The clouds were misty. The sky was shrouded in a dark layer of fog, enveloping all the buildings.

Next to the main street leading to the residences and markets, plunged into total darkness, only the library remained brightly lit.

The heavy rains that evening had left the building deserted—once a bustling place, now cloaked in an eerie silence due to the absence of people.

Even the librarian, known for being the last person to leave the building, had left her keys behind due to an urgent phone call.

"Regis?" She searched for the person and found him behind a screen. Mrs. Selene shook her head at the sight of the computer and the man.

"You're the last person in the library. It's almost time to leave. When you finish, put the books back and turn off the lights."

Regis was deeply focused on his screen.

Mrs. Selene seemed used to it and continued. "I'm locking the front door. It's nighttime, and crime rates are increasing lately. The keys will be on the desk."

She seemed worried and left some parting words. "Take care of yourself. Strange rumors are circulating about people disappearing these days. Not that I really believe in the supernatural." Mrs. Selene shook her head as she left.

The sound of the locked door echoed in her mind.

Then, absolute silence enveloped the entire library.

Amidst this silence, Regis was openly chatting with others online.

Croissanta: Do you believe the rumors about people disappearing in isolated places?

Raviolove: Supernatural stuff? You must be twelve to believe in that nonsense.

Pastabilities: You shouldn't say that. The media's been covering these incidents a lot lately.

Avocuddle: I think it's just a serial killer on the loose. People use the supernatural to explain the unknown.

Regis calmly typed his reply and hit enter, posting the message on the discussion forum.

The responses were immediate and negative.

He let go of the mouse and stretched his hands upward. His joints were stiff from his position, and his back cracked.

"Hmm… supernatural events, huh?"

Regis was an exceptional student, consistently dominating the top ranks in various scientific fields, including zoology and mathematical theories.

For the final stage of his exam project, he was tasked with writing a thesis on the supernatural events in Luosa City.

However, his research had not uncovered the existence of monsters. While parallel dimensions could be theorized, proving their existence was practically impossible.

Pastabilities: Croissanta, have you submitted your thesis?

Croissanta: Not yet. I'm looking for books on mythical creatures to finalize it. I'll submit it tomorrow.

Regis closed the book on his computer desk and, exhausted, headed to the library's "monsters" section, filled with books and files on supernatural events.

Just a few more books, and I'll leave the building. Regis reassured himself as he climbed a ladder to reach the books out of his grasp.

Ah?! Suddenly, his foot slipped between two rungs, and the ladder tipped over, dragging him down with it. Books tumbled onto him, and he painfully got back up.

Feeling a weight on his head, he discovered a book had landed there. Regis immediately checked its title.

[Humans vs. Supernatural Beings]

[Volume 8]

A question mark seemed to appear over his head.

At first glance, it looked like a fantasy story. He was aware that some books like this were scattered in the library, he'd even read a few, though they weren't always to his taste. Yet, this time, Regis felt a peculiar pull.

Curiously, he replaced the other books and quickly returned to his desk, eagerly opening the first page.

Oh. Regis chuckled bitterly; the book began with the end of the story. He flipped it over and realized it was the final volume.

He wanted to fetch the earlier volumes, but after checking his watch, he decided to leave the library before sunrise.

Suppressing his disappointment, Regis swiftly flipped through the pages. Hours passed, and aside from the sound of turning pages, the silence was unbroken.

Finally, two hours went by.

Reaching the last page, Regis exhaled warmly.

That was intense! He hadn't known a story could be written that way the background conspiracies, the main plot, the central characters, and more!

Ding Dong!

Hearing the library's clock chime, Regis glanced up. It had already been two hours?! I need to clean up quickly and head home!

He left his desk, hurriedly returned the books, and locked up the library. When he reached the librarian's desk, he sighed. The book he'd been reading remained there, but he debated taking it home.

The librarian knew him, and he'd return it once he finished his thesis. He quickly logged his name into the system.

[Regis Holden – Borrowed Book]

However, a strange sound came from behind him. When he turned, someone was there—someone who looked exactly like him.

"What?"

"What?" Regis muttered, and his doppelgänger echoed him. Shocked, Regis dropped the mouse and stepped back.

"Who are you?"

"Who are you?" Analyzing the situation, he noticed slight differences between them. However, the tone and gestures were eerily identical.

Doppelgänger! An alarm sounded in his mind.

Could the rumors be true?! While thinking, he bolted toward the exit, but his double was already chasing him.

There's no way to outrun it! I'll have to make it fall! Regis quickly pivoted and swung his leg. The double stumbled backward, giving Regis a chance to rush to the main door—only to hear a firm click.

Click. Click. Click.

"What, it's locked?!"

Regis laughed nervously, letting go of the door handle. He heard the slow, deliberate sound of footsteps approaching.

"Take care of yourself. Strange rumors are circulating about people disappearing these days. Not that I really believe in the supernatural," the double repeated mockingly.

As Regis turned, he saw his double's crooked smile. Part of its face was shrouded in black mist, and its hands bore claws instead of fingers.

Not a doppelgänger, an inhuman hybrid!

Regis wanted to scream to alert anyone outside the library, but the double had already slashed his throat, spilling blood across the floor.

What?! Regis clutched his neck as his head tilted backward or rather, his head fell from his body. His expression mirrored the double's: stoic and shocked.

He could even see the clock.

Ha… Regis laughed. The pendulum had stopped. Time itself had stopped.

Finally, he died with an empty expression. His body collapsed onto the floor.

With a single motion of the double's hand, the body vanished from reality. The double, however, returned to itself, replacing the "real" person.

What was its purpose?

No one knew.

***

"Wake up, Lucian!"

Huh?! Lucian jolted awake, clutching his neck with both hands.

"My neck! Wait, why is my head still attached? Did the doctors manage to save me?!" Lucian stammered in confusion.

"Why? Why?!" A man of average build grabbed his shirt, his face as red as a tomato, teeth clenched in rage.

Lucian, still bewildered, analyzed the scene. The hospital room smelled of mildew. Several couches were scattered around, and an unfamiliar sword lay in his lap.

His usual jacket was replaced by a white tunic, and the others in the room wore clothing resembling an old European style.

A regression? No, he had never lived in the past. Was this a reincarnation into the past? Lucian couldn't make sense of it.

His only reaction was a calm expression, which seemed to enrage the man even further. "You…!! You're doing this on purpose, aren't you?!"

A powerful force turned Lucian's head, sending sharp pain across his right cheek. As he steadied himself, he noticed a young girl in the arms of a man with a cold gaze and a young boy staring directly into his eyes.

The man holding the girl stepped forward and said, "I should never have trusted the Polaris family. It's my fault for believing in your potential. I'm disappointed, Baron Polaris."

He turned away, carrying the girl, and left the room. "Wait, Duke Hawkins!" The average-looking man quickly followed him out.

However, before leaving, he turned back with a warning. "Stay right here! Damn it!" The boy also exited the room, clicking his tongue in frustration.

I trusted you… Lucian heard the words echo in his mind, though he didn't recognize the voice.

And Lucian was left alone in the room, motionless.

Two hours later, he finally understood the situation he was in.