Leveling Up by Executing Monsters

Chapter 169: Chapter 169: Forgetfulness

After hearing the Knight Commander’s description, Lloyd finally felt a little more at ease.

This [Forgetfulness] system wasn’t as terrifying as he had initially thought.

It could indeed affect people’s memories on a large scale and create a kind of bizarre illusion, but it had a time limit and only worked when people didn’t know or care much about the target.

It wasn’t as effective on well-known figures or objects. Otherwise, if everyone forgot what the sun was, or remembered the Saint as a carrot, the world would have long since fallen into chaos.

’The area of effect isn’t as large as I’d imagined, either. Probably only a radius of a few hundred or a thousand kilometers?’

But these limitations only applied on a "large-scale," "everyone" level. At close range, the system was still exceptionally dangerous.

It could make someone forget their abilities, their purpose, their memories, and even their ’self.’ They could forget their own heartbeat, forget how to breathe...

And Jelas, who was closely connected to the "vase," probably still remembered something, but he had suddenly fallen into a coma. He was now receiving treatment, his fate uncertain...

This was very likely because he had forced himself to forget someone deeply important to him, causing his consciousness to suffer severe trauma.

"According to the Saint’s Grace Court’s preliminary investigation, the perpetrator this time is even stronger and more rampant than any of the [Forgetfulness] system malefactors they’ve encountered before...

He can do more than just make people ’forget.’ He can even use this ’forgetting’ to change a person’s very form of existence!"

the Knight Commander added in a low voice.

"Change a person’s form of existence?"

Lloyd didn’t quite understand.

"According to the Saint’s Grace Court’s on-site investigation, the ’vase’ was originally a human. But he forgot he was human and believed he was a vase, so he actually became one—a human-shaped vase...

Afterward, a Hunter accidentally touched the vase, triggering a hidden trap. A strange power swept through the apartment, causing the entire Hunter squad on site to die from ’forgetting to breathe and make their hearts beat.’"

The Knight Commander continued, an expression of deep sorrow and pain on his face.

Lloyd felt the same pang of sadness and regret.

Although the two great Judgment Courts often had minor conflicts, they could always unite against a common enemy when it truly mattered.

The Knight Commander carefully observed the changes in Lloyd’s expression. Sensing his indignation, he nodded slightly and continued,

"The Saint’s Grace Court probably can’t handle such a dangerous and powerful individual alone. Our Holy Judgment Court will help, and we’ll also bring in the City of Serenity... The [Wisdom] system may not be good at fighting Demons, but it’s very effective against these kinds of malefactors. As it happens, they’ll soon owe us a favor."

Lloyd nodded emphatically and asked, filled with righteous indignation,

"Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Hm? You don’t need to worry about that for now. Just focus on your own duties. I was just filling you in. Don’t worry, there are plenty of powerful people in the Sect."

"Alright..."

’I don’t get it. The other higher-ups in the Sect, taking advantage of the fact that this world has no Batman, love to play Riddler with me. They’re always using their seven-word mantra, "Don’t think too much, don’t ask too much," as a shield...’

’Only this kind Knight Commander would tell me these things.’

’What a stand-up guy!’

So Lloyd asked,

"By the way, I don’t believe I know how to address you."

The Knight Commander smiled and replied,

"My name is Wald. No need for formalities, just think of me as a friend. If you need any help while you’re here, don’t hesitate to ask."

With that, he turned to attend to his own business. It seemed his only reason for coming over was to discuss this matter with Lloyd.

’What an approachable, good person!’

Lloyd gave Knight Commander Wald top marks in his book.

Then he went to line up for breakfast, his mind still mulling over the matter.

’I’d originally thought Jelas’s "vase" might be interested in me, and I was hoping it was just after my good looks and wouldn’t attract some sinister organization.’

’But things never go as planned. Not only did a sinister organization show up, but it’s a particularly tricky and troublesome one...’

’It couldn’t be another lunatic like the Advisor, could it? The kind who specifically preys on talented newcomers?’

’Looks like I’ll have to keep a low profile for a while. And I’d better keep the Saint Statue on me at all times.’

’But the thought of the Saint Statue, with its texture like a young woman’s delicate hand, made me feel like I was getting one step closer to becoming a Sakai Town department store clerk...’

’I should just focus on getting stronger. As long as I’m strong enough, I won’t have to fear these ghouls and goblins!’

So, after breakfast, Lloyd went to the ’Processing District’ to find the scholar who liked to shine lights in people’s eyes and ask if there was anything he could do to help.

