After returning from Dawn of Wisdom's Backlund branch, Sno placed the weighty book on the table, gently stroked its calfskin cover, and opened the clasp on its side.
With a soft snap, the cover slowly opened. Though it was still a paper book, a hidden compartment roughly 20 cm × 15 cm × 10 cm had been hollowed out in its center. Inside lay an adjustable wrench emitting a faint silver glow. After breaking through the Wall of Spirituality and removing the padding meant to prevent it from shifting during transport, Sno picked up the wrench and went upstairs to Heavenly Punishment.
"True Creator curse!"
Seeing Sno return, the little figure hanging upside down beside the phonograph, feet up and head down, spat out a string of obscenities mixed with Jotun, Ancient Dragon Language, Elvish, and a little Russian. If he had to describe it, it sounded a bit like someone cursing in broken English. Rather than making people angry, it felt comical.
"I know, I know. I didn't expect it to take this long either. Next time, I'll get someone to change the record for you! Yes, yes, I'll make it up to you in a moment!" Sno wore a gentle smile as he soothed Heavenly Punishment like a child, then fetched a pile of bottles and jars and gave it a look that said, you know what to do.
The upside-down little figure rolled its pure black eyes at Sno. The pink vertical pupil on its chest also lit up, and amid waves of writhing, it spat out Beyonder Characteristics of various shapes into different containers.
Sno swiftly sealed those Beyonder Characteristics with the Wall of Spirituality, then handed the wrench toward Heavenly Punishment.
As the wrench drew closer, the thorn patterns binding the little figure to the