The fight had started, Ryn was firing her gun against Pinocchio the Curious while Yan was facing off against Pinocchio the Copycat with his blade. Albion faced against Pinocchio the Liar. The bio scythes were striking to match the Liar's bio scythes, Albion went to punch the Liar's face, cracking the rabbit helmet that it wore.

The Liar had the same equipment but Albion had experience going for him. Punching the jaw, then another strike to the chest.Hearing cracks from the Liar's body. Where it began to swing the chain sword to Albion's head. Shattered by Albion's fist crashing into it.

'True Lynx has activated. Skill increases the chosen Lynx's combat potential by 3 fold.' Albion struck the joints, ripping the right arm off. Then beating Pinocchio with its own arm. Hearing the groans of pain, it sounded like a child who was crying in pain. Albion felt his heart waver. The voice reaching his ears.

"Big brother, it hurts! Stop!" Pinocchio was using his sister's voice, that didn't stop Albion at all. In fact, it made Albion's rage much more noticeable. Hie was punching Pinocchio the Liar's face until it broke completely.Pinocchio the Curious and Pinocchio the Copycat turned their attention to Albion, where Copycat used the Distorted Blade to crush Albion beneath the large blade. Where they see his helmet shatter, his clothes were left in tatters.

"I lost everything. To those in power. I won't ever forget the humiliation. The pain." Albion spoke out loud as his bloodied eyes glared at the other two Pinocchios. Albion charged right into Copycat. Ripping off its limbs as it repeated with its cries. Albion began to pummel its body until it become nothing but scraps of wood. Ryn and Yan stepped away from the fight as Pinocchio the Curious began firing its guns at him.

Missing every shot as Albion closed the gap, grabbing it by the shoulders. Ripping it apart as he heard more of his younger sister's voice. Albion's thoughts returned to the past. Seeing his sister's corpse thrown aside, as the Hunters glared at him. Calling the school a waste of time. A waste of bait. The corpses of the students and teachers, the people that Albion had known came to haunt him. Crushing the last of the Pinocchios. As Albion began to scream in agony.

Remembering the past, the thoughts and the hours of him just sitting in silence. He needed to go back, he needed to make sure everyone else is okay. He needed to make sure they were all safe. He needed to make sure the orphanage he had grew up in was safe. Clenching his fists as he punched the ground. His skin began to bleed, and the idea of remembering how his sister died. It was a horrible sight. Just remembering the Hunters that insulted the dead.

Yet, he was powerless. What could an F-Rank do in the light of the S-Ranks that could destroy him by breathing. The world shifted back to the bridge of books, and Yan's abode. A simple white bed, a bathroom and a few books for him to read.

"You seem to nearly gave in to your distortion." Yan said where Albion had no words to rebut that.

"Just my weakness. I sent my sister to school that day before a dungeon raid. Came out to hear trouble at the school. Found my sister's corpse being thrown away like garbage on the streets." Albion said as he clenched his fists.

"Let's go to the next path." Ryn said, offering her hand to help Albion on his feet.

"Yan. Did you distort too? When you felt powerless?"

"I distorted because I never truly believed that my will is my own." Yan answered as they went to the next room.

Seeing a figure in a white coat, wielding a combat spear.

"Ryn? What's the meaning of this?" The man said as his black hair swayed.

"Calm your tits, Olivier. So you got woken up too?"

"Yeah. The fourth path of Keter. Funny when I was beaten here by Roland. I became the third assistant of the Library. How Ironic." Olivier said as he shouldered his spear. Taking a seat as he enjoyed a cup of coffee by the coffee machine. His path had a kitchen, a toilet and a bed. Simple but he was enjoying a cup of coffee. Aside from the usual piles of books. Something else was amiss.. Where's the weapons that he'd have to earn?

"No weapons on this path... So what's this all about?" Albion asked.

"This path will have Unique Receptions instead. You have to win 3 in a row to pass. With only a short intermission in between fights. Lose one. You reset back to the first fight. It's always going to be randomized. The third one is fixed." Olivier explained as he clenched he made more cups of coffee for the others.

"Thank you." Yan said with a smile, sipping his cup of coffee with enthusiasm.

"It's been mixed with sugar and condensed milk. Nothing too insane. And yes, it is black for you Ryn."

"I can't believe you remember that." Ryn said with surprise as Olivier served a cup for her. Albion took a sip, while Olivier's gaze was stuck to him. It was a sharp gaze that Albion was feeling like he was being judged.

Due to how fast you've cleared Keter.

