After browsing the library shelves here and there, poring over numerous books on history and related subjects, I paused when something — or rather, someone — caught my attention.

Miss Brynlee.

The youthful, bat-winged succubus who served as the keeper and manager of the library. Today, she was dressed in her usual modest attire: a plain white shirt paired with a fitted black skirt that ended just above her knees. Yet, even in its simplicity, the outfit accentuated her otherworldly features and alluring form quite perfectly. Her long pastel-aqua hair spilled gracefully over her shoulders, the ends brushing against the small wings folded neatly at her back. A slender tail swayed idly behind her as she moved between the aisles, her sharp yet inviting eyes scanning the shelves with quiet intent.

She seemed wholly absorbed in her work, gliding from one stack of books to the next with the effortless poise of a being born to the shadows and silence of a place such as this.

Come to think of it, have I actually seen her leave?

Every time I visited to acquire knowledge or to satisfy a curiosity of mine, the strange librarian would always be present. It was to the point that I began to question if she lived inside the library.

But that was ridiculous. Besides, was that even allowed?

More importantly, I had seen her leave the library after closing hours, so it was clear she had a life outside Imperium Academy. Even then, strangely enough, she had chosen to be here today as well. Considering this was a day of celebration, I would have thought there were other places she might want to go, or perhaps even spend time in the company of a few fortunate admirers or lucky bastards.

So why come to the library still? Was she truly that diligent?

Well, the main festivities of the Imperium Festival won't begin until late tonight, so maybe she stopped by here before heading off to her plans. But still… why did she seem so lonely?

Wait a second… what the hell am I thinking? Since when did I turn into the sentimental type?!

Or was it something else? Could my thoughts be subtly influenced without my awareness?

Just as the Shadow God and the Beast God had their own descendants, the Mother Tree of Depravity was regarded as the primogenitor of the succubi. Known as the Great Gaia, the Mother of Everything, her domain revolved around Procreation, Life, and Reality. But she also embodied the Primordial Chaos and Corruption, and her descendants inherited not only her physical traits but also the twisted characteristics of the hadou deity.

For instance, have you ever wondered about the possibility of a male turning into a female?

On Earth, there had always been those who sought to change their gender for one reason or another. The process, known as Transition, was rarely a complete transformation. Here, however, the case was far different. According to the history books, succubi possessed the ability to reshape others profoundly, turning them into females and giving them completely new identities as a whole.

And beyond that, they were infamous for wielding one of the most potent mental hexes among all races.

This hex was known as "Corruption."

It was impossible to recount every detail, but in essence, Blasphemers carried a trace of corruption within themselves (整体), an innate side effect of being blessed by the Dreadspire. Back in the Old Emperor Era, the concept held a different meaning, even then the Old Sequence Blasphemers were vulnerable to this contamination. They were prone to losing control, influenced by their several factors like the environment, objects, or even people.

For this very reason, the Sleepless were unable to return to their home worlds.

Speaking of home worlds, not all of the Nine Realms were annihilated during the Catastrophe Era.

Earth obviously remained, continuing as it always had, but there was also another world that survived. A world known as Arcadia.

Despite my efforts, I could find no complete account of its history. Still, it was said to have been created during the Catastrophe Era by one of the Nine Sovereigns. Most races had migrated there, especially the Crossbloods and their ilk.

Secrets, secrets, secrets! This so-called library offers fragments, but never the whole truth!

My eyes narrowed.

Putting that aside, how should I deal with this woman? Succubi were feared, but most of them are gone. Could it be they were completely wiped out?

Whatever the case, I cannot let my guard down around this woman.

Normally, the thought of starting a conversation with someone wouldn't have even crossed my mind. But this time, I couldn't help it. Given how often I came here, it only made sense to try and get on her good side and maybe earn a few points along the way.

…Who knows? I might even glean some useful information from the more experienced woman.

Concluding that thought, I forced a polite smile through gritted teeth and approached the succubus.

"Good evening, Miss Brynlee," I greeted politely.

The librarian didn't startle.

She didn't even look up at first. Her delicate fingers slid a heavy tome back into its place on the shelf before she finally turned to me, the corners of her lips curling into the faintest of smiles.

It was a gentle smile.

When she spoke, her voice was smooth and calm, like flowing water.

"Ah… Sleepless Sonny, back again in the library. I thought you'd be more interested in the festival."

I chuckled faintly.

"I could ask you the same thing."

Brynlee arched an eyebrow, her full attention seemingly captured. Then she asked,

"What exactly do you mean?"

I leaned in slightly, elaborating my point.

"For starters, you're always here whenever I come. I don't think I've ever walked into the library and not seen you. Don't you ever take a day off? Don't you have someone to cover your shifts, or is it just you who runs the whole place?"

She scratched her cheek, lingering in silence for a moment before finally muttering in a low voice,

"About that… what you said earlier is correct. It's just me who runs the entire place."

A bit surprised, I echoed her words.

"You really manage the whole library by yourself?"

Brynlee gave a small nod.

"But isn't that beneath your rank? Surely there must be better opportunities above this level. Or… is the issue money?"

Perhaps I had struck a nerve, because her eyebrow gave the slightest twitch.

"Unfortunately, you're correct. There aren't many jobs that don't revolve around violence. Moving past the rank of Enlightened would certainly be ideal. In fact, when I conquered my first Void Seed, I was evaluated as Platinum by the Vaticans and got offered many invitations."

I stared at Brynlee in confusion, blinking a few times before managing to speak.

"That's impressive. I can follow the first part, but… who exactly are the Vaticans?"

Brynlee's lips curved into a dark smile.

"You don't need to know that. For now, it's enough to understand that Blasphemers are observed and judged by higher powers, the ones who decide how everything flows and works. When you conquer your Void Seed, there's always a chance they'll come to recruit you. In my case, I refused… and this is the result."

Higher powers, huh.

It was obvious that some hidden party, or several of them, were pulling the strings of the Spirit Realm from behind the scenes. From what I could gather, they were at least more powerful than any government on Earth, perhaps far more so. Which was exactly why information about them was impossible to obtain.

But more pressing was the shift in Brynlee's mood. Why did it feel as if the air around her had grown heavier? Did something happen to her back then?

The urge to ask nearly overwhelmed me, but I managed to restrain myself. Pressing her for details would be meaningless if she wasn't willing to share.

Still… I couldn't just let the conversation die here.

What to do? What to do?

After a moment of pondering, an idea surfaced in my mind, and my eyes widened. It was crazy, but it might just work.

Steeling my thoughts and summoning my courage, I finally said,

"If you're not otherwise occupied, perhaps we could share the evening?"

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.