Today, I had a terrible nightmare.

It didn't last very long but it was enough to leave me with sweats falling down my face. An unknown sensation of fear was overpowering me and my breathing was irregular, I couldn't think straight. Thankfully, nobody was around, allowing me to focus on recovering my thoughts and ponder back on that horrifying scene. I looked down and saw my hands shaking, trembling after going what I've gone through.

...Right, that nightmare. Come on Y/N, it's just a dream... at least I hope. I quickly shook my head to disapprove of the possibility that it wasn't and let out a deep sigh of relief, knowing that I was out of that stressful experience. I leaned against the wall behind me and glanced at the ceiling above my head, finding comfort in the golden pages floating all around me.

With that, I closed my eyes, trying to rewind that nightmare I've gone through. I knew that if I were to ignore it, it would simply haunt me. So, I braced myself and stepped back into unknown territory in order to better comprehend what I've witnessed, to look at it with a better perspective.

It's all a terrible nightmare, just like this place, these circumstances.

...

I don't know how long I've been stuck in this place. Each moment felt like a day, a week sometimes and without a way to tell the time, I was left on my own to guess the date. I had nothing to do, nowhere to go and nobody to talk to most of the time so I simply remained by the wall opposing the only door leading outside of this room, sitting down and counting the dust on the floor.

The room was completely pitch black with the exception of the light coming from under the door and a lantern placed on the ground. It wasn't even a real one but rather an item capable of making artificial light that looked like a lantern. The place I was locked in was devoid of windows, stopping me from seeing the outside world and possibly give myself a notion of time.

I was all alone in an almost completely room, hugging my own legs to make the wait less painful. I wanted to go to sleep, to escape this lonely reality but a burning sensation was keeping me awake and attached to this world.

"..."

I looked down at my fingers, only to see a terrible sight. After so many struggles to get out, so many attempts to open, lockpick and even break the door, my hands were in a pitiful state. Fingernails were scattered on the floor and dried blood was stuck on my fingers. Slowly but surely, fingernail after fingernail, I was beginning to make scratch marks on the door locking me away from the rest of the world. However, the process was painful and often leaving me agonizing on the floor.

Yet, I refused to give up, I wanted to see what was on the other side. I wanted to see what was being hidden from me. I tightened my fists and once more hardened my resolve, my eyes glancing back at the door.

Then, like a fairytale, a faint 'click' came from the other side, the door was unlocked by some exterior force. My eyes widened just before the door opened, letting in a beam of sunlight that almost blinded me. I hurriedly covered my eyes and stood on my feet. Sadly, this light of hope was soon extinguished, the door closed once more and locked. The one who opened it was now inside, looking at me.

I couldn't see their face, nor their figure, I just knew that they were there and it was enough for me to make my legs tremble.

"You've been scratching the door again, haven't you?"

I remained silent, frozen in fear. The voice came from over my head, making me feel like a child in comparison. Sensing that I wouldn't answer, a pair of footsteps slowly made their way closer and pointed at the broken fingernails on the ground.

"I told you to stop, you're only going to hurt yourself."

...

I took a deep breath despite my genuine fright of the one talking to me and stared into the darkness barely pushed back by the fake lantern. Finally, after gathering my willpower, I opened my mouth and spoke up.

"Let me out."

There was a small moment of silence following my request, my interlocutor genuinely taken aback by the fact that i was able to speak. However, it soon vanished, leaving behind a cold voice.

"I can't let you out, not here."

"Why?!"

A second pause followed my question. I wanted some answers but the one locking me inside wouldn't provide any, causing me to get even more agitated.

"You'll get killed out there. Trust me, you're safer here."

Footsteps echoed once more, forcing me against the wall. Sweats were falling down my face and one of my hands was pressed against my chest to quell my stress. I wanted to get out, I didn't want to remain trapped in this place but I was forced into a corner by the person responsible for my current situation.

I felt much more feeble, my horribly bruised hands proving me that fact but I nonetheless stood my grounds, facing the unknown being locking me inside. It was all for my freedom, I needed to win.

https://youtu.be/q_4jXySUgLM

We silently confronted each other, feeling the tension in the air. My body was trembling, unlike my desire to leave this gloomy room. I had nothing to defend myself with except my ravaged fingernails and damaged fists.

