The Librarian's Residence
Together with the Guildmaster, we first headed to the Librarian's residence. Even though the police—or rather, in this world, the Adventurers' Guild's investigation team—had already finished their on-site examination, the air was heavy and deathly quiet. All that remained were shards of a shattered crystal ball and several scattered, ancient books. The Guildmaster picked up each fragment carefully, murmuring, “...Looks like someone ambushed them...”
I turned my gaze to the books left behind. They were magical texts the Librarian had studied for years and ancient historical documents. Yet, something felt missing among them. A sense spread through me that some crucial clue had vanished from this place.
“Mitam... Do you sense anything?” The Guildmaster asked, observing my reaction. I nodded.
“...Something is hidden... Something remains in this place...”
I began scrutinizing every corner of the room. The wall materials, gaps between floorboards, furniture placement... My eyes scanned everything intently. Then, I spotted a narrow gap behind the bookshelf, between the wall and the shelf. I tried carefully to move the bookshelf, but it was too heavy to budge.
“Guildmaster, please help me.”
The Guildmaster responded immediately to my words and helped me move the bookcase. Behind it was a small hidden door. Opening it revealed a staircase leading down into a dimly lit basement.
“...This...” The Guildmaster pointed at the stairs, unable to hide his surprise.
I took out my flashlight and began descending the stairs. The Guildmaster followed behind me. The underground space was damp, filled with a peculiar odor. And deep within...
Deep within the underground space was a small room. In the center of the room stood something resembling a stone altar, upon which sat a small wooden box. Though aged, the box was meticulously crafted, and I intuitively sensed it contained something important.
“...This is...” The Guildmaster gasped.
I carefully opened the wooden box. Inside lay a single piece of parchment, folded. Unfolding it revealed a complex magical array and a message written in Atlantean script.
“...This is... the activation method for the time transfer device...” the Guildmaster murmured in a trembling voice. The parchment detailed the necessary steps to activate the device and the required monster materials. Among them were the Tears of the Wyrm and a fragment of an ancient artifact we already possessed.
“...So... the Librarian used this device to go somewhere... and the historian too...” I was certain of it. This parchment hinted at the reason for the Librarian's disappearance and the purpose of the masked figures. What lay ahead might hold unimaginable danger, but my curiosity was now reaching new heights.
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