Chương 100: [2.26] Withering Woes (Part 2/3)

"Ferrul? Are you sure that's right?" Angelica wanted to make sure that she hadn't misheard. Seriously, the Demon Lord had visited Adora? How did that make any sense? Except… it did sort of make sense. Thinking back to the note she'd gotten from the DGS, about how she'd be punished if she made any attempt to harm the witch, that would explain things if Ferrul had some sort of connection with her.

"Oh, yes, that was it, I'm sure," Adora nodded along.

"They visited me shortly after I moved in here, the first Demon I've met. I was actually a bit terrified at first, and it was hard for me to look at them originally. But they were kind, greeting me like a friendly neighbor, and we just talked for a good while. I mentioned how boring it can be living out here all by my lonesome, so the next time they stopped by, they gave me that bookshelf.

"Didn't even know it was them again since they looked completely different the next time, and have always visited me in a slightly different form. That's why when you first arrived, I thought maybe… but no, you're definitely not them. I'm still happy to meet you, Gelic. Thank you for stopping by. The company is always nice."

"Ah yes, it's great to meet you too." She couldn't forget her courtesies before she went back to browsing. One of the books caught her eye, Sold Guardian, because there was what looked like a summoning circle on the spine. She pulled it from the shelf and read the back cover. It was about a Bound Demon whose master died, but for some reason, their Contract didn't break. So instead, the Contract was somehow purchased by a little boy who became their new master. Did a Demon write this?

The circumstances and knowledge felt way too coincidental otherwise. That, or it was a Summoner who was trying to get into the mind of a Demon. She hoped it was the former, because then maybe there were more artsy types like her amongst Hell's ranks after all. She tucked it under an arm and continued her perusal. Huh, no spellbooks. That definitely left her a bit disappointed. She was hoping to get a glimpse on how real magic was done.

Well, what she did could be counted as real magic, but she meant how a non-Demon would do it. If she could somehow have power outside of the Demon Growth System, learn spells that didn't require Growth Points or Manifest Points, that would be ideal, and certainly give her an edge. Maybe Adora had just gotten so powerful that she no longer needed such tomes, or perhaps had then hidden elsewhere so they wouldn't get taken away by the randomizing bookshelf.

What filled the shelves instead was mostly fiction, with a few historical books. Just by a glance, they were recounting the history from other worlds… probably. While part of her wanted to read them to learn about the other planets she could visit, she'd hardly paid attention to the history of her own world—her worst subject in school by far—so it was likely she wouldn't get through them or stop caring very fast.

The fiction was definitely more to her tastes, especially with quite a few fantasy and magical novels, but it was still a bit hit and miss. Wait, she recognized one of them. It was from her world! Penultimate Level 998, one she would definitely normally put in the miss category, but she'd seen it somewhere just recently.

Ah, right, after spotting the publisher logo, she remembered immediately from browsing their website; published by Lemon Literature, the very same company that had reached out to her about doing art for book covers. Well, that was a heck of a coincidence, or maybe not really. This genre of book had been gaining a lot of popularity lately from what she'd seen, though having never delved in more than a skim herself.

If the bookshelf really just provided a random sampling of books from each world, then it'd make sense for one like this to make its way eventually, depending how often it would be refreshed. What was honestly more surprising was the next book that caught her eye, one she not only recognized but had surely read, or had read to her so many times, though she really just remembered the name and not the extended content. The Widdle Witch was a fairytale that was meant to help parents potty train their children.

It was about a young witch who was trapped in her childish body, and couldn't grow up until she learned how to use the bathroom properly. Thinking back on it now, it really didn't make much sense or was a compelling plot, but Angelica remembered loving it as a kid, even well beyond when she needed it.

"Find something interesting?" Adora called over from the table.

"Oh, I can't read them from that far, bring them over," she followed up when Angelica tried to present the titles.

"Ah, I've read this one already, you can have it if you wish." She pointed to Sold Guardian.

"It was alright, but I imagine a Demon like you would find it more compelling." Was it really fine for her to have? Supposedly, the books went somewhere after they were cycled, so hopefully no one would be waiting for it on the other side. But she wasn't going to turn down the offer. It sounded like a good read, even if nothing more than to help her get a new perspective on the lives of her fellow Demons.

"Oh, good. I've been waiting for this one." The witch grabbed at Penultimate Level 998, and immediately began inspecting the back and cover art, but really looked like she wanted to dig in.

"You like that kind of book?" That was unexpected.

"Hmm, not really," Adora answered.

"Or, I didn't. Wouldn't even think to read something like this normally, and have ignored a few like it, but I was in a rut with other books, so I took a stab at it. At first, it was kind of hard to wrap my mind around the whole thing. People levelling up, getting stronger by some system. Imagine that!" If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Yes, until recently, it would have been hard for Angelica to imagine as well.

She knew of the concept in passing from games, but it had been absent in books most of her life, at least the kind that she was reading. If it wasn't through directly experiencing the possibilities herself, she'd still likely think it a silly concept. Maybe the first works of its kind had originated from Summoners, their own take on the Demon Growth System that they'd pieced together from passing mentions by their summons.