The air was still and devoid of noise, allowing me to perceive distant voices whispering through that deafening lack of sound. As much as I tried to associate them to something that I could understand, it just wasn't possible, it felt like I was hearing something otherworldly speak.

"This world cannot be saved, no matter how much you want to believe otherwise. I've seen the many horrors lurking within it with my own eyes."

A bead of sweat fell down my face and soon enough, a distant snap of fingers echoed in my ears. It was a sound I've heard not too long ago, giving my body a spring of energy to charge at my opponent. Upon stepping close enough, I hurriedly dodged what I could assume to be an attack from the unknown person.

Now exposed, I went for a quick punch in retaliation. It made contact with my enemy and gave me the strength to continue with a swift kick in the leg before stepping away to assess the situation.

The wooden floor groaned after sensing an agitation that it hasn't felt in quite possibly months, even years. Ignoring its complaints, my eyes remained locked onto the person trapping me in this room, an unknown pressure being applied to me.

"Close your eyes, I promise it'll be better."

I gritted my teeth in indignation but soon found myself letting out a small noise of pain once one of my fingers made contact with the exposed flesh under one of my many broken fingernails, it had time to grow accustomed to the constant exposure of the air but not with this.

I hurriedly shrugged off the yells coming from my nervous system and readied my next move. The moment I charged ahead, the snap of a finger echoed like a gunshot signaling the beginning of a race, prompting the moving shadow to face me.

However, unlike last time, I was struck by a complete reversal of my luck along with a blunt strike that sent me against the wall behind me. I desperately tried to recover from the attack but was swiftly shut down by a second one, leaving me completely open for incoming hostilities.

...I tried to move but my footing was unstable. I was, in all senses of the word, staggered.

"..."

I couldn't understand, where did that strength come from? I was completely bewildered by the force that opposed mine, able to put me out of commission with a mere duo of attacks.

In the end, my question was never answered, leaving me only with terror as the being who got me in the palm of their hand approached my weakened body. My legs were shaking for a reason when I tried to confront this person, they were practically screaming at me to not do so but I still did, leaving me in this terrible state.

...I couldn't win this battle, not in my current condition. That was my final conclusion before my eyes forcefully opened, snapping me back to reality.

I unconsciously looked down at my fingernails and let out a sigh of relief upon seeing that they were completely fine and unharmed. I quickly wiped the sweats off of my forehead and stood up on my feet, making my way out of the room to go find the others...

...Mainly Roland though, seeing Angela right now would only worsen my emotions.

...

...

Y/N: ...?

Upon entering the room, the ex-employee's attention was caught by something rather strange. Floating in the air seemed to be what looked like some unknown scenery, almost as if peeking through a camera via a levitating screen.

On the other side of the window that seemed to ignore the laws of space, a group of people were seen around someone collapsed on the ground. One of them, a girl, was stuffing a bag with the fallen person's insides. A second one, male, soon began to make gestures to tell them that they were running out of time.

Angela and Roland were simply standing by, observing what was going on just like him. Rather curious about this, he silently stepped closer to listen to what the people were saying while still keeping some distance to not make his presence known yet.

One thing was certain though, their surroundings were... far from luxurious. It looked like a slum, making the assistant lower his eyebrows slightly. Of course, he had no knowledge of the outside world anymore, he knew that after so many failed tries to recover his memories. His past iterations may have had a better luck in that regard but he was the one who fully reached the end of that endless cycle, not them. So, he was forever trapped with that innocence and lack of information about the world outside of these walls.

Seeing them in that state, wearing worn out clothes and running like their lives depended on it, the late member could only send them a gaze of pity. Yes, they were doing what one could call organ harvesting, they weren't good guys but his stare remained nonetheless.

???: Is this a joke? You sure you scrapped the right stuff?!

???: I told you. This guy didn't have a single proper organ inside him.

Definitely not the good guys.

The one carrying the bloodied bag crouched down to peek further into it, moving the "items" within it without a single care, used to the sight of blood. The third member of the trio stood against a wall and watched the both of them with a few sweats going down his face.

???: ...What if it's one of those? I've heard rumours that there's a guy who goes around and skewers & threads people alive and turn them into dolls.

???: Yea, I've heard but look at those things! That can't be the case.

Their worries did not decrease as time went on, not in the slightest. In fact, it continued to escalate when the one further from the others pointed out some odd symbol on the back of their victim's neck, which prompted the leader to sweat bullets and mumble to himself.

