Chapter 7:"Origin"

"Please.”

"No."

“Please.”

“No.”

“Please.”

“No.”

Nathan and Iris had left the library behind to search for a way out of the study. Iris still wanting to wipe out the "DESPICABLE FILTHY RODENT" or so she called it, has ceaselessly berated Nathan on his action and demanded to know it's whereabouts. He didn’t have to locate the mouse, Nathan could tell from the smell, since they left the library the Scribe Eater had been following them, at a safe distance.

"But, eating book, the spells aimed at you, but most importantly your injury, and the entire time all you done was show it kindness, such disrespect, even if you don't want me to, I promise, it will rue the day it bared it fangs at you."

"Rue, thanks for the number one villain cliché.

“Hero, please be serious, you could have been seriously hurt.” The day I let a mouse seriously injure me, is the day I stop correcting people about my gender. Like I said so many times, it was scared, my hands healed already, and we have more important things to do than waging war on a mouse."

"I understand you want to leave but, do you know of a way out?"

"No, but I think if we search this place from bottom to top, we'll eventually come across something, how many rooms are in this place, anyway?"

"I not really sure, I only went where was necessary, anything else was of no interest to me."

"What, come on, you had to have gone somewhere else besides to this library and back to me."

"Well there was one place but, I rather not go back to that room."

"Oh, how come?"

"To be honest, I had a bad experience with that area."

"Say no more, we'll just avoid that room all together, for now let's head back to where I slept, we can start their and head down.

“Right.”

_

_

_

"Alright then, first door, you ready?"

With a nod from Iris, Nathan took hold of the handle.

*creak*

"Huh, it's the same as the room I woke up in.”

"It is similar, but this is indeed a different room."

Nathan left the room and headed for the next door. On the other side of the hall, was the same exact layout of the room before.

"Okay I get it, Iris were skipping this area, pretty sure were not going to find anything here?"

"Understood."

"We should cross the stairway to the other hall, we can begin again."

"Hero, I believe that if we should try another floor all together."

"Why?"

" The area across the hallway, is where the medical items are stored."

"I thought you didn’t explore?”

" The room I wish to avoid, is in that direction as well."

"Ah, gotta, lead the way."

"Yes"

With that they headed to the staircase to head down to the second floor, Nathan would have explored the area himself, but with no way to distinguish what’s helpful and which is not, it would prove fruitless. Plus, he honestly believed, Iris would follow him no matter what, despite her clear trauma. It didn't take long for them to reach. Soon they arrived at the first door, this room seemed a little more promising, shelves and pedestals lined with various antiquity.

"Now, this is more like it, let's get this done, Iris.

They begin searching the room for anything that was of useful. With her abilities, Iris was systematically reading each items mana, she said she that whatever they needed to remove the barrier keeping this placed secured, would have to have a significant amount of mana.

"This isn't going to work out, were moving way too slow."

"I apologize; I shall redouble my efforts."

"What, no, Iris your fine, it's me, I really no use right, seeing as how I can't read mana."

"Hero, there is no need to be upset, if you wish, I can finish this myself."

"Yeah, but it was my idea to search in the first place, how would I look leaving someone else to do it, *sigh* it's time like this I really wish this was a game.

"How could that help?"

"Well in times like this I would just pick up something like this mask and then found out everything I need by saying something like "Scan" or "Examine"."

*Ding* *Ding*

Mask of Devoid           Class: Unique

Mask worn by the race known as "Voidians". Because of their unique physiology, they must wear the mask until or risk fading from existents.

Effects: Intangibility, Ghostly state.

Effects Wear off, if contact is made.

"Holee crap, it's works."

"What works?"

Nathan explained his findings.

"This is wonderful, now you don't have to worry about feeling useless."

"Even though I know you didn't mean anything by it, that still kinda hurt."

"Let's continue and move on to the next room, theirs’ nothing here of use."

"Actually Iris, I think we should split up."

"What, there's no need for us to separate."

"True, but I want to search back on the first floor down that hallway, “Examine”, I'll be able to search alone."

"Nonsense, it is my duty to accompany you wherever you go, and that exactly what I shall do, my feelings on this matter are inconsequential."

This wasn't going as Nathan thought, he had an ulterior motive for separating from Iris, but she was dead set on following him, though he had an idea.

"Iris, just like you don't want me to get hurt, I don't want you to get hurt either. How do you think I would feel if I knowingly lead you somewhere you didn't want to go? It would fill me with so much guilt, that it hurts. So by allowing me to hurt you and in turn, hurting myself, that would mean you, the one who’s supposed to guard me, is the one to cause me pain?

“I would never do such a thing.”

“And yet you insist on following me, oh the guilt, so painful.

While acting like he was in pain, Nathan took a peek at Iris. She was definitely confused, contemplating Nathan’s words, not sure of what to do. Nathan took full advantage of this, it was time for the finishing blow.

