novelraw Chapter 167: Simulated Event 1
Chapter 167: Simulated Event 1
Tesla was certain that Old Man Pick was hiding there.
After calling out, he resumed his usual gentlemanly demeanor. Less than a minute later, Old Man Pick emerged from the backyard with an easel, set it down along with his brushes, and, taking a seat, grumbled, “It seems I’m not destined to die of old age.”
Tesla chuckled nonchalantly, picked up a brush, and began to casually sketch something on the easel while explaining to Lu Li, “You saw some of the standard questions for the Mind Level test yesterday. I don’t think there’s any point in using the others. As I’ve said before, the questions on the Mind Level test aren’t actually related to it; it’s just a psychological evaluation. So, I’ve made some adjustments and taken some questions from the Investigator’s Entrance Exam. Though they’re still not related to one’s Mind Level.”
“The Investigator’s Entrance Exam is typically used to evaluate candidates who wish to join the organization. Therefore, your answers will heavily influence whether you’re suited for the role. The test has hidden scores; each of your answers will be graded, and a verdict will be given at the end.”
Thanks to the Heartwood Branch, Tesla wasn't worried about Lu Li giving insincere answers.
Although Tesla didn't think Lu Li would deliberately try to give the correct answers.
He held up two fingers, once again drawing Lu Li's attention to his ring. “So, this is actually two tests: an evaluation of your answers for suitability as an Investigator, and an assessment of your Mind Level.”
If the test had scores, it meant there were relatively fixed answers. Lu Li asked, “And what if my answer isn't one of the standard ones?”
Tesla looked as if he had been expecting that question. He glanced over the easel at Lu Li, who sat opposite him, and said meaningfully, “Then your test sheet will receive a special mark, and it will be evaluated by an examiner.”
“Who’s the examiner?”“Usually, it’s me, the regional supervisor, and someone from headquarters. But I think you’ve already earned a point from me, right?” Tesla set down his brush, but instead of showing Lu Li the drawing, he turned the easel around.
“Alright, let’s begin the formal test.”
Capping his pen, Tesla set it aside and straightened up, his gray suit impeccable. “You are a novice investigator assigned to travel to a set of mysterious and dangerous ruins. Your mission is to find out what lies within. You have nothing with you, so before you depart, you must choose one of the following pieces of starting equipment: disguise gear, a weapon, a reconnaissance tool, or something else. What do you choose?”
“A weapon,” Lu Li replied.
With a serious expression, Tesla offered no opinion, acting as if Lu Li were truly about to explore the ruins and he was merely an impartial narrator.
“You have chosen a weapon. You have three days to prepare. What will you do next?”
This time, there were no options to choose from, as if Lu Li could genuinely control his character’s actions in the story.
“How long will it take to reach the ruins?” Lu Li asked.
“Half a day.”
“Are there any settlements nearby?” Lu Li continued.
A faint glint of admiration flickered in Tesla’s eyes. “A small village, with fewer than a hundred residents.”
“I’ll pack food, water, torches, and medicine that won't hinder my movement. I'll rest for a day, then head to the village to gather information about the ruins,” Lu Li decided.
“You have prepared well for this expedition. After a night’s rest, you feel refreshed and gain a ‘minor stamina boost.’ The half-day journey doesn’t tire you too much, and the ‘minor stamina boost’ wears off.”
“Upon arriving in the village, you question the residents, but they avoid any talk of the ruins, filled with superstitious fear. What will you do next?”
“I’ll keep asking, looking for residents who are willing to talk, or those who might share information for a reward,” Lu Li answered.
A smile seemed to touch the corners of Tesla’s lips. “You persist with your inquiries, and finally, an old man, considered mad by the others, tells you something about the ruins. You receive ‘fragments of information.’ It is now evening. What do you decide to do?”
“I’ll find a safe place in the village to spend the night,” Lu Li said.
Tesla was the one narrating this story, and Lu Li wanted to ensure everything was under control to avoid any unexpected plot twists.
Tesla barely restrained himself from applauding. It wasn't because Lu Li's actions were the same as most experienced investigators, but because he was deliberately trying to minimize the number of potential incidents, avoiding the traps the “narrator” might set.
Tesla felt as if this were a genuine contest.
“You spent some time and effort finding a safe place, and it was worth it. You found a warm and well-lit shelter. The night was restless; you heard whispers coming from the ruins and footsteps outside your shelter. But because your shelter was secure, you passed a relatively peaceful night and received a ‘minor spirit boost.’ Morning has come. What will you do next?”
“Eat some food to sate my hunger. Drink a little water so I won’t need to relieve myself. Then, head out to explore the ruins,” Lu Li replied.
“You leave the quiet village, shrouded in morning mist, and step onto the blackened earth of the ruins. You recall the information from yesterday: the ruins stretch for several kilometers, but the true section is only at the foot of the mountain, a few hundred meters away. Although the outer part of the ruins is dark and lifeless, it isn’t dangerous. You lose ‘fragments of information (1/3).’ What will you do next?”
“I’ll move quickly through the outer area while staying vigilant,” Lu Li said.
“You don’t fully trust the madman’s words, so despite your relatively quick pace, you remain on guard. ‘Minor loss of stamina,’ ‘minor loss of energy.’ Finally, in the distance, you see the black ruins at the foot of the withered mountains, surrounded by black stone columns. A sense of suffocation washes over you, but you quickly compose yourself. A ‘minor spirit boost’ appears. What do you decide to do?”
“I’ll get closer to the ruins and find out what those black columns are,” Lu Li answered.
“The twisted black columns jutting from the earth make you anxious. You approach one of them. The column appears crude and mysterious, its uneven, strange surface reminding you of the village madman’s words—that the columns are made of human bones. You realize the ruins might be dangerous, and fear grips you. You lose ‘fragments of information (2/3),’ and because of the fear, the ‘minor spirit boost’ disappears.”
“As you examine the column, a cry for help echoes from the ruins. What will you do?”