???: Dammit, did we poke the wrong beehive?

The girl with dirty hair glanced back into the bag, the one that she filled with her own hands without remorse. Inside, almost hidden beneath the completely destroyed organs, yet sticking out like a tower piercing the skies in her eyes was a piece of paper. Deciding to bring up the discovery that she did during her salvage, her fingers made contact with it.

???: He also had this envelope in his body.

The one that seemed to be in charge crouched down next to her and took a peek at it.

???: What the hell... This shit keeps getting worse, gimme that!

He swiftly took hold of the mysterious object and swiped the blood on it as best as he could, finding gold underneath said crimson stains. The shining color was like a ray of sunshine in this sad and desolate area, a pure and powerful appearance shaped like letters, forming a message.

???: ...A library? What's this about?

Y/N: ...?

The ex-employee blinked once out of surprise upon hearing what the man said. A shiver ran through his body and soon enough, a sudden thought crossed his mind: 'It can't be right'. However, the moment his eyes moved to the director of this place, his own doubts were cleared. Her words, saying that the Library was ready and now this...

...These people were their first guests, there was no doubt about it.

???: We're heading to the library as the invitation says.

Y/N: Nonono...

He whispered to himself, shaking his head in almost self-denial. The first victims were stepping towards their demise without even knowing about it. He couldn't do anything to stop it, he was simply forced to avert his eyes and pretend that nothing is wrong.

Upon emerging from that slight moment of panic, he quickly realized that the floating screen was no longer present and the ones watching were turned to stare at each other.

Roland: What was that?

Angela: A fragment of the invitation process. We can take a peek at our upcoming guests' stories.

Roland: ...Didn't think you were a peeping tom.

Angela: It's more convenient for us to know in advance, don't you think? Plus, this isn't my will but the Library's.

Roland: I think that's a first for me to see an entire building peep at others' lives. Hell, if it can go as far as that then what's the point of a reception, can't we just teleport them into some pit and be done with it?

As he asked the woman that question, his eyes caught the assistant librarian in the distance. Angela, seeing that he was looking away from her, followed where he was pointing with his gaze and found the other resident of this place.

Angela: Y/N, what are you doing?

Y/N: Uh... standing against a wall, can't you see?

He shrugged off her question and made his way closer, no point retreating now that he was part of the conversation. Hands against his back, he pondered for a moment and asked the one holding him here against his will.

Y/N: So, these people are our first guests?

Angela: Indeed.

Y/N: ...Did you really have to aim for a group of homeless people? They look like they've already gone through enough.

Angela: This is not my own will but-

Y/N: The Library's, I know, you already said it. It doesn't change the fact that we're basically killing...

His voice slowly trailed off when trying to bring up his point, causing the one that would soon be sent to battle to sigh and give him a solemn look.

Roland: These people wouldn't have lived for long considering their situation. Deaths occur everyday in the City, we can only look the other way and move on.

Y/N: ...

The words given to him were as sharp as a blade, cutting through the conflicted one with a terrifying ease. His shoulders lowered, his eyes moving to stare at the floor. He knew that this would happen one day, it couldn't be avoided but their first victims were people at the bottom of the society, a desperate group. The thought left him with a bad taste in his mouth.

Angela: You should prepare yourself.

Roland: Got it ma'am~

The newly added member calmly walked past the gloomy librarian and gave him a firm tap on the shoulder to snap him out of trance. His relaxed smile was the last thing Roland gave to the ex-employee before stepping outside of the room, leaving him with Angela.

Angela: ...

Y/N: ...Don't you have something better to do than stare at me?

She sighed upon hearing his question and snapped her fingers, vanishing instantly. He was finally on his own, alone with his many conflicting feelings about the situation.

In the end, he simply placed his hands in his pockets, imitating a certain Grade 9 Fixer and made his way out of the room. He knew for certain that Angela would drag him the moment she noticed his presence so his assistance during the reception was out of the question but it wasn't his goal.

...He had another idea in mind. If she was so adamant on him not participating during battles then there was something else that he could do.

...

???: So, this is a library. Looks fancier than I thought.

Upon stepping into this unfamiliar place, the leader of the group mumbled out of surprise. Everything was brimming with warmth, a clear contrast to the sad slums they had to live in. Each spot and corners seemed perfectly clean with not a single trace of dust.

