"On a different level."
That was my first impression of the current rank 1, Chao Yuchen.
For his age, He was an extremely good-looking young man with straight black hair styled like a perm and sharp cyan-colored eyes and eyelashes. He had pale white skin without a single blemish, and he wore a long-sleeved buttoned shirt with black pants and shoes.
Throughout the introduction, he always kept a stoic expression not changing even when he was called up. Judging from his name alone, he was probably of Chinese descent which explains why he also possesses some Asian features.
But what really set him apart was the fact that although he didn't do it consciously, the pressure he emitted alone proved to everyone, why he was ranked at the top.
It felt as if even if I were to use everything at my disposal, death would be the only thing awaiting me if I was to face him as I am now.
Although I did feel some pressure from the other top 4 members, he was without a doubt a league on his own. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who thinks so as I didn't even see a hint of reluctance from the other 3 when Chao Yuchen was selected as number 1.
"That's the type of person I'm going to have to go against huh?... Yep, no shot."
I thought as I head in the direction of the library now a couple of meters away.
I just couldn't wait any longer, now that we were permitted to go outside our rooms. Reading books had always been my hobby, not only because I specifically enjoy them, but also because I could abuse my extreme memory with them.
Gaining new knowledge every single time I read made reading all the more enjoyable for me. This is why when we passed by the library a few days ago, I couldn't wait to try and go inside.
Going inside the front door I was greeted with the scent of books and ink. In front of me were shelves upon shelves of books, all neatly organized together in a room as large as a football stadium.
From outside the library had a similar shape to that of a pyramid, which meant that the largest floor would be the 1st, while the smallest would be the highest floor.
The highest floor would probably contain only the most important and valuable books. This explains why it's smaller than the 1st floor which I presumed to only contain common books.
"Oh? A kid?"
Turning my head to the right, I saw a short woman with glasses and a scholar hat looking at me with surprise.
"Ah, good morning."
"Ah, good morning to you too… ah wait no, what's a kid doing here- "
Being greeted, the woman greeted back. Although surprised by the situation, she was about to ask me when as if remembering something, she seemed to have figured out the situation.
"Ahah! Are you a project participant?"
"Yes, my name is Jericho, nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you too. My name is Connie, and I am the head librarian on the 1st floor. Although you are an important project participant, please understand that you are not allowed to enter the higher floors as those floors are only reserved for those with solid positions in the organization."
"I wasn't planning to. I only came here to do some light reading on books I've never seen before. I've heard that the library contains books from all over the world so I wanted to try it while I can."
"I see, then if you need help you can go to the counter in the middle of the floor. That is where I'll usually be staying so you can ask for my help if you need to."
"Thank you, I'll remember it."
"Ciao, have fun reading."
Bowing at her departing figure, I then looked at the signs hanging on top of the shelves. Thankfully the words were written in English since because of this I could immediately find what I was looking for.
"Encyclopedia…Journals…. Hmm ah! Found it!"
Going to shelves under the sign that reads novels, I then started taking out those with interesting titles, especially those that were under the fantasy genre.
"The world's current situation is extremely similar to that of a novel so studying these would be much better than studying past knowledge."
That's what I said to myself as an excuse to justify my desire to have some fun after being stuck only working out inside the room these past few days.
...….
"Phewww!"
Loudly exhaling, I checked the time on a wall clock and saw that it was almost time to return.
"Hmm…. I should give these to the head librarian and have her organize them herself."
All over me was a pile of novels that I'd read these past few hours. If I were to roughly estimate them, it would probably be about 40 volumes.
Due to my brain being so accustomed to reading, as long as I don't break my focus, I could easily finish a thick book or two within a day. For reference, I managed to memorize the entire dictionary in a day due to the cooperation of my memory and reading speed.
Finding the librarian. I asked her my request and handed her the novels. Although she was surprised at how a 5-year-old was able to carry so much weight, remembering that gifts existed, she no longer minded it and continued.
Leaving the library, it was supposed to be the time for sunset, however, since we were inside a mountain the only thing I could see when looking up was darkness.
Traveling back to the remembered path, I arrived in front of our room after a few minutes.
Going inside, I suddenly felt a chill as I sensed no presence at all.
"Fred, you there?!"
"…"
Silence, all there was inside the room was pure silence.
"Where the hell could that guy b-!"
Going further inside and Looking around, suddenly I could see that all around our room were a bunch of shredded clothes and broken furniture.
It seemed like a fight occurred inside the room while I was away, and this fight led to a lot of damage and the disappearance of my friend.