The tough-as-nails Buster was clearly a seasoned pro. His movements were fluid and efficient—a sight to behold. In just five short minutes, he had processed the massive Demon completely.
The salvageable parts and the waste were sorted into two separate chests. The chains and long spikes used to restrain the Demon were gathered and hung on the wall. Only the dark green bloodstains left on the floor proved that a grotesque creature had been imprisoned here.
After cleaning up the site, Buster closed his eyes, wiped his hands clean, vigorously rubbed his temples, and shook his head, trying to ease the dizziness.
He was just about to turn and leave when he noticed a strange face behind him, wearing what looked like an insatiable expression?
Buster froze for a moment, then asked,
"I haven't seen you before. What's your name?"
"Hello, I'm Lloyd. I just arrived yesterday... Your performance earlier was absolutely brilliant!"
Lloyd replied in earnest.
Buster hadn't expected him to be a newcomer. 'He managed to watch the entire execution process? And he seems to be in a better mental state than I am?'
'Judging by his bearing, he didn't seem like one of those scions who'd already completed their Extraordinary Enlightenment and were just here to get some credentials.'
'As for the other guy who had braved himself to stay, he'd bolted, clutching his head, right as the execution began.'
A flurry of thoughts ran through Buster's mind, but he praised him generously aloud.
"You're impressive. Of all the newcomers I've seen, you have the strongest constitution."
Lloyd's expression changed slightly, and he quickly replied with humility,
"You're too kind."
"The name's Buster. I execute a Danger Level 2 creature here pretty much every day. Feel free to come by if you're interested, and you can ask me if you have any questions."
"Thank you so much!"
"Don't mention it. You're guaranteed to make it out of this place one day. I am too, of course. So, this is just a bit of early networking."
Buster was incredibly direct, as if he didn't know the first thing about pleasantries.
Lloyd wasn't put off by this. In fact, he rather appreciated it.
The two of them walked into the elevator, chatting as they went.
Buster was about to pull the lever for the 6th floor. He needed to visit the prayer room there for treatment to purge the Spiritual Contamination he had sustained during the execution.
But Lloyd beat him to it, pulling the lever for the 2nd floor instead.
Buster was taken aback again.
"You're... not going to the prayer room?"
"Hmm? I was planning to go to the library and read."
"You... really are new?"
"I am. What's wrong?"
As they were speaking, the elevator reached the second floor. Lloyd smiled, bid the other man farewell, and stepped into the library.
Buster watched his light-footed stride, slightly stunned.
'Maybe he's one of those exceptionally gifted types, born to be Radiant and dazzling?'
He muttered under his breath, then shook his head in self-deprecation.
......
Lloyd found a book on the shelf titled *Introduction to Demonology*. Its weight and texture were a bit better than the *Overview of Mysticism* he'd handled yesterday.
Having witnessed the execution today, he wanted to strike while the iron was hot and shore up his knowledge in that area. He would put Mysticism aside for now. After all, he had already learned the [Divination] skill he'd wanted most, even if its level was a bit low…
But before he started reading, he first chanted in his mind:
'Add five points to [Spiritual Power]!'
[Ding~ Points successfully added]
[User: Lloyd]
[Status: Normal]
[Madness Value: 30/500, Limit: 1700]
[Rationality: 17]
[Spiritual Power: 6]
[Inspiration: 3]
[Cognition: 14]
[System: Enlightenment Incomplete]
[Mastered Skills: High-Efficient Learning; Divination LV1]
The accumulation from yesterday, combined with observing the execution today, had earned him another chance to add points.
This time, however, the panel didn't recommend where to put the points. It was left entirely up to his discretion, which made Lloyd hesitate for a moment.
'But then again,' he thought, 'I'm aiming to be a modern, well-rounded individual. I can't afford to have any weak points or specialized builds. I need to develop holistically.'
'That settles my allocation strategy, then. I'll go for a balanced build first!'
Once the points were allocated, Lloyd instantly felt a "tangible" power well up inside him. He could now clearly sense the presence of [Spiritual Power]. It was distributed evenly throughout his body, filling him from head to toe with a wonderful sense of comfort.
It was as refreshing as putting on a clean pair of underwear first thing in the morning.
'Hmm... allocating points is definitely more satisfying than grinding for skill fragments by reading... But since I've decided on a balanced development, I can't neglect my studies. I have to manage both.'
Lloyd muttered his conclusion, then forced himself to quiet his mind and began to flip through the *Introduction to Demonology* in his hands.
[Ding~ Madness Value +1]
[Ding~ Madness Value +1]
[Ding~ Madness Value +1]
To Lloyd's surprise, reading this book wasn't yielding any skill fragments. Instead, his Madness Value was rising rather quickly, about one point every minute.
Perhaps it was because the book was so exquisitely printed. The images of the various Demons were especially lifelike, packed with detail from every possible angle. Just looking at the pictures was enough to make his skin crawl, so it was no surprise that it was causing Spiritual Contamination.
But the increase in Madness was a secondary concern; what mattered was the knowledge he was gaining.
According to the book, there were numerous types of Demons: Demon Ghosts, the Out of Control, Karmic Demons, Mysterious Creatures, Thought Demons, Bizarre Derivatives, and many more.
The most common among them were Demon Ghosts, like the one executed today, and the Out of Control—humans who had mutated after falling completely into madness.
Demon Ghosts were considered the most detestable. They mostly originated from wild animals and magical beasts that had mutated after continuously devouring humans. As their danger level increased, their degree of anthropomorphism grew as well.
Although they didn't look exactly human, merely taking on a rough humanoid shape, their internal organs, circulatory systems, and neural pathways would become increasingly human-like. Even their thoughts, intelligence, self-awareness, and emotions grew closer to those of humans.
Demon Ghosts avidly hunted humans, viewing them as both a food source and a pathway to evolution. They were humanity's mortal enemies, incredibly difficult to handle, and the Spiritual Contamination they caused was far more potent than that of other common Demons.
What disgusted humans and caused the most potent Spiritual Contamination were these things that were almost, but not quite, human...
Lloyd remembered that his parents in this world had been eaten by Demon Ghosts on their way home from work. They were the very culprits behind the hardships of his childhood!
Such Demons deserved to be slain by all!
And so, Lloyd focused on the sections about Demon Ghosts, reading and memorizing intently. He became so absorbed that he subconsciously ignored the notification chimes in his ear.
[Ding~ Ding~ Ding~ Ding~ Ding~]
Before he knew it, he could add points again.