Chapter 30: Chapter 30: Today, Let’s Pick One from Level -3
Evelor’s room was filled with all sorts of cartoon-style toys and trinkets. Even the walls were covered with stickers of various cartoon animals, creating a very childish, fairy-tale atmosphere.
Only a simple picture frame on the nightstand had a different style. Inside was an old, yellowed, and slightly damaged photograph—
It showed a young couple smiling happily. The husband was holding a cute little girl’s hand, while the wife cradled a swaddled infant, the scene overflowing with warmth.
Lloyd stared at the photo for a long while, then said in a low voice,
"Don’t worry. We’ll be okay. We’ll live on, happily."
With that, he reached toward his sister’s bedside and grabbed the Hammerhead Shark Puppet.
Evelor loved this adorably clumsy-looking thing and slept with it every night, leaving it with a faint warmth and her scent.
’In contrast, she doesn’t seem to like the little kitten very much. Maybe a traumatic childhood experience of losing a fight with a cat left a lasting impression on her?’
Lloyd extended two fingers and scratched the puppet’s snow-white belly a few times, re-infusing it with a bit of Spiritual Power to maintain his connection to it, so it could serve as a Medium for Divination at any time.
That way, once he found a suitable Spiritual Object, he could perform Medium Divination directly!
Although his previous search for a Spiritual Object hadn’t gone smoothly, Lloyd was a tenacious young man who would never give up easily.
Radiant City was so dangerous, with hidden currents surging everywhere. If he couldn’t use Medium Divination to protect his sister, he would never be at ease.
’If Divination isn’t a reliable way to find what I need, I’ll try other methods. Maybe I can find some clues in the library?’
With this hope in mind, Lloyd left the house. As usual, he first took the streetcar to the Eighth District, then transferred to the ’advanced subway’ from there.
While waiting at the station, he casually bought a copy of today’s newspaper from a paperboy and glanced at the front-page headline:
"BREAKING! Why Did a Famous Singer Cheat on His Spouse? We Take You Inside the Shocking Truth That Will Leave Women Speechless and Men in Tears"
’Sigh... Every time I read the newspaper, I feel like I’m back on Earth...’
Lloyd grumbled inwardly, skipped right past the various ’big news’ stories, and turned to the ’Joke of the Day’ section:
"Five bizarrely-dressed criminals who brazenly forced their way into the ’Final Decision’ in full public view have been reduced to their initial state."
"Pfft~ That’s actually a pretty good joke."
Lloyd couldn’t hold it in and let out a laugh.
......
[Ding~ Madness Value +50]
"Ahem! Looks like I really can’t get any skill shards from riding the subway anymore. What a shame... Dizziness Resistance is actually a very useful skill; it should be even more useful at higher levels."
Lloyd muttered to himself, quite disappointed.
To make up for this disappointment, he decided to pick some unlucky soul on Floor -3 to start with today.
When he arrived at the familiar Tower Nine, he found that it was already a little different than before.
In the surrounding gardens and green spaces, several new, slender, arm-thick stone pillars had been erected. They were pure white and inscribed with all sorts of complex patterns, looking a bit like the steel spikes used to suppress Demons, only several times larger.
As he drew near the tower, Lloyd felt a faint, invisible force envelop his entire body, like an invisible veil of gauze. It didn’t cause any discomfort and disappeared just as quickly.
’Is this some kind of security check mechanism formed from Orbits?’
The little kitten in his pocket also sensed something, poking out its round little head and meowing twice.
This little guy seemed unwilling to grow into a mature cat, so it refused to learn how to stay and guard the house. When it saw Lloyd leaving, it had quickly chased after him and burrowed into his uniform pocket.
Lloyd didn’t force the issue, simply scratching its head and comforting it.
"Don’t be scared. It’s very safe here."
Then, he walked over to the familiar notice board.
More Executors than usual were gathered here, all looking at a brand-new notice.
It was a statement regarding the attack on the library.
Lloyd went over to take a look as well.
Although the contents and process were described in detail, it was all about the parts he had personally experienced. There was no embellishment, but there was no new information either. It didn’t mention the whereabouts of the injured, nor did it explain the attackers’ origins.
It only briefly mentioned: the injured have been properly taken care of, and the origins of the attackers require further investigation.
And at the very end, it reiterated that important principle:
[Don’t think too much, Don’t Ask Too Much]
’Seems that while our Holy Judgment Court is famous and well-loved, it also has a lot of secrets, huh? It might even be hiding some ’big news,’ or even some ’great terror’?’
Lloyd allowed himself to think about it for a moment.
But he had no intention of seeking the truth. He would just continue to peacefully level up, allocate his points, and steadily improve step by step.
He then took the only key for Floor -3 from the board and, under the stares of the crowd, walked toward the Military Supply Office.
The sound of discussion buzzed in his ears:
"Isn’t that guy a rookie? How dare he pick Floor -3?"
"It’s really hard to understand. I’ve been here for almost two years, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen someone voluntarily take the key for Floor -3."
"Don’t you guys worry about it. That guy is obviously the son of a rich family who’s already completed his Enlightenment and is just here to pad his resume."
"Sigh. It’s true what they say. No matter how hard you work, it’s nothing compared to having parents who worked hard for you. This world... it’s not worth it..."
If Lloyd had heard these words before, he would have been annoyed, thinking these people were blind to his own struggles and hard work. But now, his mindset had changed. He would rather they think he was some rich kid padding his resume than have them make wild guesses.
’What if they actually figured something out? That would be a problem...’
"Here~ The high-end item I told you about."
The Military Supply Priest drew a gleaming Short Sword from its sheath and handed it over.
Lloyd took it, swung it a couple of times to test the feel, and then frowned.
"This is different from the last one. Isn’t it a bit too long?"
"What’s wrong with a man having something a little longer?"
The Military Supply Priest said with a smirk, but then he noticed the key in Lloyd’s hand. His smile vanished, and he started to say, hesitating slightly,
"Floor -3? That might not be a good choice. I remember the only one imprisoned on Floor -3 today is a..."
Lloyd finished his sentence for him:
"I know. It’s an Out of Control. But thank you for the warning."
The Military Supply Priest pursed his lips, shrugged, and said,
"Suit yourself. It’s good to get used to it early, I suppose. I imagine the big shots upstairs prefer your style anyway."
