Y/N: I'm here. I've also brought her with me.

The moment he stepped inside, the librarian made his presence known to both the Fixer and the machine in the large room. The air froze and everyone remained still, silently staring at each other. Roland showed some slight interest and Angela, like always, revealed a sharp glare aimed at the new librarian.

The reason? Probably the way Y/N was holding Morgan, the new addition to the Library. She was perfectly held in his arms like a bride on their special day, her long hair dragged behind her like an elegant robe. It would be a rather cute sight but sadly, the emotionless expression of the "bride" immediately killed the mood.

Morgan: I'm sorry.

Y/N: It's fine, better than watching you trip for the fifth time.

Roland: I'm surprised it's only the fifth with how long they are.

Now that the both of them were at their destination, Y/N slowly lowered her so that she could stand up on her own. Wearing the black and white outfit of Keter's floor, the girl adjusted her hair covering her face and faced the duo that she had yet to introduce herself to.

Morgan: ...I'm Morgan, nice to meet you.

Roland: The pleasure's mine~

The man, as expected, was the first one to reply with a polite greeting. He calmly made his way over and extended his hand to her, giving her a smile. Almost taken aback by the offer, she hesitantly took it, her sleepy eyes looking even more dead than they were before when she did so.

Y/N: The woman behind is Angela, don't expect her to greet you.

Angela: I would like if you could refrain from making assumptions.

Y/N: It's not assumptions if it's the truth.

Although his words spat the usual venom he would throw at her in situations like this one, his facial expression told a completely different story. It was so visible that the one receiving said face understood immediately. He was pushing her in the right direction, silently telling her "prove me that I'm wrong".

Angela: I am Angela, director of this Library you're in.

She slowly approached the long haired assistant on Keter's floor and revealed a patient smile, which caused Y/N to let out a sigh of relief.

Morgan: ...

What followed was a long and oppressive silence coming from the recently awakened helper. Morgan was completely still, facing her new superior with a solemn attitude before a single line escaped her mouth.

Morgan: No point getting friendly with me, I'll fail like always.

Y/N: Morgan?

She ignored the man calling her and sat down in a nearby seat, staring at the floor below her feet. She expressed no anger, no grief, she was as cold as the moment she opened her eyes for the first time.

Deciding to not let that slide, Y/N swiftly made his way to her side, trying to converse with her, only to be met with a failure. Just as he did so, something caught the attention of both Angela and Roland: a familiar window tearing through space forming. It was a sign that new guests would soon arrive.

On the other side, a face that both the machine and the Grade 9 Fixer recognized appeared alongside a new person, a shorter girl carrying a sword around her size and quite possibly even taller. The smoker let out a sigh or irritation.

This was the man himself, the one in charge of the Office Finn desperately fought for, Yun.

Yun: Finn has failed as expected. He wasn't going to last too long, anyway. He was just mediocre, he should have gotten a decent modification surgery, or had enough talent to make up for his lack of experience.

His gloved hand flipped through some documents as he mumbled to himself and the girl in front of him.

Yun: But he didn't have any of that. He was nothing more than an overconfident brat.

Upon hearing his words, Eri, the girl in the room raised a hand in a way to express her grief towards their loss.

Eri: Too bad, I kinda liked his cutesy and affable attitude. Though I agree, he was bound to die sooner or later.

Y/N: He did WHAT?!

The scene was immediately shattered by the library who yelled his shock at the top of his lungs. Clearly taken aback by the sudden outburst, the one representing the floor of general work, Keter floor, turned around and see Y/N sitting behind Morgan, putting his hand in her messy hair in an attempt to fix the problem.

Angela: Y/N, please calm down.

Y/N: This guy threw the kid in there, knowing he was going to die!

Roland: Oh yea, come to think of it, he wasn't there the last time.

Angela: Both of you, silence, now.

Y/N: You know what, I will! I have something to let my frustration on.

He answered with a resolute tone of voice and returned to his duty, taking care of the poor girl's hair. She, on the other hand, remained mostly unresponsive, only letting out slight groans of pain whenever Y/N fixed a knot in her hair.

Yun: I believe the case I had Finn handle could make a breakthrough.

Eri: You mean the Library and the invitation you talked about earlier. But you said the invitation appears randomly, no? How are you going to get another one.

Yun: I wouldn't have called you if I didn't have certainty. I recently received another invitation.

A single raised eyebrow was returned from the girl wielding a sword.

Eri: Hmm, is that so?

However, Yun remained strict and straight to the point.

Yun: The existence of our Office depends on this case. The Library is sure to be profitable.

Eri: Why do you think so?

Yun: ...I have a hunch. We have to give it everything we have.

Eri: Aight, let's roll in some dough! I just bought this lovely thing from a workshop too.

With that, the scene came to an end, leaving the librarians on their own to prepare for their arrival. The first thing Angela did was glance back at the duo sitting in the back.

Y/N: It should be good for now. Sorry, I'm not an expert when it comes to taking care of a woman's hair, I'm sure Alter Ego would have done much better.

