Chapter 1878: Chapter 1875: Special Examination
[Falling]
During his growth, Han Dong experienced various kinds of falling,
The most recent and unusual fall took place in the [Center of Chaos-Mad Abyss], where he endured falling for over a month before finally reaching the bottom entrance of the Abyss Party, during which he was heavily eroded and influenced by madness.
However, for Han Dong, who already possessed the Madness Attribute, the fall between the Mad Abyss was instead a kind of enjoyment.
The current fall in front of the Seraino Great Library was entirely different.
With each segment of the fall, a strange “light band” streaked across the surface of the cliff. As the speed of the fall increased, the frequency of the light bands passing before his eyes quickened.
It directly influenced the root of the soul,
Though Han Dong could resist strongly with a “Mad Laugh,” he chose not to do so and instead complied with the library’s ‘entry method.’
At least by the time he reached the library’s front dock, the Yellow Mark had felt a response.
It indicated that this place indeed belonged to Hastur’s territory… Moreover, from the dock to the front door, there was no sense of danger whatsoever.
“Just as the Pope said, such an opportunity must not be taken lightly, or it could be missed.
I wonder what area this ‘falling entry’ will lead us to, damn… my mind can hardly hold on!”
As the frequency of the light bands flashing increased rapidly, Han Dong’s consciousness gradually blurred until it completely faded away.
Buzz!
A beam of bright light shone down on Han Dong.
His consciousness came back as the warm light illuminated him, but his body was bound to a special biological chair, and even his brain was encased in something akin to a lamprey’s mouthpiece.
He was already under the library’s constraint, coupled with the current physical restraints, he couldn’t move at all.
The position he was in was at the very center of a certain assembly hall.
The council seats, from inside out and from bottom to top, encircled Han Dong in a circular pattern,
According to the previous explanation by the Pope about the library, this should be the so-called “The House of Representatives.”
Responsible for various external reviews of books and ‘special examinations’ for outsiders who wanted to enter the library without contributing points.
When Han Dong had just woken up, the place was still in a state of No one.
But as his line of sight surveyed the surroundings,
White mist began to emerge in the assembly seats of The House of Representatives, condensing into souls of the councilors working for the library.
“Aren’t these councilors all of different kinds? It seems like every kind of demon is here… Could it be that the selection of councilors for the library is also free?
Or are the councilors here ‘forced into service’?
For those outsiders who borrowed books without donating and without any points, one of the prices they have to pay is having their souls bound to work for the library?
Hmm… this possibility is quite high~ The next special examination might very well verify whether I am suited to work for the library and which kind of job I am fit for.
This could explain why the library, wandering the Shattered Dimension for so many years, still has so many workers here.
They haven’t stayed voluntarily; they’ve signed some kind of inescapable Soul Contract.
Let’s see the specifics and hope there’s a loophole to exploit.”
…
“Honored Yellow-Robed Messenger, welcome you and your friends to the Seraino Great Library. Given your special status, we will conduct a special examination to determine whether you qualify to access the library’s book collection for related reading activities.
In essence, the examination comprises a few in-depth questions we’ll ask you.
The ‘detector’ on your head will verify the authenticity of your responses by assessing your soul’s fluctuations in conjunction with your brainwaves, so do not deceive us.”
“Of course not, I am a very honest believer!”
At this moment,
Another brain had already emerged within Han Dong’s skull, hiding the original main brain, and was also overlaid with the “Soul Coating” from the Swollen Doctor.
Not to mention whether this device could penetrate the “Faceless Skull,” even if it could, it would only detect the Swollen Doctor’s intentions,
having nothing to do with Han Dong’s own intentions.
“The first question, are you willing to contribute to the Seraino Great Library?”
“Of course, I am willing! I am already the most faithful follower of the Yellow Robe King. It is my lifelong honor to contribute to the library.”
“Hmm… very well!
The second question,
If you possess certain literary talents, and we ask you to create a collection of stories or a magic book for the library, due to the limitations of the library’s requirements, the creation process might take a lot of time and effort. How much are you willing to invest?”
“I am willing to dedicate the rest of my life to offering the best work to the library.”
“Very good.”
…
Just as Han Dong expected.
The related questions were all centered around the library, determining the extent of an individual’s willingness to ‘work for free’ and the inclination of their intentions.
Each of Han Dong’s responses was nearly ‘extreme,’ yet all his actual intentions were [NO].
‘These guys’ brainwashing skills are indeed something, and such examination work is quite good, allowing them to hold on to their positions through numerous epoch shifts and endless aimless wanderings, these council members are quite impressive.
If I can get them all into my Prison World, perhaps I could also establish a similar examination institution,
Letting them conduct examinations on subsequent resident [prisoners], significantly improving the management of prisoners and resource allocation.’
Having finished answering.
All the councilors displayed broad smiles, not having encountered such valuable outsiders in a long time.
Buzz!
The chair restraints were lifted off Han Dong, directly leading him out of The House of Representatives, into a vast and deep corridor.
The walls on both sides were painted with various murals that seemed like ‘comic stories’ about individuals or clans, without any profoundly intricate story plots, merely narrating a simple Common story.
Floating on the walls on both sides were Soul Cleaners, one hand holding a lantern, the other responsible for cleaning.
Soon, the Pope and Eugenes were also led to this corridor.
Meanwhile,
A voice reaching deep into the soul came from the depths of the corridor:
“As the Yellow-Robed Messenger has passed the special examination with [perfect] marks,
you will be granted 99 days of free reading time. Once the time is up, a Soul Contract related to the reading fees will be signed with the library, taking the Yellow-Robed Messenger as the main body.”
The Pope’s mind instantly ignited (the brain appearing as though experiencing a stellar explosion).
“99 days! Nicholas, how did you accomplish this?
I’ve read about the happenings related to the Seraino Great Library, and most borrowers’ entry time doesn’t exceed three days.
Even demons with book donation contributions can only use points to exchange for weekly passes, and very few can exchange for monthly passes… What kind of answers did you provide for the library to offer 99 days, including for us?”
Yet Han Dong explained rather nonchalantly:
“It was akin to applying for a loan at a bank—my entire credit assessment was maximized, after that I pledged everything the three of us possess as collateral, including our remaining lives and soul ownership.”
“What?!”
“Ah~ it’s equivalent exchange… otherwise, how would others allow us to freeload books?
Besides, this is the Yellow Robe’s territory. If we suddenly disappeared, He as a teammate is sure to come looking for us… stop overthinking it for now, start reading quickly!
When the ship gets to the pier, it will go straight. Even if the Yellow Robe doesn’t come over, there’s bound to be a way.”
The Pope could somewhat accept this, given that 99 days of free reading was a substantial temptation.
Yet Eugenes, who didn’t particularly enjoy reading, wore an expression of extreme discomfort throughout, feeling as though he had been completely packaged and sold.