The Library felt different now.
Heavier.
As if the moment the words "Future Solomon" were spoken—
everything had changed.
Lionel looked toward the distant throne.
The Throne of Solomon.
The final destination.
The place no one had reached.
The place that had destroyed countless geniuses.
The system sounded nervous.
[Boss.]
"What?"
[Let's not do that.]
Lionel blinked.
"You've never stopped me before."
[This one feels like a terrible idea.]
"It probably is."
[Then why are you considering it?]
Lionel looked toward the throne.
Because if Solomon truly possessed knowledge capable of defying Heaven, Hell, Fate, and even death itself—
then he needed it.
Not for power.
For survival.
---
The librarian suddenly spoke.
"You wish to attempt the First Trial."
It wasn't a question.
---
Lionel smiled.
"You seem very confident."
The old man sighed.
"I have met many people."
"Your eyes are identical."
---
"To who?"
---
"Every fool who tried."
---
The system immediately approved.
[Okay, I like this old man.]
---
The librarian waved his hand.
A golden door materialized.
Ancient runes covered its surface.
Countless symbols shifted continuously.
Lionel couldn't read any of them.
---
The moment the door appeared—
the entire Library became silent.
Even the floating spirits stopped moving.
---
The librarian's expression became serious.
"For thousands of years."
"Many have entered."
"Few have returned unchanged."
---
Lionel raised an eyebrow.
"That's encouraging."
---
"It wasn't intended to be."
---
Fair.
---
The golden door slowly opened.
Darkness waited beyond.
Not ordinary darkness.
A strange emptiness.
As if reality itself ended there.
---
The system suddenly sounded uncomfortable.
[Boss.]
"What now?"
[I can't see inside.]
---
That got Lionel's attention.
The system always saw things.
Always.
Yet now—
nothing.
---
The librarian stepped aside.
"The First Trial awaits."
---
Lionel didn't move.
---
The librarian smiled slightly.
"Afraid?"
---
Lionel looked offended.
---
"Obviously."
---
The librarian blinked.
---
The system burst out laughing.
[HE SAID IT.]
[HE ACTUALLY SAID IT.]
---
Lionel folded his arms.
"Only idiots aren't afraid."
---
The librarian stared.
Then unexpectedly nodded.
"Good answer."
---
Without another word—
Lionel stepped forward.
And crossed the threshold.
---
The world disappeared.
---
No Library.
No books.
No throne.
No system.
---
Wait.
No system?
---
Lionel froze.
---
"System?"
---
Nothing.
---
"System?"
---
Silence.
---
For the first time since awakening—
the voice was gone.
---
A cold feeling crawled down his spine.
---
Then light appeared.
---
Lionel found himself standing in a massive stone room.
Empty.
Silent.
Ancient.
---
In the center stood a single table.
---
On the table rested three objects.
A golden crown.
A silver sword.
A black book.
---
Nothing else.
---
A voice echoed through the chamber.
Ancient.
Powerful.
Calm.
---
Not the librarian.
Not the system.
---
Solomon.
---
"Welcome."
---
Lionel froze.
---
The voice continued.
---
"First Trial."
---
"The Trial of Choice."
---
The crown glowed.
The sword glowed.
The book glowed.
---
"Choose."
---
Lionel frowned.
---
"...That's it?"
---
Silence.
---
Then the voice answered.
---
"If the answer appears simple."
---
"It means you have already failed."
---
The room became quiet.
---
Lionel slowly stared at the three objects.
The crown.
Power.
The sword.
Strength.
The book.
Knowledge.
---
The obvious answer felt too obvious.
---
The system wasn't here.
No hints.
No sarcasm.
No cheating.
---
Just him.
---
And Solomon's first question.
---
Meanwhile—
far away—
William Von Ainsworth woke up once more.
Sweat covered his body.
Another dream.
Another fragment.
---
This time—
he saw a golden door.
---
And a throne floating above the stars.
---
Fate whispered again.
---
Grow stronger.
---
William clenched his fists.
Confused.
Determined.
Unaware that somewhere beyond reality—
Lionel had already taken the first step toward a path even William never dared walk.
---
And Solomon watched.
Waiting for an answer.