Only Unique Receptions will be available from here onwards.

It's also worth to take note that when clearing Keter, you must also complete the Keter Realization to clear it completely.

The Realization will be initialized in due time.

New passives granted by Pinocchio.

Learning Randomly steals an opponent's skill.

0MP 0HP cost upon use.

10 minute cooldown. Lies Randomly change all MP costs + Charge + other stacking abilities. Curiosity Studying enemies will reveal their weaknesses to what weapon type.

Slash. Pierce or Blunt.

Olivier

Hana Association Fixer.

Hana Association Fixers use Four Trigrams that give different effects.

Formerly of Charles Office

Olivier has a reputation for being capable as a Fixer.

Cool headed and cautious.

Responsible for stopping various threats to the City in his prime.

"System just informed me about the changes. So I'm clearing the pathways too fast?"

"Faster than anyone the library has ever seen. Most people fall to Pinocchio and give up from the fight. Pinocchio mimics equipment but not experience. People get jumpy when they face Pinocchio because of its mimic ability. Normally there'd be pages for you to try out but because of your progress. The Library has reacted. It's meant to make it as difficult as possible but doable. Why the rush?" Olivier asked when Albion told Olivier his story.

"I suggest you take a rest first. Let's head back to the lobby." Albion nodded as the four of them made their way back to the lobby, where Albion went to take a shower while the three librarians awaited his arrival. Albion took his seat, where they see each plate have lobsters falling down onto it. A kitchen appeared as Olivier grabbed an apron. Still alive as their mouths were moving.

"Yan, Albion. Come and help me. Ryn is useless in the kitchen."

"What was that!?" Ryn was agitated while Olivier seemed to not care by grabbing the lobsters while Yan readied a knife. Looking at the lobster with a confused expression, trying to figure out what to do next.

"Just cut those." Olivier glanced over to the garlic, onions.

"Albion, just make the sauce. Pour it into the bowl with the instructions next to it." Olivier was taking command of the kitchen, while Albion did as he followed the instructions. Butter, paprika, lemon juice and black pepper. Olivier was already done with it, having the tails extracted while making another sauce for the other parts of the lobster. Cracking the claws open with his bare hands, crushing the shell and ripping them off. Seasoning it while Yan brought the freshly chopped ingredients.

"Thank you, Yan." Olivier put it into the tray as he took a brush to blanket the lobster meat with the sauce that Albion had made.

"Ryn, handle the drinks. Fridge is over there. Make us a mocktail."

"Not a cocktail?" Ryn asked.

"Nope. We go into the next fights drunk. We might be having more issues later. You being drunk makes you trigger happy and that's not something I want for the first fight."

"Fine." Ryn grumbled as Olivier plated the dishes beautifully, something that Albion had only seen in those fancy restaurants. Ryn grabbed the bottles of juices from the shelves as the books formed it. Mixing them together, her eyes were the measuring and she was careful with her portions for the drinks.

Stolen novel; please report.

Yan washed his hands, grabbing the plates Olivier had made. Putting it by the table while Ryn served the drinks. Now they were ready for a meal.

"Thanks for the meal." Albion said as he cut the lobster meat with a spoon, it was so easy to rip it through with just that. The mocktail Ryn had made was something light. Bursting with flavours of watermelon, mango and peaches. An odd combination but with the soda water that gave it a bit more of a 'pop' to it. When the meal was done, the dishes faded away, along with the glass. Replacing it with a new set.

"I'm going to go and sleep first." Albion said as he went over to the bed in the lobby, getting a nice rest.

Ryn, Yan and Olivier looked at each other.

"So what's his rush to get back?" Ryn asked where Yan was pausing to think.

"He mentioned humiliation and losing everything." Yan said seeing Olivier's face wrinkle with another thought.

"So it might be another Roland."

"Roland? You mean the guy in the suit?" Ryn asked, perhaps she didn't know about this 'Roland' figure as much.

"Yeah. The 2nd Black Silence. He was my partner when he was Grade 1. But. That's that and this is this. I think I have a rough idea to face the third Unique Reception. It might be Roland." Olivier pointed out where Ryn's face was wrinkled with fear.

"The Second Black Silence? You mean he wasn't the first?"

"The First was Angelica, his wife. She died when the pianist distortion occurred. His wife died and unborn child died. Guess I'll have to face Roland again."

"It might just be a phantom of Roland." Yan pointed out but Olivier didn't seem to change his gaze. A blank expression was all that he wore, but then again Olivier was not someone who would be terrified of anything.

