Author's Note: Cookie clickers got really old really fast, as old as the old ladies who made my cookies, so here's another chapter. I bet most of you weren't expecting another chapter so soon.

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“So... Tired.”

Null is currently traveling through the plains. Ever since he has left Panford, he has had a very difficult time. Null has barely had any sleep because of being repeatedly attacked by monsters. No one had told him that going off road would be this dangerous. He has to constantly watch his back. A monster comes up to attack. It's an ambush, but Null long ago had saw it coming. Null places mana inside his arm. He swipes at the monster and kills it in a single blow. Experience had taught him when to defend. It's been 3 months in-game since Null defeated Plague.

Null has been having another problem. The compass that was created when he used Transmutation Circle Activation keeps changing direction every month. For that, Null doesn't know what to do. At first everything was going fine. He was following the compass, but then it just had suddenly changed direction. Null was confused, but he still followed after the compass.

After another month had passed, the compass completely changed direction again. This really frustrated Null. Along the way, had to deal with absurdly powerful monsters. He was glad that he decided to separate from Cici. He at first felt so weak when he fought powerful monsters without Cici. Eventually, he had gotten used to fighting alone again.

Sometimes, even the forest itself would attack Null. He didn't know whether the tree he was standing next to was just an ordinary tree or a Treant ready to attack him. Sometimes needle grass would impale Null's foot. Null hated it.

Null's clothes are now in such terrible condition that even he started to care about it. Null knows nothing about stitching, nor does he have clothes repair, so right now he's wearing a jumbled up mess of clothes with huge holes and tears from the monsters he fought. The plains proved to be easier than some of the forests that Null wandered into, but he still had to be on his toes. Thanks to his experiences, he has leveled up to level 228.

Null's achievements had been spread throughout the towns surrounding Panford, but to players, he has been mostly forgotten. Finding a cure may have been big deal, but beating a C-rank dungeon wasn't. At level 300 or above, a person can attempt to solo a C-rank dungeon by themselves..

When he kept walking, Null noticed the grass started becoming shorter. After a while, Null had found a road. He felt relieved.

'I think I'll stick with the road for now until I figure what's wrong with this compass.'

Once in a while, Null will run into bandits, but when they looked at his dismal state, they left him alone. Null felt he actually missed bandits rather than the hell he went through before.

After walking on the path for a while, Null notices that he's seeing people more often. Soon he sees lots of people and carts. He even starts seeing rich people with horse drawn carriages. Null soon the sees reason why. He sees a small city. The city has a population of around 60000. Null has never wanted to go to a city this bad before. He's in desperate need of supplies. There is a line for coming into the town. He hears that a lot of the people in line are talking about him because of his state of dress, but Null pays them no mind.

****************

Null has been in line for several hours. It is finally his turn.

“If you're a beggar, we do not want you here. We have plenty of those in this town.” The guard says to Null rudely.

“I'm not a beggar.”

“Hmph. That sounds like something a beggar would say.”

Null sighs. He takes out 30 silver and gives it to the guard. He's way too tired to deal with this shit. When the guard got the money, he happily let Null through.

The first thing Null does inside the city is go to a cartographer near the entrance. He buys maps of the city and the surrounding areas.

The cartographer says to Null, “Welcome to Palperroth, the city known for its beauty and art! 300 years ago when this city was still in its infancy, the Baron Mable Vaughn took this desolate place and decorated it with multiple paintings and sculptures! Since then, it has grown to what you see today! The world famous painter, Raphael Witte, also lives here! Please look around and appreciate the art!”

'This guy is way too enthusiastic about his job.' Null thinks while giving the man a deadpan stare.

Null finds an inn and gets some much needed sleep. After he wakes up, he walks around the city. The city is beautiful.

'This city really does have some beautiful paintings. I think I can make more paintings based on some of these. Well, enough about that. Walking around in these ruined clothes is making me uncomfortable. Where is the clothing store on this map?'

After walking for a bit, Null finds the clothing store. He walks in when he hears shuffling and commotion.

“OMG so cuuuute!” A girl yells out loud. She's running around looking at the different clothes. She has glasses with shoulder length hair in some flashy hairstyle, walking around in a pretentious outfit.

Her friend says to her, “Um, maybe you should try for functionality instead of design.” She says shyly and quietly, “This pair of clothes gives almost no effects.”

