9 Chapter 9: Let’s test that ou

"Yes you can pretty lady, we are looking for books. Any and all things worth reading." SaidKenny, his ever bright smile radiating.

The young lady smiled shyly, her cheeks reddening slowly as she blushed. With a subtle nod she looked at him, "The first level of the library is open to the public, low-tier spell and enchanting books can be found there. However the upper floors are reserved for members of the guild." She explained twirling a strand of hair around her index finger.

"That'sgreat to hear, where's the library? Me and my friends would like to see it if you don't mind" Kenny chuckled gesturing to Faith and Annie

The young lady nodded again before looking to Jayson, " Are you with them sir?" She asked thoughtfully however before he could answer Kenny responded, "He is with us, but he needs directions to the Adventurers Guild, if you would be so kind."

A vein appeared on Jayson's head as the young lady smiled as she approached him, "If you go back out the door, the Adventurers Guild is east of this location. It's small but rather lively, I'm sure you'll have no trouble recognizing it. " she spoke sweetly guiding Jayson toward the door.

As Jayson walked out the building, the young lady began to guide them to the library, "I must ask that you not remove the books from the library. There isn't a time limit to how long you can stay and read however."

As they followed the young lady two wooden doors appeared before them, seeming to stretch beyond the heavens. The doors looked polished with a very detailed designs of animals on the surface, a gold trim drew their eyes to stare. A soft light emitting from the frame.

Seeing their stares the young lady explained, "This door is protected by a barrier that activates when a book crosses it. If you don't want to die a painful death , I suggest you mind the rule."As she placed her palm on the door the light faded while the doors creaked open.

A moldy aroma greeted them as the doors revealed its contents , shelves among shelves of books stretched on for what seemed to be miles. Amongst the rows of bookcases were tables scattered in various areas with books and people alike piled on top.

Kenny brightened at the sight before him not wasting a second he soon vanished into the aisle, Faith shrugged making her way inside with Annie hot on her heels.

At this moment Jayson was meandering through the streets grumbling "Who does he think he is?! Sending me here like some errand boy!! Just wait until I get my hands on him!! "

As he passed by fuming , people gave him concerned looks. Which further agitated him as he made his way toward the Adventurers Guild, looking up at the peaceful skyJayson exhaled relaxing himself.

After following the instructions and asking around Jayson found himself in front of a small tavern. The walls and roof were littered with holes, some of which had small wisps of black smoke leaking out of them.

The entire building looked like it was on its last legs as if a faint breeze would cause a collapse, the door left ajar creaked as it swayed freely on the hinges.

People of all varieties came and went as though nothing was wrong with the site before them. Jayson was taken aback as he watched a man three times his size crouch and vanish inside, with a heavy sigh he walked in.

A pungent mixture of body odor and ale assaulted his nose upon entry, ignoring the smell he scanned the room to his surprise. The interior was very spacious compared to the outside, the main hall extended before him was vivid in color.

As a sea of people went about their business, Jayson was like a curious child staring at everyone and everything inside. Not too far away he saw the huge man in front of a board with slips of paper stuck to them, he wore nothing but a leather loincloth and belt around his hips.

Attached to the belt was a one handed ax, with an intricate pattern on the blade. The entire ax was seemingly made from bone. As Jayson stared at it he noticed that the ax was covered in a black and blue light that was mixing slowly together.

"System, can you analyze that weapon for me?" Jayson asked curiously. A strange feeling welling up in his chest brought him to inquire. The system responded a second later "Confirmed. Target analyzed."

In his vision a screen appeared with the image of the ax displayed. "Lions Bane has been added to the crafting list." The system chimed before going silent once more, leaving the image for Jayson to see.

"Hmm, interesting but not gonna make it myself." Said Jayson a devious smile appeared as he eyed the ax, "Let's test that skill out. Steal!" His aura rippling as he reached slightly towards the ax, a formless hand extended from his fingertips and snaked its way silently across the room.

The hand approached, quietly enveloped the ax and retreated instantly making its way back to Jayson. The moment he gripped the handle of the ax a screen appeared giving him a description,

Lions Bane

Mid-Tier

Were-Lion Essence

Effect : Shapes To Users Will

His eyes lit up reading the description twice before staring at the ax, "Successfully used skill, insight gained, Silent Theft acquired." The system interrupting his moment with its voice, realization taking him causing Jayson to check himself out.

"Where am I going to put this thing?" He questioned himself approaching the counter, "Guess I'll worry about it later, I'm glad it worked out. Even the skill upgraded after me using it twice, that's nice but what did it mean by insight gained?" Jayson thought to himself happily putting it to the back of his mind for now.

"Are you looking to join the Adventurers Guild kid?" A deep grave voice from behind Jayson drew his attention, turning his head slightly to cast a sidelong glance in the direction of the speaker.

What he saw was his own reflection on a shiny round surface, a sharp confident glare, a small pointy nose and chin. A deep frown heavily etched into his face, he wore heavy plated armor. A sheathed long sword at his hip dangled lazily in the air, a suppressive aura surrounded the sheath like it was containing the sword forcefully.

Pointing directly at Jayson he spoke again, "You should at least wait until you are able to lift a sword, a scrawny stick like you would be useless in battle."His deep voice held traces of concern as though he was truly worried.

Jayson looked at the odd fellow before him amused, "Thank you for your kindness. I've no intention of joining though, I'm here to find books with no regards to content."He said sweetly lightly fluttering his eyelashes turning his back to wave someone down for service.

Jayson had a goal and wanted to complete it without causing a scene. If he could get to their library quickly and quietly that would be the route he would go, hopefully someone would be willing to take him there.

The man he ignored was still standing there pointing at Jayson, his body shaking from agitation while his face was visibly turning red. Looking down at Jayson he chuckled settling himself down reminding himself that he is a kid, and not all kids behave as they should towards adults.

His face resumed its deep frown as he walked away mumbling to himself, "Kids these days, no regard for an elders concern."Jayson watched from the corner of his eye, having heard what that bald guy said under his breath. He shrugged his shoulders looking around the counter for a clerk, only to see no one there causing a vein to appear on his forehead.

"Of course no one is here, why would there be?! Guess I should find out on my own, or I could go back to the inn? If I go back empty handed Faith would probably beat me to death, and I do enjoy living." An image of Faith's eyes glaring at him surfaced to his mind as Jayson thought to himself, a shiver went down his spine.

In a dark aisle of the library hunched over a scroll that stretched on into the darkness, Faith sneezed violently a small flame bursting from her nose. Sniffling she shook her head focusing back on the scroll.

Jayson looked around seeing nothing that looked remotely interesting, a panicked shout echoing across the room drew his attention. The scarcely clothed giant man was searching about in a frenzy, "WHERE'S MY WEAPON?! IT WAS ON MY BELT WHEN I WALKED IN!!!" He roared, as his thick muscular hands gripped a nearby table, spilling the contents as he lifted it off the ground.

The people eating there shifted their plates and mugs to prevent them from going to waste, as they continued with their meal causally. Holding the table above his head for a moment, his arms brimming with power as he prepared to smash it against the ground.

His shadow flickered like a candle wick about to be blown out, it started to cover his body as if it were reinforcing his attack.

However the aura that it exuded was horrifyingly dark, instilling in him a sense of fear that petrified movement. His eyes darting wildly in their sockets in search of his assailant, the others sitting near him started to laugh hysterically as his shadow restrained him.

Jayson watched in interest enjoying the feeling of the suppressive darkness, a look of greed shining in his eyes.

"Steal."