"But I'm invested now," Adora continued.

"I think this is the seventh, maybe eighth book. I've lost count, and they annoyingly just have subtitles with no numbers. At this point, though, I've got to see it through to find out if he ever gets that last level." The old woman was acting far more youthful, clear that she impatiently wanted to dig into it, but would find that rude with a guest around. So Angelica began flipping through The Widdle Witch as if to give her permission to do the same.

The art was just as she remembered, vibrant pastels and crude but charming designs. Ah, the witch was blonde too, just like her. Maybe that's why she'd latched on so much. Honestly, this very well could have been what started the obsession in her life, even begging her mom to get her a simple witch costume for a holiday party, and then it had kept going after that.

"So do you like pictures like that?" Adora intruded on Angelica's reminiscing, apparently content with stopping at her own reading spot. Maybe she'd gotten the answer to a cliffhanger which had now boosted her patience. By the tone of her voice, a lot softer, it was almost as if she viewed Angelica, or Demon's in general, in a more childish light. Well, she was thoroughly engrossed in a children's book, so not the biggest jump to make, and the woman could also be reciprocating the earlier exchange of intrigue.

"Uhh, yeah, they're… I guess I've always wanted to be an artist myself." That sounded easier to explain than the fact that she sort of now was a professional one.

"I, err, draw stories like this in my free time too."

"Oh, I'd very much like to see them." She didn't know if the witch was just being polite, or if she genuinely wanted to see them, but Angelica didn't plan to disappoint her either way. It'd be the first time actually properly showing her art off to someone in person, well, besides street art, so it did make her a bit anxious. Though it would be good practice for her upcoming meeting with her mother. Angelica pulled out her phone, wanting to pull up her webcomic, but… drat, right, other world. No service.

To pivot, she pulled up the device's gallery where she had plenty of random sketches for ideas she didn't want to forget, the odd commission she'd done on the go, like when flying in the plane with Grahj, but strangely, none of Merlina. Really? She didn't think it important enough to carry around at least one drawing of her in case it was ever time to show off? Maybe she just didn't have enough pride to deem it good enough.

Adora, who was apparently even more of a hermit than her, was growing intrigued by the magic glowing rectangle, so she stashed it before the conversation pivoted entirely, since that would be a whole other can of otherworldly worms if they didn't have the same level of technology here. Instead, Angelica pulled out her sketchpad. That did have a few pictures of Merlina, but for weird scenes and other outfits that required more context.

So she flipped to a fresh page and triggered Reprint, drawing the basic form of her character that was essentially her signature design, then presented it shyly.

"Oh wow, this is amazing." Adora pulled the sketch closer for a better look.

"Very detailed. That's quite impressive. And you drew it so fast!"

"Ah, well, I was actually using magic that let me recreate something I've made before," the artist explained.

"If I did it from scratch, it would still take a good while. Though, I've drawn her many times."

"Would you draw me?" That was a sudden request, and something Angelica often wondered would happen if she did actually show off her art.

"Sorry if that's abrupt. Growing old has been hard, and it's hurt to watch it happen when there's not much I can do about it. I even hid away my mirror long ago. But I guess I'm just curious how you view me."

"Of course, I don't mind!" Angelica pulled out a pen, eager to get to sketching. As soon as she drew the first line, she immediately felt at ease. It was like a long-persistent itch had finally been scratched. Damn, it had been too long since she really got to flex the creative muscles. She'd been holding off until she got Auto-Color, which was looking like it'd be even longer now, so it was a nice reprieve. And having someone genuinely wanting to view more of it was damn good to see.

"Oh, you should include yourself too," Adora added.

"For our time together. It will help me remember."

"Uhh, sure!" Honestly, she hadn't done many self-portraits, likely for similar reasons of not having amazing self-esteem. But it could be interesting to gauge how she saw herself as well. The witch watched her work with genuine intrigue, which added to Angelica's self-consciousness, but she was able to ease into the groove as the art took her.

"You really are quite talented," Adora commented like a loving grandmother.

"I didn't know Demons were interested in such things. Is this something you're pursuing besides just a hobby?"

"Well, I'd like to." She answered slowly while continuing to sketch.

"But it's… hard. Really, someday, I'd love to make my own picture or comic book of a story and art that I made, share it with everyone, and hope they enjoy it too. Except, I don't know that it's possible. With… being a Demon, and all those expectations, and the work we have to do to improve ourselves and keep living, I don't know that this dream will ever come true."

"Ah, I see. So that's it then." Adora looked like she had a moment of realization.

"Uhh, huh?"

"Well, every Demon who's come to visit me has always had something on their mind. I guess that's part of the spell or whatever you'd call it that sends you here. Some are happy to share, and for others it takes a bit of prying. Not that I mind one bit, and am thankful for the company. I'm happy to help, even if it's just to listen. So tell me your story, Gelic."