In those old corners of that place called the librarians' hall, where time seemed to stand still, a weak Il-Seong lay exhausted. The corridors, filled with yellowed and worn volumes, emanated a dense and ancient air. With his gaze lost, he searched for some sign, some way out of that labyrinth of knowledge. He wondered if he had made the right decision in sending Yuuki, Minho, Saem and Ji-Hoon on such a dangerous mission. Guilt consumed him, like a shadow looming over him.
He found an old sofa, covered in dust and books, and let himself fall on it. The physical tiredness was insignificant compared to the anguish he felt in his heart. Closing his eyes, he imagined a starry sky, so different from the cracked ceiling before him. He remembered the afternoons in the library, sitting on the floor, reading aloud and sharing their dreams. Jun had always been the most optimistic of the four, the one who saw the bright side of any situation. Now, Il-Seong wondered if he would ever see that smile again. Loneliness enveloped him like a thick fog, and despair consumed him. He longed with all his might to be able to undo the damage he had caused.
Jun was not one to socialize after work. He preferred to lose himself among the ancient archives of the library, where time seemed to stand still. It was not just a love of books; it was a refuge, a place to feel understood and valued. At home in the northern sector of the citadel, a cold silence reigned. His parents, the respected Chief Justice Jung-Hoon and the prestigious Dean Ji-Ae, were too busy with their careers to pay him any attention.
From a young age, Jun had been a loner. He remembers the afternoons when, at ten years old, he would stay locked in his room, surrounded by books. He would organize his collections meticulously, creating a small universe of his own where the loneliness was not so overwhelming. Through the window, he could see the library in the distance, a beacon of knowledge that drew him like a magnet.
In elementary school, he spent hours after school arranging the books in the library. A teacher, intrigued by his dedication, asked him why he didn't play with the other children. Jun, with touching sincerity, confessed that he felt at home in the library. "Here, books are my friends," he said, "they are always there to listen to me." The teacher smiled and assured him that he had a special gift for connecting with books. "I think you will be a great librarian, Jun," she said, "the Spiral Tree has chosen you to take care of its treasures."
That afternoon, after the teacher told him those words, he ran home to tell his parents the wish he had kept in his heart: to be a registrar and serve the library. As he ran through those busy streets, he accidentally ran into a young man named Il-Seong, who was around 16 years old at the time. Il-Seong was accompanied by Young-Chil and Tae-Ho, his friends from middle and high school. Jun was carrying several books that fell to the floor, as well as a folder with registration forms for the Academy.
Feeling very embarrassed, Jun could only apologize. Young-Chil jokingly said, "Didn't you know that elementary school kids run around so much? As if the world was going to end! Is there any program you don't want to miss?" Tae-Ho replied, "Don't be cruel, we were all kids once. Besides, you always ran to be the first to see 'Kumo-maru.'" Young-Chil evasively replied and they continued to argue, while Il-Seong, with a calm smile, picked up all the things Jun had thrown away.
Looking into Jun's eyes, Il-Seong said, "I can tell that you take great care of books. I'm really sorry for getting in your way. Let me put these things in your bag." He politely put away all of Jun's belongings. Seeing that Jun had hurt his knee, he took out a patch from his pocket and put it on. Jun, embarrassed, lowered his head. Il-Seong asked him, "Does it hurt much?" Jun replied, "No, sir, I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."
Standing up, Il-Seong said to his friends, "Guys, let's walk the boy home and then we'll go to Asawin Bakery." The group nodded. Then, he said to Jun, "Give me your hand, we'll walk you because you hurt your knee, okay?" Jun, without hesitation, took Il-Seong's hand. That bond, unbeknownst to them, would mark their lives forever.
They came to a passage where Jun's house was. Jun told them that it was his house, although there were no lights on. He bowed and thanked them. Il-Seong replied, "Take care of yourself, little Jun. I hope we'll see each other in the future." Jun smiled and nodded. As Jun entered his house, Young-Chil asked Il-Seong, "Why are you so humble and simple? If it were me, I would have hit him or given him a lesson in manners." Tae-Ho replied, "Poor kid, you can tell he lives alone. If he had parents, the light at the front door would be on." Il-Seong replied, "He's a helpless kid, but seeing that Spiral Tree Academy folder, he has a clear goal: he wants to be a registrar." Hearing that, his two friends were shocked. Young-Chil said, "No wonder he was rushing home so fast. But isn't he too young to enter the academy?" Tae-Ho said, "A kid with his choice already made. Which is something everyone has made up their minds to do, right? Future librarian, Il-Seong, and registrar, Young-Chil." They both smiled and went on their way. Meanwhile, from his window, Jun watched them leave. A bond of friendship had formed between them. On the other hand, Jun was preparing to announce to his parents his decision to become a registrar and enter the library.
