After the customer left the library with two borrowed books in his bag, Elios Myrn flipped the sign on the library door to "Closed" and returned to his private desk facing the entrance in the now-empty library.
He sat on his chair and opened the Guidebook, from which words began to float into the air and drift across the endless rows of shelves and walls. The floor shifted to reflect a vast chamber, mirroring the floating books throughout the space.
The book titled Modern World Geography still hovered in place where he had left it.
Elios walked over while the Guidebook floated beside his head, reading about some major cities. After a while, he closed the book, allowing it to float away and settle into one of the shelves.
"But that's strange… Was Elios ignorant of geography, or have I not accessed the full extent of his memory yet?
In any case, I must keep digging into the details of this world."
Elios wandered through the chamber that seemed larger than the ocean until his eyes fell upon a slowly floating, ornate book titled Archaeology.
He picked it up, sat at a rectangular table, and opened it. The pages flipped on their own until they settled, and he began to read:
Artifacts:
A term given to exceptional physical entities that possess supernatural traits or unnatural effects, resulting from a unique interaction between rare elements or intrinsic forces within matter.
Artifacts are actual embodiments of invisible energies—whether emitted by nature, inherited from mythical beings, or infused by magical or ritualistic means.
The creation of artifacts has declined in modern times due to the scarcity of resources. Their powers stem from the natural properties of their components.
Artifacts may come in the form of:
Weapons or armor
Clothing or accessories
Consumable items
Special tools or mysterious objects
Artifacts are ranked from I to XII.
The rank determines rarity, value, and range of power.
History of Artifacts:
Artifacts were humanity's beacon in a savage world. Life before their discovery was harsh and constantly dangerous.
The Dark Era ended when humans uncovered artifacts, beginning the Modern Age 812 years ago.
Artifact Tiers:
Ranks I–IV: Medium to rare. Somewhat dangerous but manageable by common folk.
Ranks V–IX: Rare to legendary. Extremely dangerous and only handled with utmost caution. These are treasures owned by only a few mages, adventurers, or royalty.
Ranks X–XII: Legendary to transcendent.
Almost nonexistent, with little to no information. Considered mythical and historical treasures at the peak of artifact hierarchy—beyond physics and rational understanding.
Whistle
"This is incredible. Are the highest tiers real, or just legends in the end?"
Elios closed the Archaeology book, absorbing the new information about this unfamiliar world.
"I bet they're real. That's the nature of worlds like this, after all.
But I'm curious about the artifact makers... I'd like to meet one. Maybe they could create an artifact that returns us to the real world.
Makes sense, doesn't it?"
Elios Myrn stood up and closed the Guidebook, returning to his special librarian area by the door. He flipped the wooden sign back to welcome readers.
"Anyway, I'm in no rush. I want to see how far my friends can go too.
I wonder who'll find their way back first?"
He smiled to himself and turned toward the shelves to reorganize the small library.
A small, short girl with messy hair entered the library.
Elios lifted his head from the book in his hands and recognized her.
"My little sister Clara. Still a nine-year-old in primary school.
She'll be keeping me company in the others' absence at least."
Elios stood up from his chair, and his sister rushed to hug him, wrapping her arms around his waist and smiling sleepily.
"Brother… I'm hungry… and sleepy…"
Elios patted her head and pulled a bag from his desk drawer.
"Look at this, Clara. I brought some almond honey balls—your favorite. Want some?"
Clara's face lit up with joy. It was one of her favorite sweets.
She stared at the bag with hungry eyes, nearly drooling.
"Yes, please, Brother… I want some."
Elios took out two almond honey balls and placed them in her hands. She devoured them eagerly.
He put the bag away warmly, watching her as memories of them together danced through his mind.
"Come on. Let's go home, Clara."
It had become a near-daily habit. After school, she'd pass by the library where her brother worked. He'd close the library around midday and walk home with her.
Before Elios could close the library and head home, he heard a faint vibration coming from the cabinet behind his desk.
He looked at his sister, whose expression showed she hadn't noticed anything, and spoke:
"Could you go ahead of me, sister? Your brother remembered he has a bit of extra work."
Clara nodded sleepily.
"Don't work too late…"
After his sister left, Elios approached his private cabinet to find the Guidebook shaking nonstop.
There was light inside it—as if something was moving or trying to break out.
He sat at his usual place and opened the book. He was transported to its vast inner space, walking on the reflective floor as the Guidebook led the way toward a specific shelf.
It stopped before a golden-ornate book.
Elios pulled it from the shelf and opened it, finding words forming on their own—as if an invisible quill were writing.
He tried to follow along with his eyes:
Baron Arthur Valtieri held a glass of old Red Oak wine and walked slowly among the aristocrats in the grand hall, attending the fifth-anniversary celebration of Marquis Lawrence's marriage to Viscountess Irina.
Arthur sat on a lavish golden couch to the side, casting his gaze toward the elevated platform at the end of the hall where stood Prince Airn Althard—the second son of the Kingdom of Drakolin and the most worthy of the throne among his siblings, according to noble gossip.
Arthur studied the prince intently. A man of strength, wisdom, and political insight, he had a record of military victories against the Kingdom of Yormugand. Dressed in white embroidered with royal gold, with a white sword at his waist and smooth black hair, he was the object of desire for many noblewomen across the kingdom.
Elios paused for a moment, thinking to himself:
"What exactly am I reading?
Are these memories? Or... could it be?
Is this book recording events happening right now on the other side of the world!?"