Leveling Up by Executing Monsters

Chapter 81: Chapter 81: A Fortuitous Blunder?

After getting off work that day, Lloyd first went to buy some groceries, then dove into the kitchen, raising a tremendous racket.

Tonight, the dishes he prepared were: pan-fried fish with sweet peppers, braised eggplant with tomatoes, and stir-fried broccoli with potatoes.

Lloyd didn’t get takeout every day. He would cook every other day to avoid being accused of not making meals for his sister.

When Evelor came home today, she seemed in much better spirits than the past two days, brimming with ambition and motivation. It looked like her work was progressing smoothly.

"We’ve already recruited staff, sorted out the necessary paperwork, and the editorial department can start its trial run tomorrow. All that’s left is to finalize things with the publisher and printing press, and our folklore magazine can begin publication."

As Evelor updated her little brother on her recent work progress, she stuffed the dinner he’d made into her mouth, swallowing it in just a few bites without even paying attention to the taste.

’She never used to eat this fast...’

"Mhm, when your magazine comes out, Sis, I’ll definitely be your number one supporter. I’ll even recommend it to all my friends..."

Lloyd said, then changed the subject.

"By the way, Sis, now that you’ve left Miss Desda to start your own thing, is Mr. Randolph still in charge of your security?"

"Oh? I haven’t told you yet, Yi? Mr. Randolph has already resigned. Miss Desda was upset about it for a long time... It’s all my fault for being so busy lately. I can’t believe I forgot something so important."

"Mr. Randolph resigned?"

Lloyd was slightly taken aback, but on second thought, it made sense.

He had no interest in the whereabouts of a Tier Seven powerhouse; he was only worried about his sister’s safety. He quickly pressed,

"Then who’s responsible for your security now?"

But Evelor answered with a smile:

"You don’t need to worry about that, Yi. Before Mr. Randolph left, he recommended a new security Advisor for us, a Miss Landis. She’s also a legitimate Extraordinary Being from your Sect, and she’s very powerful."

"Oh, I see. That’s a relief."

Only then did Lloyd nod, his mind at ease.

After dinner, Lloyd and Evelor chatted idly about this and that, looking forward to the bright future of the editorial department and hoping to produce widely popular works. Then, they each returned to their rooms and went to bed early.

However, just as Lloyd fell asleep, he was awake again.

He found that he had inexplicably entered the Thought Realm.

"What’s going on? Is it because my body is exhausted, but my brain is telling me I can’t sleep yet?"

Lloyd asked himself, then observed his surroundings.

He didn’t notice any changes. The blood moon was still just as crimson, the Spiral Tower was still just as bizarre, and the patch of grass was still just as small...

’Huh? Wait, what’s this?’

Lloyd sensed something was off. He took a couple of steps and came to a stop before the glass dome on the patch of grass.

Inside the dome was the tentacle-like blade of grass—the remains of the Thought Demon. It was swaying as if in a breeze, looking like a reanimated corpse inside the sealed glass dome.

Lloyd thought for a moment. He first opened his panel, then summoned the legendary Wind Spirit Moon Shadow from memory. CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. He activated a string of options, entering a dual-cheat-enabled mode.

Only then did he cautiously open the glass dome, preparing to destroy the remains.

The moment he opened the dome, a unique wave of Spiritual Energy washed over him.

Lloyd immediately raised his guard but didn’t act rashly. Instead, he waited for a notification from the panel.

’No Madness Value gain?’

Then, the tentacle-like grass twisted a few more times, and a floating light screen, like something out of a sci-fi movie, materialized in front of Lloyd.

The interface was trendy and flashy. In the center was a pitch-black display, surrounded by a mess of incomprehensible and meaningless charts and data—just a circle of fancy decorations.

The central screen flickered a few times, and an image gradually appeared.

’It was a black and white chessboard?’

On it were four pieces: a Black Soldier, a Black War Chariot, a White Knight, and a White Bishop.

The Black Soldier was in the center of the board, with the other three pieces surrounding it. It looked like an endgame, but it was missing the most important piece: the King.

After two or three seconds, the Black Soldier began to speak:

"Ahem. Now that everyone is here, let’s begin today’s Human Future Conference... But before we start the official discussion, allow me to reiterate our society’s creed and objective—"

"Everything we do is to cast off the shackles of the Saint and carve out a true future for humanity."

His voice sounded wooden and stiff, a bit strange. It must have been altered.

’Holy cow!’

Lloyd exclaimed in his mind.

’Have I accidentally stumbled upon some sinister organization?’

’Although he didn’t understand the principles or the background yet, he was already contemplating how to write the anonymous letter that would follow.’

