This night, too, was cold.
Well, it was getting to that time of year, after all, so it was only to be expected.
In fact, you could tell it had the promises of winter, because―
"Haa..."
―Whenever I breathed out, that sort of white mist floated up, brushing past my face like the emissions of a steam train as I walked.
Most of all, this bleak sort of mid-Autumn cold really was numbing. My body was thin; it didn't take much for a chill to bore deep into my bones, so I didn't like it at all. Of course, it's not like I had much of a choice but to bear it regardless, but it was yet another bump to add to the list.
The cold. The wind. The wet, two-dimensional leaves on the damped path also sometimes stuck to your shoes, making everything all dirty for whenever you went back inside.
...Although. More than anything else, that...
"..."
Raising my gaze to that large, white moon, faintly observing through a thin layer of fog in the sky and having its light intermittently filtered through this overhead canopy of trees, its presence alone seemed to also weigh the atmosphere's temperature down by a few degrees.
Whenever I saw it, it was always only because I was outside at night, in the detestable cold.
And, whenever I saw it, it tore my heart to shreds.
Besides, hadn't it also lost its lustre a bit over the past couple of years?
In this countryside place―which, although not quite far enough out there to be considered 'rural', was definitely not anything like a proper city―was such a sight as the ever-distant, pale moon any more remarkable?
Perhaps, it was remarkable once... but I didn't think so anymore.
Rather, I could only see it as an abhorrent, ruinous thing.
And it really had lost its lustre, too. No matter how hard I looked, no matter how many times I looked twice, blinked, refreshed my eyes, it was the same.
That moon, those stars, the ambience of the so-called Witching Hour in which I found myself.
No matter how remarkable it may have been at one point or the other.
It couldn't, in any conceivable metric, beat a sight like that.
"..."
Turning my head to the right, it entered my vision.
Something that could only be likened to an invitation of God.
Ping-!
Abruptly, a vibration was felt in my pocket; pausing the admittedly sluggish motion of my feet and taking out my phone without much of an expectation, I cast down that sort of a listless eye.
And I muttered.
"...Ah. Speak of the Devil."
[02:37 | 92%]
[BNC | !!Breaking News!! World's First 5th Floor Clear...]
[academicengagement@university | Student absentee reminder...]
[Ina | (4) | Btw if you ignore me this time...]
There were some other notification bubbles below it, but those could be ignored――The important news was the top-most, latest notification received. Tapping on it to open, and bypassing the lock screen with a press of my finger, the article appeared.
Flashbanging me with a bright whiteness, the headline stuck out in clear bold.
[World's First 5th Floor Clear, Secrets Unveiled!]
[Meet 'John Pierce', the Rising Star Frontliner of the Augury Tower who cleared the notoriously impossible Tower's 5th Floor after a six month rut!]
'Fifth Floor...'
It was only a news article, but judging by the time it was posted, it really was 'breaking'.
The Augury Tower...
An inexplicable thing that appeared around two years ago in the coldest region of Antarctica, or rather, somewhere around the South Pole, and strangely enough, visible from anywhere in the world.
Always in the southern horizon. Always just as prominent.
That indomitable visage―a structure that pierced through sky, cloud, and heavens alike―was utterly inescapable, at least for anyone on Earth.
I still remembered the night before it appeared, tranquil as ever... And, of course, that which followed.
But that wasn't something I wanted to think about, and certainly not right now.
Thinking about it any further would only make my heart ignite with all sorts of conflicting emotions; I put the phone in my backpack alongside all the food I bought from the local store to forget about it.
In any case, now that I had finally acquired said food, there was only one thing to do. Removing my gaze from that illusory land of distant dreams, I turned back to the ordinary, paved path before me.
'I guess I should just go back to the house--'
Ttrriiinngg~!
―――All of a sudden, I froze.
Resembling the clear chime of a bell, something unknown resounded.
At the same time, I could've sworn I caught a glimpse of some shimmer in the darkened brushes ahead.
Subconsciously, I whispered.
"...Cat?"
It sounded just like the sort of bell some oldie might put on their cat, and taking into consideration all common sense, that's probably what it was... However, with the mental images of mysticism fresh in my mind, there was a particular idea I just couldn't shake off that easily.
'...Right?'
I gulped. Before I realised it, I found myself sneaking towards the location of that transient shimmer, towards the presumed origin of that mysterious chime.
For some reason, a certain idea burrowed itself into my mind.
'God, what am I even doing? Lucky day...? Get a grip...'
Alas, such an idea that was already engraved, almost to the point where I couldn't imagine it being anything else.
'Don't... get your hopes up... You know you don't deserve a chance like that...'
Despite telling myself that, my tongue simultaneously snaked out to wet my lips.
After all, I had walked down this same, lightly forested path dozens―hundreds of times in the last couple of years, and yet not once have I heard of a cat living around this area.
Of course, it was certainly possible that one of the neighbours around here had recently picked one up, but at this moment, such a possibility didn't even enter my mind. Besides, would someone even be careless enough to let their pet out at this god-forsaken hour?
