POV Logan
"But what the... You left only 3 hours ago," the receptionist said, very surprised.
She opened the bag I had handed her, in which there was now a pouch with more than 200 goblin crystals. She remained stunned for a few moments, glancing between me and the bag.
"Could you do the count and deduct the money to register me as a guild member, please?" I said nonchalantly.
"Uh... very well, I... I'll do that right away," she replied falteringly.
I waited a little while, and then she came back with a silver coin and a few copper coins.
"Here you are, taking into account your guild registration request."
"Thank you. Now, could you tell me where the library is?"
"Wait to finalize your registration, we need to record your status on the card."
"Not now. Can we do that tomorrow?"
"Honestly, yes, that's possible," she breathed.
After gently letting out a sigh, she accepted my request and then gracefully pointed toward the library, inviting me to explore its precious shelves. As soon as I crossed the library's doors, I found myself in a vast hall that seemed to stretch on endlessly. The shelves, tall and majestic, rose all around me, housing a plethora of books with varied bindings.
At the entrance to this sanctuary of knowledge, another receptionist, just as devoted, seemed to watch over this realm of learning. I approached her to ask a question:
"Could you please guide me to the section devoted to historical works?"
She kindly indicated the direction at the back of the library, where the treasures of the past lay, carefully organized. I then launched into my research wherever my curiosity led me.
After a while exploring, I finally chose a table in a quiet corner of the library, where I carefully arranged a stack of books. Slowly, I opened one of them, letting the words carry me to a bygone time, where echoes of the past mingled with my thoughts.
The Kingdom of Sigma is located on the continent called Astra, Sigma being one of the 5 great kingdoms. Among these five sovereign nations stand proudly Ecclésia, Rubis, Léonis, and Ria, each with its own character, culture, and distinct ambitions.
Sigma and Léonis have been enemies since time immemorial and have already waged numerous wars against each other, which does not prevent tensions from arising among other countries as well. Ria, on the other hand, is a neutral kingdom that has been ruled solely by queens for many generations.
This world of sword and sorcery is under the protection of a goddess whose name no one on this earth would dare not know. The goddess Hamnésia, the undisputed sovereign, watches over every corner of Astra's land. Her cult is known as the Blue Church, named after the two moons that illuminate this world's starry nights. The Blue Church is far more than a simple religious institution; it is one of the central pillars around which Astra's society and culture revolve.
This church, fervently devoted to the goddess Hamnésia, follows a well-defined creed that has significantly marked Astra's history. Its teachings focus exclusively on the human race, considering humans as the chosen ones of the goddess, guardians of her sacred heritage. Members of the Blue Church firmly advocate the exceptional destiny of humans, a belief that drives them to promote the supremacy of their race while also virulently and violently persecuting other races. However, dwarves are mysteriously an apparent exception, due to their similarities with humans.
Thus, in the past, the human race, aided by the goddess, waged war against the other races in her name and with her support. A total and horrific war that came to be known as the Bloody War. On one side were the humans fighting to assert their supremacy; on the other, the other races fighting for their freedom and their right to exist.
The war that followed was a titanic and blood-soaked conflict that shook Astra's very foundations. Magical powers, armies, and resources were mobilized on both sides, turning the continent into a tragic battlefield. After countless grueling battles, massacres, and genocides, and ultimately with Hamnésia's divine intervention, the humans finally emerged victorious.
Establishing themselves once and for all as the masters and the superior race, the other races thus became their slaves forevermore. Nearly all races inhabiting the continent were brutally enslaved, causing countless more victims.
The defeated races, terrified by the fate reserved for the losers, scattered, seeking refuge in distant lands or striving to remain hidden from human eyes. They went into exile or took refuge in the shadows to avoid being raped, killed, or turned into mere slaves. The trauma of this great war left deep scars in Astra's history, fueling legends and tragic tales.
"So this goddess is a blatant racist and a domineering tyrant she makes me want to tear her throat out!" I thought, clenching my fist.
"Did you find what you were looking for?" asked the receptionist, suddenly appearing.
It wasn't the librarian in charge of the upstairs library, but the one downstairs, whom I had already dealt with before.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, perplexed.
"Well, I thought I could help you with your research."
"But there's already a receptionist here for that, isn't there?"
"Umm, yes, but she doesn't know as much about it as I do," she stammered, averting her gaze.
I let out a sigh, accepting her generous offer to help me.
"Very well, uh..."
"Ah, that's right, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Marie, receptionist of the Adventurers' Guild."
"I'm Logan."
"Pleasure to meet you again."
"Likewise. So, Marie, could you explain how one obtains skills and how they are ranked by rarity?"
"You can obtain skills in various ways—by leveling up, by learning them, or even by creating them."
She left and returned with a book, opening it in front of me.
"Here's a book listing various skills and how to learn them. You can take it with you, but don't forget to bring it back."
"Are there others?"
"Of course. Now, regarding skills, they are classified into three types: there are completely normal skills. Then there are unique skills, which are much rarer and harder to obtain. And finally, legendary skillsthey are extremely rare and immensely powerful, and only a few people possess them."
I thought about opening my status screen, and it appeared before me.
Name: Logan | Race: Human | Age: 18 | Profession: Avenger-??? | Level: 23
Vitality: 210 | Magic Power: 56 | Attack: 75 | Defense: 72 | Speed: 55 | Endurance: 74 | Agility: 66 | Intelligence: 190 | Physical Strength: 80 | Willpower: 160 | Calculation: 148
Skills: (None)
Unique Skills: (None)
Legendary Skills: (None)
Exclusive Skills: Vector Control, Ultra-Fast Learning, Encyclopedia
Elements: (None)
Acquired Titles:
• Goblin Exterminator
• Merciless
"Marie?"
"Yes, Logan."
"And where do exclusive abilities fit in?"
Marie fell silent for a moment before answering:
"Exclusive abilities are ultra-rare skills tied only to a single person or to a very small number of individuals. They can be a natural gift, a blessing, an inheritance. Since they are possessed by only an infinitesimal number of people, they can be stronger than legendary ones—or weaker. But because they are extremely rare, there is very little information about them. Do you have any other questions?"
"I'll be able to find the answers I need myself by digging through books and by living here directly. However..."
"I have two last questions: the Demon King was defeated 99 years ago, and dungeons started appearing right after his death?"
"That's correct. It's assumed there's a connection, but nothing has been proven."
"What's your last question?"
"From what I've read, there are several races besides humans: demi-humans, demons, elves, dwarves. Those four are the main ones, but of course there are others, including intelligent monsters."
"That's right. All races except dwarves are considered inferior to humans, and deliberate war was waged against them. Except for the kingdom of Ria, which believes everyone is equal and where coexistence between races exists."
"So, if I understand correctly, humans entertained themselves by killing, raping, and enslaving others out of pure feelings of superiority while following this goddess," I said, rage already consuming me as soon as I had begun reading those fragments of history.
"...."
"Error!! Error!! Error!! Error! Error!! Error!! Error!! Error! Error!! Error!! Error!! Error! Error!! Error!! Error!! Error! Error!! Error!! Error!! Error!"
Marie looked at me in confusion for some reason before speaking:
"Logan, have your eyes always been red?" she asked, stepping back in surprise.
"Tell me, Marie, do you condone that kind of thing?" I replied, not paying attention to her question.
"No, I find it just as despicable, but it's the nobility that dictates the direction of the country."
"I see. Then there's nothing left but to change all of that. But as a philosopher once said: before changing the world, start by changing yourself," I thought inwardly, clenching my fist.