"Roland's loss of Angelica had him turn into a mess. If he didn't stop, the whole city might collapse." Olivier said as Ryn passed him a cigarette, lighting it up.

"What do you think, Olivier? Can you handle meeting your friend again?"

"I lost to him the first time when we met in the library after a long while. Ironic how he's a guest in the reception. Like i said. That's that and this is this." Olivier said as Yan took a cigarette.

"Ever smoked a cigarette?"

"When I was a Messenger. It was forbidden for us to smoke. I wanted to try it out." Yan lit the cigarette, coughing loudly as a result of it.

"Oh. It's bitter. It's very heavy on my throat." Yan said the remark.

"If it's your first time. You take it easy. Take it slow, then inhale it with your lungs. Not with your mouth. Take short inhales. Not heavy ones." Olivier advised, akin to a big brother watching over a younger one. Yan would fit the bill as the younger brother. Compared to Oliver who was at least two heads taller.

"Thank you." Yan said with a smile as he killed the cigarette.

"Perhaps I do not enjoy cigarettes after all." Olivier and Ryn smiled to that remark, then glancing over to Albion.

"What's wrong Olivier? You don't make that face often."

"Whatever he has that's waiting for him outside. It must be worth him fighting madly." Olivier said as the three of them waited for time to pass. When the clock struck at 6AM. Albion was awake, getting himself cleaned up and putting on his Rabbit helmet and Arbiter's cloak. Now it was time, the three assistants were giving him a nod. Ready for the fight.

Making their way back to the 3rd Path of Keter. Albion stepped in to the first of the three receptions. Seeing the Phantoms of R Corp officers ready for the fight, along with the Rabbit team leader Myo. Rudolph of the Reindeers, Maxim of the Rhinos and Nikolai who was leading the fourth pack. The phantom R Corp team leaders put on their helmets. It seems that they ready for a fight.

Albion began to cast pillars in front of him, as gunfire erupted from the other side. The pillars were being struck repeatedly.

"We need a plan." Ryn said.

"Yan. Distorted blade. Ryn keep the Reindeers off our backs. Olivier, Yan we go on full assault. We'll have to cut through the numbers anyway we can." Albion said as Yan unleashed distorted blade, then Albion raised the pillars above his head. Looking at the Rabbits, Reindeers and Rhinos who were still ready to fight. Launching them at the R Corp Phantoms, supplementing it with shockwaves that hurt them even further. Ryn began firing her pistols. Piercing heads, dropping the fodder down. Leaving behind the three team leaders and Nikolai who led the pack as the last one surviving.

Myo charged at Yan with her short swords. Yan opened his white eyes, glancing over to Myo whose eyes glowed crimson. She readied her swing to strike at Yan who dodged it. Punching Myo back a few steps.

Maxim went after Ryn, only to be stopped by Olivier who stopped it with his fist. Maxim swung his mace to pummel Olivier, who used one of his Trigrams. Geon, infusing his body with strength. Using his spear to push Maxim back.

Ryn fired at Rudolph who was using his quarterstaff against her, he got close. Only to take a knee to the face, then firing a shot at the helmet. It broke as Rudolph threw it aside.

Nikolai faced Albion in a head on confrontation, swinging large scimtar to push Albion back. The bionic blades slashed her wrist but she didn't even show any signs of losing grip. Raising her fist to punch Albion, a dodge with a duck. A shoulder charge that sent her moving to the back. Using chain to lock Nikolai in place, Albion went in for the kill. This trial wasn't easy, Albion was a lot more quick witted than he was before. The arbiter's powers were what changed this fight. If it was just his previous pages, Albion would likely suffer a lot.

Turning over to Olivier who was dancing with his spear against a large giant like Maxim was not an easy sight. Yet Olivier was calmer than ice, constantly taking the blows of Maxim with ease as he kept using the three trigrams. His boots were covered in black layers that gave Olivier the edge, using his kicks to stop Maxim dead in his tracks. Launching the spear through Maxim's head.

Ryn broke Rudolph's staff, then breaking his knees. Followed by an execution shot to the head. Myo on the other hand was being locked down by chains as Yan swung his blade to cut off her head.

Acquried R Corp's pages.

Charge has been upgraded to 100 charges.

Rabbit team Leader Myo's Page unlocked.

Reindeer team Leader Rudolph's page unlocked.

Rhino team Leader Maxim's page unlocked.

Reindeer Team and Rhino Team pages unlocked.

Nikolai, Fourth Pack Leader unlocked.

You may now craft a new helmet. Would you like to do so?