Jun fell asleep from waiting so long, for him that routine was always the same. When he heard the noise of the door, he prepared to tell them the news. His father, as usual, was talking to his mother about a complicated case. The main room, always so cold and formal, was the scene of their endless discussions about wandering souls and ancestral laws. Jun, with the folder pressed against his chest, felt a lump in his throat.
With a trembling voice, he announced: "I will be a registrar, like my grandfather In-Su." His father looked at him in disbelief. "Jun, what did you just say?" he repeated, his voice deep and authoritative. Jun repeated his decision firmly. His father, enraged, snatched the folder from his hands and tore it into pieces. "No son of mine will be a librarian," he bellowed. "You will be a jurist, period."
Jun felt as if a piece of his soul had been torn out. "Those are your dreams, not mine," he cried. "I want to follow in my grandfather's footsteps." His mother, who had remained silent until then, looked at him sadly. Jun ran out of the house, feeling the cold rain on his face. He took refuge in the square, his favorite place since he was a child. There, under the dim light of the streetlamps.
In that square, Jun hid under the children's games, right under a slide. His small body trembled as tears rolled down his cheeks. The frustration and rejection of his parents for the decision he had made filled him with a deep sadness. He felt an overwhelming loneliness, a feeling of vulnerability that seemed to have no end.
The icy wind bit his skin as Jun took refuge under the slide in the park. His hands trembled, he didn't know if it was because of the cold or the weight of rejection. In his pocket, the photo of his grandfather seemed the only anchor in a world that was falling apart.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps approaching. Startled, he looked for a hiding place and picked up a broken branch from the sandy ground, ready to defend himself. A hand reached out to him, and when he looked up, he saw Il-Seong, who was looking at him with concern.
"What are you doing here at this hour?" he asked in a calm but firm voice. "I thought we left you at home a few hours ago. Is something wrong?"
Recognizing him, Jun dropped the branch and, with tears running down his face, threw himself to hug him. His sobs were uncontrollable, and he could not say a word.
"What's happening to you?" Il-Seong insisted while stroking his head. "Did something happen at home? Please tell me."
Jun did not answer, but his hug grew stronger. On that cold night and under the stars that barely illuminated the park, Il-Seong understood that the destiny of the Spiral Tree had united them. Moved by deep affection, he hugged little Jun tenderly and said,
"Don't worry, little one. I will always take care of you. But now it's time to go home. Your parents must be worried, okay?"
Still hugging Il-Seong, Jun felt safe. His tears continued to fall on the school uniform, but between his sobs he managed to say,
"Please, sir, promise me that we will always see each other again."
With a warm smile, Il-Seong picked him up and carried him on his back.
"Of course. It's a promise between friends," he replied firmly.
Hearing those words, Jun's tears began to stop.
When they arrived at Jun's house, they found the Wooded Civil Guard at the door. His parents were arguing violently while the guards tried to separate them. Il-Seong, seeing the scene, asked Jun to cover his ears and took his hand to reassure him.
Upon noticing Il-Seong's presence, Jun's mother ran towards them, hugging her son tightly as tears streamed down her face.
"Thank you, Il-Seong," she said in a broken voice. "Thank you for bringing him home safely."
It turned out that Jun's mother knew Il-Seong's family, and the gratitude in her eyes was sincere.
Jun, now calmer, said goodbye with a long, affectionate hug.
"Remember what I told you," Il-Seong whispered to him with a smile. "I will always support you and accompany you."
Jun looked at him with gratitude, and although he still felt the weight of his problems, he knew that he would never be truly alone. As time went by, Jun became an outstanding student at the Academy, facing challenges and overcoming obstacles. But he never forgot that night when he decided to follow his heart's desires, nor the people who supported him on his path, especially Il-Seong, who was always there as a silent but constant guide.
