Huh... I didn't expect the beginning to be dramatic. But judging by this, this so-called disease must be serious if they describe it like that. The book is pretty wordy, though. So it might take a while for me to complete it. Thank god I’ve finished making some notes from the previous books beforehand. Plus, I’ve read some wordy books before. AKA Seraph and other fantasy novels. I doubt I can't handle a book that's their version of non-fiction in this universe.

  But back to the memoir in question, the first chapter is basically an introduction of the author and how they were once a star pupil in . They sound like they were one of those arrogant know-it-alls like in some novels I read. Yet when they describe their past self, it seems like they were regretting their behavior after they recovered from the disease. The second chapter isn't all special as well, but it does detail his connections with some key players in the epidemic. They mention a few names I’ve never heard before such as , , and .

  "Oztar"... Now that I think about it, Dalhia's last name is the same as Alcora's. Maybe she's a relative of hers? If so, is she still alive to this day? Regardless, I should take note of that just in case.

  The third chapter is where I start to learn how the corruption disease came into being. There were a few cases affecting [Elves] and [Insignis] with only [Feles] and [Beast Folk] being in the minority. According to the author, the beast-type ancestry patients were affected because they were the ones who possessed large [Mana Reserves] compared to their brethren. Plus, they worked as magicians or used magic as some sort of a sidearm in their skills as adventurers. I would have thought that was the only thing the chapter would say. But the last words haunt me with the patients' fates.

  People replaced by monsters? From an unknown origin...

  Wait, if I can decode the complicated wording in those paragraphs, are they saying his colleagues were transformed into monsters?! Is that even possible in the game lore?! If that's the case, it might be a potential event waiting to create some chaos for the unsuspecting players and NPC alike! Maybe it might be related to the corrupted [Quest] Wind and I are working on right now. It might be a long shot, but this might be a concerning history I need to learn more about.

  Back to the memoir, the next chapter details the events that followed after the appearance of the transformed monster in . The king who was in charge of the kingdom and the [Royal Magicians] became aware of the once-ongoing epidemic and worked together with the healers to figure out the source behind the disease's infection. Despite this, people got the corrupted disease and after a few days, those same patients transformed into the same monsters the author described. After this chapter, the next one describes the symptoms that happened to the patient.

  Man... If that's all of the symptoms of [Mana Corruption], I wonder how the game would translate that if a player gets infected.

  It doesn't say much more about it, but if this goes out in the kingdom for the second time, it's going to be like the "Darkest Rain" incident in the 3rd book of Seraph! I don't know how we can stop the onslaught of transforming monsters coming our way! I don't know if we can stop them from transforming at all!

  Unless there's a way to reverse it.

  The book only details the author's experience with the disease and from what the symptoms were, there’s a chance a cure was discovered. The infection turns any living being into a monster for 12 hours and the author is a survivor. It wouldn't be a surprise if that could happen!

  I just need to read a few more until I reach a conclusion.

  And that's the end of the book.

  There's a lot of takeaways from what I’ve just read. Even if this memoir was only written from the perspective of the author, I can tell how severe the outbreak was. There was nothing written about it in the official Wiki and lore videos. Just the thought of this unknown event in the players' eyes is scary if it happens as an in-game event of sorts. While I didn't write a lot from the book in my notes, this is something everyone needed to know. However, my choices might affect the whole story as a whole, so there's a chance some NPCs with ill intent might use this knowledge against us. Wind isn't here right now, but I know he would recommend I keep this to myself for now.

  Anyway, I’ve already studied enough of the info I need for the exam and know more about the [Mana Corruption]. I should return the books for today and head back to the inn. Maybe I still have time to get another cupcake f-

  [How many times do I have to tell you?! We have nothing about that dreadful incident!]

  Huh? That sounds like the librarian and she doesn't sound as monotone as before. Something must have happened while I was busy reading. I slowly leave the table and approach the counter nearby. As I take a small peek around a bookshelf, I gasp to see two men ganging up on her.

  [We heard that the last copy of that memoir is supposed to be in this library. I don't know why the monarchy had to hide it because of a law, but you can't fool us with your damn "missing" excuse!] One of the men demands. [So I suggest you better tell us where it is or else...]

  Another mage suddenly slams his hand on the counter and glares at the librarian. To my surprise, it's enough to scare out of her lazy fa?ade and the counter.

  [A-And I told you many times... Even if I have it, you are not allowed to read it!] She answered sternly. [If you continue to ignore the rules of the library, I suggest you leave immediately!]

  I can tell that despite her stern and bored expression, she sounds a bit scared at the sight of them. But more importantly, this event was a bit confusing. She said the library is not allowed to keep any book related to that "incident". If she's referring to the [Mana Corruption] plague, then why did she allow me to read it? Heck, why is this memoir still in this very library at all? Either way, the last librarian I met had strong magic enough to drive away unruly players back in . I feel like she's the same, yet them slamming their fists on the counter was enough to make her cower. It's not just shocking, but terrifying in her position. I should help her, but there's a chance I might find myself in another [Hidden Quest]...

  "Hey, what's the hold up there?"

  I gasp when I suddenly hear a new voice. I take another peek and see two more men approaching them. But they're a bit different. They have normal outfits you normally see in an adventurer in this game. Not only that, they have green crystals above them, a sign that they are living players working together with those weird NPCs.

  Something about them doesn't sit right with me. Maybe I should bring the books back to their original place before...

  "Hey, who the hell are you?" Before I can do anything, someone grabs my collar and pulls me away. I look up and find myself face-to-face with a burly barbarian player. "What's a kid doing in this dingy place? Don't tell me you're in cahoots with the librarian lady, too?"

  ...And that's the point were I realize that I'm not getting away from this place that easily.