《Jack and Jill Conquer the Shattered World》8: Inevitable Progress
Advertisement
“Here,” said Jack. Handing me a stack of books.
“Um...What’s this? What happened to your lunch?”
“Don’t worry about my lunch. I brought you something,” said Jack. Furrowing her brow at me a little, and looking slightly cross at my misplaced focus.
“What’s this for though?” I said. A little puzzled by the books.
“I know you like reading and junk...and that sometimes you go to the library on Saturdays,” said Jack.
“Yeah? And?” I said.
“Well, er...our clan has its own library, and it has more books...Better books, and well, if you want I can get you some... to borrow. But not to keep,” said Jack.
“Oh...Oh?! Wow, thanks! Are you really sure?” I said. My eyes went wide as I considered what that would mean for me.
“Yeah...Don’t mention it,” said Jack. Scratching the side of her pale cheek and kicking at some grass in embarrassment.
*************************************************************************************************************
A certain cynic once said that, “relationships based solely on the exchange of benefits are short-lived, but relationships without any exchange of benefits are non-existent”. I'm not that sure about the truth of that saying, but I’ve got to say getting a little help from a friend is nice on occasion.
So, it was the weekend, Jack and I were out in the forests again. Us going out there together had long since become an established thing. However, this time instead of hunting we were reading. Jack apparently still felt bad about the thing with her brother, so from now on she was going to help me get books from her library. This was kind of huge for me. I went to the public library frequently but it quickly became a thing I just did to kill boredom.
Advertisement
Outside of some texts used for teaching people about maths, language, and writing, there were basically no other useful books in that library. I did my best to read everything that the library had to offer in hopes of getting another “Story” for my Idle-Clicker System, but the public library’s offerings didn’t seem to be cutting it. Outside of their basic educational works, the library just had a large collection of public records, a fair amount of general fiction works, especially trashy romance, some religious texts, some poetry, a small collection of legends and myths, and some questionable historical works that apparently were too full of jingoism and political lies to be of value to the system.
Anything else was restricted and only certain special personages could get access to it. I probably shouldn’t have been surprised, all the sects, guilds, clans, and companies had a vested interest in keeping their unique knowledge under their control. I’d considered visiting a few of those groups so I could watch their people work and gain stories that way, but outside of the Marrow Estate, I was just another loose kid, and was quickly shooed away.
Jack had just brought me a catalogue of herbs; an imperfect, but mostly intact, copy of an old-world book on the sciences; and a book of poetry. I’m a fast reader. The [Tale of the Empty Archivist’s Heir] makes it so that I barely have to do more than open a book or scroll for its contents to just start flowing into my head, where it’d live in my continually perfected memories forever.
“No flipping way,” I muttered beneath my breath as I got several prompts from the Idle-Clicker System. I’d just been informed that I’d unlocked the [Tale of the Scholar]. Apparently, all those seemingly useless library books had some use after all. I’d also unlocked the [Tale of the Alchemist], I could see that being incredibly useful, especially if it operated the same way the other tales worked, filling my head with more and more of the experiences, skills, and memories of alchemists throughout the multiverse, the more I studied it, and invested in it.
Advertisement
“What?” said Jack. Looking up from her own reading.
“I just got two more stories….” I said. In an awed whisper.
“What?”
After a bit of hesitation, I decided to quickly explain a little about how my system worked. Explaining what the stories were and what their nature was. Jack’s jaw dropped. Then she pouted, her expression looking plaintive.
“Now that’s just unfair…”
I sheepishly chuckled and rubbed the back of my head.
“It...It’s not my fault. was born this way…Plus, um, you’re core-treasure’s pretty great two, I mean you got true-sight and a grimoire that can store and help you learn an infinite number of spells,” I said.
“Hmph!” said Jack. Huffing at me, indignantly. Then she stood up.
“Can you do the thing to keep these safe...I’m pretty sure my family will kill us both if I’m not able to put these books back safe and sound,” said Jack. Her tone started off stern and then quickly softened.
“Sure…” I said. Putting the books in my inventory because that was something I’d revealed to her shortly after we began hunting together.
“Alright, daylight’s a-wasting. It’ll be sundown soon. Let’s get hunting,” said Jack. Her pale gray eyes filled with determination.
“Yeah!” I said. Joining in on her enthusiasm, because I had two new reasons to rapidly build up my Potential.
