Legacy of the Dark Sage

Contrary to most libraries that Kyran visited, the one they entered was dimly lit. There were even areas that were too dark that they appeared pitch black in his view.

As per Auto-one, libraries, such as the one they entered, were present on each level of the tower. They served as a place where the participants could gather information and learn about the Ancients' different magic research and theories.

However, there is an ancient saying that warns people who seek too much knowledge, which is: If one seeks too much knowledge, the process will kill you.

The library took this ancient saying at face value because some of the books, scrolls, tablets, and memory orbs kept in that place possessed hidden dangers. The least one could encounter was being poisoned and falling into unconsciousness for a few days. What would happen to them in those days they were unconscious would be up to the participant's luck.

"There is definitely a way to bypass those dangers," Kyran said aloud, but he was not particularly waiting for Aki or Auto-one to respond.

"You are absolutely correct, master," Auto-one, however, seemed keen on responding regardless of Kyran's intentions. "However, learning how to bypass each danger is the problem."

It dawned on Kyran, a glimmer of understanding piercing the fog of uncertainty. 'The library,' he mused, 'is a crucible for our desires and fears. It challenges us to confront the unknown, to understand it, and ultimately, to conquer it.'

Auto-one raised his brows while looking at Kyran's back. "How did you come up with that conclusion, master?"

"Everything here practically screams the unknown. If one is not greedy and tries to analyze what this room is all about... just the action of analyzing might push one's sanity to the limit. Especially when every idea they came up with to understand the library's purpose was met with danger. They will soon come to fear what other danger lurks within the books and every other item in this place.

If that happened, they would end up losing their cool and might even succumb to fear."

Auto-one nodded in agreement upon hearing Kyran's explanation.

"That is correct," he affirmed the latter's assumption. "If one only takes the library's meaning at face value, then they will be in for a real treat, which will result in them losing their lives."

"Do you have the list of items that posed a threat to the master?" Aki asked Auto-one, joining in the discussion after being silent for some time.

Auto-one shook his head, "I was programmed to guard the grand hall. While I have information on every area and level in the tower, they are limited...."

His voice trailed off as his expression turned solemn. After a short pause, he corrected himself and said, "Actually... I do have all the information the master needed. But because of the security codes placed inside me, I can't voice or transfer the information I can get from the central data bank."

Kyran stopped and looked at Auto-one in both confusion and excitement, "Central Data Bank? What is that?"

Auto-one also stopped and scratched his head with his free hand, "I'm sorry, master. I can't explain it well in detail, but... to put it in simple terms, it is a place where we an access all information about the tower is being kept."

"Huh?" Aki could not help but blurt in confusion.

No, wait. Rather than being confused because he did not understand what Auto-one meant, he was confused at the concept of having a different place to keep all the information when there were already libraries at every level.

On the other hand, Kyran had a different take on what Auto-one was saying. In fact, he understood the concept behind the Central Data Bank. He only asked what it was because it was the first time he had actually heard one being shared among the automatons.

"Hm..." Auto-one frowned while continuing to scratch his head. "I'm sorry. I can try to give an example, but... I don't think it will be enough to explain what the Central Data Bank is."

Kyran shook his head. "No. I get what you mean. I just asked because this is my first time hearing something like that shared among the automatons."

The moment Kyran pointed out that the data bank Auto-one mentioned was only shared among the automatons, Aki finally understood why it was different from the libraries.

"Besides, wouldn't such a bank be a problem?" Kyran asked Auto-one. "If one of you connected to this bank is corrupted, won't the other automatons realize it? What about the one that oversees the bank?"

"There is no problem with the other automatons or the admin. At the moment, my program is still connected to the bank and the admin only saw that I have been defeated. Seeing that I was not destroyed, he had already blocked off most of my access rights. Besides, the security codes in my programming have already kicked in, and as I have said, I am unable to disclose information that violates them.

Once again, I apologize for that, master."

"It's fine," Kyran assured him. "Although I want to get my hands on all the information, I can get to understand the tower and where it kept all the Ancients' treasures. I don't mind looking for information by myself. Of course, getting them without doing anything is welcomed but not a necessity."

"I have a suggestion, master."

"Speak."

"If you want to truly get all of the information you need, how about we go to the Central Data Bank and—."

Whoosh! Whoosh!

From out of nowhere, arrows made of Light magic swept past them. Aki and Auto-one moved in an instant. The former reflected the incoming arrows, while the latter destroyed them with a lightning arrow of his own.

Kyran was actually surprised that he did not sense the one who released the arrows. Shaiha was similarly shocked as she tried to scan their surroundings with Kyran's assistance.

[I... I can't detect them.]

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Light magic arrows continued to rain down on them from several directions, and Aki and Auto-one continued to deal with them. As the number of arrows increased, Auto-one was forced to place the unconscious Leif on the floor so he could use both hands to counter the arrows.

Meanwhile, Kyran continued to scan their surroundings. It did not help that the library was dimly lit, and because of its vastness, some areas were practically pitch black, making it close to impossible for them to see any hidden dangers.

"Master, the ones attacking us have concealment ability. This is not good," Auto-one's warning made Kyran scowl.

In fact, he and Shaiha had already thought as much because it would have been impossible for anyone to use the darkness to hide from Kyran's enhanced senses and Shaiha's 'eyes.'

'It's moments like this that I really wanted to learn how to use my Draconic magic properly,' Kyran could not help but grumble in exasperation. His body had already undergone a huge change, allowing him to circulate and use the Draconic magic energy at a higher percentage. However, he only knew how to use them by enhancing his physical capabilities.

[You should have asked Ames to teach you a thing or two.]

'You think she had the patience to teach me?'

[...]

"This is not going anywhere," Aki commented while sending out a fist filled with raw magic energy toward another round of incoming Light magic arrows.

"I agree," Auto-one replied before casting a series of lightning strikes at the incoming arrows.

"It will be impossible for us to pinpoint the enemy's exact location if we stick together," Kyran told them. "Split up and keep an eye on where the next attack will come from."

Aki and Auto-one nodded their heads, understanding their master's intention of splitting up.

Basically, they could not pinpoint the location of the enemy or enemies because they were only targeting one area. With proper preparation, it was easier for them to attack in several directions to confuse Kyran and his group. But if the three of them split up, the enemy or enemies would have to adjust their position.

Thus, their attack following the split had a high chance of exposing their location.

After receiving Kyran's order, Aki and Auto-one immediately sprinted to the right and left, respectively. Kyran then summoned a Void barrier to protect himself and Leif.

When Aki and Auto-one moved, the relentless volley of Light magic arrows paused for the briefest moment before resuming.

The pause was actually too short, but it was enough for Aki and Auto-one to glean clues as to where the enemy was located.

That was correct. They were actually up against only one enemy. The only reason they managed to pinpoint the enemy's position faster was that it aimed at Kyran rather than following the two.

"There!"

Aki and Auto-one inwardly exclaimed as they sprinted to the northeast side. Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves were in the way, but they simply maneuvered around them to reach their target.

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