Chapter 12

♪ Take A Look, It's In A Book ♪

En route to the [Kulkne Library], Tru and the [Red Guard], who was oddly not red at all, strode quietly. Tru was relieved to see the guard decide to go Tru's typical, chill pace.

“Thanks for taking it slow. The last couple times y'all guided me somewhere, I had to run just to keep up,” I thanked the guard.

His response sounded a lot like the lower-ranking Marines back when I was younger, “No, no, Sir Coon! Thank you for the possibility of such a relaxed task. Typically, I need to rush everywhere to get my missions completed swiftly and never get a break.”

“Hahaha, glad I could be of assistance then.”

The guard's face brightened up after he had an expression of 'I shouldn't have said that!' The two of us didn't talk anymore after that. In the quiet, in the stillness, I know that this is a good time to use [Analyze] on the things around me. As useful as it is, life is just too busy to read all the details around me most of the time.

[name: Red Eryn. The tallest naturally occurring tree. Though its wood is soft, it's mostly inflammable. Regenerative properties have given this tree species the earned [Title] of [Unfellable].]

[name: Abascan Moss. Moss growing at the top of [Abascan Tree]s, most abundant on the [Abascan Upper Shelf].]

[name: Spider Squirrel. An arachnid with 8 webbed legs that allow it to glide through the air. Has no fangs due to its fruitarian nature.]

Hold up, those are spiders?? I can see the squirrel part, but a spider? Now that I look closer I can see the eight legs though. Ugh I hate spiders.

[name: Fairy Fly. Similar to [Fairy Dust], it is a manifestation of fairy spirit energy, except in the form of light particles rather than dust.]

[name: Leather Leaf Tree. Commonly used for armor, in the place of animal hide, by protectors of the forest.]

While I was admiring the unique surroundings, my escort broke the silence, “Here we are, Sir Coon. Would you like me to accompany you inside?”

Me: “Thanks for the offer, but I'll be fine on my own.”

Guard: “Then I shall remain posted outside the entrance.”

I was given a salute at which I returned the gesture to relieve him of the posture and continued into the library.

Walking into the door caused some happy chime noises to signal a customer, in this case, me, entering the establishment. A very old-looking elf had been filling the bookshelves with books, that I think have been recently returned. Up on top of a ladder, he welcomes, “Ah a customer! Welcome, welcome to Pierre's Bookshop! I am Pierre and I would be happy to...”

By the time he climbed down the ladder and turned to finish his greeting, he froze with wide eyes. His breathing became erratic and he began to sweat when he passed out. Remembering the first aid treatments I learned at my Jiu-Jitsu instructor course, I made sure his vitals were still functioning. “Thank god he isn't dead,” I say out loud with the knowledge that he just passed out. Using my hand as a fan, I cool off the elderly dark-skinned elf. An assistant came later to see what the loud thump was after he fell. “Did he fall again?” she asked.

“Oh, no. I mean, he did fall, but it was because he just passed out,” I informed.

Her already large eyes became even wider and asked, “It may not be my place to ask, but would either of you happen to have a high Spiritual Power count? He can see SP as an aura around everyone and often passes out in the presence of such.”

Smiling wryly, I answer the female elf, “Uh, well, my [~Eidolon~], Masada here, has a lot more SP than normal I think. I'm Tru by the way.”

“Kuru~?” Masada sought understanding of the situation since he didn't do anything.

“Masada didn't do anything wrong, did he?” I inquire on his behalf.

“Oh my heavens, no. Pierre is just sensitive now, especially with his current health. Would it be possible to have Mr. Masada wait outside? At least then you can help to diffuse his fright,” the assistant requested.

I respond positively to her suggestion, “Sure. That sounds reasonable Mrs...”

“Oh, I'm so sorry! Please forgive my rudeness. My name is Pirra and I am Pierre's great, great, great, great-granddaughter.”

