Chapter 63: Be Silent in the Library or Be Silenced

As Jade fumbled with the black wooden sheath Magnus handed to her, Zayn pressed his forearms into the glass table and leaned forward.

Magnus smiled as he watched Jade finally adjust the belt to fit her, then turned to Zayn.

"Well, friend, ye said ye have a question or two. As long as I’m able, I’ll gladly answer what ye want to know."

Zayn took a breath, his expression darkening.

"A Disaster. Do you know what a Disaster is? And I don’t mean the simple definition, but an entity..."

Magnus flinched slightly, taking a step back before quickly recovering his smile.

"Well, there are many things that could be called a disaster in the world. Curses, weather, any bad thing, really... I’m afraid yer question’s a bit vague. Sorry, lad."

Magnus’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.

"But, lad... what makes you ask such an odd question?"

Zayn stared blankly.

’He... he knows something.’

Whatever Magnus knew, however, it was clear he couldn’t reveal it.

Not wanting to strain their relationship, Zayn didn’t press further. Magnus might still prove to be a valuable source of information; he’d simply have to be more discreet with his questions.

"Nothing... just an odd rumor I’ve heard."

"Hmm."

Jade tapped Zayn on the shoulder.

«Why do you two look so serious?»

Zayn forced a smile.

«I’m asking about the trial.»

At the reminder of the damnable reason behind their situation, Jade’s hands fell to her sides, and a despondent look settled over her face.

Zayn turned back to Magnus.

"I was wondering... is there a library here?"

Magnus’s eyes lit up.

"That’s what ye wanted to ask with that serious face of yers?! Hah! Yes, there is one, but it’s on the far end of town!"

Magnus rattled off the directions.

After offering his thanks and saying farewell, Zayn left Steel Blacksmith with Jade in tow.

They spoke only sparingly as they walked. Jade seemed too preoccupied by the reminder of the trial — and everything they’d lost in the previous one — to say much.

Less than a third of them had survived that trial... How many would survive the next one?

A grim future awaited them, poised to strike before they could recover from the horrors of the previous trial.

And that was just the burden carried by those who’d gone through the trial normally...

Zayn had to endure the trial’s aftermath alongside the nagging guilt of his own deeds.

Eventually, their long walk took them past a grand building called the Guild Hall and toward the outskirts of town, where Guild Facilities — homes meant to be rented by guilds — lined the road.

The sight briefly brought Camelot to mind — the guild Lucas had created and invited him to join.

’I can remember them...’

Camelot had existed in his past life.

Lucas had been its leader then, with Axel serving as his second-in-command.

’Axel...’

Zayn also remembered that far more people had survived the Goblin King Trial in his past life, almost all of whom had joined Camelot.

All but five...

’Myself, Shin Hae-Ryung, Cynthia, Ilya, and... Teivel.’

Zayn suddenly stopped, causing Jade to stare at him in confusion.

’Teivel...?’

Teivel had been at the heart of the memory Zayn had recovered.

But only now, as he searched his memories of that first trial, did he realize...

’He was there. Teivel was with us.’

Zayn scratched his head.

’But why can’t I recall what he looked like?’

Wait...

’They’re a "he," right?’

Jade tapped his shoulder, then signed:

«You okay?»

"Oh..." «Yes.»

Zayn laughed awkwardly and pointed toward a dusty building beside them, where a bell hung above the front entrance. According to Magnus’s description, this was the library.

It was also where Zayn knew he’d find the key to uncovering the coming trial’s secret. What he would do once he found it remained uncertain, however, since his memories were still incomplete.

Zayn lowered his gaze to meet Jade’s eyes, then raised his hands. For some reason, his mind went blank, leaving him staring awkwardly into those hazel eyes. The longer he stared, the deeper her blush grew.

Jade raised her hands, but her fingers trembled so badly that the signs failed to translate. When she realized the translation had failed, she stammered aloud:

"W-w-what?"

Hearing her speak before he’d managed to sign snapped him out of his strange daze.

Zayn tore his gaze away and turned his attention toward the library.

«I want to go in there.»

Jade tensed slightly, then slowly signed while avoiding his gaze.

«Okay.»

Brushing her hair behind her ears, Jade tugged at her simple white shirt as if something were wrong, then pouted for some reason.

’Did her brain short-circuit even worse than mine...?’

Only after staring at her for another moment did Zayn notice the outline of her lime-green bra clearly showing through the shirt.

’Ah... oops. No wonder she got flustered. That’s... on me.’

Then again, she had chosen to wear that combination...

Still, Zayn had noticed that the clothing stores also carried modern undergarments.

With Jade’s eyes averted, Zayn apologized aloud for his uncouth behavior.

"Sorry."

Not that she heard him...

Zayn sighed lightly, then took her hand again and pulled her along, hoping the gesture would jolt her out of her embarrassment.

’Hopefully this doesn’t make it worse.’

Zayn glanced back at Jade.

’...’

’It definitely did.’

The poor woman was still looking away instead of watching where she stepped and nearly tripped over the first of the three stairs leading into the library. Her cheeks had turned bright red, while the tips of her ears burned an even deeper crimson.

Seeing her like this finally forced Zayn to stop lying to himself...

He knew damn well what he was doing.

He wasn’t dense.

’I have... to stop.’

Sighing, he loosened his grip, but Jade refused to let go and squeezed his hand in return.

’Ah, fuck...’

’It seems I’ve made quite the mistake.’

But it was one he’d have to fix later.

Turning back to the entrance, Zayn pushed open the door and stepped inside, pulling Jade behind him.

As the door closed behind them, Zayn marveled at the library’s interior. Despite the dingy exterior, it looked almost magical...

’No, it has to be.’

There was no end in sight to the maze of bookshelves or the countless books they held.

Then...

A well-kempt Asian man in a suit and tie appeared before them, glasses perched on his nose and a book held in one hand.

A single stool stood between them.

Zayn waved.

"Hello—"

The moment he opened his mouth, a wet, choking sound erupted from the girl beside him.

He turned just in time to see Jade stagger as she coughed up mouthful after mouthful of blood.

Then...

Her chest burst open. Her ribs sprang outward like a bear trap snapping in reverse, ripping through her flesh and shirt as her organs spilled across the library floor — including her still-beating heart.

All Zayn could do was watch in horror as she collapsed with a wet thud, the jian sliding slightly out of its sheath. Her hazel eyes staring listlessly back at him.

A pool of blood spread beneath her, slowly staining the white shirt Zayn thought she’d been embarassed about red.