Only I Am A Reader
chapter-451

"Interesting, right? It looks just like something you can only find in movies or animation."

The scene that Leo and Yulia were witnessing wasn't so bizarre to imagine since all forms of media had normalized fantasy creatures.

However, looking at it moving in front of them was a completely different thing.

'I had already experienced this in Murim, but it's still jarring.'

The idea that there were no monsters in the world was supposed to be a fact. One that everybody hoped wouldn't change. However, Leo was looking at the exact evidence that denied that fact.

The level of the shock itself was almost nonexistent since Leo had mentally prepared himself for everything. Rather, it was slightly underwhelming.

'It's just a different version of Murim's invasion.'

Still, considering the way everything had evolved so far, Leo doubted that this was everything.

"Of course, monsters like these are a form of the supernatural we have to deal with, but it's not the only one."

As Rubin confirmed Leo's doubts and started her explanation, the rock golem moved around slowly like his gears were rusted. At the same time, another lump was growing out of the floor.

"All sorts of phenomena are included. Monster Attacks, Closed Rooms, Paranormal Events… You name it, and we would have probably already dealt with it."

'So the world randomly sprouts incomprehensible happenings?'

Just monsters or something else on its own would have made more sense than an open door of illogical stuff. Then again…

'Is it to match the randomness of Roleplayers?'

"Such phenomena all have some sort of method that could null them, but in order to properly manage an abnormal event, the right combination of Roleplayers is needed."

Was it because Earth had changed in that way that Roleplayers started appearing? Or was it because Roleplayers appeared that Earth had changed?

It was no different from the chicken and egg dilemma, but Leo felt that the former was more likely. The versatility of Roleplayers was just the perfect antidote to Earth's sickness!

"It's much easier now, but the early days when everyone knew nothing was disastrous. They had to do so many things to identify the problem and the way to solve it without anything to base it on… That being said, there were also fewer events then, so things basically balanced out."

The lack of information was precisely what terrified Leo of Earth's reality, so he could imagine how tough things were.

Rubin's words weren't direct, but the hint of complaining in her eyes pointed at how truly busy things were lately.

"This specific abnormal event's signal was not only weak but also lacked complexity, the basic characteristic of a normal combat mission. While it would take me time, even I can handle this on my own, so it's a perfect taste test for newcomers like you."

In the end, it was indeed the detectors that filtered things out appropriately. Looking at the second golem almost coming free, Leo released his suppressed senses.

'There is something.'

Once he focused all of his attention on this restricted area, Leo could detect something very slightly similar to the signal that Roleplayers let. The golems let out some, but the majority came from the glowing part of the floor that they emerged from.

'A Detector's ability would make things so much more convenient for a Roleplayer.'

Since everything abnormal on Earth seemed to release a signal of some sort, a strong detection ability seemed like it could go a long way.

As for Leo himself, enhancing his senses with Internal Energy was still not enough to pick things up from a distance like Rubin. He had to focus and be within a certain distance.

'It's only a matter of time.'

Whether that would remain the case in the future was still up to question. Even if leveling up as a Martial Artist wasn't enough, it wasn't like he could pick something more useful for another book.

It didn't matter if it boosted Leo's enhancement ability like Sword Breath did to Sword Qi or if it was a singular ability that was far stronger on its own. What truly mattered was when he would get it!

"Anyway, stopping this anomaly isn't too hard, but we will give you a chance to figure it out on your own first."

With the introduction and explanation finished, Rubin spread her arm forward, beckoning Leo and Yulia to step through the tight opening before taking a step back.

On the other hand, Alex remained in place, he still had the duty to step in and sweep the place in case something went wrong.

"Snow, right? Let's go."

Two golems were already inside and the third was on his way. So considering that there was enough space beyond the entry point, Leo planned to share the enemies with Yulia, one for each.

Although they looked like moving rock statues, Leo wanted the chance to fully understand what they were capable of just like he did with the poor Craig.

Besides, judging a book by its cover wasn't right. They might not seem like it, but they could be even more challenging opponents than the enemy Roleplayers from before…

"Right, let's go, L- Arthur."

Yulia's expression became better once she saw Arthur's friendly smile. Perhaps she had impatiently approached this friendship the wrong way.

Smack!

As soon as Leo and Yulia entered the golems' range, their large legs became more active as they took wide and fast steps toward their target.

They weren't stupid enough like game monsters that only reacted after being attacked, but they still followed the rule of targeting the person closest to them.

'It's auto-range aggro.'

This time around, Leo had the White Tiger strapped to his back since he couldn't disappear every time he wanted to pull his weapon out.

What was tougher? The fake swordsman who changed his body's property to be rock-like, or the Monsters that were actually made of rocks?

'Only one way to find out.'

Without applying anything other than his precise Swordsmanship, Leo unleashed his first strike!