"How long has it been?" I ask.
"Millennia have passed," replies the book—flat and emotionless, as always.
"And how much longer do I have to keep doing this?"
"Forever."
A beat of silence.
"Is there a co-worker position open? Because after a millennium, it's dead quiet in here. And you're the only one who talks. One day, I swear, I will get a co-worker."
"Yes, you will. But no one's applying for the job."
"Why not?"
"They think it's a curse. Immortality comes with the job description."
"Ah… right. I forgot about that. Can you maybe kidnap someone?"
"No. The Tower forbids kidnapping for workforce expansion."
"But you kidnapped me."
"No… I did not."
I sigh and walk toward the shelves.
Category: Alive.
Last Name: Starts with 'C'.
Row: Two hundred and fifty-six.
"This is my book, okay? It says right here that you dragged me into this place in the year 1025."
"So? You've made your point. Doesn't change anything." The book's voice is smug now—mocking.
I slam the book shut. "The Tower's Law was written before that year!"
I sigh again, memories clawing at the edges of my mind. I glance around at the endless rows of books—records of every human life, every curse, cure, spell, sin, and story. The Library of Judgment.
"What are you thinking?" the Book asks.
"Shut up. I'm having a hard time because of you," I mutter.
Silence falls like a weight.
Something feels... off.
"Hey. What's going on?" I glance at the Book—its pages are flipping rapidly on their own. Then I see it: a name. Blurred out by the Library's settings, impossible to read.
I've seen that name before. Many times. But I can never remember it afterward.
Over the years, I've read the Book repeatedly. Every record. Every applicant for this cursed job. Each name strange. Each one marked: Deceased.
But that's impossible. The job contract says we're immortal. Bound to serve forever.
So how did they die?
And why are there no records of a Heaven-and-Hell War in the Library—even though the Tower says it happened?
Did the Library hide it?
But why would the Tower lie too?
Is this the Tower's doing?
Or… did the war happen here?
I sink into thought, questions swirling in my head, when suddenly—something touches me. Soft. Warm. Heavy.
I freeze.
There's a hand on my shoulder.
Slowly, I look up—following the arm. A human arm. As I reach the figure's face, I hear a giggle.
The Book.
"What now?" I grumble, as it giggles again.
The face glows with a strange, bright light. But it isn't a face—it's a letter, stuck where the face should be.
Dumbfounded, I read:
> "And I quote: you will read this dumbfounded because you thought it was a real person. But it's just a mannequin with a letter for a face.
Important message:
GET BACK TO WORK.
—Book."
The Book bursts into laughter.
"Did you seriously think it was a real person?"
I scowl. "So the pages flipping and the blurred name… that was fake too?"
"What? No. Are you dumb?" The Book sounds almost offended.
"It's in the Library's settings. When a new applicant is chosen, their name is automatically hidden to protect their identity. This place holds more valuable information than any treasure. If two applicants ever meet outside the Library, they won't even be able to speak to each other."
"So you are telling me that i can leave the library..."
"Yes.." the book said with a high tone that soundes like a baby.
"You damn asshole." i said it while laughing.
"YOU DAMN ASSHOLE SO YOU COULD'VE JUST DAMN SAID THAT I CAN LEAVE?!?"
"It is written in the contract though?"
"I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW CAUSE YOU ONLY SAID THAT I WILL BE A LIBRARIAN THAT IS IMMORTAL AND HAVE TO DO THE JOB FOREVER AND NOT THE PART WHERE I CAN GET A DAMN DAY OFF AND LEAVE THE LIBRARY SO.. I HAVE.. BEEN... WORKING... TIRELESSLY... FOR A WHOLE MILLENNIAL?!?!?" i said Angrily..
"yes.."
I put my hand in my face out of frustration and i looked at the book with an annoyed expression.
"Give me a damn day off and let my co-worker do it."
"But you have to teach her..."
"NO WHY WOULD I TEACH HER I HAVE BEEN IN HERE STUCK FOR A MILLENNIAL WITHOUT DAY OFF WORKED TIRELESSLY AND THERE WAS NO ONE NOT A SINGE DAMN PERSON THAT HELPED I JUST CAME UP WITH MY OWN DAMN CONCLUSION AND YOU SHOWED UP AFTER A DAMN CENTURY SAYING THAT I WAS DOING MY JOB WRONG!"
"oki...." The book surrendered.
A portal opened and i have seen the light to anothee place that i didn't recognize with tall buildings.
I walked in closely to the portal then i heard the book and said.
"come back after three days and be careful with your knowledge, wisdom and strength."
I dont know what he mean by that, but i think its because i made all of the things in the year 1989 caused by the Monsters there was monsters that invaded the world that i was borned in..