Super Righteous Player-Chapter 156 - 154: You’re Actually Listening?! ( - 3)_1

Chapter 156: Chapter 154: You’re Actually Listening?! (Chapter 3)_1

Following Joseph into the cellar,

Annan finally saw the books that Joseph had preserved so well.

Unlike the large hammer,

these books were carefully placed in individual metal cases, each containing only one book.

There were sixteen cases of varying sizes and colors. What they had in common was a small blue gem embedded on the top of each box.

"This gem is used for dust removal. I made a simple modification to it; it can continuously maintain the dryness and cleanliness inside the case and ward off insects."

Joseph noticed Annan’s gaze and explained carefully, "After my divorce from Clara, I didn’t take much with me. I only took these sixteen books..."

As he spoke, he gently touched the cases.

His expression was complicated.

It was only now that Annan finally saw a hint of the loneliness and desolation belonging to an elderly man in his expression.

So Annan didn’t disturb his reminiscence.

He just stood quietly on the side, holding the hammer as tall as himself with both hands.

After a while, Joseph suddenly snapped back to reality.

"Sorry, my lord. I made a fool of myself."

"No, not at all,"

Annan replied with a gentle smile, "That’s probably what life is like."

He actually felt... envious.

But even Annan didn’t know what he was envious of.

Joseph just smiled and didn’t say anything.

He opened each case one by one, verified the contents, and then quickly closed them again.

Finally, he pulled out six cases and put them together into a bag.

"They are all unique and very precious. I couldn’t let them be ruined or lost in my hands, so I’ve been watching over them all these years."

He explained carefully, "Once you are done with those six, you can come back to me for the other books. The rest are not of much use to you until you advance to Silver.

"As we often say, ’Secrets are always poisonous.’ The reason I didn’t leave them to Clara... is also that Clara doesn’t have the talent of a wizard. She couldn’t bear the knowledge directly in her soul.

"Like I mentioned earlier about that person’s history. It’s in these six books, which even record that person’s true name... But this knowledge can only be obtained by reading it in this book.

"After all, whether they are True Gods or False Gods, once the soul ascends to godhood, their names can no longer be spoken."

Joseph said in a low voice.

Annan nodded.

He knew this too.

Just the name of a deity holds mystical power. Mortals who speak it would die instantly; for Transcendents, their true names are powerful, uncontrollable spells in themselves.

Besides the names of gods, there are also many deeply profound rituals, secrets, and so on, which are impossible to utter in human language.

But hearing it once, one would remember this knowledge forever... However, once this knowledge is used — that is, "recited" once — it can no longer be spoken a second time unless the mystery is replenished.

Annan’s eyes widened slightly, "Are you saying..."

"Yes, there is genuine mystical knowledge inside these."

Joseph nodded.

He opened the six cases one by one, showing them to Annan:

"A Comprehensive Study of the New God ’Bone Duke,’" "A Comprehensive Study of the New God ’Rot Husband,’" "The Black Widow’s Spider Rituals (January to March Edition)," "The Grandmother’s Frost Rituals," "A Complete Collection of Introductory Decree Spells," "How to Detect and Resist Curses of Unknown Origin."

"These four contain various degrees of mystical knowledge, so they cannot be transcribed. The other two are the first editions of a spell book and a very useful reference book, valuable for collecting... My lord, you can keep them after you finish reading,"

Joseph introduced them to Annan one by one.

Annan nodded repeatedly.

This was truly a generous gift.

Of course, since Joseph offered them willingly, Annan wouldn’t feign politeness by declining.

For instance, saying "I couldn’t possibly, Uncle, I couldn’t possibly" while slyly opening the bag... such acts were beneath Annan.

Annan would simply carry the hammer, and in a childlike and obedient voice, would respectfully and humbly ask: freewebnoveℓ.com

"— Is there anything else, Teacher Backer?"

"There is! Just wait a moment—"

Joseph Baccara nodded agreeably.

He opened the drawer beneath the stack of books.

It was a wooden scroll cylinder.

Inside, when unrolled, was a pair of pure white gloves that looked to be made of rubber material, delicate to the touch.

Annan picked them up, and their properties appeared before his eyes:

[Elven Hands]

[Type: Armor (Purple)]

[Description: Gloves made from the skin of elves, filled with curses and resentment.]

[Effect: When both hands are clasped together, it is possible to guide two Guided Spells at the same time]

[Price: Cannot be equipped continuously for more than an hour, otherwise, the gloves will grow onto the hands.]

[Description: It seems there are other functions, but you can’t see them for now (Higher Arcana Knowledge not passed)]

"This was a gift from my mentor when I graduated from the tower and became a silver,"

Joseph Backer said with a touch of nostalgia in his low voice, "But for me, it’s useless now. It’s not worth more than a bag of good flour..."

As he spoke, he looked at Annan.

"My transcendent path has ended, my lord. The rank of silver... in this world, there are many who spend their entire lives but can’t even reach silver, let alone bronze. But on the transcendent path, this is merely halfway."

There was no mockery, no expectation, no regret in Joseph’s eyes.

Only serenity and release.

He said softly, "The transcendent path is one of endurance, curse, and oath. The transcendent path is to exhaust the truth...

"—The transcendent path, it is the path to godhood.

"I have given up. But your journey has just begun."

"I understand."

Annan nodded slowly, his expression becoming serious, "I will remember today’s conversation, Teacher Joseph."

After that, the atmosphere fell into a strange silence.

The two stood in place. Annan could tell Joseph had more to say, yet he hesitated.

Annan quickly understood his meaning.

So he thanked Mr. Joseph again, and after reminding him that some people might come to consult him in the next few days, Annan left the bakery carrying a heavy package, with a wooden barrel strapped to his waist and a long hammer wrapped in cotton cloth in his hand.

Annan’s expression was somewhat complex.

Although he had told his players that he was "going out to pick up some things" as an excuse...

He hadn’t expected to actually receive so much stuff.

Joseph had almost forced these things onto Annan.

This reminded Annan of how on Earth... the veterans of online games would passionately stuff their precious, memory-laden "inheritance" to him when they wanted to AFK.

Annan always refrained from using these items.

And he was particularly well-liked by the veterans...

In the end, Annan’s storage would always be filled with a massive amount of inheritances left by veterans when they quit the game. He kept these as collectibles, carefully preserved.

"...I didn’t expect to encounter a similar situation in this world."

Annan sighed with complex emotions.

Carrying a large and a small bundle, he walked on the deserted streets like a wanderer leaving his hometown or a child running away from home.

Suddenly, Annan felt a strange chill sweep through his body...

As he passed a small alley, the tension he had felt before suddenly resurfaced.

With a start, his body stiffened, and cold sweat soaked his back in an instant—

This time, Annan finally saw it.

What was stalking him.

In that alley, there stood a tall figure.

It appeared to be nearly three meters tall.

Clad in a duke’s robe, wearing a holy white crown on its head and a golden mask with a crying human face on it, it trod in heavy white metal boots, its hands also covered with thick white leather gloves, and its entire body almost completely enveloped in garments.

But if one looked carefully... Its frame was "too slender."

It was as though there were only bones beneath the clothes.