NOVEL NEXT Chapter 135: ʕ•̫•ʔ---C.C.C
Amaterasu chimed in, her arms crossed in a huff. "Why not just go in and see? Maybe it'll be obvious once we're inside."
"Or maybe it's something boring," Jiuge interjected with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Like Collections of Cranky Codices. Perfect fit for that forest druid."
I laughed despite myself. "Well, I'd prefer if it were something less... ominous-sounding."
Still, my curiosity gnawed at me.
What could "C.C.C." stand for?
And why was it the only name the token couldn't decipher?
"Okay, I've decided!" I announced, probably a little too enthusiastically. "Let's enter that acronym mall."
The others stared at me like I'd just declared a wild plan to wrestle a dragon barehanded.
"I mean, what could go wrong? Everything here is foundational knowledge, right? So it doesn't matter which mall we go into. Who knows? We might even get some answers!" I said, trying to sound optimistic.
Agnos leaned off the column with an infuriating smirk. "You're the leader. We're just following your lead. Worst case? We waste time." His smirk grew. "And when that happens, who gets the blame?"
"Not me!" Jiuge chirped, grinning as pink lightning danced on her fingertips. "But I'd happily volunteer myself to smack your head."
Amaterasu sighed, her arms crossed in her usual regal pose. "Let's hope you're right about this, Carl. I just hope we can find something that can help us get out of here soon. I'm more worried to see my performance review score this month."
"Fine, fine," I grumbled, gesturing toward the mall with exaggerated determination. "Let's just go before I regret this decision."
*********
We stood in front of the large sealed doors of the C.C.C. mall. Up close, the thing looked more ominous than I'd anticipated—massive, intricate carvings etched into its surface and not a single visible way to open it.
No handles, no levers, no instructions. Just pure, unhelpful mystique.
Agnos crossed his arms, leaning slightly with his ever-present lazy demeanor. His cat ears twitched, a sure sign of growing annoyance. "Carl, we don't have all day. Aren't you going to open the doors?"
"Give me a sec," I replied, rubbing the back of my neck. "Actually, I… have no idea how this thing works."
"What?" Jiuge exclaimed, throwing her arms up. "You mean to tell us that after dragging us all the way here, you don't even know how to open it? I told you, we're doomed."
Amaterasu, who had been observing quietly, finally spoke. "Erm, since you said this is a bookstore, shouldn't we consider how one usually enters a bookstore?"
"Well," I began, shrugging, "normally you just walk in. Push the door open or pull it. But with this thing? I don't want to accidentally trigger some cursed alarm or, I don't know, summon a swarm of flying books bent on attacking intruders."
Agnos smirked. "Maybe you have to say some magic word or mantra? This place is magical, after all."
"You mean like, 'Open Sesame'?" I said, half-joking.
Jiuge rolled her eyes. "Oh, sure, like that's going to—"
Before she could finish, a deep rumble echoed through the air. The massive, tightly sealed doors began to shift, stone grinding against stone as they slid open with surprising smoothness.
The four of us stood there, staring at the now-open entryway. Agnos's usual smirk faltered into an incredulous expression. Jiuge's jaw dropped. Amaterasu blinked several times as if recalibrating reality itself.
"Oh, look at that!" I said, grinning like I'd just discovered a hidden superpower. "It actually worked. Guess I've got a knack for ingenious solutions, huh?"
Jiuge groaned, shaking her head. "You've got to be kidding me."
"Beginner's luck," Agnos muttered, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes.
Amaterasu sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Let's just… go before the doors change their mind."
With that, I led the way inside, feeling both triumphant and slightly terrified of what lay ahead.
The C.C.C. book mall was, quite literally, a book mall.
Rows upon rows of shelves stretched endlessly, brimming with books in every imaginable form—ancient tomes, scrolls, stone tablets, and even sleek digital readers glowing faintly in a designated corner.
The scent of parchment and ink mingled with the faint aroma of freshly brewed coffee, creating an oddly comforting atmosphere.
At one corner, cozy chairs and plush sofas were arranged invitingly, as if beckoning readers to sink in and lose themselves in a good story.
To my utter amazement, there was even a coffee machine and a small pantry area stocked with snacks, all free to help yourself.
"Wow. It's… literally a bookstore!" I exclaimed, unable to contain my awe as I spun around to take it all in.
"I mean, look at this place! They've got tomes, books carved into stone, steles—and over there, a full-on digital corner with modern facilities! You can probably browse catalogs or even buy digital books. This place is insane."
"I have to admit… I'm liking this," Agnos said, his voice laced with genuine admiration as his golden eyes scanned the space.
"And the best part? They have tea." Without a second thought, he strolled toward the pantry, looking entirely at home already.
Typical Agnos—always finding the snacks.
We were suddenly startled by a voice.
"Welcome to the C.C.C. Book Mall. The only repository chronicling knowledge on Civilizations, Celestial beings, and Creatures. How may I assist you, owners?"
The voice was deep and formal, sending a chill down my spine. We turned around to find a figure standing behind us.
He was dressed in elegant Babylonian-style attire, complete with intricate embroidery. In his right hand, he held a sleek holo-tablet, and a monocle perched delicately over his left eye glinted in the soft light.
"Oh heavens! You startled me!" I exclaimed, taking a step back. "W-Who are you?"
"I am Usumgallu, the manager of this Book Mall," he introduced himself with a slight bow. His tone was calm, measured, and brimming with authority. Then, tilting his head, he gave me a curious once-over, scanning me from head to toe.
"I have not seen you before. Are you newly acquired?"
"Newly acquired?" I echoed, utterly confused. "What does that even mean?"