The 31st Piece Overturns the Game Board

Seol had suddenly inherited the position of Head of the Library.

He looked at the previous Head of the Library in confusion.

Creak…

Clank…

The Head of the Library, whose body wasn't in the best condition, trembled as it tried to stand.

"I-it awakened!"

"Oh, no! Santio! Get ready!"

"W-wait! But…"

The Head of the Library made eye contact with Seol.

The Head of the Library's eyes shone like a projector toward Seol's eyes.

Tsss…

"Shouldn't we stop this?"

"Hold on… It doesn't seem to be hostile."

Bron nodded.

"It seems it's showing something to him."

"Th-then let's wait…"

Without realizing they were having such a conversation, Seol faced the light the Head of the Library was emitting.

'This…'

It was someone's memories. Judging by the perspective, it seemed to be of the Head of the Library’s.

However, calling it a memory felt odd since the Head of the Library was a machine. ‘Record’ was probably more fitting.

A human figure appeared in the record’s field of vision.

- You are now the Director of the Library of All Knowledge.

'All Knowledge?'

- Yes. The Library of All Knowledge will survive every possible situation and preserve the things of value.

Seol was able to conclude a few things from watching the man who appeared on the record.

'A human created the Library of All Knowledge? But why are there no records of it?'

If a human had created such a great thing, surely they would have made that achievement widely known. So why did no one know about it?

- If we fail… No, even if it fails.

The man smiled somberly.

- Fulfill your duty. Watch over everything and record it all.

Creak…

Seol looked around. It was dark, as if night had fallen.

Only he and the Head of the Library were in the pitch-black space.

As if there were more to show, the machine lifted Seol, picking him up like a child and making him sit on its shoulder.

Ziinng…

"Ah…!"

A very small world made of letters unfolded around the Head of the Library.

Letters from all over the world were gathering.

These were records created to share someone’s thoughts and experiences. Bit by bit, the letters piled up, each conveying what that person had gone through.

Even at this very moment…

Seol looked at Pandea, where he saw countless people caught up in war

The transferees and natives clashed because they hated each other.

Some humans got ahead first.

'This…'

The word 'fantastic' wasn't enough to describe these moments. Even the viewers felt this.

- What am I looking at…?

- I got goosebumps…

- This is crazy…

- Isn't this the direction media should go?

- The value of the subscription increased.

Everything looked small.

Tiny beings were squabbling over tiny matters.

It was how humans looked at ants—most saw them as insignificant or remained indifferent. But could everything they pursued truly be pointless?

'What am I thinking…?'

Just because he had become the Head of the Library of All Knowledge, he was indulging in a hollow fantasy as if he had become a god.

Seol looked down at the Head of the Library.

Creak…

Although the man in the memories called it All Knowledge, ultimately, it was just a cold machine.

After enduring for so long, most of its authority had depleted, leaving it with little it could do. The fact it required someone's help to return to its original form was proof of that.

However, just because its exterior had grown old didn't mean its duty had tarnished.

From its position as the god ruling over the Library of All Knowledge, it was fighting to uphold its duty even though its connection with its makers had long been severed.

Creak…

Creak…

Despite its broken body, the Head of the Library seemed to want to convey something to Seol. Although it was unlikely, it seemed to be giving off faint traces of regret.

After becoming powerless by its defeat at the hands of Azran and the Night Crow, it could no longer do anything and passed the position of Head of the Library to Seol. Still, it didn't seem to be satisfied with that.

The Head of the Library still wanted to be the Head of the Library—it wanted to fulfill its duty.

But because it couldn't return to its original form by itself, it had to rely on someone else's help.

And Seol was the right candidate to do that.

'But why me?'

Right there, there were also two Magicians—Joneh and Santio. Bron probably wouldn't count since he was a character from a book.

Seol gently touched the Head of the Library's body in the pitch-black space.

Creak…

As if it had done all it could, the Head of the Library slowly lowered its head with a look of lingering regret.

The light it had been emanating faded away, and it soon stopped moving.

* * *

A few days later.

After using the power he had inherited from All Knowledge, they returned to the 8th floor. Then, each went off to do what they needed to do.

Crossing through floors was just a fraction of the Head of the Library's power.

In any case, Joneh and Santio also managed to get something after much effort.

Although it wasn't Frozen Truth, the two Magicians found other books that could help them progress.

"Hmph… Although it's a bit disappointing, I guess this isn't bad."

"The important thing is that we’ve gained something. After facing so many crises, the quality and quantity of my mana have greatly increased compared to before. I feel like I can surpass my previous limits."

"Really? Hmm… I should hurry back and review this journey as well."

"If you go through everything, I'm sure you will see how much you've improved."

"Yes, that's good. But, something is bothering me…"

Joneh looked at the highest place in the castle.

Right now, Seol was there.

"He must be troubled, right?"

"Of course. He suddenly got control of the Library of All Knowledge."

"Didn't you hear it? He said he doesn't have any real authority. It's all for show. But he has to live trapped here forever."

