CHAPTER 287: A NEW STANDING

For a long time, I considered myself useless.

More precisely, for a period of about two years.

See, things were really great once. I had... people, that I cared about, and that cared about me. I still do, in fact, and even if things have become so crazy that it’s difficult to put into words, I’m at least grateful knowing there are people that have me in their thoughts. People that think about me.

But, even still. After that day, things just... were never the same.

Naturally, I’m talking about the Tower, and I’ll just be blunt about it.

People died.

Some were even people I was closest to more than anyone else.

Even now, almost three years after the fact, I still struggle to let it go.

Of course.

I mean, I’m the one who let it happen after all.

Both, by failing to protect them from the hostile monsters that appeared, and...

"..."

"Enki? What’s wrong, what’s wrong? Are you okay...?"

All of a sudden, a familiar, always-upbeat voice sounded from before me.

Raising my head, I saw its owner; a patently young girl wearing an obviously way oversized white robe, and even a thick, black blindfold that covered both of her eyes.

"...Yeah. No worries here. I just... never thought I would make it this far, really."

"Oh! That’s good! But, Enki, of course you did! I told you, didn’t I? We make the bestest team!"

Her hair, reaching all the way down to the floor―despite the fact she was standing atop a wooden stool and leaning over her receptionist’s desk to face me sitting opposite her―reflected an otherworldly iridescent light.

"Hm. Did you even do anything to help me out this time? I can’t remember."

"Eeeeeeeh?! Enki, that’s mean... I always work hard! And I actually do a lot!"

"Hh, I know you do. Keep it up."

The Librarian always helped to lift my mood, even if it wasn’t intentional. She was just so guileless and permanently joyful that I could never stay sulking around her for long.

Anyway, I was mostly just thinking about my recent promotion.

Enki Valentine | Director of Operations

That was my new official title.

From nothing to being hired as an Operations Assistant, being promoted to Operations Coordinator, then to Operations Manager, and now, to becoming the grand Director of Operations.

’I really have come a long way.’

Was this what climbing the corporate ladder was like in the real world?

Although...

"There’s still another promotion I can get after this, right? Judging by the pattern, will I need to reach fifteen Protagonists Dispatched for that?"

"Mhm! That’s correct!"

"I see. What can I do with the Authority I have now?"

Needless to say, with a promotion came the levelling up of my Blessing, Authority of the Library of Illusory Worlds.

Without waiting for the Librarian’s answer, I simply opened the description window.

Blessing - [Authority of the Library of Illusory Worlds (Tier Four)]

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.

With the Authority of the Library, you may converse with its founder as you wish.

With the Authority of the Library, you may reconnect with previous clients for a price.

Despite being a most valued employee by the Illusory Spirit, having gained much favour, you are yet to have uncovered the most confidential of its secrets.

(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 - Authorisation to access the Illusory Spirit’s Chamber and 4-star Difficulty.

Tier Four - Authorisation to access Villain Summoning and 5-star Difficulty.

Tier Five - ???

Scanning through the rather lengthy description, my eyes gradually reached the end.

"...Huh?"

And, instantly, I paused.

"Villain... Summoning?"

’What now?’

That couldn’t be right, could it? As if being rushed by some unknown force, I opened the Assistance Menu.

Antagonist Protection Service Specialised Authority & Assistance Menu

Status | Shop | Storage | Summoning

"..."

It was real.

The ’Triple-S’ and the awkward ’???’ I had been stuck with for so long had finally been unlocked.

Feeling an incomprehensible sense of intrigue creeping in, I glanced just once at the Librarian’s beaming face. Was she keeping quiet out of consideration for me? Maybe she just wanted me to discover it myself.

In any case, I obviously opened the new option.

Villain Summoning

Currently Available World Stability : 10,800 Units

1 | Demon Lord of Tyranny

2 | Nameless Dark Wizard

3 | Emperor of the Arena

4 | Cecilia, God’s Daughter

5 | Kijin, Demon King

6 | Aradine, White Witch Queen

7 | Horizon of the Apocalypse

8 | Princess Lucretia de Christina-Drakon-Rasa

9 | Anders Heimann

"Oh, wow."