I was already fully locked in.
Making sure to not produce even a single sound, I held my breath and trepidatiously approached.
And, ultimately, poking my head slowly through that natural veil of the brush――
"...!"
My eyes widened, lasering on a feline critter―one that absolutely bore resemblance to your typical neighbourhood cat.
Aside from the abnormally large and pointed ears, and a lush coat of snow-white fur the likes of which I had never seen, seemingly glowing even in this pitch darkness, it looked mostly ordinary at a glance indeed.
However, this thing... Upon closer inspection, it was unmistakably different.
This creature―with a perfectly round, opal-like gem embedded in its forehead and another, similarly iridescent gem that formed the end of its extraordinarily long, slender tail―was by no means a regular old street cat, or even someone's lost pet that had strayed far from home.
But, I had never seen a magical creature like this on the news or internet before. Or at least, I had no such recollection that instinctually popped out at me.
Of course, that didn't matter. It had only been two years since bizarre phenomena and enigmatic creatures like this began appearing, so there were bound to be some number of undocumented cases.
It wasn't all that unlikely that something new would appear.
The only unlikely part was that I was the one to discover it.
Regardless, all that was important was one thing.
Whether it was some supernatural phenomena that appeared no different from magic.
Whether it was some mysterious creature that appeared no different from mythos.
It was, all the same, the sort of thing that could spark an Awakening if you were lucky.
Meeting such a creature in the flesh, I was struck dumbfounded as to what I should do. Not a singular thought ran through my mind as I gawked at the magical critter. Or, conversely, was the stark reality that too many thoughts were inundating me?
The only thing I knew for sure was that this was an important moment.
No, more than merely 'important', this was a vital time that, no matter how it turned out, could very well shape my entire future.
In this situation.
What was I supposed to do?
How was I supposed to act?
Someone like me――
"..."
Hearing, feeling the rapid beat of my heart trapped within my chest, screaming, pounding, threatening to rip my torso open and break out, I realised just how precious the situation was. I couldn't not realise it if I tried.
Trying my hardest not to make a sound, to calm my breathing with utmost urgency, was, in a word, an endeavour.
If there was a single moment in my entire life where I couldn't afford to fuck up, this was undeniably it.
In fact, if I failed here, there's a chance it might have been the end of it all.
'Catch... Somehow... I need to catch it―Without scaring it off.'
Seeming to match the speed of my heart, my mind likewise raced faster than ever before, wondering just what the hell to do.
'Ah... It's not exactly the same thing, but it's still basically a cat, right? That would work, right??'
It had to.
Taking a deep, stabilising breath, I eased my nerves. Then, calmly setting down my backpack and unzipping it quietly, I withdrew a single pack of sliced chicken.
'Mia... If this works, I'll buy you whatever you want. I promise, so please...'
It was something I had only bought because of a housemate's earnest request, but if this ended up working, I could buy a million more to repay her.
Unsealing the pack, I gulped down my unfaltering anxiety alongside my saliva.
Not moments after, an incredible stench wafted out.
Ttrriiinngg~!
―In the same instant the smell graced the tip of my nose, the critter moved. Jerking its body to oppose me, the whip of its fluid, slender tail caused another bell chime to resound throughout the chilly midnight air.
Following my prayers, it didn't run away, perhaps out of an understanding that the smell was only food.
Instead, it pierced me through with beady eyes of resplendent jade.
'Come on... Come on...'
I, too, could not so much as blink.
Biting my lips pensively, teeth chattering whilst embedded in my own flesh, I held a single slice of chicken in my outstretched hand, barely managing to tremble only slightly, waiting with bated breath for the magical critter to make any kind of movement at all.
For a moment, I wished the damn cold would vanish just for a minute, before I went insane.
Like that, a good thirty seconds passed, and only then did the critter begin its slow advent forward; approaching with gradual, overly cautious steps, the elegant motions of its paws were soundless as it sneaked one leg after the other, exuding an inexplicable eerie feeling.
Seeing that, I realised.
If the gem on its tail didn't make that loud bell chime, I never would've even registered its existence in this place.
It really was... too close a call to be any sort of comfort.
In the subsequent moments, my brain malfunctioned in its entirety as I watched the critter approach me, snatch the chicken out of my hand, and gobble it up all within the blink of an eye and all without a sound.
Releasing just a little tension at its decisive action, my mouth slightly gaped. Simultaneously, the myriad trains of thought previously occupying my mind resumed, splitting off in a million different directions.
Wondering if the plan worked.
Wondering if I should hurriedly prepare another slice before it ran off and disappeared.
Wondering if it was close enough for me to reach out and quickly grab it with my hands.
I didn't want to move rashly. I couldn't afford to.
'Ah...!'
And, luckily, I didn't have to.
Leaning its head ever-so-slightly towards my now-empty hand, the critter licked whatever residue was left on my fingers.
