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Velgrin was still seated in the reading alcove, calmly flipping through the same book he'd been absorbed in for hours. He looked content, focused, and entirely unbothered by the previous murder, the summoned Death Knights, or the blood that had been scrubbed off the floor by unseen forces.
Levi sat at the far end of the library, elbows on a narrow table, staring at the remaining tea in his cup. It had gone cold a long time ago. He took a sip anyway, then grimaced.
A small notification appeared in his vision, centered and faintly glowing.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:
Patron time remaining: 1 hour.
"Right," Levi muttered. "One hour until I go play explorer in a world that probably has monsters, cults, or exploding chickens."
He stared across the vast interior of the library, eyes flicking back to Velgrin. The wizard didn't look like he was preparing for anything. Levi, on the other hand, had no equipment, no powers beyond talking to a sarcastic System, and a vague understanding that if he died, there wouldn't be a respawn button.
He cleared his throat and asked aloud, "System. If I'm about to walk into a dangerous world, do you have anything I can defend myself with?"
A single ping echoed.
System Response:
Yes. Equipping now.
Before Levi could question it, his current outfit disappeared. It was replaced by a full black suit with a tailored fit and a long black coat that fell neatly past his knees. The fabric felt smooth but weighty, like formal wear designed for high-end business meetings.
He stood and adjusted the coat. It moved cleanly with him. The buttons were simple but had a subtle shine under the library's lighting.
"...Huh," he said, smoothing down the lapels. "I kinda look handsome."
System Response:
You look handsome because of passive skill: Librarian's Charisma.
Without this skill, you would appear slightly above average.
Levi paused, then gave a slow nod. "So you're saying it's not the suit. It's me."
System Response:
Correct.
He turned slightly, checking his reflection in a nearby glass display case. The coat hung well. The suit fit perfectly. He actually looked like someone important.
Then he frowned.
"Okay, System," he said. "Real question. What exactly can this outfit do?"
System Response:
Physical resistance: same as an ordinary coat.
Magical resistance: also equivalent to a normal coat.
Summary: Cosmetic. Provides dignity, not defense.
Levi blinked. "Wait. So this entire thing... is just normal clothes?"
System:
Correct.
"No enchantments? No flame resistance? No bullshit anime protagonist powers?"
System:
No. It is simply a well-made outfit.
Levi spread his arms. "Then why bother? Why not just slap a target on my back and call it a day?"
System:
Appearance affects perception.
Perception affects behavior.
Your current look communicates authority and stability.
"So you gave me drip to fake competence."
System:
Precisely.
Levi walked in a small circle, rubbing his face. "And if someone throws a fireball at me?"
System:
You will die.
But stylishly.
"Oh good. At least my corpse will look professional."
System:
Presentation matters.
"Presentation doesn't stop swords!"
He pointed at the coat. "You could've at least made this fireproof."
System:
It is wrinkle-resistant.
Levi stared at nothing. "I'm about to get murdered in business casual."
System:
Elegantly murdered.
Levi sat back down, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You know what? Forget it. Just forget I asked."
System:
I understand your frustration.
However, aesthetic superiority is a valid form of psychological warfare.
"That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."
System:
Noted.
Instead of replying further, the System sent a new notification.
SYSTEM INVENTORY UPDATE:
Item Equipped: Invincible Black Leather Shoes.
Levi looked down. The shoes were polished, pitch black, and clearly expensive. They didn't look different from what someone might wear to a wedding or a funeral, but the name alone told him something else was going on.
"What's special about these?" he asked warily.
System:
Invincible Black Leather Shoes
Durability: Absolute.
Effect: Cannot be damaged or destroyed, even by divine-class attacks.
He tilted his foot experimentally. Still felt like a normal shoe. Still fit perfectly.
"And if I get hit by a dragon? A meteor? A really pissed-off god?"
System:
Your feet will remain unharmed.
"...Just my feet?"
System:
Correct.
Levi stared into the middle distance for a long, silent moment.