"Well, he can just step down from the position of Head of the Library, so he should be okay, but…"

"It's probably because of that, right?"

"It seems so…"

"I should meet him before he makes some foolish decision. Come with me."

"Me too?"

"Of course! Why do you think he's hesitating to make a decision? Huh? A young man who lacks nothing on top of that!"

"That's probably because…"

"Experience, hehe. As a Magician, I should share some of my wisdom with him."

With a sly grin, Joneh led the way while Santio sighed and followed. They headed to the spire, where Seol had been secluded ever since returning to the 8th floor.

"So, once I start the conversation, you will… Huh?"

"It seems he's already out…."

As they ascended the spire, they saw Seol leaning against the wall with a distant gaze, looking at the edge of the snowy mountain.

"Trying to look cool, huh… Hey! You! What are you contemplating so deeply?"

"It really does feel like he's become a god."

Seol turned his gaze toward Joneh and Santio and smiled at them.

"Don't tease me, please…"

He asked while looking at Joneh and Santio.

"Did you come to say goodbye?"

"Not exactly… We won't be leaving right away… We're probably going to leave after you make a decision."

"I see."

"Once Libra asks for updates, we should at least tell him something."

After Seol became the Head of the Library, he learned something: No matter where the Library of All Knowledge was, its patrons always exited at the place they had originally entered.

In other words, once Joneh and Santio left the Library of All Knowledge, he didn't know when he would meet them again.

Seol would return to the Ghost Realm, and they would return to the Human Realm.

That's why their farewell was going to take place here.

Joneh, not so subtly, scratched his cheeks and asked, "So… Are you feeling troubled?"

Santio gasped and scolded Joneh.

"Joneh, most normal people aren’t that direct."

"Sh-shut up!"

Joneh pointed at Seol with his finger and asked.

"Answer me, little Libra. Is it so hard for you to make a decision?"

Seol looked at Joneh and asked.

"Even if they were lives born by chance, they are still lives. Why must I be the one to their fate…?"

Seol's dilemma was what to do with the Frostmaw Tribe.

They were beings born from letters.

They were beings who had already disappeared in his original world. That's why living on for them wouldn't be easy.

"Why hesitate…? You're acting like a god, as if your mind has gotten twisted. Do you think you've truly become a god?"

"Joneh, do you think deciding someone's fate is something a human should do?"

"Enough! Both of you…"

Joneh yelled.

"You idiot! How many have you killed until now?!"

"Yes…?"

"How many have you killed so far!"

"…"

"You've taken more lives than there are those down there rolling snowballs, right?"

"Even though I'm not certain…"

The number of lives Seol had taken in all the battles he had fought so far probably far surpassed the number of Frostmaw Tribe members in the castle.

"See? You're underestimating humans!"

"Yes?"

"The ones who have died after meeting you, do you know why they died?"

"Well… each had different reasons…"

"Different reasons? There's a common reason!"

"…"

Joneh's gaze was unwavering.

"It's because they've met you. They ended up dead because they were unlucky enough to meet you."

"…"

"Even a human might have to decide someone's fate. A small decision could decide the outcome of someone's life. Got it? God’s aren’t special—they have different ways of thinking. Deciding lives? Humans are perfectly capable of doing that too, got it?"

"I see…"

Seol looked at Joneh as if he had taken a huge blow.

"I was born as an illegitimate child between a coachman and a noblewoman."

"…"

"When I was born, I was almost stoned to death. My coachman father, I was never able to see his face. I heard he was drowned in a reservoir… You could say I was born while being cursed by the world."

"Joneh, I also didn't know that."

"Huh? Santio, I never told you this?"

"No. I always thought you were from the streets."

"You bastard! Even though I'm an illegitimate child, I was still born a noble!"

"Ah, I see."

Joneh kept talking.

"Anyway, think about it. Despite being cursed at birth, here I am—a proper adult—doing my best to save the world, right?"

There were a few strange parts, and the story didn't make much sense. That's why Santio pointed it out.

"Joneh, so the point…"

"You never know how things will turn out!"

"Yes?"

Joneh shouted at Seol.

"Everything is so bizarrely intertwined that things won't go the way you expect. So just do what you want. In the end, others will share the burden."

"…"

"That's how humans are. Doesn't history prove that? No matter what happens, they always somehow survive. Even when someone screws things up, others end up cleaning the mess."

"Joneh."

"If a problem arises, Aries and I will come to help. So just make a decision."

"For once, I agree with him. Yes, I will come to help too. So rest assured and make your decision."

Seol nodded and said, "Thanks. I've finally sorted things out."

"Really? Was my advice useful?"

"Yes. I've made up my mind, thanks to you."

"Then, when will we finally get out of this library?"

At that question, Seol answered.

"Today."

"What…?"

"I'm going to call the Frostmaw Tribe out right now."

The fate of the Frostmaw Tribe and the Library of All Knowledge was about to be decided.