The Bizarre Detective Agency

Chapter 182: Mutual Trust

Numerous scratches marred the surface of the black branch, making it look battered, but it hadn't turned to ash as it had the previous two times.

"Just as we suspected, the early stage of illusions..." Tesla murmured, "and you only see the projection, remaining indifferent to its influence."

"Do you have any theory as to why that is?" he asked Lu Li.

As the one most familiar with Lu Li, Tesla had taken responsibility for the questioning.

Under the watchful gazes of the four supervisors, Lu Li lowered his eyes, lost in thought.

The most likely reason was that he had come from another world. But without proof, that was just a guess, not a fact.

What else could be unique to him? Anna... the Shadow Swamp... the black eyes...

Lu Li mentally reviewed all the ways he differed from ordinary people. Could the "Door" and the "Bloody Tentacles" be part of that list?

"I have one idea," Lu Li said, raising his head.

He recounted the events at the psychiatric hospital involving Richard, including the vision of the Bloody Tentacles in his mind.He had nothing to hide. He had joined the Investigators precisely to deal with his own problems.

But he couldn't talk about the "Door."

If he told them about the "Door," the consequences would be predictable: the highly contagious "Door" would infect everyone present.

There was no need for that.

Therefore, Lu Li could only investigate this lead on his own, unless he happened to meet other victims.

"It sounds like some kind of curse or the mark of an Evil God," Tristan muttered after listening to Lu Li's story.

Tesla disagreed. "Perhaps not. I wiped the mark of the Mother of the Swamp from him two days ago."

Rachel was painting her nails, not joining the conversation. From time to time, her narrow eyes glanced at Lu Li from behind her veil.

"What if it's a mark of a higher level?" the man in the cloak spoke up thoughtfully. "If it's an Evil God capable of blocking the influence of a projection, it must be very powerful. The mark of such an Evil God couldn't be wiped away with a simple cloth."

Tesla nodded. "That's also a possibility."

The man in the cloak turned to Lu Li. "Can you recall what the Bloody Tentacles looked like?"

Lu Li was about to answer, but Tesla stopped him. He turned, took a quill, ink, and a sheet of paper from a shelf, and placed them in front of Lu Li. "Write it on the paper. It'll be safer for everyone if it turns out to be something dangerous."

Lu Li wasn't used to quill pens, but he knew how to use one. Dipping the quill into the ink, he wrote down a description of the Bloody Tentacles.

When he was finished, Lu Li folded the sheet and handed it to the man in the cloak.

The man took the paper, folded it several more times, and tucked it inside his cloak. "I'll take this to the regional office for examination. We'll read it after we've confirmed it carries no dangerous influence. That could take anywhere from three to seven days."

Lu Li nodded. If something could be done about the Bloody Tentacles, that was a good thing, regardless of whether it was related to his condition. At least it would be one less problem.

After a moment's thought, Lu Li asked Tesla for another sheet of paper. "I have another idea."

He had decided to write about the "Door."

If the Investigators were cautious with the first note about the Bloody Tentacles, perhaps they could use the same method to check the information about the "Door."

Just in case, Lu Li added, "But this might be more dangerous than the last one. Anyone who hears, sees, or reads about it could become infected."

Lu Li wasn't sure if he had been infected by the diary or by contact with the door itself.

In any case, he had to eliminate all possible risks. Beyond the note, he wasn't going to reveal any information, not even telling them it was a "door."

"Including you?" Rachel asked.

The trembling quill froze for a moment before continuing its script. "...Including me."

"How were you infected?" Tesla suddenly frowned.

"I read a diary, and then Richard lured me to it, and I saw it. So, to avoid greater danger, you'd better find Richard as soon as possible."

Lu Li's voice was calm and steady, devoid of any emotion.

He was taking a huge risk.

Just as Richard could infect him with the "Door," Lu Li could infect others. If the nature of the "Door" was that anyone who learned of it became infected, all Lu Li had to do was walk down a few streets shouting about it, and in a few days, all of Belfast would be infected.

But Lu Li still told the Investigators. He trusted them and hoped they could find a solution.

Lu Li had no intention of shouting about it in the streets, but Richard might.

"Where is it located?" the man in the cloak asked.

"In one of the sewer tunnels leading from Agate Lake to the beach. The coastal district, behind a broken grate, about 400 to 500 meters in. I can't describe what it is," Lu Li finished writing and, folding the paper several times, held it out to the man in the cloak. "Don't lose it."

"I'll keep it safe," Dilan said, taking the second note.

After that, the supervisors asked Lu Li a few more questions related to his Mind Level. Tesla, worried about Lu Li's problem, frowned and remained silent.

Finally, the questions ended, and the man in the cloak said, "That's enough. Thank you for the information. After our investigation, we will credit you with contribution points based on what you've provided. You can use them when you become a full-fledged Investigator."

Lu Li didn't reply, his gaze lingering on each of the four before he stood and left the room.

As soon as the door closed, silence fell over the room.

Three pairs of eyes turned to Tesla.

They knew he was on good terms with the novice.

Tesla also knew what they were waiting for. An uncharacteristic irritation appeared on his face as his cane tapped against the expensive velvet carpet. "I only want to say one thing—we are Investigators, not the Night's Watch."

Over hundreds of years of development, the two organizations that had spawned from the spirit hunters had gone down completely different paths.

The Night's Watch was strictly disciplined, like the royal guard. The Investigators, however, were distinguished by their love of freedom and independence, like wandering poets.

If Lu Li's situation had occurred within the Night's Watch, he most likely would have been secretly executed or imprisoned for research, all for the safety of the public.

But the Investigators didn't care about their members' pasts, or even if they were human at all.

The free-spirited Investigators never restricted the freedom of their members, unless they posed a serious threat.

The man in the cloak remarked casually, "Then we'll proceed as usual. We'll note in his file that he is a source of contagion and warn anyone who comes into contact with him about the potential danger. We can't betray the trust of our members."

Tesla finally relaxed, thoughtfully stroking his mustache.

The questions for Lu Li were over, but the man in the cloak didn't seem to be in a hurry to leave. He looked at the other supervisors.

"Weren't there four novices for the test? I'll be in Belfast for another half a day, so I might as well take a look at them too."