Soon after Norn was standing in the library, looking at the books.
"[The Science of Magic], [How to become a proper mage], [Venerable Mage]..."
"This place is just filled with useful books!"
Norn couldn't help but gasp as he saw those!
This place was literally a gold mine... No, a platinum mine!
Every single book here could elevate him from being a "mage" to a proper Mage!
Just one was enough... But he could take 5!
It was a gift from heavens, not less than that!
"That Auwiren must've been at least an archmage..."
Norn tried to guess the identity of the owner of this place.
He knew that it was a male, that he signed some sort of a piece treaty...
Also, he liked crafting various artefacts and even writing books, as...
"[Might of Magic] by Auwiren?.."
"So this guy has his own books in here? Sure, buddy."
Without thinking even for a second more Norn took the book.
...
Around an hour or so passed, maybe even more.
Norn didn't bother doing anything but just look at the books around here.
This place wasn't big, but the sheer amount of knowledge it had was immense.
He was sure that this place alone had more knowledge than his world would have in 10 years.
It was just that valuable.
Of course, it was just a secondary thing for him.
While yes, he did want to become better at magic...
His first priority was always that elusive thing that he couldn't ever grasp...
Happiness!
He always wanted it, but couldn't get!
And now that he got it... he has to abandon it?
"Like hell i will..."
He murmured silently...
...
There were now 3 books in his hands.
[Might of Magic], the first book he took, simply because it was written by the owner of this place.
Second was [Magic for dummies], the name of the book was kinda strange, but the author was... Well...
"Archmage Vitar?.. That's a strange name if you ask me..."
He didn't even need to doubt the credibility of this Archmage.
Since it was here - it must be good, it's just that he wasn't sure.
In his mind, a great genius wont call himself an archmage, but since it's an edition for dummies?..
Why not take it? It's not like that one book is the only thing.
If it was, he wouldn't have taken it, obviously.
As for the third book, it was [Magical uses of Magic], it didn't have an author, and that's the reason Norn took the book.
It was just his line of thinking.
Since in didn't have a name it could be two things.
First - author of that piece of shit could be ashamed of putting in there, or...
Second - he doesn't care, which is a sign of a retard or a genius.
A line between these two is a quite thin, and Norn is a great example of that.
...
Some more time passed, Norn was still in the library.
[Please leave this place]
Sounded behind him.
He didn't even notice that she was there!
Norn flinched and looked back with a scared face!
"You scared me! Holy hell, dont do that please."
He touched his chest to play a little.
"Must"
"Leave"
The doll said again, handing him the key.
In reality, Norn noticed that something was horribly wrong with this place.
He wasn't sure what it was, he just felt like something is horribly, awfully wrong.
He couldn't help but shiver, but what else can he do but that?
He cant really leave it without a key, now that he has it...
"Sure, at least follow me and give me a proper goodbye, will you?"
Norn said with a smug face as he took two more books and placed them into his inventory.
Those were [Magic] and [Enrolling into Ae'wyn early]
Yes, [Magic] was the name of the book, he just liked it for some reason.
As for the second one, [Enrolling into Ae'wyn early], Norn took it becasue he thought that such a book might have some complex formulas or whatever.
First of all, Ae'wyn is most likely an academy of sorts, and if there's a whole book that's about enrolling there - it must be quite good.
So, taking it wasn't that big of a deal, at worst he'll understand some "high-school" magic or whatever.
As for the second reason - he didn't find anything better.
Well, "find" is a big word.
Norn haven't opened a single book he took, he chose them simply by the names.
He didn't think too much about it as he hoped that he's right.
He couldn't spend too much time as he needed a plan to capture the doll.
It was just too important to him, he needed her.
She didn't need him, but so what?
Norn is an egoist, he didn't care what she wanted. His wish is above all!
Thus, he spent most of his time for that plan of his...
And he figured it out!
It was a pure gamble, but if it worked... He was sure that he had a 100% chance of success!