While living in that sea of memories, no matter how hard he tried, Il-Seong couldn't stop blaming himself for the situation he was living in. The memories of Jin and the promise to always be with him were more than evident, but they couldn't be fulfilled. That old armchair surrounded by books and dust, that cold and gloomy place, was more than his new home. The tears on his face were so many that the pain in his heart shook. He hit the armchair while trying to get some sleep, as fatigue consumed him. The heartbreaking cry he suffered in that place was loud and inexplicable, but at the same time understandable. He felt that this was the place he deserved according to his actions. He blamed himself for having listened to Ethel, for having received the spiral pencil and for the consequences that each decision brought. From his pale and whitish face, weak tears ran. But something was projected while he suffered. In those dark corners and abandoned hallways, she heard Jun's voice saying: "Il-Seong... Il-Seong." She stood up from the chair and followed the voice down the hallway, murmuring with her weak strength: "Wait for me Jun, we promised each other when we were children to be together." Step by step, and slowly, she continued to hear his voice, until she entered a strange room forgotten by eons in time. She saw a small, old brown book shining, with a strange seal, and next to it a box. That box had a clock on its cover, but what strongly caught her attention was the faint glow of light from that book. She took it and, like a film record, she saw Jun and everything they lived together: the first time they met, when he went to high school and when he entered the library. Those memories made her feel warm.
As that film of the old book progressed, she saw Jun crying after the explosion, carefully taking his diary. Jun's lamentation was so deep that Il-Seong was moved, for the words he had spoken were transmitted: "Il-Seong, do you remember the promise we made? I am truly alone now." Il-Seong's hands gently touched that projected moment, saying, "Yes, I do remember that promise, Jun. I am sorry for leaving you alone." With a sigh of guilt and melancholy, he continued to watch the projection until the most recent moment. He saw that he was in the living room of a house, looking at a valuable treasure: a photograph from when he took over as registrar. As if Jun was speaking to himself, he said, "If you were here, you would know what you should do, but I miss you so much now." After seeing the finished projection, Il-Seong saw the diary lose its light and desperately moved the book, as if to say to continue showing him more things. But in an instant, that book fell apart in his hands. "Why are they doing this to me? I need to go back, I need to be with them, I have to be with Jun," he said as he hit the table in frustration. The "why" invaded his tired mind. Next to it, that box began to shine, especially that old clock. Looking closely, it had a plate with a name he completely didn't know: "In-Su." Reading his name, he opened the box and a flash of light completely invaded the room, illuminating the entire room. It was so light that he heard a voice saying: "Close your eyes," to which he replied: "Is that you, Ethel, playing with me again?" That voice kept telling him: "You're tired, just close your eyes for a moment, we'll meet." To which an already tired Il-Seong saw a chair and sat down. Physical fatigue made him fall asleep and the voice told him: "Everything will be fine, just rest." He was able to sleep, while that box shone brightly. That clock was going backwards at an inexplicable speed. What Il-Seong didn't know was that he was returning to a time he wouldn't expect to be a spectator of.
Hours passed, and he slowly began to wake up. He heard noises outside where he was sitting: footsteps, knocks, and murmurs. He thought he had managed to get out of that hell called the librarians' lounge. When he opened the door, he saw many people moving forward on both sides and several workers painting the window frames. However, their clothing did not fit him, it was not modern for his time, and he began to despair. He looked attentively at the people asking for help and noticed that no one was listening to him. They were all moving forward and working hard, and when he touched a worker, his hand went through his body. That scared him a lot.
He continued moving forward, but stopped where that sofa where he had rested for a moment should have been. But it was not in its place; in its place was a window. He looked out and saw with astonishment the library gardens, which were being built, and he saw that the main building was also being built. He did not understand the situation. He thought that the world had been destroyed and that Yuuki and Minho would never see each other again, and several other thoughts invaded his mind.
