Leveling Up by Executing Monsters

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: The Precious Bell

As the saying goes, "There are a thousand Harry Potters in a thousand people’s eyes." The same story provides a different reading experience for every reader.

Thus, in the same story, Lloyd saw the protagonist’s countless brushes with death and the triumph of good over evil.

Weiya, on the other hand, saw the male and female leads progress from their initial bickering and incompatibility to understanding, helping, trusting, and finally accepting one another after facing danger together.

Since they weren’t on the same wavelength, the conversation naturally stalled. Lloyd changed the subject.

"By the way, there’s something I wanted to ask you. Have you ever heard of a bell that rings on its own?"

"Hm? The kind used for Intense Concentration?"

"So you do know about it. Is there any way to get one right now?"

"That might be difficult... It’s the most sought-after Orbit material at the moment. Even if you have the money, it’s hard to buy... Or, you could try applying for an allocation over at Tower Two? With your rank, you should be eligible to request it, but I’m sure many others are applying too. You’d have to wait in line for several months."

"It’s that much of a hassle?"

Weiya’s words made Lloyd frown. Now he understood why the traitor, Williams, had resorted to a risky method like blackmail to get his hands on one of those bells.

Seeing his expression, Weiya quickly added a suggestion.

"If you need it urgently, you could ask Meditis. I remember she has one."

’The Drunkard administrator? That woman is wasted all day. Why would she use an Orbit like Intense Concentration, which is meant to aid with studying?’

Though puzzled, Lloyd said, "Okay, I’ll go ask her."

Weiya nodded and went on to explain the process of requisitioning materials to Lloyd.

In theory, as long as you were exceptionally talented, had immense potential, earned the favor of your superiors, and possessed enough patience, you could obtain all the required Orbit materials for free, from the first Transcendence all the way to the eighth.

The only problem was not knowing how many decades you might have to wait...

That was why the Radiant Sect generally encouraged its members to find their own solutions, lest waiting lead to regret.

As a result, "searching for Orbit materials" became a common reason for taking leave, used even more often than excuses like, "I’m going to have a stomachache tomorrow."

As for the origin of these materials, Weiya only knew about some of the sources. The Holy Judgment Court provided the raw components—disassembled Demon organs. These couldn’t be used directly; they had to be handed over to the Saint’s Favor Court to be cleansed of Spiritual Contamination. After further processing, they were circulated under the supervision of the Saint’s Grace Court.

All Three Great Judgment Courts were involved, creating a complex web of conflicting interests. The politics ran deep.

Weiya wasn’t very familiar with the other sources. She only knew that they came from things like Mystic crafts, technological fields like engineering and alchemy, or even archaeological finds.

In short, materials accounted for at least half of an Extraordinary Being’s total expenses. This was specially emphasized in the Chief Judge’s journal, which reminded newcomers to save their money. The butler mentioned in the journal also complained frequently about being too poor to afford materials.

So, what young person wasn’t short on cash? It was no wonder that despite being so pretty, Weiya didn’t wear any nice jewelry. She had to rely on her natural beauty.

Lloyd and Weiya chatted as they walked toward Tower Nine. Their pace was slow, as neither of them wanted the walk to end too quickly.

But even the longest road has an end. Soon, they would have to part ways and return to their respective offices.

But Weiya suddenly stopped him. She tilted her head slightly, averting her eyes, and asked in a tiny voice:

"Did you bring the kitten today? I brought some dried fish for her."

Before Lloyd could answer, a little round head popped out of his pocket and waved its fluffy paws at Weiya.

As was to be expected, she was immediately snatched away.

’Does the kitten like Weiya more than me?’ Lloyd wondered.

......

[DING~ Madness Value +300]

Lloyd efficiently completed his work for the day and happened to level up.

’Five points into Cognition!’

[DING~ Stat allocation complete.]

[User: Lloyd]

[Status: Normal]

[Madness Value: 33/2500, Limit: 6500]

[Rationality: 65]

[Spiritual Power: 65]

[Inspiration: 40]

[Cognition: 65]

[Systems: Twist LV2, Veto LV1]

[Mastered Skills: High-Efficient Learning; Probe; Divination LV3; Dizziness Resistance LV4; Precise Dissection LV4; Twisted Realm LV3; Swordsmanship LV4; Aggressive Speech LV2; Orbital Control LV1]

[Unparsed Fragment: Unknown Fragment (Composition Unknown) x1, Current Analysis Progress: 6%]

Still a thing of well-rounded beauty.

Lloyd nodded, tidied up his desk, took off his white lab coat, and headed to the library.

The Drunkard administrator was there, just as he’d expected. She was slumped over a table, completely passed out. A pungent stench of alcohol hit him as he approached.

’Lloyd never really understood it. She was an Executioner, same as him, so why did she just hang around the library in such a slovenly state? Was it a symptom of Mild Madness?’

’Then again, Weiya was also touched by madness now, but she just occasionally showed a strange tension and awkwardness, and would avoid his gaze. Her symptoms were much more stable than this Drunkard’s.’

Though he couldn’t understand, Lloyd had no intention of prying. The woman was always drunk when she spoke and liked to use a strange, passive-aggressive tone, making normal conversation nearly impossible.

But for the sake of that tricky bell, Lloyd had no choice but to brace himself, walk over, and knock on the table she was slumped over.

After a few seconds, the Drunkard finally stirred. She lifted her head and asked:

"Hm? Oh, it’s you, pretty boy. What’s wrong? Run into a Demon you can’t handle?"

"No, I just wanted to ask you about something. I’m looking for a bell that rings by itself."

"Oh? You mean this?"

The Drunkard said, pulling a small, bronze-colored bell from her grimy lab coat and giving it a shake.

The bell itself remained silent, but Lloyd felt a crisp ring resonate directly inside his head. It was an incredible phenomenon.

"Yes! That’s the one. Um... Senior Meditis, would you be willing to part with it?"

Lloyd asked as politely as he could.

But her reply was mercilessly blunt.

"No. And you can’t afford it."

"Then... what if I trade something of equal value for it?"

"Trading yourself for it might work..."

In just two sentences, she had effortlessly brought the conversation to a dead end.

In the end, Lloyd could only say with a sigh:

"Never mind, then. Sorry to have bothered you."

"Hee hee. Am I disappointing you? Can’t be helped. After all, I’m the worst woman in the world, right?"

The Drunkard slurred, then casually tossed the precious bell to Lloyd.

Stunned, Lloyd scrambled to catch it carefully, then stared at her in complete confusion.

"Heh. I never said I wouldn’t lend it to you,"

the Drunkard explained with a teasing smirk.

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