I start to walk out, deciding to sheath Masada into the moss again as I pull out my notebook and pen to write down a quick note.

When [Analyze] was first used on Pirra before she introduced herself, I could see,

[name: Dark Elf. Protectors of the forest, they hunt any monsters that threaten the forest's ecosystem.]

but now, after she introduced herself, [Analyze] reads,

[name: Pirra. Assistant librarian of Pierre's Bookshop.

Race: Dark Elf. [~Select~]

Class N/A.]

Ugh, [Analyze] is a lot more complicated than I thought at first. So, if they're dead but had a name, it keeps the designation as their given name, like in the case of [Masada Schaffer]. If it didn't have a name and died, it just gives the race's description like the [Guavo Bear]. If I meet a living person and don't know their name, it reads their race, but once I know their name, it lists more detailed info... Hold up, but for the Kobolds, I could see their classes. Does that mean Pirra doesn't have a class since it just gave her race? And the kobolds didn't show their race... So it only shows known info maybe? No can't be. It's too confusing with the current info I have. I'll need to test this more to be certain. Remember what your professor said, 'Speculation without representation is just imagination.'

After my thought-monologue, I stepped back through the door to the sight of a petite, green-haired elf helping a gray-bearded elf drink some water while sitting on the floor. The resounding chimes signaled the old elf to stand at attention, not wanting his customers to see such an unsightly scene.

With a practiced enactment, Pierre recited his lines again, “Ah a customer! Welcome, welcome to Pierre's Bookshop! I am Pierre and I would be happy to assist you with the knowledge you seek. But don't let this old geezer get in your way if you need not my assistance.”

Me: “It's nice to meet you, Pierre. I'd like to ask your forgiveness for the startle my partner put you through. Were you able to, by chance, see Masada's maxed-out stats?”

Pierre: “I'm not sure what you mean by stats, but I hold it not against... Masada, you said the name was? His Spiritual Power is beyond any I've ever seen, and I've seen one of the heralded [True Dragon]s!”

Interesting, so Driscoll natives can see when they get SP but can't see the word stat. I'm sure they wrongly interpreted SP to mean Spiritual Power rather than Stat Point. But it's possible they actually see it displayed as spiritual power and the designation changes based on the viewer.

“Tru?” Thankfully, Pirra pulled my attention from out of the rabbit hole.

Me: “*Ahem* sorry about that. I get lost in thought sometimes.”

Pierre: “Think nothing of it! The same happens to this old elf on an hourly occurrence hahaha!”

Me: “Thank you for understanding. You said you would assist me with seeking knowledge correct?”

Pierre: “Mmmm,” he said while nodding his head.

This was when Pirra started to walk behind the front counter and fidget with something underneath it.

Me: “I guess the first question is, as a bookshop, do you sell your books or loan them out like a library?”

Pierre: “This business is surely a library. We sell our books as well as rent them out. Though, you must be a citizen of Kulkne to become a member. Given that you are not a Dark Elf, you would have to purchase the books,” he said while rubbing his hands together with a wide grin.

Me: “Ah I get it. I'm actually unfamiliar with the currency here. How much would this get me?” I naively hold out the pouch of light gold coins to be inspected.

With a face of unbelief, Pierre asks, “May I test the validity of one of these coins?”

at which I answer with a nod of my head and handed one over to him. Pierre accepted the coin and threw it in the air twice, letting it fall onto a table next to one of the many filled bookshelves. A deep *ding sound echoed both times at which he picked up the coin and bit it.

Uh... do you have to bite my money, dude? I think with a masked smile. His reassuring confirmation made me forget, thankfully.

Pierre: “I'm not sure how you got this, but it's genuine [Light Gold]!”

Me: “Hahaha yeah! I don't actually know how much this is worth though.”

Pierre: “Are you wanting instruction on our currency, youngin?”

Me: “Yes, please.”

