Leveling Up by Executing Monsters

Chapter 96: Chapter 96: Skill Fusion

Why was there such a huge difference between its appearance and its texture?

Lloyd found it a little hard to understand.

He had performed so many executions and dissections before, but this was the first time he had encountered such an abnormal situation.

Whether on Floor B2 or Floor B6, things that looked hard were hard to cut, and things that looked soft were easy to cut.

But while it was strange, it wasn’t without its advantages. The tough texture wasn’t hard enough to resist the scalpel’s edge. In fact, it made Lloyd’s cutting easier and more precise.

’This Karmic Demon is really something else. No wonder they say it’s completely different from Demon Ghosts and is classified as its own category.’

’I really want to know how much Madness Value a complete Karmic Demon would be worth...’

As Lloyd mused internally, he relied on his [Precise Dissection] skill to control the scalpel in his hand with flawless accuracy.

The Chief Judge didn’t know what he was thinking. He just kept nodding, very satisfied with his performance and progress.

Although this powerful figure could speak in Lloyd’s mind and project all sorts of things before his eyes, just as the butler had said, he couldn’t—and wouldn’t dare—to pry into others’ thoughts and memories.

Even using [Spirit Communication] on the dead was extremely dangerous, let alone prying into the memories of the living. Not even the most reckless desperado would dare walk such a suicidal path.

About half an hour later, Lloyd’s wrist trembled slightly as he excised the last shred of fascia from the blood vessel, carefully removing the entire vascular system.

It was called a vascular system, yet not a single drop of blood could be seen. Its texture was even stranger to the touch, like some kind of flexible aluminum alloy, not crisp and chewy like beef throat.

The chief of staff, who had been waiting for a long time, quickly called over two Priests. They approached, carrying a long, narrow metal case.

Opening the metal case revealed it was filled with some kind of jelly-like substance, glowing with a faint blue light.

Lloyd placed the vascular system inside, then took off his gloves and wiped away the beads of sweat that had unknowingly formed on his forehead.

"Phew... I’m glad I didn’t fail the mission."

"You did very well. As expected, you didn’t disappoint me."

The Chief Judge ’spoke’ with great satisfaction, then waved his hand in front of Lloyd’s face to check his mental state.

Then, even more satisfied, he praised him:

"Lloyd, you are the most outstanding young man I have ever seen. You have the potential to change the world."

Seeing he was so highly regarded, Lloyd decided to strike while the iron was hot:

"Thank you for your guidance, Chief Judge... It’s just that I’ve been preparing the materials for my second [Transcendence] recently..."

He didn’t even need to be direct. The Chief Judge understood his intentions and, as if by Magic, flicked a Gold-plated business card from between his fingers.

"The Sect has strict controls over resource allocation, with far-reaching implications. With your talent, you’ll indeed have to find your own way. Go to this place and ask."

He showed no surprise at the speed of Lloyd’s progress, seeming to think it was only natural.

Lloyd took the card. On it was a single line for an address and a simple stick figure drawing—a stick man carrying a pack on his back.

"Alright, I understand."

He tucked the card away securely.

"Be careful when you go."

The Chief Judge gave one last reminder, then prepared to leave.

Lloyd thought for a moment, then suddenly asked another question:

"Thank you for your trust, Your Excellency the Chief Judge. But I have one more question—for a mission as important as today’s, why did you choose me?"

"Because you are a young man who has not yet undergone his second [Transcendence]. And of course... because you are sufficiently outstanding and trustworthy."

The Chief Judge left him with this cryptic answer and floated away.

Lloyd couldn’t help but be taken aback...

’It feels like the first half of that sentence was the real reason, doesn’t it?’

There was no way to ask for clarification. He then saw the chief of staff directing his subordinates to lift the metal case and prepare to leave, so he quickly called out to remind him:

"There’s also this."

He held up the box containing the scalpel.

The chief of staff shook his head, then turned back to give Lloyd an encouraging smile and said:

"It’s yours to keep. It’s been a long time since His Excellency Tirtus has regarded a young man so highly. Keep up the good work. If you need anything, you can come find me."

Only after everyone had departed did Lloyd take out the scalpel, clean it meticulously, carefully place it back in its box, and tuck it away securely.

’The [Veto] Spiritual Energy on it hasn’t been used up yet. It can probably be used two or three more times. I guess that’s an unexpected bonus, huh?’

Lloyd couldn’t help but chuckle. He had a Short Sword, a Command Saber, and now a scalpel. Before he knew it, he’d become Luo Sandao...

But compared to this small, unexpected gain, the biggest prize was on his panel.

The thirty-odd minute dissection process had earned him over two thousand Madness Value, getting him more than halfway to his next level-up.

If the Chief Judge hadn’t been so ’meddlesome,’ causing his Madness Value to only tick up by +1 at a time, he definitely could have leveled up once or twice on the spot.

On top of that, there was something bigger.

[DING~ Sufficient skill fragments acquired. Skill level increased. Precise Dissection LV4→LV5]

This was the first skill Lloyd had raised to level 5.

Then, the panel prompted him again:

[DING~ Analyzing... Detectable Fusion Skill. Recommended fusion with Swordsmanship (LV4). Please confirm... Yes/No]

The first time it had prompted him about a Fusion Skill, the panel had merely asked if he wanted to fuse them. Now, it had directly changed to ’recommended fusion.’

Lloyd thought for a moment and selected ’Yes.’

’The panel’s recommendations are usually trustworthy.’

[DING~ Skill fusion complete. New skill acquired—Extraordinary Swordsmanship LV1]

[Extraordinary Swordsmanship (LV1)—Allows the user to consume Spiritual Power to wield cold weapons in a manner that defies the laws of reality. Visual effects and destructive power are determined by Extraordinary Attributes and physical fitness. Continue training to increase the skill level.]

There was also a small line of text below as a supplementary note:

"Hahahahaha~ Let this one sword strike illuminate a thousand rivers!"

Er...

Although the skill description seemed simple enough, Lloyd had a vague feeling that something was off.

Neither his mind nor his hands seemed to have learned anything new...

Lloyd drew the Short Sword he carried and swung it twice. It didn’t seem any different from before.

He couldn’t jump high into the air and unleash a crescent-shaped sword wave to deal tons of damage, nor could he control the Short Sword to fly out on its own and take someone’s head.

Fortunately, the [Swordsmanship] and [Precise Dissection] he had previously mastered weren’t forgotten; they were just with him in a different form now.

’So where is the improvement from this skill fusion supposed to be?’

’Whatever. Maybe my Attributes aren’t high enough, or my physical fitness isn’t good enough?’

’It doesn’t matter. It’s not like it affects anything anyway.’

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