When Yanz awoke, his body felt heavy and drained. The previous day's ordeal had taken a severe toll on him. He struggled to his feet, his mind racing with thoughts of the magic that had saved his life. How had it worked? He needed to understand it better if he was to survive in this strange world.
Determined to find answers, Yanz began searching the library for any book that might contain knowledge about magic. His eyes scanned the dusty shelves, and after a while, he found a book titled "Essence of Mana." He opened it eagerly, hoping it would provide the information he sought.
The book explained that magic was powered by mana, a finite resource within each person. "A person uses magic by the usage of mana, and a human only has a certain amount of mana. If the mana is all used up, the magic user's body becomes weak and loses consciousness," it read. Yanz recalled that he had used his magic four times before fainting, realizing that he could only use it three times before reaching his limit.
After thoroughly reading the book, Yanz felt a bit more confident in his understanding of magic. He ventured outside to drink some water, but as he approached the puddle, he heard the loud, familiar noise of heavy footsteps. The beast was back, still hunting him.
Panic surged through Yanz as he quickly ran back into the library, slamming the door shut behind him. The beast was relentless, its presence a constant threat. It had been a day, and it still hadn't given up on its prey. Yanz knew he couldn't stay in the library forever; he needed food, and the setting sun meant darkness would soon fall, making his situation even more perilous.
He glanced out the window, noting that the sun would set in two to three hours. He had to think quickly. An idea formed in his mind, but it was risky. With no other options, he knew he had to go through with it.
Yanz decided to use the broken bookshelf planks to create a makeshift trap. The first step was to drag a couple of planks up to the balcony. The planks were heavy, and Yanz's weakened body struggled with the task. He gritted his teeth and dragged the first plank up the stairs, each step a monumental effort. Once he reached the balcony, he placed one end of the plank on the corner of a window directly above the library door. He then fetched another plank and positioned it under the other side to level the first plank.
Yanz repeated this process, dragging each remaining plank up the stairs and stacking them on top of the leveled plank. By the time he had stacked four planks, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the room. He knew he had to move quickly.
With the trap set, Yanz descended the stairs and stepped outside to lure the beast. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat a reminder of the danger he faced. He ventured only twenty feet from the library door when he heard the faint, ominous sound of heavy footsteps. *Thud, thud, thud, thud.* The footsteps grew louder and faster, and Yanz saw the beast approaching from afar.
Panic surged through him, but he forced himself to stay calm. He quickly ran back to the library, his legs shaking with fear. He slammed the door shut behind him, his hands trembling. He couldn't afford to waste this opportunity.
Yanz grabbed two hardcover books he had prepared earlier. The building shook as the beast collided with the door, its impact reverberating through the walls. Yanz threw the books at the window with all his might, shattering the glass. The broken shards rained down, some falling outside and landing on the beast, causing small injuries.
This was the second step of his trap. The third and final step involved the planks. Yanz hurried to the balcony and slid the top plank out of the window, aiming it directly at the beast. The plank landed with a heavy thud on the creature's back. Without wasting a moment, Yanz pushed the remaining planks out the window, one after another, each one crashing down on the beast.
The beast roared in pain and fury, its movements becoming more frantic as it struggled under the weight of the planks. Yanz watched from the balcony, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He knew this was his only chance to escape or find a way to deal with the beast once and for all.
As the beast thrashed beneath the planks, Yanz's mind raced. He needed to ensure the creature was incapacitated long enough for him to make his next move. He scanned the library for anything else he could use. His eyes fell on a heavy, ornate chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It was old and covered in dust, but it looked sturdy enough to cause significant damage.
Yanz quickly descended the stairs and found a length of rope among the debris. He tied one end to the chandelier and the other to a sturdy bookshelf. With a deep breath, he began to push the bookshelf, inching it closer to the edge of the balcony. The beast continued to struggle, but the weight of the planks kept it pinned down.
With one final push, Yanz sent the bookshelf toppling over the edge. The rope snapped taut, and the chandelier swung down, crashing into the beast with a resounding impact. The creature let out a final, pained roar before collapsing under the combined weight of the planks and the chandelier.
Yanz collapsed to the floor, his body trembling with exhaustion and relief. He had done it. The beast was finally subdued.