Free Web NovelChapter 34: Chapter 34: A Blessing from [Shelter]
The next day came quickly. Lloyd woke up earlier than usual, looking eager and exceptionally excited.
After all, a level 6 danger was a rare sight.
Before setting out, he summoned his panel for one last look.
[User: Lloyd]
[Status: Normal]
[Madness Value: 782/1500, Limit: 4000]
[Rationality: 40]
[Spiritual Power: 35]
[Inspiration: 30]
[Cognition: 35]
[System: Twist LV1]
[Mastered Skills: High-Efficient Learning; Probe; Divination LV3; Dizziness Resistance LV3; Precise Dissection LV3; Twisted Realm LV3]
The time had come to test the fruits of his many days of hard work and struggle!
’I wonder if that Demon Ghost can handle the Attributes I’ve built up over twenty years as a transmigrator?’
Lloyd clenched his fists and left with the little kitten.
When he got off the "subway" and had just "exited the station," he saw Weiya waiting for him at the entrance. Her beautiful face was stern, making her seem even colder than usual and dropping the morning temperature by a few degrees.
Lloyd was about to greet her and warm up the atmosphere, but Weiya beat him to it.
"Follow me."
She then led Lloyd not to Tower Nine, but to Tower Eight next to it—
But calling it a "tower" was a stretch. It was only five stories high and several sizes smaller. Compared to Tower Nine next door, it looked like a bean sprout. Its gates were always shut tight on normal days, shrouded in mystery, and no one knew what it was actually for.
Weiya led Lloyd into an elevator and went straight to the fifth and highest floor. When they stepped out, they found themselves in yet another simple, small chapel.
But instead of the statue of a girl with a blurred face, this one held a sculpture of a shield.
It was in the style of a tall, heavy Tower Shield, its surface embedded with sharp spikes. It looked like a curled-up hedgehog, or perhaps a battle-hardened shield riddled with arrows.
An elderly Priest with white hair and a beard walked out from the side. He wore a white robe of a distinctly different style and waved for Lloyd and Weiya to come closer.
The two approached and stood shoulder-to-shoulder before the old Priest.
"In the name of Shelter, may you two walk forward hand in hand, fearing no hardship, dreading no suffering, never abandoning one another..."
The old Priest mumbled, then pulled a small, palm-sized toy Tower Shield from his robes. It was a replica of the sculpture, and he handed it to the pair.
"If it shatters, retreat immediately. But you must never abandon your partner, or you will suffer a backlash."
Lloyd reached out and took the small Tower Shield. He examined it closely, feeling a reassuring power emanating from it, as if it could protect him at a critical moment.
’This doesn’t feel like the power of the Veto system. It must be Shelter from the City of Joy, right? So this is a blessing ceremony?’
Humanity was currently united, so it was normal for an Extraordinary Being from the City of Joy to come over and lend a hand.
But still...
’Something about this atmosphere feels off. Especially those prayers the old Priest recited. They sound so strange...’
Lloyd was filled with suspicion. He scratched his head and stole a glance at Weiya beside him.
Her expression was normal, however, and she remained silent. Without even a word of thanks, she turned and left, seeming quite rude.
It was Lloyd who spoke up and thanked the Priest.
The old Priest nodded and replied,
"You’re welcome. But please, remember my advice. No matter what happens, you must not abandon each other."
’Ugh... could you stop phrasing it in a way that’s so easy to misunderstand? It’s giving people the wrong idea!’
Lloyd grumbled inwardly as he hurried off to catch up with Weiya.
Then he discovered that Weiya hadn’t waited for him at all—she had taken the elevator down by herself.
’What happened to "not abandoning each other"?’
Lloyd had no choice but to wait for the next elevator...
When he walked out of the slender Tower Eight, he found Weiya waiting outside. She looked slightly embarrassed as she began to explain,
"Sorry, I was thinking about something else."
With that, she returned to her usual serious demeanor and explained,
"Executing a high-risk Demon requires the blessing of Shelter to ensure our safety. The Shelter system is a bit special, though. The more people who receive the blessing at the same time, the stronger the effect... but it also comes with a corresponding responsibility. You must never abandon or betray your comrades, or you’ll suffer a severe backlash."
Lloyd nodded and replied,
"Don’t worry, I’ll never abandon you."
Weiya froze for a moment. A complex look flashed across her beautiful eyes, and she seemed to want to say something but held back.
In the end, however, she chose silence and said nothing.
...
Getting to the -6th floor required a special elevator, located in a corner off-limits to unauthorized personnel.
Lloyd had the little kitten wait for him on the 1st floor before following Weiya into the elevator.
She remained silent, still looking unsettled. The only sound in the cramped elevator car was the CLACKING of gears, spreading a heavy layer of tension.
Lloyd thought for a moment, then steeled himself and broke the silence.
"It’s just one suppressed Demon. We’ll definitely win!"
It took Weiya a moment to snap out of her daze. She quickly said,
"Yes. With the suppression from the Orbit and the blessing of Shelter, you just need to assist me in quickly extracting its vital organs."
As she spoke, she lifted the toy Tower Shield in her hand and added,
"If you suddenly experience symptoms like dizziness or blurred consciousness, you can use the spikes on the shield to cause pain and stay awake. If the situation gets worse, stab the spikes into your skin. The potion stored inside will automatically be injected into your body."
’So this thing that looks like a toy has a hidden mechanism? No wonder the spikes on the surface are so sharp...’
Lloyd nodded, committing Weiya’s words to memory. Then, as if possessed, he said,
"May your path forward be lined with radiant starlight."
This was a blessing he had learned from a manual, one supposedly reserved for very solemn occasions.
But when Weiya heard this, her eyes widened slightly, and she looked utterly speechless.
It wasn’t until the elevator stopped that she managed to choke out,
"Don’t just use that blessing whenever you feel like it!"
’Uh... so it’s not appropriate for this kind of situation?’
Lloyd stepped out of the elevator, his face a mask of embarrassment.
The layout and style of the -6th floor were somewhat unexpected. Despite being deep underground, it was brighter, more spacious, and cleaner than the floors above. It didn’t look like a prison cell block at all.
However, the walls, floor, and corners were covered in various patterns and Marks, which together formed a massive Orbit.
Lloyd could clearly feel an invisible, sticky substance in the air enveloping him. It made him slightly uncomfortable, and he frowned.
Weiya felt it too. Her breathing grew rapid, loud enough for Lloyd to hear distinctly.
They didn’t have to walk far from the elevator before they arrived outside the target cell.
"Check your gear."
Weiya reminded him in a low voice, drawing the long, narrow Straight Blade from her waist—the same one she used to save him last time. In her other hand, she gripped the toy Tower Shield tightly.
Lloyd also drew his Short Sword and nodded at her.
Weiya took a deep breath and pushed open the cell door in front of them.
In an instant, they both felt an invisible force rush over them.
Lloyd immediately heard a dull BUZZ in his ears. A stinging pain pricked at his eardrums and skin, making his head spin slightly.
At the same time, he felt the hand holding the toy Tower Shield suddenly become sticky.
He looked down.
The entire toy Tower Shield had shattered into fragments. The pale blue potion hidden inside was now smeared all over his hand.