In the distance, he saw the silhouette of a person with long hair walking towards the main hall, where he had faced Ethel. It caught his attention deeply, since the only one with long, brown hair that he loved was Jun. For a moment he thought it was him and ran through the hallways until he reached the main hall. There he saw the silhouette of a man with long hair, looking at some plans while contemplating the finishes of the hall. An assistant approached that person and spoke to him: "Venerable, the color of the varnish that you requested has just arrived. The teachers just mentioned to me that this afternoon the east part of the hall will be finished. In addition, they mentioned to me that the finishing of the roof may take at least four days, since there is a lack of materials. If it arrives earlier, they assure me that they will finish soon. Do you want anything else?" To which he replied, "No, nothing more. In my eyes and looking at these plans, I can humbly say that it is becoming very beautiful, where our remembered librarians will be able to live, and of course, me, who is about to finish my legacy." The assistant replied, "But, Mr. In-Su, please do not say that. You are a great person, we will find a way so that nothing can happen to you." To which In-Su, sincerely, took his shoulder and said, "Oh, you are still too young to say that, Bon-Hwa. I know that one day you will occupy those places together with me, but now enjoy your youth while you can. You have done an excellent job as my assistant, and I will be eternally grateful to you."
Hearing both names, Il-Seong understood who they were. In-Su, founder of the library. In the past, the library was called the Archiver of Souls, but In-Su modernized everything in the year 1100 of the Arborean era. And that boy, Bon-Hwa, was the founder of the Academy of the Dead. He understood that he had gone back in time to an era of great importance, but he did not understand why he was there. Who would send him to such a distant era? His mind, invaded by doubts, blinded him again.
After In-Su had a chat with him, he said goodbye to Bon-Hwa to go visit other places. Turning around, Il-Seong was shocked; the resemblance to Jun was really impressive, and tears were falling from his face again. He murmured "Jun... Jun!" as he approached. His hand touched In-Su's chest, and they looked at each other, to which In-Su looked at him with concern: his injured arms, his legs too, and his pale face. "Stay with me, are you okay? Bon-Hwa, call the infirmary immediately, this person is injured and needs care now! Please stay with me." In his arms, Il-Seong fainted from exhaustion and only murmured "Jun, I'm sorry." A moved In-Su understood what he was suffering and answered as he was carried on a stretcher to the infirmary: "Who could have done this much harm to you?" and took the tired Il-Seong's hand.
A calm breeze blew through the window of the infirmary, it was a beautiful sunny day. Meanwhile, Il-Seong was slowly waking up. He looked up at the sky, still dazed after collapsing in In-Su's arms. As he slowly stood up from the bed and looked out the window at the fresh air, he felt a calmness that he longed for so much. He asked himself: "Am I in the library, or is it a dream?" To which a voice said: "I had no idea that this building was called a library. In fact, it is the remodeling of the old Soul Archivist compound, but it is a very interesting name. Are you okay now?" That voice belonged to In-Su. After telling him that, she stood up and gave him a glass of water and some medicine, and said: "Please drink this. It will make you feel better. The wounds on your arms and legs, and in general on your body, will get better." Nodding, Il-Seong thanked him. In-Su said to him, "Can I sit next to you on your bed? It's to check your pulse. When we met, you fainted and I didn't know why. Your health is very important." To which Il-Seong replied, "I'm sorry for surprising you so suddenly, I deeply apologize." In-Su replied with a smile, a smile that reminded him a lot of Jun: "It's not a bother to me. On the contrary, I feel that the ties brought us together for some reason that I don't know. But, before we continue talking, stay silent while I check your pulse. Take a deep breath and exhale."
As she took Il-Seong's hands, she closed her eyes and began to analyze his body. A warm and pleasant wind entered through that window and flooded the entire room, to which he replied, "It's interesting that you come from a very distant future and arrive at a time so different from yours, Il-Seong." Upon hearing his name, he was greatly surprised and asked her, "How do you know my name?" To which In-Su responded by extending his hand, he saw the timeline and what happened to him, and said to him: "You are Il-Seong, librarian, and someone or something brought you here so that you can return to your present. I will help you." Those words of hope touched him, but more questions than answers came to his mind. Who specifically brought him to this place? Or was it the Spiral Tree's design? That was about to be discovered by the young librarian Il-Seong.
As he ingested the medicines that In-Su had provided him, Il-Sung felt a relief he had not experienced since the explosion. That event had transported him to a place between worlds, a limbo from which he seemed unable to escape. Meanwhile, In-Su, with palpable tenderness, held his hand, looking for any sign of damage. After a thorough examination, the librarian sighed in relief: "I'm glad you're okay, Il-Sung. You're stronger than you look."
