Explorer Center, second underground floor, Queen-level library.
After a ding, the iron door of the elevator slowly opened.
Sean walked into this higher-security library for the first time.
The "first executors" wearing black suits and red masks bowed respectfully to express welcome after seeing the "sea of gleam" on Sean's face.
Sean found that since he was promoted to Queen level, the courtesy he received was completely different from that of Jack level.
Not only the staff in the association, but also fellow explorers who meet by chance will nod seriously.
The reason why it seems more respectful is that people in the industry understand how strong it is and what hardships it takes to become an elite among explorers.
People naturally respect those "real gold" that have been tempered.
The style of the Q-level library is completely different from the large library upstairs. It can be said to have a somewhat "ancient" atmosphere.
Sean could see three-dimensional bookshelves that were 4-5 stories high, like high walls, supporting the dome.
What is quite interesting is that there are some holes drilled in the dome, and from those holes, many intertwined...tree roots protrude.
Very strong and old roots.
The big trees that beautify the city of New Testament have extended their roots here.
It's not that the Explorers Association is unwilling to spend energy cutting down these tree roots, but these spiritual things have their own role.
The ingenious designers left magical magic on these tree roots that can activate the spirituality of nature.
And these spirits can just play a role in suppressing the evil in some collections of books.
A natural medium of suppression.
Sean looked up at the tree roots winding down along the bookshelf, as well as the rows of "high walls" extending out as far as the eye can see...
I feel as if I have entered a magnificent underground world
Directly in front of him stood a short man wearing an old suit.
His mask is the image of a rodent, and somewhat comically, there are round glasses on the high and raised bridge of his nose.
Sean has long heard of the "unique book collector" in the Q-class library——
His Explorer level is Mysterious and he is the guardian of the Q-level library.
"Welcome...respected explorer." The orphan collector bowed slightly.
Sean was a little surprised to find that his voice was high-pitched, as if it was really a rodent simulating a human being.
Looking at his elegant body movements, Sean suddenly realized...
Due to certain traditions and rituals, some people wear masks on certain occasions.
Over time, their personalities gradually integrated with the roles they played...
And the mask is almost impossible to take off anymore.
The personality under the mask has disappeared, and those who walk in this world are just "collectors of unique copies".
"A person swallowed by... a mask?" Sean suddenly felt shuddering.
Do your duty faithfully, to this extent.
Sean didn't know whether to feel fear, sympathy or admiration.
"Dear explorer, which book do you need to read?"
Sean came back to his senses and said solemnly: "Nice to meet you, Mr. Collector.
"I need the Seeker Mask Illustrated Book."
The short collector owed money: "As you wish."
He turned around, cleared his throat, and shouted toward the back: "The Explorer's Mask Illustrated Book!"
Then something moved on the bookshelf.
Only then did Sean see that there were some hairy animals climbing on the towering bookshelf.
After receiving the instruction from the collector of sole copies, they quickly climbed on the bookshelf to find the book...
"The little ones will find the books soon." The collector turned around and said, "Follow me."
Following the short guardian to the side, he opened a door and made a gesture to invite in.
Sean walked into the room and found a separate reading room.
"Take your time and take a look. Don't worry." The conscientious collector closed the door.
The environment in the single reading room is good, with spacious tables and chairs and sufficient lighting.
When Sean reached the table, he realized that the steaming coffee had been brewed...
And the illustrated book was already on the table.
No "coffee or tea" option?
The "coffee" I would choose has been poured directly?
"It's like..." Sean shook his head, "It's like experiencing a mysterious event."
After all, he was still in the Explorers Association, so Sean didn't worry too much.
He sat on the chair, found a comfortable position, and opened the illustrated book.
He wanted to see which mask he would randomly turn up.
"What...what's going on?"
Sean's surprised eyes reflected the blank pages of the book.
Leaning down and flipping through it, Sean found that every page was empty.
There was some suspicion in his heart that he had been tricked, but Sean still patiently searched for any explanation.
Sure enough, he found a line of text on the title page.
His eyes slowly relaxed, and Sean secretly said: "That's it..."
The "Illustrated Book" is not a special object, but a spiritual thing.
Only when the reader has a clear mask in mind that needs to be looked up can he find it in the book.
Originally, Sean planned to rely on his super memory to remember all the "custom-made masks" and "rare masks."
"If the "Picture Book" has this kind of mechanism..."
Then, his plan would be impossible to realize.
With a slight disappointment, Sean first tried the "Picture Book" function.
In his mind, he imagined his mask and opened the "Illustrated Book".
On the page he opened was a detailed picture of the "Sea of Shimmering Light"...
"The Sea of Glimmer, a custom-made mask, symbolizes the wearer..."
While reading the description, Sean suddenly discovered that the pages recording the Shimmering Sea seemed to be very old.
It's not the special effect presented in the illustrated book, but the real vicissitudes of life, where even the ink is almost dry.
It seems to have been recorded hundreds of years ago.
However, Sean knew that the Sea of Glimmer was a custom-made mask made for him by the "Hall of Thousand Faces".
"So, the appearance of every mask is destined?"
He frowned.
Fatalism didn't sit well with him.
Unable to find a clear answer on this matter, Sean did not hesitate and closed the book again. Thinking of the sketch Solomon asked him to draw, he slowly opened the illustrated book...
A mask that was almost identical to the one in the sketch appeared on the page of the illustrated book.
Sean's eyes widened slightly and he began to read the text next to the mask carefully.
The name of the mask is - "The Intellectual World Conceived".
"The conceived intellectual world?" Sean frowned, feeling that the name of the mask was a bit awkward and special.
"Jack-level rare mask. Symbolizes story teller, writer, playwright and other types of functions."
Sean raised his head in confusion: "Isn't this type of mask the 'Legendary Teller at the Campfire'?"
Why would a rare mask be derived?
Keep reading and Sean has his answer.
"...the ability to construct a world through imagination and description, and the description is enough to arouse widespread resonance among the audience, and can bring the world of subjective creation into the mind of the viewer..."
Sean nodded with understanding: "In other words, although the function is similar to that of the 'Legendary Narrator', the person who owns this mask means a strong creative potential.
"That's why it's a rare mask."
Continuing to read along the text, Sean's attention was attracted by the last two lines.
"This is……?"
