ROAR—!
The Shadow Wolf howled as it rushed Koko.
BOOM!
The still-intact bookshelves around them collapsed with a thunderous roar.
Seol clicked his tongue.
Since they were likely the last of their kind, one might have expected some sentimentality, but the Shadow Wolf they encountered on the 6th floor greeted Koko with fierce hostility.
Now that things had turned out like this, they had no choice but to fight.
"It seems like things won’t go as smoothly as planned…"
Just as Seol prepared to use a shamanic spell.
'Jamad…?'Since Night Crow operated as a single being, their energies had to be unified for anything to happen. However, Jamad was holding onto his energy, refusing to release it.
'You aren't going to help?'
- He said we shouldn't.
'Who?'
- Koko.
'Koko…?'
BOOM!
BOOM!
"Eek… H-hide!"
"It's charging! Be careful!"
As Joneh and Santio scrambled into a corner, Seol briefly pondered why Koko had made such a decision.
Paf!
ROAR!
Crash!
The two Shadow Wolves rampaged through the area as if they were determined to tear this place apart.
Whir!
Koko darted past Seol.
Whoosh…
The other Shadow Wolf followed in pursuit.
'It's dangerous…!'
BOOM!
Seol rolled across the floor to avoid getting caught in their battle.
'Hmm…?'
Something felt off. He couldn’t quite find the right words, but there was a strange sluggishness to the fight—given the power they had, it seemed oddly underwhelming.
"We need to find a way to stop this! They're going to destroy this entire floor at this rate!"
"We don't know the nature of those wolves, so recklessly using magic isn't an option. Besides…"
To Joneh and Santio, it seemed to appear different. After all, their surroundings were being torn apart, and objects were flying in all directions.
However, Seol saw it differently.
Shadow Wolves' usually fought more stealthily and lethally, relying more on speed rather than destructive power.
However, Koko was moving at less than half of his usual pace for some reason.
- This is great.
'Ur?'
Just as Seol was questioning the fight between the two, Ur began explaining the situation.
- Some foolish being twisted the rules of the upper levels, and as a result, that Shadow Wolf now exists as a 'living creature.' Otherwise, it would have disappeared long ago.
'What do you mean it exists as a living creature?'
- Because of what had happened, it exists independently regardless of the rules. That means it's possible to retrieve that creature.
'Does that even make sense? No matter how mysterious a place the Library of All Knowledge is…'
- Do miracles choose where they happen? Miracles of this magnitude can happen anywhere, not just here.
While Seol and Ur talked telepathically, the Shadow Wolves' fight took a different turn.
Grrr…
The Shadow Wolf that had been blocking the 6th floor bit Koko's neck lightly, but it stayed still.
Grrr…
This time, they switched roles, and Koko bit back.
The two were just play-biting without actually sinking their fangs.
The hall became silent.
'Don't tell me…'
- Oh… So their primal instincts remain even after all this time? The Library of All Knowledge… What an intriguing place. It didn't just mimic its form but perfectly materialized it.
Grr…
This time, the two rubbed their heads together.
"Ah…"
- Is it mating season? No, there don't seem to be any signs of that. It could just be a display of camaraderie. But I do wonder if your Shadow Wolf could bond with the one created by the Library of All Knowledge.
Seol understood but, at the same time, didn't understand Ur's words.
What he meant was that the Shadow Wolf had just met Koko, and due to how ferocious it looked at first glance, it didn't seem like they would have instantly hit it off.
However, someone else interrupted Ur and Seol's conversation.
- It seems she has taken a liking to Koko. Again? Ugh…
- Ah, how embarrassing!
- Could you step aside…?
- It seems Koko was a guy after all.
- Karen, we understood. So please, move away.
The one who interrupted was Karen.
Her voice seemed cheerful. It seemed like she was quite relaxed in the Void.
While Karen and Ur bickered, Seol stared blankly at the two Shadow Wolves.
'They're bonding…?'
- A couple…?
- Unforgivable!
- I oppose this marriage! I oppose this marriage! I oppose this marriage! I oppose this marriage!
- Father-in-law, please give Koko to me!
- Koko's the guy!
- Father, I want to be with him…
- Even if they're the same species, I won't allow this couple!
Now, the two had progressed to the point of licking each other's fur.
"Koko…?"
- Koko! We were supposed to eat popcorn and watch a late-night movie together!
- You said you would take care of me for life!
- No!! Don't fall for her!