Obviously, if it works then it's a 100%...
...
As both of them left the mansion and walked towards the portal Norn couldn't help but ask...
"Can you come with me?"
He didn't really want to do it, but if she refused...
"Can't"
"Leave"
The doll didn't even look back as she talked.
Norn didn't think too much of it, as he could see that she was focused on something else.
But the answer... he didn't like it.
"Well, if you dont want to... or even if you really cant... I'm not asking anymore."
He didn't show it on his face but he was quite angry right now.
If she didn't lie to him - why not just say the reason?
But if she did, and she could leave this place?.. Why would he not want to?..
Was he that bad of a person?
Well, yes, he was somewhat strange but is that it?
That's the reason she doesn't want to go with him?..
As if he's going to take "no" as an asnwer!
Before, he was a damn pussy that couldn't do shit, but now...
Even if he was still a pussy, he will do whatever he wants, even if it costs him his life!
At least that way he wont regret living!
Soon, Norn started noticing strange things around him.
First of all, flowers didn't look as good as before.
While yes, they were nice...
They gave off a strange vibe, as if they were... wrong?
He didn't even know what feeling it was, it just felt wrong.
Statues around him looked sinister now.
Before, they were just masterpieces that looked lifelike...
Now, however, Norn didn't like that they looked as if they're alive...
Something was horribly wrong...
Just as he was about to joke about it to easen the atmosphere...
Something jumped at him!
Strangely, Norn dodged it as if it was natural!
The speed of that thing was too fast!
He couldn't even notice what it was and dodged thanks to a reflex that he didn't even know he had.
Wait... Why does he hav i.? Uh.?
Wh ws i?..
Oh, right.
As they were walking, the doll didn't look back.
For some reason she didn't even notice the attack on Norn, or she didn't care.
Whatever it was, it seemed like even Norn himself didn't notice it.
Why w.ou.ldn'.t .he.E?
Soon after, they arrived.
As they stood right before the portal...
[Use the key...]
It was a recording that cut in the middle, it seemed like the latter part wasn't needed.
"What about a proper goodbye? Can you kiss me so i dont feel so bad?"
Norn made a sad expression as he said it.
The doll, however, didn't react to it at all.
She just stood there, silently looking at Norn's stupid face.
As he was about to say more bullshit to stall for time something fell.
What was it? Norn didn't know, yet.
As he looked back, it became obvious.
"Fucking statues are alive, of course."
As he was about to look back the doll, he heard a voice from her.
[I'll cower you, soldier! Dont die on me!]
Recording cried out as the doll ran towards the statue.
As for the statue itself, it was just a simple humanoid.
It didn't have a face, just like any other statue in the garden.
However, just like any other statue it was quite a piece!
Masterfuly made! Norn liked whoever made those!
Sadly, those statues wanted to kill him, if not for that he'd steal some.
As he looked at the doll that fought the statue he couldn't help but ask himself...
"Why would she even protect me though?"
It was a question that bothered him now.
Really, why would she care about him?
It's not like she would care about him just because he lived near her for a month or so, would she?
It'.s.s?t.a.n?e??.
[Normal]
As she was fighting off the statues that appeared out of the blue, Norn noticed a fun little detail.
Plants were not alive too!
How fun, more friends to fight with! Hahahah!
Of course, Norn wouldn't be Norn if he actually thought like that.
Instead...
"Lady, please come back! Those plants are now moving too, u're in danger!"
He cried out, obviously luring her closer to the portal.
As for why would he do that?
Remember that plan of his?
Well, it's not exactly just "Push her inside the portal and hope for the best"
He was sure it wont be as easy, how would he even push her?
She's far stronger than he is...
So, he decided to use the only thing he can use properly...
As the doll got closer...
Norn just stood there, not doing anything!
That was a part of his perfect plan!
The doll wasn't retaded, so she asked...
