Visit the Great Library

The obvious answer is to visit the local scholarly association and find yourself some work! You question a few locals and are eventually pointed in the direction of the city’s main library. It’s a wonderful looking building, with paper lanterns hanging from red rafters, and an epic set of stairs leading up to a huge pair of green and gold doors. You ascend the stairs and walk inside. The bookshelves are gigantic, nearly high enough to touch the ceiling of the three-story building. They shoot off into the distance, far beyond the sight of your normal human eyes.

You hear a woman clear her throat. Stood beside you is a tall beast-woman with a pair of long, slightly curved horns that sprout from above where her ears would normally be. She has a multitude of fluffy tails, and a pair of furry hooved legs that tell you she’s a bovine monster. Not just any monster, the wisest of all monsters – a Hakutaku. A rare sight in Zinpangu, they come from the neighbouring Mist Continent.

“May I help you?” she smiles pleasantly.

“Oh! I’m merely a wandering scholar, of course – the first place I had to come was this incredible library.”

She giggles and hooks her arm with yours, “Oh, that is simply wonderful! Meeting a fellow reader is always such a joy. Anything you wish to know can be found in these great halls!”

You pass by several other men and monsters, who scour the shelves and sit in the isles, nose deep inside various tomes. “Are you the librarian here?” you ask.

“One of many. A building of this size cannot be handled by just one. My name is Bai Yun, it is a pleasure to meet you.”

“I don’t really know where to start, I suppose I should learn more about Zinpangu.”

“Of course, an excellent idea. Allow me to show you our history collection.” The busty minotaur leads you on a long detour that takes several minutes. Finally you come upon a shelf that is somewhat more subdued in size than the others. Bai Yun does not hesitate in picking out several books from the collection, she knows where they are by heart.

“This should be everything you need to get started!” she places the books into your arms, “Do not worry about returning them. We have a talent for taking them back to their proper places.”

Your arms are already getting tired, “T-thank you.” You follow her to a small seating area, complete with a table to put your books onto. You place them down and take a seat for yourself. Bai Yun seems hesitant to leave you alone.

“Ah, needs must. I leave for now, there are many other scholars who require our knowledge. But, should you need me – simply ask one of the librarians and I will come for you.”

“That’s very nice of you. Thank you.” She giggles again and waves goodbye as she slips down one of the thin alleyways formed by the shelves. It feels like you’re in the middle of a jungle. You look down to the books and take a deep breath. It’s time to learn!