2Book after book, as I flipped through the pages, my curiosity got the better of me. "Hey, Mr. Cat, in most novels, isn't [System] more like a level-up mechanism. You complete requirements, gain skills, and even enhance them through usage. This [System] seems more..."The cat's ears twitched at my question, and it continued its grooming. "If such a convenient thing existed, we wouldn't be in this position. The world would have been much more peaceful if the system had chosen to do so, don't you think?""Why?" I asked, puzzled by its response."Because everyone would have ended up brainwashed, worshiping it like a god. The very concept of an all-knowing [System] would be a great solution to attaining power. But instead, the [System] was given a conscience of its own, hoping it could become more of a god. And gods doesn't offer powers beyond being omniscient it's inherent in their nature, preventing humans from attaining such power. Humans, however, remain the same—power-hungry. The [System]’s power became corrupted, giving both blessings and curses to those who wield it," Mr. Cat explained.That seemed like a lot to absorb. The implications of the [System], its choices in structuring commands felt akin to brokenness, not just metaphorically but as a genuinely defective [System]. Despite losing its intended purpose, it clung to empowering humans, persistently refusing to give up on them. Understanding its logic, perhaps it loved humans more than itself, eliciting a twinge of sympathy.Noticing my silence, Mr. Cat inquired, "Why did you ask that question, Blur?""Just thinking about unique abilities, like speed reading, or even an ability to input any book knowledge directly into the brain," I replied playfully.If there was a unique ability, it might make exploring this vast library a whole lot easier. The cat stared at me and said, "Blur, you're not trying to avoid reading, are you?""No, not seriously," I chuckled. A sudden noise interrupted our conversation, and I turned towards the source behind a bookshelf.My thoughts were abruptly interrupted when a glimmer of white light caught my attention, creating a shimmering aura that gracefully danced at the periphery of my vision."Huh?!" I couldn't help but exclaim, taken aback by the unexpected sight.Stripes of luminous white light seemed to flutter in the air, their glow captivating my senses. I turned my gaze to the left, my eyes widening in awe as I observed this radiant phenomenon. It was as though the very essence of light itself had chosen this moment to manifest before me, creating an inexplicable and mesmerizing display."Mr. Cat, are you seeing that?""Yeah, Blur," the cat responded, its eyes fixed on the glimmering lights. There was a curious gleam in those feline eyes, a hint of recognition or perhaps a touch of mystery."I've never seen anything like this before. Do you know what it could be?" I asked, my gaze still captivated by the dancing white lights.The cat's ears twitched, a subtle sign of contemplation, yet Mr. Cat merely said “Oh,” and his eyes took on a tender cast. "It might be just ether, traces of energy left behind by the books". "Ether?" I repeated, trying to grasp the concept. "But wasn't ether—you know, blue?" "Indeed," the cat affirmed, "Why don't we check it out"? —"Hum... hum," a hushed murmur lingered in the air, akin to someone audibly whispering in the background. My gaze shifted towards the source of the mysterious sound, yet there was no one to be seen. The murmuring ceased abruptly, leaving behind an unsettling silence that sent shivers down my spine.Is someone watching us? The familiar presence of the mysterious nuns crossed my mind, but this time, it felt different—more profound.It's not like them to observe their subjects so openly. My mind replaying countless encounters with those nuns that had left me both curious and uneasy. Although it was unlikely that anyone else would be in the library at this early hour, a subtle yet palpable sense of unease continued to grip me as I reminisced about the chilling experiences I had endured.Gathering my resolve, I took determined steps towards the bookshelf where I had spotted those distinctive white linings. As I walked behind it, I instinctively shifted to the right, preparing myself for any unexpected twists that this peculiar place might throw at me.
Suddenly, a white silhouette materialized before my eyes.
With a resounding thud, I collided headfirst with the figure—a full-body impact that sent a jolt of pain through my skull. "Oww…" I muttered, instinctively rubbing my sore head."What was that?" I looked up, only to realize that it was not just a shadowy presence but a person—a girl, to be precise. She seemed to be around the same age as me, standing there with a posture that suggested she carried a burden. Her face remained concealed beneath a curtain of flowing white hair.She wore the same uniform as the other test subjects, but there was an undeniable tension in her trembling form. Clutching a book tightly to her chest, she exuded an aura of shyness and nervousness that tugged at my curiosity."Who are you?" I blurted out, my voice betraying a mixture of surprise and intrigue as I sought answers in the depths of her hidden face. Having risen to my feet, I stretched out my hand, intending to extend a welcoming gesture. Despite the prior collision, an unspoken tension lingered between us. However, as I offered my hand in a gesture of greeting, I noticed a hesitancy in her movements.Her eyes flickered under the veil of unruly hair, avoiding direct contact. I noticed that something wasn't quite right. A peculiar silence enveloped us, interrupted only by the faint crackling sound whenever she attempted to speak. ———————It seemed as though her words were trapped in a perpetual loop, struggling to break free.Turning towards Mr. Cat for an explanation, I inquired, "Why can't she speak properly? Is there something wrong?"The cat, maintaining his usual air of mystery, smiled a bit before responding, "I don't know, Blur. It's the first time I've encountered someone who can't speak fluently. But perhaps you can still try to communicate with her. Sometimes understanding goes beyond words."Taking the cat's advice, I initiated a conversation. "Hello, my name is Blur. Can you tell me your name?"
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