Isaac lowered his gaze from the status window, his eyes filled with confusion.
Ever since the status window appeared, a faint glow had been emanating from the book.
No matter how he looked at it, this wasn’t just one of the common history books scattered throughout the library—it was a novel featuring himself and Luinael.
‘And it’s the story of when I first met Luinael…?’
“Criminal Isaac Liam Drake, obey the command of His Majesty the Emperor!”
At first, the book seemed to recount the history of the Duchy of Eukrencia.
But somewhere along the way, the content shifted dramatically—to the moment when he and Luinael first met.
It was as if the genre of the book had suddenly changed. And then there was the term ‘original novel.’
The original novel he knew was ‘The One and Only Maximilian,’ a story about Park Sihoon transmigrating into Maximilian’s body.
Then, this must mean…
[Information about the ‘Original Novel’ has been stored in the library.
The ‘Original Novel’ is still being serialized.
A major reward will be granted upon its completion.
First Discovery Reward: 2,000 Gold
Novel Progress: 10/100]
“…!”
The status window reappeared, and Isaac became certain.
Just as Maximilian’s story was based on an original novel, the genre in which he had become the protagonist now had its own original novel as well.
The fact that a BL novel starring himself and Luinael was being serialized wasn’t exactly thrilling, but there was nothing he could do about it.
After all, this was a transmigration story—there had to be an original.
Perhaps the system had orchestrated this, pulling people from other worlds to create countless original novels.
The mere thought sent shivers down his spine.
“What are you looking at, Isaac?”
“Ugh…!”
Luinael had approached without a sound and was now smiling brightly.
Startled, Isaac flinched the moment he saw him.
What would happen if another character in the story discovered the existence of the original novel?
And Luinael was the other protagonist, no less!
Panicking, Isaac tried to hide the book, but Luinael was faster.
“Were you reading a book about the Duchy of Eukrencia?”
“Yes… Yes, that’s right.”
Fortunately, Luinael only glanced at the title.
Since Isaac himself had initially mistaken it for a history book, it made sense Luinael would think the same.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Isaac let out a long exhale.
“It’s unusual to see you so engrossed in a book. Now I’m curious. May I read it too?”
“Ah, no…!”
That was out of the question.
If Luinael learned about the original novel, who knows what might happen?
He would undoubtedly be shocked.
“It’s just an ordinary book. There’s no need for you to read it.”
“…?”
Isaac’s panicked attempt to hide the book only piqued Luinael’s curiosity further.
“Isaac, but over there…”
“Huh?”
Luinael pointed somewhere with his finger, murmuring something.
Caught off guard by the feint, Isaac turned his head.
At that moment, Luinael deftly snatched the book from Isaac’s loosened grip.
“Your Grace…!”
“Haha.”
Isaac stared at Luinael in disbelief, as if stunned that such a childish tactic had worked on him.
Luinael, clearly amused, opened the book while chuckling.
“For you to go to such lengths to hide it… What kind of book is this?”
“Sigh…”
In the end, Luinael started reading the book.
Now what kind of excuse could Isaac come up with?
He turned his head away, unable to bear watching Luinael read.
“Oh, it’s a book about the Black Knight of the Duchy of Eukrencia?”
“…What?”
“There’s not much historical evidence, but it’s quite an interesting story.”
“The Black Knight…”
The Black Knight of Eukrencia.
Isaac was familiar with the tale.
It was about a royal family member who had received the title of duke long before the current Luinael, who had been granted the duchy for his wartime achievements.
The Duchy of Eukrencia had changed hands many times.
Internal conflicts and rebellions had frequently led to royal bloodlines being purged.
The Black Knight story was a legend about a knight who had remained loyal to the duke accused of treason.
Scholars speculated about the real identity of the Black Knight, but no conclusive evidence had been found.
Much of the historical record about the accused duke had been destroyed by the imperial family, leaving the truth shrouded in mystery.
“Wait, is that… all you see?”
“Hmm?”
Luinael tilted his head at Isaac’s hesitant question, then turned his gaze back to the book.
Isaac swallowed nervously.
“Yes. Is there more to this book?”
“….”
Surprisingly, Luinael hadn’t noticed the ‘original novel.’
Although it was clearly visible to Isaac, Luinael seemed oblivious.
‘Luinael can’t see the original.’
It was likely the same for the other characters.
The reason?
They weren’t transmigrators.
It appeared that the original novel written in this book was only visible to Isaac, the transmigrator.
What about Maximilian, the other transmigrator?
‘Hmm…’
Isaac couldn’t be certain.
Perhaps Maximilian couldn’t see it because he wasn’t the protagonist of this genre—or maybe he could, because he was also a transmigrator.
Either way, as long as he didn’t openly reveal it, it should be fine.
At least Maximilian, being an emperor, wouldn’t casually visit a public library frequented by commoners and find this book.
“No, there’s nothing else written here.”
“…?”
After organizing his thoughts, Isaac replied nonchalantly.
Luinael briefly tilted his head, as if wondering whether Isaac was joking, but soon moved on.
“Are you going to borrow this book?”
“No, I just glanced at it.”
“For just a glance, you sure spent a long time reading it.”
“I didn’t.”
Isaac firmly denied it and returned the book to the shelf.
Taking it out might risk Maximilian discovering it, which would spell trouble.
Better to leave it tucked away in the library’s obscure corner.
Deliberately placing the book deeper onto the shelf, Isaac frowned slightly.
Even with the cover closed, faint light seeped from it.
Why was such a book here?
And why did this specific book contain the original novel?
Isaac had no answers. But its conspicuousness was troubling.
The status window suddenly glowed in front of him.
[You have achieved a milestone and unlocked your inventory.]
“…!”
Inventory!
It was a relief.
Until now, he hadn’t received any perks from the system—he couldn’t even carry anything in his tight-fitting clothes.
Finally, he could properly store items.
“Let’s look at other books now.”
“Alright.”
Nodding, Isaac discreetly extended his hand.
The book vanished as soon as he touched it. It had gone into his inventory.
[You have acquired the ‘Original Novel.’
The item’s grade is being evaluated.]
When obtaining an item, the grade measurement process was identical to that in ‘The Destruction of Empire.’
Most items of a certain grade had their rank embedded in their names even before evaluation, but rare items had no grade indicated.
This meant that the item Isaac had just acquired was of an exceptionally high grade.
[Congratulations!
You have obtained the original novel (L).]
“……!”
A Legendary grade? No matter how significant the original novel might be, this grade was excessively high.
Even Maximilian, the protagonist of ‘The Destruction of Empire’, wouldn’t have many Legendary-grade items.
Isaac was briefly startled but quickly regained his composure.
He couldn’t afford to reveal any reaction and risk appearing suspicious to Luinael or anyone nearby.
He decided he could examine the item more thoroughly later, once he was alone.
“Isaac, what do you think of this book?”
“It seems intriguing.”
So every time Luinael’s eyes sparkled as he recommended a book, Isaac feigned interest and nodded along.
Delighted, Luinael began enthusiastically suggesting more books.
Surprisingly, Luinael was quite knowledgeable.
Considering his isolated childhood in the cold palace and years spent on battlefields, it was unexpected.
Initially, Isaac humored him out of courtesy, but he soon found himself genuinely listening.
“Haah…”
It wasn’t until Luinael left for a moment to borrow the towering stack of books that Isaac finally found himself alone.
Well, not completely alone.
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