The Black Soldier on the screen continued to speak:

"Let us begin the discussion, then. As is customary, I will speak first—"

"Someone has opened the Black Knight’s legacy and visited his widow..."

"What?"

The White Knight let out a cry of surprise. His voice, unlike the other, sounded like a normal human’s, with a hint of impatience. ’A young man, perhaps?’

’What?’

Lloyd also cried out in his mind.

’Have I been targeted? Without even realizing it?’

’Or could it be that this Black Soldier is the cook I met this morning?’

As he was pondering this, he heard the Black Soldier speak again:

"Do not be alarmed, my friend. Nothing bad happened. The person who opened the legacy simply returned the Black Knight’s savings to his wife. He did not offend her and seems to be a well-mannered individual."

"Who was it?"

the Black War Chariot asked in a low voice.

His voice was steady and deep, bringing to mind a mature and composed middle-aged man.

The Black Soldier continued his reply:

"I don’t know. I am currently in the Eternal City and did not witness it myself. I only learned that the legacy was opened through some arrangements I had made beforehand. Afterward, by performing Divination on the Black Knight’s widow, I reached the aforementioned conclusions...

Of course, I also performed Divination on that person, but the result was unexpected...

My Divination was obstructed by four different systems: Veto, Wisdom, Manifestation, and one other of unknown origin. The interference was extremely severe and dangerous, preventing me from continuing the Divination."

As soon as he said this, the atmosphere over the entire chessboard suddenly grew heavy. The air fell silent in an instant, and even through the monitoring screen, Lloyd could feel their tension.

But inwardly, he was secretly delighted.

’So *that’s* the source of the Spiritual Energy that the Black Knight’s remains suddenly gave off...’

’But I haven’t set up any kind of counter-divination. How did this guy’s Divination run into such severe interference?’

’Judging from the systems he mentioned...’

’Was it those two powerhouses, the Chief Judge and the butler? But it’s not like either of them has done anything specific for me, have they?’

’And that system of unknown origin? Could that be my "Twist"?’

While the chessboard was silent, Lloyd let his wild speculations run free.

A full three minutes passed before the White Bishop, who hadn’t spoken yet, finally said:

"Interference from four systems? Was the Black Knight targeted by some powerhouse? They could follow the trail right to us..."

Her voice sounded like that of a young woman, with a slightly flippant and melodramatic tone.

She didn’t finish her sentence, pausing for a moment as if analyzing the situation. The other pieces remained quiet, waiting for her to deliver her brilliant insight.

And so, two seconds later, the White Bishop continued:

"Mmm... I’ve figured it out. You guys keep chatting, I’m leaving. Don’t call me for the next meeting. From now on, humanity’s future and Destiny are in your hands!"

With that, the White Bishop piece vanished directly from the chessboard.

The entire chessboard fell silent again, even more so than before. Even Lloyd could feel their secondhand embarrassment.

Another minute passed before the White Knight cursed indignantly:

"Pah! I knew that coward was unreliable!"

"Sigh..."

The Black War Chariot sighed and began to sway from side to side like a roly-poly toy.

Even Lloyd couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

’Are the outlaws from the City of Joy really this type of character?’

Only the Black Soldier was still trying to salvage the atmosphere:

"Don’t be discouraged. The path we have chosen is destined to be fraught with hardship and thorns. Not everyone can accept our ideals...

Furthermore, I don’t think the White Bishop’s situation is that dire. She is still young and has always been fond of making inappropriate jokes. I will write to her later to discuss her views."

The Black War Chariot stopped imitating a roly-poly toy and asked,

"Then is it possible for what she fears to happen?"

The Black Soldier replied with righteous conviction:

"It shouldn’t, and you need not worry. Our cause and our Rationality are just and farsighted. We are by no means furtive outlaws; we are simply misunderstood and unaccepted by the world, which is why we are forced to gather in this manner...

As for the risk of exposure, you have nothing to fear. Unless a powerhouse of the Eighth Tier or higher gets involved, it’s impossible for us to be discovered. I have confidence in my arrangements."

’Yeah, I think so too.’

Lloyd nodded, wishing he could send a scrolling comment across the screen to cheer him on.

The White Knight, on the other hand, seemed to approve highly of these words. He spoke up:

"Yes, the vast majority of people in this world are fools and mediocrities, especially in a godforsaken place like the City of Serenity... So, what’s our next move? Should we continue searching for someone in Radiant City to fill the Black Knight’s vacancy?"

"Radiant City and the Veto system are very important to us, but the situation has changed. Our operations there may need to be put on hold for a while."

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