Albion looked at Bloodbath that was just standing there, with the blood just constantly flowing all over its body. Constantly shifting as it turned its attention to Albion. Running at him like a bull, firing the revolver first to whittle it down. The blood spilled to the floor as the eyes were closed. Puddles of blood kept oozing the blood back to Bloodbath.

It got close to swing down its fist.

'You're too slow.' Activated, Albion could see where the swinging fists were going. Bloodbath's movements began to change. Now it was matching Albion like a boxer, going for fast jabs. Shifting its body to dodge while maintaining its power. This was something Albion had not expected but he needed to stay away from the jabs. A chance presented itself when Bloodbath stumbled in the last jab, Albion took it. A strike to the head as Bloodbath tumbled to the back.

"So it'll just keep regenerating." Albion thought out loud, charging straight at Bloodbath again. A risky move but, if there's one little fact about Lynx? They can take down prey 8 times their size and Bloodbath was no different. Injecting mana into his fists, Albion punched through the arms. Seeing Bloodbath tumble backwards, forming another set of arms while Albion went for the legs. Leaving it only by the chest, Albion proceeded to curb stomp blood bath until it completely halted in its tracks.

The walls began to peel off, blood splashing all over Albion's new set of clothes. Seeing the blood ooze away into the ground, leaving nothing behind. What Albion found was seeing a bridge with books stacked from the earlier section.

Abnormality Bloodbath has been suppressed.

Passive Abilities has been granted.

Blood Block Efficiency increased by 5% Scars Slash resistance increased by 20% Pale Hands. Staggers enemies every 3 hits, cooldown for 2 minutes. Stagger for 30 seconds.

Seeing more of this place had Albion's head in a state of confusion. Outside, it looked like a tower. But inside? How long is this bridge and just how did this bridge fit inside such a place?

A unique reception is available.

"A what?"

Reception are how these situations are commonly referred as.

Abnormalities need to be suppressed while the Phantoms of the library's residents will be in receptions.

Unique receptions are receptions where you face a special phantom.

If you win against them, you get their combat page.

Which allows for greater resistances against other damages.

The unique receptions pop up once in a while.

If you can beat this reception, you will gain a slight advantage in other receptions.

If you lose. You'll have to wait a while before challenging it or until you reach the floor.

Albion took a moment to process it, the Unique Reception was a golden light with a floating page but he needed a break before continuing onwards. His body was tired, his mana was gone. Just using it to clobber Bloodbath was par for the course and if that was only the first obstacle, what was the other obstacles?

Albion headed back to the lobby, this time taking a seat by the table. Seeing a bowl of noodles in clear chicken soup. Something that was easy for his stomach and the drink of the day? A glass of iced lemon tea. How refreshing. Gentle sips and blowing a bit on the hot soup. Some light herby taste, a bit of pepper was enough. Chewing the springy noodles was a pleasure, satisfying and it may be plain on the surface. Yet the flavours were just oozing themselves onto his taste buds.

"Must've been the best meal I've had in years. Mana does take a lot out of me." Albion spoke as he slurped the bowl clean, wiping his face with a tissue. He thought about the Unique Reception, would he dare to take the risk? Power comes at a price. Price must be paid for it. A lynx could take on a being 8 times its size but it still would not fight a battle if it knew it can't win.

Either way, Albion was going to bite the bullet as he made his way back to the bridge of books. Looking at the golden light, where he had a few options.

A Thumb officer.

A Coloured Fixer.

A ???

An Abnormality.

A Shi Fixer

A Hana Association Fixer.

A Coloured Fixer

R Corp Rabbit.

"An Abnormality fight might be too much for me. Do you have any recommendations?"

The Coloured Fixers are good choices for ultimate combat, as they are considered the best of the best.

A Thumb officer allows for use of melee and ranged combat pages.

Abnormality is an abnormality.

A Shi Fixer uses bladed weapnry.

A Hana Fixer are individuals that use Trigram combat system.

R Corp Rabbit uses charges in combat, increasing damage potential with each charge. Expends use of Charges to make damage.

A Thumb officer allows for use of firearms and fists.

^These pages are considered tough for your current ability.

"Hm... I'll take R-Corp Rabbit." Albion said as the light vanished, unveiling a figure in a black suit of armor, with a helmet that had a rabbit ears sticking out at the top, with gas masks by the face area. Carrying a rifle of sorts, something that Albion was completely unfamiliar with.

The Rabbit fired off the rifle at Albion's direction. Narrowly dodging the shots. The bullets were faster than what he's used to, concentrating fire that was pushing Albion into a direction. The Rabbit went straight at Albion with the blade, thrusting it forward to strike at Albion at point blank range. The gap between them was roughly 50 meters but it was closed in with such ease. Albion had a narrow dodge, then swiping an attack with the knife. The Rabbit hopped back a step, where Albion fired off the revolver. Striking the shoulder armor that cracked, but the Rabbit showed no signs of slowing down. Continuing fire at Albion, another attempt to corner him again. The Rabbit's lenses glowed red as its right arm charged up, wielding a blade to charge straight at Albion.

