章節 35: The Princess and the Dragon

A short moment later, everyone sat quietly, flipping through the pages of their chosen books as they prepared to enter the story worlds.

"This is so boring," Lucas complained, slumping over with an exaggerated sigh.

"That's only because you're an idiot," Viktor shot back, his eyes never leaving the page of his book.

Ryan looked up, curiosity flickering in his gaze. "By the way, where's the boss?"

Lucas straightened slightly, gesturing toward a distant part of the library. "He went to that crazy librarian holding some book," he replied. "I guess he's already picked a story to enter."

Ryan frowned. "No one's going with him?"

"Nope. He said he'd handle this one alone." Lucas shrugged. "Boss being Boss, right?"

Ryan nodded slowly, but his focus was pulled back by the ongoing bickering between Viktor and Lucas. "Speaking of which, hey, Viktor—what's that book you're reading?"

Viktor stiffened, shielding his book from Lucas. "Back off, you idiot!"

Their squabble echoed through the grand library, the sound fading into background noise.

Ryan sighed, staring at the sprawling shelves. "It's kind of weird how we don't need to eat to survive here."

Lucas leaned back, hands behind his head. "Yeah, but still… it'd be nice to taste something. Food just for fun, you know?"

Ryan's brow furrowed. "What are we supposed to gain from this library anyway?"

Viktor finally looked up, closing his book with a snap. "Probably something that'll make us stronger," he replied, his eyes serious.

Lucas grinned mischievously, leaning over. "Look who's talking! You flipped through that page too fast. Here, let me help—"

"Get off!" Viktor snapped, pushing Lucas away as their bickering resumed, fading once more into background chatter.

Ryan's expression turned contemplative. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't curious about what's waiting for us."

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Meanwhile, on the far side of the library…

Spector peered down at the book Nyx had selected, his grin widening. "Ohhh, this one?" he said, his voice full of intrigue. "Interesting choice."

Raising an eyebrow, he closed the book Nyx held. "Alright then." He hopped down from the counter, his eyes gleaming. "Mark the way, my children of old."

Spector began chanting in a strange, garbled language, his voice vibrating with unnatural power. "For @$@#%!&#%$%**%@%X$@%!X@^#$^..."

With a snap of his fingers, he finished. "Off you go," he said, and in an instant, Nyx's vision went dark.

When Nyx blinked, he found himself surrounded by guards clad in heavy, glistening plate armor. He realized that he, too, wore a suit of armor, his vision narrowed by the confines of a knight's helmet. The hallway he stood in was ornately decorated, with rich tapestries and shining chandeliers overhead. Rows of knights stood at attention beside him, their metal boots clinking against the polished marble floor.

Nyx glanced to the side, catching a glimpse of himself in a gilded mirror. It seems obvious enough that I've taken the body of a regular knight, he thought, unbothered. Memories flooded his mind, images of this body's past surfacing in a rush.

"My knight, oh, how strong you are," a woman's voice echoed in his head, the vision of a beautiful lady pulling the knight into her chamber replaying vividly. Nyx's eyes narrowed. Interesting. He surmised that this woman must be the princess, though he remained unfazed by the revelation.

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Back in the lobby…

"What book did the boss choose, anyway?" Lucas asked, breaking the relative quiet.

One of the underlings nearby nervously stepped forward. "Uh, sirs… I-I think I saw him take…"

"Well, spit it out!" Ryan demanded, impatiently.

The man swallowed hard. "I believe… the Lord chose 'The Princess and the Dragon.'"

The response was instant. Viktor, Lucas, and Ryan all shouted in perfect unison: "Whaaaaaaat?!"