Leveling Up by Executing Monsters

Chapter 119: Chapter 119: Revisiting an Old Place

At noon that day, while Lloyd was eating in the public cafeteria, Military Supply Priest Andrew sat down beside him with a food tray and handed him a fancy, gilt-edged business card.

It read ’Critic Gedok,’ with an address printed below.

"I don’t know the fellow personally; another friend recommended him. He’s supposedly a rather popular and well-regarded political commentator, known for his incisive takes and fresh perspectives. He frequently publishes articles in various newspapers and journals... Think he might be able to help?"

Andrew explained.

"This should work. Thanks."

"Don’t mention it. Just remember to give me some business in the future."

The two finished their meal while making small talk. Afterward, Lloyd went to tell Weiya he was heading out to look for some materials.

But Weiya stopped him and said with great sincerity,

"Lloyd, if you’re really short on money... you can tell me."

’Looks like she thinks I’m heading out to do a side hustle for extra cash...’

This sort of thing wasn’t uncommon in the Sect. There were rules against it, but they weren’t strictly enforced. Even some Chief Judges and Knight Commanders took on outside roles like ’honorary Advisors’ or ’Guest Professors’.

A warmth spread through Lloyd’s chest at Weiya’s concern, and he quickly replied with a smile,

"Don’t worry, I’m really not short on cash. If I ever do need help, you’ll be the first person I come to. After all, you’re my most trusted friend."

With that, he called to the little milk cat, turned, and left.

Long after he was gone, Weiya stared blankly at the crude, simple little trinket on her desk. Every so often, she would reach out with a delicate finger to gently poke it, making the little stick-figure bear on its spring wobble back and forth.

A sweet smile spread across her face. Who knows what flights of fancy she was lost in?

............

Lloyd took the ’subway’ and arrived at the address on the gilt-edged business card.

[Ding~ Madness Value +50]

’It seems humanity can adapt to loneliness, high pressure, and even the end of the world, but we just can’t get used to this ’advanced subway’...’

After emerging from a small chapel, Lloyd walked another block and arrived in front of a high-end apartment building.

This was near the very heart of Radiant City, and from here, he could already see a colossal white tower piercing the sky in the distance.

That was the [Veto Sanctuary], the headquarters of the Sect and the residence of the Saint.

The real estate here was worth a fortune. Basically, anyone living in this neighborhood was a prominent, upper-class figure.

Lloyd found the building manager, presented the gilt-edged business card, and was led to a door on the fifth floor. He knocked.

The door opened to reveal a scholarly-looking old man who had the air of a university professor.

The man glanced at Lloyd’s uniform and greeted him warmly, serving black tea and dried fruit before patiently hearing Lloyd out.

To put it simply, Lloyd wanted that hack columnist from the entertainment section—the one spouting nonsense and writing trashy reviews—to understand that the press isn’t a lawless free-for-all. He needed to teach the man the meaning of bloodless violence.

He had no intention of threatening the man’s life. Since the feud started in the papers, it should be settled in the papers.

What surprised Lloyd, however, was that the critic was clearly an expert in this sort of thing. He even produced a price list and asked Lloyd to choose a ’package’.

The list of services was incredibly detailed. It ranged from smear campaigns in the papers, to anonymous letters with personal attacks, to inviting other critics for a coordinated takedown. It even included offline activities like organized protests, splashing paint, and even hiring street urchins to cling to the target’s legs and yell, "Daddy!"

The only things not on the list were things Lloyd couldn’t have imagined. It all just came down to how much he was willing to spend.

’Looks like ’cyberbullying’ existed long before the internet...’

Lloyd thought for a moment and chose the cheapest package: fifty thousand Universal Coins to hire two or three well-known critics to roast the columnist in the papers.

He felt this would be enough; the other options were a bit over the top.

The old man wasn’t one to turn down business. He had Lloyd sign a simple contract, collected a deposit, and promised the corresponding critiques would appear in the papers within a week. The final payment could be made at that time.

And just like that, the matter was settled.

Lloyd left the high-end apartment building and, turning his head, glanced toward the distant ’Veto Sanctuary’.

Even though he was just looking from afar, the place gave him an indescribable sense of familiarity for some reason. It inexplicably brought to mind the spiraling, twisted towers within his own [Thought Realm].

Yet the two structures shared no similarities in style, color, or shape—aside from both being immense and tall.

Lloyd wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination or if there was another reason for the connection.

He was certain, however, that this wasn’t the strange Intuition that came from the *Book of Truth*. The feeling was completely different from when he had dealt with the Demon that morning.

’Maybe it really is just my imagination? Like seeing a cute girl and immediately thinking she’s my future wife?’

Lloyd mocked himself internally, shook his head, and set off to take care of his real business.

He planned to use his free time this afternoon to investigate the mysterious ’Dream Theater’ again.

His main goal was to investigate and gather intel. If there were any safe, non-lethal activities, he could try them out to earn some points and prepare for the materials he’d need for Transcendence.

And so, after another ride on the ’subway’ and a transfer to a streetcar, he finally arrived in front of the desolate-looking antique shop.

Inside, the same lazy clerk was slouched over the counter. He didn’t even bother to lift his head when he saw someone enter.

Curious, Lloyd [Inspected] him again.

’Damn, still ’??’...’

’That means all four of his Attributes are over 60. He might not be any weaker than I am.’

Lloyd glanced back outside the shop door.

The street was actually quite bustling with a good amount of foot traffic. The other general stores and clothing shops nearby were also popular.

And yet, no one came near this antique shop. No one even spared it a glance.

Just as Lloyd was thinking how strange it was, he suddenly heard a low, muffled voice from behind him:

"They can’t see this place... Are you going up or not?"

It was the lazy clerk, ’talking in his sleep’.

’So, you must have that gold card to find this place, huh?’

With a flicker of understanding, Lloyd nodded at the clerk and headed to the second floor.

"Wait for me here. Don’t wander off."

Lloyd set the little milk cat down outside the door and went in by himself.

His vision blurred for a moment, and once again, he found himself in the exquisite, elegant little garden.

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