Albion waited for the right moment to dodge, taking a hit to the shoulder. Then slashing the Rabbit three times, seeing it fall to stagger where Albion shoved the barrel of his revolver to the neck. His right hand grabbing the barrel to keep it at the Rabbit's throat. Firing off three shots as the heat burned his fingers, watching the Rabbit fall to the knees, Albert used the chance to stab the knife to the neck. Slicing it open.

Watching the Rabbit fall down motionless. Albion fell on his butt.

It is natural for a Lynx to overwhelm a Rabbit.

Yet, it seems as if you struggled.

Was that not easy?

"If I didn't have Bloodbath. That fight would have gone far differently." Albion said as he pulled out the knife from his shoulder, he needed to get this checked out. There's no doctor here, so he'll just have to head to the lobby.

It seems your combat style is high risk, and high reward.

How did you survive your world as a Hunter?

Albion didn't answer as he looked around for the books in the lobby for something, medical books or journals that he could use to treat his wounds.

If you answer, a medical station can be made for you to heal up injuries.

"Because I wanted to survive. So I did whatever I could to do it." Albion answered bluntly as he watched a medical station magically appear out of thin air, originating from a book. Taking a seat on it, as the station began to work its magic. Healing his wounds in an unnatural form, as if reverting his body back to normal.

You may equip up to five weapons.

The Rabbit Rifle and Knife can replace your current guns and knife if necessary.

The Rabbit Suit increases strength and defense.

Albion put it on, where he looked at the suit having orange neon highlights with black base. Feels comfortable, even when Albion turned to a window that showed the empty lands outside. He could see faint reflection of himself, wearing the rabbit armor.

"What... Exactly is A Rabbit?"

Rabbits are Specialized Combat Units

They excel in suppression and exploration.

They originate from R Corporation's ranks.

The world outside is empty as this is merely a place where those who have been chosen may make their appearance.

You were invited here to realize something.

An Ideal of sorts.

Do you like the changes in power that you have received?

"If this makes me stronger. Then sure. I've never had a screen anyway."

Perhaps it may due to the fact that your body is readjusting to be part of the system.

There many pages for you to acquire.

Unlike the usual rules.

You may be able to equip all pages and use the passives that they grant.

The R Corp Rabbit passives are as follows.

Graze the Grass. Allows for a fast diagonal attack. Spends 5 charge. Quick Suppression Fast attacks against weaker enemies.

Faster elimination.

Spends 7 charge. Concentrated Fire. Displays firing line of the rifle.

You can force enemies into a certain position to use the other attacks.

3 charge. Energy storage. Charges develop with kinetic movement.

Stacks up to 20.

Can be upgraded if you find the other R Rabbit pages.

"So pages can be upgraded?"

Correct.

Pages can be upgraded when you fight the other remaining Pages.

To power up the R Rabbit Pages, you will need to defeat three more R Rabbits.

To Maximize its power, you have to defeat Rabbit Team Leader.

Albion nodded as he read the details, swapping his revolver and knife for the Rabbit Rifle and Rabbit knife. This will help a bit, even if it will take time. The next pages before him were ready for choosing. The Rats, the Iron Brotherhood, Yun Office.

"Can I face them all at the same time?"

If that is what you wish.

Albion found himself by the bridge of books once more, seeing all the figures before him. Three in rags, three with metallic bodies and the rest in proper uniforms and clothes. The rifle made quick work of the trio in rags, the Rats. The three metallic bodies braced themselves for impact as the other Fixers went to hide behind the trio. The relenting gunfire was pushing them back even for a brief moment.

'Charge counter increasing. Charge has accumulated to 10.' Albion noticed as he drew the knife.

"Quick suppression." He whispered as he leaped up into the air, expending 7 of his charge to dive bomb downwards. Crashing onto Yun's head first, a fast swipe with the knife to the throat. The other Fixers reacted by moving in formations but Albion went over to grab one Fixer by the cheeks. Crushing it as black blood splashed over his newly formed armor. One of them, Finn got a hit on Albion's back. Where Albion shoved the rifle to Finn's chest, unloading an entire magazine through the rookie's body. A fast reload as he manhandled a chainsaw wielding woman. Throwing her down, then smashing her head to her own weapon.

Albion was smiling, this kind of power felt good and it was easy to get drunk on it. This was just part of it, he was going to keep fighting them over and over until he had maxed out their pages.

Meanwhile in another world.

Lisbon was tying her blonde hair as she readied her blade. Gripping it tightly, staring at the orcs before her.

"Lisbon wait!"

