Netherworld Retrograde

65: Chapter 30: Taboo Items_2 65: Chapter 30: Taboo Items_2 Following that, she turned her gaze to the containment unit beside her.

The display stand within the containment unit held a dark red scarf that had actually split open, moving like a mouth as it spoke.

It was, in fact, mimicking Li Yelai’s voice when it uttered those sleazy words just now.

At this moment, it even switched to Cheese’s voice, emitting a series of embarrassing gasps and statements.

“Ah~ Xiao Ye’s embrace is so comfortable, I miss it so….mm…”

Li Yelai was somewhat dumbfounded, he had never heard Cheese speak with such tone before.

Cheese’s tone was usually efficient and crisp, and yet in the scarf’s mouth it had turned into something incredibly charming and seductive.

“I knew it was that,” Cheese sneered, picking up the document at the entrance of the containment unit and handing it over to Li Yelai.

[Taboo Item: Concealing Scarf]

[Danger Level: D-level]

[Taboo Item Effect: So long as one tells it a joke that satisfies it, or performs a satisfactory dramatic effect, it can be carried internally for one hour, allowing the carrier to obtain Concealing Breath and optical invisibility]

[Adverse Effects: It may speak at any time, reading parts of the memories of nearby humans, and mimicking the voices of people around to stir up strife between them, which seems to be its idea of fun]

[Uncontrolled Reaction: If not removed on time after the carrying period, and no further satisfactory joke can be made.

It will become active on its own, enlarge in size, strangle the carrier, and then continue to attack any nearby humans]

[Suppression Method: Defeat it to make it revert from enlarged state.

Or berate it, relentlessly berate it!

The Moon Shadow Captain once managed to berate it into silence for a whole month]

[Can it be deployed: Requires Level One clearance]

“I remember when it was discovered, it had already caused a family to be torn apart,” Cheese looked at the scarf with a neutral tone: “Since it can read part of memories, the things it says are mixtures of truth and lies, and ordinary people cannot differentiate.

This can lead to misunderstandings, eventually tearing people apart.”

“I get it now, so this scarf is really a piece of garbage, not even as good as a diaper!” Li Yelai closed the file and started to rant.

What he said did have some merit – considering the effect, invisibility seemed quite useful.

But the downside was that it might speak at any moment, which was equivalent to possibly exposing one’s location at any time.

Considering its methods of sowing discord, this item really was a piece of garbage among the Taboo Items.

At that moment, Processors and clerical staff passing by saw what was happening.

They immediately stepped forward, joining in the verbal beatdown with great fervor.

A group of people launched a verbal onslaught against the scarf.

“All right, let them handle the suppression,” instructed Cheese.

Li Yelai touched his forehead: “So this counts as suppressing it too.”

“It’s not in an uncontrolled state now, no need for physical suppression.

If we did need to use force, it would be a bit more troublesome,” Cheese replied.

“What does the last line on the document about whether it can be used mean?” Li Yelai inquired.

“Oh, it refers to whether the clearance to deploy this Taboo Item is available when necessary,” Cheese explained: “For example, in extremely dangerous situations, we Processors can consider using Taboo Items.

As for Level One clearance, we Processors have that from the start.

Of course, some Taboo Items with lower threat levels can also be deployed by clerical staff.”

“For instance, there is a Taboo Item that looks like a teapot, from which you can drink tea that revitalizes the body as long as you follow the instructions.

But the adverse effect sometimes causes diarrhea.

As for uncontrolled reactions…

it just makes the people around choke on water, which is non-lethal.”

Li Yelai nodded in understanding: “It seems that not all Taboo Items are that dangerous.”

“But such Taboo Items are rare,” Cheese responded: “Most Taboo Items are very dangerous, and if they become uncontrolled, they can cause a great deal of chaos.”

“Is it possible to fight Taboo Items with Taboo Items?” Li Yelai asked.

“Generally, it is not recommended,” Cheese stopped walking and pointed inside.

At that moment, they had arrived in front of another unit.

Inside the containment chamber, there was a Wanted poster on a tray.

This Taboo Item, Yang Chen had mentioned it to him before.

As long as the reward is sufficient, it can command a Void Realm Creature to hunt down a target.

