Leveling Up by Executing Monsters

Chapter 29: Chapter 29: The Vacation Is Over

Faced with such a desperate situation, the farm owner naturally wanted to disarm and surrender. Perhaps he’d even have a chance to be rescued by his Mentor.

But the subordinates he brought with him had a different idea...

"Damn it! Let’s fight them to the death! If we fall into the hands of these hounds, it’ll be a fate worse than death!"

"That’s right! Let’s show them the power of [Suffering]!"

Displaying a fearless resolve, the two subordinates each grabbed a ritual dagger and plunged it deep into their own chests.

As excruciating pain wracked them, thick veins like earthworms bulged on their skin. Their muscles and bones began to swell rapidly, transforming them from scrawny runts into hulking brutes. Their masses of muscle looked harder than rock.

Next, a layer of scarlet keratin covered their bodies, leaving them dripping with blood. The expressions on their faces became utterly savage. They looked like flayed monstrosities of muscle and sinew, desperately enduring the agony and needing a violent release.

In this form, their solid defenses could grant them immunity to close-range attacks from ordinary bullets and blades, and their immense strength could easily kill dozens of adult men.

However... this was the headquarters of the Saint’s Grace Court.

BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG—

Accompanied by a rapid volley of gunfire, a hail of bullets flew straight at them—some enhanced by Spiritual Power, others imbued with the power of [Veto].

The two subordinates, now mutated into Bloody Demons, tried to shield their vital points with their arms. But their seemingly tough bodies were easily pierced by the bullets. In the span of a single breath, all five outlaws were riddled with holes by the concentrated fire.

After they had all fallen, the Hunters didn’t stop. Instead, they reloaded with practiced movements and fired another volley, making sure to finish the job.

The Hunters only ceased fire after three full volleys, by which point the outlaws’ bodies were mangled beyond recognition.

But they didn’t lower their guard. They cautiously used their inspiration to check the bodies repeatedly, confirming the men were truly dead, weren’t carrying any explosives, and hadn’t been on a suicide mission. Only then did they break the encirclement.

"How bizarre..."

The Hunter wearing the black and white clown mask mused in confusion, unable to figure out what these people hoped to accomplish by charging the main gate of the ’Final Decision’.

"Have a Spiritualist investigate, but be careful. These people have likely lost control."

He issued the command to the person beside him, then walked toward the grand and solemn cathedral behind him.

"Yes, Lord Chief Judge."

Although the Saint’s Grace Court was notorious and widely condemned, few ever accused them of using torture.

Compared to torture, Spirit Communication was simply more direct and effective.

More than an hour later, a subordinate holding a report entered a simple, understated, yet extremely spacious office to report the results of the Spirit Communication to the Chief Judge in the black and white clown mask:

"Your Excellency, the results of the Spirit Communication... were rather strange... In the Spiritualist’s own words, it was a bizarre situation he had never encountered, nor even imagined, one that has completely overturned his prior Cognition..."

"The minds and Rationality of these five outlaws were relatively sound. They were only in a state of [Mild Madness], still a long way from losing control..."

"But their souls were tattered and broken, ’as if they had been soaked in strong acid for a long time then wrung out forcefully.’ A normal Spirit Communication was almost impossible. He could only glimpse a few scattered Memory Fragments and retrieve bits of fragmented information..."

The subordinate then provided a rough summary—

"A year ago, this group was just a bunch of low-level highwaymen, hiding out in the remote suburbs and living by robbery. Somehow, they came into contact with an illegal Taboo System—[Suffering]—becoming Extraordinary Beings of that system. They have each undergone [Transcendence] twice."

The [Suffering] Taboo System is extremely ’popular’ among various dark forces. Even without the Shelter of a Saint, it’s considered relatively safe, making it the choice of many outlaws. However, it’s also known for being ’difficult to cultivate’ and ’slow to progress.’

For this group to have completed two instances of [Transcendence], including their [Enlightenment], in just one year is already very strange.

"But what’s even stranger is that for their souls to be so mangled, they must have endured a level of pain absolutely unbearable for any human, even one from the [Suffering] system. It would have definitely left an indelible mark on their memories and souls, yet the Spiritualist couldn’t detect a single related fragment?"

"Furthermore, based on our earlier visual observations, they showed no signs of being in excruciating pain."

After listening to his subordinate’s report, the Chief Judge set aside the documents in his hands. He thought for a moment before making his judgment:

"It’s the influence of [Twist]."

"[Twist]?! But..."

The subordinate instantly felt a chill run down his spine.

Even among the many dangerous Taboo Systems, [Twist] was the most mysterious and most dangerous—so dangerous that knowledge related to it could be used as a weapon.

The Saint’s Grace Judgment Court had existed for over 1,800 years, arresting and judging countless Cult Heretics and encountering all sorts of Taboo Systems, yet it had never once come across a user of the [Twist] system.

Because anyone who dared to dabble in it would soon die a bizarre death without the Court’s intervention.

Therefore, [Twist] had always been considered an ’unapproachable,’ ’untouchable,’ and absolutely high-risk system with suicidal properties.

"This group must have come into contact with some knowledge related to [Twist], which in turn affected their Rationality and Cognition. That’s why they came to our front gate to ’turn themselves in.’"

The Chief Judge speculated. Within the scope of his Cognition, this was the most logical possibility.

He then added,

"Arrange for ’Fox’ Squad to investigate this matter. But they must be extremely careful. If necessary, have them take a few appropriate [Holy Artifacts]. Tell them not to rely on Divination or inspiration..."

"The true terror of [Twist] is that it makes you completely unaware of the approaching danger and death."

「The next day.」

The next day, Lloyd woke up early, feeling refreshed and invigorated. He then did 100 sit-ups with the little kitten before going out to have breakfast with his sister.

"The holiday’s over. Do your best today!"

Evelor said before she left, giving her little brother another hug.

"You be careful too, Sis."

Lloyd replied.

He didn’t leave right away. Instead, he waited a good while after Evelor was gone, sure she wouldn’t suddenly return, before tiptoeing into his sister’s room.