Chapter 45

The weight of dust on old book spines

Stories of memories piled on top.

In faded titles, weathered colors

Someone’s touch seeps in one day.

 

When you open the door of a used bookstore at the end of an alley

The wind brings the scent of old paper,

And rustling pages

Quietly awaken the old times.

 

Here, someone’s dreams and frustrations,

Hope and waiting are pressed together,

And the densely written pencil memos

Seem to whisper the breath of that day.

 

Beyond the pages that brush against my fingertips

I search for my younger days.

The protagonist in an old fairy tale

Was still waiting for me.

 

A used bookstore is a place where time stops,

Nostalgia dances quietly here.

When I hold that one book to my chest,

I embark on a journey to another time.

 

I murmured in a low voice as if reciting a poem.

This is what a used bookstore meant to me.

With each line I recite, memories come alive vividly, approaching me and dancing.

When I dance in harmony with them, even the emotions contained within them would slowly reveal themselves.

I quietly reached out and wiped the table. The same texture as before climbed up my fingertips.

Though its appearance had changed a lot, my used bookstore was still a used bookstore.

The essence hadn’t changed.

The same would be true for you too.

Looking at Haemi with a sidelong glance, she was looking around with wide eyes.

Looking at her like that, I took out a book and handed it to her.

“This is…”

“It’s a service for the first customer. I think this book will suit you well.”

The book I handed over was a skill book containing the skill Haemi created in the early days.

It contained the original skill she first created.

I didn’t think she would be able to learn this at the current stage.

From my perspective, it’s a crude skill that needs a lot of work, but even this is highly complete for the current stage.

In terms of grade, it’s a common skill. That’s if we exclude rarity and only judge the ability itself.

Though its power is weak, its versatility is good, so it’s useful in many ways once learned.

The issue was whether Haemi could take this skill book.

Would she be rejected again, saying she lacks access permission?

With an anxious heart, I pretended to be nonchalant and handed over the skill book.

“Thank you.”

Haemi bowed deeply and expressed her gratitude.

And she naturally accepted the book.

That’s a relief. This much is fine.

Well, to Haemi, this story would probably feel like just a fictional tale.

A story of someone else, not her own.

It’s fortunate. Truly fortunate.

Strangely, the bitter aftertaste was not to my liking.

That must be because the season is still winter.

* * *

There’s a strange resonance to the word “used bookstore.”

Used bookstores had a strange atmosphere different from ordinary bookstores.

It was also different from a library.

I don’t know exactly what’s different, but there was a fluffy uniqueness to used bookstores.

The used bookstore I arrived at after moving wherever my feet took me.

Haemi blankly raised her head and looked at the used bookstore.

Perhaps because it was built with wood, it was a space that gave a warm feeling.

The soft light leaking through the window colors the surroundings.

In the Tower always filled with night, the softly spreading light had a power to attract people. Not just here.

Is that why? I entered the used bookstore without any particular hesitation.

The sound of a bell ringing with a ding.

It resonates at just the right volume, not too jarring to the ears.

The unique scent of old books, a mix of dust and paper smell, tickled the tip of my nose.

Under a lamp softly shining in the solemn atmosphere, books holding traces of time seem to whisper stories quietly.

Between the rustling sound of turning pages and dim lighting, this place where traces of passed time are caressed was like a garden of memories.

My eyes fall on a woman sitting leisurely at the table visible upon entering.

A woman with platinum short hair wearing a blue beret can be seen.

Her figure, tilting a teacup and focusing on a book, had a strange power to make even the observer concentrate.

Strangely, I felt as if she was supporting this space itself.

She slowly closes the book, stands up, and welcomes the customer.

I felt overwhelmed in that series of ordinary actions.

She introduced herself as Lib, the used bookstore NPC.

Lib began explaining about the place called the used bookstore.

It was already fascinating that something called a used bookstore existed in the Tower, but I couldn’t help but be surprised when she said they sell what’s supposed to be one-time use.