But the man just lowered his voice and retorted unpleasantly,

"You just got out of Cell 1 yesterday. Are you in that much of a hurry to check into a mental hospital? Or have you already gone mad?"

As he spoke, he shone his flashlight in Lloyd’s eyes again to check his mental state.

Lloyd let the man blind him with the light, still asking,

"I really just want to help. Have any new Demons been sent to Cell 1?"

"No. You think we run into a beast worthy of Cell 1 every day? Besides, creatures like that are incredibly hard to capture alive..."

The scholar said, putting away the flashlight and muttering,

"He’s actually fine? Kid, is your psyche held together with twine?"

Lloyd replied humbly,

"How could it be something as flimsy as twine? My spirit and will are forged from stone and steel!"

The scholar was left speechless. He could only wave his hand, dismissing him.

But Lloyd wasn’t ready to give up and asked again,

"Didn’t someone get taken out of commission recently? Why don’t I take over the cell he was responsible for?"

The scholar paused, then took out what looked like a roster and glanced through it before nodding reluctantly.

"That’s right. The replacement for that poor sap won’t arrive until tonight. Since you’re in such a hurry to check into the asylum, go ahead and cover his post for the day."

"Great, great!"

Lloyd walked contentedly toward the cell Jelas had been in charge of, ready to do some pre-work checks.

’I can analyze the Unknown Fragment again today. If there are enough Demons to execute, I might even level up.’

But the moment he slipped into the cell, both his inspiration and an eerie Intuition simultaneously warned him of something.

It wasn’t a warning of imminent danger, but a prompt to pay attention to something invisible to the naked eye.

Lloyd instantly went on high alert. He carefully extended his inspiration bit by bit, clutching the Saint Statue in one hand, and slowly activated his Spiritual Vision.

He quickly made a discovery. He kicked over the workbench in the cell and, on the underside of the tabletop, found a strange symbol that looked something like a miniaturized Orbit.

So, Lloyd activated the [Twisted Realm], enveloping the symbol. He then used his power to Twist Extraordinary Abilities, altering whatever strange power it might contain.

After confirming that neither his inspiration nor his Intuition was sending out warnings, he followed his usual routine: he struck a match and tossed it onto the symbol.

The symbol didn’t ignite, but the flame became strange. It contorted like a pretzel, indicating that only the power of [Twist] remained.

Only then did Lloyd dare to touch the symbol with his inspiration.

[Ding! Skill Fragment +1]

’So there was something to be gained after all...’

But by touching it with his inspiration, Lloyd could basically confirm that the symbol wasn’t a miniaturized Orbit. It was more like some kind of power rune, a Mark of power, similar to the one he had left inside the Hammerhead Shark Puppet.

In other words, this thing was likely linked to a specific person and would only produce an effect under their control, unlike an Orbit, which would run automatically once set up.

’After I used [Twist] on it, it clearly lost that link. But I wonder if the power of my [Twist] will be transmitted through the Mark to whoever is on the other end?’

’And why was there a Mark like this under Jelas’s workbench? How did it get there?’

As these thoughts raced through his mind, he involuntarily tightened his grip on the Saint Statue, as if he were squeezing a girl’s hand.

’Huh? Wait a second...’

A thought struck Lloyd. He rushed out of the cell and grabbed the scholar in charge of the area.

"What is it? What’s wrong? Did you finally snap?"

"You’re the one who’s crazy! Where do I find Knight Commander Wald?"

"Try over there."

The scholar pointed toward the temporary office area, which was still some distance away.

Lloyd hurried off, not forgetting to circulate his Spiritual Power and use the unique running method from the "Fitness Manual" to get in a little exercise along the way.

Soon, he saw Knight Commander Wald on the outskirts of the office area, signing for a shipment of containers. Lloyd hurried over to him and said in a low voice,

"There might be a problem with Jelas’s Saint Statue!"

Wald handed the list he was holding to his aide before turning back and asking,

"What did you find?"

Lloyd told him what he had found in the cell, then added,

"The Processing District is heavily guarded, so it’s not like just anyone can slip in. And Jelas would have no reason to leave a Mark in his own territory. The only thing I can think of is that highly disrespectful Saint Statue of his...

As it happens, just yesterday I saw him cradling that Saint Statue, praying toward Radiant City about something."

"I understand. Come with me."

Wald nodded, quickly grabbing Lloyd and running toward another area where the Saint’s Grace Court was stationed.

"Didn’t the people from the Saint’s Grace Court check Jelas’s belongings carefully?"

Lloyd asked as he jogged to keep up.

Wald replied, his voice laced with urgency,

"Perhaps... they forgot."

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!