Chapter 67

<67. World Tree (1)>

The old man's appearance was rather shabby.

Of course, Oliver wasn't the type to care about such things, but objectively speaking, he did look shabby.

At least compared to Forest, who ran the restaurant.

His old, worn coat, sunken cheeks, egg-like bald spot, and long hair around it... somehow, he even reminded Oliver of Cant, but then he spoke again.

"Did you come to look at books...?"

Only then did Oliver regain his composure and replied.

"Oh, yes... Do you have any books, sir?"

"Sir." The old man burst out laughing with a hearty "Ha ha!"

"...?"

"Ah, I'm sorry. It's been so long since anyone called me 'sir'... You're a young man, yet you have such good manners... I have all sorts of books. I used to collect books as a hobby when I was young. Would you like to take a look?"

The old man pointed to a small bookstore behind him.

It was a small space between two shops, dark, narrow, and dusty.

Oliver understood why this place was empty even when the market was crowded.

However, fortunately, Oliver didn't mind such things.

Dark, narrow, and dusty places were already a part of his past life.

Instead, he was more interested in the books inside, especially the densely packed ones.

Of course, he was also very interested in the old man who had emitted a tremendous amount of magic power in an instant.

So, Oliver nodded and entered the shop.

"Then, can I take a look?"

"Of course, young man. Feel free to look around."

Oliver bowed in response to the old man's kindness. One should repay kindness with kindness.

The narrow bookstore was even narrower inside, making it hard for a person to pass through.

A person with a good build would feel suffocated upon entering.

However, Oliver paid no attention and pretended to examine the books while focusing his eyes on the old man.

Honestly, there was nothing noticeable.

His emotional state was normal like any other merchant, and there was no sign of the magic power he had seen from a lightning mage or magic tool.

It felt like the powerful magic he had sensed a moment ago was just an illusion.

However, Oliver could assert that it wasn't just an illusion.

Just as one can't mistake a natural disaster like a typhoon for an illusion.

With his current state, he didn't think he could win against such a level of magic power.

"Nothing interesting? Young man."

The old man suddenly asked.

Oliver, surprised that he had been caught looking, replied.

"No, they're all new to me, so they feel a bit unfamiliar... Huh?"

While examining the hardcover books, Oliver's eyes caught something.

Like the other books, it had a rigid, uninteresting title, but one word caught his eye.

"...World Tree?"

"Are you interested?"

Oliver answered without realizing it in response to the old man's question.

"A little... I heard about it once while working."

"Is that so? Impressive. It's rare for a layman to mention the World Tree. May I ask what you do?"

Oliver thought for a moment.

"...I'm a restaurant waiter."

"A waiter?"

"Yes... I overheard a conversation from a customer."

The old man nodded in understanding.

"Hmm... I see. A waiter who can read... Ah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."

"No, it's fine... But, if I may, can I ask you a question?"

The old man chuckled again.

"Asking questions is something I haven't done in a long time... Go ahead, young man."

"You seem very knowledgeable. Do you know what the World Tree is?"

"World Tree... It's a bit difficult to explain. The concept is so diverse and its role is vast."

"Ah..."

"Well, if I must explain, it could be described as an enormous encyclopedia."

"An encyclopedia?"

"Yes. If I must explain, that would be the most appropriate description."

"Forgive me, but I don't quite understand. Isn't the World Tree a tree?"

"Yes, and the largest tree in the world."

The old man said confidently.

His words were sincere, but Oliver couldn't understand.

A tree as a book? And the largest tree in the world?

Oliver tried to imagine it.

Opening a giant tree to find information. Maybe the information is written on the leaves?

But it still didn't make sense.

For example, if Forest indirectly obtained information through the World Tree, it didn't seem to make sense.

An encyclopedia is, after all, a record.

He wasn't familiar with this field, but it didn't seem possible to find out the members of the Fighter Crew through such a thing.

By now, Oliver had forgotten his disappointment with the Gray Market and was filled with intense curiosity and interest.

He wanted to satisfy this curiosity as much as possible, and at that moment, the old man gave him a suitable suggestion.

"You seem curious. How about buying that book, young man?"

"This book?"

"Yes. Although it's very boring and difficult, if you have the will, it should be fine. After all, knowledge is more valuable when you find it yourself... Of course, it might just be the ramblings of an old, senile man."

Despite his modesty at the end, Oliver felt he was hearing something right for the first time in a long time.

The old man was right. Knowledge must be sought out.

Only then does it truly become one's own.

Oliver scolded himself. To have a book that could easily answer his questions right in front of him...

"No. It's a great point... How much does this book cost, sir?"

The old man looked at Oliver intently.

Even Oliver, who could read emotions to some extent, found it hard to read his thoughts.

"Can I take a look at the book if it's okay?"

The old man extended his hand and asked. Oliver handed him the book.

"Let's see... Although it's old, it's in good condition, and it's not easy to find nowadays. If we add the storage and management costs to the book's original price... 200,000 rands."

"200,000 rands?"

"Yes."

Oliver tilted his head, thinking it was cheap.

This was his first time buying a book officially.

However, to Oliver, 200,000 rands was almost free.