Soon enough, their stupor was cut abruptly by a loud snap that shattered the air of mystery floating around them. Their instincts kicked in immediately and their guard went up, only to find a woman dressed in clothes that looked expensive. So expensive in fact that the trio glanced at each other, wondering if they stepped into some sort of shady experiment by some rich folk.

Angela: Welcome to the Library dear guests. I am Angela, the librarian of my role's namesake.

She calmly gave them a simple smile to show them she had no intention of attacking them, which allowed the leader to lower his guard and ask something with his own smile.

???: We can take whatever we want here, right? This thing said so.

Angela: Indeed, books to be more precise. If you're able of course.

The one who seemed rather distant and still not fully taking the bait raised an eyebrow under his dirty hoodie and pursued that point.

???: Are those books really worth a lot though?

???: It depends on who you offer them.

Angela: ...?

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a voice answered the question the hesitant guest asked in Angela's stead. All eyes turned towards where it came from and soon enough, a figure entered the scene. Wearing an almost perfect replica of the clothes wore by the director, a man beaming with a mix of hospitality and confidence revealed himself to them.

Y/N: Once you find the proper person to sell them to, I can assure you that your troubles will not be in vain.

He hurriedly went down a couple of stairs and landed in front of the one in charge of the trio before extending a hand.

Y/N: Y/N, pleasure to meet all of you.

The one facing the newcomer hesitated for a bit. There was something about that expression that made him uneasy. It was an innocence that could not exist in a place like the City, an anomaly in this world of madness.

However, to not make their possible help angry, he took the hand offered to him.

???: Pete.

He shot a look over his shoulders and silently told the others to present themselves. The girl carrying her bloodied bag by her side nonchalantly waved at the one fully greeting them.

???: Lenny.

Lastly, the hooded one spoke up.

???: Mang-chi.

The man nodded back upon hearing their names and raised a finger to catch their attention.

Y/N: We were able to take a look at the circumstances leading you to enter this place and I think this encounter might be fate. We may possess the key that will get you out of your troubles.

Mang-chi: That sounds a bit too good to be true...

Pete: Mang-chi, beggars can't be choosers! This might be our last chance.

That was the final nail in the coffin, shutting the mouth of the one with doubts. They were desperate and this was the lifeline they needed if they wanted to survive. Sensing their intentions, the AI's assistant gave them a second nod along with a smile of encouragement.

Y/N: I wish you all the best of luck, may you find your book in this place!

Angela: ...Y/N.

Once the trio was gone through the door, the one who arrived first to greet the guests turned to look at the one in second place. He silently turned to face her, showing her a gaze of optimism, something that she hasn't seen on his face ever since she woke him up.

Angela: What are you doing?

Y/N: You never said that I couldn't greet the guest, just that I couldn't fight them.

He was right, she didn't specify. She moved her head slightly to tell him that she acknowledged that fact and frowned slightly.

Angela: Though you did not need to go that extend. We simply need to welcome them and lead them inside.

Y/N: ...? Isn't that what I've done?

Angela: In a way. However, the method you took was too much.

Y/N: Hey, positive thinking can get you far, I have that accursed cycle of 50 days to prove that fact.

He turned around and walked past her to reach for the stairs leading back up. As he stepped next to her, his eyes moved to the back of her head and his lips moved to send a final bullet at her.

Y/N: Though I doubt a machine can understand a human concept like optimism.

Angela: ...

He took that opportunity to send yet another jab at her, almost as if he was preparing it for a while. With her perfect memory still functional like always, it was also another scar marked on her. Even if she were to get angry, it wouldn't make her forget about it.

She turned around to look at the stairs and saw him looking down at her, hands in his pockets and a glare so powerful that it would make an Aleph bow down. However, to a machine, one who has no true regard towards this type of attack, she simply took note of it and glared back before making her way up.

She could easily teleport herself up if she wanted to, with much ease in fact but this little conversation with the one she brought back from the dead changed her mind. She was going to take the long way up alongside him, a reaction that one could probably call a petty revenge. Hearing him spit those words were making her feel a certain anger that she could not properly explain.

Just like back in Lobotomy Corporation, her gaze would always turn towards him, whether intentionally or not and just like back then, hearing him speak behind her back was enough to get a reaction out of her, which was a first at the time for her. Now, she was planning fix that issue.

Forcefully or not.