“Iris, if you of all people, cause me to get hurt, rather it be physically or mentally, that would mean……………. YOU’RE NOT DOING YOUR JOB.”

Iris looked as though, lighting had struck, the one thing she could not live with is, failing in here duties and Nathan knew it. Someone like Iris who set around for, who knows how long, carrying out her duties, would not be able to live with the thought of failing.

“So, knowing all this, will you still follow?”

“I-I will continue searching here.”

*Ding*

Persuasion has increase +2!

That surprised him, all that crap he made up on the fly, raised his skill. This was good, even if it’s a tiny bit, higher levels only make the job easier next time.

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"Cool, so Iris you finish here, I hid over to the other hall and work my way up from there, then we'll hid down to the third floor, okay?"

"U-Understood."

Nathan turned in left the room leaving Iris still a little disoriented, but she got over it and begin her work anew.

_

_

_

Nathan had made to the other hall and took a quick look back, to make sure Iris didn't catch on to his word trick and come after him. Confident that she didn’t he decided to call out, to the one following him.

"…..........You can come out; she's not following me."

"…............................."

"Fine, act like you’re not there."

Nathan kept walking and turned down the corridor. A second later a small shadow stalk across the floor and veered around the corner, right into Nathan, who had been lying in wait.

".................... *smirk*"

"Squeeek" *Bam*

From Nathan startling her, The Scribe Eater jumped back, head first into a wall.

"Bwahahahahahahahah, are you going to do that, every single time we meet."

"Y-You damn giant, how dare you."

"Well, you wouldn't come out when I called for you, so I came to you."

"Hmph, why should I come when you call."

"Still don't trust me, huh?"

"Of course not, why would I ever trust you despicable creatures?"

Nathan actually was hoping the Scribe Eater would be more open to him, even just a little. He wanted to ask her some question about this place, she should have been here as long as they have, if he could get some information from her he might find what he was looking for faster. However, it didn't seem likely. By now the Scribe Eater had moved a safe distance from Nathan. He shrugged, and turned to the first door.

"................Whoa!"

Swords, the room was filled with swords, none of them look to fancy but still, this was more than Nathan ever seen. The Scribe Eater who entered after him was less enthusiastic, these killing instruments brought back bad memories for her. Nathan didn't take any notice of this and went on about his business, he grabbed the first blade on the shelf.

"Examine."

Iron Sword                   Class: Common

A standard blade with good durability.

No special effects

Atk: +5

Def: +2

Acc: +3

This sword was nothing special and looking across the shelf, the entire row had swords that were similar to this one, he thought of checking them all, but after the first three, he knew there wouldn't be much different. Now that he took a closer look, though there were a lot of swords, the types of swords were not that vast. Besides from the irons swords there were three other types, Nathan decided just to check the first of each type on the shelves.

Basterd Sword               Class: Common

A sword with a sharp blade, use primarily for amputation.

Effects: Inflicts Dread

Atk: +8

Defense: +2

Acc: +5

Short Sword                 Class: Common

One handed blade. Good for beginners.

No Effects

Atk: +2

Def: +2

Acc: +3

Claymore                     Class: Common

A heavy blade. Good for fighting armored enemies.

Effects: Armor Break

Atk: +12

Def: +8

Acc: +1

"Crap, none of them have it.

Not one had what he needed, he thought that one of the swords would have like an ability to slash through a barrier.

"Hmph, how quickly you giants lose your enthusiasm when things are not to your liking, typical."

"I'm not upset about that at all."

Nathan sighed heavily, he looked around, to be honest he’d like nothing better then to swing these blades around, but he had to wait, at least until they found a way out. He left the room and went to the second, the Scribe Eater, now closer to Nathan then before, followed. Much like the last room, it was also full of swords, though they were the same blades, their stats and effects were different. Still, none of them had any kind of barrier break.

"Oh right, I almost forgot the reason I wanted to split from Iris."

"What?"

"You."

"Me?"

"You've been here as long as Iris right, and unlike Iris, you didn't spend all your time taking care of me, so, you’ve had the run of this place.”

"True, I know this place well."

"Great, then you probably know of a way out."

"Huh, how would I know, something like that?"

"You never tried to find a way out?"

"Of course not, I'm here by choice."

"You chose to be locked in here, why?"

"That is none of your business."

"Well, what about some special item, something giving off a unique aura?"

"Perhaps, but why should I do anything to help you?"

"Because, if we find a way out, we'll leave you to your own devices, you have free run of the library and most importantly, Iris won't be able to kill you (For which she has vowed)."

"I lived here a long time, and I know any and all escape routes, I will not be so easily caught, plus even if I were to show you, if you break the barrier, that mean anything on the outside could get in, I want take that chance, even if that means being stuck here with you."

He should have just been searching on his own, but even with his abilities, he still might miss something. He needed the Scribe Eaters help and he knew just how to get it.

"Ooooh, I get it, you can't tell me, because you don't know."

"What?”

“All that high and mighty talk and your just as clueless as me.”

