The next morning, the village hummed with the sounds of daily activity as Kenji followed the ogre Queen through the narrow pathways that wound through the settlement. Her towering presence was enough to part the crowds, ogres bowing their heads respectfully as she passed.

  Kenji, still small and doll-like in appearance, trailed just behind her, his bright blue eyes wide with curiosity. The idea of a library in a dungeon was fascinating. In his past life, libraries had been his sanctuaries—places where he could lose himself in the endless possibilities of fiction and knowledge. Now, it seemed even this strange world had its own treasures to uncover.

  “This library is old,” the Queen said as they approached a large stone structure carved into the dungeon wall. “It was built by our ancestors during a time when the ogres were strong and proud. Few visit it now, but I believe it holds the answers you seek.”

  Kenji nodded, his heart pounding with anticipation.

  The entrance to the library was flanked by two massive stone statues of ancient ogres, their features fierce and regal. The Queen pushed open the heavy wooden doors, revealing a dimly lit interior. Rows of shelves carved from the stone walls stretched deep into the cavern, each filled with weathered scrolls, books, and tablets. Mana crystals embedded in the ceiling emitted a faint glow, illuminating the dust motes swirling in the air.

  “This place is incredible,” Kenji whispered, his voice tinged with awe.

  The Queen gestured toward an older ogre seated at a desk near the entrance. His skin was a mottled gray, and his tusks were chipped with age. Despite his frail appearance, his eyes burned with intelligence.

  “This is Elder Zokar, the keeper of the library,” the Queen said. “He is one of the few in our village who values knowledge as much as strength.”

  Elder Zokar looked up, his gaze narrowing as he studied Kenji. “So, this is the human child,” he said, his deep voice rasping like stone against stone. “I’ve heard much about you.”

  Kenji stepped forward and bowed politely. “It is an honor to meet you, Elder Zokar. Thank you for allowing me to learn from this place.”

  The elder snorted but nodded approvingly. “At least you have manners, unlike most of these brutes.” He glanced at the Queen. “What is it you wish for him to learn?”

  “Everything,” the Queen replied simply.

  Zokar raised an eyebrow but didn’t argue. “Very well. Follow me, boy.”

  The First Lesson

  Kenji spent the next few hours pouring over texts under Zokar’s guidance. The elder was surprisingly patient, explaining concepts in detail when Kenji had questions.

  “Start with this,” Zokar said, placing a heavy book in front of him. The title, written in an ancient script, roughly translated to . “If you want to survive here, you need to understand how dungeons work.”

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  Kenji nodded and opened the book, his eyes scanning the text eagerly. The book explained how dungeons were living entities, their mana cores acting as the heart of the labyrinth. They produced monsters to defend themselves and treasures to lure in adventurers.

  “So, the dungeon itself is alive?” Kenji asked, intrigued.

  “Yes,” Zokar replied. “It grows and evolves, just as we do. But its growth depends on conflict. Without adventurers or internal battles, a dungeon stagnates.”

  Kenji frowned. “That explains why the village is in such poor shape. The ogres have been hiding here for so long, avoiding conflict. The dungeon isn’t growing, and neither are we.”

  Zokar grunted in agreement. “A painful truth, but one the Queen has struggled to change. She protects the village, but at what cost?”

  Kenji glanced at his mother, who stood silently nearby, her expression unreadable. He couldn’t fault her for wanting to keep her people safe, but he also knew stagnation was a slow death.

  Discovering the Past

  Later, as Kenji explored the library on his own, he stumbled upon a section filled with scrolls detailing the history of the ogres. One scroll in particular caught his eye. Its edges were frayed, and the ink was faded, but the title was clear: .

  Unrolling the scroll carefully, Kenji read about the golden era of the ogres. They had once been a mighty race, ruling vast territories both inside and outside of dungeons. Their leaders, known as Ogre Kings and Queens, wielded immense power, their names feared and respected across the land.

  But their downfall was swift and brutal. A coalition of human kingdoms had banded together to eradicate the ogres, fearing their growing dominance. The ogres fought valiantly, but betrayal from within weakened them. Those who survived retreated to the dungeons, where they slowly faded into obscurity.

  Kenji’s hands tightened around the scroll. The story resonated with him, echoing the loss and betrayal he had experienced in his past life.

  “They were betrayed by their own,” he muttered.

  “Yes,” the Queen said, startling him. She had been standing behind him, her expression somber. “That betrayal marked the end of our golden age. It is why I teach our people to trust no one outside the village.”

  Kenji looked up at her, his blue eyes blazing with determination. “But it doesn’t have to stay this way. We can rise again. Not by hiding, but by growing stronger.”

  The Queen studied him for a long moment before nodding. “Perhaps you are right. But strength alone will not be enough. Strategy, knowledge, and unity will be just as important. That is why I brought you here, Kenji. You are the key to our future.”

  A Glimpse of the Future

  That night, as Kenji lay in bed, his mind raced with possibilities. The knowledge he had gained from the library was invaluable, but it was only the beginning.

  “If the dungeon thrives on conflict,” he thought, “then I’ll use it to my advantage. I’ll train, grow, and evolve until I surpass everyone. And I’ll make sure this village thrives too.”

  A faint blue glow appeared in the corner of his vision, the system’s familiar interface flickering to life.

  [System Update]

       ?    New Milestone Achieved:

       ?    Rewards Granted: 5 System Points, Access to System Library

  Kenji’s heart raced as he selected the new option. The system library was a treasure trove of information, containing detailed records of skills, evolutions, and dungeon mechanics.

  “This changes everything,” he whispered.

  With the system as his guide and the ogre Queen’s unwavering support, Kenji felt a surge of hope. The path ahead would be dangerous, but he was no stranger to adversity.

  He would rise. He would conquer. And he would prove to this world—and himself—that even the weakest could become a force to be reckoned with.

  Are you excited to see the future growth of Kenji and the ogre village?