Pierre: “I'll give you the basics for free since I like you. We use metal as currency. To start, the least worth currency we use is [Copper] coins. 100 [Copper] coins make up one [Wrought Iron] coin, 100 [Wrought Iron] coins equal a single [Silver] coin, and so on with [Silver], [Gold], [Platinum], [Light Silver], [Orichalcum], and lastly, [Light Gold] being the most valuable of all metals. To give an example of monetary value, a week's stay at a travelers inn typically costs two [Copper] coins.

Woo-hoo! I'm filthy, stinkin' rich! I think to myself. But let's not make a big deal out of it.

While Pierre explained, I [Analyze]d the [Light Gold] coins.

[name: Light Gold. Derived from [Gold], this metal retains the soft, conductive properties of its parent metal. Light has been spiritually infused into [Gold], binding its atoms, and creating the most inseparable matter in all the universe.]

I let out a whistle at his words and the reading of [Analyze]. “Hey, so, since there's no way I could buy a book using [Light Gold], I've got a proposition for ya.”

Pierre: “I'm listening.”

Me: “How about, instead of buying a book, I invest in your shop. As dividends for my investment, I'd like to freely use all the books in the shop at any time.”

Pierre: “Hmmm... It depends on how much you're investing. Also, there would still need to be certain rules in place for the use of the books. Such as they can't be taken outside of Kulkne. That is a law actually. A book cannot be sold or given to others without going through the shop either, however you are perfectly welcome to advertise.”

Me: “That sounds fine. But if I invest, you'll need to be acquainted with Masada. May I bring him in?”

Pierre: “Ah yes, yes. Forgive my behavior earlier. I was not expecting to see such spiritual power... well, ever in my lifetime I suppose. I do appreciate the forewarning.”

Without another word, I step out the door to the sight of Masada humming cheerily while the guard attempted to pull him from the moss.

“Ah! Sir Coon! This isn't what it looks like. Masada seemed to be encouraging me to try lifting him,” the young, curious guard said.

“Hahaha it's no problem, bro. At least Masada seems like he was enjoying himself,” I reassure. “We'll be in the library quite a while. If you'd like to remain on library guard duty, you sure can. Otherwise, you're free to go back any time you like.”

The guard saluted me professionally and resumed his post in front of the door. When Masada and I walked inside, Pierre humbly apologized, “Please forgive me, Mr. Masada! I was overcome with awe at the insurmountable Spiritual Power you possess and could not retain my consciousness.”

Grinning happily with his eye, Masada said, “Kuruuu~♪”

“He forgives you, Pierre,” I translated. “Now back to business. Before I invest, may I take a look around at the books here? I'd like to know what I'm investing in first, to see if it's worth it.”

Pierre: “I cannot agree to that until a notice of intent is signed with the proposed investment.”

Jeez, I always thought about investing. Who'd of thought it would be this easy in another world though? Just have to accept an agreement! No proof of credit, endless paperwork, or any of that junk. Just 'I like you so let's make an agreement.'

Me: “I don't suppose you could make a draft for me then?”

Pierre: “Pirra! Please give Mr. Tru here a Partnership Agreement!”

Pirra: “Yes, grandad... Here you are, Mr. Tru.”

They're certainly prepared. This is actually reassuring. At least now I know that they have done this before, which also means they're successful enough to have multiple investors.

After signing the partnership agreement, Pierre signed below my signature.

Curiously, they both look to be the same language. There's no way this is English, right? But even the written language looks the same as English. [Driscoll Linguistics] is mysterious... Very sus.

:Author's Note: Sus is slang for suspicious.

The 'library' was huge. At least ten genre sections could be seen on the first floor, not to mention the other 5 floors. Some of the bookshelves were bare, while others had plenty of space for more books, but it wasn't all that bad, since there were still plenty of books.

“Where is the section on classes?” I ask when Pierre points up to the fourth-floor portion of a map and says, “It'll be on the fourth floor in the back corner. Not too many people seek to refine a class nowadays. It's a shame, really.”