Huff… Huff…
As Koko tried to return to Seol, the other Shadow Wolf began to approach him.
BOOM… BOOM…
It was massive, possibly even larger than Koko in his prime. If Seol were an ordinary human, just looking into her eyes would have made him faint.
[Charm Emission activates.]
[Creatures that sense your charm will inevitably feel curious about you.]
Charm activated at just the right moment.
As expected from a rare stat, it did wonders.
[[Early Evening's Kukuru]
Rank: Immortal
Estimated Level: 50~55
Among ancient creatures, Shadow Wolves preserved their primal and pure strength up until the brink of extinction.
As if lineage meant something more than a mere branching root, the lineage of Shadow Wolves can handle the power of shadows.
Kukuru was a powerful Shadow Wolf who dominated an era long ago. Despite not having chosen to become massive, she was inherently larger than the other Shadow Wolves.
Her enemies feared that whenever night fell, she might come along with it. Due to her strength, she had many enemies. Swept up in the flow of time and her conflicts, the flame of her life was eventually snuffed out.
Due to a mysterious occurrence in the Library of All Knowledge, the world might once again tremble in fear at her reappearance.
The fortunate thing is that Kukuru seems to have taken a liking to the Library of All Knowledge and considers it her home.
At least for now.
Basic Ability: [Bite: 5], [Scratch 5], [Solitary Life 4], [Bone Crush 5], [Shadow Move 4], [Gut Scratch 3], [Sticky Vitality 5], [Involuntary Dislocation 3], [Blood Scent 3], [Passive: Shadow Beast 4], [Passive: Pack Leader 5], [Passive: Friendly Shadow 5], [Passive: Berserk 4]
Special Ability: [Exceptional Skill: Waterfall Ripping]]
'Immortal-rank…?'
- Damn, I didn't see this coming.
Given that Koko was Transcendent-rank, they had assumed that Kukuru would be the same. But she was a level above him.
- Well, I guess it makes sense, considering Koko's still growing.
'Why are you convincing yourself… What do we do now?'
If Kukuru attacked, could they subdue her without Agony?
"B-be careful!"
Joneh tried to shield himself with a book.
"Santio! Is there anything we can do to help?" Joneh yelled while hiding.
"My magic is only effective against strong opponents."
"It clearly looks strong!"
"Then it must be weaker than it looks."
"Damn!"
"Joneh, don't you have any hidden tricks?"
"My teleportation magic requires assistance to be applied to living creatures! Living beings—even regular folks—naturally resist teleportation!"
"Others would think you’re helpless without me."
"Is that important right now…? Wait… Santio!"
"Anyway… For now…"
"Santio! Look over there."
Santio turned his head in Kukuru's direction, feeling a sense of unease. Had it swallowed Seol?
However…
Swoosh… Swoosh…
"…"
Kukuru was nuzzling against Seol's hand.
Seol stood still with a blank expression, unexpectedly stroking the nose of a giant Shadow Wolf.
- What's going on?
- It feels like I've seen this situation before…
- Am I in Alcatron? Did I regress?
Ur's awaited response came.
- It's hard to accept her right away. We don't know what might happen if we take her outside the Library of All Knowledge… In the worst-case scenario, she might dissolve and disappear.
'Then what should we…'
- I've explained the solution to Jamad. He will handle it appropriately.
"Hmm!"
Ur had a brief conversation with Jamad.
He felt that the fact summons could communicate with each other was an incredible stroke of luck.
"Koko."
This time, Jamad called Koko and explained something to him.
Maybe it was thanks to Jamad's abilities, but Koko understood him and nodded in response.
"Alright… Then…"
Jamad began muttering incantations in an unfamiliar language. Meanwhile, Koko clung to Kukuru and let out strange cries.
Grr…
Kukuru responded to Koko's questions with a growl.
'Is it not going well?'
At that moment, a set of options appeared before Seol.
[[You have encountered a mate of your creation, “Koko, the Happy,” in the Library of All Knowledge. Judging by the atmosphere, it seems like things might go smoothly. What will you do?]
1. [Requirement: Kukuru's affection] Politely ask Kukuru to step aside so you can pass through.
2. [Requirement: Shadow Wolf] [Risk Factor: Kukuru's disappearance]: Accept Kukuru as an ally and head to the next floor.
3. Challenge Kukuru and defeat her.
4. [Requirement: Shadow Wolf Kukuru's Affection, Shadow Shamanic Spell] Return Kukuru to her core.]
All 4 had absurd conditions. It almost felt insulting that one could meet all of those conditions.
