The More I Read This Useless Book, the More It Feels Like It’s Reading Me Instead

The underground church was silent—but not peaceful. Kael moved through the shadows, his breathing controlled, each step measured. The deeper he went, the heavier the air felt, as if the place itself rejected intruders. At the center chamber, he found it. The sword. Black as night, embedded in stone, radiating something dark and suffocating. “…There you are.” He stepped forward, hand reaching. The moment his fingers touched the hilt— A metallic clang rang out. “…Ah.” Traps. From every corridor, footsteps rushed toward him. “Guess I’m not getting paid tonight.” Kael turned and ran. Through halls, past pillars, slipping through routes he memorized. But the church was alive now. Guards flooded every path. Then— CRACK. The ground beneath him shattered. “…No—!” He fell. Pain exploded through his body as he hit the lower level. Dust filled his lungs, his vision spinning. Above him, voices shouted. “…Still coming…” Coughing, Kael forced himself to move. He crawled through a narrow, broken passage, dragging his injured leg. “…Just a little more…” Then— A door. Small. Hidden. “…Was this here before…?” He pushed it open. Inside was nothing. No treasure. No traps. Just a table. And a single book. Covered in dust. “…You’ve got to be kidding me.” He stepped closer. Then— —come— Kael froze. “…Who said that?” Silence. But the feeling lingered. Something… was calling him. Footsteps echoed behind him. No time. “…Fine. You’re coming with me.” He grabbed the book and ran.