The streets of Ravendale were alive with the usual morning bustle. Merchants called out their wares, adventurers haggled over supplies, and the scent of freshly baked bread mixed with the sharper tang of metal from the blacksmith district.


    But Raj wasn''t here for any of that.


    His eyes were locked on a grand structure at the center of the town—a place he had been meaning to visit since he arrived.


    The Vorthaven Grand Library.


    Standing before it, Raj took a deep breath.


    "Books, records, ancient scripts... if there''s a place to uncover the secrets of this world, it''s here."


    He stepped forward.


    The doors were massive, carved from deep mahogany, their surfaces inscribed with ancient runes. Pushing them open, he was met with a hushed silence. Rows upon rows of towering bookshelves stretched into the distance, filled with scrolls and tomes of every kind.


    A faint candlelit glow illuminated the vast space.


    Raj''s fingers itched with anticipation.


    "If I am to survive, I need more than just brute strength. I need knowledge."


    The library was structured like a labyrinth. Large stone pillars supported the high ceiling, and the bookshelves were arranged in a way that made it easy to get lost.


    Raj approached a nearby desk where an elderly librarian sat, his long white beard nearly touching the open book in front of him.


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    Without looking up, the librarian spoke.


    "First time here?"


    Raj nodded. "Yes. I''m looking for information about combat styles, weapon techniques, and anything related to the history of this world."


    The librarian finally glanced at him, adjusting his round spectacles.


    "An adventurer seeking knowledge rather than just swinging a sword? Refreshing." He gestured toward the left wing. "Combat manuals are that way. For history, take the right wing. The deep archives require permission."


    Raj inclined his head in thanks and made his way toward the combat section.


    Books lined the shelves, categorized by weapon type. Swords, spears, axes, unarmed combat, archery, and even exotic weapons like chains and scythes.


    He ran his fingers over the bindings before selecting a few tomes.


    "Principles of Close-Combat"


    "Adaptability in Battle"


    "Strength vs. Speed: The Art of Weapon Selection"


    He carried them to a wooden reading desk and flipped open the first book.


    As he read, Raj absorbed the text with the precision of a scholar.


    The principles of footwork, the importance of balance, the psychology of combat—each passage added another piece to his mental framework.


    "A fight isn''t just about raw power. It''s about control, strategy, and exploiting weaknesses."


    Even though he had fought multiple battles already, Raj knew he was still far from mastering combat.


    His Duskbound Scholar Gem allowed him to analyze opponents, but what good was information if his body couldn''t keep up?


    He needed a weapon that suited him. Something efficient. Something adaptable.


    For now, he would focus on absorbing as much theory as possible.


    As he read, his thoughts drifted to the recent battle.


    The Alpha Rat. The golden glow. The Duskbound Soul absorbing its essence.


    His level had increased. But it wasn''t just raw strength that changed.


    He felt more... aware. His perception had sharpened, his instincts refined.


    But what truly unsettled him was how natural it felt.


    "Absorbing souls... growing stronger with every kill. How far does this power go?"


    He had done questionable things in his past life, but this? This was different.


    Yet, deep down, he knew he wouldn''t stop.


    This world was brutal. Mercy was a weakness.


    He would use every advantage at his disposal.


    Still, he had to be careful. Dorean had seen the golden light.


    Raj wasn''t na?ve enough to think the man had forgotten about it. He needed to prepare for future confrontations.


    For now, that meant expanding his knowledge and finding a weapon that truly suited him.


    After several hours, Raj closed the final book and exhaled.


    His path was becoming clearer.


    A Scholar''s Path Forward


    Raj stacked the books neatly and returned them to the shelves.


    Before leaving, he made a mental note to revisit the library often. There was far too much to learn in a single day.


    As he stepped toward the exit, the librarian glanced up once more.


    "Did you find what you were looking for?"


    "Part of it," Raj admitted. "But knowledge is a long journey."


    The old man chuckled. "Wise words. A scholar''s hunger for truth never ends."


    Raj smirked.


    "That''s right. And if I want to survive… I need to keep feeding that hunger."


    With that, he pushed open the doors and stepped back into the bustling streets of Ravendale.


    There was still one more thing to do.


    He needed a weapon.