Countless rookie Flvammers were waiting for Chahye at the entrance of the Library of Knowledge.
"Okay, good. I've got the general layout down, so this time..."
"Even a Grade A or B tome is fine. I'll take whatever I can get."
"Let's go in together—one, two..."
The Flvammers held their breath as they prepared for the maze that would unfold before them.
Just as they were about to pay the entrance fee and step into the library—
Bababababam!
"W-what the heck?!"
"What is that?! What's with that noise?!"
Suddenly, a bizarre fanfare blasted from the entrance.
Everyone turned to look—and then a message appeared that made them question their eyes.
[Everyone, please join us in celebrating!]
[Yet another person has obtained a Grade 5 Skill Book from this library! Again! And again! Truly astonishing—damn it! Yet another one!]
[As a result, the library will be temporarily closed for a period of rest and recharging! Please wait for its return!]
Kuuuuooong!
At that moment, the entrance to the library slammed shut.
Even the Flvammers who had been inside were all kicked out.
All that remained were the Flvammers unable to comprehend the sudden change in situation,
staring blankly at the message with stunned expressions.
"…What just happened?"
"No idea. I mean, someone got a Grade 5 Skill Book again, right? But why shut the library?"
"Maybe the loss was too great, so they decided to close it…?"
The Flvammers teared up in frustration.
But only for a moment.
"Ha, damn it! I'm so jealous! I could've gotten it too!"
"Grade 5 Skill… Grade 5…"
"I wonder what they got? I wish I could at least see their face."
Everyone sighed in envy.
Han Yuseong left the area as soon as he escaped the library.
He didn't want to draw attention. With the Oathkeepers of Knowledge possibly attacking, he had to disappear quickly.
Thankfully, no one was chasing him.
"Hmm, the Scales will probably show up soon. But until then…"
He needed to sort through the rewards he just obtained.
The first thing Han Yuseong did was check the message in front of him.
[You have successfully defeated the Library's administrator, the Head Librarian.]
[You have met the activation conditions for the unique ability 'War God'.]
[Additional rewards will be granted.]
[Strength +1. Additionally, Willpower increases by +2!]
This was an unexpected reward.
He knew the librarian was either a named character or a boss monster.
But he hadn't expected to actually defeat him.
"He looked tough, but turns out he was surprisingly soft, huh."
[Level increased to 4.]
[Strength +4, Agility +4, Stamina +4.]
[Due to the effect of Warlord, Strength and Agility increase by an additional +2!]
And he leveled up.
In this game, leveling up also increased stats.
You gain three stat points per level. As a novice, the increases are evenly distributed,
but once you choose a class, specific stats will increase more heavily.
However, Han Yuseong was different.
[Additional stat increases occur upon leveling up.]
This was thanks to the effect of Warlord.
While other players gain increases in three stats,
Han Yuseong gains increases in four.
The more he levels up, the bigger the gap will become.
Unlike his previous life, he had gotten a head start from level one. That would be a major help.
'I'll have to find other ways to raise my stats too, though.'
Even though Han Yuseong had the Warlord advantage and was in a much better position than the average player,
he didn't intend to let his guard down.
'I'll use all the knowledge I have to grow—as fast as possible.'
To change the future destined for destruction,
Han Yuseong made a firm resolution and used the Skill Books.
[Using Skill Book: 'Windstep Technique (S)']
[Using Skill Book: 'Physical Enhancement (A)']
The Skill Books from the Library of Knowledge shone briefly before vanishing,
their knowledge seeping into Han Yuseong and engraving itself into his mind.
Soon after, a message appeared before his eyes.
[You have acquired Windstep Technique and Physical Enhancement!]
[Windstep Technique (S, Lv.1)]
Type: Active
A footwork technique created by Wind God So Unbi, composed of three forms.
Effect: Agility +5, Speed +10%
Cloudstep: As light as riding the wind—move without making a sound, minimizing your presence.
Flowstep: Movement as fluid as drifting clouds—evade incoming attacks with smooth, flowing motion.
Gale Step: As fierce as a raging wind—charge at your opponent with relentless, storm-like speed.
As he confirmed the skills, a smile tugged at Han Yuseong's lips.
This was definitely a high-grade skill—worthy of its rank.
But the best part was that it could level up.
Skills that could level up would only grow stronger with time, and so would their effects.
'That master thief... he was famous for being annoyingly fast, wasn't he?'
Now, Han Yuseong had the chance to make that speed his own.
He had just acquired a movement technique that would serve him well for a long time.
Had things gone the original way, the master thief would have inherited this skill—
but now, he'd be grinding his teeth in frustration.
[Physical Enhancement (A)]
Type: Active
Envelops the body with mana, enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities.
Effect: Attack Power and Defense +30%, Magic Resistance +25%.
"An A-rank skill, Physical Enhancement, was also quite a useful one.
If it had a downside, it was the high mana consumption.
It would need to be used wisely and precisely—no room for waste."
"I've gained quite a bit at once... and then…"
Han Yuseong suddenly felt a strange presence.
It wasn't human.
It wasn't the will of a star-lord either.