"Don't bother." The Hunters paused as they heard her roar, hacking through the many orcs like they were nothing to her.

"She's awakened to a Berserker? Sheesh. Things weren't the same ever since Albion's gone." A Hunter remarked.

"Yeah. An F-Rank but he's got sharp instincts. Sad to see that the associations and guilds not accepting that level of talent. Then again he can equip weapons of all classes." They continued to watch Lisbon punch an orc's stomach, causing it to tumble. Swinging her sword to the neck as the red blood sprayed her face and armor in scarlet. Roaring again as she continued to swing her blade frantically. Going wild as much as she could, slicing the orc limbs like a sadist. Smiling as she was drunk by the Berserker's Blood Rush. Craving for their deaths as she stood above the corpses of orcs.

"Lisbon! Take a break!" Lisbon nodded as she drank her health potion. Then drinking the stamina potion as she continued her assault. Rushing head first as an orc chieftain roared at her face. She roared back in defying, impaling the orc chieftain's arm with her blade. Then grabbing the head, kicking the orc chieftain down. Slowly ripping the orc chieftain's head off where the other orcs paused to turn their attention at her. Swinging their blades and clubs at her. The damage had dented her armor, cracking and breaking the pieces but Lisbon was too far gone to even be bothered. The other Hunters began their support for her and when she ripped off the orc chieftain's head, she used it as a weapon against them. Bashing skulls inward, kicking the orcs back away as the others continued to heal and buff her.

Another ground shaking roar that caused most of the orcs to turn tail and run. Lisbon threw the damaged orc chieftain's head aside, walking over to a tree to just sit down. Taking out something from her pocket, a pendant. A photo of her and Albion. Then looking at her status screen.

Lisbon Cromwell

Class Asura Berserker Level 50 HP 5,000 MP 2,500 STR 250 VIT 500 END 700 SPD 400 INT 50

"I need to get stronger. Maybe then... Albion wouldn't have to worry about me all the time." Lisbon spoke to herself.

He is alive.

My chosen, focus on your training.

The time for your reunion may be later.

It may take a year or maybe longer.

When the time comes, he will return.

"Yes, Asura." Lisbon got back on her feet, leaving the portal with the other Hunters as people began to parade over to them.

"Lisbon! How does it feel to b-" Whatever they asked, Lisbon didn't want to answer. Nor did she want to hear it, moving into the truck of the guild. Sitting down by the corner, the other Hunters wanted to speak to her but words would not reach her ears. Her eyes look lifeless, previously. Those who knew Lisbon would say she is a cheerful person, a bubbly individual that can keep the spirits of her teammates up. After Albion's disappearance in the same dungeon she just went into, it had made her more cynical.

Hearing from Asura, the one who had chosen her to be his representative. That Albion is alive, it meant that he may be still out there. Her heart will wait for him, even if things will take its time. Can her heart hold out from it? The longing for Albion's smile.

Meanwhile back at the Library.

Albion had beaten the pages enough times. Now having their skills. He had beaten, the Rats, the Iron Brotherhood, Yun's Office. Seeing another pathway that opened up for him, it would be a good chance to see what's going on there. Looking at his new list of passives.

Passives gained.

Skitter Away. Increases evasion distance. Gut Harvesting Heals health with slash damage. 1HP. Stacks. Endure Uses charges to mitigate attacks.

Using full 20 charges negates attack completely.

10 Charges at 50%. Rampage Multiple strikes against an enemy.

Causes Bloodlust and Frenzy state. Mutilate HP recovery with each strike.

1HP. Commandeering Increases defense of self by 50%

Grants defense buff to allies for 25% for 5 minutes.

30 minute cooldown. Time For A Little Test Attacks can cause enemies to be inflicted with fragile state.

(Fragile: Causes defenses to be halved.)

Fragile state for 30 seconds.

Cool down 10 minutes. Preparation

Prep defenses for incoming attacks.

Status menu unlocked.

Unlike the Usual Hunters. You only have ATK and DEFs.

HP 200 MP 50 ATK 35 DEF 70

Albion was surprised to that menu pop up.

"So does that mean I was fighting them as a regular human?"

Correct.

Your attacks were that of your power as an F-Ranked Hunter.

With the addition of the system. Your attacks will be amplified.

You will be required to clear Floors as you go along.

It will be done floor by floor.

You have cleared the first section of Keter. Now please proceed to the next section of Keter.

The more sections you unlock. The more Unique Battles will be available for you.

Albion continued onwards, now making his move through the door of light. Opening his eyes to another portion of the floor, seeing a sign in front of him.

'Keter Path 2.' Albion took a moment to pause and think for himself, but he found someone wearing a black suit. Lighting up a cigarette, staring at him. She had blue hair, a scar over her left eye.

"I thought I was the only resident."

Assistant Librarians have been awakened as a result of you beating the Abnormality.

