Chapter 240 - 240 Ninety-seven

Words : 1338 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

240: Ninety-seven. Mutual trust 240: Ninety-seven. Mutual trust The dense scratches that appeared on the surface made the pitch-black branches terribly damaged, yet they did not turn to ash as they had the previous two times. “Just like we speculated, early Hallucination Phase...” Tesla muttered to himself. “And you were just seeing projections, indifferent to the scent they emitted.” “Can you guess why that would be?” Since Tesla was most familiar with Lu Li, he was in charge of questioning him. Under the gaze of the four leaders, Lu Li lowered his eyes in thought. His identity from another world was the most likely possibility. But without evidence, it could only approach the truth without equating to it. Then was there something unique to him that others did not possess? Anna... Shadow Swamp... black eyes... Lu Li considered all the ways he differed from ordinary people. Did the “door” and “Blood-Colored Tentacles” count among them? “I have thought of one possibility,” Lu Li raised his head and said. He recounted parts related to Richard from the Asylum incident, including the Blood-Colored Tentacles in his mind. There was nothing to hide; he had joined the investigators to resolve the hidden dangers he carried. Unfortunately, there was no way for Lu Li to talk about the door. If Lu Li were to speak about the door, it could be foreseen that the contagious door would infect everyone in the room. He had no need to do that. Hence, Lu Li could only proceed with that line of inquiry alone unless he encountered other victims. “It sounds like some curse or mark of an Evil God,” Triss hummed after hearing Lu Li’s account. Tesla did not agree: “Perhaps not. I wiped the mark of the Mother of the Marsh from him two days ago.” Rachel was painting her nails, not joining in the conversation, but occasionally her narrow eyes beneath her veil would glance at Lu Li. “What if it’s a higher mark?” the cloaked figure spoke, pondering. “If it’s an Evil God capable of blocking out the scent of projections, its power must be on a much higher level. How could such a high-level mark of an Evil God be erased with a mere edge-cleaning cloth?” Tesla nodded: “That is also a possibility.” The cloaked figure asked Lu Li, “Can you still remember what the Blood-Colored Tentacles looked like?” Before Lu Li could speak, Tesla stopped him. He turned and took a quill, ink, and a piece of paper from the shelf, placing them before Lu Li: “Write it down on the paper. If it might have serious consequences, it won’t bring disaster upon everyone.” Lu Li was not accustomed to using a quill, but he knew how to. Dipping the quill tip in ink, he wrote down a description of the Blood-Colored Tentacles on the paper. Afterwards, Lu Li folded the paper and handed it to the cloaked figure. The cloaked figure took the paper, folding it several times more before tucking it away, “I will take it back to the regional division for inspection, to confirm there is no scent on it before I look at it. It might take three to seven days.” Lu Li nodded. Whether the Blood-Colored Tentacles were related to his condition was another matter, but at least it was one less trouble. After thinking it over, Lu Li asked Tesla for another piece of paper: “I have thought of another possibility.” He intended to write down about the “door.” If the previous note, that of the “Blood-Colored Tentacles,” would be opened after inspection, then he could also have the investigators use this method to test information about the “door.” To be cautious, Lu Li added, “But it could be more dangerous than the former. Anyone who hears about, sees the original, is related to, or reads content describing it might be infected.” Lu Li was unsure if he had been infected by the “door” because of that journal or because he had come into contact with the door itself. Regardless, Lu Li wanted to avoid any potential production. Aside from the note, he would not reveal any information, he couldn’t even tell them it was a “door.” “Including you?” Rachel asked. The quill trembled briefly, then continued as normal: “... Including me.” “How were you infected?” Tesla suddenly furrowed his brow. “I read a diary, and then Richard schemed to lead me to its vicinity, and I saw it. So, to avoid greater danger, you’d be best off finding Richard as soon as possible.” Lu Li’s voice was calm and steady, betraying no emotion. He was taking a significant risk in doing this. Just as Richard could infect Lu Li with the “door”, Lu Li could infect others with it too. If the “door’s” nature was such that simply knowing about the “door” would lead to infection, that would mean Lu Li only needed to shout as he walked down a few streets, and in a few days, no one in Belfast would be spared. But Lu Li still informed the investigator organization. He trusted them and hoped to find a solution. Lu Li would not shout in the streets, but Richard might. “Where is it?” the cloaked figure pressed on. “One of the sewers leading from Agate Lake to the beach. Inside a rotten fence door 400 to 500 meters from the coastal district. I can’t describe what it is.” Lu Li wrote down the description of the door, folded the paper several times, and pushed it toward the cloaked figure. “Don’t let it get lost.” “I will take good care of it,” Dylan took the second note. Afterward, the three leaders asked Lu Li more questions about his Sanity Value. Tesla, distracted by the hidden dangers Lu Li carried, remained silent with a furrowed brow. When the final question was over, the cloaked figure spoke: “That’s enough, thank you for the information you brought to the investigator organization. After the investigation, we will award contributions according to the information provided. You can use them once you become an official investigator.” Without a word, Lu Li lingered his gaze slightly on the four people, then got up and left the room. After the door closed, a deathly silence fell over the room. Three sets of eyes fell on Tesla. They knew this guy had a good relationship with the newcomer who just left. Tesla also knew what they were waiting for. Irritation, long absent from his face, showed up as he tapped his cane against the expensive velvet carpet, “I only want to say one thing—we are investigators, not Night Watchmen.” Centuries of development had led the two organizations, born from the Demon Slayers, to evolve in opposite directions. The Night Watchmen adhered strictly to discipline, like the Royal City’s guard. Investigators were freewheeling, like wandering bards. If Lu Li’s situation had arisen within the Night Watchmen, it’s highly likely they would have secretly executed him or confined him for research, all to ensure public safety. But among the investigators, they didn’t care about the pasts of those who joined them, they didn’t even mind if a member wasn’t human. The loose and free investigators would never restrict their members’ freedom unless they were extremely unstable. The cloaked figure stated casually: “Then just mark him as a contagion source in the archives, let those who come into contact with Lu Li know the risks. We can’t fail the members who trust us.” Tesla finally relaxed somewhat, stroking his mustache as he pondered something. With Lu Li’s matters asked and answered, the cloaked figure did not intend to leave just yet. He turned to the three leaders. “Weren’t there four new recruits being reviewed? I will stay in Belfast for half a day longer, might as well look into them as well.”

Chapter 240 - 240 Ninety-seven

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