Advertisement
Who Endures: Book I-V
Set twelve years after the events of 'The Trial: Journey's End' former slave turned priestess and assassin, Nua Calen Aiwenor has never gotten over the death of the one human to never betray her. Presented with 'a chance' at seeing him returned to life, she travels with her Teacher past the Beastman Empires of the Triumvirate, to the chaotic city states beyond. There, the former slave must be what she hates, to restore what she loves. To win a kingdom to trade for a single life, how many will she kill, how far will she go? And even if she should triumph, will 'who' she is... even survive? (Overlord, set in the 'God Rising: Cult of Ainz' Author Universe, the largest Overlord fanfiction series in the world)
8 471R. A. T. H
Rose: a broken doll tossed out into the world with the carelessness befitting her status below humans. However, acquiring a power beyond what she should be able, she fights and Rose Against The Heavens. The story of a homunculus fighting against fate with a piercing wrath. Raging, an adversary to a cruel world. From magecraft to guns. From jets to mechs. From swords to lasers. And robots to beasts. Her story takes place in a techno-fantasy running on mana. Volume 1 completed at chapter 64. Volume 2 completed at chapter 122. Kofi: Link Discord server: Link This story is also available on Webnovel, Wattpad, and Scribble Hub. *The cover image is not owned by me, but merely used to make the cover for the novel. In fact, any image used in the story does not belong to me. The story, however, does belong to me.
8 128Hades' Evolution
A young college woman and the human race get transported to a new world by a program with new challenges like monsters, programs, wars, and magic. this novel is something I do for fun, and for now, does not have a regular schedule on when it will be updated. it is inspired by other novels such as Randidly Ghosthound by puddles4263 and A New World by Monsoon117
8 128Eleknar's Heir, The Infernal Prince - Backstories
Sucked into another world from Earth? Check. Magic, mayhem and a fight for survival? Check. Not sure who's gonna survive or get killed off at a moment's notice? Check check check. This line of books contains the stories for many of the prominent characters or guildmates (prior to meeting Trey) surrounding Trey's character in the book: Eleknar's Heir, The Infernal Prince (which is still currently ongoing) Reading these books before the main book can be done without ruining anything (though the character you're invested in may disappear from this book into the main storyline after a couple dozen chapters), but that's up to you ^.^
8 134The Corrupted Archer System
A boy named Anre wants to become an Archer and trains hard in order to do so. One day he stumbles upon a strange object which gives him a system. However! There's something profoundly wrong with the system!
8 139Atk 0 Crit All ~My attack stat is negligible, so I can't help but rely on critical hits to succeed!~
Volume 1 - Having been summoned to another world, Claude Evers is devastated to find out that he has no attack or magic proficiency. In a world of swords and magic, Claude endeavors to become his master's...chef? Despite this turn of events, he soon finds himself relying on his wit and strange abilities to stand by his master's side. With such fearsome enemies in this world, what solutions can Claude hope to cook up? Volume 2 - Defeating a terrifying monster endangering the kingdom, Claude's fame grows. With this in mind, his next goal is to...win over his master's heart? However, he soon learns that the nobility are not one to be trifled with. What can a lone chef do against the schemes of the powerful threatening his livelihood? Volume 3 - Welcome to the 'Certain Slice', where we are sure to serve you something that perfectly hits your tastes. This is a restaurant where you can sample our line of otherworldly food and drink, created by the one and only Demon Cleaver. Please wait here while we call a maid over to attend to your orders. The owner? I'm very sorry. He's not available at the moment. The reason? I'm afraid that he is now a wanted man, for defying kings and kidnapping princesses. Volume 4 - Stuck in another country, Claude and his companions happen upon abilities far different from what they had known before. With a country full of powerful warriors wielding such techniques, guided by a prophetic Oracle, new allies and enemies are around every corner. Will they find what they need to return home, or will 'destiny' swallow them up? Volume 5 - What happens when the person you thought you knew is completely different? Past and present collide as Claude makes his way back to Sistina to once again fight alongside his Master, encountering challenges that few Electi have ever faced. Destruction looms over Sistina as his enemies attack right where one is most vulnerable, the insecurities held in one’s heart. Volume 6 - With Sistina in the process of recoverying, Claude finds himself in a new role with many new challenges ahead. Though the dangers have passed, daily life is still far from boring as messy relationships and sudden adventures are at every corner. There is never a break in the life of an Electi! Volume 7 - War breaks out with the Empire of Purnesia. With decades of hatred possessing its people, Claude becomes embroiled in the tragedy of death and suffering. With his commitment to retain his humanity in jeopardy, how can a chef protect his friends on the battlefield? Volume 8 - Various tragedies have left Claude reeling. With his heart torn and his vow to not kill abandoned, he charges forward to the capital of Purnesia. With his heart trending towards darkness, who will remain by his side as he seeks revenge... and who will point their blade at him instead? Volume 9 - Learning of the existence of an entire army of demons, led by a familiar face, the very world is at stake. What will Claude discover upon setting foot in the realm of Gods, seeking the very limits of his Electi powers? Volume 10 - Peace has come at last, along with a new role for Claude. But his dreams foretell of another hidden danger on the horizon, one that would shatter everything he knows about the world. Volume 11 - Everything has ended, or has it? The secrets of the world are now revealed, and Claude must find everyone once again to face against a threat as old as the Gods. ~2 chapters/week
8 171