The girl talking to the flashy girl is a short and adorable elf with orange hair. Her feet face inward, and she fidgets a lot. She looks like someone you want to protect.

“But it's cute! Therefore I'll buy it! I'll buy you something too!”

“Waah! Pl-Please let me have a least a day off of being forcibly dressed by you!” She says while shivering.

“It's your fault for being so cute!” She says while giving her a hug.

“Seriously? Come on. We do not do that kind of thing in public.” A guy comes over trying to reason with the flashy girl.

He looks fairly average, and has average height.

“You're usually so collected. Why do you always become like this when you're around clothes?” He sighs.

“You're right. I apologize.” She says while letting go of the girl. “Where's FreshPrince?”

“He died.”

“Again!?”

Null walks by ignoring them and looks for something to wear. When that little girl looks at who it is, she gets a look of horror on her face.

“WAH!” She points at Null with a shaking finger.

Hearing the noise, Null looks over to see what's going on.

“Oh no it's David you followed me in the game because you want to end me and you're starting by destroying my avatar then you'll kill me in real life I'm gonna die EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!!!!”

She runs away while flailing her arms.

“Lily, come back! Oh geez.” The guy says while face palming.

“Go after her before she gets herself lost.” The girl in glasses says to the guy.

He nods and goes.

Null was genuinely surprised. 'What the fuck was that!?'

The girl sighs and walks over to Null.

“I apologize for what has just happened. She has been afraid of you for a while. Don't let it get to you.”

Her personality does a complete 180. She gains the poise and dignity of a noble. She then starts looking at what Null is wearing and gets a grossed out look on her face.

“I take it you're here to buy some new clothes?”

Null nods.

“...Maybe you should just get rid of the clothes you have on right now. Maybe burn them while we're at it for good measure.”

Null decides that he doesn't like this person and walks off.

“Wait, wait, wait. At least let me apologize for my friend running away from you by repairing your clothes. My class is tailor, so repairing clothes of this level isn't a problem. Take out all the clothes you want me to repair.”

Null takes them all out and keeps them in his arms. Even with clothes, Null wouldn't trust someone to take anything away from him.

“Okay, here I go.”

She puts her hands on Null's clothes.

“Clothes Repair!”

“Clothes Repair!”

“Clothes Repair!”

…

She's done. Null looks at his clothes. They look even better than when he had received them.

“Once again, I apologize. Let's use this to forget about what had just happened. Until we meet again.”

She runs off in the direction of that guy and the girl named Lily who was frightened of David.

'Today is going to be one of those days.' Null thinks.

He buys new clothes and then leaves the shop.

'Maybe I can find a way to level my painting class in this city. I'll think about that later. For now, I need to find a way to level up my main class. A subclass isn't allowed to be higher leveled than the main class after all.'

Null makes his way into the library. The library is a lot bigger than the one in Holdendale. Null first decides to read around for any new information, or actually place new information in this library in order to try and level his librarian class. He gathers books and finds an isolated spot. Null keeps using the skill Learning Without Reading when he hears someone.

“Excuse me sir, but are you Null?”

Null gets instantly annoyed.

“Who wants to know?”

“My boss, the head librarian wants to know. If you are then he would like to meet with you.”

“I don't see why I should.” Null goes back to the books in front of him.

'Yep. From the description I've received from my boss, he's definitely Null.'

The guy goes back and tells his boss that Null is in the library. The head librarian of Palperroth goes out of his office and makes his way to Null.

“Wears assassin clothes and has a sour disposition. Yep. It's you alright! It's an honor to meet you Mr. Null!”

'An honor to meet me?' Null starts to feels uneasy.

“Why is it an honor to meet me?” Null says.

Null had already barely dodged a bullet with Panford. He tries his hardest to not do anything that will even slightly get him recognition.

“Let's go somewhere we can chat privately.”

Null nods. If it was anything else, Null would have told him to get lost. However, when it comes to him acquiring fame, he will do everything in his power to remain a nobody.

Null is taken to a room that blocks all sound. Now its just the two of them. The librarian prepares tea for the two of them. Null doesn't touch his tea.

“Okay. Now we can talk freely. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Salvatore Rogers, head librarian of the library of Palperroth. I already know who you are. You're Null.”

Null nods. “From what you said earlier, you said that it was an honor to meet me. Why is that?”

Salvatore takes sip of his tea.

