Good news—
The first thing received early in the morning was a piece of good news.
"Seventh-Tier Dungeon Successfully Conquered! The Legendary Adventurer Party Has Become Truly Legendary! Heroes Return Victorious!"
Oh!
Iz and the others… really survived!
They had returned victorious from that Seventh-Tier Dungeon!
If they managed to come back alive from a place like that, nothing could possibly happen to them on the road back, right?
Now all that remained was to wait for their return.
And then…
Kanzaki Rei looked at the people collapsed on the table in front of him.
Some of them were even Level 5 adventurers, yet they were all drunk and passed out.
Counting on them to protect him?
What a joke…
Kanzaki Rei drank a bottle of Mind-Clearing Potion.
The fatigue from staying up all night immediately faded.
Having money really was nice—he could afford anything.
This potion cost 50 silver coins per bottle and was usually used by adventurers to stay alert while keeping watch during expeditions.
No one would normally waste it just to recover from an all-nighter.
As usual, he first tossed a gold coin into the offering box for Yakaktikto.
He was starting to feel like he had fully adapted to the local customs.
After all, his luck had been unusually good lately. Just yesterday he had even obtained a mysterious scroll drop…
Originally an atheist, Kanzaki Rei had gradually shifted to a mindset of better safe than sorry.
Might as well pray first.
Next, he planned to visit the librarian.
And while he was there, he could also have the scroll identified.
After all, Scholars themselves possessed identification skills.
A Level 4 Scholar was already the most powerful scholar in Rhein Town. Logically speaking, she could easily hold a respectable civil post in the capital.
Which made it strange that she had chosen to remain in Rhein Town.
Kanzaki Rei arrived at the top floor of the library—the attic room.
"Pally."
"Come in."
A Level 4 Scholar, blessed with perfect recall.
Anything she had ever seen, she could recognize instantly with just a glance.
Many theoretical calculations and academic derivations required the help of Scholars.
Though they possessed no combat ability, their professions were maxed out in knowledge and intellect.
"Oh, the magical prodigy has arrived."
"Go ahead." Pally seemed to have already known Kanzaki Rei would come.
She didn't receive just anyone.
Pally only entertained smart people.
And as a magical genius, Kanzaki Rei naturally qualified.
"Pally, do you know the name Messer?"
At the sound of that name—
Pally's hand paused mid-page.
"Go on."
Kanzaki Rei continued.
"Yesterday someone suddenly came to see me. He wanted me to learn a spell… He said his name was Messer."
Pally closed her book and looked directly at him.
"Did you learn it?"
Kanzaki Rei shook his head.
"No."
Pally glanced behind him.
"Although I'd like to tell you to run… running probably won't help anymore."
The moment she said that, cold sweat broke out across Kanzaki Rei's back.
He spun around instantly.
But when he turned—
There was nothing.
No one behind him at all.
Pally spoke again.
"And then? What else did he say?"
Kanzaki Rei frowned.
"Pally, can't you tell me who he is first?"
Pally replied calmly,
"If I say it, I might bring disaster upon myself."
"Just answer my question."
Kanzaki Rei hesitated but answered anyway.
"He also said that if I wanted to learn spells… I could go find him."
"If he didn't attack you, that means you're safe for now."
"Forget that you came to see me today."
The moment Pally finished speaking, the door closed.
Kanzaki Rei was shut out in the hallway.
Although she hadn't revealed Messer's identity, he had at least learned one thing.
Messer was extremely dangerous.
Looks like being cautious had been the right call.
Wait!
My scroll hasn't been identified yet!
Kanzaki Rei suddenly remembered that identifying the scroll was the other reason he came.
He raised his hand to knock again—
But the door suddenly opened.
Pally was now wearing a sun hat.
And she was dragging a massive suitcase behind her.
Every book that had filled her room earlier had completely disappeared.
Had they all been packed into that suitcase?
Strangely enough, Kanzaki Rei didn't doubt for a second that the suitcase might actually be able to hold an entire library.
"Pally?"
"I'm going traveling for a while."
Isn't that a bit sudden?!
Was the question he asked really that dangerous?
Everyone knew she was a shut-in who spent all day reading books in the attic.
Now she suddenly wanted to go traveling?
Who was she trying to fool?
