IGPB 17

Chapter 17

The house, which had already been on its last legs, looked even more sunken today.
It wasn’t just a shabby mansion anymore—it was a complete collapse cottage.

Rumble!

At that moment, another loud noise echoed from deep inside the hut.

“Zoe, I think I heard something from inside the house.”
“…Let’s go check it out.”

With a small sigh, I carefully followed Luan into the house.

Then—boom, boom, boom—a series of thundering noises came from under the carpet in the living room.
Each time the sound rang out, the entire house shook as if it were about to fall apart.

“Th-that sound’s coming from here, right?”
“Zoe, step aside for a moment.”

Luan gently pushed me aside and lifted up the simple-patterned carpet in the center of the room.

“What’s this— a handle? There was a basement here?”

Indeed, an old, rusted handle was embedded in the floor.

A basement? Here?
Since when did we have that?
What is this, a sudden shift to a horror story?

“I’ll go down first. Stay here, Zoe.”
“What are you talking about? I’m the homeowner—I should be the one going.”
“It’s dangerous. There could be monsters lurking down there.”
“Which is exactly why I’m going.”

I’m a monster tamer—who else would handle it if not me?

Ignoring Luan’s protests, I grabbed the handle and pulled it open.
With a sharp metallic screech, a narrow wooden staircase leading downward revealed itself.

“…Luan.”
“I’ll take the lead.”

We exchanged a brief, wordless look—then Luan nodded and began to descend first, carefully scanning the darkness ahead.

Honestly, it was so dark down there I was already getting a little spooked.

‘Better bring a candle… maybe some other stuff just in case.’

I stuffed a candlestick and a few random useful things into my pouch.
Just as I was about to follow him down, Ruby trotted up behind me.

“Zoe! I wanna come too—”
“Ruby, stay here. If you follow me, no treats.”
“Ah! Okay… I’ll wait quietly!”

At the threat of snack deprivation, Ruby quickly backed away.

The old stairs creaked under my feet—each step made me wonder if the floor might just collapse entirely, so I stepped as lightly as possible.

When I finally reached the bottom, the place was pitch black.

Creak—

Each time I moved, the wooden floor groaned ominously beneath me.

“Careful, Zoe. The floor could give way.”
“Ugh, I hate this… wait a sec, I’ll light the candle.”

Alright, time for something I’ve always wanted to try.
I raised my index finger.

“Ignite.”

A small flame burst to life from my fingertip.

It was Ruby’s skill.

Being able to use a tamed monster’s abilities—honestly, that’s just the best.

The tiny flame touched the candle’s wick, and the room instantly brightened.
The flickering light revealed the dull, cracked floorboards beneath us.

Ah. That explains all the creaking.
Still… it didn’t seem like the floor would cave in. Probably. Maybe.

“You’re… a mage?” Luan asked, looking surprised.
“Ah, not exactly. I just know a bit. You know—it’s the age of multi-jobbers, right?”

(Okay, fine. I totally stole the ability from Ruby.)

“Multi… jobbers?”
“Yeah, like having multiple jobs ‘cause life’s tough.”
“I see… Zoe, you truly are remarkable.”

Luan nodded earnestly, eyes soft with admiration.

Sir, if you’re going to pity me, I’d rather take cash.

“A-anyway! Let’s take a look around, shall we?”

Trying to shake off the awkwardness, I grabbed Luan’s sleeve and lifted the candle higher.
Slowly, the dim underground space came into view.

“…Books?”
“An enormous number of them, too.”

What the—why are there so many books?

Tall wooden shelves filled every wall, stacked from floor to ceiling with dusty tomes.
As I scanned them, my eyes caught something above—

A chandelier.
A grand, ornate chandelier, the kind you’d see in a noble’s mansion.

Why does a collapsing shack have something this luxurious?!

“Zoe, could you use that flame again?” Luan asked, pointing upward.
“Oh! Sure thing.”

Catching on instantly, I raised my hand again and summoned another small flame.
One by one, the chandelier’s candles flickered to life.

The room transformed—its secret grandeur revealed, like an ancient library hidden beneath the earth.

Wow… who knew our basement had something like this?

Then, for the first time in ages—

A system window appeared.

[<System> You have entered the “Ancient Forbidden Library.”]
This place contains many ancient tomes.
Reading them may reveal answers to hidden secrets of history.

[New Quest: “Books, Books, and More Books!”]

Read one entire book in the Forbidden Library.
Reward: A special item.
Failure: You’ll gain dyslexia and illiteracy.
Time limit: 30 days.

Seriously, system? You show up after all this time just to mess with me again?

The nostalgia faded fast as I skimmed the window.

So these books contain secrets of ancient history?
This really is like a hidden archive.
Oh no, I’m actually excited.

Relieved that this was turning into a mystery story instead of a horror one, I eagerly picked a book from the nearest shelf.

“Alright then, let’s see what we’ve got he—”

RUMBLE!

Just as I was about to enrich my soul a little, the ground started shaking again.

“Ugh! Can’t a girl just read in peace?!”

The tremor swung my body back and forth like a pendulum.

Luan reached out quickly.

“Zoe, over here!”

I grabbed his hand instinctively—and in the next instant, he pulled me straight into his arms.
Then he turned, pressing me gently but firmly against the wall, shielding me with his own body.

“…”

Uh.
This is… really close.

Wall in front of me.
Luan behind me.
Basically… trapped.

His heartbeat thudded fast against my back, and each warm breath brushed dangerously against my ear.

Okay, calm thoughts. Calm thoughts.

But every time he exhaled, I could feel his firm chest against me—and my face started burning up.

I tried to redirect my thoughts—only to be brought right back by the feeling of him pressed against me.

Why is he so good at this, anyway?
Who just hugs someone from behind like that with zero hesitation? Doesn’t he know women are dangerous creatures?

I turned my head slightly to glare at him—only to see Luan’s ears glowing red as he kept his wary eyes on the dark corridor.

And that… made me even more flustered.

“A-hem. Luan? I think the shaking’s stopped.”
“Ah… yes, you’re right.”

He finally stepped back.

And strangely, I felt… a little disappointed.
No, no, it’s just because he’s too handsome, that’s all.

Fanning my face with my hand, I tried to cool my cheeks.
I’ve never had much interest in people—only animals—so I have zero resistance to pretty faces.
Besides, looks like that don’t even exist in real life!

“Zoe, there’s something here.”

I hurried over, curiosity piqued, as Luan pointed to a far corner of the basement.

“…Luan, what is that?”

Part of the wall was cracked and distorted, space itself warping around it.
At the center of the distortion floated a round orb, swirling with an eerie black vortex.