There was a large spiral staircase going up the center of the tree that the library was in. If [Red Eryn] trees are basically indestructible, there must be some kind of nature magic that forms the inside of these trees to be inhabitable.

Soon as I reached the fourth floor, I could see that this area doesn't get many visitors. It's kept clean, but most of the furniture looks much older than the lower floors, as well as many of the books.

“Ah-ha! There it is.” After I reach the class section, I take a second to catch my breath. Running up all those stairs is no joke.

“Before I get to reading, let's look at the notifications I got while talking with the Avacyns,” I say to Masada, receiving a “Kuru.”

'bling'

'You have sacrificed a favor owed by a noble to increase their knowledge.'

'+2 SP is granted to Spirit and Intellect.'

“Nice! Apparently, favors from a noble have some value here. Good to know.”

'bling'

'You have given another closure at the perceived cost of SP.'

'+1 SP is granted to Spirit.'

“Hohoho. Now that's interesting. It counts as a sacrifice so long as I think it's a sacrifice? No doubt I have to actually believe I'm giving whatever it is up, but I can't help but imagine there's a way to exploit that rule,” I say to Masada while he sits there looking board.

With that out of the way, I begin a several-hour venture of digging into books. Most were sorta dry reads, but they all held a ton of information from the Monster Hunting guild. I assume since all the class books are written by the guild, having a class must be important for killing monsters.

It's too bad I can't take some of these books with me, but thank God I have this notebook. It's really coming in clutch.

Classes

There are billions of class/skill combinations.

Racial classes are available at birth to a specific race like the Kobolds or Lizardmen. If a racial class isn't chosen, the creature still gains certain racial skills. Like the kobold slavers who still had the racial trait granting them bonus strength.

Most people with classes stick to just 2, but the max recorded is 4.

Classes weren't always known, and general skills made up the bulk of society's jobs.

Classes are only viewable by individuals with a guild card, at one of the guild's stationary terminals called [Status Crystals], or by those who attain general or unique skills like my [Analyze].

All skills can be learned by anyone as a general skill, however, classes give people an affinity towards certain skills, letting them know how to perform the skill automatically without needing to practice it.

Some skills are seemingly impossible to unlock as a general skill but can be automatically earned with the right class. I.E, getting the [Small Wings] general skill as a human.

A big reason classes are on the decline is that it also makes certain general skills more difficult to obtain, depending on the class accepted, and the younger generation wants more skill options. I.E, a [-Pyromancer-] can't learn water element general skills.

Classes can be earned by gaining all the general skills belonging to that class or meeting certain criteria. The general skills belonging to that class will be converted into class skills upon acceptance.

They can also be earned by certain achieving feats. I.E, I became a summoner by summoning Masada with a scroll.

In the past, common people worked exhaustively towards a class goal to gain the correct skills and become an expert in their class.

Certain schools can be attended that teach people and help them build general skills towards that class.

The Monster Hunting guild holds class training in exchange for time conscripted to the guild's quests.

At 10 years old(Human, Dwarf, Demon, Beastman, or Elf years respectively), everyone goes through a coming of age ceremony where they are bestowed with classes based on their life experiences. The child is encouraged to choose the class they want to pursue in life from the list that appears at the guild terminal. This may be waived if none of the classes available are desirable.

It normally takes 5 years to acquire a class through schooling, whereas accepting a class at 10 will be a class provided through past experiences and genetics that is more or less downloaded to their brain.

Leveling

Class Lvls

Lvl 1-10 level up through Exp and by attaining certain requirements pertaining to using the classes class skills while at max lvl.

Defeating a monster with 1 or more class transformations above your own grants a level for each transformation. I think that's how the notification went.

At level 10, you may continue leveling the same class, transform into a better class or not choose at all and postpone the choice.

Choosing to transform or continue leveling will make all other offered classes unavailable to your class tree.