“I know more about this placed then anyone, I could find anything.”

"*Sigh* Well, guess I'll keep searching, seeing how you don't know anything."

"I told you, I do."

"Sure~, keep on telling yourself that, someday you'll even fool yourself into believing your lies.

The Scribe Eater was boiling mad, how dare this giant doubt her, but she would not be fooled. He was trying to bait her into leading him to "That". She laughed under her breath, this giant didn't know who he was dealing with if he believes she would fall for his silly acts of provocation, he was even more ignorant then she had thought.

"Well I guess Iris was right.”

“The fairy, was right about what?”

Well, she said, there's no point and asking an INSIGNIFICANT, FILTHY, DISEASE RIDDEN, RODENT for help since, there have about as much intelligence as they do SIZE, meaning you must have a very TINY, PEANUT BRAIN, well since you’re so SMALL, her words, not mine.

"....................................."

_ _ _

Nathan stared excitedly at the chest he had overlooked on his first time he searched this room. On the other hand, the Scribe Eater was crestfallen, how could she fall for such obvious provocation so easily, ashamed could not begin to describe how she felt this moment. Though there was one good thing that would come from, only one person could touch that chest, let alone it's content. A curse placed upon it, will kill anyone who touches it instantly, except the owner. It would serve him right for tricking her.

"Hey, what's your name."

"My name, why?"

"Well, I want to thank you properly for leading me to this."

"I didn't lead you anywhere, you tricked me."

"Yeah I did, and I'm sorry for that, but in the end it was because you that I found this, so for that, Thank You.

The Scribe Eater's blushed a bit, never in her life had she been shown such gratitude, and by a hateful giant no less. Here he was wholeheartedly thanking her and she wishing for his death. Ever since these they met he had done nothing but be gracious towards her, and what did she do, show utter and complete disdain for him because of a past he had no part in. She had to stop him, sure she was ready to let bygones be bygones, but at least wouldn't let him die.

"Wait a minute giant, don't touch that chest."

"Hmm, why, should I have not opened it?

"What, how are you still alive?"

"What do you mean?"

"A curse, there's a curse on that chest."

"Oh, yeah I know, but it should be fine, well for me anyway (Wait, was she trying to kill me, just now?).”

"But only the Hero can touch that chest, let alone that sword, then that means, you’re the Hero (Good, doesn’t look like he realized, I was trying to kill him)?”

"I guess; I know you heard Iris call me that several times.”

Now that she thought about it, the fairy did refer to him as such. She never realized it, due to the near death experiences that manifest, whenever she got close to Iris. Although even if she did hear Iris, Nathan himself was an enigma, it made absolutely no since. Nathan left the Scribe Eater, whom seemed to be in deep thought herself and turned back to the chest.

"Another sword huh, "Examine""

Origin     Lvl: 1                 Class: Joker ⍟⍟⍟⍟⍟

A gift from the goddess Xana to the Hero of Legend. Forged from pure celestium, it is said, to be able to split heaven and earth, with unmatched power.

Effects: Heroic Spark, Critical

Skill: Dire Strike, Charge,

Atk: ???                                                                                                                    

Def: ???

"No way, this is it, this plain looking thing, is the Hero Sword?"

Nathan didn't know much about swords, but he could help but be disappointed by lackluster blade. He did notice that unlike the other blades, this one had a level system, so there was hope, but it could have at least shined or something. The skill was not too different from the skills of his world video games. Dire Strike gives you your attack a boost when in a desperate situation, though the criteria for activation, rather he had to be at death's door or if he had no other way to attack, he prayed it was the latter. Charge is just what it says it is, you can charge your attack to do more damage, however it's not instantaneous, so it would be better to use it when your opponent is incapacitated.

The effect “Heroic spark” was very vague in its description, simply saying deeds deemed heroic, that could mean a number of things, from fighting a demon to saving a cat from a tree. He took a quick look inside the chest for a sheath, but nothing, but a moment later, the chest in which the sword was placed begin to shine and change shape, into that of a sheath. When he examined it, he found that the conditions had changed slightly, instead of death upon touch, it will only take effect if someone besides him tries to use the blade, this is good just in case he loses it.

Nathan back and forth between the sword and sheath. He chuckled a bit as he sheaths it, the presentation of the sheath, was better than the sword itself. Nathan placed the sword in the sheath and placing the strap connected to the sheath over his head and across his chest. The sword didn't have any barrier breaking skills, but no matter how plain it looked, no way he was leaving it behind. Nathan turned back to the Scribe Eater, who for some reason was staring at him, like he was a ghost.

"Uhh, you okay?"

"How, how could you be the Hero?"

"I don't know, because I was summoned, I guess?"

"Inconceivable, how can a Lycanian be summoned, you break all the rules."

"What do you mean?"

"What do you mean, what do you mean, a Hero has always been and forever will be a Human."

"Well then, I'm not breaking any rules, since I am Human?"

“………………………………………. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?