[Open] Hanbit Library

[dedicate]

Who: Agent Choi + Anyone. Bring your own top-levels
What: Canon update @ the Hanbit Library
When: February but let's not think too hard on the details
Where: Hanbit Library (Dream)
Warnings: Spoilers for GDCG chapters in the 290's range.

Hanbit Library

Late Night Station

The next stop is Late Night, Late Night Station.
A library of knowledge, a place of citizen’s rest, a sanctuary of ■■. Passengers heading to Hanbit Library, please disembark here.

A subway bell chimes, and the announcement jolts you awake. Your eyes open within a new dream, greeted by the everyday sight of a subway platform. The primary signage features both English and Korean, but the first anomaly to catch one's attention in the station will probably be a single A4 sheet in handwritten hangul:

Sekwang Technical High School Graduation Ceremony
Exit 4 →

And stepping further in, that's far from the only one. Sheets, slips and scraps of paper alike are scattered through the empty station, each carrying its own notice:

Exit 2 escalator under construction. Please use another exit.
Fire hydrant water shutoff notice.
Train malfunction / G155■
If you lost a cat-shaped wallet, please report to the station office.

With every exit out of order or with access cut off, there's only one place left to go. The space at the top of the stairs extends into a narrow cavern of modern bookshelves, stretching from floor to ceiling and filling the space with knowledge. Dim lamps are interspersed between the shelves, casting a warm, shallow glow.

Welcome to the Hanbit Library.

Hanbit Library I

Through the labyrinthine stacks, there are occasional, illegible markings staining the floor. Distorted lettering. If you can read Korean, bending your body forward into a bowing position will allow your line of sight to condense the stretched out letters into something legible, with each rule appearing intermittently one at a time:

〈 For One Who Walks the Path of Worship 〉
⟶ Do not make footsteps.
⟶ Do not fall asleep.
⟶ Embrace curiosity.
⟶ Once you have obtained one thing, leave.
⟶ Do not descend underground.
⟶ Gaze upon the window.

Not difficult, right? And look, there it is, right there—a window can be found wedged between the shelves. Upon meeting the eyes of your own reflection within it, you may find that something strange has happened.

You've changed. While moving through the library, your book has opened to a different page of your story, and you have become the person from that chapter once again—a past self, a different self, or perhaps you're the same, and it's your companions who have changed.

Hanbit Library II

Of course, a library wouldn't be what it is without books to line the shelves. Depending on what kind of curiosity you carry, you'll find yourself among shelves of the associated genre. Some of the sections you can stumble upon include:

• Horror
• Fantasy
• Romance
• Biography
• Fairytales

Take one from the shelf and next thing you know, you'll experience the chapter you've opened it to as if living through it firsthand.

Hanbit Library III

Working together with your companion(s) to reach the end of your story, it's entirely possible that you may come across something strange. Someone strange, but someone you recognize all the same. Another version of yourself is also wandering among the same stacks. Perhaps they're accompanied by a companion of their own, or perhaps their companion is quite different from your own, but the choice remains in front of you all the same:

What will you do?

Other selves who are accepted and acknowledged will be returned to the place they belong: the innermost chamber of your heart. Their newly acquired memories converge with your own and a sense of peace washes over you as you awaken from the dream. A blessing of ■■, perhaps.

Selves who are rejected, whether by death, sacrifice, or abandonment, will experience no such relief. The only way to escape this library is to physically escape the maze-like shelves, arching over your head like tunnels. Even as you board the train that marks your successful escape, you find yourself overwhelmed by an aching emptiness in your chest. Their memories do not become your own, but perhaps those who encountered those sides of yourself will still remember them.

Comments

[sacral]

[ In his considerations, Subaru's heart heats with a flash of anxiety, thinking he might refuse after all. It makes sense to, doesn't it? Lead down into this strange library by signs he only just managed to read, funneled here by one coincidence after another, only to get hopelessly lost among the shelves... no matter how he looks at it, it's quite strange! Of course, he thinks that there has to be a point to all this as well, thoughts toppling over one another as he considers what he might have to do to bring him back out if they go their separate ways.

But when Caelus accepts his hand, Subaru's expression brightens, tension receding instantly. ]

Oh, likewise! Thank you for agreeing to come with me after all, Caelus. [ Caelus... it's not a name he's ever heard before. He amends: ] Um, Sumeragi is my surname, so... if you'd like, you can just call me Subaru.

[ He hopes that's not too forward. ]

[trashblaze]

[ This younger one… is so kind. Caelus just met him, but he can tell immediately. From the hopeful look in his emerald eyes, his soft expressions, to even his shy movements. They all collectively form such a kind personality. This young one must have something… that he protects, or at least strives for.

That's good. … Caelus is quite envious, but he doesn't let that show. He maintains his sincere smile. If anything, by meeting this boy now, he's gained something new today despite his empty heart. … His desire to protect that smile, at least while they're together like this. ]

That's a strange thing to thank me for. I'm the one who should be thanking you…

[ Still, he lets out a quiet laugh. Amused. ]

… Sure thing. Subaru.

[sacral]

Ah, is it?

[ Though his hold on his hand doesn't slack any, the words do seem to give him pause. Why is it as if the words he's speaking cast an empty echo back at him? He glances aside, eyes suddenly sticking to some of the books nearby, the titles and decorations of their spines lit by an ambient glow. ]

I am a stranger, after all! [ And therefore only able to give his word that he's not some weirdo... ] But I'll do my best to not slow you down.

[ His heel scuffs softly on the ground as he turns. ]

Shall we?

[trashblaze]

[ … Everyone is a stranger to Caelus right now, even his own self. But, of course, he can't say such a thing out loud. He plainly maintains his reassuring smile. Despite how he feels, he really is sincere with his newly bloomed desire to protect this young man. His first memory… that he'll protect.

Young Subaru clearly has a bright future ahead of him, indicated by all those fascinating expressions the boy keeps making, and the Receptacle would like to help him reach that future if given the chance. He wonders if destiny will allow him that chance… ]

I'm the one slowing you down… Aren't you looking for the person calling for you?

[ Regardless, wanting to convey his gratitude, the Receptacle gently squeezes that hand. He also lowers his head a little, a faint bow of respect. ]

… Thank you. Yes, let's go.

[ And he'll match the other boy's pace. Every step, he'll copy leisurely. But he doesn't merely space out during their walk around the mysterious library. He continues to watch out for any signs that might indicate an exit. The subway doesn't seem to lead anywhere else. ]