Chapter 364

【NAME: ROLL OF THE FALLEN (CORRUPTION, NAME, LOCATION)】

【APPEARANCE: A leather register with extraordinarily exquisite binding, smooth and warm to the touch; once a registrant signs their name, the back reveals the exact number of their recorded "sins"】

【ABILITY: Sin Recording, Demon Name, Target Localization】

【COST: For the signer, signing your name permanently records your aura, removable only upon death; for the user, each use of the localization ability consumes one of your own "sin" records】

【FILE: An ancient anomaly crafted from the skin of a divine-tier rune demon, harnessing the rune demon's innate rule-force to secretly record the signer's information and instantly lock onto their current location upon activation (limited to the same plane).】

This unique anomaly was forged by the Ninth among the Hell Lords—the Lord of Betrayal—to guard against treachery by his subordinates, directly sewn into the flesh of his left back.

But during an invasion 375 years ago, the Director of the Twin Branch of the Clearance Bureau ambushed the Lord of Betrayal, using the anomaly 【Twin Frame】 to sever his left arm; the "Roll of the Fallen" stitched to his back became a war trophy and was stored in the Twin Branch's vault…】

【EVALUATION: Flip over the third signature ledger whose initial is "a," and you'll find an unexpected surprise】

【CONTAMINATION VALUE: 0 (signer) / half the current contamination value of the target being queried (user)】

【Through personal observation and deduction, you have acquired extensive intelligence on the "Roll of the Fallen." Chromatic… your resistance to this anomaly has increased dramatically; you can now fully block deeper influences】

…

Twin Branch…

So this mission is connected to the Water Bearer Director? But wasn't he severely wounded in the Death Realm and incapable of returning for a long time? Could this be a contingency he left behind?

After reading the file on the "Roll of the Fallen" and recognizing familiar information, Li Ang's brow twitched slightly; he then followed the evaluation's suggestion, found the third ledger marked with the letter "a," and flipped it to the back.

Pure white… the back of the ledger had been pasted over with paper.

Not just the back—every page, front and back, except the one he hadn't signed yet, was completely sealed, revealing only each guest's alias and the total unpaid balance under their name.

Frowning again, Li Ang reached to peel off the paper covering the back—when his arm was suddenly seized.

"Your Grace! Please don't do that!"

Having just barely stopped Li Ang's reckless act, the waiter gasped, then relaxed slightly, his expression filled with distress as he warned:

"By protocol, all records—including yours—are strictly confidential; only designated personnel may access them.

We do this to better protect our esteemed guests' privacy, so we humbly ask your understanding…"

"It's just a bar for drunks. Why the secrecy?"

Remembering the Director's order to "not alarm the target," Li Ang narrowed his eyes, temporarily abandoning the idea of viewing the ledger, then slammed the pen down on the register with a scowl:

"Fine, I won't look. And I won't sign either!"

"My apologies, this way, please!"

Seeing Li Ang abandon the ledger, the waiter exhaled sharply, dared not mention signing again, and instead signaled to someone behind the main counter to retrieve the ledger, then hurriedly guided Li Ang toward the stairs.

"This is the VIP area!"

After ascending to the third floor, the waiter—who had nearly caused disaster—led Li Ang to a bar stool and beamed with eager enthusiasm:

"The liquor on the third floor changes weekly, and the bartenders rotate unpredictably; each has their own signature style. If you're interested in any particular one,

you may request them specifically—I'll fetch them for you.

If you prefer pure spirits over mixed drinks, lift the tapestry to your right—behind it lies a private room, ideal for quiet, solitary sipping…"

"Mm, got it."

Interrupting the waiter, Li Ang—the ill-tempered Duke—grew impatient and shooed him away:

"Go on. I'll browse myself. I don't need you."

"Yes…"

Seeing Li Ang's clearly displeased expression—likely due to the signing incident—the waiter could only nod helplessly, bowing respectfully:

"I won't disturb you further. But by protocol, I cannot stray far—I'll wait in the lounge between the second and third floors.

Should you need me, simply tell a server on the third floor to call for Jacob at the lounge door, and I'll return immediately."

"Mm… Huh?"

Wait—you're Jacob?

So you're the waiter the Director told me to find? But weren't you supposed to be stationed in the VIP area? Why are you greeting guests at the entrance?

"Wait!"

Calling out to the departing waiter, Li Ang cleared his throat:

"Maybe… you don't need to leave."

Jacob: "?"

"I just thought—since it's my first time here, having someone explain things isn't bad."

"…."

You changed your mind too fast. This Duke really…

Though internally annoyed, Jacob, as a waiter, maintained a polite, submissive smile—flawless in etiquette.

Simply put: he was someone he could never afford to offend. That grab earlier had been pure instinct; when he realized what he'd done, his back was already damp with cold sweat.

Given the vast gulf in status and power, obeying any demand was the only safe course. If that incident happened again, he wasn't sure he'd have the courage to touch the Duke's arm again.

"Then… may I continue to trouble you?"

"Fine, no trouble. Also—I'm not interested in mixed drinks. Take me to the room behind the tapestry."

"Of course, this way, Your Grace."

Following Jacob into a private room with unmistakable soundproofing, Li Ang pressed the tip of his left finger against the Black Goat's forehead, then feigned searching his body with his right hand, and exclaimed in feigned shock:

"Huh? Where's my wallet? Why is my wallet gone?!"