"Oh, right. Here's my resignation letter. Please give it to the town mayor."
"As for Rhein Town's safety next…"
"I'll have to trouble you with that."
Huh?
Pally handed Kanzaki Rei the letter.
Then she dragged her suitcase downstairs with a loud clang-clang-clang, the crashing sounds echoing awkwardly through the quiet library.
"Wait, Pally…"
"Your scroll—one is Death Priest. The other is an ancient class… Cipher Scholar. The one Messer gave you is the Cipher Scholar."
Death Priest?
Isn't that the forbidden class?
"How do you know?"
Pally answered while continuing to walk.
"My main class is Diviner."
"Main class?"
"Pally, isn't your main class Scholar?"
She didn't respond.
Kanzaki Rei asked again,
"Pally, what level is your Diviner class?"
"Level 10."
What?!
Pally turned her head back with a cold expression.
"Do you believe me?"
Kanzaki Rei fell silent.
The books clearly stated that the level cap was Level 9.
And besides—if she were truly a Level 10 Diviner, then when he asked about Messer earlier, she wouldn't even need to hear the question to know the answer.
Kanzaki Rei flashed a bright smile.
"I believe you."
"I'm lying."
That oddly made him annoyed.
"Even if my level isn't that high, it's still enough for you."
"The spell Messer gave you will be useful."
"Go to the western gate of town now. Monsters are already gathering. They're about to invade Rhein Town."
"Don't let hesitation turn into regret."
After leaving the library, Pally dragged her suitcase toward the east.
Kanzaki Rei glanced toward the western sky.
It had only been about ten minutes since he last looked.
But now the clouds there had become incredibly strange.
Dark crimson-black clouds, flickering with faint red lightning.
Just looking at it felt dangerous.
A monster horde?
How was Rhein Town suddenly about to be invaded by monsters?
Things were escalating way too quickly.
Sorry, Pally.
I'm not as kindhearted as you think.
If it's within my ability, I'll help.
But if I'm not strong enough—
I'm not going to throw my life away.
Thinking that, Kanzaki Rei walked over and followed beside her.
"No, Pally. I'll leave with you."
Pally remained expressionless.
"Oh."
"Aren't you worried about what Iz and the others will think?"
"If they return and find Rhein Town reduced to ruins… and discover that you ran away at this moment…"
"Would you still have the face to see them?"
You just said Rhein Town would be a field of ruins.
Those Level 5 adventurers couldn't hold the line either.
What difference would one more fighter like me make?
I'm not invincible yet.
"Haha… Iz and the others…"
Kanzaki Rei wanted to say they wouldn't blame a child.
But when the words reached his lips—
He couldn't say them.
Instead, he asked Pally,
"If you know a monster tide is coming, why aren't you fighting?"
"I have no combat ability. I can't even beat a slime."
Kanzaki Rei fell silent.
That really was a perfect excuse.
Pally stopped walking and said calmly,
"Kanzaki Rei, there are some things that only you can do."
"I'm a replaceable role."
"But you are irreplaceable."
Her voice remained calm, yet her words stirred waves inside his heart.
"Think carefully."
"Which decision will truly satisfy your conscience?"
"If you decide to go, I can teach you a few incantations."
Kanzaki Rei remained silent for a moment.
Then he asked,
"Pally, how's my luck today?"
Pally glanced up at the sky.
"Extreme misfortune accompanied by supreme fortune."
Supreme fortune…
He had heard that was the highest level of good luck.
Diviners always sounded so unreliable…
"Kanzaki Rei asked,
"Pally… are your divinations accurate?"
"Very accurate."
"What if I don't go?"
"Minor fortune… accompanied by great disaster."
"Alright. I'll go."
Even though he didn't want to trust a Diviner's nonsense, this was an otherworld where magic existed.
He clenched his teeth and chose to believe it.
Between Supreme Fortune and Great Disaster, only an idiot wouldn't know which to pick.
Kanzaki Rei left.
Pally didn't turn to watch him go.
She merely muttered quietly to herself,
"Extreme misfortune accompanied by supreme fortune… what a strange fate."
It truly was misfortune paired with supreme fortune.
Except…
It was the greatest misfortune.
Little brother…
Looks like no one ever told you—
Never trust a Diviner you just met.