However, in reality, Seol met all those conditions.
- Let's begin.
Whoosh…
A dark cloud enveloped the entire 6th and 7th floors as a storm began to gather around Seol.
"Ugh…"
"Be careful not to get blown away!"
As Seol extended his hand, the swirling fog began to gather around his hand.
WHOOSH!
'This…'
- You've seen it before, right?
When Koko was killed by Ur, he transformed into something black.
When Koko had died, Ur had said the following:
- When Shadow Wolves sense death approaching, they concentrate all their powers to revert to their primal form…
This was probably the core of the Shadow Wolf.
Then, the round orb forming in Seol's hand was most likely Kukuru's core.
WHOOSH—!
A few moments later, the swirling fog dissipated entirely.
While holding the orb in his hand, Seol asked, 'Do I resurrect her the same way I did Koko?'
- No, send it to the Void. There's no Shadow Essence there.
'To the Void?'
- Yes. I'll take it from here. I have some things to investigate, and there's plenty of Shadow Essence here.
Just gathering the essence of the monsters in the Void should be sufficient.
Seol nodded.
- Getting our hands on her isn't just about increasing your immediate strength. With a pair of male and female Shadow Wolves, natural breeding might be possible.
'Is that possible?'
Having more of them would be great.
But could the creations reproduce on their own?
- Natural breeding has a low success rate. After all, these creatures are picky by nature. However, judging by their earlier behavior, it might not be impossible.
"Oof! Just what happened…?"
"Phew! Joneh, there's no need to act nonchalant. Everyone knows we didn't do anything."
"Shh… If we don't reappear with confidence, we're going to lose face. G-good job, y-young man…"
Seol had swiftly broken through the 6th and 7th floors.
"What kind of fool let such a creature loose?"
"Well, they're probably dead anyway."
Seol felt grateful to that fool.
'I don't know who that fool is, but they've done something great.'
The breakthrough time had been drastically reduced, making him wonder if he really needed to send Hamun's group back first.
'So, only the 8th floor remains?'
The 8th floor was the domain of the head of the library, where the usual rules didn’t apply. Moreover, the head of the Library of All Knowledge was an incredibly powerful individual.
If he could use his full strength, winning might be possible. However, with Agony dormant, he likely had no chance.
'Although there probably won't be a need to fight…'
The good news was that the head of the library rarely interfered with visitors—and that they had died a long time ago.
In other words, the 8th floor was now just a space filled with shelves.
All that was left now was to go up and find what he needed.
But.
"Hmm…Hey."
"This…"
Joneh and Santio, examining the path that Kukuru had previously blocked, said, "There's a trace of mana left. What's going on?"
"Does that mean someone went up to the next floor?"
"Yes, but there's something strange."
"How so?"
"The one who went up wasn't the one who twisted the rules with teleportation magic—that person is definitely dead. Expecting their Circuit to be intact after such sloppy magic would be delusional."
"Then…"
Seol and Joneh exchanged glances.
"It's possible that another book was open here."
"…"
"For now, let's go up. If my guess is right, we'll know what's going on as soon as we get there."
* * *
Step… Step…
Seol's party moved from the 6th floor to the 7th through the connected passage and then from the 7th to the 8th.
Whoosh…
As they passed through a door emitting light, they weren't greeted by rows of bookshelves.
Whir…
"C-cold…"
"What the…"
Suddenly, they found themselves in the middle of a snowy wasteland.
They had been dropped into the heart of a blizzard.
"I did hear the 8th floor was a place of imagination… But to expect it to be on such a grand scale… Ugh, my beard's going to freeze."
"What is going on…"
Whir…
The snow-covered landscape stretched endlessly, with seemingly no visible end. They were pondering what to do when suddenly.
Flicker…
Far in the distance, a light appeared, steadily approaching them.
Santio said, "Something is coming. I'm going to cast a veil, so hold your breath for a moment."
[Santio used Presence Erase.]
[As long as no drastic actions are taken, you and your allies will remain unnoticed within a certain radius.]
Swoosh…
Seol and his companions vanished into the air.
Joneh poked Seol and whispered, "I'm certain. Another book has been opened."
"Just what kind of book…"
Sniff…
Sniff…
A group of figures holding enchanted torches emerged. They had large bodies and sharp tusks.
Seol almost laughed in disbelief.
'Northern Trolls?'
Trolls with blue skin and stark white manes, known to inhabit the polar regions, had appeared.
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