After defeating the Dragonslayer Armor, the group continued forward and soon arrived at the Grand Library.
The final boss awaited them at the library's top floor, yet leaving this place was no easy feat, as it was infested with corrupted creatures that posed a considerable challenge.
"This is the Grand Library, isn't it? An entire kingdom's collection of books, these are treasures among treasures!"
Upon entering, Finn and the others were awestruck by the vast assortment of books. In every world, knowledge has always been preserved and passed down through books, and here lay the entire kingdom's most precious manuscripts.
These books weren't mere in-game replicas but tangible relics, the foundation of this world. In the game, players couldn't interact with these tomes, let alone gather them, but here it was different, as this world was real.
In this vast kingdom, how valuable were these texts? How many rare magic tomes were within, unattainable elsewhere? This was the kingdom's storied collection, its treasures ranking among the finest.
"Don't forget there are enemies here. First, let's eliminate them, then take all the books in this library. This is the foundation of a world, and for the Loki Familia, it's undoubtedly a prized treasure!"
As he spoke, Finn began scouting for the monsters lurking within. The Grand Library had its own guardians, powerful beings watching over its secrets, so they proceeded with utmost caution, prepared to face any enemies and protectors that stood in their way.
Clearing out the entire library was their goal.
"Outsiders, your bodies bear the soul of my brother, who must have died by your hands. If that's true, then offer up your souls here, and I will honor my fallen brother with them!"
While they searched, a flash of light illuminated the library's central third floor, revealing a towering figure. It was none other than the second Crystal Sage.
The group had encountered a Crystal Sage before, having fought one in Farron Keep on their journey to the Abyssal Church. Yet here stood another. Killing the first sage had evidently angered this one, as they were connected.
"Another Crystal Sage. I despise these spellcasters!"
Tiona and the others groaned, though this time they were less fearful. Earlier, they'd had to find a way to get close to the sage, but now, with ranged attacks, they had new options. While not magical, their heavy arrows weren't easy to withstand.
The Crystal Sage wielded powerful magic, but his defense was weak, and his movement slow. Tiona and the others seized the advantage, drawing their bows and unleashing a barrage of arrows.
The Crystal Sage was momentarily puzzled by this unorthodox tactic, stunned by their unrelenting arrow storm. Though he was a mage, not a dragon, he found himself overwhelmed by their dragon-slaying arrows. Tiona and Tione shot their bows like twin machine guns, bombarding him with unrelenting force.
To avoid damaging the books, the group refrained from large-scale magic, and the sisters aimed for the gaps, ensuring none of the arrows directly hit the sage's vitals.
Though not lethal, this onslaught left the Crystal Sage battered, nearly turning him into a pincushion. Even if he managed to survive, he'd be gravely injured for some time.
But, fortunately, they had resources like Estus Flasks, just in case. Many humanoid monsters could become vessels for dark spirits in such fights.
But now, this wasn't a game. Some of the more intelligent beings, like the Crystal Sage here and a few knights they'd encountered before, were capable of using items like the Estus Flasks. However, these enemies weren't exactly inclined to heal their minions.
Seeing the Crystal Sage occupied with drinking from an Estus Flask, Finn and the others seized the opportunity and launched an attack.
In the game, the Grand Library wasn't exactly small, but since the Ashen One couldn't leap over barriers, many areas were inaccessible. But here in reality, with their agility, Finn and his companions could overcome such obstacles with ease.
In a flash, they dashed across the distance and closed in on the Crystal Sage, who was still drinking from his Estus Flask, so abruptly that he nearly choked on it in shock.
The Crystal Sage, however, had one trick up his sleeve, which is a short-range teleportation spell. With a swift reaction, he teleported out of sight, leaving the group momentarily stunned. But Riveria, having kept her detection magic active, quickly located him.
"He's in a hidden room above you, on the left!"
Following Riveria's shout, the group rushed into the chamber and struck the Crystal Sage with a heavy blow. While he could teleport, the skill had limited range and a cooldown period.
The group took advantage of this, rendering the Crystal Sage unconscious before he could react. For a mage like him, close-quarters combat was especially dangerous, just as it would be for someone like Riveria if opponents got too close.
Despite what many novels and games depicted, not all mages could handle close combat, and the Crystal Sage was certainly one who couldn't. At this point, he was nearly in tears, regretting not retreating earlier. This group was far more terrifying than he'd anticipated.
Now, revenge was out of the question, and even his life was barely hanging by a thread.
"Wait… don't kill me, I surrender!"
This Crystal Sage, who is evidently less powerful than the last one they encountered, raised his hands in surrender. He didn't want to die here.
As he finished speaking, Ais's sword halted just two centimeters from his neck. A moment later, and he would've been a goner.
"I surrender! I'm useful, I can teach you magic! I'm a Grandmaster-level mage, with extensive knowledge!"
Desperate to prove his worth, the Crystal Sage offered his skills. In truth, he was practically a living library of magic, a master mage of great knowledge.