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E1-86-El duro camino del héroe.

Adam read the message in his godfather's biography for a few minutes, somewhat skeptical of what he was saying. Nevertheless, he knew him well enough to understand that he was likely exaggerating the story to get him to continue seeking good karma. Besides, Adam was born (or revived) on the fifth lower floor, as his father had told him, so his godfather's lie was quite evident.

However, the young hero's body was in bad shape, and there were many people scattered everywhere. There was no danger as the fire had somehow been extinguished, but it wasn't unusual to see people stealing and fighting all around. As a student, Adam didn't worry too much about the situation, but he disliked seeing people fighting.

The situation was much more chaotic than the previous ascent, partly because the people were different: this time there were no people in colorful robes, and nobody had bothered to change the decorations of the hallways.

Looking at the sombrins trying to help the living, Adam could identify those who had survived. If a sombrin disappeared without delivering the book, it meant that the person had died before waking up.

Knowing whom he needed to help, Adam limped over and tried to lend a hand to the first wounded person he came across. The young hero couldn't hear anything, but he thought he could read from the lips of the person he helped a reassuring "thank you"

Adam continued helping the living librarians; however, there were many who tried to steal from him in the process, and many others fled upon seeing the bookshelves come to his rescue.

Nevertheless, the assistance he could provide was limited, at best, he could apply a tourniquet to the wounded person's body to stop the bleeding and then hope that the person could survive on their own willpower.

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If the injured person regained consciousness, they would receive a kick from the sombrin as it took the book back, so Adam tried to help them hide their magical books in their robes so they wouldn't be stolen. Of course, the young hero didn't follow his godfather's plans and didn't steal the magical books from the wounded.

Over time, Adam's strategy changed and became more aggressive: when he saw someone stealing, he would intervene. Although he couldn't do much himself, the bookshelves served as swords and attacked the thieves for him. He didn't know if it contributed to his karma, but the thank-you's from those he rescued were numerous, or at least that's what he understood.

Unfortunately, the guards never arrived to help, and he had to do all the work alone. However, it was very early in the morning, so there were few people in the hallways and consequently, few injured to help in this hexagon.

Time passed, and Adam didn't find any more living people to help or thieves to scare off, so he finally decided to head back home. With limping steps due to exhaustion and injuries, the young hero managed to reach the marble stairs. Just like before, the marble head of the general was blocking the entrance to the stairs, and like in the previous ascent, the general's head was wearing a cone on its head and a party whistle in its mouth.

Upon seeing the boy's arrival, the general spoke with a military tone, but quite cheerful:

—Congratulations, hero! A little book told me that you were helping the fallen in battle. Unfortunately, I've been instructed not to attack those scoundrels who are stealing; otherwise, I would have lent you a hand.

Adam was surprised. He was deaf, but he was hearing the general perfectly. However, he didn't feel like asking for the trick; he just wanted to immerse himself in the cave's waters and regain his hearing.

—May I pass?—Adam said, although he couldn't hear himself, which made him feel a bit strange.

—Of course, but remember that you won't be able to return to this floor until tomorrow— the general said, opening his mouth to reveal the spiral stairs.

Adam entered the staircase and started descending towards the cave. The journey took a long time, and he had to stop for air quite a few times.