Chapter 18: The Library Mishap
Ethan, ever the comedian, tried to lighten the mood as they explored the library. "Hey, did you hear the one about the librarian who was so bookish, he actually read the instruction manual for his toaster?"
A beat of silence followed. Nova rolled her eyes, and Yun-ho tried to stifle a laugh.
"Ethan, that joke was terrible," Nova said bluntly. "You're lucky I'm in a good mood."
Ethan pouted. "Hey, it was a joke! A little humor never hurt anyone."
"Unless it's your humor," Yun-ho replied, grinning.
Ethan sighed dramatically. "You guys are no fun. I'll just tell jokes to myself."
As they continued to explore the library, Ethan persisted with his attempts at humor. "Did you hear the one about the bookworm who was so into reading, he actually ate a whole dictionary? He said it was a mouthful."
Again, a beat of silence followed. Nova and Yun-ho exchanged amused glances.
"Ethan, you might want to stick to your studies," Nova said.
Ethan shrugged. "Hey, a comedian's gotta try."
Despite Ethan's attempts at humor, the group continued their search for the Heart of Darkness. They explored every nook and cranny of the library, their flashlights illuminating the dusty shelves.
Finally, they stumbled upon a hidden chamber behind a bookshelf. The chamber was filled with ancient scrolls and artifacts, each one radiating an aura of mystery and power.
As they examined the items, Ethan couldn't resist making another joke. "Hey, look at this scroll. It's so old, it's probably a recipe for dinosaur stew."
Nova and Yun-ho groaned. "Ethan, please," Nova said. "This is a serious mission."
Ethan sheepishly grinned. "Okay, okay, I'll be serious. But seriously, look at this scroll. It's got to be important."
As they studied the scroll, they realized that Ethan was right. The scroll contained a map leading to the Forbidden City, the location of the Heart of Darkness.
With renewed determination, Yun-ho, Nova, and Ethan left the library, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. They knew that their journey was far from over, but they were confident that together, they could overcome any obstacle.