It is possible for you to gain more Assistant Librarians as you defeat the Abnormalities.

Each floor has 5 Paths and reaching the 5th Path will allow you to unlock the doors to your world.

Be warned. Keter floor is considered the easiest in the first section, but from here onwards. It will be difficult.

Be warned. Not all Assistants will aid you.

Albion read the bottom part, then he heard a gunshot. Narrowly dodging a bullet as he took cover behind a pillar of books.

"Assistant Librarian, Ryn. Reporting for duty." She spoke out loud, firing a few more shots. That caused the books above Albion to tumble down, he fired the rifle back. Watching Ryn weave through the bullets as she fired back. Her pair of pistols were akin to the Desert Eagles he had seen previously used by Hunters. Normally its a fall back weapon, but she's using it like it's a pair of 22LR pistols. Barely any recoil from them. She had Albion in her sights.

The gunfire subsided, Albion was checking his charges. He only had 10 of it, and he doesn't know the weapon damage from the pistols. If they were chambered in 50.Action Express, it'd be dangerous but then again. This place defies logic, so Albion shouldn't be applying it to this place. He wasn't nervous, but he was thinking about what would be useful in this moment.

She fired at the pillar of books again, seeing it fall down on Albion. Crashing into him. Clicking her tongue, Ryn reloaded her pistols. Her guard wasn't lowered despite the bloodied helmet that rolled to her direction. Albion appeared before her with the knife to her throat, pistol pointed to his face. Finger on the trigger, Albion and Ryn grinned at each other. She fired a shot, Albion headbutted her back. Then slashing her hand and grabbed the pistol. Pointing it at each other.

It was a standoff, she could weave through bullets. Safe to say even at a distance being mere inches from them, it would be a minimal chance but still possible. They both fired the pistols, closing the distance as they engaged in a head on collision. Diverting the barrels away from each other, Albion pushed the pistol aside, head butting Ryn down. She responded in kind, then Albion put the gun to her face.

"I'm not your enemy." Albion said, where he lowered the pistol. Putting it to Ryn's hip holster and walking away.

"You're a guest aren't you? What are you here for?" Ryn asked as she glared at him, taking out another cigarette to light it up.

"I came here out of nowhere. I blew myself up because I'd rather pick my own way of dying. Either blow myself up, or get eaten by sharks or orcs." Ryn raised her eyebrows.

"Orcs? Aren't those the green skin fantasy things?"

"Yeah.. Wait, where your from doesn't have those?"

"No, we have Distortions. Or Abnormalities. Either way potato, patato." Ryn said as she took her seat by a couch that was in the 2nd Path.

"You already fought Blood bath. Then it means I'll be your assistant from now on. I got my own combat page. Normally we'd have to pick from what we got, but so far. Sheesh, this place doesn't even look like what it used to. It's all a mess in here." Ryn said as she gestured to the stacks of books in front of the couch. More weapons, means more phantoms to fight.

Ryn Sherwood.

Assistant Librarian, Keter Floor Captain.

She was recruited to the Library after her death as a guest here.

Grade 1 Fixer.

Uses guns exclusive to her by the Mook Workshop, her hand to hand combat is known to be legendary.

However, due to reawakening her powers have slightly diminished.

Albion looked at the pages, Pierre Bistro and Streetlight office while Ryn was casually smoking her cigarette.

"My power's diminished a bit, but that doesn't mean I still can't kick ass."

"We'll do a warm up when this is over. So are you just stuck here?"

"Nope, I can freely move around if I want to. Only on this floor though. Someone's gotta keep an eye here." Ryn joked as she exhaled the smoke from her lips.

"There's another 4 more idiots to wake up, but only if you beat the Abnormality. This floor is Heart of Aspiration. You might want to prep up before the fight." Albion took Ryn's advice with a nod. No point being reckless.

"Alright. So what's the plan?"

"I'll wait on you before we handle it." Albion nodded to her words as they both went back to the lobby, where Albion found another chair by the table, complete with a set of utensils and a plate. She was going to be seated in front of him.

They took their seats as they were given a nice portion of steak and a glass of wine. Enjoying the steak at medium rare, truly juicy with the garlic butter with a hint of rosemary.

"It's been a while since I've had food. Better than just eating corn all day."

"I normally eat military rations. Not exactly the best thing to eat. Considering their biscuits are dryer than normal bread." They both smiled as they enjoyed their meal, feeling full from it.

"Alright. Thanks for the meal. Imma head back and sleep on the couch. When you're ready. Come find me at my path." Albion nodded as he went over to find a single bed in the corner, a nice comfy bed. Better than sleeping in sleeping bags all day. His life here was much more pleasurable than when he was a Hunter. F-Ranked that could barely make ends meet at least here. Things would be different but he wanted to check on Lisbon.

For now though, he needed sleep. So off to sleep.