According to the document, that Void Realm Creature’s strength is comparable to that of a Spiritual Ability User undergoing the Fourth Awakening.

And since it is a Void Realm Creature, it cannot be completely killed.

It will return time and time again until it kills its target, or the hirer cancels the mission.

But if the reward runs out, it will immediately become uncontrolled.

“Before, we used this Wanted order to fight against out-of-control Taboo Items.

The battle grew increasingly fierce, resulting in many Taboo Items breaking their containment,” Cheese said.

“Therefore, using Taboo Items to fight Taboo Items is very risky.

Unless absolutely necessary, don’t do it.”

Li Yelai took note.

Afterward, Cheese led Li Yelai past all the containment units on the upper half.

Li Yelai witnessed many Taboo Items with strange and varied abilities.

For example, two Door God Paintings that could establish thick Spiritual Barriers to protect the people behind the door, which required constant prayer.

Once out of control, they would open all the doors of Black Prison.

For example, a tree that grew fruit which could temporarily enhance a person’s Spiritual Resistance.

But if left unobserved, it would wildly grow abnormal branches and trees.

Once the branches became dense enough, they would extend out into strange birds that attempted to attack everyone.

For example, a flag that one could hold to increase reaction speed, but at night, the flag would let out a cold wailing sound and try to break its containment.

Also, there was a pulsing red heart.

If touched, it would periodically enhance the body and surge with blood and vigor.

But the price was, it bred a thirst for power that made one unwilling to let go of the heart.

Eventually, due to greed, one would quickly turn into a ruthless killing machine.

When out of control, it would tempt the nearest human to put it on.

These Taboo Items were Li Yelai’s objectives to guard day and night for the next month.

And when Li Yelai and Cheese finished checking the last Taboo Item and were about to head back to rest and eat,

they suddenly heard another voice.

“Hey, how are you still alive with that sort of disposition?” The voice was frivolous but sounded old.

Li Yelai and Cheese stopped and turned around.

It was the last Taboo Item on the upper half.

A Level C Taboo Item, the Nuomian.

It was a black mask with mysterious patterns drawn on it.

In the past, using Nuomian to drive away spirits and deities was a mystical belief in this land.

Unexpectedly, even the Nuomian had become a Taboo Item permeated by the power of the Void Realm.

Indeed, it was the Nuomian that emitted that elderly and frivolous voice.

It seemed to be mocking, as well as expressing wonder.

Li Yelai and Cheese exchanged glances.

The effect of this Nuomian was to grant powerful Divination Ability when worn, but upon removal, one would lose many memories.

When out of control, it would tempt someone to wear the mask and forcibly take over their body, unleashing dangerous powers.

“Has it gone out of control?” Li Yelai asked, pointing at the Nuomian.

Cheese shook his head.

“It doesn’t seem like it.

This thing sometimes converses with Processors, and it has a very potent Divination Ability.

It occasionally speaks bizarre words.

But without someone wearing it, it’s not dangerous.”

Li Yelai thought for a moment, then still asked, “What do you want to say?”

The Nuomian laughed.

“How have you humans survived until now?

People with a fate line like yours have long been dead!”

“You can still see my fate?

Are you talking about my Calamity?” Li Yelai’s face slightly changed, and he quickly asked, “Then do you have a solution?”

“I could perhaps…” the Nuomian seemed to hesitate for a moment.

“Forget it, it’s too dangerous.”

Then, it fell silent.

Cheese frowned.

“This old Bideng is really a riddle-talker.

Ignore it.

Come on, let’s go back to eat.”

“Yeah.” Li Yelai didn’t care, nodding, and left together with Cheese.

After they had left,

the Nuomian ominously said, “Calamity enshrouds you, the vessel cannot hold, Heavenly Thunder strikes the head…

You Must Meet Strong Enemies!

If you do not die, then you become the most fearsome Abnormality.”

Meanwhile, in a hotel in No.3 Border City,

the handsome man opened his eyes once again.

He had obtained yet more advantageous intelligence from the ‘ark.’

Therefore, with a smile, he said, “Good, everything is in place.

Now, whether the plan succeeds or not, we will be safe!”