Chapter 767: Not a Second Time

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

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

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

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

【FILE: An ancient anomaly crafted from the skin of a divine-tier curse-demon, leveraging the innate rule-force of the curse-demon to covertly record the signatory's information and instantly lock onto their current location (within the same plane only).】

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

But during an invasion 375 years ago, the Director of the Twin Branch of the Purification Bureau ambushed the Lord of Betrayal, using the anomaly 【Two-Faced Frame】 to sever his left arm; the "Roll of the Fallen" stitched onto 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 (registrant) / 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 shield against deeper influences】

…

Twin Branch…

So this mission is connected to the Aquarius 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; only the guests' codenames and their outstanding balances were visible.

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

"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 damn drinking hole. Why the secrecy?"

Remembering the Director's warning—"Don't alert the target"—Li Ang narrowed his eyes, abandoned his attempt to see the ledger, and slammed the pen down on the register with feigned irritation:

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

"My sincerest apologies, Your Grace, this way please!"

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

"This is the VIP section!"

After ascending to the third floor, the waiter—who had nearly caused disaster—led Li Ang to the bar counter and eagerly explained: "The liquor on the third floor changes weekly, and the bartenders rotate unpredictably; each has their own signature style. If you have a preference, just say the word—I'll fetch them for you.

If you prefer pure spirits over mixed drinks, pull back the tapestry to your right—behind it are private rooms designed for solitary sipping and quiet contemplation…"

"Mm-hmm, got it."

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

"Go on. I'll browse on my own. I don't need you here."

"Yes…"

Seeing Li Ang's displeasure—clearly still annoyed over the signing—the waiter could only nod helplessly, bowing respectfully:

"I'll leave you in peace, 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—I'll return immediately to serve you."

"Mm… hmm?"

Wait—you're Jacob?

So you're the waiter the Director told me to find? But weren't you supposed to be on the third-floor VIP section? Why are you greeting guests at the entrance?

"Wait!"

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

"Maybe… you shouldn't leave after all."

Jacob: "?"

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

"…."

You changed your mind too fast. This Duke really is…

Though internally grumbling, Jacob, as a waiter, kept his face politely and respectfully smiling—no lapse 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, cold sweat had soaked a patch of his back.

With the vast gulf in status between them, obeying every demand was the only safe choice. 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?"

"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, feigned searching his own body with his right hand, then exclaimed in feigned surprise:

"Huh? Where's my wallet? Where did my wallet go?"

?!?!

(End of Chapter)