He softly mumbled to the girl, who took a look at his efforts. What she couldn't see due to him sitting behind her was the gloomy look on his face forming at the mention of a certain name. His shoulders dropped and his eyes lowered, haunted by thoughts that only he could understand.

The sight left a sour taste in her mouth, she was annoyed by his reaction and it was something that she didn't bother to hide. She sighed and faced Roland with a gaze full of expectations.

Angela: These guests seem quite determined. We should prepare accordingly.

Roland: ...A whole Office coming at us, huh. It may be a small and insignificant one, but it could prove to be a little tough for the Library right now.

As he pondered, a question popped in his head.

Roland: What if they make it all the way to your room?

Angela: The guests cannot go outside of the space we've prepared for them. It's how this place works. After all, this space is created with limitless power.

A pause briefly followed before a frown formed on her face.

Angela: Yet you somehow jumped right into my room, when you weren't even invited...

Roland: Sorry about that.

Angela: Anyways, I'm capable of protecting myself, so there's nothing for you to worry about.

Roland: I wasn't doubting you ma'am.

A bead of sweat fell down his face as he remembered how she greeted him when he arrived in the Library, he knew how strong she was.

In an attempt to slip out of the conversation, he slowly walked in the direction of the exit. He needed to prepare himself to confront the guests they were about to receive after all. The moment his foot stepped outside of the room, his body was completely stopped by Angela's cold voice.

Angela: Aren't you forgetting someone?

Roland: Hm?

Still in a hurry to take his leave, his mind completely forgot about a certain someone, a certain girl that was recently freed from the shackles of the first Abnormality they fought. Understanding what was going on, Morgan sighed and stood up, dragging her ridiculously long hair behind.

Y/N: Shouldn't we do something about this? This is definitely not gonna help her.

Angela: She should still be able to fight. Even if she were to die, I can just bring her back.

Y/N: It's not a matter of her permanently dying or not. How the hell is she supposed to receive guests in her current state? She's just gonna trip on her own hair. I think-

Morgan: It's fine...

Y/N: ...

Morgan: I'll do my best.

Roland: You don't sound too good, are you sure-

Morgan: Please tell me what to do.

Angela: As we talked about a moment ago, I would like you to assist our uninvited guest when receiving invited ones.

The assistant assigned to Keter's floor nodded in return and averted her eyes to the man dressed in black, the one she had to help. Quickly catching on to that fact, the self-proclaimed Grade 9 Fixer told her to follow him, leaving behind a duo with clashing emotions.

Y/N: I still have my doubts.

As soon as they both left from their sight, the ressurected librarian whispered to the machine standing next to him.

Angela: If I remember correctly, weren't you proclaiming to believe in optimism? Already having doubts?

Y/N: ...

He remained unaffected by her questions. No, it would be more precise to say that he didn't pay attention to her voice during this conversation, he had other things on his mind.

Sensing that she wasn't getting through him, a sigh slipped as she readied herself to greet the future guests. A single snap of her fingers was the only thing left for her to do but she stopped and asked him a final question.

Angela: What are you going to do?

Y/N: ...Just go greet your guests.

Those were the only words he spoke. He wasn't in the mood to welcome them alongside Angela, especially not after hearing what the man said a moment ago. Understanding that he wasn't going to interfere, she finally vanished, leaving him on his own.

...

https://youtu.be/TMUOUo5n2oE

I don't think I have much to say in this conflict. It's all about survival, all about killing the opponent before they can kill you. My hands tightly held onto the weapon I was given as my eyes observed the duo facing us.

Prepared to fight, the guests brandished their own crude weapons, ready to fight to the very end for their goal. Yet, even in their state, my body couldn't help but quiver in fear. They weren't going to spare my life even if I begged.

Roland: You're trembling.

Morgan: ...It's nothing.

No, I can't back down, not at this point. I let out a deep sigh to recover my composure and raised the sword I was given. Letting myself be overcome by fright will do nothing for me, fear would only obstruct my movements and decisions in a scenario as extreme as this one.

I have nothing to fear, knowing that no matter what I do, I'll always disappoint everyone.

Morgan: ...

The pressure applied on my body immediately evaporated once my mind firmly kicked the truth into my skull. Why be scared to fail when nobody relies on you in the first place? It was a simple thought that removed the stress a normal person would have in this scenario.

Finally, the wait came to an end and each teams charged at each other, prepared to confront danger. One aimed directly for me while the other took his chance with Roland, who kept a carefree smile on his face.

My steps were unsteady and uncertain. The last thing I wanted to do right now was to trip and fall in front of my opponent like a fool. As the distance shortened between the both of us, I was able to notice the faint details on my enemy's face, notably a vague blush around his cheeks. Unlike his partner, the man fighting me was having a hard time directly looking at my face.

...Which made it easier for me to charge for a deadly strike.

Morgan: ...