By transforming the first time, you refresh your class level back to level 1 but keep all previously gained SP.

Each transformation will be noted as an additional Tr# next to the level. I.E, Lvl 10 levels up to Tr 1 Lvl 1 if transformed, or Tr 1 Lvl 11 if the class is continued.

Skills

For each class transformation/ continued leveling, skills are transformed or the level ceiling increases by 10 respectively.

Skills do not increase the level cap and can only be maxed to 10 if not at max level when the class transformation happens. If not maxed at the time of transformation, it cannot transform into another class skill.

Transformed skills continue to gain levels at the same rate as an original skill. Tr 1 Lvl 1 skills are equal in power to the level 10 original skill.

Some class skills automatically transform at certain level caps at the time of class transformation. I'E, [Small Wings] cannot continue to level after level 10 and must transform into [Wings].

Some skills can only transform and do not gain anything by levels. The [Monster Hunter's Guide To Classes] liked to use the [Small Wings] example; lvl 1-10 are the same until transforming to [Wings].

For certain skills, there may be a max level of 20, 30, and so on before a transformation is required.

Ascended skills are the skills transformed at the absolute max level of an original or transformed skill. I.E, [Fire Ball Lvl 60] is forced to transform into [Comet Lvl 1].

General Skills

Only level up through meeting certain requirements, almost always exp gain requirements/ number of times the skill is used. I.E, 1000exp gained or it could be 30 trees cut to my understanding.

Not all actions to get a general skill give the same exp. I.E, taking 10 swings to chop a tree will give more than slicing it down in 1, but slicing it in 1 chop is more exp than 1 of the 10 swings.

Anyone may attain these regardless of class or race kinda like anyone on earth can learn any skill they feel like with effort.

Racial Skills

Leveled by experience and transformed only by racial class transformations with the required race.

Attainable only to the given race.

Unique Skills

Only level up through meeting certain requirements.

Unique to the being who has it. Not otherwise attainable.

One thing that caught my eye at the beginning of the book was:

“All the information in this book is subject to change. Do not perform any dangerous activities with this as the guide without proper prior professional instruction.”

This just reminds me of those video games that say, “Warning! Risk of epileptic shock. Consult a doctor before playing,” yada yada. Still haven't met anyone who dealt with that from a video game. But whatever. It apparently happens.

I also learned that [Lord Avacyn], aka Zinogr, has the class [Arch Druid], a Tr 110 nature magic-user. That makes him basically level 1100, so no wonder he nearly killed me by going woof. It's also possible that he's leveled up since this was written.

Still, I'm glad I haven't been met with a transformation option yet. I definitely would have transformed and left my under-leveled skills in the dust.

And regarding the second class, it'd be nice to know when or how I can get that. But couldn't it take away from my main class exp? There wasn't really enough info about it in the book. I'll have to ask the MHG reps if they know anything more... although, now that I think about it, Masada's class could be my secondary. I mean, I can use his skills too. Whatever, ruminating on it won't do me any good until I can get solid facts.

Though the library is a massive structure, there really aren't a lot of books here. I should cut them some slack though since these are basically all handwritten and I got some solid info on the world system here. Handwritten basically means no fluff and all informative stuff too.

When I walked down to the first floor, I was greeted by old man Pierre, “Did you happen upon what you were looking for, Mr. Coon?”

Me: “Oh yeah. I found a lot of great info. The one thing that I couldn't find anything on is my current class or getting extra classes. I don't suppose you know of the [-Beast Master, Synergist-]?”

Pierre: “Ah wise indeed to be astute concerning your own class. I can't say I have, though the [~Synergist~] class type is fairly common.”

Me: “My class type is [~Summoner~], though.”

Pierre took his time to mull over his big-brain info, placing his fist to his chin while taking the famous Thinking Man pose. I patiently waited until I realized that the old elf had fallen asleep!