It was four times the price of a regular book, but Oliver didn't know, and even if he did, 200,000 or 2,000,000 rands wouldn't mean much if it could satisfy his curiosity.

The old man looked at Oliver and asked.

"Is it expensive?"

"No, not at all, sir. It's actually quite cheap."

"Do waiters these days earn a lot? That's about a week's salary."

"Well, I get a lot of tips, so it's fine."

He recalled the story of a former beggar gang member who worked as a waiter.

"Tips? Oh, you must work at a good restaurant."

"Yes, it's a good place."

Oliver answered and took out the money from his pocket.

He initially thought of giving a 100,000 rand bill but changed his mind and took out twenty 10,000 rand bills.

"Here it is."

The old man didn't count the stack of bills Oliver handed him but folded them neatly and put them in his pocket.

"Here you go. It's yours now."

"Thank you."

"I should be the one to thank you. It's been a while since I had a customer, and it was a short but enjoyable time. I don't even remember the last time I had a conversation. Have a good day."

"Yes, have a good business."

Oliver bowed politely and left. However, he stopped and turned back to look at the old man.

It might be a pointless risk, but as always, curiosity and interest overcame caution.

"Sir."

"Yes? Why did you come back? No refunds according to store policy."

"No, that's not it... If it's not too much trouble, can I come back with questions after I finish reading the book?"

The old man chuckled.

"An old man from a shabby used bookstore might not be able to give you a good answer, but..."

"Any answer has its own value."

The old man smiled.

"...If you follow one condition, I'll think about it."

"What condition?"

"Bring some drinks and snacks. It's a bit hard to talk on an empty stomach."

The old man chuckled again.

***

After returning to his lodging, Oliver had a light meal.

In the past, when he was with the Joseph Family, he would have skipped meals to save time for reading.

But he remembered Cant's advice to eat properly and couldn't skip it.

Still, time was precious, so Oliver had a good idea.

"Is there any food I can eat quickly?"

The innkeeper, a well-built woman, asked.

"Yes, madam. Is there any food I can eat quickly?"

"Why? Is my carefully prepared food not good?"

The innkeeper put her hands on her hips and asked. She looked very displeased.

Oliver tried to match her mood.

"No, I'm always grateful for the food you prepare. It's delicious."

Her displeasure lessened.

"However, I sometimes need to stay in my room, so I need something quick to eat."

"Really? What do you do that you don't even have time to eat?"

The innkeeper spoke strongly again.

However, Oliver wasn't bothered.

He wasn't the type to react to such things, and he had to consider that most of the people staying at this inn were involved in dangerous jobs.

Emotions can be contagious, affecting others whether you want them to or not.

There were positive examples like Cant, but negative ones existed too.

In other words, she couldn't help but be rough.

"I want to study."

"Study?"

"Yes... I had to stop due to circumstances, but I want to study again."

The word "study" softened the innkeeper's heart.

She didn't know Oliver's situation, but she used her imagination and seemed to understand.

"Well... I understand you have your reasons, but it's still difficult."

"Oh... Is that so?"

"Yes, you're not the only one staying here. I can't give special treatment. If I bring food to your room, everyone will ask for the same. Then, I and the girl will be treated like maids. I don't want to be a maid anymore."

The innkeeper pointed to a scrawny boy with straw-like hair, who looked about Oliver's age.

"Oh, that's true."

"Right? So, eat in the dining room. I can work hard to prepare the food, but I won't be a maid."

Oliver was silent. He couldn't force someone who didn't want to do it.

Still, he had a lingering thought and made one suggestion.

"What if I pay extra?"

"Pay extra?"

"Yes."

The innkeeper showed interest when the topic turned to money.

Everyone earned money to live, and it was only natural.

Oliver was no different.

By now, Oliver was focused on the conversation itself, not on eating in his room.

He remembered the bargaining between a merchant and a customer at the market earlier.

The act of negotiating to reach a mutual agreement through conversation.

He wanted to try it but never had the chance, and now seemed like the moment.

Thump!

The innkeeper slapped the table.

"Stop talking nonsense. Eat in the dining room! Don't waste my time. Do you know how hard and troublesome it is to prepare food?!"

"Oh, yes."

Contrary to his expectations, the negotiation ended quickly.

It seemed Oliver lacked the talent for bargaining.

After finishing his meal, Oliver left the money on the table and went upstairs.

On the way, a boy who helped the innkeeper approached and asked.

"Hey... Were you a student?"

"Huh?"

"You said you studied... Did you go to school?"

Oliver thought for a moment and said.

"I didn't go to school. I only learned a little from a mentor."

"Oh... So you can... read?"

"Yes, why do you ask?"

The boy hesitated.

His desire was evident, along with embarrassment and fear.

Finally, he mustered the courage to speak, but a shout came from below.

"Rosburn! Where are you going again?!"

The innkeeper's fierce voice made Rosburn jump. He bowed to Oliver and went downstairs.

The angry shouts continued, but Oliver ignored them and went to his room.

He then spread out the items he bought today on the bed.

Low-quality emotions and life force, a cheap black magic item, and a book he bought unintentionally.

Oliver picked up the book, went to the desk, and opened it, curious about what the World Tree was.