Level ZH-653: "The Library" (Only can browse the page by this level's Wi-Fi)
Description
Level ZH-653 is a vast library with unknown specific area and height. It is speculated that its size continues to expand over time, or that its spatial volume is inherently infinite.
Inside Level ZH-653, massive wooden bookshelves are neatly arranged in rows. The height and length of the bookshelves seem to match the floor space. Wanderers who arrive on this level usually appear at the "starting end" of the bookshelves. To facilitate book access, wooden stairs and long platforms are set up between the bookshelves, allowing wanderers to reach any location on the bookshelves. Many hollow structures exist within the bookshelves, where lanterns, potted plants, or various random small ornaments are placed. Wooden chairs are placed at the front of these hollows to provide rest for wanderers, while a humanoid entity, self-identified as a "Librarian," often sits at the other end.
The bookshelves within the floor are neatly lined with various books, magazines, newspapers, documents, and other paper-based reading materials. The content of these readings includes almost all known or unknown human knowledge, and some readings also exist in translated versions of any known or unknown human language. Therefore, wanderers can read any language version of the readings. Upon investigation, many books that have been published in the Frontrooms were found, and even many publicly and privately disclosed documents from Frontrooms countries. Most of these documents can be accessed for free, but those marked "confidential" have small embedded mechanical locks or combination locks. These locks cannot be forcefully opened by any means without the permission of the "Librarian." According to the "Librarian," this place contains backup materials of all published human text and graphic artwork. Books within the floor cannot be directly taken out, but if you request to borrow a book from the "Librarian," you can take it out. Simultaneously, a duplicate book will appear on the bookshelf to fill the space of the borrowed book. The borrowed book will disappear after the borrowing period expires.
Lanterns are placed in various corners of the floor, keeping the interior constantly bright. The light inside these lanterns is provided by flames, which are believed to burn eternally and never extinguish. The light emitted by the combustion is brighter than ordinary flames, and the fuel used for the lanterns is currently unknown.
Many European retro-style small wooden rooms are suspended at various heights within the floor. Inside each room are two leather sofas and a small wooden table, and the surrounding walls have built-in bookshelves with randomly placed magazine-like readings. These rooms are called "reading booths" and are widely distributed throughout the floor. You can be teleported to a random "empty reading booth" by simply requesting to open a new reading booth from the "Librarian," free of charge.
If you manage to clip through the wooden floor of the level, you have a very small chance of entering a low, dilapidated underground pavilion. It contains many low bookshelves, all of which are very old but locked and cannot be opened. This place is therefore known as the "Forbidden Library." Many "Librarians" patrol within the Forbidden Library. If you arrive here and are discovered by a "Librarian," you will be immediately sent back to the main ground part of the library. Any attempt to learn information about these books mostly ends in failure. The "Librarian's" response is: "No one has the right to read the contents of these books. The disclosure of any information in these books will lead to irreversible consequences."
At the "starting end" of the bookshelves on the floor, there is a small wooden table with a stack of papers containing "Library Rules." These papers can be taken out of the floor, and reading their contents in any floor outside this level will immediately teleport you back to this level.
On the bookshelves, you will often see a dressing mirror. Staring at yourself in the mirror for a while will teleport you back to the "starting end."
Entities
"Librarians"
"Librarians" are humanoid entities wearing gray striped vest suits, widely distributed throughout the floor. Wanderers can converse with them in any language, and they will answer any questions about the library. Wanderers can also trade with them, usually obtaining common essential survival supplies such as almond water or food. They are believed to manage everything within the library, helping and protecting every wanderer who comes here. Any wanderer who forcibly violates the library rules or maliciously damages the library facilities or books will be expelled into the void by the "Librarians."
Supplies
You can trade with "Librarians" to obtain basic living supplies such as almond water.
Colonies and Outposts
"Bookworm Translation Agency"
Consists of 8 wanderers, 2 of whom are now dead and 1 missing.
Currently residing in reading booth number 7082747513.
Obsessed with reading the books on the floor or translating non-human language versions of books to find a way to escape the Backrooms, which led to the death of two due to mental hazards and the expulsion of one for attempting to forcibly open the locks on books in the Forbidden Library.
Neutral, does not engage in any trade, but is very interested in any potentially useful clues.
PRISM Prism Company - "Newsstand" Survival Base
Total of 13 people
Currently residing in reading booths number 7082731663 and number 7082731692
Does not engage in trade
Entrances and Exits
Entrance
Reading the "Library Rules" will teleport you here.
Taking the purple clothes from Level 2246 will bring you to this level.
Exit
Requesting to leave from the "Librarian" will take you to a random safe level.
Appendix
We strongly advise against reading those books here that do not have human-known language translation versions, especially those confidential materials without translation versions. Some of their content, even if incomprehensible, has strong cognitive hazard effects. According to the "Librarian," some of these are knowledge that humans have not yet understood or should not understand. Reading or trying to understand them will instead have your consciousness consumed by the knowledge itself.
An unidentified wanderer forcibly cracked and read the books in the Forbidden Library without permission. The wanderer suddenly disappeared from the space and is currently missing.
We found almost all the information from the M.E.G. database inside the floor. To prevent unforeseen accidents, we have applied to the "Librarian" for encryption and hiding as a backup of the database.
The contents of the Library Rules are as follows (the following content has been processed by the information filter and will not have special effects, please read with confidence)
1. It is strictly forbidden to damage graffiti books
2. It is strictly forbidden to damage public facilities in the library
3. It is strictly forbidden to harm anyone who comes here
4. It is strictly forbidden to enter the Forbidden Library
5. Please return books on time within the loan period
6. It is strictly forbidden to bring dangerous creatures and pets
7. Please read the library rules carefully, and consequences will be at your own risk if you violate them.