Skill books are books after all. The feeling changes the more you read them.

She seemed to have said something like that, but I didn’t understand well.

“But do skill books have content to speak of?”

When she heard this question, she suddenly stopped talking and stared at me.

I unconsciously shrank at what seemed like an angry response.

After staring at me for a long time, she sighed and continued her explanation.

“Skill books are books too. Of course they have content.”

“Is it like a workbook concept?”

Lib, who I don’t know when approached, firmly pressed my lips with her index finger.

I wanted to step back at the excessively close distance, but my body wouldn’t move properly.

A gentle and calm scent spreads from her fluttering hair.

A scent that seemed to come from the lily of the valley abundant in the Tower wafted from her.

Like a slowly pervading poison, I too couldn’t take my eyes off her figure.

“This seems like it will be a long conversation, why don’t we sit down and talk?”

I finally came to my senses and sat in a chair.

Sitting at the table, various coffee machines placed behind came into view.

Could she be skilled in coffee? I don’t know anything, let alone savoring the aroma of coffee.

I was slightly worried, but I felt relieved at the mention of instant coffee.

Personally, I preferred coffee brewed at home over store-bought coffee.

Especially, I liked it sweet with lots of sugar.

Surprisingly, the coffee Lib brewed matched my taste perfectly.

Surprised, I looked at Lib and said:

“I like sweet things. Maybe that’s why it tastes more delicious to me.”

“I’m glad you find it delicious.”

A bright, unstained smile spread across her lips.

Something tickles my heart. A strong sense of déjà vu, as if I’ve experienced this somewhere, resonates in my chest.

Since my heart kept stirring, making it more than just a simple illusion, I quietly sipped my coffee.

Skill books are books of a genre like literature rather than workbooks.

Closer to essays than novels, but to us who lack magic power, they would feel like novels.

Well, that was the kind of story.

As I kept listening, I became curious.

I was somewhat fond of reading books, so my interest was further piqued.

“Can I read one too?”

“Of course.”

I stood up and reached for the closest book.

But I had to pull my hand back due to a stinging sensation, as if static electricity sparked.

[You don’t have access permission for this skill book.]

“Um, it says I don’t have access permission.”

Lib made an expression as if she realized something and said:

“Wait a moment. You might feel dizzy, so would you close your eyes?”

“What? Yes, alright.”

I tightly closed my eyes.

And soon after, I felt the space resonating. A feeling as if the whole place was vibrating.

Due to the surging curiosity, I slightly opened my eyes.

What I saw then was the magical scene of the entire space folding like paper.

Spaces moving here and there as if doing origami.

It’s somewhat like solving a puzzle or turning a cube.

And Lib, floating in the air as if conducting all of this.

With her clothes fluttering and hair swaying, she recites a poem in a refreshing voice like rolling jade beads.

I couldn’t understand the content of the poem.

It’s clearly audible, but I can’t recall it in my mind.

Like a wind that passes by without staying.

I try to close my hand, but when I open it again, only an empty palm is visible.

Feeling my head swirling, I closed my eyes again.

If I kept watching any longer, my head would become a mess.

When I opened my eyes again, Lib was handing me a book.

“This is…”

“It’s a service for the first customer. I think this book will suit you well.”

It was a well-maintained book.

It looks almost new rather than a used book.

Well, all the books here were like that. They maintained quality like new books, as if well-maintained.

“Thank you.”

I expressed my gratitude and accepted the skill book.

Again. Once again, an unfamiliar sense of déjà vu engulfs me.

“Master, I now have a reason to live. Finally, that reason has come.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for being a selfish disciple till the end.”

“And I love you.”

Someone murmured in a voice similar to mine.

Words uttered as if sobbing with a voice full of lingering attachment.

Due to the interrupting noise, I couldn’t hear it properly, but the content was roughly like that.

Confused, I looked around, but there was no one else besides us.

I left the used bookstore, tilting my head.