"So you have noticed."
The faceless librarian placed a cup filled with delicious-looking orange tea in front of him, the smell was fragrant and the tea itself was very clear tickling anyone's desire to at least taste it. But Edward didn't trust this creature enough to drink the tea.
"Yeah, I did."
He examined his surroundings everything was so normal, it looked exactly the same as the hundreds even thousands of libraries he visited all around the city but he could also tell it just wasn't right here. Sure there were indeed books on the shelves and some of them were books he read before but there were many he never even heard of before. Sure everything looked so clean and organized but that's because the only customer of the library is Edward and no one else.
"Did I die again?"
Upon hearing his words the faceless librarian places the teacup he just picked up and puts it back on the table, his voice sounding both surprised and amused.
"Oh, how surprising, you actually figured it out so quickly. What gives it away so quickly?"
"The outside world, at first glance seems so normal, there was nothing wrong about this place but suddenly it clicked with me. People were wandering around the street but they were silent, there was no cursing of the drunkards or the sound of coachmen screaming at the children playing on the road. Everything was silent and calm it was too unreal."
The faceless librarian tilted his head as if a little confused.
"But that doesn't answer my question. I guess the silent outside world can be counted as a hint but not that big of a one?"
"Taste."
"Hmm?"
"I didn't notice it first but after calming down I noticed that this strange taste is still lingering in my mouth no matter what. It's the taste of the bonus drink I had right?"
"You are correct. It remained because that's the last thing your taste sensory felt before your death."
It seems like the faceless librarian finally caught up with Edward and imitated the action of gasping and covering his mouth. But Edward could its "gaze" that was telling him to go on and explain everything.
"After carefully examining the taste I found a familiar taste I haven't tasted for a long time. The taste of lemon, which my current body is deadly allergic to. I remember drinking a lemonade the first time when I was seven and almost that day if it weren't I was at the church for a reason of being baptized that time I would have died."
After a moment of silence, the faceless librarian clapped his hands slowly.
"You are correct. I am impressed by your ability to deduct the situation so clearly sir Edward Larvens."
"So what are you? The Grim Reaper? Or the reason I come to this world in the first place?"
A low chuckle comes out from the faceless librarian. He then tidied his black suit and red tie before standing up and bowing to Edward.
"You are correct sir Edward Lavrens, I am the reason your soul got thrown into this world 18 years ago. Sadly I am not the grim reaper meant to escort your soul to the afterlife but a simple employee assigned to correct my mistakes by the higher-ups."
He then takes out a black card from his chest pocket and extends it towards him offering the card.
"I heard your constant complaint at the other side my dear sir Edward Laurens. I am so sorry for making you experience such a harsh reality but no worries my dear sir. For I the employee number EZ123 will fix his mistake thoughtfully."
"What is this card?"
"It is the cheat you have been asking for so much. I didn't have the chance to hand you over to the world of the living or the dream. So I can only temporarily take your soul before your final rest to give it to you."
"I asked: what is this card?"
The faceless librarian comes closer to him while shaking in excitement as if he were waiting for him to ask just that. Now his voice become more excited making Edward frown in doubt.
He has a feeling of facing some door-to-door salesman and if he knows one thing about this kind of salesman the more they sell it more untrustworthy things they sell are.
"It's the library card for my newly opened grand library Tales Of Fantasia! You can use it to buy any book you want from the library."
"Can we be a little more straightforward with it? Like how I use it and all like that."
Another chuckle escapes from the faceless librarian.
"Of course, my library is quite a special one you know, the books here don't only contain knowledge but other various mysterious powers but to obtain those powers you must buy the book first. Sadly our library doesn't take mortal currency so buy the book you want you must first accumulate enough library points and finish the story."
"You aren't going to move into the detail aren't you?"
"Not at all, after all, it's best to experience it firsthand."
Edward stared at the card silently, he knew that things after taking this card would lead to a life far from peaceful and simple one he dreams of silently and one probably even worse than the one he have right now. His fists clinches tightly almost bleeding, then he takes the card from the faceless librarian's hand.
"I don't know what's the scheme behind this little game of yours but I don't care anymore. Use me for whatever schemes you want all I ask for in return is a chance to make my own choice."
Soon the card shatters into light particles before merging with his wrist turning into a tattoo that looks like an open book that's filled with various unknown very small runes.
"The design is quite a basic one."
"But it's classic isn't it?"
"Whatever you say, so what happens now? Do I get sent back to the real world? One where I am dying from allergy or will you make me do something else?"
"Sadly I am afraid I am a bit forced to take the second option. You see, currently, I simply borrowed your soul before you crossed the line of this life and afterlife. Which means technically you are dead but no worries with the right powers that can be reversed."
He then swung his hand gently three books appeared in front of him.
***
Name: Pi's Journey
Description: A heartwarming story of an old craftsman and his mechanical son Pi. Follow Pi during his journey to becoming the real boy.
Name: The Tree Of Miracles
Description: In the distant land where even the golden sun refuses to shine a young man sacrificed himself for the sins of the people of this land. God that's moved by his sacrifice granted his wish performing a miracle he turned the willing man into a tree made of gold allowing him to illuminate the darkness of this land instead of the sun.
Name: The 8 Relics Of The Red Shore
Description: Once an adventurous young man now an experienced old fisherman John finally found an ancient treasure map of the hidden 8 treasures of the Red Shore. Feeling adventurous and wishing to fulfill his youthful dream he went on a magical journey of his own at the old age.
***
"As your first purchase, I will show you a especial discount of allowing you to buy a book as long you finished their story. I also promise you that by buying any one of them you can survive this encounter with death of yours safe and sound."
Edward didn't understand what he was trying to do or what he meant by experiencing the story but he decided to play along. Since he started something it's just right to see the end of it.
"I will buy this one."