"So I'll be a pile of ash with two pristine shoes sitting on top."
System:
Yes.
"That's not protection. That's a joke setup."
System:
You requested defense. The item qualifies under durability.
Also, footwear is essential for long-distance travel.
"I won't be traveling if I'm dead."
System:
It will assist in posthumous identification.
Levi let out a long, tired breath. "You know what? I hate you."
System:
Understood. Would you like a warranty extension?
He narrowed his eyes. "For what? My inevitable funeral?"
System:
For the shoes.
"Go to hell."
System:
Noted.
He sat back down and leaned against the table, arms crossed. "So I've got a suit that does nothing and immortal shoes. Anything else? A hat that makes me look mysterious? Socks with +1 charisma?"
No response. Just silence and the faint flicker of lanterns.
Levi reached down and straightened one of the coat sleeves. The outfit did feel good, at least. Even if it wouldn't stop a blade, it made him look like someone who knew what they were doing. Maybe that would buy him a few seconds before reality caught up.
He finished the rest of the tea, set the mug aside, and let out a slow breath.
SYSTEM HINT:
If host successfully anchors the Library, further rewards will be unlocked.
"Oh good. More useless accessories. Can't wait."
.
.
.
Levi paced.
Not dramatically. Just a tired shuffle across the marble floor while occasionally glancing at Velgrin like the wizard might suddenly combust.
The Archwizard remained exactly where he'd been for hours: calm, focused, and entirely unbothered. He could've been reading a grocery list or instructions for summoning demons. His face gave nothing away.
Levi paused and looked down at his shoes again.
Still perfect. Still shiny. Still completely indestructible, apparently.
"Great," he muttered. "When I die horribly, archaeologists are gonna find two shoes and think I ascended."
He resumed pacing, coat swishing with each step. Despite everything, the outfit did feel solid. It fit well. Moved with him. Breathed properly.
Still didn't change the fact that he was about to step into a completely unknown world with zero combat skills and a System that thought fashion was a weapon.
He stopped walking and glanced toward the Death Knight standing guard near Velgrin.
Could he bring one?
He thought about it.
Then shook his head.
"Yeah, no. Walking into a new city with a murder golem isn't exactly good PR."
Levi rubbed his temples, then sat back down on the bench. His tea was still there, cold and bitter. He drank it anyway.
"System," he said.
System Response:
Patron time remaining: 10 minutes.
Levi stood, brushed off his coat, and walked toward Velgrin.
The wizard looked up immediately, setting his book down with care. His expression was respectful. Too respectful.
"Time's up," Levi said. "Let's go."
Velgrin rose smoothly and bowed. "Yes, my lord."
Levi groaned. "Stop calling me that. It's just Levi. Or Mr. Levi if you're feeling formal."
Velgrin nodded seriously. "Understood, Mr. Levi."
Before Levi could say anything else, a notification appeared.
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION:
Library Permit now functions as a communicator.
Say patron's name aloud to initiate contact.
Only the Librarian may initiate calls.
Levi raised an eyebrow. "So they can't call me back?"
System:
Correct.
"Convenient."
System:
Control of communications maintains authority.
Also prevents spam.
Levi snorted. "Right. Can't have wizards butt-dialing me at 3 a.m."
He looked at Velgrin again. The man stood ready, staff in hand, robe neat, like interdimensional travel was just another Tuesday.
Levi, meanwhile, felt like he was about to walk into a tiger cage wearing a steak suit.
He took another breath.
"One more thing," he said. "How do they get back here after they leave?"
System Response:
Patrons may access the Library through the physical front once established.
The Librarian opens the back door, which links to the Library proper.
Access limited to once per month per patron unless otherwise approved.
"So they walk into a store and I... let them in?"
System:
Essentially. Manual approval required.
"So it's a VIP club."
System:
With metaphysical benefits.
Levi stared at the ceiling.
"This entire setup sounds like a legal nightmare."
System:
Interdimensional zoning laws are surprisingly lenient.
"That doesn't make me feel better."