"Damn it!" Gunfire echoed in the air, the sounds of blades tearing through flesh. Hunters, as the world calls them. People who have been awakened with powers to fight against places known as dungeons where monsters of all kinds roam freely within. This was supposed to be a normal mission. At least, that's what Albion understood it. Sent flying a by a heavy swing, his back crashed into the tree.

"Shit! Shit! He-" Albion opened his eyes to see a mist of red splashing over to the right. A Hunter's head was inside an orc's head. To his left? Albion turned to see the head of the subjugation leader that had been rolled over to his direction. This was supposed to be an easy mission.

"Relax, kid. We'll be fine. It's not like there's anything dangerous in those places." Albion remembered the words of the subjugation leader before entering this dungeon. Struggling to get back on his feet, he was dazed but Albion pulled out a knife. Wrapping his right hand with the bandages, looking at the other Hunters that made their way to the dungeon's portal. Which was about to close, one last glance at Albion who saw his partner. Lisbon who was crying as the others pulled her into the dungeon portal. Seeing the blue gate shatter, which meant that Albion was screwed. Beyond Royally. Beyond anything, his strength to hold the knives was waning and before him were dozens of orcs that were drooling at him. Hungry for his flesh, left hand pulling out a revolver. The struggle to cock the hammer back and the ache he felt by his thumb. His thumb was broken but either way, Albion was going to wrap the revolver over to his left hand. Reloads are gonna suck and it's going to hurt like a bitch but that wasn't the issue.

'Survive' The words echoed by his head. Albion needed to make a break for it, he had no time to be afraid or to cower in fear. He needed to run. Running was all he could do, even with the ache in his body. Adrenaline was kicking in as Albion was pushed back into the corner. Looking behind him where there were trees that had blood all over them. 

'FUCK IT.' Bolting off to the bloodied forest as the orcs gave chase. Albion didn't have time to look back as he shot at a tree, then followed by a kick. Where the tree tumbled down, crashing into two orcs. The others didn't bother to help their downed allies, continuing to give chase to Albion who was buying time. Stalling for the end, if he was going to die. He's going to down fighting, his eyes glowed crimson. Using mana to hold whatever pieces of his body together. 

An arrow struck his shoulder. Turning to see an orc archer that snickered, Albion responded by firing a shot from the revolver. The kick caused the revolver's barrel to swing upwards, a mist of red in his sights. Can't confirm the kill, Albion charged away to safety. Where another orc appeared to swing the club to crush him. Albion leaped to strike the neck, the cut was shallow as the orc banged its chest where Albion heard the loud breaking of bones. Hearing the orc laugh as Albion shoved the barrel of the revolver. Blowing the head off as he used mana to continue running. Deeper and deeper into the forest as more orcs started to give chase. Albion looked at his inventory, seeing a special explosive that he had been saving for the mission. 

If he was going to die here. It might be the time to use it. The sounds of running water gave him an idea as Albion continued to run until his legs gave in. Crawling as fast as he could, while reaching the edge. Seeing the vast body of water out there, and the shark fins sticking out of it. Death by sharks or death by being eaten? Two choices, Albion looked at the orcs that began to walk on over. He could smell the stink from where he was, pulling out the explosives from his inventory.

"This can wipe out an entire city if you're not careful!" The words of Lisbon rang to his ears, she had concerns for him but either way, Albion needed to make a choice. Dying from an explosion doesn't sound too bad. 

"You won't take me alive. Asshole!" Albion pressed it. Closing his eyes, only to open them back to see the detonator was working. 

"Tch." Clicking his tongue as he decided to go for the manual approach which was to fire the revolver straight into it. The circular disc glowed as the chemicals within began to take its roots. Then a bright flash. That was it. Albion 'Lynx' Herrington had met his end. 

Opening his eyes, Albion found himself standing in front of a tower. Behind him was nothing but dirt, it was like this tower was isolated from the rest of the world. Albion walked on over, touching the door that invited him in. Albion looked at his body, his wounds had been healed. Finding a note on the floor.

> To the person that finds this.

>

> Welcome to the Library. For its guests and patrons have already left. 

> Their powers and spirits linger here.

> You have been chosen as a guest. 

> If you die here, your wounds will regenerate and you will be brought back to the floor you have been fighting on.

>

> The phantoms of the past still stay here. 

> You will be unable to leave the library until you have cleared all the floors.

> Including the abnormalities, the patron librarian's powers and the assistant librarians.

>

> May you find your book in this place.

Albion was confused, trying to wrap his head together about this entire set up. Was this purgatory? Albion took a step, then seeing the entire room he was in change into something else. His head was spinning, where Albion opened his eyes. He was lying on the floor, getting back up on his feet while holding his head. A terrible head ache, it felt like his mind was splitting open. 

