Fire Mage-Chapter 641: Library

Chapter 641: Library

Charles’s gaze swept across the grand library before he strode toward the third shelf. Determined to find the book Azoth had mentioned, he scanned the rows with focused intent.

Minutes slipped by as he searched meticulously. Then his eyes caught on a worn volume, its cover crafted from thick, cracked leather. He drew it out carefully, the weight of it solid in his hands.

"The Secrets Scribe – The Whispers of a Glutton," he read aloud, his voice tinged with curiosity. The title stirred something inside him—an enigmatic pull. He opened the book, his fingers brushing the aged parchment.

But as he delved into its pages, his curiosity gave way to a solemn expression. The deeper he read, the heavier his heart grew.

Even the fallen God Phobe, with all his power and wisdom, had failed to understand the artifact’s true origins. Its nature remained cloaked in mystery.

"Although this artifact has no soul or consciousness," the scribe wrote, "I felt a strange eeriness each time I used it. It was as though something... was watching me. That’s when I began seeking its origin—trying to decipher the truth."

"I found this artifact near the Eternal River of Life, while exploring the cosmos. I thought it might have formed by chance, absorbing remnants of the strange purple flame. But the more I studied it, the more I realized—each bead might contain an entire world."

"I sent an avatar into one of the purple beads to explore. But the moment it entered... I lost contact. I tried the same with two other beads. Same result. They’re worlds—each ruled by a force more powerful than my avatars. I don’t know for sure. But I am certain... this bracelet is more than it seems."

Warnings followed. Caution for any who might attempt to enter those beads recklessly.

Charles closed the book slowly, brows furrowed. Where is it now? The question echoed in his thoughts. He decided to remain in the library for a few days, hoping to uncover more clues.

If only I had a skill like Eidetic Memory... he mused, shaking his head. Without such power, he could only rely on persistence.

He turned his attention to books detailing the geography of Dream God Phoebe’s divine kingdom—searching for landmarks, locations, and known artifact sites.

By the fifth day, he had absorbed most of the material concerning the First Layer. A faint sense of clarity began to take shape.

Got it. He pulled a rolled-up map from a nearby shelf and spread it across the floor. Eyes scanning its details, he nodded in satisfaction.

The terrain matches the past. But instead of people, magical beasts and nightmare creatures infest this place now.

With a focused mind, he uncapped a quill and began contemplating possible hiding spots.

After cross-referencing his findings, Charles marked three areas.

"First, the Dark Garden. It lies far to the south, swarming with Nightmare Beings—Dream Goblins. Anyone who enters tends to lose their memories... and their sanity. It’s a solid candidate.

"Second, the Dream Palace. A place of safety... and danger. Stay too long, and memories begin to vanish. After two days, you’re ejected forcibly—and left hollow.

"Third, the Graveyard of Stealers. It’s in the northeast. That’s where Corpse Devourers dwell—creatures that can mimic the memories and skills of the dead. That makes it the top priority."

He’d also received recent news from Head Deacon Colt about the Order Church.

Three days prior, three factions had joined forces to defeat the Fallen Priest Pathmaker near the Dream Temple—north of the Dream Palace. The ruins revealed artifacts, ancient relics, and even an intelligent artifact. But the Archbishop vanished shortly after, slipping away unnoticed. The groups remained undecided—pursue him, or proceed to the Second Layer?

Charles didn’t concern himself with their squabbles.

I need that bracelet first. Then I’ll move to the next layer.

He stored the map in his space ring, rose, and left the library. Moments later, he exited the palace and set out toward the northeast, his presence no longer concealed.

He traveled swiftly, leaving behind trails of magical destruction. Rank-5 beasts fell beneath his power, and even a few Legendary ones met their end.

On the third day, he reached the edge of the Graveyard of Stealers.

Standing atop a lone hill, Charles surveyed the land below—an eerie forest of lifeless trees and brittle plants.

"I need to stay alert now." His voice was calm but laced with caution.

He turned his gaze to the glowing blue interface hovering before him.

Thirty-five Rank-5 beasts. Six Legend-ranks. Total earned: seventy-six Wisdom Points. Combined with the ones he got from defeating Azoth’s dream clones, he now had 120 Wisdom Points.

He gave a silent command.

"Genesis—channel all wisdom power into the Inner World."

A second later, a profound transformation began within him. His senses deepened, his strength surged.

Five hundred eighty total points... His eyes narrowed, thoughts churning. Still need over five hundred more to reach the peak of the Legendary Realm. But once I get there... I could match true Demi-Gods. Not just Church Popes—beings like Rafael, Emerson, Miguel...

Shaking away those thoughts, he stepped off the hill and descended toward the forest.

The ground below was dead and cracked. As he walked, he extended his wisdom power outward, scanning the terrain.

Just worms and snails in the rotting trees. Nothing dangerous—yet.

But three hundred meters in, he halted.

His gaze snapped to the left.

A figure emerged—mid-forties, rushing toward him in a panic. The man’s face was worn, the panic etched deep into his rugged features. Blonde hair tumbled around his face, framing piercing amber eyes. His thick eyebrows were furrowed tight with anxiety. Scars marked his calloused hands—hands that gripped a long sword tightly.

He wore a flowing priest’s robe, dyed deep red, fluttering as he ran.

Recognition flickered in Charles’s eyes. The name came unbidden.

"Archbishop Victor Hawthorne?"

He’d never met the man in person, but there was no mistaking him.

Then Charles’s eyes shifted behind the fleeing Archbishop.

A monstrous pack of dogs raced after him. Over a hundred of them, each towering at two meters.

But these were no ordinary hounds.

Their skin was pitch black. Their bodies, muscular and dense like bulls. A single, spiraled horn jutted from each forehead, and beneath it, a third eye blazed with a sinister red glow.

Their approach thundered through the earth. Charles instinctively stepped forward.

These weren’t mere magical beasts.

They radiated the ferocity of true predators.

And they were coming fast.

"Help!" Archbishop Victor cried, his voice trembling as he dashed forward toward the young man standing still.

Charles, unmoved, activated the [Rune Eye] in a flash, scanning Victor’s body and reading his status in an instant.

’Not a Corpse Devourer. That’s a relief.’

With a sharp gesture, Charles summoned the power of the [Rebirth Domain]. Crimson flames erupted around him like a tidal wave, devouring withered trees, shriveled plants, and decaying wood. In seconds, the forest transformed into a blazing inferno, its crackling flames roaring with relentless fury.

And that was only the beginning.

Charles extended his hand, conjuring hundreds of ember needles in mid-air. They hovered before him, gleaming like tiny stars. With a flick of his fingers, they shot forward with deadly precision toward the horde of Rank-5 Magical Beasts that had surrounded the Archbishop. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Archbishop Victor could only gape in astonishment.

The needles struck, and the world exploded in thunder and fire. The beasts howled in agony, their bodies consumed in a storm of flames. In the span of three seconds, more than a hundred monsters were reduced to ash. The sky above glowed crimson, painting the world in hues of fire and destruction.

A chill crept down Victor’s spine. A strange unease clawed at him as he watched the scene unfold.

’W-Who is this young man? An otherworldly traveler?’

Even the Pope of the Order Church couldn’t wield such raw, overwhelming power.

Shaking off the shock, Victor hurried over to Charles.

"Thank you for saving me, Your Excellency. B-But may I know your name?" he asked respectfully, bowing deeply and speaking in Rune Language.

Charles didn’t answer. His eyes were scanning the charred surroundings as he dismissed the Rebirth Domain. A blue interface appeared before him, and he frowned at the numbers.

Only 35 Wisdom Points gained.