“Well you're actually pretty famous.”

Nothing but dread and despair fills Null's heart right now.

“Why!? I haven't done anything!”

What Null says causes the librarian to laugh. “You must be joking. You unlocked the transmutation circle skills.”

“...How did you know?” Null asks apprehensive.

“All the top librarians around the world know about how you acquired those skills. Mrs. Allensworth sure did a good job whatever she did. Oh. If you're worried about anyone else knowing about you, don't worry. We wouldn't dare spread this information out.”

“So that means I'm only famous among the top librarians?”

“Oh yes. Only among us. With the ordinary populace, they have no clue about your transmutation circle skills.”

This causes Null to calm down, but he is still a bit nervous from what he has learned.

“Now with that out of the way, I feel that it is my duty to help you however I can. Is there any reason you went to this city?”

Null thinks that since he's already here, the librarian might as well help him out. “I'm here for several reasons actually. The first reason I'm here is to restock on supplies. The second reason is that my skill mastery in 4 classes have hit a rut. I was hoping to find a way to level them.”

“Is the librarian class one of those classes?”

“Yes.”

“What level is it on?”

“Intermediate level 5.”

“What have you done so far?”

“First I read books. When my class stopped gaining experience that way, I made books. When experience gaining stopped again, I started writing new information no one has ever written down before, at least in the Holdendale library. I don't know the next step.”

“Oh that's an easy one.” Librarian was glad that it was something simple that he could help Null with. “Our founder invented the librarian class in the first place because it used to be that learning to read and acquiring books was fairly difficult. Books were held in mage institutions and they never gave out anything freely. All you have to do is start educating and teaching people. That will help you level the librarian class.”

“UuuuuuuuuuuUUUUUUUUUGH!”

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing.” Null says while holding his face in his palms.

The librarian takes another sip of tea.

“You can also level the class with that method you used before with writing down new information. However, the higher level the librarian class, the more important and explosive the information has to be in order for the class to level. The larger it shakes the world, the larger the experience gain. Think of it as the equivalent of your world's Einstein discovering relativity, something of that scale.”

'That's easier said than done.' Thinks Null.

“Any other class you need help with?”

“The painting, calligraphy, and blacksmith class.”

“I don't know anything about the blacksmith class, and my painting and calligraphy classes haven't reached intermediate. However, I do know the head of the calligraphy guild. I can write a letter to get you to talk to him. For painting, there's a famous one that lives here, but he mostly isolates himself just like you, so it will be fairly difficult for you to meet with him. He is the head of painting guild.”

He writes a note for Null.

While he's writing, Null thinks, 'Why is he being so helpful to me? Maybe he's trying to set me up for a trap. I don't trust him.'

The sad thing is that the guy has no ulterior motive other than for Null to get stronger.

Salvatore hands Null the note.

“Thank you.”

“It's no problem. Come by if you need anything else. Even if you just want to chat, I'm right here, though I doubt you would ever want to do that.”

Null leaves the library. He goes to the blacksmith guild, then multiple blacksmith places, trying to know if there is anybody to help him with leveling. All of them say that there is nothing they can do for him. Null then goes to the Calligraphy guild. There are many people there, way more than the calligraphy guild in Holdendale. When he makes it there, Null sees people surrounding someone. It's a guy doing impressive calligraphy. Everyone watching is in awe.

“Amazing.”

“So this is what a person with intermediate in calligraphy is capable of. I hope one day to reach his level.”

Null glances at him but then continues on his way.

He makes his way to a receptionist.

“How can I help you?” She asks.

“I want to see your guild leader.”

“Do you have an appointment?”

Null takes out a note from his inventory. “Could you give this to him?”

“Just a minute.”

She gets up and goes to the guild leader.

A few seconds later, the guild leader comes down.

“Are you the one called Null?” The guild leader asks with a stern look.

“I am.”

“So you begged Salvatore to let me help you with your calligraphy class. I want to perform some tests to prove that you really have intermediate.”

“Okay. Can it be done privately? I don't like spectators.”

“Very well.”

When the guild leader came down, everyone was surprised.

“He personally came down to greet someone!?”

“Even though I've been here for 6 months, I've never seen him personally come down to meet someone. Who is that guy?”

The guy who was busy being the center of attention gets a curious look on his face. “Hmm.. That was weird. I wonder what that is about.”

