clearly amused. "Compared to the other ones, that was child's play. With your abilities awakened now, you'd breeze through it. Half an hour, perhaps even less."
Annoyingly, he was probably right. Whatever power I'd tapped into, it had let me flatten that final monster in just two hits. As for the skeletons? I could practically brush past them and watch them crumble.
But… other ones?
"What do you mean, 'the other ones'?" I asked, frowning.
He raised an eyebrow. "Did you really think that was it? Your book has barely started to reveal itself." He stood, setting the book down on the desk, then leaned against it, arms crossed. "There'll be many more trials. Fortunately, unlike the first, you can choose when to face them. No pressure."
I shook my head, the questions piling up faster than I could ask them. "Hold on. Who are you, even? And what is this, exactly?"
He let out an exasperated sigh. "I thought you were sharper than this. Surely, by now, you realize we resemble each other. Of course, there are some differences, but…"
"You mean… we share the same blood?" I said slowly.
"If you're here, that's the only explanation." He shrugged, as if he'd just told me the weather forecast. "Although, you do look uncannily like me. More so than any of the others who've passed through."
I hesitated. "I look this way because of my mother. I… don't know much about her."
"Truly?" The man raised an eyebrow, then shook his head, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. "How the mighty have fallen, then. Tell me your name, young one."
"Ruichi," I replied, meeting his gaze. "Ruichi Ginba."
"A peculiar name. Different from my other descendants." He frowned, looking vaguely troubled. "Curious…"
"And what about yours?" I asked.
"You may call me More for now," he said, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "It's something of a tradition here. You'll know my true name soon enough."
He tilted his head, observing me with a kind of detached curiosity. "Now, I imagine you have more than a few questions burning in your mind. Fire away."
I looked down, gathering my thoughts. He wasn't wrong—my head was practically overflowing with questions. My gaze wandered to the towering shelves and countless books around us as I tried to find a place to start. Finally, I hummed and asked, "What is this place?"
"Ah, starting with the big one, I see." More chuckled. "This place… exists outside real life. It's a realm that sits somewhere between reality and fantasy—a place where, in a way, you can dream as you please."
I raised an eyebrow. "Pretty vague, don't you think? Any chance you could be a little less cryptic?"
"Young one, that's all I can tell you," he replied, unbothered by my skepticism. "Truthfully, I know little more than that myself. What I can say is that this place changes its appearance for each visitor. Some may see it as a grand library or a throne room, but for you, it appears as this cozy study. Even my looks sometimes change."
I glanced around, taking in the well-worn carpet and shelves that somehow felt both familiar and surreal. Well, I can't argue—it does have a certain appeal.
Then I looked back at him. "That power I used… What exactly is it? Is it something like… Persona?"
"Persona?" More touched his chin thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as if he were turning the word over in his mind. "I'm not familiar with that term. But it's close enough for describing it, if not quite accurate. I call it Archetype."
"Archetype?"
"Yes." He leaned forward, crossing his arms. "An Archetype is an embodiment of heroic virtue—a force that lies deep in every heart. When you face a significant threat, you confront your own fears, and this in turn awakens a higher power within you. These forms, like suits of extraordinary armor, manifest to protect the wielder from the overwhelming anxiety that accompanies battle. In essence, it's an armor born from the strength of your determination."
He continued. "The glow you feel in battle… It's as though facing your fears sends a rush of resolve through you, filling your body and your weapon. You awakened this power because, even while teetering on the edge of death, you were determined to survive. You swallowed your fear and pushed forward. That, young one, is the essence of the Archetype's power."
The man then walked to me slowly, and he lightly touched my chest, before a burst of light appeared in front of my eyes. It is shaped like a tree, with missing branches, and only one right now is visible.
"There are many types of Archetypes." More continued. "What you have right now is just one of many. The Seeker as I called it. In times of yore, there lived heroes who ventured into unknown lands in pursuit of their ideals, that is a Seeker."
I looked at the missing branches of the tree. "How can I obtain the others?"
"Simple. Find someone that has the quality of that Archetype, and befriend them. Make them your companions. For that I cannot help you. You need to discover it yourself."
Great. Like the Social Link system from the Persona games. Fantastic.
I focused on the existing branch, and I touched it with my hands. A burst of information suddenly entered my mind.
"It says… you are the one that I require to strengthen the Archetype." I said to More, massaging my temple from the shock of that sudden burst of knowledge. "I can strengthen Archetypes?"
"Well, of course." More smiled. "The one you have is just an Origin Archetype. You can strengthen it to become an Adept, Elite, or even Royal version of itself. For that, you need to strengthen your bond with me. So, young one, do not disappoint me."
He extended his hand, thrusting it through the glowing tree's branches. His arm hung there, waiting. I hesitated, then clasped his hand firmly. As our handshake ended, a strange surge of energy pulsed through me—brief, intense, and gone as quickly as it came.
"What… was that?" I asked, still reeling from the sensation.
"Bonds could give you additional minor powers as well." More explained. "In this case. You didn't need to come here again to look at your Archetype tree. You can just summon it on your own, just think about it and it will appear to you, other people won't see it of course. But, if you want to improve the Seeker Archetype, come here often, you'll know how to get here again once this dream is over."
And what do you know? When I touch the revealed branch on the tree again, it seems the bond has been strengthened, to level two. It seems the max is at eight.
"Well, do you have any more questions?" More returned back to his seat behind the desk, crossing his legs and sitting up straight. Meanwhile, the tree in front of me disappeared.
My eyes turned to the book that is similar to the one who transported me to a dungeon. "What about the trials you speak of?"
"Yes, the trials…" More hummed. "It's a series of dungeons that you can clear. You will be rewarded at the end of it."
"What kind of reward?"
"It varies." More shrugged. "Some are physical objects—items to strengthen both your body and, to a degree, your Archetype. And, of course, there's experience in battle. Surely that counts as a reward, no?"
Items? Hmm… that sounds attractive.
"So… how do I get into these trials?"
"Simply think about it while touching the book," he said, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Each trial grows progressively harder, so prepare yourself accordingly with each one you complete."
A lot of 'just think about it' isn't it…
"Then, is that all?" More asked. "It seems the time is near for you to awaken."
Awaken? Ah, right. This is a dream. It's vivid enough to feel real, though, and I'd nearly forgotten.
"For now, yeah," I replied, nodding.
"Then goodbye, for the time being." More settled back into his seat, opening his book and shifting into a comfortable reading posture. "Visit often."
"Right…"
As he returned to his reading, the world around me began to dissolve, like a haze lifting. And before I knew it, I was jolted awake, blinking at the dim light filtering into my room.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone