The somber place known as the library remained still like a fragment stuck in time, unable to progress forward unlike the world surrounding it. Trapped in its own bubble brought forth by the AI who defected from her duties, the air was still and unwelcoming to all who would dare to step inside, not like it would happen considering all normal access were not present.

Yet, with even this fact being solidified unlike the volatile state of this wavering illusion, an anomaly broke that mere thought. The calm ambiance was shattered by the arrival of smoke, filling the entrance with its presence.

Trying to fight against the intruder, the inside of the library merely shoved the smoke down to the ground and kept it chained to its position like a disobedient animal. Ignoring that duel between the both of them, a man recovered his composure and grumbled, muttering a few words under his breath.

???: Damn it... the Purple Tear.

The one who broke the belief that this construction that seemed to be nothing more than a mirage was impenetrable took a moment to take a breath of air and looked at his surroundings, taking in the view. The golden light that seemed to shine around with books neatly placed in rows of bookshelves was leaving him speechless for a moment.

Not a sight that he could see often in his life, or anyone's he thought to himself. Yet at the same time, he could tell that something was off, this place was not as warm as the light shining within would like to make him believe.

???: ...Guess I'll have to trust her.

Just as he heaved his new breath, his train of thoughts was interrupted by the loud noise of a finger snap, echoing through the dead place. Taken aback by the odd sound for a moment, the man witnessed in front of him a woman covered in a dress of feathers appear out of thin air.

She was not pleased by his presence, not in the slightest. The glare she showed was enough to make him focus. His body was telling him that he was in danger just by being near her.

Angela: I'll only say this once. I despise verbose and roundabout speech that doesn't get straight to the point. So don't get wordy and just answer my questions. You don't get to question me either. Where did you come from, how did you enter this place, and for what purpose?

The way she quickly spoke was enough to prove her point, not letting him interrupt. However, she finally dropped her relentless assault and merely switched back to her silent glare, expecting him to answer instantly.

???: Woah, who even are-

Squinting her eyes the moment the word "who" came out of his mouth, the AI riposted.

???: AAHH!! My leg!!

Just like that, the first punishment struck the man.

Angela: I warned you and you crossed the line. Let me ask you one more time. Where did you come from, how did you enter this place, and for what purpose?

With pain soaring through his mind, he knew that she wasn't messing around. He gritted his teeth and endured the agony that his nerves were putting him through, forcing himself to speak.

???: ...I was just walking around, and ended up here before I even realized it. I have no idea how I got here. Dammit, blood's gushing out of my right leg... I swear I wasn't trying to trespass, I don't even know where this is.

The one with pale hair merely gave him a frown, forcing him to continue.

???: I woke up around 1 PM and started walking around the streets of District 13. Since I was just out and about, I figured I could go wherever I wanted, so I decided to drop by HamHamPangPang. Heard they served a weekly special sandwich. Anyway, I had no bills to pay, got no jobs, had to make a living somehow as a one-man Offi-

His story came to a sharp stop as pain returned with a vengeance.

???: AAAGGHH!!

Angela: You dragged on for too long, I'll be taking your left arm and left leg next. You have no purpose, and you don't even know where you are... Just who are you?

???: Just an ordinary Fixer who's hit rock bottom... What the hell is this place? And who are you?

Breaking once more the rules she had stated earlier, the AI frowned and with a swift movement, his left limbs fell upon the ground as the man screamed. Blood staining his outfit, the intruder tried to catch his breath.

???: Come on, taking 2 limbs at once is cheating...

Yet, despite his many injuries, the wounded intruder was still able to let out a remark.

Angela: I'm the one asking questions. Your name?

???: Roland...

Taking note of that name, not that she necessarily needed to do so considering her memory, she continued the conversation.

Angela: Good. Welcome to the Library. We've yet to serve any guests, but then you suddenly appeared out of nowhere. It took me quite a bit of effort designing this Library to ensure that no uninvited guests could enter you see.

At this point, after losing so much blood, the one who introduced himself as Roland looked down at his wounded self and muttered.

Roland: ...Dammit, those limbs were all I had... I don't have any cash or mortgages to get new ones anymore...

With that, his pale face collapsed, his eyes closing along with his body slumping over, the lack of blood causing him to pass out. Standing still, the culprit behind this problem merely noted that fact before pondering about an idea.

A way that she could benefit from said presence inside this place that she didn't expect.

...

...

???: Angela! What is this?! He could have died!

Roland: Ugh...

Slowly starting to return to reality, the man in a black suit was able to hear a voice that he had never heard before. They were expressing their clear feelings, anger, to a certain someone, though he didn't know who this "Angela" was that they were talking about.

Angela: This man was uninvited, the Library was not ready yet to receive guests.

???: You can just expel them out, you don't have to kill them!

Angela: And let them possibly return with more people?