That pink, warm tongue that faintly wetted my fingertips bore a texture of something rough. At the same time, it felt strangely unlike anything else I had ever experienced, as if my nerves were being compelled to simmer down.
To the extent that I would never forget that unique sensation.
Taken aback by the bizarre scene of something like a magical creature doing such a cute thing, I laughed.
"You like that, little guy...?"
Just as I thought about reaching for some more slices, something unexpected occurred.
Without warning, the critter started radiating light.
"O-ohh, wait, what's happening? Hello...??"
My eyes once again widened, again out of panic, but before I could even get a solid grasp on what was occuring, the critter's body disintegrated into countless sparkling fragments.
Giving me a final look into its brilliant, gleaming jade eyes, the cat promptly disappeared.
"..."
I paused.
"..."
I waited.
"..."
Alas, the critter did not reappear.
My heart fell into the pit of my stomach.
It was only thanks to what immediately followed that I was rescued from utter despair.
Clink-!
In the place where the creature had vanished, a white key dropped.
Appearing like something that might've come from some sort of fantasy piece, it bore unidentifiable engravings and a pearlescent jewel socketed into the bow―One that precisely resembled one of the two gems the critter had borne on its body.
"...What?"
It took me a minute to realise that this key was all the creature had dropped.
A very magical creature, of the kind that was said to grant otherworldly powers or items. An extraordinarily rare one at that, evidently, seeing as I had never heard of it.
"Is... this a joke?"
I stayed crouched and with my mouth agape for a while, the only thought in my head being a series of question marks. Before long, I snapped back to reality. Resealing the pack of chicken, I put it back in my bag with my phone and the rest of the food, grabbed the key and stood up.
"...No way it's, just... this, right...?"
I proceeded to hurriedly examine the surrounding area, but no matter how much I searched, I found nothing.
Of course, the key was bound to have some kind of hidden value, that much was obvious, but what the hell was I supposed to do with it when all I had was a key and no lock?
"No... No..."
Raising both of my hands, I covered my face, which crumpled agonisingly.
"Hup, ohhhh... Why..."
Without the slightest hint of exaggeration, I was going to cry.
I had encountered what could very well be the most important event of my life thus far, and although it could in some sense be called a success, it by no means felt like one.
I was already feeling like shit and then this happens.
It was, undoubtedly, to the point where I was one step away from cracking.
"..."
With my hands over my face, perhaps as a sort of dam to prevent those sorts of depressing tears and emotions from flowing, I remained standing still for a while, having submerged myself in solely my own inner consciousness.
Eventually, with my perception of the external world somewhat re-established, I noticed something strange.
The bleak night-time wind, that chilly air ceaselessly biting at my skin... Where did it go?
And, wait. Wasn't I just holding a key? Yet, such a sensation was no longer perceived in my grasp.
Incomparably bewildered, I raised my face.
――Before my eyes was a place I had never seen.
The mysterious key had vanished from my hand, instead replaced with some freakish tattoo that was somehow emitting the same kind of nacreous light as those jewels, and the world that previously surrounded me transformed completely.
From the scenic, lightly forested path in which I previously stood...
"..."
To an inconceivably vast library with white everything.
Unable to even think as I examined where this was, or what had even happened at all, an unfamiliar voice penetrated right through my bafflement from behind me.
"Oh, wow! Are you the new employee? Greetings, hello! Ah, I'm so pleased to be able to finally get to work together with you! Certainly!"
It sounded beyond friendly at first impression, but its contents made no sense whatsoever.
"Oh, um! My apologies! Allow me to introduce myself!"
Not comprehending anything it was saying, I turned my head around to glimpse its source.
"Ahem-!"
There she stood―a small girl behind a white desk, standing atop a wooden stool.
Dangerously long hair that looked like it was formed from strings of crystal, transparent yet at the same time prismatically reflective of all manner of colour, cascaded down in bulbous waves to below the level of the desk, leaving my sight; something completely inhuman that I was sure could never be accomplished even with modern standards of salon care.
Strangely enough, she wore a thick, black blindfold that covered both of her eyes, leaving only a portion of her face visible, white as chalk, as well as a way-oversized, simplistic white robe that draped over her tiny body, too much in fact to the point that it didn't even reveal her hands as she raised her arms to give a dramatic gesture, similar to an orans.
"Welcome to the Library of Illusory Worlds, Enki Valentine!"
Playing hostess with such an ear-to-ear, innocent smile as if talking to a close friend, she welcomed me―the fact she called my full name not even registering in my mind―and lowered her arms again, performing a single twirl.
"I am the Librarian, Curator of the Illusory Library."
Subsequently introducing herself with an evidently practised curtsy, she swiftly bounced up and beamed at me, asking just one thing.
"Would you like to get started right away? There remain many that require your assistance, after all!"
Right as she said those incomprehensible words, I blinked in confusion.
[Transporting to the Illusory World of 'This Generation's Hero is a Jackass!']
Already, the world distorted once more.