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Looking ahead of him was a mass of red, it looked like it was flowing all over its body. Like a glass bottle that was constantly stirring. The entire floor had changed and the walls were something else. Seeing a large pair of closed eyes, the walls were bleeding red. Just... What was this place? The mass of red charged at him, swinging its hands that struck Albion back, seeing the bloody mess over his body. Puddles of blood everywhere, Albion readied the revolver. It was not a friendly thing and he wasn't going to wait for another strike! 

Firing a shot, seeing the blood splashing out of it but there was no stopping it. A gunshot didn't effect it? Going in for the risky move, Albion had a narrow dodge as he slashed this bloody humanoid mass with his knife. His knife was stuck as he looked at a screen popping up before him.

Staggered by Pale Hands.

He couldn't move as this creature raised hits arms above. Where Albion could see the eyes on the walls open up. Glaring him down as the creature swung its arms. That was the end of it. Albion opened his eyes, where he found himself in the lobby. Seeing bookshelves stretching the place as far as the eyes can see.  Yet before him was a set of weapons. A base ball bat, a hammer, a pair of gloves and a chain saw blade? 

Albion touched his body, trying to figure out if any of his organs were missing.

You have died to Bloodbath.

The weapons before you are optional to use and it is among the recommended choices. 

Choose wisely, for the weapons you pick will be permanent choices.

The pop up had bothered Albion, when he was a Hunter. He didn't have this pop up while the other Hunters did. Before reaching for the weapons that were stacked on a pile of books, Albion went over to a table that had a candle. A chair, a fork, a spoon, a butter knife and a steak knife. 

An empty plate and empty glass. Where he watched as food appeared out of thin air. Baked beans, bread, a sausage and a glass of juice. 

"What in the..." 

Depending on your performance in the Library.

Food and drinks will be available.

Including various things you can use to enjoy yourself such as video game consoles.

Or television shows from all of your life.

"This has to be a weird case of hell." 

The Library is not hell. Nor is it heaven.

It is merely that, a library. 

I am the system. 

I was chosen to keep you alive. 

Your duty is to fight in the library, and if you prove worthy. 

You may be able to find yourself back home again.

The weapons you see before you, also come with their own set of clothes that belonged to the person that had wielded it.

This system does not keep track of things that Hunters use. 

This is meant to test the new Director of the Library. 

It is a recreation of another world's location.

You do not have a time limit, but if you fail. You may die due to insanity. 

As you have experienced earlier. 

This Library holds many secrets and many tales. 

Particularly, it has the tales of the many guests.

Including the patron librarians themselves. 

This library's only resident is you and you may not visit any other floors until you've cleared certain conditions.

Albion understood what it meant, although very roughly. If he fails this place, he will die from insanity. Considering the fact that he had faced a creature made of blood, and a large pair of eyes that were gazing upon him as he died. What the hell is this place and how does he get out of here? 

You cannot leave this place until you complete it. 

I believe I made that very clear.

The lobby is a safe place. No threats will come against you.

You will only be engaged in battles when you clear the fights against the abnormalities.

Bloodbath is one such abnormality.

Beating it will grant you its powers and the ability to synchronize with it. 

Sanity loss may be prevented depending on your actions, Albion 'Lynx' Herrington. 

Will you survive ? 

Or

Will you perish as the many others who were given this opportunity?

Power must be earned, Mister Albion.

It is not to be given so easily.

The books with the weapons are given for free as a one time aid. 

For the next weapon you wish to wield.

You must earn them by beating the phantom of the wielders. 

I hope you have prepared yourself.

Albion finished eating his meal, despite how it appeared. Everything tasted normal, the sausage? It was beef, that much he was sure. The drinks? The juice was more like an extremely sweet fruit punch that was exasperating to say the least. It was sweet enough that Albion felt his limbs tingle from it, getting a sugar rush of sorts.

Wiping his mouth with a tissue as Albion looked at the different weapons, but he decided to pick up the gloves. Seeing his outfit change immediately, wearing a dark gray trench coat with a tie. Even finding a cigarette in his mouth.

You have selected Yun's page.

A Fixer who runs the Yun's Office.

A close range combatant with high speed reflexes.

A fitting selection for your tenacity.

You may also equip his clothes.

It is simple to say the least. 

A cold hearted and cynical person.

Perhaps matches with your personality.

Albion took out the cigarette flicking it aside. Pressing his forehead with his fingers. Massaging it as he readied himself. 

"Well.. Let's see if I'll die this time." Albion headed over to the room where Bloodbath was, seeing it moving about like a lifeless husk. The eyes that had been opened previously had now closed. Now, it was time for Albion's payback with interest.