My heartbeat was racing like an engine as I stood ridged, it wasn't the oppressive feeling like Red gave. Just being near him made me feel like so much as a twitch would have caused me to be killed before I could even realize my mistake. Even still this woman held a similar presence as Red, and her mask did not assist in my assumption. She looked at me with a look that said I won't even need to lift a finger, you will rip yourself apart for me if I wish it.
She started to walk towards me as her footsteps seemed almost deafening. Each step squeezing my heart as I desperately tried to move my body, to do anything.
Fragmented Will(E) has attempted to activate to move your legs
Overwhelming fear has caused the skill to fail
Fragmented Will(E) has attempted to activate to move your legs
Overwhelming fear has caused the skill to fail
Fragmented Will(E) has attempted to activate to move your legs
Overwhelming fear has caused the skill to fail
I looked down at my legs, confused as to why my system kept popping up with notifications.
"To think you have the instinct to lower your head so quickly, you are quite clever then."
This wasn't a voice, this was a law of the universe, this commandment was no different from gravity or time, and I could only hope that this voice wished not for me to die.
"We need something to say, we can't afford to be rude by saying nothing in reply."
"T-Thank y-y-you f-for the c-comple-"
"Speak clearly."
She said casually, as if it was a passing remark, and yet my body moved without my control.
"Thank you for the complement, and I apologize sincerely if I appeared to have been staring, I was in fact terrified and was unsure what to do to survive."
My body said quickly, clearly and loudly. I took a moment to blink as I glanced down at my system screen
Fragmented Will(E) has taken control of your mouth to speak
The Influence of Indigo has released control of your skill
Will seemed to snap out of some kind of trance as he stammered.
"W-what the hells just?"
The woman took a moment to silently look me over as she asked.
"Tell me, why is such a low leveled boy like yourself seeking out Mister Lee's bookstore?"
I felt Will get grabbed, his very being puppetted as if he was nothing but a piece of paper trying to fight against the winds of a hurricane.
"I fought a fateless named Ymer and he dropped this letter from purple after we almost killed him and forced him to retreat. I have this letter because I am trying to figure out what several of the terms in the letter mean including what a fateless is."
There was a moment of Silence as once again, my system screen flashed
Fragmented Will(E) has taken control of your mouth to speak
The Influence of Indigo has released control of your skill
She doesn't seem to be saying anything, maybe s-.
Pain, unbearable pain, pain like my bones were shattering and being reformed, my lungs collapsed, my blood evaporated, my nerves burned, and yet the pain didn't stop, and then I died.
I fell to my knees as the pain faded just as fast as it approached, my mind was blank as It felt like my soul has been shredded and put back together. Next to me the woman seemed to be chuckling, even without daring to look at her, I could tell that she had an almost manic grin on her face.
"So you ended up damaging one of that little bitch's toys? I must say, there are very few ways to get on my good side, but that certainly is one way."
I wanted to respond, however before I could I heard a small jingle of a door opening.
"Miss Indigo, you left behind your glove, thank goodness I caught you before you teleported away."
Came a simple, polite voice, this voice lacked the authority that the woman who I now knew was Miss Indigo had, and yet it was oddly soothing.
Miss Indigo turned around, walking back to where I saw the door to the bookstore was open as a man stood in the doorway holding out a set of gloves. He was simple, wearing a simple black suit and pants with an undershirt, it was fancy, but not so fancy as to be uncomfortable. A head of trimmed and well kept black hair his a set of easy brown eyes and a small polite smile. Miss Indigo reached out and took her gloves as she turned to walk past me.
"Do take care of this one Mr. Lee, they have done me a small favor whether they know it or not."
The man bowed as the presence of Miss Indigo left, and I sucked in a shaky, raspy breath. He walked over and held a hand out to me.
"I do apologize if she startled you, she seems to have lost control of her aura for a moment and it was pressing around her for a bit."
"H-How much aura does one have to have to do that?"
I asked staggering to my feet as the man gestured with an arm and we both began to move towards the bookstore.
"Millions upon millions, but one would expect such power from those of the masks."
My brain tried to wrap itself around the events and information of the past 5 minutes, I had gone from walking to a bookstore, to meeting someone who is apparently similar if not related to Red himself, and getting told there are more of them. Not to mention I apparently did something to make Miss Indigo so happy that it caused her to lose control of her energy for a moment that made me feel like I was dying.
My train of thought was cut off by a clap as I looked up to see that Mr. Lee had clapped his hands in front of my face.
"Careful there sir, you were beginning to spiral."
He said cheerfully as he sat down behind a large desk and pulled out a small teapot. Two cups floated over as he poured the tea and slid one cup over to me. Taking the cup I took a sip as I looked up at Mr. Lee as he let out a contented sigh as he held his cup.
"Sorry, I just have a lot to think about."
Mr. Lee chuckled as he looked over at me with a coy smile.
"I have no doubt, after all you are carrying Purple's letter, you have fought fateless, and even encountered 2 of the 7 masks, to be fine after that isn't sane."
I nodded as I found a part of me trying to ask questions rapid fire, but they seemed muffled, and muted. I pulled the letter out as I looked it over before looking up at Mr. Lee.
"I have many questions, but I know just asking a dozen questions wouldn't be polite, bu-"
I paused mid word as I saw Mr. Lee holding up a finger as if to shush me from across the table.
"I am aware of your questions, but in return a warning must be provided. You are asking questions about powerful things, and events beyond the scopes of one who is only just starting to explore what this world has to offer. I give you this warning because there are those who seek knowledge, unaware that some knowledge have guardians that would rather that knowledge stay lost or hidden. You and your allies are in no way ready to handle such problems, so out of courtesy I will not answer all of your questions, instead I will offer you a choice."
I looked up, my thoughts much more organized than normal as I asked.
"What do you mean by choice."
Mr. Lee smiled as he said
"You can request one of the following, and while normally I would restrict you to knowledge only, however it seems that Indigo has a pitched interest in you so I will offer you more."
Almost on que, the system screen appeared
Mr. Lee owner of the very ordinary bookstore has offered you one of the following
Knowledge: you can request knowledge about something in the world
Power: his shelves are lined with books, why not read one
Potential: the best way for a plant to grow, is for it to be given proper sunlight