Only I Am A Reader
chapter-136

[ Book 1 - Completed ]

Name: Arthur (Leo Lock)

Age: 20 (18)

Role: Reader

Reading Points: 0 (2744)

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Personal Statistics:

True Sword Breath: 1000/1000

Physique: 3.64

Mind: 1.52

Sword Breath: 1000

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Personal Skills:

'Advanced Swordsmanship' - Chapter 3 - page 0/10

'Intermediate Smithing' - Chapter 2 - page 0/10

'Basic Horsemanship' - Chapter 1 - page 9/10

'Basic Close Quarter Combat' - Chapter 1 - page 10/10

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Personal Abilities:

'Universal Sword Breathing' - Grade 9 - 10/10

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Personal Talents:

- 'Sword Body' - 7/10

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Events:

- Event Erasure - Special

- Teaching Crane - Unique

- Jared's Survival - Unique

- Source Uprooting - Unique

- Realigning Destiny - Impossible (3)

- Counter Elimination - Impossible

- Kill Steal - Legendary

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Quests:

[ Main Quest: Reach the Epilogue - Accomplished ]

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While he was still swept up in thought about the timing behind all of this, the first thing that caught his attention was the page that he was very used to, only that it now had some major changes to it.

The page's color had darkened as if dozens of years had passed in between, and a new word was added at the top to firmly establish that his adventure as Arthur had ended, even the picture of his face felt slightly unfamiliar now that he looked at it. At the same time, the added 'Mind' bonus that was always there had vanished, making Leo wonder if Arthur continued to exist back in that world.

'If it's real that is.'

Now that the question about what was next was answered, the main question remaining was whether the Sword Continent's world was real. The supernatural 'Personal Book' proved his ability, but it could be hallucinations for all he knew. Moreover…

"Oh?"

Before he descended too far into thought, Leo's glance stopped at the inner cover opposite to the first page! It seemed like the book had changed as a whole!

It wasn't a page, but it was styled in the same manner as the one next to it. Only, this time, the picture in it was his current face, this was his own equivalent of a 'status page'!

[ Book 0 ]

Name: Leo Lock

Age: 18

Role: Reader

Reading Points: 0

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Personal Statistics:

Physique: 1.96

Mind: 2.16

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Personal Skills:

'Advanced Swordsmanship' - Chapter 3 - page 0/10

'Intermediate Smithing' - Chapter 2 - page 0/10

'Basic Horsemanship' - Chapter 1 - page 9/10

'Basic Close Quarter Combat' - Chapter 1 - page 10/10

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With the appearance on his face on the inner cover, the one on the outer one had vanished, leaving only the plain gold ancient cover. However, Leo wasn't in the mind to contemplate this outer change as he was completely focused on the inner one.

'Book 0?'

Just what did this imply, was his life also just another story? Or was this his 'origin' story? The 'zero' page sparked a lot of questions in Leo's mind, but one of them presided above the others.

As his mind wasn't in its best shape at the moment, the only difference Leo could confirm to be true was his physical growth. He felt like these 'Personal Skills' were indeed there, but they needed testing. However, the most important part that could completely guarantee the 'reality' of his experience was missing.

'Where is…'

Sudden growth was stunning, but growth spurts were a thing. Advanced skills were special, but he was someone that was already used to that. Only what he obtained from 'Reality Reading' could serve as the cutting line, proving that he hadn't gone crazy just yet.

[ Your selected 'Reality' has been transferred to your 'Reading Space'. ]

Just as Leo questioned the result of his experience in the white space, the voice in his mind directly answered. He wasn't sure if the book had really reacted to him, or if it was just something that took time like 'Character Inheritance'.

He could only guess what this 'Reading Space' was, but Leo knew exactly what to do at this point!

'Reading Space?'

Having already experienced this more than once, Leo wasn't surprised when the scene before his eyes flashed after his direct thought. He looked around only to realize he was familiar with his new location.

"This is the reading space?"

At first glance, Leo thought he returned back to the endless white space. However, he quickly realized that while this place looked similar, it wasn't empty!

Shelves upon shelves full of books surrounded him, creating an endless row of bookcases. The space suited its name to a tee.

"These are… the books I read before."

The voice inside his head didn't speak. Yet, Leo could instinctively tell what these bookcases contained, and that wasn't the end of it.

Stretching his hand towards the bookshelf to his right, Leo pulled out a red-colored book. The cover was something he particularly recognized as he had just seen it a few 'hours' ago. Opening the book and going through it directly confirmed his instincts, this was the exact 'Study in Scarlet' copy that he had read.

For some reason, he could tell where each book was. Even a close book could change to something that he wished for. From a scientific point of view, Leo felt like he had just gained access to his own memory palace!

Although a memory palace didn't feel like something special for someone who already possessed a photographic memory when it came to books he read, Leo knew that this place was far more than just that. His gaze wandered around a bit before it landed on the right corner ahead of him.

"Here?"

A single-shelf bookcase was sitting there, hiding between the two large ones. Strangely enough, Leo had failed to notice it until he thought about his objective for entering this space.

The bookcase was completely empty except for a single book, as Leo was about to bend down to pick it up, the book rose to his hand, startling him in more than one way!

'This needs work.'

Obviously, there was a lot to figure out about this strange space that he had just obtained. However, it wasn't the book's automatic answer that particularly surprised him, rather, it was the book's cover!

"What the…"

Despite the absence of a title, Leo immediately recognized the 'illustration' on it. Without a doubt, this was an exact picture of his arm, or rather Arthur's, emerging out of the Sword Demon's back!