A tightened hand around the handle of my blade was the only thing needed for me to perform a swing tearing directly through the man's skin, creating an alluring curtain of crimson afterwards. Sadly, even with such an advantage, a failure remains a failure and it was evident once I realized that the guest in front of me was still alive.

The air remained still for a moment, unlike the trail of blood that quickly found its way to the floor and my outfit. The sound of clashes coming from the second guest and Roland echoed in the back like distant noises.

Yun's Fixer: Tch, you bitch!

Taken over by anger, the wounded enemy retaliated by sending a direct fist into my face, forcing me to take a step back. It took me a while to gather my thoughts but when I did, everything collapsed. My trembling hand made its way to my bruised face.

...I was bruised. The pain I was experiencing was real. It hurts.

Morgan: ...

By the time I realized that the pain I was experiencing was real, my will to fight was already cracked. My world became pitch black, with the only exception being the people around me who took the appareance of white shapes. My energy simply abandoned me and my legs gave out, my breathing becoming erratic.

I couldn't think straight, I failed to kill my opponent and got hit for it.

Yun's Fixer: Not so tough now.

Tough? I never was in the first place. My beating heart doubled in speed, desperately trying to escape my chest to save itself, unlike the rest of my being. I did not budge from my spot, simply observing the humanoid shape in front of me with blank eyes.

I was going to die. I knew I was going to fail, my life has never done anything right so why would it start now?

Roland: You're distracted.

Yun's Fixer: W-What the-!

Unfortunately for him, his surprise was never fully expressed. With a swiftness that left the both of us surprised, Roland charged at the man and went for a swing that slashed through the previous wound he received, finishing the job I couldn't do.

Soon enough, the shape vanished, leaving behind a void that would never be filled again. I hurriedly glanced around, my terror still holding my body hostage as I did so but the second guest was nowhere to be seen.

Roland: Are you alright?

Morgan: I...

A hand was extended towards me, pulling me out of this reality composed of darkness. The bruise I received felt like a burn mark on my body, a scar. Yet, despite all of this, I clung onto the offer given to me, emerging from this reality just in time to see a second group step through the entrance on the other side.

Yun: ...

Eri: ...

Roland: Looks like the rest of the Office is here.

Morgan: ...Right.

I slowly nodded back as I adjusted my posture, desperately ignoring the punch that shattered my mind. The battle was not over, I still had to fight, even if a repeat of this occurs. I heaved a sigh as I locked my cold gaze on the girl accompanying the man, who did the same with a smirk on her face.

That smirk of hers was not something I could refute... I always fail at everything I do, I always did and I always will. The previous battle was a perfect example. No point having faith if I know the outcome.

Morgan: ...

My shoulders lowered, knowing that my efforts will never bring a result that could be considered "satisfying". With that, the second duel began.

...

...

Roland: We're back~

The silhouette of the Grade 9 Fixer calmly walked inside the room, carrying with him books that the Library "obtained" at the end of this encounter. With the exception of a few cuts here and there, the man looked relatively fine and even had the energy to show a smile, something that was not shared with the one who assisted him.

Dragging her own body like it was a weight attached to her, Morgan followed his footsteps in complete silence, her eyes completely devoid of life. There wasn't much to said except the obvious: she was a complete mess after her first reception. Her outfit was torn in some areas and her extremely long hair was once more stained by her own blood.

Upon seeing her in that state, Y/N jumped onto his feet and rushed to her side. Angela, on the other hand, dealt with the books Roland brought back. However, as she did so, the man whispered to her.

Roland: Maybe it wasn't a good idea to send her.

Angela: I have to admit that her performances were not the best, but she still did her role as instructed.

Roland: I guess...

A bead of sweat fell down his face as he looked back at the librarian. He felt bad for her, she clearly did not look to be in the right mental state, something that became even more obvious once he saw her panic the moment she got attacked.

By her side, the man who could not fight with them tried to snap her out of her daze. She looked terrible, her body still carrying the bruises of the battle they went through and her eyes scarred by something he couldn't comprehend.

Angela: Do not worry, now that the Library is closed, everything will be reverted.

Roland: Huh? Oh, right.

Remembering the words the AI told him a while back allowed him to turn his eyes away from the long haired girl.

"Maybe she's still under the lingering influence of that creepy thing", this thought soon popped into his mind as he tried to find a possible explanation, an idea that wasn't that far-fetched in theory.

Y/N: Morgan?

Morgan: ...

Y/N: Come on, let's get you fixed up, especially your hair.

She was completely silent, unmoving like a doll. The Library might be able to undo the wounds she suffered but fixing someone's mind was an entirely different story.

Deciding to take matters into his own hands, Y/N grabbed her sleeve and carefully pulled her to the nearest spot for her to sit down. He was met with absolutely no resistance coming from the poor girl, still shaken by the battle she went through.

Thankfully for them, they finally had a moment of respite, a moment to let the worries fade away. After multiple battles in rapid succession, they were finally able to close their doors temporarily in order to deal with internal issues.