“Pierre? Pierre?! PIERRE!! OOOOYYYY!! DRISCOLL TO PIERRE!!!” I shouted, my voice growing louder and louder with each utterance. Dang near ready to smack the geezer, I could hear an audible bubble pop, and his head rose preceded by a long yawn.

“I thought you died on me there, dude!” I over-exaggerated, knowing full well he was alive.

Pierre: “Oh pardon me. I tend to think better while I'm asleep. The drawback is I also forget why I was thinking quickly. To answer your question, I have yet to hear of such a class. And with respect to secondary classes, I'm also not sure. There's not much to be found in books about it. I assume it's a trade secret of the guilds.”

I took a deep sigh at the amount of time wasted just sitting there when he said, “What's the rush? Did I keep you from something?”

Actually, there's no reason to be in a hurry. Learn some patience there, Tru... I think to myself in the third person.

Me: “Well, not anything important I guess. I just wanted to see the blacksmith or weapons shop. That, and it's just discouraging that I couldn't get anything about my class.”

Pierre: “I shan't keep you from your business then. However, I do hope that we can move forward with the business you mentioned earlier,” he said while rubbing his hands creepily again.

Me: “Of course! I'll be back later today.”

Masada and I stroll out the door after that and look around, “Huh, the guard is nowhere to be found. Do you see him, buddy?” I ask Masada.

“Huru,” Masada says, seemingly learned how to communicate 'Huh-uh.' Thankfully, there had been a spiral staircase on this tree, because we had both gotten tired of all the heights.

On our way down, we had a conversation that went something along the lines of,

“Actually, you've been really quiet since we started the walk to Kulkne. What's up? Have you been feeling shy or something?”

Feeling embarrassed, Masada replied, “Ku! Kururu kuru!”

“Oh? If not then why so quiet? I was starting to miss your musical humming.”

“Kuru ku kukuru,” was spoken with the meaning of, 'I just like to listen more.'

“Hahaha, you're definitely shy,” I said with a wide grin. “It's not like it's bad to be shy though. I don't mind doing all the talking, since no one would understand you anyway. Or can you communicate through thought transmission with others?”

“Kururu, ku kuru.” 'nope, just master,' Masada informed me, right as we passed by the [Red Guard] that we thought had left to go back to his post.

“Is this your new post, bro?” I asked the half-asleep guard. His tranquil spot on the soft moss, not the moss bricks mind you, had been comfortable enough to put the guard nearly to sleep.

“Sir Coon!” he said while jumping to his feet, “I was merely protecting the base of the [Red Eryn] you'd been in!”

Yeah right, man. Do I look like someone you'd have to lie to about that? I think to myself. Feeling content with the line I just thought of, I say it aloud to him as well.

“No, sir...” he said as though he had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. Well, whatever.

I really couldn't care less about it, so I ask him, “Since you're still here with me, think you could show me to the nearest weapons shop or blacksmith?”

“Yes, sir. The commercial blacksmith happens to be the best weapons shop in Kulkne.”

Another walk across the city landed the three of them a stone's throw away from another gate with a structure similar to the barracks from earlier, nothing like the trees. The scent of burning coals wafted in the area and I was honestly concerned about the respiratory hazards this could potentially cause.

Walking through the main entrance of a building with a large sign that said [Irontoe Industries] was a burly, short, coughing man that [Analyze] dubbed,

[name: Dwarf. Dwelling deep in the planet has allowed dwarves to excel at mechanics and metallurgy due to the abundant necessary materials. Typical.]

huh? Is that sass I detect from the world system?

“You're no elf! I'm happy to make y'er acquaintance,” the dwarf proclaimed excitedly. “Ya' know, elves seem to be walking on pins and needles half the time!”

Me: “It's good to meet you, Mr...” Again I have to hint at an introduction here.

Dwarf: “Aye, since I've already heard all bout ya, it would be only fair to introduce m'self. I'm Kimrul Irontoe.”