Detective Agency of the Bizarre
Chapter 222 - 222 Seventy-nine

222: Seventy-nine.

Pessimist 222: Seventy-nine.

Pessimist A black oak branch, the length of a palm, was placed on the desk.

The last Sanity Value test involved a leaf; this time, it was replaced with a branch.

Lu Li faintly guessed the form of the Evil Spirit, “Is this a part of the Evil Spirit that can materialize the Sanity Value?”

An indescribably obscure aura emitted from the branch, and its appearance was somewhat familiar to Lu Li.

Hades seemed to have one too, but the aura on it was nearly depleted.

Hades merely used the branch as an ordinary Homogeneous Item: to gnaw on.

“Yes, it’s called the Soul Tree.

The ritual involves absorbing the words of those around it and unveiling their mental veils.

However, human minds are too fragile to bear its aura, often going mad from speaking around its true form.

Until the first generation of Demon Slayer, Isaac Einstein, began research to decipher the Evil Spirits and used the branches and leaves of the Soul Tree for tests, eventually finding a way to localize Sanity Value.”

The knowledge that Hades would charge thousands of Shillings for was casually mentioned by Tesla.

“Evil Spirits have a physical form?” Lu Li asked, as what Tesla was saying differed from what he knew.

[Evil Spirits don’t have a physical form; in some ways, they are omnipresent, not like resentful spirits that have a body…

not without a body either—too specific and I can’t explain it to you—]

The words of the Seeker surfaced in his mind.

“A tree always has roots, and water always returns to its source,” Tesla replied with a light laugh.

“However, most Evil Spirits’ physical forms and consciousnesses are not together.

Their consciousnesses possess wherever they descend, and no one knows what or where their true forms are.

This is why it’s so difficult for us to completely eradicate Evil Spirits.”

“It’s quite pessimistic to hear such words from a professional like you,” Old Pique, who was standing with his arms folded, huffed.

“We must face reality,” Trass said with a hint of resignation and continued to Lu Li, “So, Evil Spirits whose consciousnesses and true forms are one, like the Soul Tree, are rare indeed.

If all Evil Spirits were like this, we’d probably be out of a job by now.”

“So there are more and more Evil Spirits?”

Lu Li always managed to capture the key information in what was said.

Teslange didn’t immediately respond, and like a habitual gesture, he twisted the ring on his finger and spoke slowly, “Old Pique and I talked about your response during the Sanity Value test.

I want to know, what made you develop such thoughts?

Pessimism, caution.”

Lu Li didn’t continue to respond, as Trance was still speaking.

“When I was your age, I was at the age where I feared nothing and was full of positivity, fearless of anything.

Even if an Evil God appeared before me, I’d dare to swing a stick at it.

But you, you’re as cautious as an old fellow I know, who has retired from being an investigator because of old age—it’s rare for someone in the organization to retire due to age.”

Trance stared at Lu Li, waiting for his response.

Old Pique stood up from his seat and left, coughing, “Carry on, I need to go to the bathroom—you know how it is with old age, frequent urination.”

“If you’re not back in five minutes, I’ll send Little Pick to fish you out of the restroom,” Trance waved at him.

Waiting for Old Pique to leave, Lu Li’s gaze shifted away from the crowd around the tables.

“It stems from what I have witnessed,” he replied.

“This world is becoming increasingly difficult to survive at a visibly rapid pace.”

Trance looked puzzled, “You haven’t been an Exorcist for long.

According to our records, you arrived in Belfast a month ago and became an Exorcist a few days later.

Hmm…

Hades is the guide, I know him, an Exorcist with not so great a reputation, willing to do anything for money, which actually suits being a guide.”

“So, as a rookie Exorcist, what paranormal events have you experienced in this month?

Be honest, you are very steadfast, and I don’t think a month is enough to make such a steadfast person turn so pessimistic.”

Then, Lu Li recounted all the experiences he had since coming to this world, “The Night Calamity, over a dozen ghosts, two vengeful spirits, two Evil Spirits, one existence that might be an Evil God, a day spent in Shadow Swamp amid a hurricane, and two parts that are unsuitable to be mentioned right now.”

“That sounds…” Tesla was taken aback by what Lu Li recounted.

“Quite unfortunate.”

“But what if what you experienced is the true face of this world?

Before this, you were an ordinary person, and you most likely had no contact with these things.”

“If that were the case, human civilization might not have developed to this extent,” Lu Li shook his head.

Tesla’s statement seemed reasonable, but it did not hold up under scrutiny.

“The Night Calamity emerged a few months ago, and the traces of the hurricanes have yet to vanish from here.”

“Alright, I thought I could fool you.”

Unexpectedly, Tesla readily acknowledged Lu Li’s viewpoint, “In fact, our world is indeed becoming…

more dangerous.”

“Is the situation bad?”

“It’s not very bad, nor very good,” Trass said with the same composure as Lu Li, despite the dire topic.

He chuckled, “But that’s what makes our work all the more meaningful, doesn’t it?”

Having confirmed his suspicion, Lu Li no longer pursued the topic and switched the subject, “Are we not starting the Sanity Value test yet?”

“It’s already underway,” Trass pointed to the black branch on the table.

“We can communicate around the branch of the Soul Tree.”

“The Sanity Value test may be called a test, but those questions are used to assess the testee’s personality to see if they are suitable to join the three major organizations.

If you join the investigators, every time you return from an exploration, the Sanity Value test questions will probe into your mind.

You know, if the Sanity Value is too low, it can cause a person’s temperament to change dramatically.”

This explained why the first Sanity Value test had questions that seemed like psychological test items.

“What if I lie?” Lu Li asked.

“Nothing will happen.

The Soul Tree can distinguish between truth and falsehood.”

Trass added, “I think highly of you, so if your answer satisfies me, I’ll consider making an exception, even if you have serious Sanity Value issues.”

Lu Li nodded, “Then let’s continue.”

Trass’s mustache quivered, showing a smile he had long awaited: “I have been looking forward to this moment for a long time.”

Just as Lu Li appreciated Trass’s forthrightness, Trass also appreciated Lu Li’s character, seeing a bit of himself in it.

Steady, calm, intelligent, and a pessimism similar to his own.

Pessimism might cause one to be cautious and hesitant in action.

But in some situations, its effect can be as beneficial as being cool-headed and intelligent.

Pessimists often set their mental expectations for an event at the lowest, which means when something terrible happens—they are better prepared.