Isekai Grimoire System

Chapter II: The Fellow Outlander (III)

"Or do you want me to give you an example first?"

The masked figure opened his grimoire, nodding as if he understood something. After continuing to read, he let out a dissatisfied sigh.

“Ah, forget it. My business here is done."

"Done? Did you think I would just leave you alone after all this?”

The two stared at each other, and their eyes circled the area, where they only saw a dark area and four humans lying flat on the ground.

“I don't know what the first mission is written on your grimoire, but I also have my own interests,” said the masked figure. He was turning his body towards the black spiral.

“You are lucky to have met me, the Gatekeeper. I'm just doing my mission and nothing more. If you meet other people, I can be assured they will instantly liquidate you and all the people in this small village," he added.

Although it is a reasonable choice for Archie, he knows nothing about this world, and even though the power has just awakened, he has neither the ability nor the knowledge of it. Letting that person go was a rational choice, only he couldn't do it.

As the masked figure leisurely walked towards the spiral, Archie planted his feet on the ground and gently placed his mother's body. Then, he tried to run after the masked figure.

The stomping of his feet seemed to be helped by a gust of wind that made every step feel light, and it didn't take long for Archie to catch up.

Archie managed to grab the masked figure's arm and tried to pull him.

Unexpectedly, Archie was pulled back by the masked figure’s force. His body briefly staggered through the air, and the masked figure slammed him onto the ground.

“Uah,” Archie groaned as his body shook.

"No need to shout like that," said the masked figure. He was about to step foot, but Archie's grip wouldn't let go, "can you let go of my hand, brat?"

Archie couldn't. He didn't want to let things end just like that. He felt that it would all be over if he let this opportunity. His start in a new world would bring him grief, something he should have protected—no, something Archie Shellford should have risked his life for.

“I… will never… let you go.”

Even though he stammered, he had said something he should have.

The masked figure stared deeply at Archie, who was barely out of breath even though he didn't move too much or use his strength excessively.

“Your body isn't used to constantly using Mana Points. Even if I stay here, the one who will collapse in the end will be you. I said before, didn't I? Your compatibility with the grimoire is still very low, after all, you only just awakened it,” explained the masked figure.

"Mana Point?"

Archie asked, not because he didn't understand but on the contrary. He knew very well what Mana Point is, which he often heard about in the games he played. In short, it is the power source to cast skills or magic. It seemed to awaken the grimoire has drained his mana every second.

When Archie looked back, the Protective Wind Dome was still there, and inside were his mother and the four others who were Erick and the previous three adventurers.

“You noticed? It's your skill. Everything you get from the grimoire will drain your mana points. As a fellow outlander, I will give you a bit of knowledge.

You are free to call it a Grimoire, a Book, or even System. In essence, a grimoire is an exclusive power awakened by beings whose existence shouldn't be in this world, like you and me.

Grimoire will help you realize the owner's deepest desire. For example, I don't know what mission was listed there before, but if your will is strong enough to save that woman, there should be something extra printed on your grimoire by now. Check it out,” explained the masked figure ordered.

[[Main Quest: Save Mom]] is a new paragraph suddenly printed below the old one.

“I said slowly the woman will die, that's true. But that doesn't mean there isn't a way at all,” continued the masked figure. Even though Archie had not released his arm, he casually stood up and explained, “One who has lost his power needs a substitute that can fill the emptiness.”

“Magic Items, huh?”

“Oh?! No, that's not quite wrong, but ordinary magic items won't be able to do it.”

From the start, Archie's grip never weakened, and it seemed the masked figure knew the only way to break free was to kill him.

The masked figure's purple grimoire turned another page, and he released a new magic, “[Tatahaqaq].”

“Here are the information sheets you need,” said the masked figure. He pulled out a slip of paper that had appeared from his magical grimoire.

"You just let go of my hand, and it will be yours."

“...”

"Don't worry, I always keep my promises. I told you at the beginning, didn't I? I have my own interest.” The masked figure grumbled when Archie didn't immediately respond to his offer.

Of course, Archie is puzzled. This person is the culprit that caused all of this and the same person who says he has a solution. On the other hand, the masked figure did say something rational. Archie realized his capacity. With his ignorance of this world, critical thinking processes began to show gaps of hope.

“And also this,” muttered the masked figure as he reached for something from his sling bag.

“Here…I no longer need it. After everything I've done, it's no use at all."

"Injection?"

Archie saw the same kind of injection in this world for the second time.

"Oh, you already know? There is nymph blood here, and if you inject it into that woman, she might survive.”

It's a sentence of hope that is immediately instilled in his mind. The masked figure tosses the syringe to the other side, and Archie jumps to catch it. Even though he looked pathetic, but he would never care about such things when his mother's life was at stake.

After a fleeting feeling of gratitude struck his mind, Archie returned to repeating the masked figure's words.

“If this is just a substitute, then this item has a side effect, right?”

“You are quick-witted, brat. Right. The injection only fills the void for her power in a short while. Honestly, I don't know how long it will last, but use that time to make your craving come true.”

The masked figure throws the paper sheet at Archie, and he catches it before the wind completely throws it away.

"Gradually, you will have some knowledge of this world, and one thing I can say," said the masked figure as he stepped past Archie. “In this world, you will probably meet other outlanders, and their power will be completely different. If you want to survive, then fight and become strong.”