Both Null and the guild master make it to an empty room. The guild master spreads paper everywhere.

“First test. I want you to expand the word on this paper to the point it fills the entire page. Only someone with intermediate in alchemy is able to do this.”

Guild master waits for Null with arms crossed.

“Calligraphy expansion!”

The word fills up the page.

“Good, good. The second test. It's not enough to have intermediate in a skill. You have to have control. I've marked several circles in this room. Each of these circles are about an inch in diameter. Use the Ink Hand technique to mark all the circles in a continuous line.”

Null nods. “Ink Hand!”

What astonished the guild master was not only was the technique Null used extremely accurate, but it was also extremely quick. Ink was marked in the dead center of the circles.

“What extraordinary technique! You may be even better than that other foreigner here!”

Null doesn't care about the compliments. “So sir, will you agree to help me?”

“So you only came here to learn how to get experience for calligraphy? What about learning a new technique?”

“I can learn a new technique?”

“That depends on you.”

“Okay, but before that, I originally came here in order to find a way out of the rut I've been having.”

He asks Null a series of questions.

“Usually, a person would have to pay a hefty sum for this information, but since head librarian so adamantly talked about you, I'll do it for free. Since you've made it to the intermediate level, you should have numerous fonts that you've created. Right?”

Null nods.

“You should have also noticed that some fonts you have created give more experience than other fonts.”

Null eyes open wide.

'I was quickly trying to create as many fonts as I possibly could, so I didn't pay attention, but now that I think about it, that was the case!'

Null nods.

“The solution is simple. The calligraphy class and painting class have always been very close. When you advance in those classes, you start to notice that they slowly start to converge. Stop trying to make as many fonts as possible, and start actually trying to shrink the amount you have by combining them together. Also, try making your calligraphy more like a painting. Make it more aesthetic. This should help you advance for a little while.”

“Thank you. You have really helped me. Now about the matter of learning a new technique.”

“That one is incredibly easy. You don't even need to be at intermediate to learn it. This skill is called Copy-Paste.”

“...Copy-Paste?”

“Yes. It's as it sounds. The skill doesn't even need to be leveled. Mana consumption will depend on how large the image you're trying to copy is. Allow me to demonstrate.”

He takes a paper with words written on them, and a blank sheet of paper.

“Copy!”

His hand glows blue and a light covers the paper. He then places his hand on the blank sheet of paper.

“Paste!”

His hand glows blue once again. Images first start glowing blue, then they slowly fade to black. When he's done, he holds both papers side by side. They look exactly the same. There is no difference between them.

'Amazing.' Thinks Null.

“What do I have to do to learn this techniques?”

“Nothing really. Just work for me for 3 measly years, then the technique is yours.”

“...3 years?”

“Yes. You didn't think I would just hand the technique over to you did you?”

“I'll think about it. Thank you for your time.”

Null leaves the place.

'Like hell I would stay in this city for 3 years! I don't deal with people any more than I have to! 3 years is far too long. Well, I saw him perform that technique. Maybe I can replicate it into a skill book.'

Null spent the next two weeks trying to write the skill book for Copy-Paste. The thing with skill books is that they have to be perfect before they can be used. There cannot be a single mistake. Null has created hundreds of books and he had still failed, but he wasn't deterred. Finally, he got what he was looking for.

You have gained the skill book Copy-Paste. Would you like to learn the skill?

'Oh finally!' “Yes.”

You have learned the skill Copy-Paste.

Copy-PasteSkill typeActiveSkill ProficiencyCannot level upCan copy books or written documents.

Base Cost: 500 mana

“Whooooo! 3 years? Hmph. Now its time to learn about painting, then I'll leave this city.”

Little did Null know, he was being watched by two people.

“See? What did I tell you about him?” This person was all smiles. It was Salvatore Rogers, the head librarian.

“Wow. I had originally thought I had overestimated him. Now it appears I still underestimated him. He's exceeded my expectations. To make a skill book upon seeing my technique once.” The head calligraphy guild master says.

“I'm glad you agreed to help me with my test.” Librarian says. “Things will get interesting in the next few years.”

“Anything for an old friend.”

They then both disappear.

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Author's Note: Have you guys noticed that there are some parts of my story that you can overlook only to realize that it was an important plot point? That Lily girl was in my story before, though she was barely noticed. I wonder if anyone will be able to find her. I'll give you a hint. It's in chapter 4.