Albion swapped the Rabbit team's dagger for Nikolai's large scimtar, then equipping Myo's Submachine gun instead of Rabbit Team's rifle. This was only the first one. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't too difficult either. Something was off.

"Thanks for the help." Albion said where Olivier nodded, Yan kept smiling while Ryn was just smoking her cigarette. They stepped outside, where the 2nd page lit up and a crafting bench was transferred here.

Albion had some time to kill.

Forge a new helmet?

It will use all of your excess pages.

A total of 700 pages will be spent in this item's creation.

The helmet made was similar to the design motif of the rabbits in terms of its base colour and technology but its shape was to match a Lynx. It's visor was keeping the eyes shaded, with sharp pointed ears. This was a lot more comfortable, fitted to his head and it had a lynx skull paint over the head and sides. That was a nice touch from the Library. Albion put it onto his head, feeling the comfort and also noticing that it's given an extra layer of protection for the neck. Tapping his hand to the piece of metal layering to his neck. It was not intrusive to his breathing, that is what matters the most.

"We ready to go?" Albion asked, as the other three assistant librarians gave a nod. They were new to this job, but either way. They were going to be ready for the next fight.

Entering the light, where the next fight was against a platinum haired figure who wielded a scythe. Smiling at them.

"It's the Blue Reverberation!" Albion fired off Myo's submachine gun.

"Guns won't work!" Ryn advised as she brought out a dagger, Albion sent pillars flying at the Blue Reverberation. Only to see him running towards them. Darting off the pillars, using them as platforms. This was something that not even Albion had anticipated. Crushing his hand to a fist, using chain against the Blue Reverberation where it missed him completely. Olivier perished first, then Ryn and Yan. This was too fast. When Albion raised his large scimtar, his arms were cut off. Followed by his legs, he could barely see anything coming but feeling the pain of his dismembered limbs.

The phantom pain kicking in while the Blue Reverberation stepped on Albion's neck. Smiling at him, crushing Albion's trachea. Albion opened his eyes, gasping for air as he sat up. Feeling his head being numb. It happened so fast. Up to this point, Albion's fights were easy but Blue Reverberation? It was those haunting eyes and the way the Blue Reverberation smiled while crushing Albion's neck was the thing that was haunting. Even to Albion.

"Blue Reverberation... This was definitely a difficult fight. I knew that much but... That.." Yan was shaking, he wasn't terrified but merely in a state of shock. This was a normal reaction, anyone who experiences death first hand and to wake up again would feel a sense of disorientation.

"Damn. We couldn't even react to that. It might be too early for us to face him in combat." Olivier said as he helped Yan and Ryn to their feet.

"We'll have to restart again. Since we kicked off the R Corp team. We may be facing something else. Blue Reverberation is too fast for guns, and using chains or lock won't work if he's fast." Olivier went over to help Albion up.

"Yeah. It seems like this may be more difficult than what we expected." Albion spoke out as he thought about it. The battles are randomized. It's down to luck and tenacity, somewhat similar to his previous situations.

"I'll make some coffee for us. We need the break to collect our thoughts." Olivier went to make the cup of coffee while the other three took their seats. The air was silent, the atmosphere was tense. Perhaps due to the fact that the helplessness in that situation. The fight with Blue Reverberation was a stark contrast when compared to the fight with R Corp. The fight with R Corp was easier.

For this situation Albion couldn't even think about using his Graze the Grass. He'd be still too slow for it. This may be a page where he will need to readjust himself. He needed to go back. A day here is a month in his world. What about the kids in the orphanage? What about the other people he knew?

Finishing his cup of coffee instantly, Albion wasn't thinking about the taste. He was thinking of how he would have to approach the Blue Reverberation's attacks. All of it happened in less than 30 seconds. He had been reliant on the Arbiter's page for quite some time but what about the other fights?

If in terms of tenacity, he would have a shot but speed? Against an opponent with Argalia's agility? That may be better off said as a fool's errand. What can Albion do against such a threat? He's only faced enemies that had brute strength going for them, and Argalia's part of the exception. His strength was there but it was the speed that made it much more dangerous. The agility and thinking to use the pillars that Albion launched as a platform to close the gap was ingenious and it gave him an idea. Does that mean he can use the pillars to create a path of sorts to his enemies?

Yan and Ryn still seemed bothered by the loss. Olivier seemed calm on the surface but the eyes gave it away that he too was bothered by such an immense gap in power and skills. For now, Albion was going to take a break. Maybe restarting the fight again when he can do so.