It was the aura of a divine being.
That presence wrapped around Han Yuseong—
and at the same time, a message appeared.
[The Scales of Balance are being broken.]
His vision turned pure white.
When he opened his eyes again, Han Yuseong found himself standing in a white void.
There was nothing—except for a single massive scale.
And beyond that scale, he could see a familiar gaze watching him.
"So we meet again. Have you prepared your payment properly this time... Lord of Knowledge?"
[The Lord of Knowledge shows intense fury.]
[He warns you: Do not provoke me.]
It was the Lord of Knowledge.
His gaze trembled with rage and humiliation.
For him, this situation was likely incomprehensible—something he couldn't accept, and didn't want to understand.
That a mere human could inflict such disgrace and humiliation upon a Lord!
Creeeaaak—
At that moment, a massive sound echoed.
It came from the giant scale tilting toward Han Yuseong.
The enormous scale pan came to a stop right in front of him—
and from high above, a voice rang out.
[The Lord of Knowledge has violated the Law.
As compensation, the Lord must pay a penalty to the victim, equivalent to the broken law.]
[State your desired compensation. It can be substituted with items.]
[You may continue making demands until the scales reach perfect balance.]
The voice was strange.
It sounded young and old, male and female, human and not—
as if countless voices were blended into one.
But that voice wasn't the most important thing right now.
"A chance… to demand compensation from a Lord of the Stars."
This was that moment.
When a Star Lord tries to interfere in the world or fate, they must pay a price.
And if they go even further and break the Law while interfering—
and the target of their interference survives?
"Then they must pay compensation to the victim of that interference."
The Lord of Knowledge had violated the law by targeting Han Yuseong.
And it was solely for one reason: to kill him.
In such a situation, the Lord must now offer compensation equal to Han Yuseong's life.
And the value of a life is determined by many factors:
the person's current abilities, their potential, and their future worth.
"Hup... I'm not exactly sure how much my life is worth,"
"But I doubt it's a small amount."
There was no need to hesitate.
If he wanted to know how much his life was worth,
all he had to do was name his compensation—and watch how the scale reacted.
Han Yuseong lifted his head.
[Han Yuseong, state your desired compensation.]
"I want as compensation…"
Han Yuseong paused deliberately.
The Lord of Knowledge's eyes flickered with unease.
'What is he going to ask for? Coins? Artifacts? A magic item?'
Han Yuseong's fighting style was martial—close combat.
Given that, he might request an artifact related to hand-to-hand combat.
Or perhaps a skill book?
Or coins?
What exactly would he ask for?
The Lord of Knowledge anxiously awaited Han Yuseong's words.
And then—Han Yuseong clearly stated what he wanted.
"I demand the Quill of Oath as compensation."
At the sound of that name, the Lord's eyes widened dramatically.
And what filled those eyes was shock.
It was only natural.
[The Lord of Knowledge is shocked.]
[He asks: How do you even know about the existence of the Quill?]
The Quill of Oath is an artifact owned by the Lord of Knowledge.
It is a quill with special effects—but how did that human know he had such an artifact?
Especially a Player who had only just awakened.
The Lord of Knowledge was momentarily shocked but quickly regained his composure.
[The Lord of Knowledge glares at you.]
[He speaks: "Do you really think your life is worth that much?"]
"...Well."
The Quill of Oath is an item of immense value.
Han Yuseong is a talented human, possessing unique innate abilities.
His life must be worth a good amount—and even the Lord of Knowledge admitted that.
Still, could his life really be equal in value to the Quill of Oath?
The Lord of Knowledge thought it impossible.
"Whether it's cheap or not, we'll find out soon enough."
Han Yuseong shrugged as he pointed to the scales.
The scales, which had been heavily tilted in one direction, began to shift.
[The Quill of Oath is a 'Mythic'-grade artifact.]
[The Scales of Order will now measure the balance.]
If the scales tilt toward the Lord of Knowledge, it means the Quill of Oath is more valuable than Han Yuseong's life.
In that case, the compensation would be excessive.
If they balance, it would suggest that the compensation is fair.
And if—
[The Scales of Discipline have stopped.]
But what if—
What if the Scales still tilted toward Han Yuseong?
Even after placing the Quill of Oath, a Mythic-grade artifact, onto the opposite pan—
Even then, if the scales still leaned toward Han Yuseong—
If that truly were the case—
[The 'Quill of Oath' is deemed a fair form of compensation.]
[However, the scales have not yet reached full balance. The victim may continue to demand recompense until equilibrium is achieved.]
[State your desire.]
It meant that Han Yuseong's life was of immeasurable value.
Even offering a Mythic-grade item as restitution couldn't tip the scales fully in the other direction.
Though they had shifted significantly—they still leaned toward Han Yuseong.
"Looks like my life is worth more than you thought, huh?"
Han Yuseong let out a small chuckle as he met the Lord of Knowledge's eyes.
And then, before his eyes, glowing red words appeared in the air:
["What... what utter... nonsense... this is...!"]
It was a cry—a desperate, disbelieving outburst from the Lord of Knowledge,
a being unable to accept the reality of what had just occurred.