"The guide does more than just help, Nox. The Librarian also gets some of the abilities of his guide," said Yinghuo, as if he read my thoughts.

"Abilities?" I asked.

"Most guides are animals or mythical creatures. On entering into a contract with them, the Librarian obtains some of the guide's skills and abilities. What's so confusing!" Replied Luke.

"A contract? Isn't the guide granted to the Librarian by the Tower?" I inquired.

What was going on!? Why was everything so confusing?

"Yes, they are. But, in order to utilise the guides to their full potential, the Librarian must enter into a contract with them," Yinghuo explained.

"Kekekeekee. Poor Noxie! Always fails to understand even the smallest of things. Kekekeekee," said Caligo, giggling loudly.

Why was I wasting time here?! I need to return to the battle!

"Send me back!" I shouted.

"Even if you go back, do you think that you are strong enough to defeat the Great Wolf?" asked Yinghuo.

Of course, I wasn't! But I needed to protect my teammates! I have been betrayed in the past, but I will never betray anyone myself!

What would all this aimless talking even achieve?!

"That doesn't mean that I will run away from the battle!" I replied.

"You are the Librarian. Do you think that is a small thing? Myriad people in the Tower live their lives unaware of the fact that the Eternal Library even exists. You need to enter into a contract with Caligo if you hope to utilise the Library to its fullest potential," replied Yinghuo.

"Kekekekee. He's right, Noxie; you can't do anything without me, neither on Earth nor here," shouted Caligo, with a grin on his face that could only be seen as evil.

"What do you mean by you helping me on earth too?" I asked Caligo.

"I was the one who did all the hard work, Noxie boy! Kekkeee. For example, take the Vladson case. It was me who helped you conjure up a plan to enter his house! Without me, you are nothing! Kekekee… Even though it was me who always made you confused and unable to act when needed!" Caligo replied.

"But how can you confuse me! You have no control over me!" I shouted.

"Kekekekee… I came into being to help you cope with the loss of your parents! So, it's no big deal for me to control you! But I was stupid and helped you initially until I devoured your guide!

I came to know what real power was! Kekekeee… With the power of your guide, manipulating your thoughts became much easier! kekekee!" Laughed Caligo.

"But why?" I asked. It didn't make any sense! If he even knew what I had been through, why would he try and harm me?

"Why else, Noxie! It's fun!" Caligo replied as he broke out into a burst of loud laughter.

"Enough! Revert to your real form, Snake!" Shouted Luke.

After maniacally laughing for a minute, steam began to come out of Caligo's body.

The steam enveloped the entire room. I couldn't see anything. All I could hear was the splashing of the water on the floor.

Yinghuo, standing beside me, stomped his feet loudly on the ground. The entire cloud of fog was pushed away in an instant.

When the fog dissipated, Caligo couldn't be seen there. Where was he?

"Snake!" Yinghuo said as he turned around.

When I turned around to look behind me, I controlled my legs from failing me and losing their strength.

A giant serpent coiled itself in front of me. Its head was at least 40 feet from the ground. Its scales were glistening white, and its eyes were shining yellow. A giant bright red gem was embedded above its eyes. Sharp sword-like thorns ran down its entire back.

Two giant fangs could be seen through its semi-closed mouth. It was huge enough to wrap itself around a tall building; if I were to estimate, its length would be around 300 feet!

The colossal beast hissed, " Kekekekee, I could never have devoured his guide if we were in the Tower. Lucky me! kekekeke."

"That is what your guide looked like, Nox," said Yinghuo.

What was going on!? My guide was this serpent. How?! What even was the Tower?!

No! I must calm my thoughts! What's important right now is to defeat the wolf!

"What should I do now?" I asked, turning towards Yinghuo.

"There's nothing for you to do yet, Nox. Caligo! Initiate the contract!" Yinghuo shouted

"Hissssssss…. This is going to be fun! Kekekke," hissed the snake.

[A Master-Guide Contract has been initiated]

[Do you agree to take Caligo (The Great Serpent) as your guide?]

A message appeared in front of me.

"Accept the contract, Nox," said Yinghuo.

Was this the right choice?

Only time will tell...

I accept!

[Mythical Beast, The Great Serpent, is now contracted with, The Librarian of the Eternal Library, Nox Mill]

That was quick! A huge sigh unintentionally escaped my mouth.

"What now?" I asked as I twisted my head towards Luke.

"Nothing. You will probably regain consciousness any time now and resume the battle with the wolf," replied Luke. He was much calmer than before.

[You have acquired the title: The Great Snake's protege]

[Arcane has increased by 1]

[Arcane has increased by 1]

[Arcane has increased by 1]

[You have acquired the skill: Anatomical Liberation]

[You have acquired the skill: Weakness Sight]

[You have levelled up!]

[You have levelled up!]

"WHAT?" I unintentionally shouted.

"Did you acquire skills?" asked Yinghuo.

"Skills and a title," I replied.

"You came into contact with the Library and even formed a contract with your guide. So it's normal that you would acquire a couple of skills. " Yinghuo explained to me as if pitying my lack of intelligence, "Check your status screen."

Status!

**********

Name: Nox Mill

Age: 25

Sex: Male

HP: 220/220

Level: 3

Title: Librarian(SS), The Great Snake's protege(S)

Stat points: 6

Stats-

Strength: 31

Agility: 29

Perception: 27

Stamina: 35

Intelligence: 41

Arcane: 7/7

Status Effects:

None

Active skills:

Anatomical Liberation (Proficiency: 0%)

Weakness Sight (Proficiency: 0%)

Passive Skills:

Ability to enter The Eternal Library(Mythic)

**********

What did proficiency mean? What do these skills even do?

"What are these skills?" I asked.

"Concentrate on the skill and the title, Nox," replied Yinghuo.

Did he mean that I should think about it?

Weakness sight!

**********

Weakness Sight (A)

See the weak points of your opponent.

At your current proficiency, only basic weaknesses can be seen.

Arcana consumption: 1 per 3 seconds.

Proficiency: 0%

**********

Anatomical Liberation!

**********

Anatomical Liberation (A)

Get the ability to re-adjust your anatomy.

When active, agility is increased by 50%.

Only basic changes can be made to your anatomy at your current proficiency.

Arcana consumption: 3 per minute

Proficiency: 0%

**********

These skills are helpful! Still, I have my doubts. But now is not the time for my questions!

"Will we meet ag-" Before my question could finish, I lost sense of everything around me.

#################

An hour had passed since Nox returned to the Tower.

Luke, Yinghuo, and Caligo were in a dazzling room. Luke was seated on a magnificent, bright, blood-red throne with various jewels.

Yinghuo and Caligo were seated on a snow-white couch in front of the throne. Caligo had reverted back to his human form.

"Looks like everything is alright now," said Yinghuo as he broke the eerie silence that filled the room till now.

"Indeed. If Nox could not even make a simple contract with his guide, then he had no hope of becoming strong," replied Luke in a calm tone. His legs were crossed, and his chin rested on his hand.

'He is my only way of getting out of this hellhole,' thought Luke.

"Kekekekee… He is far too weak! He can never become one of the Divina!" said Caligo.

"You try too hard, Snake. You still care for that child," replied Luke.

"Maybe I do... But when I devoured his guide, I also got its memories and experiences. There I saw what true power was! There I saw you! kekekkee," replied Caligo.

Luke looked at Caligo for a moment, then closed his eyes, thinking back to some distant memory.

"Help him all you can, Caligo," said Yinghuo.

"Kekekeke… Of course, I will, "replied Caligo," if it is the only way I can be of service to 'him'. Kekkeke."

#################