"Why"
*crack*
"Not"
"Move"
[Love]
That crack was a head of a statue that he tore of with her hand.
When Norn saw it he could help but ask himself if it's really a good idea to anger her like that...
But, since he's not really afraid of anything...
"I just thought that i want to see you upclose for the last time, you know, love and all that."
He couldn't think of anything better than that.
Of course, he said "love" on purpose, perhaps the doll would feel something because of it...
Alas, she didn't even answer that pile of shit he threw at her.
...
5 or so minutes passed.
The doll finally started taking some damage.
One arm of hers was torn off, but she still didn't move back and protected Norn with all she had.
Seeing that, even Norn's egoistic heart couldn't help but move a little.
He rarely cared for anyone but himself, so this feeling was somewhat new for him.
He didn't want to do it, but since she just wont agree to go with him...
...
Some more time passed, the doll barely resembled what she was before.
Half of her face was torn off.
She didn't have an arm, both her arms actually.
For the last minute or so she fought with her legs and she didn't let a single enemy approach Norn, who was just standing there.
He himself couldn't help but wonder why would she do that.
It was just too st>?ra.?n??ge.
[Normal]
...
Some more time passed, the doll could barely move now.
The only good thing is that there were almost no enemies now.
Just a few plants that...
"Fucking die already"
I take that back, no plants were left. The only 2 things that could be considered living beings are now Norn and the doll.
He silently approached her and sat squatted her.
"You're still alive little beauty?"
He asked with a smirk on his face.
"W.hy"
"N//oot"
"Gooo...g"
[Love]
She could barely even talk now.
"Oh, it's just that i forgot to mention that i'm not exactly a good person..."
"It's not like we talked before, but hey, you could've guessed it by the fact that i abandoned my group the second you appeared"
His smile grew even wider.
"And as i said before, my little beauty, i'm not going anywhere without you..."
Norn didn't move, as he smiled while looking at her.
"P.ea.c.y"
"T.re.ta.y"
[Safe]
It's clear that something is wrong with her talking module or whatever.
"Oh, i'm not going to harm you, silly thing."
"You think that i've wanted here just to land the last hit on you?"
As he said he started laughing like a fucking maniac out of the blue.
But soon, his laughter stopped.
"No, sweetie, i'm about to get the most precious thing from this dungeon..."
"You." [Auwiren]
As he said it his face looked even more sinister than this whole place combined.
Mind you, it wasn't exactly a nice place anymore.
It resembled some scultor's post-tantrum house.
He didn't even spare his plants...
Saying that, Norn used his only useful skill...
[Inventory]
The doll disappeared.
Norn simply stood up and walked towards the portal, lifting the key above his head.
The portal opened, but just as it did...
Norn felt as if something really, really scary started looking at him.
Scary? Nah, it's not the right word.
Something horrifying!
[Weak]
He couldn't even move now!
[Fearless is resisting [Fear LV?]]
[Fearless is resisting [Fear LV?]]
He felt that just one simple move and he's dead for sure!
[Fearless is resisting [Fear LV?]]
[Fearless is resisting [Fear LV?]]
[Fearless is resisting [Fear LV?]]
"Fucking hell..."
[Fearless is resisting [Fear LV?]]
[Fearless is resisting [Fear LV?]]
[Fearless is resisting [Fear LV?]]
[Fearless is [Useless] [Fear LV?]]
Those system notifications were all over the place.
He couldn't even see because of them.
[Move]
Norn finally moved.
He didn't even walk, he just fell into the portal.
Strangely enough, nothing happened after he did.
I had a feeling that something cool should >h?a/.p>.p?en..U,.h>?
W.hy.?.? w?.o.nt'? ?a.t?.y?i>.?ng? han?p?.e??
[Void]
The portal disappeared completely.
The dungeon did too.
As if it never existed in the first place.
No, as if the whole history behind this place was just annuled.
W?./?\.y.\i??d.i/\t.?.\a??\pppp?..e?.n\
[Silence]