Hearing his name, Il-Sung wondered how In-Su knew him. "I looked through your soul journal," the librarian explained, "and I saw that you mentioned someone named Jun quite often. It seems that you cared a lot about him." Il-Sung nodded, a tear rolling down his cheek. "Yes, Jun was my best friend. He was always there for me." In-Su, touched by Il-Sung's sincerity, told him how she had been watching over him during his convalescence, worried about the wounds he carried.
"In-Su, I have a question," Il-Sung began, his voice weak but firm. "Am I in the year 1100 of the Golden Spiral Age? At the founding of the 'library'?" In-Su was surprised. "That's right. In fact, this is my last year as the soul archive librarian. By mentioning the 'library', you gave me a clue. Something serious must have happened in your timeline for you to be brought here." Il-Sung nodded and proceeded to tell him everything that had happened, mentioning the 'spiral tree' that connected both worlds. In-Su, intrigued, proposed, "I think you should see something. Come with me."
As he left the infirmary, he gazed in awe at all the artistic details the carpenters had created. Every detail was meticulously crafted, and the smell of varnish and paint filled the entire building. Excited, he said to In-Su, "This is wonderful, all this rich architecture and so much dedication. I never thought I'd experience a moment like this. It's all very beautiful."
In-Su replied, "And we've been building for twenty years. What worries me most is the shipment of materials from the citadel, but what else can we do? Just wait. Wait a moment while I open the main door."
As she opened the door, she said, "Can you go ahead on your own?" He nodded and as he stepped out, he could see a beautiful blue sky. The scent of the flowers was so exquisite that he closed his eyes, but when he opened them, he saw with astonishment that the spiral tree had disappeared. Alarmed, he asked, "Where is the spiral tree? It should be in the middle of the citadel."
In-Su replied regretfully, "I'm afraid that tree you told me was about to wither no longer exists. That's why I brought you here to see it with your own eyes. If something like that existed in this world, it wouldn't be something natural, but external. Listen to me, Il-Seong, I think the world of the future is experiencing a very serious event. When you said 'what is tied here, is tied forever,' you were wrong. Dark forces want to destroy the souls of the living and, above all, this beautiful place. Therefore, you must return to your time and report everything to the people you trust the most. That pencil you mentioned, you must destroy it as soon as possible and prevent Ethel's plans. Do you understand? The legacy of several librarians will be your guide, including myself."
Il-Seong could not understand anything. That tree that was from his world should not exist, and the danger lurking in the darkness, along with Ethel's machinations, terrified him. With his gaze fixed on the future of the world, he asked In-Su, "How will I return to my time if I don't have my diary?"
In-Su pulled out a diary from a briefcase and said, "Here, this is my prototype. I made it with the souls who come to this place in mind. Write your name, close your eyes, and you will be transported to the librarians' hall. With the diary in hand, you will be able to return home. Your friends depend on you. Above all, Jun is waiting for you."
Il-Seong wrote his name and a light enveloped the diary. In-Su said, "It's time to go home, Il-Seong. Your friends are waiting for you." Il-Sung asked, "Will we meet again?" In-Su smiled and replied, "Only fate decides that."
In an instant, Il-Sung disappeared. In-Su looked toward the horizon with hope and said, "Jun, my descendant, take care of your friend, because more than anything in the world he needs you."
At that very moment, Il-Seong arrived at the main entrance, just as he had been told. Without hesitation, he took In-Su's diary and shouted, "Go back home, Librarians' Hall!" The place shook.
On the other side, the library began to shake and the evacuation alarms sounded again. Young-Chil called for everyone to calm down and evacuate. Anya, along with the others, helped. On a wall, a door began to be drawn. As the shaking continued, Young-Chil slowly approached. The doors opened and the place filled with dust and debris. Amidst all the chaos, Il-Seong staggered out, covering his mouth. Young-Chil ran to him and asked, "Are you okay? I thought we lost you forever." Il-Seong replied, "Young, I'm sorry for the delay. Everyone went to see Librarian Il-Seong who had returned, but with a very important mission: to unravel the mysteries of the spiral tree and Ethel's conspiracy.