Chapter 171

After obtaining the Supernatural Tale Entry, Feng Xue acquired two Companion Phantom, one of which was the small clock he was currently holding.

Phantom Object: The Bell of Absolution

Elements: [Execution], [Discipline], [Death], [Items]

Synopsis: The magical bronze bell held by the Oath Keeper is always rung upon his appearance. Only sinners can hear the earth-shaking sound that seems to originate from the underworld. It is not just a sound, but also a ritual. The moment one hears the sound, one will be marked by the tolling of death.

Note: Death is offered as a form of atonement, Gift of Release.

The description of the Phantom Object was somewhat vague, but after some trial and error, Feng Xue managed to figure out its characteristics.

Simply put, when Feng Xue rings this small bell, all those "guilty" within the sound's range will be marked, and then all those with the identities of "executioner" and "Oath Keeper" will be able to directly see the "severity" of their crimes.

But this is not the end; quite the opposite, it is just a prelude.

The key point is the use of the "after" marker.

All those marked will be at a disadvantage when facing the executioner and the Oath Keeper, and this disadvantage will increase depending on the severity of the crime.

If it's just petty theft, the beating might just hurt a bit more, but if it's a serial killer, even having their nails trimmed by the executioner could kill them on the spot.

In short, it gives criminals the effect of "targeted attacks on the condemned".

However, for Feng Xue, who possesses the combined skill of Filter × Disassembly Madonna, the biggest effect of this little bell is not actually increased damage...

"Duang--"

The small bronze bell, which was more like a large bell than a regular bell, emitted a sound that was both eerie and incredibly deep.

Amidst the deafening tolling of the bell, the man, whose expression was already strange, suddenly froze. Then, the man wearing Skull Mask, dressed in a black suit, and exuding an ominous aura appeared out of thin air in his field of vision.

Opposite him, Feng Xue was also sizing up their target. In his field of vision, a conspicuous dark red mark was hanging on the top of the man's head.

Judging from the depth of the marks, the perpetrator was not just a copycat. Based on previous experience, someone who could achieve this level of color must have at least five or six lives on their hands.

However, what concerned Feng Xue was not just this, because in his peripheral vision, those marks, some light and some dark, clearly indicated that he had unknowingly entered an encirclement—

Yes, the main purpose of the Bell of Absolution in Feng Xue's hands was actually to uncover ambushes.

"Tsk!" Feng Xue clicked his tongue lightly, ignoring what the trembling man not far away wanted to say. His figure suddenly disappeared, and the next moment, he was already behind the "copycat". But it was in that instant that he appeared that a strong sense of crisis surged into his heart.

[Avoidance Protection] was triggered instantly. Feng Xue twisted her body in a way that defied common sense, dodging the bullet that came from nowhere. She wanted to continue the pursuit, but found that the man in front of her had disappeared without a trace.

"Did they use Phantom Object?" Feng Xue immediately deduced, realizing that this trap was likely set by the authorities.

"It seems they've figured out my rule that 'I can't leave unless I kill my execution target,' but they're still too naive!"

At that moment, a ghostly blue light flashed in the eyes of the Skull Mask on Feng Xue's face. The next moment, his body traversed a distance of dozens of meters and arrived directly behind the "sinner" whose whereabouts he had not known just a second before.

This was his second Companion Phantom—

Name: Phantom Object - Visage of Oath

Elements: [Demon], [Stealth], [Assassin], [Execution], [Deterrence], [Items]

Description: A skull-shaped mask that may seem no different from other Halloween masks, but it takes on a special meaning because it is worn on the face of Oath Keeper. It can perfectly cover the Oath Keeper's face, and sinners who face it will feel immense fear. When a sinner looks into the eyes of Oath Keeper wearing this mask, they will be completely locked in and never be able to escape.

Note: Run away as fast as you want, but when you turn around, I'll be right behind you.

The ability of the Visage of Oath is quite simple; besides instilling fear, its most direct effect is displacement.

As the synopsis states, as long as the conditions for execution are met (including criminals who have not been properly punished by law and those who have violated the creed), and one makes eye contact with Feng Xue wearing a mask, Feng Xue can Teleportation behind the other person at any time until either of them dies.

Although it appears to be the same type of ability as the Phantom of the Phantom of the Opera Set's "Phantom Appearance," they are actually fundamentally different. The effect of "Ghostly Evasion" is similar to "Flash," allowing you to freely decide your landing point, but the distance of each flash is limited. On the other hand, the effect of "Visage of Oath" is "Pursuit," with the landing point fixed behind the targeted person, but conversely, there is no distance limitation.

Feng Xue's Teleportation across a distance without any visual field was clearly unexpected. Before the sense of crisis could strike again, the Sharp blade that popped out from Feng Xue's wrist had already pierced the man's lower back. With the rotation of her wrist, the man, whose kidneys had been completely destroyed, had already entered the countdown to his death.

Without lingering, Feng Xue's gaze fell upon the ambush victim who had just reacted and was about to pull the trigger. However, thanks to the power of [Arrow Protection], Feng Xue clearly understood the trajectory and impact point of the bullet before he fired, easily dodging the first bullet. A flash of blood followed.

The detective's hands were severed by Feng Xue's Sleeve Blade as easily as tofu. Blood gushed out, and the detective, realizing he had lost his hands, only managed to let out a scream.

"Bang bang bang..."

Several more shots were fired in quick succession, but such attacks were meaningless to Feng Xue. With a light tap of his hidden Sleeve Blade, as easily as wiping away water droplets from the rim of a cup, he deflected the bullets. He then returned to the side of the "sinner" who had fallen into shock and stomped on his head.

The Real World Rules are highly flexible. Feng Xue can prolong the time it takes to descend by carefully teaching her, or she can settle it in ten minutes with a single contract. The same applies to execution.

When someone is deemed worthy of execution, one can choose to descend upon them; however, the descent ceases once the person to be executed has died completely.

Looking towards the deepest point of the infamous mark of evil not far away, Feng Xue placed one hand on his chest and bowed slightly. The next moment, before the bullet struck him, the head at his feet exploded like a watermelon falling from the sky...

Why do members of MI9 have criminal markers...?

This is because the Libra Weird Tale does not base its judgment of "sin" on a country's laws, but rather on morality, justice, and fairness.

From a national perspective, there will always be people who do things that are not so honorable, but these are necessary evils committed for the sake of the country and can be forgiven.

But as far as morality, justice, and fairness are concerned, evil is evil, and it exists regardless of whether it is forgiven.

Take the issue of Class D personnel, for example. They are death row inmates and should be punished accordingly. Using them as consumables for Phantom Object artifacts is clearly immoral.

In addition, minor issues such as "theft (stealing secrets)" and "torture to extract confessions" are certainly not uncommon. Although the harm caused by these "crimes" is not significant, they are enough to mark their place.