???: ...

Angela: Don't you dare look at me like that.

The second voice was expressing their extreme displeasure about the situation. Completely ignoring their comments, the one known as Angela calmly snapped her fingers.

Angela: Wake up.

Light filled his vision and the man who thought to be a goner a moment ago gasped for air, expecting reality to slap him back in the face but to his surprise, he couldn't feel the pain that he experienced before passing out.

Roland: Huh? My arms and legs... they're all intact?

Looking at his body, he felt like he was in a dream, his body magically fixed.

???: You should feel happy about that, I was sure that monster would have left you for dead.

Angela: Would you please not address me with such a name?

???: Sounds fitting for you. Unless you prefer the first nickname I gave you, 'pile of scrap'?

Roland: ..?

Hearing that unfamiliar voice seemingly tear apart the second person with insults like it was nothing forced him to look away from his restored body parts and observe what was going on in front of him. Standing up and facing each other were 2 figures, one that he recognized to be the woman in a feathery dress, now wearing something closer to proper clothes.

The second one was wearing the same outfit as hers and crossing his arms, facing her with a glare full of loathing, uttering each words he said when mentioning her with full resentment. It was like watching a snake spitting poison to its target.

Angela: ...

Seeing the man observing the both of them bickering, the AI turned around to face him properly.

Angela: Although you did trespass on my Library, I also took your limbs away without your consent, so I'm giving you these as an apology. I'm quite patient and generous you see.

At that last remark, the man standing behind her chuckled, causing the AI to turn around and glare at him. Not fazed in the slightest, he replied with his own stare that prompted her to continue.

While that was happening, Roland had his own word to say about that statement.

Roland: Patient my ass... Am I really supposed to be thankful for this?

???: Hm, sounds like we might get along on something.

Roland: Uhh... your warning isn't in effect anymore, right?

Angela: No, not anymore. I've had time to ponder on a few things and I got a conclusion: you'll help me.

Completely taken aback by the sudden request, the man in a suit blinked a few times in shock before finally letting out his questions.

Roland: What? Do Syndicates these days kidnap people this way too? Or is this one of the Wings? I heard rumors that they abduct test subjects from here and there for Singularity research.

However, even more shocking to him was how his kidnapper and what he could only call her unwilling accomplice exchanged a gaze of confusion, reflecting said emotion back in his direction.

???: Syndicate?

The one in the know unconsciously frowned out of bewilderment. It was like watching someone step out of another dimension, completely unaware of what he was talking about.

Roland: Woah, don't tell me that you both don't know what a Syndicate is?

Angela: This is a library. I don't know the "Syndicates" that you are talking about, but this place isn't a Wing at least.

Roland: Whatever, doesn't matter. I'm trapped here and you're going to exploit me.

???: Her? Oh definitely, I'm speaking from experience.

Receiving yet again a glare from the head librarian, the second librarian rolled his eyes in response.

Angela: I first want to know how you were able to enter this place uninvited. Sending you back or neglecting you without knowing the reason could pose a threat to the Library.

"Not like you can leave without my permission anymore", letting out that line with no hesitation, the duo who could hear her shared a mutual feeling, they both knew that she wasn't messing around with that.

Angela: I will collect books about the City in search of the one true book and I want your help with this.

Roland: Huh? Help you?

Angela: You are a resident of the City after all, I expect you to be helpful.

With his duty placed on his shoulders, the unexpected visitor heaved a sigh to himself.

Roland: I knew this would happen to me someday. After laughing at those careless and unlucky fools who vanished without a trace, it was bound to happen to me too.

Angela: Don't be too concerned. You are not allowed to die unless I permit you to.

Roland: Damn, so this was a laboratory sort of deal. Are you gonna stuff me with corn kernels and turn me into some sort of popcorn machine or something like that?

???: My friend, don't give her ideas, she might actually do it.

The one wearing the same outfit as the woman sighed.

Angela: If you keep spewing out such nonsense then I might actually take you up on that offer if you so wish. I've gone through enough cycles of bullshittery, responding to every meaningless rubbish.

Roland: ...Sorry ma'am.

Slowly making her way to a seat, Angela sat down and turned to face the others in the room, making sure to keep an eye on her assistant while addressing her new helper.

Angela: I should introduce myself, I am Angela, the head librarian and director of this place.

???: And also a merciless demon.

Not passing that opportunity, the man chuckled at her before turning to face Roland with a kind smile, something that he hadn't seen on his face ever since he woke up in this room. Extending a hand, his tone changed from harshly cold to warm in an instant.

???: I'm Y/N, I hope we can get along!

The resident of the City was exposed to a completely new side of the spiteful accomplice, leaving him speechless for a moment.

Roland: ...Roland, and likewise.

Grabbing his invitation, he gave it a good shake with a smile as well. The scene felt like friends meeting each other after a long time, an odd sight considering that the both of them have only met a couple minutes ago. Displeased by how she was thrown aside, the AI sitting in the chair snapped her fingers to catch both of their attention, causing Y/N's face to collapse and return to an annoyed glare.

Roland: S-Sorry ma'am. What am I supposed to do?

Angela: Your role will be to "welcome" the guests invited to the Library. I will carefully determine what guests to invite and write an invitation accordingly, and you will entertain the guests once they accept the invitation.

Roland: I don't suppose you mean me throwing a few balls in the air right?

Angela: No, you need to deal with them in a more... physical manner. The Library will present the guests with an ordeal and those who can overcome said ordeal will be deemed worthy to obtain their books.

At the mention of "physical manner", the outsider frowned slightly while the ex-employee looked down at the ground with a tint of sadness in his eyes, both knowing what it meant to "deal" with them.

Angela: You may die in the process but don't worry, you'll be back up once the Library closes. No one may rest without my permission after all.

Roland: ...Are you sure? I'm not as talented as you seem to think, y'know.

Y/N: Hm? Don't worry, I'm sure it'll come with the experience. Until then, I can-

Angela: No, I will not allow you to confront the guests.

Firmly standing her grounds, the woman cut her assistant before he could finish his sentence, her words sharp and merciless. However, the ex-agent was quick to respond.

Y/N: You can't put everything on him! Like he said, what if he's not good enough to deal with the guests?

Angela: Do I have to remind you that you do not have any experience dealing with guests as well?

Y/N: At least I have some combat experience, I have the minimum to help!

Open with the hostilities, Y/N gritted his teeth. With how the both of them were acting, it felt like they were enemies instead of coworkers. The newest addition to the Library thought that but quickly stepped in.

Roland: Come on both of you, there's no need to be so angry at each other.

Y/N: Oh you bet that I have a reason to be angry, many reasons in fact.

Angela: This is ridiculous.

Y/N: Ridiculous?! Says the entitled child, you don't have any grounds to stand on!

Shooting a bullet that went right through the AI's body, her frown grew stronger. The dispute was starting to escalate at an alarming rate, even Roland's words couldn't reach the both of them. The residents of this place were now exchanging jabs at each other with their words in an attempt to surpass the other. With no signs of stopping on each sides, it finally reached a peak when the assistant's anger reached a zenith.

Y/N: You don't get to act like you did nothing wrong! You don't get to say to MY face that all the people that I've known in that damn prison of yours were tossed aside like mere dolls just so you could get the last word on a petty grudge!!

As he yelled his last words at the top of his lungs, a vibration started to be felt throughout the whole library they were in. The ground was shaking like there was an earthquake, the golden pages in the air were flying around in a panic while the librarian closed his eyes to take a deep breath. His heart starting to calm down, the vibrations grew weaker as well until they finally subsided. Once his eyes opened, he silently stormed out of the room.

Y/N: Don't call for me.

Just like that, he was gone from the room, leaving behind a worried man in a black suit and a bitter woman who crossed her arms.

Roland: You both seem to have a bad relationship between each other.

Angela: I do not need to be reminded of that.

Also letting out a sigh escape her lips, she took a minute to recover her composure before looking back at the last person in the room.

Angela: I want you to focus on your duty of receiving the guests so be prepared.

Roland: Yes ma'am.

Answering with no hesitation in his voice, he simply watched the director step outside of the room through the same exit the ex-employee took. All on his own, the ordinary Fixer finally had a moment to think to himself.

After seeing what occured for a moment, he could assume that the both of them were not in good terms, not in the slightest but his real concern was more towards that earthquake that caused the whole place to shake, suddenly appearing and disappearing just like that. There was no real explanations that he could think of, leaving him with more questions.

Roland: ...Wait, what am I supposed to do now?

Looking at his surroundings, he suddenly came to the realization that he had absolutely no idea what to do in this place and now that the ones who seemed to be residing here had left, he was now on his own to figure things out. His shoulders dropping slightly and he placed his hands in his pockets, marching towards the exit with a slightly careful attitude. Peeking his head through the doorway, he then slowly took his first step out of the room to explore around the library.

One thing for sure, this place was going to be quite an experience to say the least, whether it was a good thing or not.

...

...

All on her own, the head librarian stopped for a moment and pondered on the phrases that she exchanged to the employee that she brought back from her own volition. Cursed with that perfect memory of hers, she was forced to remember each and every syllables he yelled in her direction, though their impact was nothing more than a bother to her.

He may utter loud words but she had the last word on everything that existed in this place, she was kind enough to allow him to do so when she could have easily shut him up. Yet, even though she thought that, she could feel a terrible sensation in her body, something within her that wanted to say its own piece on the matter.

"I refuse to accept this."