My immediate reaction was one of exhilaration. Seeing all these Antagonists, the very same whose abilities I could copy through the Service Charge Menu, did it mean I could summon quite literally any of them whenever I wanted?

As my gaze reached the bottom of the menu, I murmured.

"Ah. I knew that guy was suspicious."

Anders, the person who was friends with John Pierce and a valuable member of his three man party. Ever since I followed them into that mountain’s crystal cave with all the golems, I realised something was off.

I wasn’t certain about it, but not being sure if he was an Antagonist or not was really a pain. It meant I had to keep him alive whether I wanted to or not.

Although, now that I’ve established myself as the bigger Antagonist, it’s probably fine if he dies.

To be honest, from the very beginning I wasn’t sure if the Antagonist of John Pierce’s Contract would be me, the Tower, or an unknown third party. I guess this makes the most sense, though, especially considering that guy seemed to have his own goals.

’Well, I probably don’t have to worry about him.’

Returning to the matter of the Villain Summoning menu... Was it truly so simple?

’Hm? Wait, there’s only nine, even though I cleared ten Contracts... Oh, no, that’s because Lucretia counts for two. Nevermind.’

Pressing on a random Antagonist’s name, a separate window opened.

Antagonist - Cecilia, God’s Daughter

Summon Cost : 4,400 Units

"Oh..."

Just under the name of the mentioned Antagonist, a picture of them was posted, beside which was the stated Summon Cost.

"It’s cheaper than I expected?"

"That’s because it’s variable!"

Responding to my question even though it wasn’t necessarily directed at her, the Librarian cheerfully joined in. She was the one who knew all about it, so it was a welcome interjection.

"Do you mean it’s based on their strength or something?"

"Mm, close! It’s about how much World Stability is required to transport them, in fact!"

"Uh-huh. I guess that also includes the physicality of the Antagonist, as well as the distance of their Illusory World from Earth."

"Correct!"

In other words, a regular human being would probably be one of the cheapest Antagonist’s to transport, as opposed to something abnormal like that ’Horizon of the Apocalypse’ which I don’t even really know what it is.

On the other hand, even if someone was human, if they existed in an Illusory World that was positioned on the opposite end of the universe, there was likely no hope of being able to Summon them.

’In that case, I wonder what it says for this guy...’

Antagonist - Anders Heimann

Summon Cost : 2,500 Units

"Eyy, what, two thousand? Tsk, no bother then."

I thought it might be close to free considering he was on Earth already, but now that I think about it, there was probably a "minimum cost" due to the sheer amount of energy it takes to use interdimensional travel, even if you weren’t going far.

Or maybe it’s just a scam, who knows.

"By the way, is it alright to just kidnap these people from their worlds? Like, won’t their disappearance affect the world’s stability at all?"

"Yes! An Antagonist’s stabilising factor is tied to their existence rather than their presence, so even you’ll be fine going to other Illusory Worlds as the Antagonist, Enki! Uhmm, it’s also just a temporary transportation anyway, so they’ll return on their own after a while!"

"I see."

It was only a small detail, but it was important to make sure. Otherwise, I would’ve made a tremendous mistake making myself the Antagonist.

’Probably should’ve made sure of that beforehand, huh... Oh well.’

Pushing that aside, I returned to the Summon list and checked through all of the Summon Costs for each Antagonist in order.

Eventually, I arrived at the final unchecked option.

Antagonist - Princess Lucretia de Christina-Drakon-Rasa

"..."

Undoubtedly the person I was closest to out of everyone on the list.

If I could summon her, we would be able to talk and catch up whilst bypassing the necessity of a Contract for her world. She could even possibly assist me if I needed it, one Antagonist to another.

What were the chances of that?

Summon Cost : 5,200 Units

"..."

In the end, I simply closed the Villain Summoning menu, nodding quietly to myself.

I had acquired a lot of World Stability thanks to this long-winded 4-star Contract.

Now was the time to decide how to use it.