Chapter 12

Resolution (1)

    The dense forest, home to various hunters, began to stir with commotion. The animals made rustling sounds, some even cried out loud as if disturbed in spirit. Although no shape or entity was visible, almost every life in this area felt the presence of something distant. Close to destruction, the existence of it affected the minds of the surrounding wildlife. Some could do nothing but stand still, waiting for it to truly disperse.

    Despite the protective domain, the university chose to keep them closed. Handling emergencies was a task everyone, both new and old, had to vigilantly monitor on their own. There were numerous cases where students walking at night were dragged into the bushes, only for their friends to find their remains being cheerfully gnawed upon by small creatures.

    It was undoubtedly perilous... to the extent that without the university's protective magic network, the entire forest would likely have been decimated.

    "It's a bit too noisy... hmm..."

    A soft voice echoed through the bustling forest, gradually quieting down until everything came to a standstill. Then, the source of that voice stepped into the lair of various bizarre creatures. Despite other species having to look down to see it, the awe-inspiring presence deterred any animal from daring to interfere.

    A red squirrel, the size of an arm, boldly stepped forward, observing the nocturnal hunters surrounding it. One by one, they began to disappear without making a single sound.

    Suddenly, a gust of wind blew in, carrying an immense pressure that was unbearable. The denizens scrambled to their nests, causing those living nearby, including students observing the situation, to anxiously peer through their binoculars.

    Yet, one animal stood still amidst the chaos.

    "It's not a coincidence," the squirrel said, returning from two to all fours before leaping onto a tree trunk and climbing to the top. Despite the distance, it could see the structure at the center of power. What humans considered normal pressure was never trusted by any creature here.

    "Finally found... the next successor," the little squirrel yawned widely. "But no matter how long it takes, I always find them."

    Its tail brushed against the branches, sparking blue flames that spread everywhere. The small creature twitched its mouth in a semblance of a smile before devouring the flame and disappearing without a trace.

    Esther lay sprawled on the grass, gazing at the sky as if it were a mirror reflecting the real world.

    "Is it…over?"

    A weak, feeble voice came from the blood-soaked form. Dozens of wounds all over his body allowed blood to gush without any sign of stopping. Unlike before, Esther's face didn't show any satisfaction with the outcome but was twisted with dissatisfaction and hidden rage.

    At this moment, the real Esther was more vulnerable than the doppelgänger...

    Even though the replica was gone, he could still sense its presence clearly. If he really disappeared, then this world deserved to collapse with it. The power of the book was what sustained this place, so Esther wasn't willing to trust it until he saw it crumble for himself. However, the more he guarded himself, nothing happened as he had expected.

    After a while, Esther relaxed, returning to his usual demeanor, but the killer instinct within him still simmered. Like an emotionless assassin with a dagger in hand, the atmosphere filled with chilling tension made even the book tremble.

    He got the information from Esther, and some of it made the book realize:

    some people shouldn't be messed with.

    "You know, for me, fighting with magic is just so boring," Esther remarked calmly, even though no one was there to listen. "Weapons, magic, aids, they're all made to make killing easier, but they also make us forget ourselves more. Honestly, I prefer punching you in the face rather than casting some grand magic at you."

    "Amazing..."

    Another Esther, in perfect condition, stood supporting him, but this time his gaze was serene, without any mocking or irritating expression. The doppelgänger's eyes showed more respect than before, a gesture of acceptance and surrender as good as any Esther had ever encountered.

    Not admitting defeat, but his gaze signified an end.

    "As expected of the one who is being trained by an assassin, your senses are indeed sharp," his doppelgänger shrugged, stepping away from him. "What we want to know is why you still look so dissatisfied. Did the battle leave you with any discontent...?"

    "It wasn't enough," Eshter sighed deeply, even though he was gasping for breath. "If you were me, you'd know my past and thoughts, wouldn't you? Or even if you copied my appearance and abilities, it doesn't affect the brain. Using magic was probably deemed the most worthwhile option, but I've always been the type to use magic sparingly since the old days. Given a choice between familiarity and value, I prefer to use what I like."

