Chapter 30 30: There Are Two Things Certain in Life

My reward from this third Contract was an entire 1,850 World Stability Units―added to my previous 850 saved up from before, that made 2,700 Units. Compared to the meagre thousand Units I made from killing the Hero, it felt like I was suddenly made rich. At this point, I was beginning to understand a little bit more of the criteria that determined my reward. Perhaps the fact that my disguise was as a nameless slave fighter with no authority increased my reward, and I wouldn't be surprised if the fact I had to 1v1 the Protagonist directly also increased it. Although it couldn't really be called a true 1v1 when I cheesed it, right? So maybe not. Maybe she was actually quite strong, but due to my overwhelming advantage, it didn't make a difference. However, it was interesting that my possession of a gun didn't seem to influence the reward at all, and reflecting back on the first Contract, I indeed feel like it should've paid out more than it did in hindsight. Well, perhaps my initial assumption that it was purely based on the amount of syphoned World Stability was correct. Anyway, I guess it doesn't matter too much. Upon my return, I immediately purchased Charismatic for 1,600 Units, and with the remaining 1,100, I contemplated whether to buy something that might be useful for my next Contract, or save up for something more expensive. There were a few cheap Skills I could buy that seemed useful such as Sneak, Lockpicking, or Trap Fabrication. I just wasn't sure if they would be all that worth it since, until now, it's not like I would have had much of a use for things like that. Of course, stealth would probably become something I would need at some point in the future, so maybe it was worth getting Sneak early so that I could level it up? There were a number of Traits I had my eye on, too, like Gifted Trainee, Heightened Senses and Weapon Master, but they were far too expensive for my present, impecunious self. In general, Traits seemed to be valued a lot higher than Skills even though they didn't have the capacity to level up, though maybe it was because Skills started off a lot weaker that the balance was done in such a way. In any case, now that I had acquired both Charismatic and a gun, I don't think there was anything else I was super desperate for, at least not for the moment. "What do you think? Any suggestions?" Facing the naturally beaming Librarian, standing atop her chair and swaying buoyantly as per usual, I tossed out that enquiry. "Certainly! Hmm~ My opinion is that, perhaps Sneak might prove beneficial...? Ah, but Lockpicking would also be undoubtedly convenient. Not only that, but Trap Fabrication seems nice, too...! And there are many other fantastic choices! Oh, this truly is a vexing dilemma, Enki..." Watching the Librarian make a funny face as she put the tip of her finger on her lips, endlessly dithering alongside myself, I thought that maybe she was pushing her brain a little too hard. 'So you have no idea, is what you're saying.' I sighed. "Well, it's not like I have to decide right away. Since Trap Fabrication seems to require two additional Skills to even be worth it, I'll cross that off first and foremost and just leave the rest for now." Unable to come to a firm conclusion, I pushed the issue aside. I wouldn't be taking another Contract for a while now, so I wasn't in a rush, meaning there was no need to make an unnecessarily hasty decision. Better safe than sorry. 'I guess I'll check out the changes to the Villainous Blade too.' With two Protagonists Dispatched since its purchase, what was originally a tiny knife was now an imposing sword―although, it was only a shortsword seventy-odd centimetres in total length. Supposedly, this one was also modelled after some far-eastern weapon. I have no idea why something called the Villainous Blade, purchasable within the Illusory Library's Shop, was taking the form of something from Earth, but maybe it was simple coincidence. Librarian herself claimed she didn't know, but there was a decent chance that the Illusory Spirit would. Maybe I was even mistaken by conflating it with the Japanese one. After all, it very well could have been the design of a weapon from a random Illusory World. Considering that Illusory Worlds were fictional worlds imagined by people on Earth, it would make a lot of sense that way. Well, even if it wasn't, I suppose it wasn't that strange; although a large portion of them appeared futuristic in nature or design, there were plenty of contemporary and ancient weapons available in the Shop, too. Anyway, same as before, it was all black with glowing purple 'veins' pulsing across it, except, this time, they appeared to be taking the formation of something in particular, like characters. The scabbard also evolved to match the new form, which was nice. "It's real ominous, huh..." 'I guess it isn't called 'villainous' for nothing... Wait, doesn't using this make me look kind of like a bad guy?' Struck by such a belated realisation, I wondered again how it might continue to evolve beyond this when the Librarian suddenly clapped her hands together. "Oh yes! Now that you've successfully dispatched three Protagonists, your Blessing should have also evolved, Enki!" Hearing the unexpected news, my eyebrows shot up at her announcement. "What, really?" Depositing the Villainous Blade back in Storage, I opened the Status. Enki Valentine | Operations Coordinator General Physical Ability - Poor General Magical Ability - Nonexistent Spiritual Synergism - Nonexistent Protagonists Dispatched : 3 Skills : None Traits : [Professionalism], [Charismatic] Blessings : [Authority of the Library of Illusory Worlds (Tier Two)] "Oh! It really has...!" 'I even got promoted, too. Operations Coordinator...' With just a short while of lingering, I opened the Blessing's description. Blessing - [Authority of the Library of Illusory Worlds (Tier Two)] A Blessing bestowed by the Spirit of the Library of Illusory Worlds; a mysterious existence not once mentioned in myths nor legends, only observing in quiet from the peace of its isolated Library. With the Authority of the Library, you have officially gained the favour of the Illusory Spirit, and thus permission to enter the Library of Illusory Worlds as you wish has been granted. With the Authority of the Library, you have built upon the favour of the Illusory Spirit, thus gaining permission to charge your customers, as well as unlocking a wider variety of Illusory Worlds. Alas, as is evident by the yet-lacking Tier of Authority, this is still the beginning of the Illusory Library's truth. (You do not yet possess the full authority of the Library of Illusory Worlds - Gain the Spirit's favour to be bestowed a higher Blessing.) Tier One - Authorisation to access the Library of Illusory Worlds. Tier Two - Authorisation to access the Antagonist Service Charge and 3-star Difficulty. Tier Three - ??? My eyes widened upon reading the updated description, and then, my brows lightly furrowed. "3-star Difficulty and... 'Antagonist Service Charge'...?" 'The hell...?' Internally, I was naturally baffled by whatever that could mean, but since I wouldn't find out just by sitting and staring at the screen like a dumbass, I backed out to the Assistance Menu. I soon found it. Currently Available World Stability : 1,100 Units Items - Tools | Armour | Consumables | Miscellaneous Skills - Active | Passive Traits Service Charge (NEW) What was once a triple question mark has now become an unlocked category under the Shop menu. With just an instant's hesitation, albeit still dumbfounded, I opened the menu. Service Charge | 1,100 U 1 | A.Skill - [Demon Lord's Tyranny] - Demon Lord Eligos 2 | Trait - [He Who Shall Not Be Named] - The Nameless Dark Wizard 3 | P.Skill - [Mastery of the Duel] - Emperor of the Arena In front of me, the Shop revealed a selection of just three options; despite being given no prior explanation as to what this so-called 'Service Charge' really was, I immediately came to an understanding. "...Ha." And as that realisation hit me, I could only laugh.