Hod Episode 4

The following is the transcript for **Hod Episode Ⅳ**, the fourth episode of the Patron Librarians' Stories for the **Floor of Literature**.

## Unlock condition

This episode is unlocked after obtaining the  Book of Shi Association and  Book of the Smiling Faces.

## Transcript

**Location: The Library - Floor of Literature**

Servant RolandI like how quiet and peaceful this floor can be.

Servant RolandAnd the librarians here seem calm and collected, just like you are, Hod.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodOh, hey Roland.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodThey may seem meek and quiet, but when they work, they work hard. I rely on them a lot.

Servant RolandAnd I’m relying on my librarians quite a bit, too.

Servant RolandWhat are you guys doing anyway, all gathered up here? Doesn’t seem like you’re sorting books.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodWe were having a meetup of our book discussion club. We pick a book that catches our attention, read it, and then talk about it.

Servant RolandNot exactly the kind of meetups the librarians on my floor would like to have.

Servant RolandI’m guessing your librarians are all gladly joining in with you then?

Patron Librarian - Literature HodYeah, they are. They’re helping me out with this more passionately than I expected.

Servant RolandI was thinking at least some of ‘em would protest out of laziness.

Servant RolandImagine if you asked Netzach to join. He’d have run away before the meetup could even start.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodHahaha. You’ve got that right, he totally would.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodStill, I can tell things have changed from the past.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodI used to have similar meetups back in Lobotomy Corp, you see.

Servant RolandReally? I suppose those weren’t the peaceful book club meetings you have now.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodYou’re right. I ran a counseling program with my employees.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodThey were always living in fear of the Abnormalities if they were lucky enough to survive. I wanted to be of help somehow.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodBut back then, I imposed myself and my ideas on them too hard.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodIf the employees seemed ever so slightly uncomfortable with counseling, I’d beat myself up over it and let the wound fester inside of me.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodI was upset that no one understood my goodwill.

Servant RolandSorry to say this, but… Past you sounds like a tiring one to deal with.

Patron Librarian - Literature Hod…I know, right? I think so too.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodAll the things I did to help others weren’t really out of goodwill or anything.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodI was just seeking consolation for myself.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodI wanted forgiveness for the misdeed I committed in my first life.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodBy being helpful to others somehow.

Servant RolandSo, did you get to be a helpful person?

Patron Librarian - Literature HodNo… There’s no way I’d actually be of any help with that kind of mindset.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodI even tried Enkephalin.

Servant RolandEnkephalin, huh… The pressure must’ve been serious if you started doing drugs…

Patron Librarian - Literature HodDespite everything I tried, I couldn’t find salvation anywhere.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodNothing I did could liberate me from the fact I was a bad person and a sinner.

Servant RolandAnd then you almost had the chance to take that weight off your mind, but Angela foiled that in the end?

Patron Librarian - Literature HodYeah, that’s how it went.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodEven when Angela was standing in our way, I was only thinking about myself. Selfish, wasn’t I?

Patron Librarian - Literature Hod“This was my one and only chance to finally repent once and for all, but it all came to naught…”

Patron Librarian - Literature HodIt’s silly, I know… I was still too stupid to realize it then.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodThat you can’t just become a good person through a good deed or two.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodWhat really matters is the mindset that prompts you to do such deeds.

Servant RolandAnd how’d you run into that realization?

Patron Librarian - Literature HodWell, I learned it after talking to my librarians face to face and holding lots of meetups like this, ironically enough.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodI carefully suggested having these book club meetups, too.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodLike you said, a few librarians didn’t like the idea at first.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodBut when I explained why I wanted to hold this meetup and how I felt, they warmed up to it and helped me out with enthusiasm.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodIt wasn’t about the method or action itself.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodI realized that we should lay our hearts out in the open and let our thoughts confront each other.

Servant RolandAll’s well that ends well.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodFor sure. Maybe Angela looked forward to this outcome?

Servant RolandHmm… Not sure if our prideful Miss Library Director had the delicacy to set up a plan so considerate.

Patron Librarian - Literature Hod…I think I’m going to confront her for real this time.

Servant RolandFor what, exactly?

Patron Librarian - Literature HodI’ll face Angela and let her know what I think.

Servant RolandThat’s going to take some courage.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodYou’re right. Angela still feels a bit distant and scary to me, but I’ll try to approach her nonetheless.

Servant RolandAnd I’ll be rooting for you from the sidelines when that time comes!

Patron Librarian - Literature HodYou might end up losing your limbs again if things don’t go well. Are you gonna be okay with that?

Servant Roland…From a distance, of course!

Patron Librarian - Literature HodYou’re a coward just like me, aren’t you, Roland?

Servant RolandWell hey, birds of a feather flock together. Let’s be both brave, together as cowards.

Patron Librarian - Literature HodYeah. Thanks for the encouragement, Roland.