    "Fists, right?"

    "I think 'bare hands' is a better term," Esther sighed again. "So why won't you let me out of here already?"

    "Our real duty isn't to analyze but to record. Even though recording a while ago might have affected us quite a bit," the doppelgänger summoned a black book into his hands and gently stroked it. "We don't appear by name, but by those who seek us. We exist solely to record stories. It might sound strange, but we've been waiting for you for quite some time, regardless of the names of magic tomes, names of powers and sacrifices, or any other names."

    His doppelgänger smiled upon noticing Esther quieting down. "We are called Diary, those who remember and record everything in the world as our master wishes."

    "Master wishes...me?"

    "No, we have a duty to record information about the keyholders. Even though we only have one master, his final command was to record information about every keyholder, aside from recording his life. We record everyone's first steps, and the keyholders will be the ones to pen their subsequent steps. Everything is a testament left by our master. Though he may be called a tyrant, to us, he remains a king, and the king's command is final."

    "That's profound."

    "Esther Devald, what exactly are you fighting for?"

    The Diary, embodying his body, said, "We've captured your memories, spirit, and power, but we can't truly understand the human psyche, can't fully grasp your mind."

    Its eyes were filled with an endless void. Esther didn't expect to see his own reflection in those eyes again. Though the atmosphere wasn't as tense as during the fight, looking at himself asking the question left him speechless.

    'I'm being cornered by a book...'

    "Your exterior may be hot-headed, but it's more than that," the Diary ignored Esther's reaction. "It's filled with confusion, resentment, anger, and disappointment. Importantly, all under a fierce coldness that doesn't show on the behavior. You're not someone who can't control himself...but you won't control it when the time comes."

    "You know a lot, huh..." Esther glanced at his opponent. "What else?"

    "Purposeless..."

    That word hit Esther hard, confirming that the book in human form before him truly saw through him.

    "Full of ideas, yet devoid of ideology. With intentions, yet lacking effort..." The Diary smiled slightly. "Empty, surviving on dependence on others. Your goal is what others desire, while you have yet to find your true purpose. Simply put, you're like a ship in calm seas, waiting only for the wind sent by the heavens. What was your life born for..."

    "You're not suitable to possess us…Esther Devald."

    Direct words came out of Diary's mouth.

    Something unexpected happened amidst the silence... Suddenly, Esther began to laugh. What started as a small chuckle turned into loud laughter. He then held his stomach and laughed heartily, leaving those who were watching completely bewildered.

    "To possess you!? Oh, man, if I knew it'd be like this, I wouldn't have listened to your rambling from the start," the young man who slipped into the world of books waved dismissively. "Are you crazy? I can't even handle the two girls in that room, let alone if I added you to the mix, it'd definitely start a war."

    "Are you sure...you don't want us at all?"

    "No reason to want," Esther shook his head with a smirk. "Just dealing with that crazy chain is troublesome enough, not to mention that spirit floating around. I don't have the qualifications to possess you, and that's fine by me. Even if you were a world-ending weapon or a demon god from somewhere, I wouldn't think of using you."

    "That's an odd reasoning."

    "Do perspectives and reason that everyone thinks ever alike? I think you'd be better off waiting for a new master you really want since your old master is already dead."

    "No."

    That response came with a chill, slowly encroaching upon the skin, making Esther realize why the other party mentioned it as the last command. The desires and acquisitions had come to an end today, making him feel that this change was not just about the wind.

    The entire world was crumbling.

    Storm winds surged in as if nature's irritation had been unleashed in one fell swoop. The ground began to crack from dozens of lightning strikes, and the floras, once vibrant, withered and twisted black. Finally, they turned into dust.

    The sky turned blood-red. Clouds of madness twisted into whirls, destroying everything. What kept Esther indifferent was the figure of the Diary standing unmoved before him. He looked upon the disintegrating world with immense satisfaction.

    "The last keyholder, we wish to convey a message under the name of the High King, who reigns over all seas."